Chapter 9

The rest of the afternoon was a blur. They found another hideous jumper for John (a geometric nightmare in primary colors – very 80's mod) and some new outfits for Molly. They also picked up some more Cd's since Molly had went through her supply. Mostly they windowed shopped and shared stories about their mutual friend. They occasionally would catch each other eyes and one of them you mutter "goth" and the giggles would ensue. It was a good afternoon for them both.

Back at her flat finally, Molly sat down ready to record more music for Sherlock. The i pods were charging and she thought that except for her sadness for Sherlock today had been a great day. Sure she didn't have many female friends but she had John and Greg and Sherlock had acknowledged her as his friend too.(down girl don't read anything into that) all in all she was a lucky woman to have such friends.

Tonight she decided to record some more classical music but interspersed other composers that sounded great on clarinet. Benny Goodman, Cole porter and a few others. She even recorded Chattanooga Choo-choo onto the disc. Why not it was her favorite Benny Goodman song. That done she moved over to er computer to start work on the i pods.

Sipping her glass of wine she started coping the file – wrist slitting music to make you feel better – onto both i pods. Wondering what other music she could add to the player, Molly spent the rest of the night trolling. She downloaded or bought music till both of the players were full. After that was done she called it a day.

When John got back to the flat. The Holmes boys were both in the sitting room, talking quietly. Not wanting to disturb them he quietly went up to his room. The brothers in question had noted his arrival and continued their discussion. Sherlock had finally told Mycroft what had happened the day his Father had died at his mothers hand and Mycroft for his part talked about how he himself had dealt with the long term abuse. They talked strategy. they talked about sentiment. they talked till they hit a wall. They reached an agreement that they needed another set of eyes or in this case an another more human heart to make any decisions.

As Sherlock went up stairs to get said human heart, he paid no attention to the knock on the door. It was Mycroft who got up and answered it. He nodded to his PA and took the file marked Molly Hooper from her. He placed it into his briefcase until he decided what to do about it.

John didn't hear the knock on his door at first. It was when Sherlock called out to him that he pulled himself away from his book.

"you up John?"

"yes Sherlock I am what's up?"

"can I come in?"

"ugh sure Sherlock"

Opening the Door Sherlock though about all they had been through together. He knew that John was his closest friend and the closet thing to a brother he has had in quite some time. It bothered him now that he couldn't even express that. (standing next to a pool sputtering had he actually said that it had been good!)

"Could you come downstairs something me and Croft want to get your input on. Want tea?" and John nod of yes he turned to head back.

"By the way Sherlock – molly said she would load the i pod and that she understood." Sherlock paused in mid-step bowed his head and went off to get tea ready.

A few hours later a completely stunned John Watson was drinking something a wee bit stronger than tea. He was trying to get his head around what the Holmes brothers had asked him to do.

They wanted him to be a tutor of sorts on SENTIMENT (of all things) to Sherlock. He had said that he was all ready dong that. They countered that the role needed to be expanded. That he would have carte Blanche to call Sherlock out when a simple "no not good" wasn't enough. They all agreed that Sherlock had gotten better at recognizing boundaries on his own but all agreed that he needed to reach a place where even "no not good" wouldn't be needed. John knew this was a huge step for Sherlock and for him to be talking about it at all was a huge step as well. He agreed right then to help Sherlock out whatever with he may need.

Mycroft seemed pleased that the danger time had passed and told

Sherlock that he would be back Sunday night for dinner. Sherlock seemed a bit miffed at being told but agreed none the less. Seeing his younger brother bite his tongue he reached out a gave his baby brother a awkward hug. Leaning in to Sherlock's ear he whispered - "love you Sherlock see you Sunday." Sherlock pulled away and looked at his brother. Somewhere in his mind palace a regal door opened and he felt no remembered the love he felt for his brother. Grabbing his brother he gave him a tight hug. He fumbled on his first attempt to say anything so swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and whispered back. "love you Croft."

Mycroft discreetly wiped a tear out from the corner of his eye and turned to john. To lighten the mood John took a step back holding out both hands. "Nope no hugs here Mycroft!" this brought a genuine smile to the ice man. Seeing what John wanted to do he played along.

"Ah yes – no hugging them people would talk." to that the other two men in the room replied together. "that's all people do." Rolling his eyes at their smart arsed answer but still smiling.

"Do grow up!"

This seemed to set Sherlock and his doctor off Giggling. Just like last time. "we solve crime, I blog about it and he forgets his pants. Or have you deleted that Mycroft?"

Shaking his head "as if I could John." he proceeded to gather up his things and started heading for the door. "John would you walk with me for a moment. Please."

Outside on the stoop waiting for his car Mycroft looked at the man who had saved his brother on so many ways. "Thank you for everything John. I know being his friend isn't easy but I must say you have surprised even me. So I thank you again for the bottom of my so called non existent heart."

taken back by the speech john nodded and looked Mycroft over.
"You're welcome Mycroft but I don't think that is the only reason you asked me out here. You forget I have the market cornered as far as understanding a Holmes goes. So what else is there?"

Mycroft pulled out Molly's file and handed to John. " I haven't read it. Didn't seem the decent thing to do. Figured if any one looked at it . It should be you and my brother." John could here the unspoken 'and' hanging in the air. Raising his eyebrow he looked at the sudenly quiet man on his stoop. "and?"

Mycroft actually stopped before rolling his eyes at the good doctor . " Seems my brother has rubbed off onto you John." He extended his hand to the gentleman in front of him before he continued. "AND It would be my honor if I too could call you friend."

John only blinked twice before returning the handshake.

" of course, Mycroft."

an- ok guys here is the part that is going to get harry. Molly is about to confront her demons and it may get grafic emotionally and phsically . After next two chapters should get us to where the fun can begin, I cant wait to call sherlock out on misbehaving and on how he is cope with Molly afterwards.