Important notes at end of chapter

Irene walked out of the hospital and made her way to a local café. She sat down and watched as people failed to glance over at her. She was almost invisible to these people. She took a sip of her coffee before smirking. Oh how her life was different being the meek little pathologist and not the dominatrix she usually was.

Work had been going well, ya know, for an untrained pathologist. She may or may not have called in a few favours from some clients (who were more than happy to assist when she reminded them of compromising information she possessed).

On her spare days, Irene had visited countries in Europe that she would never be allowed to if she was in her own body. Paris welcomed her with open arms and the Vatican was more than happy to allow her entrance.

As Irene walked back to the hospital and revelled in the knowledge no-one was even looking her way.

While Irene enjoyed her freedom, Molly was getting sick of having to stay at home. She didn't like the thought of Anthea following her around London and she didn't like that she couldn't go out or come home during the night. She hated that she couldn't meet anyone outside of the house. She was, for all intents and purposes, stuck in home for the rest of her life.

For a week, UNO had been the only source of entertainment. She and Kate had made a drinking game out of it. After being a shot with ever 'plus 2' or 'plus 4', the game changed towards taking a shot every time they picked up a card or played a card. This was due to Molly wanted to get drunk and forget about the circumstances she was put under.

It was hard to forget when Kate continued to call her 'Irene'. Once, while absolutely smashed, Molly had told Kate to call her 'Molly'. Kate had just screwed up her nose and said, "But your friend's name is Molly, and I don't like her all that much."

"She's not that bad," Molly tried, "and I think she's got a thing for you."

Kate let out an unattractive snort. "Psht, no! She shoots me daggers!" she slurred.

"N-no. She totally cares about you, though. In fact, she told me to make sure y-you're alright, especially while we're…you know, under house arrest," Molly said, waving a hand and a shot around.

Giggling, Kate, put down her UNO cards and spilt over a shot. "House arrest. So stupid! Sounds like you're gonna arrest a house!"

Irene hung up her lab coat and scooped up her belongings. She walked out of the hospital and hailed a cab.

"221B Baker street, please," she said as she closed the door behind her.

Sherlock sighed and looked out the window to see Molly Hooper standing at the front door.

"MRS HUDON! DOOR!" he yelled and watched as the door opened.

He watched as the woman disappeared into the house. Sherlock stood up and smoothed his suit. He glanced in the mirror and ruffled his hair before sitting in his chair and staring at the door.

A few minutes passed and Sherlock stood up, his eyebrows furrowing. He walked to the stairs and walked down, looking around. Hearing a laugh in Mrs Hudson's kitchen, Sherlock made his way towards the source.

"In Belgium?!" a soft voice asked before bursting into laughter.

Another voice joined in the laugher as the kettle started to whistle. "Another tea?" she asked.

There was a scraping of chairs and the soft voice giggled. "I better not. I'm driving home."

The duo burst out laughing again and Sherlock walked into the kitchen. The laughter died down and the two women looked at Sherlock. Mrs Hudson stood at the stove and Molly Hooper sat at the table.

"Good afternoon," he said, his eyes narrowing as he looked back and forth at the two women.

"Oh, Sherlock, Molly was just telling me about how quiet it's been at the morgue. I thought you said you went yesterday?" Mrs Hudson asked while pouring some tea.

Molly leaned across the table and took a biscuit before looking over at Sherlock. They made eye contact and Sherlock sighed.

"Yes. After continuous threats made against me, I've found another morgue that is more than happy to have me there." He paused and looked at Mrs Hudson. "They're much friendlier and overall better at their jobs than the morgue at St. Bart's."

The guest scoffed as she put her biscuit down. "How much did your brother bribe them with? And I'll have you know that I'm at the top of my field. I recently met the other pathologists in London and saw their work. You just don't want to admit that I intimidate you.

"Wrong. I just find the facilities at your morgue lack the professionalism the new one has," Sherlock said before turning around. "I'll be upstairs."

As Sherlock left, Molly laughed a little. "What an idiot."

That night, as Molly and Kate watched TV with a bottle of wine, Molly looked at the other woman.

"Let's go away," she said to Kate.

"Er, we can't, Irene," Kate replied, her eyebrows furrowing. "The government will be after us."

Molly put down her wine glass. "Screw the government. Let's get a car, a good disguise, and head off."

"We can't." Kate rolled her eyes. "How much have you had to drink?"

As she collected the wine and glasses, Molly grabbed her sleeve. "You and me, Kate, us going wherever we want, being who we like. I hear Canada is nice this time of year."

Scoffing, Kate shook off Molly's arm and made her way to the kitchen. "Don't be psychotic."

While Kate walked away, Molly closed her eyes and sighed. She decided to never bring up running away again, knowing that it made Kate angry and that would make Irene very angry. Instead, she tried to keep a smile on and maintain a sunny disposition. Whenever Kate left the room, Molly's façade would drop.

A/N: Hi darling!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm hoping to complete everything by the end of this year. It'll mean I did a whole year on FFN and then I'm going to start using AO3. I've already got a few things over there so I'll wrap up here and head over. If I decide to continue doing the Ermergerd-Lock series, I'll have another account on AO3 for that.

Whatever I don't finish this year, I think I'll say it's on permanent hold, but I'll put something on the last chapter saying that it's now on AO3 and I'll give the new name. I think I'll finish this story before the end (and if I only have one or two chapters left and written, I'll post them nonetheless).

I might end, though, with another 30 day challenge in January and then that'll be a wrap. I've actually been planning the next (and last) 30 day challenge for a while, so it should be good.

That's all I wanted to say. Chapter 13 is currently in the process of being written :)

Stay classy.

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