So I'm away for a few days but have uploaded my chapters so hopefully, so long as I get wifi, I should be able to continue posting on a regular basis whilst I'm away. I'll avoid tomorrow though as it's the Sherlolly Big Bang. Good luck to all those writers and artists posting - I'm looking forward to catching up with it all when I'm back home.

Mary's Christmas Cheer

As soon as Molly got to work she showered in the staff changing rooms. As she stood under the spray of hot water she suddenly felt so weak that she thought she might actually collapse. She put her arms out and leant against the wall with her forehead on the cool tiles as she tried to come to terms with what had just happened. She hadn't just had sex with Sherlock she had had great sex with Sherlock. She should be jumping for joy and shouting about it from the nearest rooftop but instead she still felt sick with nerves.

She needed to talk this through with someone and there was a only one person she could think of. As soon as she had dried and dressed herself she picked up her phone and texted Mary.

I need your help. Any chance of being able to come for a drink this evening? M xx

It was just over an hour later that Mary replied in the affirmative and they agreed to meet at Mary's local pub at 7.30pm.

The day seemed interminably long to Molly and she knew her mind was not fully in her job. Thankfully the two autopsies that were booked in were fairly straight-forward, the kind she could do in her sleep...you mean like the Consulting Detective that you did in HIS sleep... came the thought from her traitorous mind.

For once she was glad to not have Sherlock turn up at work. She needed some time to think about what they had just done and to prepare herself for his inevitable rejection. She hoped that maybe they could just ignore it, brush it under the carpet and carry on as before.

As her working day drew to a close she decided to put her nervous energy to good use and do some Christmas shopping before meeting up with Mary. Her circle of family and friends was quite limited so at least she didn't have too many people to buy for but she felt better as she ticked the names off her list as her bags became heavier with purchases. It was particularly fun picking out a small outfit and toys for baby Elizabeth and not much fun wondering whether or not she should buy Sherlock a present.

In the end she decided against it, at least for now. She just had time for a quick stop off at home and a snack before she was back out to meet Mary. The memory of the morning starting to haunt her once more. She wondered how Mary would take it.

Mary had arrived just before her and had bought them both a glass of wine. She waved to Molly as she came into the pub. It was fairly quiet in there, most people now saving their money and energy for Christmas Eve but the music was still relentlessly festive.

'Hey Molly, you sly dog. How did last night go?'

Molly suddenly remembered that John and Mary had been called away because Elizabeth had been ill. She felt guilty all over again especially for dragging Mary out but Mary just waved away her concerns, 'oh Molly. Lizzie wasn't ill. I just made that up to give us an excuse for leaving and to give you and Sherlock a chance to move things along. So what happened?'

Molly was too stressed to be angry with Mary over her subterfuge, 'oh God Mary it's a disaster.' She felt tears springing into her eyes and tried to will them away, angrily brushing at one making its way down her cheek.

'Hey, hey come on, it can't be that bad. Tell me.' Mary put her arm around Molly and hugged her.

Molly gave her a weak smile and then launched in to an explanation of her night, 'so, you see I must have fallen asleep. Sherlock obviously put me into his bed fully dressed and some time in the night I awoke and stripped off, I thought I was at home you see. But then...well...'

She gulped nervously and looked at Mary as she wondered how to word the rest. Mary's face suddenly transformed, 'oh my God. You had sex...didn't you! You had sex with Sherlock.'

Molly knew she was blushing and just nodded her head feeling suddenly ashamed.

Mary frowned, 'come on this is what you wanted. What's wrong? Was he shit, please tell me someone that good looking isn't crap in bed.'

That at least got a smile from Molly, 'no, no he was fine...more than fine it was well..great. But don't you see he didn't want this. He was asleep, I...I...feel like I forced myself on him...you know, against his will.'

Mary raised an eyebrow and sat back in her chair before taking a sip of her wine. She chuckled and shook her head, 'Molly I hate to burst your rather weird bubble but you're what 5ft 3 and he's six foot. I honestly don't think you did anything to him against his will. If he hadn't wanted to have sex with you he would not have done it. This is Sherlock 'will of iron' Holmes here. Did he say he hadn't wanted to do it? Because if so..'

