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John lifted the last garbage bag over his head and into the large dumpster that Scotland Yard had provided for cleanup. After plugging his nose and quickly shutting the lid, he made his way back up the stairs of Baker Street for what felt like the millionth time to 221B. Sherlock was huddled over his computer, his fingers whizzing away on the keyboard. John glanced over his shoulder as he sat in the now rectified chairs by the fireplace.

"You're already looking for new cases?"

Sherlock shrugged. "Why not?"

"Um, maybe because we just got your place put back together? Maybe because we just went through everything with your sister? Don't you want a break?"

"My mind doesn't take breaks, John. You don't want me to get bored, do you?"

John shuddered, remembering the more...explosive...times that Sherlock had gotten bored. "No, however…"

"What?" Sherlock asked, eyes still glued to the computer screen.

"Maybe you could...spend some time with Molly?"

Sherlock's fingers froze and John could see his eyes soften. "I suppose that would be a...good thing?"

John nodded. "Good thing, Sherlock."

Sherlock shifted in his chair to look at him, a crease in his brow. "John?"

"Yeah?"

"You know as well as I that with my personality I can quite easily...screw this up, so to speak."

John leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees. "Yes, that's true. But I also know that you're willing to try to make it all work."

Sherlock was silent for a moment. "I do love her."

John smiled softly. "I know. You're just not used to loving someone. Don't worry, I'll keep you on track."

Sherlock gave him a small smile. John opened his mouth to suggest possibly grabbing some fish and chips when Sherlock's phone rang on the table next to him. John looked over to it and saw Molly's name flashing on the screen. He picked it up gingerly and handed it to Sherlock.

"It's Molly."

Sherlock grabbed it and answered quickly.

"Molly?"

He listened carefully and John watched as a worried grimace settled on his face. Suddenly, he stood up and grabbed his Belstaff coat from the couch. "Do not leave the morgue, do not perform the autopsy, no matter what they say. I will be there soon, okay?"

John stood up quickly, trying to catch the quick words his friend was muttering. He didn't think that he had ever seen Sherlock move as quickly as he was now as he sped down the stairs toward the door.

"Sherlock? What happened? What's wrong?"

"We need to get to Barts," He claimed as he slipped his phone in his pocket.

"Why?"

"Molly's been threatened," Sherlock explained as the door shut behind him. John stood frozen on the steps.

"What?"

…

Molly stood solid against the wall in her new office, that she had gratefully received from St. Bart's after a couple years of "fantastic service" as they said, tapping her fingers against the wall in an agitated manner. As soon as she had slid open the note and read its contents, she quickly placed the note on the table, ran out of the morgue and called Sherlock. Dr. Milligan and Detective Andrews had tried to knock on the door and ask her if she was alright, but she couldn't bring herself to open the door. The words written in blood red ink on the note kept fluttering into her mind and she closed her eyes tightly to block them out.

"Why me?" She whispered. Before she could think any farther, however, she suddenly heard a bang of a door flying open at the end of the hall. She moved toward her door, thinking that she had to listen closely to see who had arrived. She should have known.

"Where is she? And who the hell are you?"

She smiled slightly at Sherlock's tone. She knew that tone. It was the same tone she had heard when she had assisted him on cases when John was unavailable. It was the tone she had heard over the phone when they were held captive by Euros. It was her tone. Silently, she unlocked the door and opened it slightly. What she saw would have made her giggle if the situation wasn't so dire. John was gaping at his friend and seemingly was trying to keep him from punching the next person that tried to speak with him. She could see the worry lines that were barely visible on Sherlock's face as his eyes searched the morgue and the faces within it. Finally his eyes landed on her office door. He walked past John and Dr. Milligan quickly and slipped into her office and closed the door behind him.

She opened her mouth to speak but was surprised to find herself pulled towards him, his arms sneaking around her. She sighed happily and rested her head against his chest. She wasn't hearing knocks on her door any more so she assumed John was keeping everyone at bay. Suddenly, Sherlock stiffened a bit.

"I'm sorry. Is this...okay? I did not think before I acted." She smiled into his chest.

"Yes, Sherlock, it's very okay. John would say you're doing a good."

She wanted to stay in arms and wish the rest of the world away. She didn't think that she had ever felt more safe.

"Molly, are you alright?" She felt his chest rumble as he spoke.

"I'm better now. I really don't want to go back in there, though."

Sherlock's response was quick. "You don't have to."

Molly spoke softly. "I do, though. The note said."

"Where is the note?"

"In the morgue," she responded. Sherlock pulled away a bit and lifted her chin with a gentle finger.

"Stay here. I'll be right back."

With the same surprising grace that he held when he walked into her office he slid out the door, she assumed, to get the note that was left for her. She heard no voices outside except for John.

"Do you want me to wait out here?"

"For now," Sherlock's soft voice answered. "Give her a while to collect herself."

Molly smiled at their kindness. She appreciated the given space but she still leaned against the door to open it fully.

"It's alright, boys. I can help."

Sherlock's eyes met hers quickly. "Are you sure?"

She smiled. "Yes. The whole thing balances on me anyway, doesn't it?"

John walked up next to her and gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "We're going to figure this out Molly."

