To everyone who has favourited and followed me or my stories thank you! It makes me feel all gooey.. Your patience is greatly appreciated in this super slow burn.. I hope this chapter is well received.. It doesn't start off so well for our girl however...

extra special thanks goes to Dananann B for reviewing.. All we know so far is there is a military base at Andover...

Chapter eight

Finally

"Stevie can you just drop the subject? I don't want to think about it anymore okay? I don't know why he kissed me and I don't know why he held my hand, he probably doesn't know himself." Molly added bitterly, her head was low, she was still in her pyjamas and she clearly had half her make up from the previous night's party.

"Why you didn't you talk to him? I thought you stayed to talk to him?" Stevie quizzed her.

"I tried to, he wouldn't talk to me, he ran out." Molly threw her hands up.

"He did what?" Stevie sounded incredulous.

Molly sighed, "It seemed like he had a lead, but I kinda just think he was just looking for an excuse to leave."

"Well, when are you going to talk to him?" Stevie asked exasperated.

"I don't know, he's gone to Andover, something about a military base."

"Andover?" Stevie's voice was faint, he felt his vision tunnelling, his palms felt sweaty, he scrambled to cover his reaction with an emotion connected to Molly. "How can he do that you?' His voice, normally so modulated was shrill.

Molly looked up in surprise, "Stevie?"

"He's just messing you around! I don't want to see you hurt, you deserve better."

Stevie's internal voices were going crazy, his father was telling him, You useless little fairy, did you really think you could win where Moriarty himself failed?

Moriarty appeared next as though his father had tagged him in, his Irish lilt still achingly beautiful even in his imagination. You need to distract him Seby, he's easy, so easy, get him to chase her.

"Stevie, you worry too much, I'm fine, honestly," when Stevie didn't respond Molly started to feel concerned, "Stevie?"

His mother chimed in next and he had to stop himself was laughing out loud, he'd been wondering where she'd gone.. Pay attention you little poof, if I was there I'd clip yer ear for you.

Stevie's head rose up unsteadily and he blearily focused on Molly, his eyes were bloodshot and he felt the beginnings of one of his special headaches. "Sorry Molly," his voice scratchy and thin, "I feel a bit poorly."

Molly was shocked, his face seemed to have aged ten years in the space of a minute, his skin was grey and his eyes bloodshot, "Stevie, do you need a doctor? You look very unwell."

"No," Stevie swayed in his seat, "Migraine, I need to go Molly, I'll call you okay?" He stumbled to the door and fumbled with the locks until Molly came and opened them for him.

"Are you sure you can get home Stevie? You shouldn't be on your own in this state."

"Cab," he gasped out, "I'll get the agents to get me one." He fell through the door in his haste to exit.

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Stevie woke the following morning with a clear head and a plan already forming for the best way to deal with the great Sherlock Holmes poking around Andover. It all hinged on Molly, if he thought Molly was in danger he would come back immediately and not only that, he would be distracted.

Quick trip to a particular former associate of Moriarty's and he could have Sherlock running back tonight, which at least will minimise the chances of him finding anything there at the base.

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Molly decided a walk to pick up the ingredients for a chicken soup for Stevie would be just the thing, she needed something to take her mind off the constant cycling thoughts of Sherlock.

Stevie had claimed that although he felt much better now he'd be a fool to turn down Molly's chicken soup.

The agents were duly given notice and they all set off together in procession like a marching band on parade.

Molly was finding this was getting old. She knew she needed the protection and she also knew she was damn lucky to have it but she just desperately wanted to have her old life back.

She wanted to go to work and walk by herself and work out whatever the hell was going on with Sherlock without an audience..

Feeling a sting on her neck she slapped at it haphazardly, her vision blurred and she felt whoozy, as she squeaked out "Bee?" Her legs seemed to dissolve, she heard the pounding of feet on the pavement, commands bring shouted as she hit the ground with her hip and felt her head rushing to join it.

A hand cradled her head before it hit and the last thing she heard before everything faded to black was "Call Holmes!" Yes, she thought, call Sherlock.

