Chapter 6

Rating: M

Disclaimer: Still not mine, sigh...

Notes: Slight description of a murder victim. If it's a trigger, skip this one.. I put a little comedy in this chapter, just trying to keep it light for when it's more intense later.

Gavin was making himself rather comfortable on Molly's sofa when he heard a noise that sounded like a sob coming from her kitchen. Gavin had never been comfortable with crying women and it was only after noticing the stern eye of Toby upon him, looking at him as if he needed to go and fix his human, did Gavin get up and make his way into the kitchen.

"Molly…?"

Molly whirled around, wiping her eyes and plastering on a fake smile. The same smile she had used the months before she had said goodbye to St. Bart's and London.

She turned back to the sink, unable to face him. "Oh Gavin, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to keep you waiting. I'll just…um…get the…biscuits." She flinched slightly when she felt his hands on her shoulders.

Molly turned to him and flung her arms around his neck. "Oh, I'm sorry…I just didn't think he'd come…and then he did and said he wanted to bring me home and I just…I just…oh God…I'm such an idiot."

Gavin hugged her to him, not really sure what to say. "I'm sure you're not an idiot Molly. You've been through so much and seeing someone from your old life is bound to bring up painful memories."

"It's just that I've loved him for so long and I kept hoping and then when he told me that I counted and he came to me to be his secret keeper and I thought…I just thought that after he had lived with me and we had been through so much together…and then to find out that I didn't count…and I can't imagine what he wants now…probably only here because no one else will work with him…and Simon, Oh God, Simon…I'm rambling and I can't seem to stop…" Molly said.

She had also begun shivering uncontrollably and Gavin thought she might go into shock, so he steered her into the living room and sat her down on the couch.

"Look Molly, you just rest here and I'll get the biscuits and cocoa, alright?" He said, pulling the blanket up around her trembling shoulders.

Molly shook her head no and tossed the blanket away. "No, you're my guest and I…"

"Sit down Molly." Gavin said, pushing her back down and pulling the blanket back over her. "Why don't you let someone take care of your for a change. And if you don't sit still, I do have my handcuffs." He smiled teasingly.

Molly smiled brightly at him, even though her eyes were filled with tears. "Thank you Gavin. You're very sweet."

He gave her hands a gentle squeeze and went into her kitchen.

"Can you believe the nerve of Molly? Throwing us out!"

"Actually she only threw you out. I'm pretty sure she would've been fine with me staying."John said still eating his chocolate biscuits that he had gotten from Molly.

"And then that saucy Sergeant Detective…Gavin…"He hissed his name. "Calling us amateurs."

"Actually he only called you an amateur." John said with a mouth full of biscuits.

"Who's bloody side on you on?" Sherlock roared.

John popped another biscuit in his mouth and smiled. "I am on Molly's side. He seems like a nice enough bloke. Probably very competent in his job. I'm sure if she needs us she'll give us a call…well, she'll give me a call. I'm not so sure she ever wants to speak to you again."

"You're enjoying this aren't you John?"

"It's absolutely delicious Sherlock. Now, if you're done with your tantrum, I'm off to bed. See you in the morning."

"Fine!" I don't need your help!"

John smiled and shrugged. "Alright then."

Sherlock threw a book at the bedroom door just as John closed it. He began to pace. "Why wouldn't she talk to me? She's in danger, naturally I would be the one to save her. She should understand this. Instead she's being absolutely ridiculous! Depending on a country constable…"

"A Detective Chief Inspector and Detective Sergeant…" John shouted through the door.

"Oh buggar off" Sherlock shouted back. He resumed his pacing. "Who in the hell does he think he is? Telling me to leave? She's My bloody pathologist, not his! Thinks he can shut me out, does he? Well, he doesn't know who I am! I am Sherlock Holmes the worlds…"

"Yes yes, the world's only consulting detective. How about keeping it down in there so a bloke can get some sleep."

Sherlock's mouth closed and he glared at the door. He flopped himself dramatically on the sofa, turning himself into the pillows to sulk.

"And stop sulking, you're a grown man for god's sakes." John shouted through the door.

"Oh go to hell!" Sherlock snapped.

John's laughter could be heard through the door.

Molly was making breakfast for Gavin and herself when the post was delivered. Gavin picked it up from the floor and brought in into the kitchen for her.

"Thanks for loaning me your sofa. It's rather comfortable." Gavin said handing her the post.

"It was nice to be able to sleep without fear of not waking up or waking up to something dreadful. I felt safe Gavin. I haven't felt that way in a long time."

