Authors Note: Okay, 4th chapter now! :) Yay! So, hopefully this chapter will make the plot a bit clearer. Thank you for your kind reviews. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: You already know that I don't own Sherlock, so yeah… :)
SsSsSsSs
Her heart pounded in her ears, and she felt the blood rush immediately to her cheeks. Sherlock had pulled away from their kiss almost instantaneously, straightening his suit and clearing his throat. Mycroft just stood with a devilish smile on his face. "How long have you been standing there?" Sherlock growled.
He sounded completely disgusted with both his brother and himself, which admittedly worried Molly. "Oh, long enough to hear the end of that little heated conversation and you two going at it with each other like wild dogs." He grinned. "Aside from your little relationship, there is a rather important matter that concerns you, Ms. Hooper, and Doctor Watson." He added.
Sherlock cleared his throat once more, and turned towards the direction of the street, avoiding Molly's eyes. Mycroft beamed at Molly, who turned around and started towards Sherlock. He waited for a moment while the distance between the pair grew, and then started after them. Molly finally caught up with Sherlock and grabbed his arm, "Will you please slow down?" she asked.
Sherlock shook her off of his shoulder angrily. "We need to catch up with the John and the others." He said mechanically. "We'll come back to your flat later to gather your things before we head back to Baker Street." He explained. "Hold on a second. Why are you acting like nothing just happened, Sherlock? It's alright to act human sometimes, you know. And what do you mean I'll be staying at Baker Street?" She asked.
Sherlock gave her a sideways glance. "Molly, what happened was a mistake. I shouldn't have kissed you back, so don't think that I meant it. As a matter of fact forget everything that just happened." he snapped.
Molly stopped walking. "Am I hearing correctly, or did you just say that kissing me was a mistake?" she said, her voice cracking. "Molly, I didn't mean it like that." "Well than what exactly did you mean then?" "I meant… just forget it. We'll have this discussion later. And by the way, you'll be staying at Baker Street so that I can ensure your safety." he admitted.
Molly refused to look at him, but nodded her head slightly. The rest of the walk back to the car was silent once again. Rather ashamed of himself, Sherlock did everything in his power to hide the regret in his face.
MmMmMm
When they finally made it back to the shiny black car, John gave Sherlock an aggravated glare. "Where the hell have you two been?" he said through clenched teeth. "We were… I mean I was…" Sherlock stammered.
Molly sighed to herself. "We were talking to Mycroft. Sherlock and he had a little argument and I had to break it up. Everything's fine now, though." She said sweetly.
John softened his hard stare and smiled at the pathologist. "Alright." He said dismissively.
Molly winced at the pain in her side, trying to hide the fact from Sherlock. If he found out that he had hurt her worse, than he would only take it out on himself. But of course he noticed her hand finding its way to her side, and the color in her face that had gone pale sometime during the car ride.
"Molly," he began, "are you okay?" "Yes, of course." She lied.
Sherlock eyed her suspiciously and moved closer to her, positioning her so that he could move the layers of clothing from her side, lightly brushing her fair skin with his fingertips. "You should probably take some of your pain killers." He suggested.
Molly shook her head. "I think I dropped them back at my flat." She said.
John held up his hand. "I picked them up. They fell out of your pocket when Mycroft's secret service men practically abducted us." He smiled, fishing them out of his pocket and handing them over to the consulting detective.
"Do you need water?" he asked. "No. Thank you." she replied shortly.
Sherlock held her gaze for a moment too long. To anyone, it would just be a meaningless gesture, but this was Sherlock Holmes, for god sakes. He's never fussed over someone this much. John thought.
He smiled to himself at the thought of Sherlock Holmes actually having a girlfriend. But then he thought again, and watched Sherlock stare at Molly watchfully as she placed the small pill on her tongue and swallowed. What is happening to him?
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Sherlock was relieved to find that when they arrived at Mycroft's office, the color in Molly's face had returned completely, and she was completely alert once again. He followed Mycroft as he led John, Molly, and himself through a few narrow hallways with specific twists and turns. It was only when they ended up in his office that he spoke.
