Sorry for the cliff-hanger but the wait is at an end. Light trigger warnings for this chapter if you need more clarity before reading please PM me. As ever thank you for reading, we're coming towards the close of the story so I appreciate you all staying with me for so long.
And to those who celebrate (or at least enjoy the bank holidays and chocolate eggs) Happy Easter!
Chapter 20
Molly was desperately trying to hold back her tears as she watched Sherlock struggle as he was unceremoniously pushed to his knees. He looked up defiantly as Adrian removed his mask and made his way back over starting, once more, to unbutton his trousers.
'I really hope you're not expecting me to give you a blow job. That would be most unwise.' Sherlock licked across his teeth and then snapped them shut.
At that Adrian punched him, snapping his head sharply to one side. When he turned his head back Molly could see a trickle of blood from his lip which he licked as he cautiously moved his jaw checking for damage.
Adrian bent down in front of the uncowed detective and used the tip of his sharp knife to lift his chin up. 'Oh you are going to be fun.' He bent forward, holding the back of Sherlock's head and kissed him. Molly could see he had forced Sherlock's mouth open. She wanted to look away, knew she ought too for Sherlock's sake, but she couldn't.
When Adrian pulled away Molly could see an angry blush on Sherlock's face. As Adrian stood Sherlock was yanked back up into his feet. He seemed to sense her gaze and he turned to her and whispered, 'don't look Molly...please,' before he focused his attention back on the madman in front of him.
Adrian ran the blade down Sherlock's chest then he brought the tip back to the top button and sliced through the cotton holding it in place. He repeated the move with each button until Sherlock's chest was exposed. Once again he slid the knife down Sherlock's torso but this time it left a thin trail of blood, nothing serious but it made Molly wince to see it.
'Strip him!' Adrian barked at those holding him and Sherlock started once again to struggle determined to not go easily to his fate, still hoping for some miracle to save them.
It took four of them to subdue him enough to remove his coat and jacket and the remains of his shirt. As one of them reached for the clasp on his trousers he roared and bucked using the people holding his arms to allow him to lift his legs and kick the chest of the man in front.
The acolyte went flying and as he hit the stone table behind him his mask fell off to reveal Hugh, Lily's step-father. He was winded but he quickly righted himself and when he came back to Sherlock he punched him hard in the stomach. It was only those holding him up that stopped Sherlock from doubling over.
This time when Hugh reached for him he used his hand to rub against Sherlock's groin as he laughed in his face. 'You know what. After he's finished with you, you're mine. I'm gonna fuck you til you bleed.'
Sherlock just spat in his face and refused to flinch as Hugh raised his fist once more. Before the blow could land however there was a strange, eerie grating noise which rumbled and seemed to build until it filled the whole room. At the same time the ground beneath their feet moved, rocking ominously from side to side. The noise was overwhelming and Molly felt the hands holding her let her go as everyone tried to either cover their ears or find something to hold onto.
Within seconds most of the candles seemed to go out leaving the room in semi-darkness and chaos. As Molly covered her own ears she felt Sherlock lift her from the floor, 'come on Molly. We have to go NOW.'
She pushed herself to her feet and they staggered together towards Lily's table; still determined to release the girl if they could. This time Sherlock seemed to have acquired the dagger and he soon sliced through the ties before pulling her off the slab.
Molly felt confused and disorientated. She knew the hallucinogen was probably in her system now since they had lost their breathing apparatus a long time ago but in the darkness she could have sworn that she saw black smoke rising from the cracked floor of the demonic temple and forming into a huge, terrifying shape. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched it sway back and forth still growing in size. She had never felt such a feeling of dread and terror; it made bile and vomit rise in her throat.
She wasn't the only one to sense this new presence and she could hear pleas and screams from around the room rising up over the hideous screeching noise and the darkness.
As Sherlock slung Lily over his shoulder Molly saw Adrian pull Hugh in front of him just as the smoke seemed to throw a punch at him. Hugh screamed as the smoke entered his chest but before Molly could see any more she was blinded by torchlight coming out of the tunnel and shining into her eyes. Within seconds that strange feeling left her, leaving her feeling weak and empty.
There was more shouting and a couple of gun shots fired into the ceiling before she heard Lestrade's voice shouting 'Police, stay where you are or we will shoot.'
She sagged to her knees with relief and even as she started to pass out she could feel arms round her shoulders and John's familiar voice asking her if she was alright.
MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH
To Molly the next few hours passed in a blur. After initially almost fainting she had ended up sat against a wall in the main hall sipping on a bottle of water that John had got for her and watching all the activity unfolding. As soon as the others had arrived the sickening noise and swaying in the room had stopped almost as though a switch had been thrown.
'John, what was that? The noise, it was so loud, it felt as though the room was being torn apart.' But John had just looked at her in confusion. 'What noise? You mean all the screaming? I didn't hear anything else. You're probably confused, Sherlock mentioned the airborne hallucinogen. It's been turned off and you'll be feeling better shortly, we've opened all the doors to let more air in.'
Molly wanted to shake her head and disagree with him, it had definitely been more than that but he'd been called away by Sherlock needing some help.
Thankfully, Greg and John hadn't just turned up by themselves Greg had manage to rope in some officers from the neighbouring town. He was a little worried about how much trouble he would get in for doing it but Sherlock just waved off his concerns on the basis that the ends would justify the means.
In the mayhem, at least half of the coven had fled through the door up into Lord Sladen's house and from there they had no doubt made their way back to their homes. Sherlock was confident that with time and interrogations they would all be rounded up eventually. Adrian had been placed under arrest for the abduction of Lily Shepherd and the murders of Rev Tucker and Karl and was last seen swearing and cursing those around him as he was led away in handcuffs.
