Authors Note: As I am sure you noticed Molly's part was longer because honestly I don't think I can portray Sherlock as well as I wish I could. He's just brilliant and complex. And I am so much like Molly so doing most of the stuff from her perspective just fits. That is also why she gets more of a backbone this chapter. Hope you enjoy. (Sherlock's parts do get bigger in later chapters)
Disclaimer: Not mine. None of it. Except for the words. I can claim those.
Chapter Two.
Molly always felt so guilty on the one hour ride to her mothers. To begin with her mother only lived an hour away and Molly hardly ever had the chance to go visit her and secondly Molly never actually got the desire to go visit her. Sure she was on good terms with her mother but the kind of lifestyle she left behind in Hertfordshire was left behind for a reason. All the outlandish parties. All the cover-ups and schemes. All the talk about how money is the most important thing in life. All the set up dates. All the weird looks for being different. And all the rumors that can change your life in a second. She swore she would never go back unless it was to visit with mother shortly and then leave as quickly as possible. Since the day she left she has never been back to Hertfordshire to even spend the night.
But her mother called her a few days ago and asked her to come home to visit for one week. That's all the time she needed. Was that so much to ask for when they hadn't seen each other in months. She soundly utterly depressed. Molly didn't have the heart to say no. Even though it was such a short notice her boss was exceptionally pleased with giving her the time off that she asked for. Probably because she had never asked off for time in advance before, the only days she didn't go to work were when she was so ill she couldn't even get out of bed.
The cabbies low whistle drew her out of her head and into the real world. They were pulling up to the place she grew up in as a child. The Ravensdale estate was praised for being one of the most outlandish and beautiful estates in all of Hertfordshire. It was one of the oldest homes. It had two towers on either side of the house, making it look like a castle. There was a row of beautiful trees on each side of the very long driveway. In the backyard there was a maze. Yes a real maze. Her mother's favorite book growing up as a child was Alice in Wonderland so when she married Molly's stepfather and they moved into this estate she had them install a maze made out of tall bushes. In the middle of the maze there were beautiful rose trees and a fountain that had stone playing cards in tribute to her favorite book. Making it the end of the maze with a good book was Molly's favorite activity growing up.
For the first ten years of Molly's life she was used to having nothing. When she was a child she knew that she came from a very poor family, but it didn't faze her at all. She didn't care about not having the same toys and clothes that the other kids had. She just loved spending time with her mother and father. That is all she ever needed or wanted. Then her father got sick and everything changed. She once told Sherlock that she saw her father sad when he thought her mother wasn't looking. She found out after he had died that the reason he was so sad was because her mother was having an affair. She had gotten pregnant by that man and decided to marry him less than three months after her father's funeral. And it just so happened to be that that man was a duke. Everything in Molly's life changed. She wasn't ready for it at all.
The cab stopped at the end of the driveway. Molly took in a big breath and tried to calm herself by saying that it was only one week. What could possibly go wrong in one week? A butler was waiting at the door when she rang the bell. He was new, but she was not surprised, her mother often found things wrong with the butlers and maids and asked them to leave at once. There seemed to be new ones every other week while she was growing up. The only people that ever stayed the same were her nanny and the cook. Molly's two favorite people in all of Hertfordshire.
She took a deep breath and looked around at the place she used to call home. The interior design was breath taking and for one second she was almost content with being home. But then she heard her mother's voice, "Mary!" Her mother gave her a tight hug then let go and gave her the once over. Her mother studied everything about Molly from her head to her toes. Judging everything she wore. Molly hated this part of seeing her mother the most. "Well look at you. Don't you just look like a country bumpkin?" Her mother laughed.
"Hello Mother. It is nice to see you too." Molly said in the most sarcastic voice she could muster. "And I like to dress comfortably. We have already talked about this."
"Yes, yes I know dear. We have talked about this numerous times. I just think that you could dress a little nicer, you know? There are very cute clothes now a day that are both stylish and comfortable."
"I do not care about being stylish Mother."
"Well that is obvious." Her mother said with a sneer. She seemed to smirk a little when she saw the cringe that Molly gave.
