#protective!lolly

Molly: *examining Sherlock**

Sherlock: *impatient* Well?

Molly: *sighs* Well, you're clean and you look much better. How do you feel?

Sherlock: *shrugs* The worst is over.

Molly: *folds her arms* And it's never going to happen again.

Sherlock: Unless another video from Mary turns up...

Molly: ...

Sherlock: *clears his throat* Erm, no. Won't happen again *pauses* thank you...for the ambulance. I'm surprised you agreed to the plan.

Molly: *hesitates* I didn't, at first. Then, I watched the message...from Mary. I wasn't going to let you go through that on your own.

Sherlock: *looks up at her; softly* I don't deserve you.

Molly: *chuckles* Even if that was true, you're stuck with me *kisses his forehead* now get your clothes off, you're a right state.

Sherlock: *unbuttoning his shirt* Such a way with words, Doctor Hooper.

Molly: *staring at him; eyes wide*

Sherlock: *frowns* What? *looks down, notices the dark purple bruising around his ribs; rolls his eyes* Oh, that.

Molly: *checking over the bruises; horrified* What the hell happened?

Sherlock: I...fell over.

Molly: *raises an eyebrow* Onto someone's boot? Repeatedly?

Sherlock: *winces slightly* It's fine. It only hurts when I move.

Molly: *darkly* Did John do this?

Sherlock: Molly, not now-

Molly: *outraged* He can't do this, Sherlock. This is not okay!

Sherlock: *leans on her* By all means, Molly, do whatever you want to him later. Right now, I need you.

Molly: *helps him into her bedroom* I'm not going anywhere *climbs into bed next to him; holds him* anything you need, Sherlock. I'm here.

*the lab*

Sherlock: *enters*

Molly: *bandaging Greg's hand* You didn't have to do that, you know.

Greg: *shrugs* He deserved it. You shouldn't be treated like that.

Molly: *smiles*

Sherlock: *frowns* What's going on?

Greg: *flexes his hand* My new partner was giving Molly lip. I told him half our cases wouldn't get solved without her...and then I hit him.

Sherlock: *nods* Good call.

Molly: *delicately ties the bandage* There. That should heal in a few days *glances between them; awkward* I'll go get some coffees *kisses Greg's cheek* thank you.

Greg: *wathes her leave; smiling*

Sherlock: *sits at his microscope* You're wasting your time.

Greg: *frowns* What?

Sherlock: *shrugs off his coat* Molly. She's seeing someone.

Greg: *scoffs* I was just being a mate helping a mate.

Greg: ...

Greg: How do you know she's seeing someone?

Sherlock: *sighs* Because I'm the someone.

Greg: ...

Sherlock: *working* He made a pass at Molly earlier in the week.

Greg: *rolls his eyes* Oh, what, and you stepped in?

Sherlock: *smirks* Not me, no.

Molly: *returns; carrying coffees* Here you go, Greg. I hope you don't mind, I made a call to your office and reported DS James. He's been removed from duty.

Greg: *blinks* Right...

Sherlock: *proud* You shouldn't underestimate the power this woman has, Grant.

Sherlock: *carrying Molly inside*

Molly: *grumpy* I can walk.

Sherlock: *rolls his eyes* Yes and when you do, you fall downstairs *gently sets her down*

Molly: *scoffs* It's not that bad *tries to stand straight; winces in pain* ow, ow!

Sherlock: *helps her into bed* Mmm. You're staying here until the x-rays come through.

Molly: *groans* Couldn't I just-

Sherlock: *holding a pillow* Feet up.

Molly: *frowns; lifts her feet* What about Toby?

Sherlock: *shoves a pillow underneath* Taken care of *throws a blanket over her* Do you need anything else?

Molly: *sighs* Yeah. Um...you.

Sherlock: *smiles* I'm not going anywhere. Unless you want tea?

Molly: *nods* Tea would be nice.

Sherlock: I won't be long *kisses her forehead*

Molly: ...

Molly: *slowly* What was that?

Sherlock: *blinking* N-nothing.

Molly: *smiles* You just kissed me.

Sherlock: *shakes his head* No, no I didn't. That was...um *pauses* I don't know.

Molly: *mock gasps* You like me.

Sherlock: *sighs* Grow up.

Molly: *smug* You came to look for me when I fell *giggles* you were worried! *laughs and winces*

Sherlock: *raises his eyebrow* Finished?

Molly: *pouts, gently rubbing her ribs* Sorry.

Sherlock: *leans down and kisses her* For the record, I love you. Remember?

Molly: ...

Molly: *walking home from work*

-heavy footsteps sound behind her-

Molly: *swallows; walks quicker*

-footsteps speed up-

Molly: *hurries around the corner; waits by the wall*

Sherlock: *turns the corner*

Molly: *lunges out and punches him in the stomach*

Sherlock: *yelps in pain; doubled over, wheezing* Ow! Molly, for God's sake-

Molly: *breathing heavily, clutching her chest; relieved* Oh, hell, Sherlock! Are you trying to kill me?

Sherlock: *massaging his stomach; still winded* The opposite.

Molly: *frowns* What?