"Now, if I have heard the story correctly, I believe that you took the opportunity to hunt down the man responsible for several murders, correct?" he asked.
Sherlock nodded and held his brother's gaze with an irritated smirk on his face. "And you ended up with Brian Lucas in custody, and Miss Hooper in the hospital, which resulted in the capture of his brother afterwards." Mycroft continued.
Sherlock nodded once more. " And I also have reason to believe that you interrogated Brian Lucas after he was taken into custody." "Mycroft, where are you going with this?" Sherlock asked, now sounding even more aggravated than before. "What did he tell you?"
Sherlock rolled his eyes at his brother's question. "He said that he told Molly that she was caught in the crossfire. Something about the aftermath of a war that's been happening since long before our time. He told me that he was out to get me as well, whatever that means." Sherlock explained.
Both men had their mouths set in a straight line, the smirks and sly glances wiped clean off of their features. "It means stay away from this case, Sherlock." Mycroft demanded. "And what makes you think that I'll listen to you?"
Mycroft sighed as if the conversation itself exhausted him. "If you value your life, you will." "What if I don't?" "Sherlock, don't be stupid. This situation no longer concerns you. I'm warning you, for your own safety, to stay away."
Sherlock laughed coldly. "Molly, John, could you please wait out in the hallway for a moment while we discuss some matters at hand?" he asked politely.
John and Molly both reluctantly nodded, and then stood up to start heading out the door. Sherlock stared at Mycroft, but said nothing until the door clicked shut. "Tell me what's going on, Mycroft." He ordered.
Mycroft pulled his drawer open, and pulled out a small tan folder, setting it on the desk and sliding it towards Sherlock. "The men you're getting involved with are dangerous, for certain. They target women at random around London, and once they find a good target, they move in for the kill. The system has been around since the late 1920's. They preform jobs for people; favors." Mycroft paused, letting the information sink in.
"Assassinations, murders. Killings made to look like an accident. The British government just recently discovered their paper trail throughout history. That's when they really went haywire." Mycroft explained.
Sherlock let the look of recognition cross his face. "Ah, I see. That's why the kill rate has increased. The more evidence they find; the more unsolved murders that connect with this organization, increases the rate of killings they perform." Sherlock said. "They don't just target women at random anymore. Now they're after anyone related to or partaking in the British government. They're killing wives, sisters, aunts, mothers… brothers…" Mycroft trailed off.
Sherlock stared intently at the file. "But that still doesn't explain why Molly was a potential target. Why would they want to kill her?" Sherlock asked, though he was almost reluctant to hear the answer.
"You work with me constantly when we're at a loss for further information on a case, which made you a potential target. Brian Lucas saw your… attachment to her, and she was stuck in the line of fire." He said.
Sherlock glared at his brother. "Tell me what I need to do to stop them." He said. "That's just it. You don't do anything. You back off of these murder cases and you lay low for a while." "You know I can't do that. More people will die. If I back off now then we're all in danger." "You're already in danger." "Then what exactly are you protecting me from?"
Mycroft stopped and waited for Sherlock to calm down for a moment, which only irritated him further. "Just do as I say, Sherlock." "I refuse." "Please." He begged.
Sherlock smirked at his brother. "Not until I know what I'm dealing with here. Then, if you're lucky, I may just lay low for a day or two."
Without another word, Sherlock stormed out of his brothers office, slamming the door behind him as he went. Molly and John waited down the hallway, talking in low voices and glancing around nervously. John noted the angry look on Sherlock's face.
"Alright, you're irritated. What did he tell you?" "I'll explain later. You take your own cab back to the flat; I need to ride with Molly to get her things. She's staying with us temporarily so I can ensure her safety." He explained.
John seemed surprised, to say the least at the news, but nodded his head anyway. "I'll see you two back at the flat then?" He asked the pair.
Molly nodded politely and looked at Sherlock, who had already started down the hallway. John took the long way out; or what he thought was the long way at least, in want of something to keep him entertained for a little while. It was strange… when Sherlock and Molly were arguing, Sherlock was a complete mess. He was completely full of rage. Now that they were talking to each other once more, they're just fine, but what sense did this make?
