Chapter 13

Molly climbed the stairs up to her flat, dropped her bags on the kitchen's table and settled on her sofa to have a closer look at the postcard.

It featured a peaceful Swiss little town called Meiringen, and had been posted a few days earlier in Switzerland. She read again the single word written on it: "Bored". There wasn't any signature but she easily recognized Sherlock's handwriting and laconic style.

A quick Google search taught her that Meiringen was indeed located in the Swiss Alps, close to Interlaken. It was famous for being close to the Reichenbach Falls (the name sounded vaguely familiar), but also hosted a military airfield and… a spinal cord rehabilitation center.

Having no more doubts about the identity of the sender, Molly's first reaction was to tear up the card and put it in the trash. How dared he? After humiliating her like he did at the hospital, he thought he had the right to contact her just because he ran out of other activities? What did he expect? That she would take the first flight and show up like if nothing happened? No, this time she would be strong and she wouldn't give in.

^/^

Half a bottle of wine and a tissue box later, she picked up the card back and tried to mend it with tape. Sherlock had written her. This was the sign she had been waiting for, the reason why she hadn't moved on yet. This meant he still thought about her. Perhaps Mycroft had forced him to break up with her and then had sent him to Switzerland against his will? But Sherlock did little things against his will… maybe this time he really didn't have the choice? Being officially dead he needed Mycroft's help to obtain false documents and a cover?

She was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound a text message on her mobile phone. Those, as letters, were rare those days. This one was coming from an unknown number, with an international prefix. Switzerland maybe? Her hands trembling a little bit, she took a deep breath before opening it:

"If my calculations are correct, my card should have arrived today."

A second, then a third message arrived before she didn't even have the time to…

"No I didn't I steal the phone, it is mine. Apparently I am allowed to own one now."

"I can also have visitors."

Molly couldn't believe it. Sherlock was indeed back in to her life, and he seemed as invasive as before. Any normal human being would have started with an apology. But not Mr Sherlock Holmes.

Having absolutely no idea what to do, she decided to finish the other half of the wine bottle. After hesitating a long time between texting back: "I love you" or "Fuck off", she went for the second option. She also added: "I'm busy, try to call someone else. Oh sorry you can't, well too bad!". Then, quite happy with herself, she shut down her mobile and fell asleep almost instantly on her living room's carpet.

^/^

When Molly woke up the next morning, she had a terrible headache and 64 unread messages. She knew Sherlock had a passion for texting, but this time he had surpassed himself.

"Molly, this is rude."

"However you're right, my phone book is a bit limited those days."

"But alcohol won't solve anything."

"Red wine I presume?"

"I take it you're ignoring me."

"Or you're more probably, asleep."

"And not in your bed."

"I guess it should have been more appropriate to start with an apology?"

"So here you are: I am sorry."

"And bored."

"Come to see me."

"It's snowing here."

"The center has no pottery classes, I am bitterly disappointed."

"But I am swimming a lot."

"This means I have quite impressive biceps."

"I imagine this is something you would fancy."

"I listened to the songs you left on my Ipod."

"I am afraid Celine Dion caused irremediable damages to my eardrums."

"Come I want to talk to you."

And the list was going on and on. She couldn't help crying as she read them, but also had some good laughs. By the times she could tell he had been texting all night long. The last message had been sent at 5 AM and said:

"I had my reasons but I cannot forgive myself. I hope one day you can."

There were no more messages after this one.

She read them over and over again, but she couldn't bring herself to send an answer. She felt a bit guilty as he was probably waiting for one. Part of her wanted to jump in the first plane and join him, but a little voice in her head was also telling her that she should try to forget him completely. She had suffered so much because him. Not just now, but all those years while he had been ignoring her or playing with her feelings. Why would it be different this time? Why did she keep making the same mistakes over and over? Could she forgive him as he was asking? She was going mad asking herself those questions and she needed to talk to someone. The only person she could think of was Helen. She called her and asked if they could meet in town for a coffee.

^/^

"So my dear, how is everything going? You look pale, are you eating properly?", inquired Helen with her usual motherly manners.

"He contacted me", said Molly.

"He… you mean?"

"Yes, Sherlock. He sent me a postcard and then he starting to text me. He is in a rehabilitation facility in Switzerland."

Helen smiled. "You see, I told you. There's always hope."

"I don't know what to do Helen. He asked me to come and see him, but… I'm not sure if I want it anymore."

"Did he give you any explanation?"

"Not really… he said he was sorry and that he would explain if I came to visit him. But I don't know… what if the same thing happens again? He just wants to see me because he's bored and then he'll change his mind again and… I won't be able to handle it another time. It just hurts too much."

"But if you don't go you will regret all your life."

"Yes", whispered Molly with tears in her voice. "But the last time I gave a second chance to a man… it ended up very badly."

