"Sherlock? Are you in here?" Molly slowly stepped into the doorway to the living area, looking around carefully. "Sherlock?" she called again, stepping fully into the room. "I, uh… I got your text, you wanted to see me?" She walked into the kitchen, at the edge of the hallway. "Sherlock, are you all right? Did you need something?" Pausing, she listened for any signs of someone being there. She thought maybe he was taking a shower or bath, but there was no sound of running or moving water. "Okay, then… I'd say you're asleep, but, well, you're Sherlock." Still no reply. She sat down at the kitchen table, dropping her purse on the floor, letting out a small sound of curiosity. Wonder where he is, she thought, and decided to wait for him.

She glanced down at the table and saw a note. Her eyes glided over it. Sherlock- I have a date with Mary. I'll be back later this afternoon. Molly smiled; those two were a rather cute couple. She was glad they'd found each other; Mary actually liked Sherlock and he seemed okay with her. It'd be a good system for the three of them, considering she doubted anything could keep John and Sherlock from solving cases together.

Where was he? She looked at her phone again to make sure she'd gone to the right place. Need your help with something. Come to Baker Street at once. –SH Just then, she heard footsteps enter the room. "Sherlock?" she glanced up, but Mrs. Hudson rounded the corner. "Sorry dear, I came in to dust. Sherlock says that collecting dust on his blinds is part of an experiment, but I think he's just lazy. Besides, everybody needs clear air to breathe, an experiment like that seems ridiculous." Molly laughed. "You work too hard, Mrs. Hudson. Which reminds me, thank you for making my bed this morning. I woke up late and forgot to."
"Oh, you're welcome, dearie. It's nice to hear a thank you. Maybe you could teach Sherlock some manners." Mrs. Hudson smiled warmly.

"Speaking of Sherlock, do you know where he is?" Molly asked. "He asked me to come over here, but I couldn't find him."
"Oh, check the roof, love. Sometimes he's up there thinking."
"The roof?"
"Yes, he goes up there when he's got a really hard case. Something about there being a lot of fresh air. Although he wouldn't need to go up there if he would just dust his blinds!" Mrs. Hudson said, approaching the blinds with her duster and getting to work.
"Okay, I'll go look for him there. Thank you."
Mrs. Hudson smiled, watching Molly leave.

…

"Sherlock?" Molly opened up the small door and hoisted herself up, unto the roof. "You said you wanted to-"
"Amazing. You didn't even check the number."
Molly froze, not wanting to turn around. She contemplated jumping back through the hatch, but she knew he'd go after her. This isn't real, please tell me this isn't real, she said. Not knowing what to do, she took out her phone with shaking hands and stared at the message. Need your help with something. Come to Baker Street at once. –SH. She stared at the callback number, and mentally kicked herself. How did she not notice that?
"For a woman as smart as yourself, I would've expected more from you. Just when I thought you maybe weren't boring after all, this happens." He tutted. "What a shame."
She inhaled sharply. In an attempt to keep her voice loud and steady, she exhaled slowly before she spoke. "What do you want from me, Jim?"
"Oh! We're playing that game again! Nothing much, Molls. Just for you to die. It's not much, really. I've died before. Sherlock's died before. It's quite fun, actually. Unfortunately, you won't get to come back afterwards. Sorry."

She winced. "So you wrote the notes."
"Of course I wrote the notes, don't be stupid." He huffed. "And do turn around, it's rather rude to speak to someone with your back turned to them." She turned around, the only distance between them being the opening leading back into the building. "Molly… you've changed! Your face is a bit different than I remembered. It looks more confident and experienced. It's almost a shame that it'll be six feet under pretty soon."
"Don't hurt him," she said, her voice dry and cracked, barely above a whisper.
"Come again?" Moriarty shifted feet, holding a hand behind his ear, beckoning for her to speak up.
"I said, don't hurt him." Molly said again, her voice stronger this time. She came to the conclusion that protecting Sherlock was something she'd want to do to help her through this, if she got through it. Protecting him would benefit both of them. It would help her remain strong throughout whatever was about to happen, and it would keep Sherlock safe. Considering she didn't have much time to decide anything else, she was going to stick with that plan.

"Oh, we have ourselves a little hero now. Little mousy Molly has come a long way indeed. Now, you have my word, I won't harm him physically, nuh-uh. No. Not for me. I won't harm John, or Mrs. Hudson, or Lestrade either. Cross my heart and hope to… well, I don't hope to die. That's a bit overrated now, but you get the point. Physical harm won't come to anyone but you, Molls. Now, hurting them emotionally… that's an entirely different ballgame."

"Leave them alone," she replied, her knees wobbling. She felt like she was going to pass out, but maybe if she kept this up for long enough, she could find the courage to run away or attack him with her pocket knife. Or maybe she'd find the courage to go with him. In fact, that seemed to be her only option. It was the only way to keep everyone else safe. "Take me. Do whatever you want with me. I'll come with you, if you guarantee that you won't… hurt them." Her voice cracked, and it came to light how terrified she was. Her voice wasn't at all demanding or intimidating; it was a wonder he could even hear her. She was shaking like a leaf and could feel her pulse going up. Still, if she was going to die, she was going to hold him to his word.

"They won't even know I'm still alive." Moriarty grinned and held out his hand. "Come along, now. We've got a bit to do… before you die."

2 new chapters and an identified criminal in 24 hours... in the words of Moriarty, "I'm so unpredictable!" I'll admit, I'm a little nervous about this chapter, because I'm afraid of getting OOC or making the story boring, and if I'm doing either of those things, PLEASE let me know! Nonetheless, thank you for all the reviews, follows, and reading my writing in general, it brightens my day to know people are enjoying what I do as a passtime. Please let me know what you think of this chapter, and I hope you continue to enjoy reading! Have a lovely day! :)

NOTE: The cover images for my stories have changed, but don't worry, they're still the exact same stories. I only changed the cover art because I wanted to use my own edits :)