'No, no he didn't say anything. To be honest I didn't give him a chance...I just said we could be grown up about it and then I left.'

'So you haven't discussed this? At all!'

Molly shook her head suddenly feeling a bit sheepish. Could she possibly have misread the situation?

'So...what? You think I might have got this wrong? That he might be OK with us having slept together.'

Mary broke into a grin, 'damn right I do. Come on Molly, this is brilliant news. You wanted to have sex with Sherlock before Christmas and you've done it. Now we just need to capitalise on it. You need to go back round tonight and...'

Just then Mary's phone rang, she glanced at the screen, 'it's John. Hey...what's up?'

Molly glanced around the pub trying not to listen in but there was obviously some problem. She looked back round as Mary hung up frowning, 'damn it!'

'What's up?'

'John said Sherlock has just called him. There's a case in Salisbury, double-murder and a kidnapping. They're leaving tonight in about half an hour. I'll need to get back for Lizzie but don't worry, I have wine, we can carry on our talk there.'

When the two of them got back to the Watson's home Sherlock was waiting impatiently on the street with a cab parked up beside him. He started a little in shock when he saw the two of them walking up before smiling, 'Molly...Mary, sorry to drag John away at such short notice.'

Mary smiled, 'that's OK, I'm used to it. I'll just go check how he's doing with his packing. I'll see you inside in a minute Molly. I want to say my goodbyes you understand.'

She arched an eyebrow making it clear to Molly to stay outside with Sherlock and she had no doubt that was Mary's intention, 'oh OK.'

She smiled nervously at Sherlock as Mary closed the door, 'so...a big case then? How long do you think you'll be gone?'

'A couple of days maximum, we should be back by Wednesday evening. I'm assuming you'll be OK sorting out invites.' He started to dig around in his pockets, 'here's my key to the flat in case we're late and you need to set up.'

Molly looked at him baffled. He rolled his eyes, 'the party...you know, the one YOU wanted.'

'Oh right...yes of course.' She reached up to take the key from him but he caught her hand, 'and don't think I've forgotten about this morning Molly.'

He stepped forward and she suddenly realised how close he was and how tall. He seemed to loom over her as she looked up at him. She swallowed nervously at the strange, unfamiliar look on his face.

Just then the front door opened and John bustled out with his bag. Mary spotted Sherlock and Molly and before John had gone too far she hurriedly called him back. He turned looking confused, 'what, what now?'

'Just come back in a second...he'll just be a minute then he's all yours Sherlock.' She jerked her head towards them and closed the door.

Molly frowned feeling confused but as she turned back to Sherlock he kissed her. Every memory of the night before came flooding back to her with the touch of his lips. He tasted just the same. His hands held her close to his body and she was glad of it feeling almost breathless with the intensity. Her hands tangled into his hair, feeling how soft his curls were and loving the noises he made as she lightly tugged on them.

Eventually as they heard the door open once more he pulled away from her, 'until Wednesday then Doctor Hooper.' Then he turned to John, 'come on John, we'll miss the train if you take much longer.'

John narrowed his eyes as he threw his bag in the cab, 'yes well I don't think it was me that was causing the hold up now was it. Goodbye Molly, see you soon.' Then he climbed into the cab followed by Sherlock and they were soon driving off down the street leaving Molly alone on the pavement.

She watched until they turned the corner and then touched her hand to her lips.

'So, are you going to stand out there looking lovelorn all night or are you going to come inside and tell me exactly what just happened,' called Mary from the doorway.

As Molly walked in and hung up her coat Mary laughed, 'I take it from that massive grin on your face that whatever he said or did was good.'

Molly just nodded as she followed Mary into the kitchen where she flicked on the kettle. 'So?'

She turned back to Molly who was still grinning inanely. 'He kissed me, said he'd see me on Wednesday. He even gave me a key to the flat...though in fairness that's so I can go in to get it ready for the party.'

Mary clapped her hands in delight, 'see, I told you you had nothing to worry about. Looks like you might have caught yourself a Sherlock.'

Molly bit her lip feeling happier than she had done in years, could it really be true and she was starting a relationship with Sherlock. She certainly hoped she was.

Is it time for some angst now or should it all be plain sailing from here on in. That would be a little boring though...wouldn't it?