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Monitors beeping, nurse's crepe soled shoes were shuffling, wheels were squeaking and there was a low hum of chatter, hospital, why am I? Did I collapse at work? Molly became increasingly aware of a desperate thudding pain in the back of her head, she tried to open her eyes but they seemed to have a gravity of their own. A chink of light was a knife of pain through her skull causing her to gasp.

The sound caused a commotion somewhere to her left but she couldn't see what it was, not all of her senses were dulled however, she would recognise that aftershave anywhere. "Sherlock?" She felt his large hand envelope hers in his and she sighed in relief.

Everything flooded through her brain in a jumble, the engagement party, Joe, the soup. She felt a straw press against her lip.

"Drink Molly, it'll help with the head ache." Sherlock grabbed the button to summon the nurse with his free hand and pressed it on firmly, then he let his hand have its way and smoothed it over Molly's hair in a comforting gesture, enjoying the silly texture.

Molly's brain was fluttering about in a flap, remembering he had gone to Andover right after thinking she had accepted a date with another man! "Sherlock? I didn't…erm, I wasn't.."

"Sshh Molly, just rest, everything's going to be fine." Sherlock heard the nurse bustling in and told Molly "I'll be right back, just need to make a quick phone call away from the equipment. I'll send Mary in, she just arrived."

Molly's head was fuzzy but she didn't miss the obvious discrepancy between his knowledge that Mary was newly outside and needing to make a phone call away from her. "Sherlock, it's not his fault."

Sherlock's only answer was the sound of him sweeping out the door, he passed by Mary on her way in.

Mary took in his countenance and spared a thought for Mycroft in the next few moments. She pushed the door open and smiled at Molly. "Feeling a bit sore sweetie?"

"Mary, what happened? I got stung by a bee, and then everything sort of..went strange." Molly's eyes were twitching and half closed, keeping them open was a fight, they felt hot and gritty. Every time they closed she felt her self start to drift off into a ready dream and jolted back tossing her head a little to remain conscious.

"You took a tranquilliser dart in your neck on your way to the supermarket and you're feeling the after effects from the drugs they had to give you to reverse it" Mary felt sick, her stomach twisted and tumbled at the dark thoughts that kept popping up, she kept imagining how things would have worked out if the dart had've been a bullet.

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"Sherlock, I promise you we will have upped her security, it should come as no surprise to know that she is dear to all of us." Mycroft assured Sherlock as soon as he answered.

"Mycroft," Sherlock's voice was taut to snapping point, "What if that had been a bullet? I could have lost her." Tears were sliding silently down his cheeks, he closed his eyes trying desperately to regain control.

"Sherlock," Mycroft's voice was soft, "You have to take her home, that's the only way you can ensure her safety."

"Double her detail Mycroft," Sherlock's voice brooked no argument..

"Sherlock you cannot neglect.."

"I am taking her to Baker Street Mycroft," he interrupted, "Nonetheless, DOUBLE THE DETAIL," Sherlock ordered.

Mycroft's voice was gentle and full of sorrow, "Yes, little brother, of course, it's already taken care of, Stevie is making arrangements as we speak." Sherlock gushed out a breath, hung up his phone and turned on his heel to head back to Molly's room.

The agents posted outside the room saw him returning and stood up straighter looking terrorised as they had each and time he had passed them all day. Each and every one of them was terrified because they had messed up and let his Mrs. get hurt.

Had you tried to argue with them on the sticky point of whether or not Molly was in fact his Mrs. they would have maintained that she was under threat of death, a lie detector would have been unable to find a dissenter in the lot. They all knew the difference in reaction between a friend and a spouse, a friend could rip you in half it's true, but only a spouse could generate the look of pain and desperation that Sherlock had worn ever since he found out Molly had been hurt.

They waited for him to start throwing punches and threatening jobs and they were each perfectly willing to let him vent some of his anger and fear on them.

Sherlock didn't so much as glance their way, he couldn't allow himself to, if he started dishing out retribution like he oh so badly wanted to he wouldn't be able to maintain his gentle composure for Molly, at the moment that's all he wanted, to be whatever she needed.