Then he smiled; realizing what was happening. Sherlock Holmes was starting to care for someone… and quite possibly as more than a friend.
MmMmMm
"Sherlock, slow down!" Molly called, making the consulting detective stop and turn to face her. "Sorry. We need to hurry. I have to get down to the police station." He said hurriedly, avoiding eye contact with her. "Will you please explain to me what's happening?" She pleaded. "Listen, I'll explain everything later. Right now we need to go talk to Lestrade and get back to the flat before we run into more of those men." He explained.
Molly was none the less angry. Why wouldn't she be, with the lack of answers she was getting? "Sherlock, talk to me. What exactly are we dealing with?" she asked.
Sherlock stared at her, almost not wanting to believe the information himself. "The two people that tried to attack us tonight; there are more of them. A lot more. It's like an ancient killing system. The group used to target just women around London back in the 1920's, but now they've gone rouge. Their killing off men, women; anyone who will get in there way." Sherlock explained.
Molly locked eyes with him while she pieced it together in her head. "So why are they after me? How am I in their way?" She asked. "Because they're trying to get to me. Mycroft said that they're targeting the British Government, but first they'll target anyone in association with the British Government officials, which includes me." he said.
"But that still doesn't explain why they would come after me." "I don't know why." He lied. "Yes you do. Tell me right now, Sherlock Holmes." Molly demanded. "Because they've seen that you're an easy target. You let someone in and then they hurt you in the process of attempting to kill me, which is why it is in both of our best interests that you stay by my side at all times." He admitted.
Molly nodded, completely understanding why he was acting the way he was acting. "The things I bloody do for you, Sherlock Holmes." She sighed.
Sherlock let a smile escape his lips, looking straight ahead to try to hide it. Molly smiled to herself as well. After they found their way out of the building, Sherlock flagged down a cab, and peered his head in to look at the driver.
"Scotland Yard, please." He said.
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Sherlock guided Molly through the hallways in the direction of Detective Inspector Lestrade's office. Upon seeing them, Lestrade was actually very confused by the arrival of Sherlock and Molly so late in the night, especially after what Molly had gone through. "I thought you'd be home resting." He directed towards Molly, who looked more than a little bit worn out.
"Something came up. I need to talk to you about Brian Lucas, now." Sherlock interjected. Lestrade opened his mouth to ask what had happened when someone interrupted. "What's the matter, freak? Can't handle a killer?" she teased. Of course its Sally Donovan, Sherlock thought.
After Sherlock faked his own suicide, and then made his return some time later, Sally had actually been considerably nicer to him. She only teased him on occasion, which didn't bother him, but this was not an ordinary occasion. This was life or death.
"Not in the mood today, Sargent Donovan. This isn't child's play." He snapped. "Never said it was. So what is it that's got you so jumpy?" she asked, directing towards Molly. "For your information, she was attacked earlier tonight, in case you weren't informed." Sherlock replied angrily.
Lestrade and Molly tried to contain their smiles while Donovan rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yes, I was informed about that, but why are you here?" she asked.
"The reason I'm here doesn't regard you in any way, shape, or form, so please let me talk to Detective Lestrade." He said. "No, let her stay. She might be able to help." Lestrade chimed in.
"With all due respect, this is a life or death situation. The less people that know, the better." Sherlock said. "Look, as much as I would love to go away, I can't. I'm his partner. Whatever cases he needs to know, I need to know." She said, obviously defensive over her position.
Sherlock sighed. "Don't say I didn't warn you." he said almost reluctantly before continuing.
MmMmMm
After Sherlock finished explaining the situation to Detective Lestrade and Sargent Donavon, they were in total shock. "How come we haven't heard about this yet?" Sally asked. "Please, this is way beyond you." Sherlock replied irritably. "The question is, why haven't the British government sent out the order for their arrests yet?" Lestrade asked.
"Because the British government is in way over their heads if they think they can track these killers. They've just now discovered that they exist." Molly interjected. "Fair point. They don't know what their dealing with." Sherlock said.