This might be a record Molly thought I have been here for less than five minutes and out come the claws already. She took a deep breath to settle her nerves before saying, "I do not wish to stay here for a full week Mother if all you are going to do is antagonize me. I might as well just turn around and leave. I am sure the cab I rode in is still in the driveway."
"That won't be necessary honey. I am quiet sorry about the way our conversation started. I apologize."
"Alright, I won't leave just yet. But why am I here?" Molly asked. She had been wondering why her mother asked her to come visit since that telephone call a few days ago. She tried asking her on the phone but her mother would not respond.
"We are having a get together… well more like a ball." Her mother started before Molly interjected.
"A party? Mother! You know how much I despised the parties I had to partake in when I was a kid." Molly shrieked. She could not believe this. The reason she was coming back to Hertfordshire was for one of the main reasons why she left in the first place. She trembled thinking about the last time she went to a ball.
"Yes well. This party is in honor of our family. So I am sorry, but you had to come." Molly saw something in her mother's eyes. She knew it was for more than that.
"What else?" Molly asked with irritation.
Molly's mother hesitantly said, "Well, I was also hoping that you would find a suitor before the night was over."
Molly's eyes grew with alarm. "This ball is for me to find a suitor? That is so embarrassing."
"Of course not honey. But all of your old classmates have been informed of your return as well as other single men around your age. I am sorry, but you are almost entering into the non-marriageable age. I don't want to see that happening." She patted Molly on the shoulder in the most uncomfortable way, "I just want to see you happy."
So many things were running through Molly's head. She only had the energy to say, "When will the ball be?"
Her mother smiled, "Friday my dear. But you know before then we must take you around town and to gatherings to see friends you haven't seen in quiet awhile. Ohh and shopping, we must go shopping!"
Molly didn't feel like responding she just nodded her head and mumbled that she should really go to her room and unpack her things. She didn't understand why she had to be here for a week. Mother could have just told her about the ball and she would have showed up. Why did she have to spend the whole week here doing things she didn't want to do?
Once she had made her way through all the hallways and staircases she finally made it to her old room. She hadn't been in here in ages. She missed it very much. When she and her mother moved in her stepfather told her to go exploring and pick whichever room she wanted. She had made her way throughout the whole estate not knowing which room to pick, they were all so beautiful but she didn't feel at home in any of them. She got to the right tower and climbed the spiraling staircases. There was a room up there. It was completely empty and rather small compared to all the other rooms but she fell in love with it. Not to mention there was a door that led to the small roof. Up on the roof gazing at the clouds during the day and the stars during the night is where she spent most of her time. She was up there right now. A thousand thoughts scurrying around in her head. She was regretting coming here. She should have stayed at home. She should have stayed with Sherlock. She could be doing what she loved most right now: solving crimes.
Sherlock Holmes and John Watson sat quietly in the cab as it drove them to their destination. Sherlock's mind was on overdrive. Everything about the case was circling around in his head. They were going to a ball where he was quiet certain the murderer was going to be. Now they just had to wait to arrive.
It had been five days since he brought in that victim to Molly and she had turned him down saying she had family issues. Five days since he had last seen or talked to her. He couldn't figure out why she would always come into his mind at odd times in the past five days. It was probably because her replacement was a fool. He was nowhere as good as Molly. He missed having her there to work with. Not that they said much. When they did it was usually either him criticizing her or her stuttering and making a fool out of herself, hence his criticism. He couldn't understand why he was missing her though. Sometimes they would go days, weeks, or even months without seeing each other and during those times he had never even thought about her before. Sure when he had faked his death and was hiding out for those three years he would think back to all of his friends and she would cross his mind. But he thought it was because he was so grateful that she helped him. So why did he miss her so much this time?
Perhaps it was because all of those other times the reason they hadn't seen each other was because of him. He had no cases. No reason to just go and visit her. To be honest when he wasn't in the morgue or on a case Molly never used to cross his mind. Too many other things were always weaving their way in and out of it. This time though she was the reason they hadn't seen each other in almost a week. She wasn't there to give him company. Wasn't there to be an extra set of hands and eyes. Wasn't there to be the best Pathologist he knew. Wasn't there to do everything he asked her to do. She just wasn't there and he did not like that at all.
