Chapter 5
Behind the Curtain
Molly
Molly watched helplessly as Greg Lestrade ranted. "First, Sherlock jumps off a roof, then John decides to reenlist in the military despite the fact that he shouldn't be eligible because of his injury. I smell a rat. First, Sherlock was too much of an arrogant ass to have suicidal tendencies. There must be something that we're not seeing. Something forced his hand and I want to find out what it was. Not only that, but let's not forget John. There is only one way that he could have been allowed to reenlist. Someone high up called in a few favors and I bet you anything that someone was Mycroft Holmes. He's the only one with the political clout and high-level clearance with a vested interest. I don't know whether to thank him or strangle him." Molly raised an eyebrow, but remained otherwise silent. She suspected that Greg would dig deeper and was debating what to say about it.
If she encouraged him to let it go, it may point the finger in her direction and further fuel his conspiracy theories. But if she encouraged him to investigate, there was always the possibility that he may stumble upon information that he was never meant to discover. Sherlock's death must remain unquestioned for both his own safety and in order to safeguard his mission. Molly was only brought into the inner circle as a last resort and though she worried about John; he was not the main focus. Sherlock must dismantle Moriarty's web. That was what had been repeated to her over and over. Though Molly suspected that Dr. Watson meant more to Sherlock than anyone suspected, and that if something happened to him then Sherlock may do something drastic. What that action would be remained up for debate, but Molly was sure that it would not beneficial to the mission to take down Moriarty's web.
Molly bit her lip unsure of what to do. Greg looked at her. His brown eyes met hers and felt her heart lurch. Greg had been having a rough time. After Sherlock's death, his wife had left after Greg had finally confronted her regarding the cheating. He had taken it harder than Molly had thought, all things considered. Molly couldn't throw stones though. She had been pining for Sherlock for as long as she had known him. She had finally decided to let it go. Sherlock would never want her. She had seen the way that he looked at John when he thought no one was looking. She had even called him on it. "You look sad, when you think he can't see you."
Sherlock had looked at her, and for a moment, a naked vulnerability had shone in those changeable otherworldly eyes. Sherlock had schooled his expression quickly, but not quickly enough. It was then that Molly knew that Sherlock's feelings for John Watson ran much deeper than mere friendship. She could never compete. "Molly, are you ok?" Greg asked as he looked at her with concern. "You looked like you were a million miles away just now." He sighed and ran a hand through his silver hair in frustration.
"I-I was just thinking." She stammered as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at being caught daydreaming. Greg must think that she was a fool.
"Aye, I've been doing that too much lately, it seems. It's easy to get lost in your own head sometimes." Greg admitted in a kind voice. "I just can't let it go. I'm missing something. I know I am." Molly mirrored his sigh and sad smile.
"Tea?" Molly asked hoping to break the somber mood. Greg nodded with a weary smile. Molly then set off to get the kettle.