Chapter Text
Because Molly was under surgical sedation the paramedics (and Lestrade) allowed Nurse Deidre to ride with Molly to the nearest hospital. Deidre had agreed to spill the whole wicked plan with hope for some consideration down the line. Sherlock and Adam followed in Molly's clown car.
Soon they stopped at Saint John's Hospital in Essex. Molly was rushed to the ER, then taken directly to surgery, the doctor was more concerned about the anesthesia than the chest incision.
"That's the easy part," explained Dr. Patel, "I can sew her up in less than a half hour. That so-called nurse gave her too much anesthetic." He put his hand on Sherlock's shoulder. "she'll be all right and as soon as she's in recovery I'll let you know."
"Did you hear that Adam?" Sherlock asked. Adam was sitting in a corner with his hood covering all but one blue eye. The other people in the waiting room regarded him with suspicion, but kept their opinions to themselves.
Adam nodded. "When do we get see her?
"Just as soon as she's brought to her room." Sherlock rubbed his temple. "I would kill for a cigarette right now."
"Sherlock, she told me that she loves me," Adam said sadly. "The nurse said those were her final words."
"Well she'll be talking your ear off as soon as she's well," said Sherlock. "Enjoy the calm before the storm."
"But I like talking to her." He shook his head in despair. "We can never have a normal life and she must know it as well as I."
A smiling Dr. Patel appeared ninety minutes later. "Miss Hooper is doing very well, she came out of the anesthesia perfectly. She should be in her room in the next half hour. Room 310. You can wait in there if you would like."
Adam and Sherlock went to Molly's room and waited. Sherlock was sucked into the most uncomfortable plastic chair on the planet. "I'm afraid I am exactly the wrong person to ask about love and romance. Molly hasn't had much luck with men, but she does have a good head on her shoulders—don't tell her I said that. She'll work it out."
Just then they wheeled her in. She smiled at the two men weakly and waved. Sherlock and Adam stepped outside so the staff could get Molly situated.
As soon as all of the staff left, her two friends came back into the room. Sherlock kissed her on the forehead while Adam hung back.
"When they woke me up in recovery, I thought I was dead." She said with a smile. "I needed a little convincing that I wasn't."
"How do you feel?" Adam asked.
"Like someone cut open my chest," she laughed weakly. "It's sore, but not too bad. At least I still have my heart firmly in my chest."
With some difficulty Sherlock managed to work his way out of that chair. "Don't sit there, you'll never get out of it. I'm going downstairs to bum a cigarette off of someone."
Molly frowned. "Don't start smoking again, please. You know it leads to other things."
"Just one," he promised. "We had a hard day saving a lady in distress."
"I'm too tired to argue," Molly said. "I'll just do a drugs test as soon as I'm up to it."
Sherlock waved and left the room.
"Adam," she said gently. "Come sit over here next to me."
Adam hesitated, but did as she asked. "The nurse, Deidre, told me what you said."
Molly smiled, bringing the bloom back in her cheeks. "So, how do you feel about me?"
"I thought you knew," Adam said in surprise. "Your beauty, your kindness, your strength. I have loved no other."
With tears in her eyes, Molly put her hand on his arm. "I just needed to hear it." She then began stroking his cheek and pulled him down for small kiss.
Adam smiled blissfully. "This is what heaven is like."
"Oh please," said Mycroft Holmes. "I just ate. Have a little consideration for the rest of us."
"What do you want Mycroft?" Adam asked standing to his full height. "We were having a private conversation."
Sherlock came in; it looked like he had been running. "It's not bad. Apparently, the Queen is very happy that you're in Britain and that you stopped Wilde without killing anyone; Her Majesty would like to meet you, Adam." Sherlock looked impishly at Molly. "You were so not invited, but then neither was I. Sniff."
Adam was confused. "She wants to meet me as I am?"
"Go figure," said Mycroft leaning on his umbrella. "You will have a new set of clothes made for you and you will need a new cloak with a hood."
"I'll only go if Molly can accompany me, with a new gown." Molly tried to hush him but it was already out.
"Fine," said Mycroft sounding bored. "I assume you can behave yourself, Mrs. Hooper. Don't expect an invite little brother."
Molly was practically jumping out of bed. "I'll behave, I promise!"
"Tell Liz I love her!" Sherlock shouted.
"Shut up Sherlock," Mycroft replied. "I will tell you both what to do all the way. Lucky me. As soon as you're back home, Miss Hooper, we'll start the process."
Molly was thrilled to have something else to think about after what she had been through. And her joy made Adam excited too, though he was apprehensive about the effect his appearance might have on the Queen and her other courtiers.
Molly followed every doctor's order so she could get home as soon as possible. After three days, Sherlock picked up Molly and Adam in 'the clown car' which was what Sherlock called Molly's car forever after. She had to laugh at how crammed in they both were.
When Sherlock dropped them off, they were grateful to be alone. "I need a shower," a tired Molly said. She took Adam's hand. "You want to join me?"