John nudged Sherlock's shoulder indicating that they were at their destination. Sherlock looked out of the window and was surprised by the vastness of the Ravensdale estate. He obviously knew it was going to be a big estate, it was after all owned by a Duke. He thought back to some of the facts he knew. Edward Ravensdale had a daughter with his first marriage, a step-daughter that came with his second marriage, and a son that he had with his second wife. This ball was being hosted in honor of his family. Because that's what rich people can do, they can have a celebration just to honor themselves. Sherlock huffed at this, his family was not poor by any means but that just seemed ridiculous. But the good thing about this was that everybody of importance was going to be there. Including the murderer.
Sherlock and John made their way in the ballroom. Sherlock looked around the room. He took a moment to study everyone that he saw. He saw right through all the lies and deception that the people in this room had to offer. The higher class may have nicer things but they had much uglier secrets. Sherlock smiled at this. Time to unravel the truth. "Alright John time to investigate. Mingle and talk with everyone that you can." With that he started making his way around the ballroom.
After about an hour of being there scooping out the place and making it look like he belonged as best he could Sherlock finally found the person he was looking for. A Mister Duncan Wright. He was standing next to a gentleman around the same age as him and they were having a lively conversation. Instead of trying to join in Sherlock decided to eavesdrop for a little while before making his presence known.
"Did you hear that Mary Ravensdale has returned?" Duncan Wright asked his companion.
"Really now? I guess that shouldn't be much of a surprise. This celebration is for her family." He replied. This other man's demeanor reminded Sherlock of himself. He voice was cold and callous. He was almost as tall as Sherlock. He had blonde hair and a cleft chin. He looked like one of those Calvin Kline models.
Duncan Wright grew nervous as he said, "I know that Harvey. But she hasn't really returned since high school… Since uhh that last ball that her mother threw for her." Both men kept quiet. Neither one said anything for a little while then Sherlock heard Duncan take a deep breath before continuing. "You don't think she'll mention anything do you? I mean it could ruin your reputation. I know everyone already kind of knows. But they have really only heard the rumors about it. They have never heard from her what actually went down that night."
Harvey gave Duncan a chilling sadistic smile before saying, "I think our little Mary is probably just as shy and awkward as she has always been. One little smile from me and she won't utter a word. She will be putty in my hands, as usual."
Sherlock was 0.0089 seconds away from introducing himself to the two men when a man on the top of the staircase interrupted him with a loud bellowing voice. "Hello Ladies and Gentlemen I am here to introduce the Ravensdale's. Even though everyone here should know who they are," he joked. There were a few chuckles throughout the room. Sherlock looked around the ballroom bored. He didn't have time for this. Who cared about this rich snobby family anyway? He was about to walk away when he felt a nudge on the shoulder. John had found his way back and was subtlety telling Sherlock to be polite. Sherlock sighed and looked back up at the man introducing the family. Edward Ravensdale was already standing at the top of the staircase with his wife Alice Ravensdale standing next to him.
"Next we have the very beautiful and very pregnant Annabel Boulstridge with her husband Edward Boulstridge." Everyone around Sherlock clapped and whistled at the happy couple. Sherlock rolled his eyes. Why must ordinary people be so fascinated with love and happiness he wondered.
The announcer waited for the applause to stop before he continued. "Now I know most of you guys have heard but the prodigal daughter has returned to us this evening," he paused for dramatic effect, "our lovely Mary Ravensdale." Gasps and whispers went throughout the ballroom. Sherlock looked around with wonder. Why would everyone be so surprised with someone returning home? He zoned out for what seemed like an eternity. He was trying to deduce everything about everyone in the ballroom and it was giving him a bit of a head ache. He was brought back to reality when he heard John take in a deep unsteady breath. He glanced up at the young woman that everyone was so surprised to see when his own face matched theirs. Standing before him was Molly Hooper.
She hardly looked like herself. She was in a beautiful red satin dress that fit her body in all the right places. It had a mesh see through top that showed cleavage he wasn't even sure she had. Her hair was down and in huge curls. She was wearing more make up then he had ever seen her in but it still looked natural.
"Look at that. Little Miss Mary has grown up on us." Sherlock heard Harvey say in a low voice. "Now I really am sad for what I did to her at that party." Duncan nodded his head in agreement.