Molly waited. She felt sick to her stomach, knowing she was waiting for him when their Sherlock- hers and Johns- was safe in 221B, bored out of his mind. She mulled over her new role in all their lives: Molly the Double Agent. She ran a list through her head of everything she would do to help Sherlock, the real one. She hated that she would have to do any of it in the first place, but if Sherlock 2.0 was going to talk her through his plans he had to believe she'd switched sides completely. I'm doing this for Sherlock and John and Mrs Hudson and Lestrade and everyone at risk while that psycho is loose. He'll lead us to Moriarty. I hope. This better not all be for nothing…

'Molly! Don't mind me, I'm just taking back… what's rightfully mine.'

Oh, hell. Here goes…

'Sherlock… there's something I need to tell you,' you're an evil bastard and I would very much like you dead. 'I, um… I've-'

'Yes…?' He stepped up close to her. Good. This will mean I won't be able to mess up my words. I can just… Molly snatched a fistful of his shirt and kissed him, almost hungrily. This isn't Sherlock, not him, not him, not him… she broke apart for air. He stood shocked for a second and then a smirk curved his lips. She'd done it.

'I knew you'd come around, Molly. You were always going to do this, I just wanted to give you the illusion of free will.' He kissed her.

Idiot. How could you believe me so easily? 'You don't mean anything to me, Molly. Nobody does… this is all just a game.'

'I know that.'

'And yet you play it, knowing I will cut out your heart and throw it on the fire. Why?'

'You're Sherlock Holmes, the greatest mind there is, the most powerful man there is. Why else?'

He chuckled softly. 'A woman after my own heart.'

'I didn't think you had one.'

'I have… stirrings.'

'Do you work with anyone?'

'What?'

'Do you work with anyone? Any other powerful people, any other brilliant minds?'

'Molly… I'm not telling you my deepest darkest secrets, you might blab…'

'Who to? I don't have anyone except you, that's what you said, remember?'

'Except me.'

'Yes.'

'And John.'

'John is dead…'

'John is in 221B right now, with me and Mrs Hudson, drinking tea and waiting for you. There's a sniper outside their window and outside this flat, so don't go running to them. You foolish girl, do you honestly think I would believe you?'

'No, that's why I have a back-up plan. OPERATION SHERLOCKED, GO!' Molly screamed at the top of her lungs and watched as Lestrade, Donovan, Anderson and the rest of the force stormed her flat, pinning Sherlock down and cuffing him. She glimpsed Irene Adler among them and smiled. Mycroft had appeared at her shoulder.

'Ah, so this is the clone. Well done, Miss Hooper, you have succeeded in saving all of London from my brother. He's our responsibility now. The snipers were fake, you're free to visit two hundred and twenty one Baker Street now.'

'Thank you, Mycroft. I hope he'll be allowed visitors?' she nudged 'Sherlock' with her toe.

'Oh, yes.' He smiled knowingly.

With that, Molly hailed a cab.

'They've got him.'

'Yes, Sherlock.'

'This could have gone really wrong, you know that Sherlock? Molly's life could have been in danger!'

'But it wasn't. I know what I'm capable of.'

'Oh, boys! Behave! Molly dear, sit down and I'll make you a cup of tea.'

'Thank you, Mrs Hudson.'

'Molly, you were brilliant. You could have cracked, but you didn't, you got him.' John was very happy to have Molly back. They'd never have a normal life or a normal relationship with Sherlock as their best friend, but it was worth every second. Sherlock was happy, too. He'd actually hugged Molly when he came back, much to her complete surprise.

'John, didn't you have something to say to Molly?'

'Oh, yes… Molly, can I ask you to stay tonight?'

'Oh… um, well… if- if Sherlock and Mrs Hudson don't-'

'Don't worry, Molly. I'm taking Mrs Hudson out to dinner.'

'He's like the son I never had! Now, you and John have fun… but don't wreck my flat.'

Molly blushed scarlet and John shot her a sympathetic look.

'It's just dinner Mrs Hudson… it's all innocent.' John smiled at her reassuringly and said to Molly, 'There's no need for you to get changed, you're lovely as you are.'

Sherlock was shrugging on his coat and winding his scarf about his neck. 'Come on then Mrs Hudson, you look wonderful.' He smiled.

'Oh, thank you, Sherlock dear.' She took his offered arm and they left the flat, Mrs Hudson chatting away merrily about her day.