'…Molly? Hell what happened to you?' John Watson had opened the door to a battered and bruised Molly Hooper. He stood back to let her in.
'I… I went to see Sherlock. Lestrade isn't real. I punched Sherlock and broke his jaw and I was arrested and put in the same cell. Then Moriarty turned up. Jim. It was Jim John. And then… I was interrogated. Sherlock tortured me for hours. I never said anything, I promise. They're no closer to the real Sherlock. We need to sort this out, and quickly.'
John began tending the cuts and bruises on Molly's face. She had a split lip and a black eye.
'John! I got the milk. Have you heard from Molly?'
'She's in here, Sherlock.'
'Ah, Molly. I need to know if-' he caught sight of her. 'What happened? Tell me who did this.'
'You… the other you.' Sherlock's face fell and he strode forward and took her hands.
'Molly. I'm so sorry. So sorry. I will stop him, I promise.' He leaned in to hug her and she flinched.
'Sorry… I can't. I'm sorry Sherlock. I'll never be able to see you in the same light again. I think I have to get away… from you… and start a new life somewhere else. I might be able to get over it in time, but not now. I'm sorry. You- he- almost broke me. I can't. I can't.'
Sherlock's face shut down. 'I understand.'
'No,' she croaked, voice cracking, 'you'll never understand and I don't want you to,' she turned to John 'I'm sorry. It's over before we even got started and I am so sorry.'
'Molly… please don't leave. We can get through this, I promise. Come and live with me for a while, away from your flat and the bad memories and Sherlock- sorry Sherlock- and you can recover. I'll help you. I was a prisoner of war, I understand Molly. I get it. I'm a doctor, let me help. Please.'
'That would be best,' Sherlock said, 'I'm sorry Molly. I wish I could be different. Some time away from me is just what the doctor ordered.' He smiled sadly at John.
'Fine. Fine. John I'm sorry but I can't work… they might kidnap me again.'
'Molly don't worry. I won't let you starve, and I doubt Mrs Hudson will either. Sherlock, I'll visit. Don't go mad without me, will you?'
'I'll be lost without my blogger.'