An ambulance had been called for Lily although John was sure she had no major injuries. She was a little dehydrated and malnourished as well as in shock but at least she was still alive and untouched. Unlike her step-father Hugh Bennett who was lying dead of a heart attack. Molly had declined to go over and check the body, John was more than capable of confirming the death and she just didn't think she had anything left in her.
As things started to die down Sherlock came over with John trailing at his heels. He hunched down in front of her and smiled. Someone had got him an old police shirt to wear in lieu of his wrecked shirt but it was way too big and hung off him. In better circumstances Molly would have laughed but all she could remember was how scared she had felt and how much she had appreciated him stepping in to take the attention off her. The thought of what he had nearly had to suffer brought tears to her eyes and she could feel them spilling over and leaking down her face. She wished she could be stronger and braver but she wasn't.
She said as much to him and he brought his hand up to her face as he shook his head, 'Molly, you were amazing. You did exactly what I asked, without question, even though you were terrified. It's my fault, I shouldn't have let us get into that situation in the first place.'
His words galvanised her into action. She was suddenly afraid he was going to revisit their previous argument and use this as an excuse to leave. She moved forwards and wrapped her arms around his neck seeing John's shocked expression out of the corner of her eye. 'It wasn't your fault. It's fine, I'm fine. Don't leave...just don't leave.'
He wrapped his own arms round her in turn, 'it's alright. I'm not planning on going anywhere. Well other than back to London with you.' He pulled her away just enough for him to be able to kiss her whilst at the same time wiping her tears away with his thumbs. Molly distantly heard John muttering a 'what the hell, Sherlock' but she didn't care. All that mattered was that they were together and they were safe.
A few moments later they pulled apart and Sherlock helped Molly to her feet. Her legs felt shaky and as she started to walk she stumbled a little. That was enough for Sherlock to swing his arm behind her shoulders and knees and carry her up the stairs, into the Manor House and out to the waiting car. All Molly wanted to do was curl up and sleep in his arms.
She didn't remember too much of the journey back. As soon as they had got started her eyes had begun to close and she had soon slept only waking briefly when they got back to Baker St. She had murmured her disquiet about leaving her belongings behind but Sherlock assured her they would be packed up and sent on. By the time they had arrived at 221B they had lost John. Molly assumed they must have dropped him off at his house before they got there.
She had vague memories of him quizzing Sherlock, in the car, about their relationship as she had been falling asleep.
'So what... you and Molly are together now?'
'It would appear so John, even you can see that.'
'And what about when you're back in London or is this just a holiday fling? You had better not hurt Molly or I'll...'
'You'll what John? You're not going to kill me and you've already punched me on more than one occasion. Anyway, I have no intention of hurting Molly. I find myself content to be with her. She's...I...' He must have shown some sign because Molly heard John's intake of breath.
'Oh my God, you love her. You actually love her.'
There was silence for a moment and Molly fought the tug of sleep at the edges of her brain, wanting to hear more.
'Yes, well I think we've said all we need to say on the matter John...moving on...'
She didn't recall anything else about the trip.
MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH
The next morning she woke up in an unfamiliar bed but one which she knew instinctively was Sherlock's.
She rolled over to find him already dressed and awake and lying propped up against the pillows with his hands steepled under his chin. He spoke without opening his eyes, 'ah, finally awake. I didn't know it was possible for someone to sleep so long.'
Molly glanced round the room and saw the light shining round the edges of the curtains, 'mmm what time is it?' She made to sit up but realised she was naked and found herself pulling the sheet up to cover herself. It felt a bit odd now they were back in London, almost as though they were strangers again.
'It's quarter to twelve and why exactly are you covering yourself up Molly. It's not like I haven't seen you naked. You're not getting shy around me are you?'
'I...no...yes..maybe, just a little. It's just being here, in Baker Street, it feels different somehow.'
This time when she looked up at him he was staring right back at her, 'I think we just need to make it more familiar then don't we? It makes sense given that this is your home now.' He started to lean forwards to kiss her until Molly put her fingers against his mouth stopping him.
'Wait...what? Don't you think that that's a decision for us both to take...and anyway it's far too soon to be considering moving in together.'
Sherlock rolled his eyes and huffed as he sat back against the pillows, 'don't be boring Molly. I think we've known each other long enough to bypass the traditional dating and given that you being with me makes you more at risk you need to be where I can best ensure your security.'
Molly just scowled at him, 'fair enough but none of those are reason enough for me to leave my flat and move here.'
Sherlock scowled right back at her, 'Molly you are being unreasonable. There's no point in paying out two lots of rent, your flat is too small and mine is better located...what more reasons do you want?'
Molly just lifted one eyebrow.
Sherlock bit his lip and grimaced, 'really...sentiment...that's what you need.' He was silent for a few seconds contemplating what he wanted to say.
'Fine, fine. Molly, I find your company stimulating and arousing, I have enjoyed waking up with you and going to bed with you at night. I find the sex to be something I want us to continue sharing and there are so many positions and situations that I would like for us to explore and we could do that so much more often and easier if you were living here...But more than that Molly, I have feelings for you; I never thought I would say this to another human being but... I love you. You complete me in a way that I didn't think was possible. So, Molly Hooper, will you please move in with me?'
Molly couldn't help the wide grin that spread across her face as she listened to his speech. 'Now that was much more like it. And yes, I will move in with you.'
He smiled back and leant forward, 'so now can I kiss you?'
'Oh, Mister Holmes, you can do more than kiss me, come here...'
Just one more chapter to go and then we're done. What say we go out with a bit of a smutty bang? Let me know and please, please let me know what you thought of this chapter.