Thanks for all the lovely reviews, I honestly wish I could answer all of them, however I spent all day scraping the lost chapter out of my brain...it's almost there. Aw well... enjoy!

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Joined Forces

With that Mycroft excused himself to the kitchen and got back on his phone. Molly was in a daze and frankly she had never felt so uncomfortable in her life. Mary had of course noticed what was going on and decided it was time to intervene.

"Molly, are you okay? I know Sherlock can be a pain in the arse but surely it can't be that bad to stay here for a while, at least you'll feel safer, right?"

"Um, yes Mary. I'm sure you're right. It's just..." Molly looked around, John and Greg were on the far side of the room engrossed in their own conversation. "Well Sherlock and I haven't spoken since that horrible day in the lab... the day I slapped him, oh this will be incredibly uncomfortable."

Mary looked surprised, "Wow, I'm sorry I didn't realize, mind of I ask why?"

"Well, he got shot of course," Mary blanched a bit, "Then that business with that Janine, no offense Mary but what kind of person gives that kind of information to the tabloids? Not that I believed half of it, just doesn't sound like him does it? Well anyway, I-I never visited him in the hospital, I guess I should have, but I never know where I stand with Sherlock, he's used me and manipulated me... who am I to him? I thought understood when he came back, because when he came back we spent a whole day together, he took me out to solve crimes with him, maybe I was just a place holder for John... he'd come round my flat, it was one of his boltholes you know, but after the shooting I never saw him again. I assumed he was finally done with me, assumed I had finally reached the end of my usefulness to him. Now God help me I have to live with him."

Mary thought very hard about what she could say to this very sweet woman sitting next to her, because now that she thought about it she knew exactly why Sherlock had been avoiding Molly... dear Lord most of this is my fault... although Sherlock certainly bears some responsibility as well. She deserved some information, Mary just didn't know how to go about it.

She barely knew Molly, what she did know was that Sherlock cared so much more for her than he ever let on, he wasn't the only who could tell when someone was hiding something. His furtive glances at Molly during the wedding reception had not gone unnoticed by the former spy. Mary decided she needed to gather some Intel on Molly Hooper, she could ask John but he'd be all emotional, especially considering the subject matter. She looked around the room her eyes fell on Mycroft Holmes, the man was a veritable fountain of information. That's what she needed. Now she had to placate the poor girl and find an excuse to chat up the elder Holmes.

"Molly, I know you're confused right now but Sherlock is... well Sherlock, maybe this time of co-habitation will give you the clarity you both need to move forward." Damn, that couldn't have been more vague and less helpful... good show Mrs. Watson.

Molly just nodded her head but continued to look somewhat terrified.

Mary got up and made to get a glass of water from the kitchen where Mycroft was finishing a phone call. As he hung up Mary approached him.

"Having fun pulling all those strings Mycroft?" She asked with an appraising eye.

"Mrs. Watson, you must want something as we are not prone to fits of casual conversation, so what can I do for you?"

"Okay, cutting to the chase then... Molly Hooper, she's freaking out over there, she knows nothing about why Sherlock basically cut himself out of his somewhat normal life for the last several months, and she's horrified at the thought of having to live with him. Not to mention she's in love with big ponce."

"And... what are you looking for?"

Mary huffed, "First off I assume she didn't know what was about to happen today?"

Mycroft studied Mary Watson for a moment, formidable... dangerous... cunning... highly intelligent, she may be the perfect asset my little plan. Of course there was the trust issue, not exactly the most honest person I've ever met, well neither am I for that matter...

"Yes, I visited her yesterday and told her what was about to happen to my little brother."

"Wow, I have to say that's... surprising." Mary said with a an appraising look.

"Molly Hooper has proved herself not only trust worthy but completely loyal to myself and my family. I have nothing but the utmost respect for her," He bent a little closer, "that is not to be repeated Mrs. Watson."

"Yes, we'd couldn't have the world at large thinking you have a heart could we Mycroft?" Mary said with a cheeky grin. "Okay well, I'm worried for her. This may not be the best idea, Sherlock can be quite cutting towards the poor girl especially when he's agitated, which is most of the time. I just don't want to see her hurt."

"I'd like to be able to trust you Mrs. Watson, but I find it difficult to say the least..."

"Understandable." Mary cut in.

"Yes, well that being said, if I were to entrust you with something...delicate, do you think you could keep it from everyone including your husband?"

"Does it affect him?"

"Not directly, no, it only affects Sherlock and Dr. Hooper." He said with a raised eyebrow.

Mary thought for a moment, she had a pretty good idea about what might be going on, however she was having a hard time believing that Mycroft Holmes was any kind of matchmaker, but curiosity won out... "I'm in... you've got my word. I won't tell a soul and you know I can keep a secret."

"Indeed. I cannot stress the importance of secrecy here though, Sherlock must not know what is happening or this will never hope to work and Miss Hopper will surely be hurt and I can't abide that. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I think I do."

"Fine, I intend to make my thick-headed little brother see the error of his ways where his pathologist is concerned. Making sure that this is the only real option for her temporary residence was the first step." He said gesturing with his hand to the flat. "However, I didn't take into consideration how truly uncomfortable she might be, not my area of expertise. Perhaps you could enlighten her as to some of the recent events that have brought us here, of course feel free to use your discretion as they are your events for the most part, but what ever you can do to help acclimate her to Sherlock's reasoning would certainly move my plan forward."

What Mycroft didn't know about Mary Waston was that there was only one occupation she love more than spying and that was matchmaking... the very pregnant woman was so excited she nearly weed herself right there in Sherlock's kitchen in front of Mycroft Holmes no less, but she managed to hold in her water and her excitement.

"I can manage that, I'll spirit her away to John's old room, it will need some tidying up, that will do for an excuse anyway. I'll take care of Molly and continue to be her gal pal and such, you take care of Sherlock and his great ego, but you will have to keep me apprised of what's going on, can you do that Mycroft?"

"I can, but you didn't even ask as to Sherlock's feelings, aren't you curious about how he feels toward the good doctor?"

"Are you kidding me? He's completely in love with her, I've known that for ages... Let's do this Mr. Holmes!" She said with a huge grin.

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