I apologize for any funky formatting issues. Google chrome and ffnet aren't liking each other
Title: Ordinary day
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Lestrade/Molly
The medium sized coffee shop was packed to standing room only that Tuesday morning as Molly Hooper stepped through the front door. It was eight am and the forecasted rain had turned to a rain and snow mix. The stiff wind wasn't helping Molly's mood. She was chilled to the bone just from the short walk from the tube. She was normally in an hour earlier but had missed her alarm and gotten up late hence missing her normal train. On the train Molly hadn't been able to find a seat and had been stuck between a group of loud teenagers. Now the familiar smells of pastry and coffee were most welcome.
There were six people in line ahead of her so Molly decided to check her phone messages and email as she waited. She shifted her medium sized black shoulder bag to her right shoulder and her closed umbrella under her other
arm. Molly pulled out her blackberry and cleared the screen saver. She'd been surprised when her boss had given it to her last week. Maybe the department was slowly coming out of the dark ages after all. As Molly activated voicemail and raised the phone to her right ear she dropped the umbrella. Frowning the young doctor bent down to retrieve it. As she did another hand closed around the umbrella. She glanced up and was surprised to see a friendly face.
"Dreadful weather this morning, isn't it?"Lestrade commented as he straightened and handed the umbrella back to Molly.
Molly smiled her thanks and nodded as she shut the phone off. "Awful plus I overslept and missed my normal train..."
"Sounds like your day is no better than mine."Lestrade agreed as the line inched forward.
Molly studied her friend realizing with a start this was the first time she'd spent more than five minutes with Lestrade since Sherlock's Christmas party. If he'd needed case information it'd been over the phone. Half the time she'd gotten voicemail if they'd missed each other. Greg looked tired; dark circles under his eyes. Face a little thinner as if his meals had been more coffee than solid food.
"Do you…."Molly began than cleared her throat looking back at the counter ahead. "Do you want to share breakfast? If you have to get back that's perfectly understandable…"
Lestrade smiled and lightly touched Molly's right arm. "Best offer I've had in awhile. If they need me for anything they can always call."
Few minutes later orders were placed and Molly and Greg moved down to the next window. She waved off his offer to pay. Molly was happy to be able to return at least a little of the generosity Greg had showed her with the
present. By the time their food and coffee was ready Molly found she was not. She had yet to put her phone away and had added her wallet to the jumble she was carrying. Flashing an apologetic look at her companion the
young doctor hastily began putting things back in her bag.
Lestrade smiled and shook his head as he picked up their tray. "All under control."
Luck would have it that a table away from the window and towards the back opened up just as Lestrade stepped away from the counter. He led the way and Molly sat down happily on the left side of the table. She set her bag
and umbrella to the right of her chair tucked out of the way by the wall. Still chilled Molly left her coat on. The pastry shop had extended it's breakfast menu recently due to popular demand. Now during peak hours served
eggs, bacon, sausage and crepes on Thursdays. Molly's stomach growled at the heavenly smells coming from the two plates between her and Greg. One contained two muffins one blueberry one chocolate, and three bagels of
various varieties. The other was piled high with eggs and sausage.
"Starved."Molly commented as she filled a small plate. "I had errands after work last night so I got home after supper and think it amounted to a bag of crisps. What about you?"
"Sandwich of some kind don't remember."Greg replied as he took a bite of bagel and a sip of coffee. "I'm glad we bumped into each other."
"Me too."Molly acknowledged as she took a long sip of coffee
"Been meaning to touch base with you.."Lestrade began. "I'm sure you've heard the rumor mill."
Molly raised an eyebrow. "Remember I'm with dead people most of the time. Something wrong?"
Greg sighed and put down the bagel absently fiddling with the coffee mug. "My wife and I have officially separated. She's filing for divorce. Moved out last weekend."
"I'm sorry."Molly commented.
"It's alright."Lestrade stated as he absently set the bagel aside and began to cut into a piece of sausage. "Been coming for awhile."
Without thinking Molly reached over and took Greg's free hand in hers. He smiled briefly and squeezed it.
