John stood with his mouth open. How on earth could Sherlock have known they would come for him so soon. Mary was leaning on the counter. She looked remarkably cool and collected. John looked at her, knowing that sometimes he didn't know Mary at all. Of course she would react like that. She was an ex-agent. An assassin. She knew how these things worked. It would be of no surprise to her at all.

Sherlock was soon back from his bedroom. He had obviously planned what he as going to do, going to wear, going to take to wherever he was going.

Mycroft beckoned him to sit down. Sherlock politely declined but simply asked "Where am I going?"

"To Eastern Europe. There is some undercover work that we need you to undertake. It should take no more than 6 months."

Sherlock simply nodded. He knew what Mycroft meant. John didn't "And what happens after 6 months?"

Sherlock simply shrugged his shoulders in reply.

Sherlock turned to John and Mary, nodded is head and walked out of the flat. He was immediately followed by Mycroft and Lestrade. Half way down the stairs he turned to Mycroft

"I know it is not usual, but I would like one final request if I may."

"Tell me and I will see what I can do."

The black car pulled up at St Barts. Mycroft got out followed by Sherlock. Sherlock turned to Mycroft "Please, you have my word I will be straight back. There is something I need to do."

Mycroft nodded "You have 30 minutes"

Sherlock headed in to St Barts. As soon as he was out of eyesight of Mycroft, he broke into a run. There was someone he needed to see.

Molly was in the lab, leaning over a microscope. She was taken aback at Sherlock's sudden arrival.

"What on earth are you doing here? You're under house arrest. What are you doing? I'm coming to see you later. Why are you risking everything coming out here to see me."

"Molly, I have to talk to you."

Molly's heart sank. Surely he wasn't going to break up with her for a second time? No, he couldn't do that to her again. Please god, no.

"Molly, I have to go away. Well, I'm being sent away. I have no idea how long I will be gone. I may be gone quite some time." He swallowed hard, putting the emotion behind him. He took a deep breath. He went down on one knee "Molly Hooper, I love you. Will you marry me?"

Molly had to do a double take. Sherlock Holmes was proposing? To her? He really was proposing to her? But he was going away. Why? Where was he going? How long was he going for? Why was he leaving her? Her brain was whizzing. A mixture of happiness, excitement, shock, sadness, longing. Then her answer came out

"Yes, Sherlock, of course I'll marry you."

Sherlock put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a ring. A beautiful, antique ring. "It was my grandmothers. I want you to have it" He helped her to put it onto her finger. It was beautiful. So simple, so elegant. It was perfect. He was perfect. He was her man and he loved her.

She gently helped him to his feet and the kissed. They held each other close, and they kissed, deeply, lovingly, like they might never see each other again. Their arms roaming all over each others bodies, their lips exploring each other. Their love for each other coming out as they tried to put every ounce of emotion they could muster into that final kiss. The one kiss they both needed to hold on to. To remember.

They were both unaware the shadow at the window moved gently out of sight. He had no idea. He hadn't realised. He didn't understand that Sherlock felt that way about Molly. He had no idea his brother was in love.

An alarm brought them both back to their senses. Sherlock looked deeply into Molly's eyes "I have to go."

Molly nodded and walked away. She could not watch him go. He could not look back. She sat at her microscope, tears flowing down her cheeks as she looked at the most beautiful ring Sherlock had just given her.

Sherlock walked through the door and closed it quietly. He stood with his back to the door. His emotions overtook him. He could not help himself. It was just too much.

He felt an arm on his shoulder which made him jump. It was Mycroft. Sherlock tried to pull his emotions together, but Mycroft pulled him in closely for a hug. Sherlock knew that was his permission to let go. To allow the emotions to over take him. He had never let Mycroft in before. There was an unwritten rule between the Holmes brothers. They stayed distant from each other. They never let on how much they cared about each other. But for the first time, Mycroft showed Sherlock how much he cared. Like a big brother should care for a little brother as he hurt.

It was a few moments before Sherlock pulled away, composing himself. Mycroft simply looked at him. "I had no idea you felt that way about Miss Hooper"

"Please don't lecture me about how I've got it wrong. How I've made a human error."

"I am not going to lecture you, Sherlock. Contrary to popular opinion, I have myself at times felt emotion. And I understand. I did not appreciate how strongly you felt about her. I knew you were close and had spent some time together but it goes much deeper than that. You love her. That is not a failure."

They started their walk back to the car. Before they turned the final corner to rejoin Lestrade and the others Mycroft stopped and turned to Sherlock. "I'm sorry Sherlock, I truly am. I am sorry your banishment will end your relationship. Had I known..."

"Please Mycroft. Lets get on with it." and with that he strode up to the black car and got in.