There is Another One

Three days later Molly was quite settled in to Baker Street. She had brought over most of her clothes, a pile of book and other womanly essentials, and of course, Toby her cat. Sherlock had just rushed off on a case, looking like a child on Christmas morning, leaving her to mull over what to make for herself for dinner.

Typical. I shouldn't have expected anything less.

Toby mewled at her feet, breaking her from her thoughts. She fed him then decided on beans on toast for herself. Settling down at the table, being careful not to disturb Sherlock's microscope, she began to ponder how in fact she had gotten here, in this very situation.

The Christmas party at Bart's. I had almost not gone to it. Would he have ended up confessing to me in some other way, some other situation, if I hadn't gone?

Shaking her head she stood to clean up the mess Toby had made with his food.

Silly to think about it Molly! It happened. It's done. And you're here, living with him.

She let out an ecstatic giggle as she sat back down at the table. The fact that he wanted to be with her, sent an electric current through her body. Suddenly the sound of the front door slamming shut brought her back to the here and now. Frantic footsteps ran up the stairs.

"Molly?!"

She stood, "In the kitchen!"

Sherlock rushed in, pulling her in to his body, practically crushing her to him. He was panting heavily. Did he run all the way here?

"What's wrong?"

"Richard Brook is real."

She leaned back, staring up at him with wide eyes, "What?"

"Richard Brook isn't a fallacy. He exists. He is James Moriarty's identical twin brother."

Molly's mouth dropped open, "That can't be."

"But it is. He's the one who sent out the video. Every lead that Mycroft had in finding the source always led to a dead end, but now we found him. Or, he found us. He has to be stopped. I don't know what he'll do. I have no idea if he is anything like his brother. He must be smart though, he kept me off the trail of the source of the video for nearly a year." Sherlock moved his hands to her shoulders, "I have to keep you safe Molly. He'll find out that you helped me fake my death. He might already know. I must keep you safe."

She had never seen him look like this, except for on the night he had asked her for her help. He's really frightened, he's really truly frightened.

"Keep me safe, how? If Brook is anything like his brother, nowhere is safe."

Sherlock's eyes narrowed, "There's a house in Scotland, very remote. Mycroft is already having his men prepare it. You'll go there with Mrs. Hudson and Mary."

Molly stepped back slightly, "NO! I'm not running off and hiding away. What about my job?"

"Oh hang your job! Your life is far more important!"

She had now fully stepped out of his grasp, "And what of your life? Is it not just as important? Moriarty nearly succeeded in killing you, who is to say that his brother won't? Do not for one moment think that I will just sit back and let you go off and risk your life. I don't want any part of that. I helped you once, but I won't fake your death for a second time. I do not want you to become a body on my slab, not for real. I won't go through that again."

His arms had fallen down to his sides. He had never heard her speak like this. Of course he was all too well aware of the paid he had forced her to bear those two years he was off being dead, but to hear her voice it, created a whole new realization.

"Molly. Molly please." His tone was ragged, low, hardly a whisper. She stood her ground, not stepping back into his beckoning arms.

Be brave Molly. Be strong.

"If you're going to go after him, then I am coming with you. I want to be by your side. I can help you. Let me help you."

He knew by the look on her face that there was no use arguing with her. She had made a decision and she would hold to it. He nodded and she at last stepped back into his arms. She folded herself in to his embrace, as he held on to her tightly.

"It's no wonder that I love you. You're as ridiculously stubborn as I am."

Molly chuckled into his neck before leaning back in order to kiss him.

Don't over-react. Yes. He just stated that he loved you, but DON'T over-react.

His voice broke through her thoughts, "We will leave for Scotland in the morning. I wish sooner, but that can't exactly be helped."

"We still have to go to Scotland?"

"Yes. London isn't safe, and Baker Street most definitely isn't. We need to get out of here and conjure a plan; a plan of how to lure Richard Brook from his nest."

Molly sighed, "I suppose bringing Toby isn't an option?"

"Nope."

"Fine. I'll bring him to Meena's."