"You're a good person, Molly."Greg said softly not releasing the doctor's hand."Sherlock's an idiot for not realizing what's in front of him."
Molly felt heat rise to her cheeks and quickly removed her hand.
"I'm sorry."Lestrade apologized. "I shouldn't have..."
Molly shook her head. "It's okay...I'm trying to...trying to move past it. Not like there was ever anything to move past."
"Sometimes that's harder than an actual breakup."Greg commented as he set down his fork and took a sip of coffee.
Molly nodded and fiddled with a blueberry muffin not really hungry any more. Mercifully her phone chose that moment to ring.
"Sorry."Molly said as she took the device out of her bag and glanced at the display. "Have to take this."
"Understand."Lestrade acknowledged as he returned his attention to his meal.
"What do you mean they lost it?"Molly demanded into the phone after one of the techs had explained the reason for the call. "Never mind I'll ...be there soon. Get another sample ready."
Lestrade raised an eyebrow as Molly put her phone away. "Problems?"
Unhappily Molly nodded as she gathered her things. "One of the techs dropped a lab sample for a case that's due to go to trial in two weeks. Going to take four days to process another…..sorry I have to head back and handle this."
"I'll walk you."Greg offered as he stood and began to pile the dishes on the tray and grab his coat.
Molly smiled her spirits lifted by her friend's kindness. "That's not necessary."
Greg deposited the tray on a nearby trash bin and returned Molly's smile. "I know, I want to."
"Thanks."Molly acknowledged as she buttoned up her coat. "The way my luck's going…..who know's I'll probably fall into a sewer or something."
Lestrade laughed as they walked to the front door and stepped outside. "Good thing you ran into a member of the Scotland Yard then."
The wind had died down but the snow had changed back to rain and a rumble of thunder could be heard.
"Crazy weather."Greg muttered as he flipped the color of his jacket up
After Molly opened her umbrella Greg reached to take it from her and their hands touched briefly. When Molly risked a look at Greg she was astounded at the cascade of emotions she saw in his eyes. In a blink the turmoil was gone replaced with a twinkle as Lestrade smiled. Greg slipped an arm around Molly's shoulder's drawing her further under the protection of the umbrella. In too short of a time they were inside and warm. Not necessarily dry since halfway a strong wind gust attacked Molly's umbrella and it lost the battle.
"Sorry about the umbrella….guess I should've bought a new one."Molly commented as they stood in the deserted hallway outside her office.
Lestrade smiled as he shook water off his jacket. "Would've gotten wet anyway if I hadn't run into you. Don't worry about it."
"Guess I'll see you around."Molly commented.
Despite the troubles with the weather and the general bad luck of the morning. Molly had enjoyed her time in the café with Greg. It'd been comfortable; no pressure. Just two people who enjoyed each other's company. It'd been a long time since Molly had felt that way around anyone.
Greg reached out and gently brushed a wet hair away from Molly's left cheek. Molly's breath caught in her throat as she realized Greg was going to kiss her. They'd been friends for awhile. She trusted him. If he wanted to take it to the next level Molly wouldn't mind. Greg's hand lingered on Molly's cheek as he lowered his head towards hers. Molly closed her eyes just as their lips touched. The kiss was tentative at first but quickly became passionate when neither pulled away. Just as Greg's arms encircled Molly drawing her close the real world interfered. With a muttered curse Greg broke the kiss as his beeper went off.
"Damn rotten timing."Lestrade grumbled as he ripped the small device off his belt and stared at the display. "Anderson, figures."
Molly smiled still trying to catch her breath from the kiss. Greg turned off the pager and pocketed it He kissed Molly quickly before stepping back.
"This morning was nice."Lestrade stated huskily. "We'll talk later; figure things out. This isn't a rebound thing...I promise you that, You're too important to me, Molly-girl."
"Okay."Molly replied weakly. It was the only thing she could think of to say.
With a smile Greg left. Molly watched him leave until he disappeared around the corner. Molly wanted to pinch herself to make sure the last half hour had been real. The way her heart was racing and threatening to escape her chest was proof that it had been. Maybe just maybe her luck was finally turning around. With a smile Molly turned and entered her office.