*holding arms up in self defense* Please don't hurt me!

I know it's been forever! I have had so much stuff going on since the last time I posted! The main thing that happened to keep me from posting AND writing was my laptop completely died. I got it semi-fixed but I'm going to have to get a new one because all the repairs will cost more than a new one. ANYWAY…..

I'm going to have some new chapters coming your way because this long break has set the writing ball rolling again! So please enjoy and review!

~SSB

All was quiet at Baker Street. The silence was so thick you could practically cut it with a knife. Three days had passed. John switched from pacing restlessly, moving from one side of the room to the other, to trying to sit and do something to stay busy.

Sherlock sat stock still at his microscope in the kitchen, analyzing the gritty substance he had gathered at the crime scene. His movements were very measured and precise but every now and then he would pause from his work and close his eyes, releasing a sigh before continuing. John was just sitting down to go through some files Lestrade had leant them, probably for the thirtieth time when Sherlock jumped up and headed for the door. Calling his friends name out in question, Sherlock continued out and down the stairs calling back,

"Going to the lab."

The light in the lab was dim, the soft clinks of the glass beakers and metal utensils permeating the silence. Picking up a pair of tweezers, Sherlock placed several different samples of the gritty substance he had found at the crime scene on different slides. Preparing each with different chemicals, Sherlock ran endless tests before he finally found something that could be a potential lead. Jotting down some last minute notes, Sherlock grabbed his findings and hurried out the door. He didn't get far before he heard the overly cheerful chirp of Molly Hooper.

"Sherlock! I was just coming to check on you. Any findings?"

Rolling his eyes, Sherlock turned to face the young woman. Regarding her for a moment Sherlock took in her appearance before answering.

"Fortunately yes, now if you excuse me-"

Sherlock was abruptly cut off when a young man appeared next to Molly with a nervous grin.

Molly visibly brightened at his appearance Sherlock noted.

"Jim! Hi!"

When no one spoke Molly continued with introductions.

"Jim, this is Sherlock Holmes."

Sherlock offered a tightlipped grin. The young man, Jim, stepped closer to Sherlock with an admiring look.

"Ah! So you're Sherlock Holmes. Molly's told me all about you. You on one of your cases?"

When he didn't answer, Molly inserted with an anxious giggle,

"Jim works in I.T. upstairs. That's how we met. Office romance."

When the two giggled and exchanged glances, Sherlock hummed in impatience before mumbling,

"Gay."

Molly's smile dropped.

"Sorry, what?"

Blinking rapidly realizing his slip, Sherlock replied,

"Nothing."

Deciding to cut the tension, Jim stepped forward to shake Sherlock's hand.

"It was nice to meet you." Letting go he stepped back as Jim placed a hand on Molly's back smiling,

"Well, I'd better be off. I'll see you at The Fox, 'bout six-ish?"

Molly's smile returned.

"Yeah!"

Pausing for a moment Jim glanced at Sherlock before he murmured,

"Bye."

Waving goodbye Molly waited until Jim was a safe distance away before rounding angrily on Sherlock.

"What d'you mean, gay? We're together."

Sighing, Sherlock rolled his eyes once more before responding.

"And domestic bliss must suit you, Molly. You've put on three pounds since I last saw you."

An affronted but guilty expression crossed Molly's face.

"Two and a half."

Sherlock replied as though he were amused.

"Nuh, three."

Bristling Molly persisted.

"He's not gay. Why d'you have to spoil ...? He's not."

Sherlock let out a snort. He couldn't help it.

"With that level of personal grooming?"

When Molly remained silent Sherlock continued.

"Tinted eyelashes; clear signs of taurine cream around the frown lines; those tired clubber's eyes. Then there's his underwear."

That roused Molly from her stupor.

"His underwear?"

Sherlock contiued his deduction, unable to stop.

" Visible above the waistline – very visible; very particular brand. That, plus the extremely suggestive fact that he just left his number for me as he shook my hand," Sherlock paused to wave the card that had been palmed into his hand.

"I'd say you'd better break it off now and save yourself the pain."

Molly just stared at Sherlock, tears forming in her eyes. Huffing she spun on her heel and stormed off leaving Sherlock with the distinct impression he'd done something wrong. Shaking his head as if it could clear his thoughts, Sherlock sighed before setting off again. He couldn't worry about it now. His positive results were bringing him one step closer to Caitlin and that was all that mattered.

John started from his nap as the door banged open. Rubbing at his eyes he trailed after Sherlock asking,

"How did the search go? Find anything useful?"

Sherlock sat studying the laptop screen in front of him but answered lightly,

"Yes. The matter seems to have come from what I assume to be the abductors shoes. It is a special kind of substance only used in construction areas. I've narrowed the search to three specifc sites, all of them abandoned with the exception of one. The one in question seems to be under renovation."

John almost yelled in aggravation.

Well what the bloody hell are we still doing here?! Let's go!"

Caitlin was sure she was about to die. She was completely numb and had reached the point of not even being able to open her eyes. She had felt and heard everything the man had done to her. How he had torn her clothes off of her limp form and pushed inside her violently. How he ignored her almost inaudible pleas to stop. How, when he had finally finished, threw her aside like a rag doll once he had satisfied his physical and carnal need. How he laughed cruelly, manically as she felt him carve her like one would carve a jack o'lantern. Blackness closed in and she knew at that moment that this would be the last she saw of the world. Smiling at the two blue/green eyes that filled her thoughts, the eyes of the man she loved, she welcomed the darkness and prayed for death to come easy.