"Yes." They undressed each other then got under the hot water. Adam looked sadly at the long scar on her chest. The sutures were still there. "I'll take them out myself in about ten days. I know how. We have something in common now. I'm imperfect too."
"The imperfect beauty," Adam replied. There was more kissing than washing, but somehow they managed to get clean. "Molly please take it slow. I don't want you to get hurt."
"You won't hurt me," she said breathlessly. "They dried off quickly and fell into Molly's bed, which was much more inviting than the futon in the next room.
She motioned for Adam to lay on top of her. "I'm too tired to do all the work."
Adam wasn't clear on what that meant, but he hoped someday he would find out.
Molly guided him inside her and let out a gasp. Adam froze. "Did I hurt you?"
Molly grinned. "You're a big boy! Bigger than I'm used to, but it's okay." She wrapped her legs around his waist and encouraged him on. She caressed him all over, her hands never far from one of his disfiguring scars.
Adam kissed Molly as he thrust inside her. He had dreamed of this moment so many times that it wasn't long before he climaxed. He turned on his back and apologized.
"You haven't had sex in a century, it's okay." Molly rested her head on his chest.
"We can never have a life together," Adam said softly.
Molly shrugged. "Maybe we can make something work. Where do you live?"
"In a little house, deep in the German forest. I hunt, I fish, I read everything I can get my hands on. Sometimes I steal, books mostly. I can't ask you to give up your life for that."
"I could visit you."
"Perhaps once or twice a year," he shook his head. "That's not enough. Let this audience with your queen be enough for us, and then I can return home."
"I have another idea. I have this friend who goes to developing countries to perform surgeries on children with cleft lips and other defects." Molly got up and went to the other room to get her laptop. She showed Adam some before and after pictures on the charity's website. "He's in town for a while, maybe if we told him your story, he would help you."
Adam shook his head. "The damage is too old, too severe."
"You could at least ask, then maybe you could have a normal life too." She retrieved her friend's business card from her bedside table and gave it to Adam. "It's up to you."
He smiled slightly, almost afraid it was too good to be true. "Can we see him tomorrow?"
Molly hugged him. "Right after we see the seamstress."
The next morning a rather plump, good-natured woman came over with a measuring tape and a pad of paper. Adam was dressed but his head was uncovered. The woman was a bit startled at his appearance, but quickly took in stride. Molly liked her immediately and invited her to sit down.
"I'm Beryl, I'm mainly here to show you some ideas and take measurements. There will be a couple of fittings before the audience." She showed Adam the concept for his suit.
He shook his head. "Do you see the garments I wear? I am a man from another time. I will only wear clothes from that time. The queen wishes to meet me as I am. This is how I am."
Instead of getting annoyed Beryl breathed, "Interesting. Very Jane Austen. Oh this will be so much more fun. I used to be head costumer for the National Theatre. It'll be like old times." She drew a quick picture of what she had in mind. "You'll look just like Colonel Brandon in "Sense and Sensibility."
"Oh that's my favorite!" Moly interjected.
She spun around and faced Molly. "And you my dear will be his Marianne Dashwood in a silk Regency gown to compliment his attire." Molly looked a little dubious, but Beryl calmed her fears. "The Regency gowns are the single most flattering piece of clothing ever created, even I look good in them. You'll look beautiful and elegant."
Beryl took their measurements, then practically skipped out of Molly's house to begin her creations.
Molly then rang her friend, Dr. Mike Harper. She explained Adam's injuries.
"Another charity case," Dr. Harper said. "Bring him over and we'll see what we can do."
Adam was very uncomfortable in Dr. Harper's waiting room, but thankfully he had his hood to hide behind.
The nurse came out to get them. Molly hung onto Adam's hand the entire time.
Mike met them in the examination room. "Please remove your hood." Adam did so but couldn't look the man in the eye.
Mike whistled. "Holy Hell, who's the SOB who did this to you?"
"Long dead," Adam told him, "Do you think you can help me? I want a normal life. I want to be able to live without this hood."
Mike rubbed the tears out of his eyes before he could continue. "I will take your case pro bono, don't worry about that." He began to examine Adam's head. "I can't make you perfect, but I can take all the metal out and smooth the skin, maybe some skin grafts. Are there other areas?" Adam showed him his chest and legs.
"But the most important thing is my face," said Adam.
"We'll get to it all, but we will start with your face. How soon can we get you in?"
Molly was wiping her tears of joy off her face. "We have an audience with the queen in two weeks."
"I have time tomorrow," Dr. Harper said, "you'll be healed before you meet the queen. But I need you to understand that this will be just the first of several operations. My nurse will give you the pre-surgery instructions."
Molly jumped up and hugged Mike. Adam thanked him for his compassion and generosity. The next day Adam had the first of a series of life-changing surgeries. Molly was able to take him home the same day. She found him to be a terrible patient, always tugging at the dressings on his head and face. Beryl came over a week later with almost completed garments for them to try on. When Beryl asked about the bandages, Molly explained Adam just had plastic surgery last week.
