It's the weekend…yippeeeee. And here I am back with another chapter for you guys to enjoy. Let's see the fallout from Greg appearing on the beach and why exactly he's there.

Chapter 10

Molly had to push Sherlock to one side so she could stand up, grabbing her kaftan as she did so she could cover up a little. She knew Greg well enough but still didn't want to stand talking to him wearing nothing but a bikini.

Greg's mouth had fallen open and his ice cream was beginning to melt over his hand but it took him a moment or two before he recovered enough to notice.

Molly smiled brightly, seeing the older couple who had stopped behind Greg and were even now smiling politely at her. 'Hi Greg. What brings you here?'

He gestured vaguely to the couple behind him and Molly suddenly noticed how similar the elderly man was to Greg, just an older version. 'Umm...just down here visiting my parents. They live here.'

At that his mum stepped forward with a smile and added, 'Greg, darling, aren't you going to introduce us to your friends?'

Her voice seemed to awaken him from his almost stupor and he turned a little to include his dad in the group. 'Yes...yes of course. Mum, Dad this is Molly Hooper. She's one of the pathologists that we use in the murder enquiries. She's based at Barts. Molly this is my Dad, Robert and my mum Sheila.'

Molly shook both their hands politely and made the usual platitudes about how nice it was to meet them. Greg then turned to Sherlock who was still lounging on the mat. Molly frowned and nudged him with her foot, gesturing for him to stand up.

'And this is Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective, genius and all round pain in the arse.'

'Greg!' Came the admonishment from his mother as she turned to a now standing Sherlock. 'So, you're the famous detective. Greg has told us so much about you but I have to say you're far more good looking in real life than your pictures in the paper would suggest...and far more informally dressed.'

Greg rolled his eyes and let out a pleading 'mum' which made Molly giggle imagining him as the little boy he must once have been. Sherlock meanwhile stepped forward and smiled his most charismatic smile as he shook her hand.

'I see you are far more intelligent and discerning than your son. It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs Lestrade.' She blushed at the detective whilst both Greg and Molly raised their eyebrows at his excessive charm.

'My parents were just going to go shopping after our walk but maybe we could go for a quick pint... catch up, you know.' He shot them a pleading look and Molly picked up on his desperate tone so even as Sherlock started to decline she intervened. 'Sounds like a plan. We were just saying we'd had enough of the beach, is there anywhere you can recommend?'

'Yes, The Anchor is pretty good and only two minutes walk.' He turned to his parents fixing up what time he should meet them and then waited whilst Molly and a grumbling Sherlock packed up their things.

'Tell me again why we're going for a drink because I'd far rather be having sex in our tent.'

Even as she blushed a bright red and glanced at Lestrade, the latter let out a choking noise. 'Too much information Sherlock and when did you two bloody well get together anyway?'

They started to make their way up the beach and Sherlock smirked and looked over his shoulder at the older man. 'I don't know why you're so surprised we've been together almost a year.'

'A YEAR!' Greg's eyes almost bugged out of his head as Molly shook her head. 'Ignore him he's winding you up. We've only just got together in the past couple of days. It's very recent.'

When they arrived at the pub Molly and Sherlock found a table outside at the front and waited whilst Greg went to order their drinks. Sherlock turned to Molly and slid his hand up her bare thigh, underneath her chiffon wrap. 'Tell me again why we've come for a drink. I can think of so many things I'd rather be doing, one of which is giving you stubble rash in places Lestrade will never see.'

He bent his head and kissed up the side of her neck and Molly's eyes almost rolled back into her head at the sensations she was feeling.

'Mmmm stop it...that feels too good. It's only one drink...he seemed a little fed up with his parents.'

Sherlock didn't stop but instead started to kiss along her jaw hearing her light moan. 'I can understand that I suppose but I'd far, far rather be fucking you.' He kissed her and for a moment Molly just gave into it wanting him as much as she knew he wanted her. It was only when she heard Greg clearing his throat that she remembered they were very much in public.

Greg placed their drinks in front of them then sat down before taking a long draught of his pint. 'So come on, spill. What's going on with you two?'

Molly stayed quiet and looked at Sherlock wondering what he might say. His hand was still on her thigh and he squeezed it lightly under the table making her catch his gaze. He held eye contact with her for a moment and smiled before he answered Lestrade.