Lestrade looked at Sherlock, obviously at a loss for words. "What exactly do you want us to do about this? If your own brother wants you to back off this case, then why are you getting us involved?" he asked. "I'm warning you. They attacked Molly in order to get to me. There are several murders that we have yet to solve and a pretty high chance that this organization is responsible for them. Think about it. All of the murder victims were married; married to government officials. Mycroft isn't married, so it makes sense that they would come after me, and since I've taken down two of their men already; they're going to go after anyone associated with me." Sherlock explained.
"So what, you came by to warn us?" Lestrade asked. "Yes. You need to carry a weapon with you at all times, keep your doors and windows locked, and let me know if you find anything; most importantly. You can't tell anyone that you know this, or you will become a target." The consulting detective instructed.
"Oh, and I need to ask a favor." He added. "What is it?" "Keep men on Baker Street to make sure Mrs. Hudson isn't a target as well, if it isn't too much of a bother. You can tell them that there's been a random streak of robberies or something." He added.
"Sherlock, this is a lot to take in, not to mention it's 2 in the morning, and this is a far bigger issue than we expected." Donovan said.
"I know, but unless you would enjoy being gunned down by angry assassins, I suggest you follow my orders." He said sarcastically. "Very funny." She snickered.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we have other matters to attend to." He said. "Alright. Thank you for the warning." Lestrade called back to Sherlock.
"Do you want to stop at your apartment tonight, or would you rather wait until tomorrow?" Sherlock asked after they had already walked through the doors of the police station. "I can wait until tomorrow, but I don't have anything to sleep in." Molly replied sleepily.
"I'll lend you a shirt or something." Sherlock said, obviously feeling a bit awkward by his own offer.
They walked in silence for a little while before Molly spoke finally. "Are you just going to act like nothing happened tonight?" Molly asked, pushing herself to ask the question. "What are you talking about?" the consulting detective replied hastily.
Molly Sighed. "Sherlock, you know bloody well what I'm talking about." "Yes, but I don't understand why you're making such a big deal out of it." He said. "Because we kissed, Sherlock! We snogged in an ally, in the dark, and in front of your brother, much to my embarrassment, and now your acting like nothing happened."
"Am I supposed to act like we're together? Am I supposed to act like I love you because we kissed one time, because I don't?! You kissed me, for the record." He argued. "And you kissed me back, Sherlock! I'm not asking you to love me, I'm asking you to acknowledge the fact that it happened."
Sherlock rolled his eyes. "And what if I don't want to acknowledge the fact that it happened? I have an entire organization full of assassins coming after me, and I have to worry about protecting you as well, so please excuse me if I don't want to worry about that kiss!" Sherlock replied sarcastically.
"Yes, and I have an entire organization of assassins after me, and I have to make sure you don't get yourself killed in the midst of all of this!" "How would I get myself killed?!" "Because you're reckless! Sometimes it doesn't occur to you that you have something to live for when you're chasing criminals. I don't want these people to become like another Moriarty, Sherlock." Molly said.
Sherlock shook his head, and his gaze softened a bit. "Is that what you're worried about? That this is going to have the same outcome as it did with Moriarty?" he asked. "Yes." Molly replied, now fighting off the urge to smack the raven haired man across the face.
The pathologist was now looking at the cracks in the sidewalk, avoiding eye contact with Sherlock, who put his hand under her chin, to make her face him. "Listen. This whole thing will end soon, Molly. I promise you, this will not end like it did last time." He said sincerely. "Can we just go back to your flat, Sherlock?" she said, shaking her head doubtfully.
Sherlock nodded, and together, they finished the walk back to baker street; neither of them having enough money to take a cab. It was only then when he realized something. This organization is much more dangerous than Jim Moriarty ever was.
Authors Note: So I hoped this cleared up some of the plot for you… I'm probably going to completely confuse you, (and myself), before I make everything crystal clear. Thank you so much for your kind reviews! Hope you enjoyed this(Really Really Really Extensive) chapter!
XXX Danielle