I'm sorry, you didn't think Molly was through with Irene YET, did you? LOL

Chapter 23

"Moran? And how might I find this, Moran? "

"I. don't. know. But I can help you find him. IF you get me out of here. "

Molly laughed at that.

"What on earth would make you think I'd want to do a thing like that? " She responded, crossing her arms over her chest.

Irene was livid. How dare this little slip of a girl try to out dominate HER? Oh, she was going to pay. Yes. She'd get Sherlock. Make him do all the things Molly told her about, with Molly forced to watch.

"Molly dear.. " Irene plastered a plastic smile pout on her lips " Sherlock wouldn't be happy if you knew there was something you could do to help his daughter, but you stood in the way instead. "

"He'd understand."

"You sure about that? Im not sure you know your husband as well as you think you do. When I was with him... "

Molly stood up abruptly, fists at her sides.

"You never were WITH him. Get that through your head. " Molly's anger was getting to a boiling point.

"If you say so. "

Molly roared.

"You were a game to be played. That's it! And that's all he was to you. Just a game to play to your own tune. But to me...he is everything. Do you hear me? EVERYTHING! " Molly screamed slamming her fist on the table top in front of Irene, who took a visible move backwards. " You never had his heart! That he only gave to me! He wouldn't waste it on a two bit overused whore like you! "

Irene stood up then, coming toe to toe with Molly.

"Then why did he not let me die? Why did he save me? "

Molly wasn't about to let her get the upper hand. She shook her head and looked like the woman had lost her mind.

"You don't know Sherlock at all. He is a hero. That's what heroes do. The fact that he doesn't see that very fact about himself makes him all the more so. "

Irene sat back down. This wasn't working.

Molly started pacing. Funny, she had never done that before she married Sherlock. Finally she stopped and graced Irene with a cruel smile.

"Let me try this a different way. You may not know my husband, but you know what he can do. So, how about this? If you tell me what we need to know to save our daughter... "

"Sherlock's...daughter. "

"OUR daughter. If you tell me, I'm sure Mycroft can find some way to tuck you away safe and sound. If you DON'T, and Sherlock DOES find Moran...and we both know he will... then he will make it PUBLICLY known that YOU were the one to spill the beans. All of them. "

That got Adler's attention.

"You...you can't. Jim's network... I would be looking over my shoulder the rest of my life. "

Molly leaned in till she was a breath away from Irene's face.

"I. don't. give. a. fuck. You should try watching nature programs, Miss Adler. You will find just how deadly the female of just about every species is when it comes to protecting their young."

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

An hour later, Molly left the room and was texting a message to John when Mycroft met her.

"Molly. Interesting...performance in there. Does my little brother know you have a mouth on you? "

"Only when I'm angry with him. Maybe not so much. Here. This is the information on the last place she knew this Moran guy was. I have to see Sherlock. "

Molly started to go when Mycroft called after her one more time.

"Molly, just so you know...if you ever need a job... "

Molly laughed at that and with a wink, walked out of the room with her head high.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Molly met with John just outside Laura's hospital room.

"Hey Molly, I got to the address you texted me. The box was just were she said it was. How did you get her to tell you? "

"You don't want to know. So, did you send it to Dr Stapleton? "

"Yes. Just came from that. I just hope she finds some answers. "

"I'd settle for an antidote at this point. "

John nodded and they entered the room. Molly went to Sherlock, who looked like an empty shell.

"Honey, I have to talk to you. Lets get you something to eat. " She said softly, taking his hand.

"I can't leave her. I leave her and she gets hurt. " Sherlock said, his voice raw.

"John will stay with her, won't you John. "

"Of course. I won't let her out of my sight, Sherlock. I swear it. Look, as your doctor, I insist you listen to Molly. You are still human. You can't go on like this. Your body will wear out. Then what good will you be for Laura?"

That bit of logic broke through to Sherlock's brain. He stood up, placed a kiss on Laura's cheek and let Molly take him down to the cafeteria. She filled him in on what she'd learned. He listened quietly and ate very slowly. Each bite making him sick to his stomach.

"You did well, Molly. " Sherlock said with a small smile.

"Thank you. We will fix this. We will. Together. " She smiled, taking his hand. She looked at his barely eaten food and frowned again.

"Sherlock, you have to eat a bit more, ok? Laura needs you. This situation.. "

Suddenly Sherlock dropped his fork on the plate loudly and groaned, running his hands through his hair. His strength was obviously returning from somewhere.

"What she needs is someone to solve this case. She needs ME to be working it. But I am so damned torn. I want to much to stay by her side. Keep her safe. Watch over her. But the other part of me... "

"What, Sherlock? "

"The other part wants...needs...to take the next train to Dartmoor. Baskerville has better equipment and more resources than I do here. But they don't have my brain. "

"Then go. I will stay with her. So will Mycroft and Mary and Greg... she'll never be alone, Sherlock. I swear it. You and John go do what you do. Solve the case. "

Sherlock looked at his wife. No wonder he loved her. She truly did understand him. Perhaps she always had.

Sherlock stood up and placed a quick but strong kiss on her lips.

"I love you, Molly Holmes! " He said deeply before he turned and headed for the hall.

Molly leaned back and closed her eyes.

It was the first time he'd spoken the words. And it was better than she ever hoped for.