Chapter 18

They cry in the dark, so you can't see their tears
They hide in the light, so you can't see their fears
Forgive and forget, all the while
Love and pain become one and the same
In the eyes of a wounded child
Because hell
Hell is for children
And you know that their little lives can become such a mess
Hell
Hell is for children
And you shouldn't have to pay for your love with your bones and your flesh

Its all so confusing, this brutal
They blacken your eyes, and then apologize
You're daddy's good girl, and don't tell mommy a thing
Be a good little boy, and you'll get a new toy
Tell grandma you fell off the swing

Pat Benatar- hell is for children

After showering and putting on fresh clothes, Molly started to head into the kitchen. She felt so embarrassed that they had witnessed her … episode. She didn't even look up she really didn't want to see their faces but then stopped her self. If she could not explain to her closest friends why they had to go through last night; then she didn't deserve them. They had brought her to their flat and had been willing to take care of her indefinitely. No questions asked, no answers available until she snapped out of it. They earned to know why. Shaking her head she raised it up and met John's caring smiling face.

"welcome back. Hungry?"

At his natural tone and non pitting face, she walked over and gave him a hug. While squeezing him tight she whispered into his ear. " thank you for everything John. And especially for being my friend." since her face was buried next to John's ear she didn't see the face that Sherlock pulled- but John did. Pulling away from the slight woman. He cleared his throat(it had gotten a bit choked up) and wiped away the tears that her heart felt words had caused. Looking over again at his best friend mischief lit up in his eyes. With a sweeping gesture he grabbed Molly's hand and bent over it like an old world gentleman and kissed it.

"My dear Molly thank you for being mine."

Molly knowing his was being funny (but not why) waved his silliness off. Some of her apprehension eased she looked around the kitchen. "so chief whats for lunch?"

"home made hamburgers and chips."

"sounds great I am starving!" She then turned her eyes to the rest of the room. Sherlock was standing at the window just watching her and John. He looked

Perplexed or mad to Molly's eyes. Scared it was because of all the bother she had caused, she walked over to him. As she approached he turned to look out the windows.

"Sherlock... I am sorry for the..um.. disruption I caused last night." (breathe Molly you can do this) but I want to say.. thank you. For taking care of me, for dealing with how ever I acted last night and for (,dear god he is staring at me I am never going to be able to do this- YES YOU CAN MOLLY HOOPER- just breathe!) making me feel safe. I don't know if I would have made it back so quickly without that. I just wanted you to know that I consider it an honor to call you my friend." She smiled up into his somewhat stunned face. then surprised him again by stepping in front of him and winding her arms through his arms and around his waist.

At first Sherlock wasn't sure what to do with himself. Then with out a conscious thought his arms wrapped around her shoulders and he returned her hug. He lowered his head down until it rested on Molly's. He struggled (what is this I never struggle with words!) to figure out what he wanted to say. In the end he just said what was the truth.

"No, Molly, it is I that is honored to call you mine." a small sigh, just a little more than an exhalation left him, and he just stood there holding her. Relived she was back and determined that her personal horror would not touch her again. Not as long as he was around.

What neither of them saw was John snapping a picture of both of them standing in front of the window. Silhouettes in the light and he thought of how they both deserved to be there. In the light of a new day.

Author's note: so I know not a big chapter but I wanted the guys to have a moment in the sun before we head into molly's past. Thank you all for all the kind reviews and follows they mean the world to me. They really do. Next chapter should be up soon it's in my head and screaming to be unleashed but it is the chapter that I am scared of so bear with me.

Laters!

-dga

side note upon rereading this chapter the plot bunnies gave birth- how cool would be if there was a story where we could hear the thoughts of sh and he hear what we were writing. You get brownie points if you figure out where the bunnies gave birth at!