Into the final couple of chapters to the story and the final few days to the special. I'm looking forward to it but not to another hiatus afterwards...sigh! Why is it always so long between seasons! I mean, I know why, as in the logistics and all but I wish it wasn't so.

Up Close and too Personal

It wasn't far to the pub and as they went they fell into natural groups, Sherlock ended up walking with Sara's husband Chris who he was pleased to find wasn't a complete idiot. He worked as a lecturer in English at a local college and whilst he was in no way Sherlock's intellectual equal they did carry on a reasonably interesting discussion about a couple of Sherlock's favourite authors.

Molly had ended up walking with her elder sister and her nephew who had winked conspiratorially at Sherlock when he had come back downstairs. Sherlock at least knew he had an ally there should he need one. And leading the way was Molly's mum, the matriarch of the family and her younger sister who was still making Sherlock feel a little uncomfortable.

The pub was at least a proper old English establishment with real ale on tap and a cosy atmosphere but it was far too crowded for Sherlock's liking.

He was roped in to getting the drinks with Chris whilst the women found some seats and when Sherlock finally made his way over he found Molly hemmed in by her mother and Cassie who patted the seat next to her and smiled what he assumed was meant to be a seductive smile but it just left him cold.

He gritted his teeth and sat down determined not to embarrass Molly or make life any harder for her but the sly comments and looks were increasingly irritating and he hated seeing Molly so put upon. It was like a flashback to how she had been with him those first few years and he much preferred her more recent confidence and bossiness. He found it to be quite a turn on.

Sherlock sat back and listened to the conversation, tuning out every so often if it became too puerile. Eventually people moved, getting up to go to the toilet or the bar and he was able to move himself next to Molly who was gamefully putting on a cheerful smile.

'Hey, are you having fun? Hang on don't answer that, I think I already know the answer and hearing it won't make my night any better.'

He slid his arm around her shoulder and turned towards her, 'I hate seeing you like this are you sure I can't say anything?'

'No, please. Just keep the peace. It's only for one night.'

He huffed, 'in that case I'm popping out to get some fresh air.'

Her lips quirked up into a smile, 'you mean you're going to have a cigarette.'

He smiled and shrugged before grabbing his cost and making his way out to the beer garden. There were a few others out there clustered around the heat lamps, smoking and chatting with others, like himself, just enjoying a moment of peace and quiet away from the music and chatter inside the pub.

'Oh, didn't peg you for a smoker, thought you'd be too much of a goodie two shoes like my sister.'

Sherlock sighed and turned to find Cassie at his side also smoking.

'I indulge when I have to.'

She cocked her head to one side and smiled at him coquettishly, 'and is that the only vice you indulge in?'

'It is nowadays.'

'Ooh naughty, sounds like you might have a bit of a past. So tell me how did my plain, mousy sister come to catch a gorgeous fella like you?' She took a step closer to Sherlock and placed her hand on his arm. He glanced down at it and took a breath trying to restrain himself. Unfortunately Cassie took his restraint as a come on and she flicked her cigarette away and turned back to him. This time she placed her hands on his chest and bit her lip as she looked up at him.

'You know I bet I can give you a better time than she can. Fancy a trial ride?' She leant up to kiss him but Sherlock had had quite enough.

He took hold of her wrists and pushed her back a step taking her out of his personal space. 'Your sister is anything but bland. She has spent over seven years studying her craft, plus she has ten years' experience in her field. On top of that she saved my life twice and has earned my respect and my love. You...have spent your whole life being spoilt. By your parents, by your siblings and by your choice of bedfellow. You have no career, no income of your own and a drug habit which is landing you with the sort of debt that will force you into crime before too much longer. I suggest you steer well clear of me in future because I will not hold back in front of your family again. Do you understand?'

Cassie just nodded, tears springing into her eyes as she stumbled backwards and away from him. He took a deep breath and then lit a second cigarette having lost the first one when Cassie had made her move on him.

As he did Molly's arms snaked around his waist and he felt her face resting against his back. 'Is it true? Is she really taking drugs?'

He turned around so she was hugging his front, 'I'm sorry Molly, I didn't mean for you to know that but she...'

'I saw what she did. I'm sorry she tried it on with you. I should have known; should have warned you. You're not the first of my boyfriends that she's tried it on with.'

'Well I intend to be the last!'

Molly looked at him confused.

'Molly I don't intend to ever let you go so I don't expect you to ever be with anyone else in future.'

He saw the glow of joy spread across, 'be careful Mr Holmes or that will sound ominously close to a proposal.'

He shrugged, 'do I need to get down on bended knee? I would have thought us marrying was a foregone conclusion. I know from your engagement with Tom that you are traditional in your views and legally it will be better for our children.'

Molly stood looking at him in shock.

'Oh for goodness sake Molly, now you just look like John. Surely what I'm saying can't come as any surprise to you?'

'It can and it does...and yes you do.'

Now it was his turn to be confused, 'do what?'

'You do need to get down on bended knee if you want to marry me. But not here hey, it's muddy and covered in cigarette ash.'

