Chapter Text
Sherlock stands in the doorway of the room Molly's currently working in. He stays silent for a while, watching Molly work. In a quiet tone, he speaks up.
“Molly...”
Molly starts away from the corpse she was bending over and looks up, relieved that it was Sherlock who had spoken and not the dead body. “Oh, it's you...I-I thought for a moment there that it came back.” Sherlock's voice is soft, blunt tone forgotten. “I'm sure your autopsy on him proves that an impossibility, Molly.”
"Yes, well it does. You just gave me a fright." She steps around the autopsy table toward him. "I was just about to go up to the lab. Are you going that way?"
"Apologies, Molly. I'm not headed there, I came to see you. I-I think it's time I returned to John. I needed to see you first, to ask if you'd know how John would react once I-" Sherlock cuts himself off.
"I've been watching over John like you asked me to and there is no doubt that he's going to be upset and angry. I'm not sure how he will react Sherlock. From that day, he closed himself off to everyone and only just recently he's started to open back up again. You were his best friend and then to have that happen. Once he learns that you're alive he'll feel betrayed, I know that. Are you sure returning to him will be the best thing? He's engaged now to a wonderful girl called Mary and he's finally got a little bit of life back into his eyes. Don't get me wrong about returning to him but think about how your returning will affect him. Will it be for the good or bad?"
Sherlock is slightly taken aback by the news of engagement. He explains, "John's... necessary to me. His presence was my anchor. It only took me two years to realise that. I just need to explain. He can shut me out, but I need to have him understand why I-. I hate to admit this, it would be difficult to leave after telling him, but if it were necessary for me to do so, I would make the effort. As for John... He's moved on. I'd hate to mess that up. He deserves more."
Molly's eyes narrowed slightly in confusion at what he was saying.
"Sherlock? Are you okay? And don't tell me you are and don't mean it."
"No, I'm not okay. I come back to find out that he's engaged. I thought John would..."
Sherlock waves his hand, as if he could physically dismiss the thought. "Nevermind, I knew hope was a dangerous feeling."
"John needed to move on and be at least a little bit happy again. For a while there, all of us were scared for him, that he may do something rash. But he still needs you Sherlock, as you need him."
"And if my return causes him to close up again? How would I fix that, Molly?"
"That's for you to figure out. Not me." She took of her gloves, scrunching up her face as she did so.
Sherlock inquires further, "And the flat? Where has John moved out to, if he did?"
"He stayed with Harry for a bit afterwards but then he came back to London. He didn't want to leave Mrs. Hudson alone. So yes, he's still there."
"What about Mary, She's moved in with him, I presume?"
"Not yet."
Not one for small talk before, Sherlock's oddly intrigued by it now. "And when's the wedding?"
"Four months’ time. July 21st."
A hum was the only sound Sherlock made to the statement . "You should be getting to the lab. I should go."
"Oh okay. Bye Sherlock, good luck. Also, one thing about Mary is that she's possessive. Just thought I'd let you know." Molly then turned back to the body and zipped it up in its bag. Sherlock moves to leave, then hesitates. "Thank you, for everything, Molly."
Molly looks up at him, a little surprised.
"No problem Sherlock."