Helen took her hand. "Listen, I think you need to hear what he has to say. Go over there, confront him, and then you will take your decision. If you think he isn't sincere then let it be. But at least you will be able to start a new leaf. What do you think?"

"You're right… but I know how I am. I've never been able to resist him."

"Molly, you're stronger than you think. And you are the one who has the cards in hand now. Go over there, tell him what's on your mind and whatever happens you will feel better afterwards."

Two days later, Molly was at Heathrow, boarding on a flight to Geneva.

^/^

Two trains and a taxi ride later, she reached Meiringen Rehabilitation Center. It was nestled in the mountains, and the white snow was covering everything in sight. Freezing with cold, she quickly entered the reception where a young blond woman greeted her with a smile.

"Hello, can I help you Madam?"

Molly felt a sudden panic wave… She hadn't informed anyone she was coming. But it was too late to make a U-Turn.

"Yes I come to visit a patient."

"Sure, what is his name?"

"Sh… Vernet, Alexandre Vernet." Thank god she remembered his alias otherwise she was about to make a big mistake.

The receptionist looked into her computer.

"Mr Vernet, yes of course. He had let us know he was expecting someone. Would you like to take a seat in the visitor's room? I will inform him of your presence immediately."

Molly settled in the room where a waiter brought her some tea. It had a large bay window with a view overlooking the valley. While waiting she went through the pages of the center's brochure. It looked more like a luxury hotel than a medical facility. It had the latest training equipment and even a gastronomic chef. Once again Mycroft's money had done wonders.

She knew that Sherlock would be there any minute now and she was getting increasingly nervous. When he finally entered the room, she barely recognized him. His hair had been cut short and dyed a dark auburn shade. He was wearing a pair of black jeans and a white sweater which could have belonged to John. A member of the staff came to take off the chair opposing Molly so that he could settle at the table. Here they were, facing each other once again.

Molly didn't flinch. She tried to remain as impassive as possible despite her inner turmoil. Sherlock served himself some tea, took a sip then broke the awkward silence:

"Thank you for coming", he said.

"Why am I here Sherlock?", she inquired.

"I wanted you to discover the undeniable charm of Switzerland. Isn't it beautiful?"

"Stop that", she cut. "I came to hear what you had to say. If you're trying to fool me again, then I should leave immediately."

It felt like another person had spoken instead of her, a stronger, more confident Molly. Sherlock looked at her with a mix of surprise and interest.

"Alright, I suppose I owe you an explanation…"

"Yes you do. And you'd better hurry up before security throws me out at your brother's orders."

"Mycroft knows you are here."

"Oh. So I am no longer blacklisted? Is it because you're desperately in need of a distraction? You thought let's call back Molly, that should be fun for a few weeks. I did everything you told me when you came to ask for my help. I gave up my job and I left everything behind just to take care of you. And when I was starting to believe that maybe one day we could be happy together, you and your brother kicked me out as a dog. So explain to me because you see, I'm so stupid that I don't get it. I wonder what horrible things your brother told you about me?"

Sherlock had listened all along in his usual thinking pose, his hands joined under his chin. After a prolonged silence, he finally answered.

"Mycroft had nothing but praises for you. Actually he told me… that if loved you then I should let you go."

Molly shivered slightly. She didn't know what was the most shocking. The Holmes brothers twisted sense of logic or the fact that Sherlock had just… confessed his love for her?

"I'm not sure to understand."

"In one month I will be out of here. But life with me won't be anything fun. I am officially dead. I can't make a move without having one of the most dangerous criminals after me. I can't work. I don't have access to my bank accounts. I have no money except what my brother's give me. And I forgot the fact that I'm stuck on a wheelchair for the rest my days. I know you have a kind heart and you will probably tell me that none of this matter to you. But one day it will."

"So this is what Mycroft put in your head?"

"This is purely logical. You felt guilty after my accident so you thought you had to stay with me. The truth is you deserve much better. I got scared that one day you'll realise it. I left you so that you wouldn't leave me."

"What made you change your mind?"

"I followed your advice, I started seeing a therapist. I told her about… what you know. We also talked about you. She said that fear or rejection is a normal reaction but that if you were worth it then I should take the risk. "

"Am I worth it?"

"I tried hard to delete you Molly, but it's not working. I can't stop thinking about you. So if none of what I mentioned before seems an obstacle to you and if you are crazy enough to put up with me… I ask you to give me a second chance. You could stay here with me. There is a little hotel only 500 meters away. And for later, my family owns a house in West Sussex. It's a small village, if I keep a low profile I doubt anyone will look for me there. I don't want you to think that you are somehow stuck with me, I will respect your decision whatever it is. But it would make a great difference to me if had you at my side."

"What happens if I say no? You can't live on your own, who will stay with you? And what would I be exactly? Your employee? Your nurse? Or your girlfriend?"

"My wife".