Molly awoke in her flat. She expected to find John, or at least his blood on the floor, but she found nothing. Instead, there was a box on her kitchen table, gift-wrapped. The tag read, To my dear Molly, love from Sherlock x she was afraid to open it; she knew what he was capable of. She pulled off the ribbon anyway and lifted a lid. Inside, wrapped in tissue, was a bloody heart. Molly ran to the loo to be sick. After a few moments she snatched up her phone to call DI Lestrade.

'Look, if you've got a problem, call Sherlock Holmes.'

'He is my problem.'

'What's your name?'

'Molly Hooper.'

'Miss Hooper, is this some kind of a joke? Sherlock is one of the most law-abiding men I know of. He can be a bit… abrasive, but surely-'

'He sent me a heart in a box.'

'Shit. Take it to Bart's and have a sample tested. Beyond that… you're on your own.'

She hung up; there was a knock at the door. Mrs Hudson.

'Oh, hello dear. Sherlock sent me to tell you-'

'Sherlock? You still talk to that madman?'

'Molly? He's been solving cases as usual… what's the matter?'

'He kidnapped me, cloned me and then sent my clone to kill John. Don't tell me you didn't know…?'

'But that's just it, dear. He told me to tell you to come over; important, he said. He's been at Baker Street this whole time, you know… he's got a new flatmate that I think you need to see…'

'This better not be a joke. I trust you, Mrs Hudson.'

And so, several minutes later, Molly found herself back in Baker Street. Mrs Hudson pushed open the door.

'Woo-oo! Sherlock dear, Molly's here.'

Molly shuffled into the flat.

'Molly.' Two voices spoke. She was rooted to the spot as the two men took in her dishevelled appearance. There were dark rings around her already puffy eyes, her hair was a mess and there were tear tracks on her face. One of them walked forward, touching her face softly as if to confirm she was really there. He crushed her into a hug.

'John. He told me he killed you. I watched you die…'

'I'm here, Molly. I think someone wants to see you.'

Molly broke away from him. She was immediately swept up into Sherlock's arms.

'Sherlock. Can't… breathe!'

He let her go.

'Molly, there's something you have to understand. The man that kidnapped you was a fake. A clone. I created him hoping I could send him out to solve cases somewhere else, but Moriarty got to him first. I'm sorry. He cloned you and John too. He has your DNA. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.'

'His violin is still in my flat. He'll come back…'

'Molly, I'm sorry… but you have to do as he says. You have to play the game. Go to him, tell him you believe in him, tell him you've switched sides… that's the only way for us to be rid of him for good.'