She nodded as she followed Sherlock back into the morgue. The body lay still on the table and the note lay exactly where Molly had thrown it down. She gave a small silent thanks to Detective Andrews and Dr. Milligan for having the sense not pick it up. She watched as Sherlock pulled on rubber gloves and gently lifted the note and unfolded it. His eyes narrowed slightly.

"What does it say?" John asked gently, coming up to stand next to Sherlock.

Sherlock took a slight breath and glanced up to meet Molly's eyes. She nodded.

"This body is meant for you. No one else. You are the heart of the board. We will know. If anyone helps we have methods to exterminate you. Good luck."

John whistled. "What the hell does that mean? It's sounds all...jumbled."

"I have no idea," Molly answered.

Sherlock's brow furrowed, his eyes flashing over to her. "I'm going to call Mycroft."

Molly started. "What? Why?"

"Methods to exterminate you? Molly, I agree with Sherlock on this one, we've got to get some big guns involved."

"But, but, the rest of the message. No one else?"

"No one else may examine the body," Sherlock answered quickly. "If it were to be only you involved in this then you would have already been exterminated by bringing us in."

Molly's face went white. Noticing the silence, Sherlock met John's cautioning gaze.

"Uh, I mean, not that we would let that happen. Ever," His eyes quickly went to hers and he held her gaze. "Ever."

A small smile graced her face. "I know."

"I'll uh...call Lestrade. He should be here for this."

Molly gave him a small nod as he left the room with his cellphone in hand. The two left behind were silent for a moment, Sherlock analyzing the note in fine detail. Molly wrung her hands, her words tipping on her tongue.

"I want to examine it." She finally blurted out.

"What?" Sherlock responded distractedly.

"I want to examine the body. See what all the fuss is about."

Sherlock glanced up at her. He could see the fire behind her eyes and the determination in her stance. Yet, he also felt the adrenaline firing through his blood that was currently screaming at him to lock her in a room and take out whoever had the nerve to threaten her.

"I...agree," he began. "But we need to be careful. We don't know quite yet who is behind all of this."

Molly walked over to him, gently grasping the note from his hand and caressing his thumb. "Sherlock, you're going to be right here. If anything happens then you and John can stop it."

HIs eyes closed gently, his body relaxing at her touch. The silence that settled between them calmed his racing mind.

"Anything at all. Anything happens and I'm stopping it."

The hand that had been massaging small circles on his thumb came up to cradle his cheek. "I know."

Sherlock leaned into Molly's hand, letting out a contented sigh. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Calm any situation that you are in. This is a high tension, high stress moment where your own life is in danger and you are the calmest out of all of us."

Molly gave a small laugh as she ran her thumb across his stubble. "It's a talent."

Surprising himself, he snaked his arm around her waist to hold her close. His mouth was dry and his palm was sweating, which was a brand new experience for him. He wasn't used to having these types of reactions, especially to a woman.

Opening his eyes, he looked down at her deep brown eyes and gave a short laugh. "What have you done to me?"

Her light smile graced her face. "I could ask you the same thing, Holmes."

Sherlock's mind raced again. "If I...attempt something, do you promise not to hit me?"

"Hit you?"

Moving as quickly as he could so he didn't lose his nerve, Sherlock dipped his head slightly to catch her lips on his. She froze at first, but quickly leaned into him and snaked her hand that was on his cheek to go all around his neck. Suddenly, his entire mind went blank, his body simply enjoying the new sensations that were flowing between them. He had kissed a woman before, he had held firm through his whole plan with Janine, but he had never been physically affectionate toward a woman that he actually wanted a relationship with. This was new to him. And he was surprised to find that he liked it.

Finally breaking away, Molly leaned against his chest with her forehead resting on his. Her other hand that wasn't snaked in his hair had found its way under his jacket to bunch up his shirt. Sherlock's large hands rested on the small of her back, keeping her pushed against him.

"Why in the world did you think that I was going to hit you for...that," she gasped.

"This is all new to me, Molly. I wasn't sure how...that...was going to go."

"It went well. Very, very, well."

"I'll say."

The voice in the door made them jump.

"John!" Molly squealed. She attempted to step back, but Sherlock held her close.

"Glad to see you've taken my advice, Sherlock," John laughed, a twinkle sparkling in his eyes. "You're officially completed as a human being."

Sherlock scoffed. "Very funny, Watson."

Molly's eyes shifted confusedly between the two men. John shook his head at her lightly, informing her that she had nothing to worry about. "Lestrade said he'll be here as quick as he can."

Molly gulped. "Shall I get prepped then?"

The smile that was on Sherlock's face dropped at bit. "I believe you should."

All of their eyes were on the body lying on the slab. Nobody breathed until Molly stepped away to her sink to wash her hands. Then it was constant movement. John was checking the police report that had been brought in by Brighton and Molly was fishing gloves out of the cabinet. Sherlock, however. Sherlock was still attempting to get the blaring words out of his mind.

You are the heart of the board.

And then a flash of him holding a gun at a pool...Moriarty's smug face in front of him.

I will burn the heart out of you.

"There's no way," Sherlock muttered. "He's dead."

"What was that?" John asked, sliding up next to him.

"Nothing," Sherlock responded. "Nothing at all."

Woof! This one took me longer to write as today is my last day of finals! XD Lots of studying and writing essays, etc. etc. So I also apologize that this one is a bit shorter. But! Please still read and review!