The moment he appeared in the door Molly's eyes slotted into his and the world shrank for the both of them them to the space between them, "Molly," she looked so tiny in the hospital bed, shrunken by fright.

"Sherlock, I'm okay, I'm fine now, my head hurts, my hip's bruised, I'm okay, the nurse has taken the drip out and I'm allowed to leave once they write the discharge summary."

Mary sat watching them orbiting each other, there would be no misunderstandings to keep them apart tonight, they couldn't look away from each other, she was privy to a far too intimate moment, she may have blushed before standing up and saying, "I'll leave the two of you to it then, shall I? I'll tell John to wait until tomorrow to come."

Neither of them looked at her as she gathered her things and got out of there, Sherlock mumbled a thank you to Mary and Molly a quick bye, but they didn't take their eyes off each other.

"Sherlock, please sit down." Molly's voice quavered but her gaze remained steady.

Sherlock sat down on the bed as far from her as he possibly could and sat with hands linked together waiting.

Molly took a breath and decided to jump in at the deep end. "Why did you kiss me Sherlock? And hold my hand?" Molly's voice was barely a whisper and her hands were trembling, she felt like a scared little mouse.

She had no idea how brave she appeared to Sherlock, she was magnificent, so brave in the face of overwhelming emotions, if anything she seemed afraid not to deal in sentiment. He cleared his throat buying time, "Maybe this isn't the best time to discuss.." He trailed off uncomfortably.

Molly sighed, "Sherlock this is too confusing, it's not fair, you kiss me, you ignore me, you hold my hand, you ignore me, you know how I feel about you, why are you being so cruel?" Her voice cracked at the last.

Sherlock shuffled closer and took her hand pulling it to him, "I wanted to kiss you Molly, I wanted to hold your hand," he paused thinking, "I want to do those things again but it's not a good idea." His voice bore traces of resignation and disappointment.

"Why isn't it a good idea Sherlock? I want to, you want to, so why? Why not?"

"Molly, you accepted a date with another man, it's pretty clear that you want to move on." His mouth was turned down at the corners, he stared down at Molly's hand hoping it wasn't too obvious how much he was hurting.

"I didn't accept a date with him Sherlock, I gave him Meena's number after checking with her it was okay, I can't accept a date with him when I have feelings for someone else, that wouldn't be fair on him or me." Sherlock's head came up slowly until his eyes were crossed hers.

"No date?" His voice was husky, eyes hopeful.

"No date," Molly agreed, lips tilting up, eyes shining with anticipation.

Sherlock slid towards her slowly while pulling her hand to drag her closer, their eyes were welded together, sparks flying, the air dense, causing matching heaving chests. He reached up and cupped her cheek in much the same way he had on their date, only this time there was no interruption.

Molly was trembling and when his lips finally brushed against hers ever so gently she whimpered. The sound cracked the still atmosphere and Sherlock yanked her hard to pull her across into his lap, the blankets tangled around her legs.

Molly moaned as their mouths crashed against each other over and over. She sought his tongue with hers and they both sighed as their tongues swirled and slipped against one another.

Molly's hands ran up across his upper arms and shoulders and finally sunk into his hair, she murmured a sound of appreciation into his mouth, she had been desperate to her run her fingers through his hair since the moment she'd met him, over time that desire had never waned but only intensified.

Sherlock's hands cradled her head his fingers curled slightly as he dragged them back and forth across her scalp, the sensation sent tingles running down her spine, she had watched those hands for years, elegant, strong, big, they had starred in many fantasies.

After what felt like hours Molly pulled back to look at Sherlock, her breath was shallow and swift, his lips were swollen, hair roughed up from her ever questing hands, eyes dilated, she sighed, he was so extraordinarily beautiful and she loved him so deeply. "Sherlock?"

His eyes crinkled in the corners as he smiled gently, his affection was clear in his eyes, echoing the sentiment he expressed in that hallway on their day together, "No Molly, I won't change my mind, I'm not playing a game," his voice was genuine and his face open.

