Molly spent the next day cleaning Sherlock's flat from top to bottom. She cleaned everything. Changed his bed. Did his washing. Made it really nice.

She knew he'd utterly hate the fact it was clean and shiny, but he had been away from it for well over a month and it was in a state. As well as being the usual mess, it was dusty. The amount of dust made her realise just how long he'd been in hospital for and just how ill he'd actually been. A stay of that length denoted a pretty serious set of circumstances.

Climbing the stairs to his hospital bed for the final time, Molly could see through is bedroom window that he was up and dressed. A strange sight as she'd got so used to seeing him in a hospital gown. He looked different.

"Ready to go?" she asked as she popped her head through is door

He responded simply with a nod. It was then she realised that apart from a few meals here and there, he'd not actually left the confines of the room for so long. She walked up to him and held his hand.

John appeared around the door too. "Car's ready when you are. I'll meet you outside"

Sherlock held Molly's hand as they walked out of his room. He thanked the doctors for all they had done and walked down the stairs. A tentative walk by a man starting to re-find his way into the world he'd been outside of for so long.

The car journey back to Baker Street took about 20 minutes in the traffic. John parked up just outside the flat and Sherlock climbed out onto Baker Street, breathing in the familiar air and surroundings. Mrs Hudson opened the door and welcomed him home.

The stair climb up to the flat took longer than usual, with Sherlock having to stop half way up for breath. "Damn my body" he thought to himself. His usually fit physique showing signs of weakness. This was going to be a much longer recovery than he had ever begun to imagine.

Once in his flat, he found his favourite chair, and sat down. Molly headed into the kitchen to make him a drink, and John brought his belongings in from out of the car.

It took no more than 5 minutes to make his drink but when Molly turned around she found him fast asleep in his chair.

"He's exhausted" said John. "It's going to be a long road if just walking from his bed to a car and from a car to his flat has totally worn him out."

"It's fine. I'll stay here with him and keep an eye on him." Molly replied. "Er, John, I know it's none of my business really, but how are things with Mary?"

"Er, OK-ish. We'll get there. It'll take time " John responded then suddenly changed the subject "I'm just so glad we've got him home and starting on the road to a full recovery. He'll soon pick up now he's back here. We just need to make sure he doesn't over do it. You know what he's like when he starts working. I'll pop back later to see how he is"

John kissed Molly on the cheek and headed out. Molly settled herself on the sofa with the cup of tea she'd made for him. There was no telly in Sherlock's flat so she couldn't watch anything. She looked through the newspapers on the desk. All dated 5 weeks earlier. She sighed and picked up her phone. Candy Crush. Nothing else to do.

A couple of hours later Sherlock awoke, suddenly conscious of the different surroundings. It took him a moment to get his bearings.

"Hello" said Molly, looking over to him from the sofa "How are you feeling?"

"Better"

"Good, but you still need to take it easy for the rest of the day" said Molly walking over to his chair "What do you fancy to eat? I was thinking of making it easy and going and getting some chips. Sound OK?"

"Sounds perfect. I'll come with you"

"Oh no you won't" Molly insisted "Just rest up today. Strict instructions from Dr Watson that you are to stay put today and rest. He's heading back later to check up on you. Don't want to make the Doctor all cross now, do we?"

Sherlock shrugged his shoulders. With John and Molly nagging at him he'd not got much choice. He sighed and picked up a paper. 5 weeks old. Damn it.

Molly headed out to grab some chips and was soon back. Sherlock watched as she put the food out on plates and then wandered over to hand him his good. She started back to the sofa when she felt a hand gently grab her arm.

"This is lap food, yes?" he asked

"Yes" Said Molly smiling

"Then you should eat it on a lap. My lap in fact" he smiled, pulling her down to sit on his knee.

They both tucked into their food, Molly leaning her head against Sherlock's shoulder. It felt so right to be there.

When they had finished eating, Molly put both plates in the kitchen then returned back to Sherlock's knee. She snuggled in, her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm so glad you're home" She said to him, gazing into those piercing eyes of his

"I'm glad to be home" He answered "There was a point I wasn't sure I'd make it back, but you made it all possible. Thank you Molly Hooper."

Their eyes locked onto each other, their heads moving closer together and they kissed. One of those long, loving kisses reserved only for two people who suddenly become aware of how much they care about each other.

The front door bell rang, but as usual, Sherlock had the ringer in the fridge. He and Molly didn't hear it.

Mrs Hudson opened it and let the visitors in.

"Come to check on how he is" John said

"They're upstairs" She whispered "But they're very quiet."

John smiled and Mrs Hudson followed him. As they climbed the stairs, they stayed as silent as possible. Their heads peered around the door, to see Molly and Sherlock sitting in his favourite chair, locked in an embrace, kissing each other deeply, firmly, fondly.

"I think he's doing just fine" John said to Mrs Hudson who just smiled back at him. "He's going to be just fine"