Sherlock: *trying not to look impressed* This is why Mycroft's men refuse to look after you. You've beaten up six of them in the last three months.

Molly: *annoyed* That's what that was? You could have told me! I've been so scared!

Sherlock: *irritated* As you should be! You're not safe.

Molly: *incredulous* The only people following me, Sherlock, are you are your brother's goons. I'm fine. Leave me alone *storms off*

Sherlock: *rolls his eyes; hurries to catch up to her* You could say thank you, actually.

Molly: *still annoyed* What for? Almost giving me a heart attack?

Sherlock: *smiles* I'm your bodyguard.

Molly: *sighs* I don't need a bodyguard.

Sherlock: *shakes his head* No, you don't *smirks, gestures down the street* shall we?

Molly: *defeated, starts walking; mumbles* Thank you.

Sherlock: *nods* You're welcome.

Molly: *glances at him* I'm sorry. Does it hurt?

Sherlock: Yes.

Molly: *nonchalant* I'll fix you up back at my flat.

Sherlock: *confused* It's just a bruise and I don't think you'll need much protecting-

Molly: *staring at him*

Sherlock: *blinks* That...sounds nice.

-frantic knocking-

Molly: *hurrying to the door, pulling on her dressing gown; annoyed* Alright, alright... *opens the door*

Sherlock: *rushes inside, covered in dust, and closes the door; panting*

Molly: *horrified* Oh my God, what happened?

Sherlock: *waves a hand* Nothing to worry about.

Molly: *brushing him down* Doesn't look like it.

Sherlock: *shrugs off his coat* Remember I had that camera crew following me everywhere?

Molly: *chuckles* Oh, yeah. How is that going by the way?

Sherlock: It's awful! I don't have a single moment's peace and their questions would embarrass even the most feeble-minded politician. Thankfully, that warehouse exploded or I wouldn't have escaped.

Molly: ...

Sherlock: *sighs* They survived, Molly.

Molly: *folds her arms* Well, why did you come here? You've hardly spoken to me since they started watching you.

Sherlock: *defensive* Yes, for your own good. You don't need to be involved in all of that *awkward* and I, um, missed you.

Molly: *softly* Come on, then. You look like you haven't had a decent night's sleep in ages *holds out her hand*

Sherlock: ...

Jim: ...

Sherlock: ...

Jim: ...

Sherlock: *sighs* Well, this is getting us nowhere.

Jim: *bored* Yeah *pauses* Thumb war?

Sherlock: *frowns* Don't be so childish.

Jim: *rolls his eyes* Well, I saw her first.

Sherlock: Mmm, you didn't though.

Jim: Yeah but I'm more fun.

Sherlock: *narrows his eyes* Molly is very much on the side of the angels. You might even say she qualifies as one herself.

Jim: *sighs* Boring.

Sherlock: *nods* You should stop pursuing her, then.

Jim: *grins* 'course *pauses* only, I'm not going to be that easy to convince.

Sherlock: *narrows his eyes* I'll be ready.

-outside the mind palace-

Mrs. Hudson: *enters the flat; smiling* That lady from the morgue is downstairs. She's brought several bags with her. Shall I show her up?

Sherlock: *opens his eyes* Yes. She's going to be my guest for the forseeable future, Mrs. H. Under the highest protection. Understood?

Mrs. Hudson: *nods* Oh, don't worry, dear. I'm not complaining. Molly's lovely.

Sherlock: *texting* Mmm.

Molly: *enters; heaving her bags inside* Are you sure this is necessary?

Sherlock: Yup. You'll be quite safe under the protection of myself and the British government.

Molly: *bites her lip* I'm not worth all this trouble.

Sherlock: *sighs* I'm afraid you are. You see, if Moriarty discovers that I am in love with you, he will take you away from me.

Molly: *swallows* Oh.

Sherlock: *steps closer* Will you stay?

Molly: *nods* For as long as you'll have me.

John: *enters*

Molly: *sitting in a chair, hand elevated and wrapped in several towels*

Sherlock: *panicking* ...alright, Molly, just stay calm. You have approximately thirty minutes before you bleed to death *hyperventilating* Not going to let that happen...ambulance won't come... *high-pitched* don't panic!

John: *horrified* Oh my God, what happened?

Molly: *looks up*

Molly: *dissecting a body*

Sherlock: *watching*

Molly: *looks up at the armed guard by the door*

Molly: *whispers* Is that really necessary?

Sherlock: Absolutely.

Molly: But... *glances at the door* he follows me everywhere. All the way home, on the way to work...he joins me on dates! He even waits outside the bloody bathroom! I never seem to have a moment's peace.

Sherlock: Mycroft's orders.

Molly: *frowns* And who told Mycroft?

Guard: You did, Mr. Holmes.

Molly: *nods* And why is that?

Guard: Because he loves-

Sherlock: *points at him* That's enough out of you.

Guard: *shrugs* Just trying to help.

Molly: *still working*

Molly: Well?

Sherlock: Well what?

Molly: Is he right? *looks up* About the love thing?

Sherlock: *shakes his head* No.

Guard: Is that why you requested an extremely qualified, 275lbs gay moron to guard your lady?

Molly: ...

Sherlock: ...