Molly couldn't keep up with this infuriatingly brilliant man. He'd gone from disinterest to marriage and children in the space of a fortnight but it just felt right. It was as though once he set his mind on it...on them, he was fully committed. She knew that he was 'it' for her so there it was...marriage, children, the whole shebang. She shook her head, smiling, trying to wrap her mind around it.

Sherlock put his cigarette out and took her hand leading her back into the pub. As they walked down the empty corridor back to the main room, where Molly's family was no doubt waiting, he paused and turned to her. Molly instantly recognised the look in his eyes and found herself looking up and down the corridor to make sure they were alone.

Slowly he backed her up against the wall and put a hand either side of her head. As he leaned his lithe muscular body against her he whispered, 'I can't wait to get back to your house Molly. I have so many thoughts running through my mind at the moment and none of them are clean.' He leant down and sucked on the skin at the base of her neck. He didn't dare touch her for fear that he would get to carried away, they were in a public place after all.

He kissed his way up her neck and along her jaw listening to the change in her breathing as she started to become aroused. Finally he kissed her. A slow, sensual kiss that had her moaning into his mouth and had him wanting to rut against her. It was only when they heard a slightly shocked 'oh' that they pulled apart seeing Molly's older sister at the end of the corridor near to the entrances to the toilets. She was blushing in a similar way, Sherlock noted, to Molly, 'sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. Mum was wondering where you had both got too.'

Molly, also blushing, glanced at Sherlock before telling her sister they'd be back in a minute.

As she turned and left another couple entered the corridor chatting loudly and Sherlock knew their privacy was lost...at least for now.

When they returned to the bar the atmosphere was starting to build towards the new year. There was only half an hour to go and there was already talk about going outside to watch the ubiquitous fireworks that everyone seemed determined to set off at midnight. Once again Sherlock sat silently listening in to conversations, answering when asked anything but otherwise just enjoying being with Molly, his hand sliding up and down her thigh under the table.

He was particularly interested in Molly's mum who was carrying on a polite and slightly disinterested looking conversation with a guy that Sherlock didn't recognise. But to his trained eye from what he could see it was obvious that Maggie was carrying on a sexual relationship with him.

Sherlock turned to Molly, 'so, how long has your mum been seeing that guy?' He nodded towards the pair.

Molly looked over and frowned, 'what do you mean? Of course she isn't seeing anyone. That's just the local vicar.'

'Well, that much was obvious from his jumper. But they are clearly sleeping with each other.'

Molly shook her head, 'no, don't be an idiot, of course they're not.'

Sherlock just looked at her with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, 'I'm sorry Molly, did you just call me an idiot?'

'I...you must be mistaken...'

'Would it be so wrong if she was? Your dad has been dead for quite some years now.'

'I suppose...I just never thought of my mum seeing anyone...you know, like that.'

'Are you telling me you won't still want sex with me when you're in your fifties?' He was winding her up a bit now and he knew it but her prudishness over her mum's relationship was quite amusing.

'No, of course not. I...well who likes to think of their parents and sex...it's just wrong.'

Just then her mum sat down and picked up her drink smiling at the group. Sherlock noted that she looked a little flushed, no doubt from her recent flirtations.

Molly leaned forward and put her hand on her mums arm, 'so...umm..how long have you and Roger been seeing each other?'

'What...me and...no, silly...'

'Mum, it's alright. He's a nice guy. You deserve a second chance at love.'

Maggie seemed to sag a little, a relieved smile on her lips, 'so, it wouldn't bother you? I know how close you were to your dad.'

Molly smiled and shrugged, 'that doesn't mean you have to be alone. You should invite him over, let us get to know our prospective step dad.'

Maggie blushed and laughed, 'don't be daft; it's not that serious, at least not yet.' But she did invite him over smiling happily at the fact that the family welcomed him in.

Later as they stood outside waiting for the countdown and the fireworks Molly turned to Sherlock wrapping her arms around his waist under his coat. 'I'm sorry they didn't accept you as quickly as Roger. I wish they knew you like I do.'

Sherlock kissed the top of her head, 'I don't need their approval or their affection. I just need yours. I've never been much liked and I've never much cared for other people. But I do care about you Molly.'

In the background Molly could hear the countdown, all her family shouting down from ten to one, but she only had eyes for Sherlock.

'I haven't said this before, not to anyone, but I need to say it to you Molly. I love you. I didn't always realise it or recognise it but I do love you and I'll be your husband if you'll have me.'

Molly felt tears glistening in her eyes at just how perfect the situation was, at how perfect he was for her. She nodded her head and grinned, 'I love you too Sherlock and yes, yes I'll marry you.'

As he bent to kiss her she could hear the fireworks going off overhead, hearing the cheers and whoops of those around them but all there was for her, in that moment, was him.

So that's the nice, sweet romantic ending and I should probably end it there. But then again he hasn't defiled her in her old bed yet has he. Maybe one last trip down Smut Lane?

Also, can I make it clear that whilst I couldn't quite shoe-horn it in in the story Molly will absolutely be following up the drug addiction with her sister and Sherlock will recommend a good rehab clinic so I'm sure she'll be fine in the end.