So here we go! Once again thank you all for your support, I love all you beautiful Sherlolliers... yes it's a word, because I say it is. Hope you enjoy this!

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Ch. 9 Texts and Subtext

Sherlock paced around the flat wishing for a cigarette. He had a stash on the mantel but he really wanted to talk to Molly, so sneaking off for a quick smoke wasn't in the cards right now. Everything about that embrace felt so perfect, except all the excessive moisture of course but she could hardly be faulted for that, he was the one that had made her cry. Surly if they hugged again there would be less crying this time. He couldn't wait for her to come out so he could do it again maybe this time even kiss her. Really he should lock himself in bedroom and process all this new information. He should be adding 'Molly loves me' to her room in his Mind Palace, but he had no intention of bolting right now.

He was shocked by how much he didn't want to leave, to run from all the emotions flooding his system. He was suddenly feeling very much like he did the night he watched her sleep. It felt like some kind of supernatural force was pulling him closer to Molly Hooper and he frankly didn't have the energy or willpower to fight back anymore.

The door to the bathroom opened and Molly crossed into the sitting room where Sherlock stood near his chair. "Listen..." She started.

At that same moment Sherlock said, "Molly..." After a few seconds of awkwardness Sherlock gestured with his hand for her to talk first.

"Thank you for well... holding me through that. Poor Toby is usually my sole source of comfort in moments like that. He gets a bit tired of it I think, the crying and sniffling. I'm sure he's tired of hearing you're name too, actually explains why he hates you so much." She said absently, "Anyway, thank you even though it wouldn't have been necessary if you hadn't kept pushing me, but we won't dwell on that part."

"It was my pleasure, Molly." Sherlock said with a smile.

She chuckled.

"So Um..." He started.

"Please don't Sherlock." She said putting her hand up. "It was so lovely, please don't ruin it."

"Sorry?"

"I've know you for seven years and I know how you feel about me or well don't feel about me actually. Still somewhat confused about what we are, but judging your reaction to me not considering us friends, I assume that you do think of me as your friend, so okay we're friends. Which I can live with since we've been through so much..."

"Dear God Molly shut up!" Sherlock yelled.

Molly gasped.

"That's not what I was going to say, I mean... sorry. I didn't mean to yell but you were winding up for another monologue, I had to stop you. I-I have to tell you something, and it's rather important."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Can we sit down... please?" He asked leading her to the sofa. Once there he was suddenly struck with a case of the nerves and he realized his hands were clammy. What he hell? What's wrong with me? Great, now I'm at a loss for words. "I just need a moment here... processing." He said, and Molly settled in knowing exactly what processing meant. He took a deep breath after he had gathered his thoughts, he finally felt ready. When he opened his mouth to begin to speak the sound of a woman softly exhaling in ecstasy came from somewhere in his flat.

"What was that?" Molly asked.

Sherlock closed his eyes, "No, no, no,no,no!"

"What's wrong?" Molly asked

The sound again.

"That's not even possible!" He groaned.

"Sherlock, what's going on?"

"I wish to God I knew." He said as he got up and listened for the sound again. And there it was... the mantel. He moved Billy (the scull) and picked up a brand new smartphone. He pulled up the text messages.

Let's have dinner.

I'm hungry.

Dinner... Now!

He walked back to the middle of the room where there was better lighting and started examining the phone. There was of course nothing to help him.

"Wait, that sound... Christmas." Molly said, he hadn't realized she had walked up next to him. "You had that text alert on you're phone at Christmas when deduced the shite out of me in front of everyone."

He looked up at her, she suddenly had a hurt look in her eyes... she was remembering. He could see it playing on her face, coming back in full detail. He looked around and realized that they were standing in almost the exact same spot that they had been on that horrible day. The phone sounded again.

Do make her cry again... she's so pretty when she cries.

Or I could make her cry if you like.

NO!

Sherlock started looking around frantically, he was starting to panic and then the text alert went off again. "Where is it... where?!" He yelled.

You'll never find it, and it's unimportant now.

"Sherlock, what's going on? That's not you're phone, where did it come from and what are you looking for?" Molly asked.

"No Molly, it's not my..." He started.

"Well how'd it get here, the flat is being watched 24/7?" She asked, seconds later the text alert sounded once again.

Ooo, she's smart I like her... tell her to take her clothes off.

"Over my dead body, Woman!" Sherlock growled.

"Sherlock, what are you talking about? Who's sending those texts?" More texts...

What you gonna do now lover boy?

Why didn't you tell her about my perfume?

Why don't you tell her about me, about Karachi?

"STOP!" He yelled at the phone, Molly jumped back not having a clue what was going on. Two more messages.

So tetchy, maybe I should have let you get laid first.

Never mind, I can take care of that... dinner now.

"What do you want from me?" He said to the room.

Leave your little flatmate and start walking toward Belgravia, I'll find you.

"And my detail?" He waited, it took a while for the next one to come through.

As if you can't lose a security detail if you want to. Don't play with me Mr. Holmes. Wouldn't want anything to happen to that sweet little doctor of yours. Leave your other phone at the flat, don't want anyone tracing it. Don't try using the new phone either because I'll know.

He took his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Molly with an apologetic look, she was well and truly scared by the strange conversation he was having between the phone and his flat. He didn't have any real options, Irene Adler was dangerous and he had no idea what this game was about. He took Molly by the shoulders and smiled, "Molly, I'm sorry we couldn't finish our conversation earlier... but I have to go. I'm so sorry."

"Where are you going?" She asked with panic in her eyes.

"Well I can't tell you that now can I? But you can't leave this flat, it's too dangerous just stay here." God help me, I hope she understands, he thought. "Call your brother, have a nice chat. He always makes you feel better."

And his beautiful, brilliant Molly understood completely. She gave nothing away. "You're right," She said nodding her head, "He's long overdue for a call from his little sister anyway, just come back safe... okay?" She had tears brimming in her eyes.

"Of course Molly, I always come back to you in the end... don't I?" He said trying to put so much more into the sentence.

Text alert.

You two are making me lose my appetite... that won't bode well for either of you, hurry.

Sherlock shoved the offending phone in his pocket and started to leave then changed his mind and turned around, "Molly?"

"Yes Sherlock?"

He moved back to stand in front of her and bent down placing a tender kiss on her cheek, then he whispered, "I love you. Sorry I didn't say that earlier." Then he turned and left.

Well... that just happened! Hope you enjoyed it! Let me know. Thanks for reading.

Couple more chapters plus a bonus, working on it now!