A slow flush crept up his neck and his cheeks. Molly bit her lip trying not to smile, he was so adorable. She turned back to the sink, not wanting to embarrass him. She heard him pull the chair out to the kitchen table and sit down. She placed a plate of eggs, sausages, and toast in front of him. "Coffee or tea?" She asked still trying to hide her smile.

"Coffee please…" He said still blushing.

Molly poured him a cup of coffee before making a plate for herself and sitting down across from him. She picked at her food as she watched him eat appreciatively. Sherlock never seemed to appreciate the care she took of him. Often more times than not, she threw away many full plates of food.

Molly began looking through the post when she came across a large brown envelope. Placing the other mail aside, she opened the large envelope, her curiosity peeked. Molly felt around in the envelope and pulled the contents out. The envelope was full of photographs. Slowly the smile left Molly's face as she looked began looking through the photos, the first one of Mrs. Cumberbatch outside of her teashop. The second of Molly walking into the teashop. The third photograph was of Mike Stamford walking into work. She quickly flipped through the rest of the photos, one of John, Greg, Mrs. Hudson, and Sherlock.

"Molly?" Gavin said noticing how pale Molly had become.

"Oh God…"Molly said as she came to the last photograph before jumping up from the table and running from the kitchen.

"Molly!" Gavin called after her.

He jumped up and grabbed the photographs, looking through them, his face taking on a look of disgust, horror, and rage when he came to the one that obviously had sent Molly running into the bathroom. It was a photograph of the burned corpse of her father.

"God…what a sadistic monster..." Gavin whispered. "Molly!" He called to her running from the kitchen and to the bathroom door. He could hear her struggling to catch her breath through her sobbing and vomiting.

Gavin pulled out his mobile and dialed Inspector Barnaby. "Hello Sir, you need to get to Molly's as soon as…Dr. Hooper…as soon as possible." Gavin paused as Barnaby was speaking with him. "Yes sir I have been here all night and this morning. She just got something in the post sir, you need to see this. And she needs to be moved sir. She's not safe here."

"Did you get a look at the postman?" Tom asked Gavin as he entered Molly's cottage.

"No sir, I didn't think too. Just picked it up off the floor for her."

Tom nodded. "And where is she now?"

"She won't come out of the loo. There were other photos sir, of Mrs. Cumberbatch, a couple other people that I don't know and also of those two blokes that came by last night."

"What two blokes?"

"Oh, that daft detective that thinks he's god's gift and some fellow she called John."

"Ah, Sherlock has already made an appearance, has he? The other gentleman with him is Dr. John Watson. According to Mycroft, he's the only one who can do anything with Sherlock."

Tom knocked on the bathroom door. "Dr. Hooper, are you alright?" He asked, even though he could still hear her crying.

"Yes…I'm fine…" She hiccupped through her tears.

"Dr. Hooper, you don't sound fine. Please come out so we can talk with you. You must understand that I can no longer allow you to stay in this cottage. You're life is in danger and it looks like quite possibly the lives of your friends."

The bathroom lock clicked and Molly slowly opened the door.

"Dr. Hooper, we have to alert these people to this obvious threat. I am sorry, I know that you wanted to keep this as private as possible."

"You're going to ring him, aren't you?" Molly asked, tears streaming down her face.

"I have no choice. He was in one of the photographs, not to mention that the message on your bedroom wall was actually directed at him." Tom said gently, taking Molly's arm and leading her to her sofa. "You won't have to speak with him alone."

Molly nodded, wiping her nose with the handkerchief Gavin handed her.

Tom walked back into the kitchen, his mobile in his hand.

Gavin squeezed Molly's hand reassuringly. "I'll be right back, yeah?" He said. She nodded, holding the handkerchief over her mouth.

Gavin walked into the kitchen. "Sir, why do we have to have him in the room with Molly? Why can't we just let him know what's happening and send him on his way to London? He's a big boy, he can look after himself."

"Because Troy, as much as I hate to admit this, Sherlock Holmes is as brilliant as he says he is. We could use his help on this one as he knows Molly better than we do and…"

"But she doesn't want him here, sir!"

Tom sighed. "Troy, this isn't about what Dr. Hooper wants. It is no longer just about her. There are other people at stake here and perhaps, Mr. Holmes will be of assistance."

"Yeah, and how can you be sure to keep him in line long enough to help us and not hinder us?"

Tom smiled. "I have his mummy on speed dial."

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