'What can I say? I finally stopped fighting my feelings for Molly. All these years I'd thought that work was the only thing that was important to me but I was wrong. Friendship and love are just as important. Anyway, I'm just lucky she hadn't already been snapped up, I know there were others interested.' His eyes narrowed a little as he looked at Greg but Greg just ignored his insinuation even if his cheeks did colour a little.

'Well, it sound like you're being sincere even if it does sound completely unlike you. I take it you'd know if he were high or something?' He asked Molly who frowned and snapped. 'Yes, I would and he isn't. I resent you implying he'd only be with me if he were on drugs.'

Greg held his hands up. 'Sorry, sorry it's just weird, it's gonna take me a bit of time to get my head round it. Does anyone else know?'

Sherlock sipped at his drink and shook his head. 'No, you're the only one. I don't have a problem with others knowing though. Just so long as I don't have to be referred to as a boyfriend. I hate that term it's anatomically wrong and makes my skin crawl.'

Molly chuckled. 'What are you then?'

Sherlock shrugged. 'I don't know...lover, partner, fiancé...take your pick.'

He didn't seem to notice the stunned expression on his companion's faces. Molly coloured up and it was left to Greg to point out what Sherlock had just said.

'Steady on mate. Sounds like you're proposing when you've only just got together. Molly'll snap you up if you're not careful.'

Sherlock titled his head. 'It really is a strange fickle world for the rest of you isn't it. Do you not know your own minds at all? I love Molly. I've made the decision to be with her. I'm not the sort of person to fall in love lightly or change my mind about it so given societies preference and legal framework in support of marriage it's the logical conclusion to our coupling.'

Molly found her voice. 'Maybe so, but if we decide to get married I'd kind of prefer you to ask me a little more romantically and traditionally.'

Sherlock turned to her. 'Fine, just let me know how long society expects us to wait and then I'll get down on one knee. Would that make you happy?'

Molly knew he was getting a little exasperated, he had always hated having to confirm to societal conventions but she didn't care, even just the thought that he may one day propose to her made her feel a little giddy. She couldn't help the wide grin which had spread across her face and she wasn't sure it would disappear anytime soon. 'Yes, it would make me very happy. But I'll let you choose the time, there's no rush...sometime in the next week will be fine.'

He took a double take and then laughed leaning forward to catch her lips in a brief but emotionally charged kiss and when they broke apart Molly noticed Greg discreetly looking in the opposite direction to give them a little privacy.

She was about to drink up and suggest that Sherlock did the same when Greg's phone rang.

'Lestrade.'

His voice made it obvious that it was work and both Sherlock and Molly watched as his face took on a more serious expression.

'When? Well what about Gregson...fine, fine. No, I can be back by...' He glanced at his watch. 'Four o'clock. I'll text you the exact time of the train, get a car to pick me up from Waterloo.'

As soon as he hung up Sherlock was quizzing him on the case.

Greg reluctantly pushed his half-drunk pint to one side as he answered. 'There's been some kind of incident in London, all hands on deck. Someone has been lacing random cups of coffee with cyanide. Three people dead so far and two more in hospital...spread across various venues in the City.'

Molly saw Sherlock's expression light up and she knew immediately that their holiday together was at an end. She felt a little sad but she knew him and he wouldn't be happy staying behind and missing out on what he would see as 'the fun.' She also knew that she loved him as he was, faults and passions and all. She had no interest in changing him. It was that that made her put her hand on his arm, gaining his attention.

She smiled. 'Why don't you go with him?'

He narrowed his eyes, assessing her, no doubt to see if she were being sincere. Then he smiled in return. 'Fine. I'm assuming you want to finish your holiday.' She nodded. 'OK just...let me know when you're back and come to Baker St when you do, we still have unfinished business.'

She saw Greg roll his eyes but she didn't care. She just leant forward and kissed him. 'Go, solve this and save people. It's what you do best. I'll see you in a couple of days.'

She watched as the two men gathered their belongings and made their way down the seafront looking for a cab to take them to the main station in Bournemouth. Greg was phoning his parents to let them know and Sherlock was texting John to see if he'd be able to meet them.

Yes, she was sad that their time together had been cut short but she knew she'd be better off holding onto him with silver chains than iron shackles. She remembered when she'd been a little girl and her nan saying that that was the secret to a happy relationship. It didn't stop her missing him the moment she saw the cab drive away.

So, the stories winding up a little. Just one more chapter to go, I hope you're not too disappointed. I'll post the final chapter on Sunday and then we can embark on a new fic...I've got a good one coming up for you all.