Molly felt tears forming in her eyes, she felt like a fool but she'd waited for so long for him, she felt overwhelmed, Sherlock pulled her back against his chest, "Molly, I know you deserve better than me, but I cannot resist you any longer, I'm not strong enough and now, I'll never want to stop."

The heated passion of a moment ago had washed out like a tide leaving a loving, comfortable lull that felt like coming home after a long journey, Sherlock rubbed Molly's back and planted kisses on the top of her head, "Molly?" He whispered.

"Hmm" came her sleepy sounding reply, she snuggled against him, he was so warm and he smelt so wonderful.

"I'm in love with you, do you still love me? Do you still want me?" His voice was strong but uncertain, he had steeled himself just to ask, much like ripping off a plaster, just do it fast and it's over.

"Sherlock, I've never ever stopped loving you, wanting you." Molly's voice was contented and sure.

"Are you in love with me? John tells me there's a difference." His voice held trepidation, he half expected her to dash his hopes even now.

"Yes Sherlock, I'm in love with you, I've been in love with you for years." Molly laughed self deprecatingly at her inability to not love him.

"I'm sorry Molly, I was afraid, I've been aware of my feelings for quite some time now."

"It's okay now Sherlock, just don't leave me again, okay?"

Sherlock squeezed her close and then ran a hand up under her chin to tilt her face up towards his again. When their lips met again it was gentle and slow and simply love being expressed physically.

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"Mrs Hudson I'm fine really, you don't need to do anything, I can get a takeaway," Molly smiled reassuringly and was about to continue when Sherlock butted in.

"I can get a take away if Molly needs to eat Mrs Hudson, she's my responsibility, my house, my…guest."

"Well," she started uncertainly, clearly not comfortable with the idea of Sherlock looking after a fellow human being, she doubted whether or not he could keep a house plant alive, let alone a female human adult who had just suffered a trauma and was in need of emotional support amongst other things.

Her eyes widened when she looked up to see Sherlock sitting on the settee next to Molly with a hand on her thigh rubbing back and forth and whispering in her ear, Molly giggled and blushed and admonished him, "Sherlock!"

Mrs Hudson stood staring for a moment, completely confused as Sherlock wound a hand into Molly's ponytail and her to him for a kiss, he pulled back giving her a look that could've melted a block of ice and said without so much as glancing at her, "I've got it Mrs Hudson, thank you."

"Oh! Oh, of course, I'll just leave you to ah..just, I'll just go!" Flustered she all but ran the door and back down the stairs mumbling to herself about needing warning when people were about undergo serious life changes.

Sherlock stood up and held his hand out to Molly, when she grasped it he pulled her towards him, when she was flush against him he grabbed hold of her waist and picked her up, leaning to meet her half way as she came up towards him he nipped at her lips enticing her into another kiss.

Molly's arms wound around his neck and her legs around his waist, his kisses were deep and almost seemed to devour her, she had never been more thoroughly kissed than this.

She became vaguely aware that they were moving but was too caught up in the electric thrill of his mouth on hers, his tongue winding around her own to take much notice. Her stomach whooshed when she suddenly began falling backwards, her back connected with his bed and she gave a little sound of surprise.

"Are you okay?" Sherlock's voice was throaty, his breath quick and hard. He held the bulk of his weight off Molly while looking down at her with love pouring out of his eyes.

"Oh yes," she breathed, "Kiss me again and I'll be perfect," she pulled at him hard and he toppled, losing his balance and landing squarely on top of her. She arched up towards him and he groaned and dragged his lips across hers, plunging his tongue into her mouth and rolling them so they lay on their sides.

They continued to lazily explore each other's mouths and let their hands roam freely, there was a lost of lost time to make up for and neither of them ever wanted to ever let the other go again.

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I will be keeping this story a T rated fic because I don't wish to push anyone out who has been reading this based on it being a T.. I would however be up for a smutty out take if there's any interest in such an endeavour? Let me know what you guys think? Hope this made up a little for the slow burn..