Her heart was pounding in her chest as she approached the door and paused in front of it. Lifting her hand, she knocked lightly and waited for an answer.
"Come in."
She opened the door to find him standing at the other side of the room with his back to her.
"So this is it," he turned to face her, "you've come to say goodbye."
Molly was silent, tears threatening.
"You look sad," he observed, "you once told me I looked sad when I thought no one could see me. But you saw me, and now I can see you."
A single tear fell down her cheek and she looked away.
He was at her side in an instant.
"Molly, I..."
She peered up at him.
"I am not good with emotional declarations."
He moved closer, eyes locked on her own, and leaned down as her breath hitched.
As was their tradition, Sherlock placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, lingering longer than previous occasions.
He pulled back to find her eyes closed and a sad smile on her face.
His gaze ghosted down to her lips, struggling to keep his feelings in check.
When she opened her eyes she found him looking down at her with intent. Her breathing was becoming laboured and the detective could see the effect he was having on her, making it even more difficult for him to keep a slight distance between them.
They stared at each other for a long moment, the longing in her eyes almost breaking his self-control.
He straightened up, taking a deep breath and gathering his thoughts.
"Goodbye Molly Hooper. I hope you'll be truly happy."
He was smiling but his eyes gave him away.
The pathologist shook her head.
"Say the words and I'll stay," she whispered, not daring to look him in the eye.
His features showed his obvious conflict. While his mind told him that he was doing the right thing by letting her go, his heart was breaking.
She watched him, understanding the internal struggle he was experiencing, hoping he would make the decision she wished for.
She waited in anticipation.
Nothing.
She looked down, attempting to hide the hurt written all over her face.
What did you expect?
Eventually, she gazed up and managed a pained smile that destroyed the final ounce of restraint that Sherlock had left.
"Goodbye Sherlock." It was a whisper at best.
She turned to leave but a hand on her wrist stopped her in her tracks.
He drew her back but she barely had time to register what was happening before his lips were on hers and his arms were around her waist, pulling her closer. She responded immediately, deepening the kiss and bringing her hands up to his hair, eliciting a gentle moan from the consulting detective.
When they finally broke for air, both of their pupils were blown wide and Sherlock's hair was ruffled from the attention Molly had paid to it.
He rested his forehead on hers as they caught their breaths, causing her to grin as she stared up at the only man she ever loved.
Neither Sherlock nor Molly ever admitted to their friends what happened in Sherlock's bedroom that evening but suffice to say, Molly never went to Bristol.