Time seemed to stand still. Sherlock and Molly had been in each others arms for longer than they could keep track. Kissing Molly seemed like the most natural thing in the world to Sherlock. Like it had always been. Like it was meant to be.

She lifted her head and looked straight into his eyes. Eyes that glowed with a smile, but also looked utterly exhausted.

"C'mon" she said, gently rising from his lap "It's time you got some sleep. It won't do for you to over do it on your first day home."

Sherlock nodded but was reluctant to move. At first Molly thought it was because his stubborn streak was rising in him, but it became very apparent that actually he just didn't have the strength to get himself up, and he was also in pain.

Molly tried very gently to lift him but he was just too heavy for her on her own.

"Stay there, I'll go and get Mrs Hudson to help me"

Molly headed out of the door and down stairs to Mrs Hudsons flat. Sherlock silently cursed his ailing body. He just wanted to get his strength back but right now he didn't have an ounce of it left. Not even enough strength to get out of his chair and into his bed.

Molly knocked on Mrs Hudson's door, and was surprised to see John still there too.

"I'm really sorry to trouble you, it's just that I need to get Sherlock to bed..." She blushed when she realised how wrong that must have sounded. "No, not like that, I mean he's exhausted and wants to sleep but he hasn't got the energy to get himself out of his chair and he's in quite alot of pain. I've tried lifting him but he's just too heavy for me. Please can you help?"

John was on his feet before Molly had even finished the sentence and was half way up the stairs

Mrs Hudson turned to Molly and she just smiled. Molly smiled back. The silent message passed between them both that developments with Sherlock were good. That Molly and Sherlock together was good.

Molly and Mrs Hudson quickly followed John up the stairs to find John checking Sherlock out. His pulse, his breathing. Sherlock looked paler than when she'd left him only 2 or 3 minutes before.

"Lets get him into bed" said John "and then I think we'll just give him a little shot of morphine to take the edge off the pain so he can sleep."

Mrs Hudson nodded and headed into Sherlock's room to sort out his bed and pyjamas. She smiled when she saw how clean it all was and the fact Sherlock's bed had clean linen on it. Sherlock never changed his bed himself. It was only ever changed when Mrs Hudson changed it for him - which wasn't that often as he didn't sleep in it that often. So a clean bed could only mean one person - Molly. She quietly slipped out, leaving John and Molly to sort him out. They knew where she was if they needed her.

Molly and John gently lifted Sherlock, one under each arm, as Sherlock cried out in pain. His legs buckled underneath him as the pain took over his body. John took most of his body weight as they gently eased him into his bedroom. They gently changed him out of his day clothes into his pyjamas and laid him down on the bed. His eyes were closed and he was desperate for sleep but the pain was preventing it.

John ran out to the car to go and get his bag, while Molly sat on the bed next to him.

"I'm sorry" he said

"What are you sorry for?"

"For being so weak and broken". He closed his eyes again

Molly looked lovingly at him. This amazing man, usually so strong and in control, yet right now broken, weak and in pain. She leant over and kissed him on the forehead.

John was back in the room before Molly had realised it, and was quick to administer a small shot of morphine. "It's not alot but it's enough to take the edge off the pain and to let him sleep".

Molly stayed with Sherlock for a few minutes longer, to check on him. As his breathing became more steady and regular and as sleep overtook him, she quietly slipped back into the living room where John was sitting in his chair.

"I'll stay here tonight" said Molly. "I'll sleep on the sofa. I can keep an eye on him"

"I was thinking of staying myself too" John replied "Seeing him like this. I'm not sure I could face Mary tonight."

Molly put her hand on his shoulder and nodded.

"I tell you what, lets both stay tonight. I checked the bed was made up in your old room for you. I put clean sheets on it as I had a feeling you or I might want to stay over a few times with him while he recuperated. I know Mrs Hudson has a sleeping bag she can lend me and I'm small so the sofa will work well for me."

John laughed. A night of chatting to Molly, settled in his old flat, sharing a bottle of wine was actually just the therapy he needed at the moment.

"I'll pop down to the off license and get a bottle of wine" He said as he grabbed his coat "Red or white? Which do you prefer?"