Adam really did look like a hero in an Austean tale, albeit a bandaged one, in his new clothes. Molly looked stunning in green silk; Adam couldn't take his eyes off her."Oh I wish I could be there for the unveiling," said an excited Beryl.
There was a knock on the door. It was Mycroft. "Hello Mycroft," Molly said without enthusiasm. "Why are you here?"
"To teach you how to bow, curtsy and general comportment," Mycroft replied. "What in the world are you two wearing? And why is Adam's head covered in bandages? I specifically told you to dress him in a nice suit."
"It's a beautiful suit of clothing," said Beryl. "He's a man out of time and this is how he dresses. And Molly looks beautiful."
Mycroft shook his head in disbelief. "And two hundred years out of style. It's unacceptable."
"To you," Beryl quipped. "Don't worry I'll give the old lady a head's up. It'll be fine."
While they were still in their new clothes, Mycroft told Adam to bow; he did it perfectly the first time. Molly, on the other hand, caught on to the curtsey after about ten tries. Then Mycroft lectured them on what to do and what not to do in front of the queen. After the lecture, they gave the clothes back to Beryl to finish, and she and Mycroft left together.
They day before the royal audience, they went back to Dr. Harper to have the bandages removed. Molly had the mirror in her hand in anticipation, but Adam wanted Molly to see him first in case the results were disappointing. When the last bandage was removed Adam looked at Molly.
Molly smiled and started to cry. All those terrible metal sutures were gone. Dr. Harper trimmed the sloppy incisions and the damaged tissue, then sutured him up again, this time with care. "The sutures can come out too."
Molly squeezed his hand. "Oh, Adam wait until the sutures are removed before you look in the mirror."
When the last suture was out Molly gave Adam the mirror. He couldn't believe the difference. He still wasn't handsome, but the incision lines were much finer. The skin was smoother and more evenly toned. The effect was not frightening any longer.
"Must I wear my cloak and hood still?" Adam asked wanting to hear the truth.
Molly shook her head. "No, you look fine."
Dr. Harper agreed. "Adam, you're no more out of place than someone coming back injured from Afghanistan."
Molly took pictures and sent them to Sherlock.
He replied. "I'm still better looking. Say hi to the queen for me tomorrow."
The next morning, Beryl and another woman named Laila brought the finished garments. Laila would do Molly's makeup and hair. Just before Mycroft arrived, Laila and Beryl were putting on the finishing touches.
Mycroft looked annoyed at the scene before him, but had to admit they looked a smashing pair (if they were going to A-Come-As-Your-Favorite-Jane-Austen-Character party.) There was something different about Adam—he looked almost normal.
"No cloak and hood for me, Mycroft, "Adam said almost as a challenge. "Unlike you there are generous and kind people all over this city that I plan to make my new home. I'll tell your queen the same."
Mycroft just looked uncomfortable, then decided to have Molly practice that curtsey one more time.
A black limousine was parked in front of Molly's flat. Adam, Molly and Mycroft stepped inside.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look?" Adam asked Molly.
"Once or twice," Molly replied, blushing. "You look amazing, so handsome." Molly paused. "Oh, we've got to stop before Mycroft gets car sick."
Mycroft frowned. "I always thought you were much more demure, Miss Hooper."
"It's Sherlock's influence," she told him.
They arrived at Buckingham Palace just in time. Mycroft was in the lead. Adam offered his arm to Molly which she took graciously. They couldn't help but notice the Palace staff staring and making whispered comments. Molly and Adam did their best to ignore them and walked proudly with their heads held high.
There were two guards outside the room where the queen was waiting. They stood aside at the sight of Mycroft. He knocked then opened the doors when given leave to do so by Her Majesty. Molly and Adam followed him in, then the doors were closed behind them. Mycroft made the proper introductions, then Adam bowed and Molly curtsied perfectly. After that Mycroft felt it safe to take his leave. The queen rose from her chair and clapped her hands together. "How delightfully dressed you both are! Please sit down and have some tea." A servant went immediately to fetch it. The rest of the visit was Adam telling his tale (with certain details omitted), ending with the dramatic rescue of Molly Hooper. He was also sure to mention Beryl, Dr. Harper, even Sherlock and how kind they've been. "All of my life I've been reviled, feared, and persecuted. To find such wonderful friends after all this time is almost too much joy to bear." Tears were streaming down Molly's cheeks just from recalling how they met and fell in love. Even the queen was reaching for a tissue. "Well Adam let me extend my personal welcome to England. It is your home for as long as you desire. And Miss Hooper I wish you both every happiness."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," both Molly and Adam replied.
On the way home the couple realized that life would get routine, and that Adam would have to dress a little less flamboyantly and find some kind of occupation for his active mind. Surely Mycroft would have a few suggestions. I'd better start being nice to him from now on, Molly thought sheepishly.
A normal life was what they wanted, and because of their friends, that's the life they got.
The End