Chapter Text
Chapter 1
" Hey John, I was wondering if we could manage to all get together later this afternoon...to discuss Sherlock. I've been up all night thinking...and trying to come up with...you know...something. I think maybe…I have."
There was a heavy silence on the other end of the line.
The past couple of weeks have been hard ones for those who cared for the detective. There weren't too many other imagined scenarios much worse than the one he currently found himself in; other than death itself and many could make the argument that the later may have been kinder.
In fact, that was the chief concern at the moment.
How to keep the world's only consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes from walking down a road of hopelessness and despair. Or perhaps even more to the point, convincing him that the real world is in fact preferable to that of his Mind Palace…where he still had his sight.
Molly took a deep shuddering breath. "I may have a solution...of sorts."
John reacted finally.
"Yeah, yeah of course...sorry; the girls and I can make it. Should I try ringing up Mrs. Hudson and Greg, then?"
"That would be good...I can call Mycroft. I'll text you with the time. Should we just meet at Baker Street…probably easier on Martha's hip?"
"That's fine, Molly. We'll see you soon, yeah?"
She was able to get Mycroft straight away. He's made himself very accessible since Sherlock's injury.
1:00 at Baker Street -MH
Cheers, see u then. -JW
…..
Mrs. Hudson gave Molly a small smile as she poured her tea; than her own, which was the last cup to be filled among her guests. They gathered in Sherlock's sitting room; although this just seemed to emphasize the absence of the one that they've come to discuss.
Mycroft leaned straight-backed on the arm of Sherlock's chair; hands resting on his trademark umbrella. Molly couldn't help but wonder if he felt uncomfortable sitting in his brother's favorite chair.
Surprisingly sentimental, she mused.
As she regarded the other faces present; all the people Sherlock cared for most in the world. She saw just how exhausted they all looked. She was certain she looked no different.
A sad smile settled on her face. The loyal few, she thought.
Molly cleared her throat before she broke the silence. "Thank you for coming on such short notice. I know you all have busy schedules." Her gaze rested on Mycroft and his eyes softened by her gentle expression.
"Not at all, Doctor Hooper… I must say, I am curious as to your thoughts regarding my brother's plight."
DI Greg Lestrade shifted a bit in John's old chair. "Yeah, what are you thinking, Molly? Is there something new…medically, I mean," Greg questioned expectantly.
"Um no, nothing like that Greg," Molly whispered.
John sat on the couch next to Mary, with a snoozing Emmalyn Watson snugly sleeping on his chest in her carrier. He drew lazy circles on her back.
Frowning, he probed, "Sherlock's doctors specialize in traumatic brain injuries, don't they?"
Mycroft jumped in.
"Yes, John…his doctors are at the top of their field and experts in cortical blindness; I've made sure of that." Mycroft flashed a brief tight smile before he continued. "This type of blindness due to a TBI is unpredictable. Although the odds of it being permanent are thankfully low, the placement of Sherlock's particular injury is uncommon. Typically there is some sort of improvement by this time. Due to the severity of the blunt trauma…well, it's anyone's guess, at this point."
"I still think his sight will return,' Mary said with a confidence in her voice but uncertainty on her face. "This is Sherlock Bloody Holmes we're talking about. When is he ever predictable?"
There were low chuckles all around.
"We can hope for a miracle," Mrs. Hudson said with wet eyes as she rose to offer a plate of biscuits.
"Hope, yes…wait, no."
Everyone stilled at the strength in Molly's tone. She looked down momentarily and sighed. "We all know the inevitable outcome here. Sherlock's life…as he knew it...could be forever changed. The one thing that drives him…his passion…his work, is now out of reach…quit literally."
Mrs. Hudson sniffed, slowly shaking her head.
"Forgive me Doctor, if I sound a bit like my brother, but are you not simply stating the obvious?" Mycroft remarked, followed by another rather forced grin.
Molly looked down quickly at her hands clasped in front of her. She tilted her head to one side as her lips twisted into a crooked smile.
"Oy, why don't we let her finish, yeah?" Greg piped in.
She looked up at him through her lashes and gave him a quick nod.
"Go ahead, love," Mary said softly, reaching over to give her arm a gentle squeeze.
Molly looked into each face that surrounded her in the sitting room. With a deep breath she set her jaw in determination, before she finally opened her mouth to speak.
"I'll be his eyes."