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Title: Unexpected
author: Cindy Ryan
Doctor John Watson frowned at his cellular phone. Lestrade's latest text had been two fold updating them and telling them of where to meet. John glanced at the consulting detective sitting across from him. Sherlock's hands were steepled and he was looking out the window. From experience John knew Sherlock wasn't paying attention to the passing scenery.
"Update from Lestrade."Watson reported. "He..."
"Heard from kidnapper and they've narrowed the location of her possible whereabouts."Sherlock surmised still looking out the window.
"Yes."John affirmed. "There's a ransom demand so that's something. She's alive."
"She's only alive until the money transfer is complete."Sherlock commented absently."We won't arrive in time to help; Lestrade's on his own."
John nodded grimly remaining silent. He fiddled with his cell phone. He'd already sent a reply back to Lestrade. They'd only seen Molly on a professional basis since the debacle of a Christmas party months ago. Her attitude to Sherlock had been friendly to a point. Otherwise she'd seemed detached towards the consulting detective. Helping where she could but John could tell the friendship was gone. Even through Sherlock's mask of non-caring John could see the flicker of humanity when he was around Molly. The regret and sadness that briefly crossed Sherlock's face. This led John to believe he missed the friendship with the medical examiner. John missed her too and sent off a silent prayer that Greg would find her in time.
Greg tried to think of this as just another case. Tried to keep a clamp on his emotions. However, as he and Anderson coordinated with the backup that had arrived on the east side of China town the more anxious and worried Greg got. They had a backup group twenty strong that was narrowing the ten block search area the techs had come up with. It was nearly nine pm now and it felt like they'd been working on this so much longer than four hours. Greg had ordered everyone to run silent; no sirens. The last thing he wanted was the bastard to be spooked.
Slowly one by one the reports from the officers came back over the radio. Clear. Greg and Anderson stood by a group of squad cars. On the hood Greg had placed a map of London. He marked off the allies and streets as they were checked. The next officer called in; nothing. Only two streets left and Greg was praying one of them held Molly. If the techs were wrong; if they'd wasted precious time...
"We've got something."Anderson stated as he pocketed the cell phone he'd been talking on. "One of the shop owners told an officer there's been a white delivery van parked in the alley behind his store for three hours. He's never seen it before and they're not scheduled for any deliveries."
"Show me where."Greg ordered tersely.
Anderson pointed to the remaining alley that was yet to be cleared. A few blocks north from where they were. Greg studied the map for a beat more and then straightened leaving the map on the hood. This was the most hope they've had. This had to be it; had to.
"All units close in on the alley near Young and Bringhman."Lestrade ordered over the radio. "Do not enter; repeat do not enter."
Greg led Anderson and a remaining male officer through the streets of Chinatown. His gun drawn he ran the crowd moving out of their way. He reached the officers waiting at the head of the alley a few minutes later. Glancing in Greg saw the van which was parked at an angle halfway down. It was white with no markings and no plates. The windows were tinted. He nodded at Anderson and then at the lead officer standing next to him. Together they moved cautiously down the alley.
Barely three steps into the alley a trashcan clattered drawing everyone's attention to the rear. Directing his flashlight Lestrade saw a thin young man with red hair attempting to scale a wire fence. In seconds they were around the van and Greg had hold of the youth by the waistband of his jeans dragging him down. He tossed the alleged kidnapper down onto the ground with a bit more force than was required. He flipped the red head over. Greg still had his gun drawn as Anderson handed him a pair of handcuffs.
"D.I. Lestrade?"The youth asked with a smirk.
His anger threatening to overwhelm Greg snatched the red head to his feet and slammed him against the fence. "Where is Molly?"
"Behind you in the van."The kidnapper responded with a grimaced.
"Where were you taking off to?"Lestrade asked as he tossed the youth at Anderson.
"Supplies."The young man replied bitterly. "Should've known coppers wouldn't keep their word."
Lestrade opened his mouth to say something then quickly shut it. Molly was more important.
"Get that piece of trash out of my sight."Greg ordered sharply as he motioned to the remaining officers and they made their way to the van.
Molly awoke to find herself alone. She wasn't sure where her kidnapper had gone to or why he had left her. She was still in the locked van; tied hand and foot. Her arm hurt and her head pounded. Her throat and mouth were dry from the gag and lack of water. Molly blinked back tears. Had he left her to die? Had he gotten his money and just left? She didn't think that likely since he wouldn't want to leave any witnesses. She'd seen his face; they could figure out who he was even if their weren't any prints in the van or at the crime scene. It didn't make sense.
Suddenly the van rocked slightly and banging could be heard on the back door. Molly struggled to turn in that direction. She strained to listen; voices, but muffled. There was a clank of metal on metal and a popping sound. Then the doors opened and bright light from flashlights poured in. She closed her eyes against the onslaught. Shoes scuffled against metal as people entered the van. One stopped by her and Molly kept her eyes closed. She didn't want to know who it was. She was afraid her kidnapper had returned with help. Gentle hands lightly touched her shoulders and then left and she felt the gag fall away.
"Molly, it's me. It's Greg."Lestrade's voice filtered through the young doctor's fear. "We got him; you're safe now. You're safe."
Tears flowed freely as Molly opened her eyes and saw Greg's handsome face swim into focus. There were dark circles under his eyes. He looked so worried...all the doubts Molly had ever had about Greg's feelings for her fled. Right now she felt like she was his whole world...it was a wonderful feeling.
"Need a medic in here, now!"Greg shouted as he gently searched her for other injuries. "Where are you hurt Molly-girl?"
Molly swallowed hard struggling to get moisture to her dry throat. "J-just the arm...he cut it...and my head hurts."
Lightly Greg touched Molly's left cheek and she was momentarily lost in the emotion she saw in his brown eyes. Some she couldn't identify others were clear: fear, worry, self-blame. It wasn't his fault that she got hurt but that was the kind of man Greg Lestrade was. The people he cared about he held close. If they were in trouble there was no one you could count on more.
The medics arrived then and Greg stepped out of the way but didn't leave the van. He stayed by her side even after Molly was put in the ambulance. Finally realizing everything was over Molly felt herself drifting off. Before she did she reached over and took Greg's right hand in hers and squeezed it. He did the same in return. It was a simple gesture but it meant the world to Molly. It meant she was safe and cared for. At the moment Molly needed that more than anything.