After dinner, Lily and her family returned to her apartment for créme brûlée. Her irritation had melted away by then, and she listened to her family's chatter while torching their créme brûlées, happy she had practice that morning on John and Sherlock's. Liam, as per usual, didn't want to wait a measly five minutes for the dessert to cool, but his playful arguing with Lily took about that long anyway.

Once dessert was eaten, they talked for maybe half an hour more, then her parents had to head to their hotel. Liam sprawled out on the couch quickly, flicking on the TV.

He then pulled out his phone while Lily cleaned up her kitchen, but she stopped when he spoke. "Oh, John Watson updated his blog."

"Oh?" Lily said.

"Your neighbor," he replied, as if she didn't know. "Oh, you're in this one! This is the first case you mentioned?"

"Um..." she sighed, walking into the living room. He looked up at her with a raised brow, and she went on. "Before you read that... you should know that I... may have been in a form danger during that case."

He sat up. "May have or were? What happened?"

"I got a gun pointed at me. Obviously, it all worked out. I just don't want you to freak out when you read it."

"Lily."

"I'm fine," she insisted.

"And if you weren't? Is hanging around this Sherlock guy really a good idea if you're gonna be in harm's way?"

"He saved my life! He talked the man down, he uncovered the truth. That's the important thing."

Liam sighed and got to reading while Lily finished cleaning the kitchen. She then sat down in a chair for a few minutes, but she was up again when someone knocked on her door.

"Who's that?" Liam asked, brows furrowed.

Lily shrugged. "My only guess would be Mrs. Hudson or one of 221B boys. Or potentially Mycroft Holmes."

"Mycroft Holmes?" Liam asked as Lily started up the stairs.

"He seems like he would show up at odd times for odd reasons. Those Holmes boys aren't your average Joes, that's for sure." Lily made it up the stairs and opened the door to find one of them on the other side, holding a box of severed ears. Well, just two. And a lot of salt.

She invited him in, half thinking on what he might tell her concerning the ears then within her flat, half thinking on what food and tea she could offer him. When he said he wanted tea, she chiefly concerned herself with that and small talk, somewhere in the back of her head thinking Liam and Sherlock would introduce themselves. She'd much rather that anyhow, considering Liam was hearing flirting that wasn't there and then upset about her being in harm's way.

They didn't introduce themselves, reminding Lily she'd better do it. She observed them curiously, wondering how Liam would behave — and a bit worried on that front, too. It seemed normal until Sherlock told Liam the box contained the severed ears. While Sherlock was on the phone, Liam turned to Lily, whispering to her. "So now he's bringing severed ears into your flat?"

"He probably just came from the crime scene or whatever," Lily replied. "They're in a box..."

Liam shook his head. "You are so not okay with this."

"Okay, not entirely," Lily admitted, "but... it's fine."

"He was just here a few hours ago-"

"And I told him to fill me in on the case."

Liam looked at her for a moment, and his growing amusement began to worry Lily more than his being upset. "My sister really is a part-time detective."

"I am not-" Lily began.

"A dynamic detective duo."

"Are you forgetting John?" Lily pointed out, happy to have a defense against... whatever Liam was insinuating.

Before he could respond, Sherlock had hung up the phone and said John was coming down with Rosie. Lily went to finish the tea as Liam actually asked to see the severed ears. Exclaiming his name scoldingly was instinct for Lily. They went back and forth for a bit until John and Rosie thankfully arrived. Lily went up the stairs to greet them.

"Lily!" Rosie said, reaching out to her. John chuckled and handed her to Lily, who was happy to take her.

"Hello, Rosie," she replied. "Hi, John."

"Hi," he answered, following her down the stairs.

"Thank you for coming to save me from the mess downstairs."

"Mess?" John asked as they made their way to the kitchen. Lily reintroduced Rosie and Liam, introduced Liam and John, then played host, getting tea and juice, settling everyone in before Sherlock (and John) started in on the case. Once Lily was filled in — and Liam by extension — they chatted about less important things for a minute or so before Sherlock, John, and Rosie left. As soon as Lily closed the door and started down the stairs, Liam opened his mouth.

"So the dynamic detecting trio is heading to the lab tomorrow?" he asked, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

Lily raised a brow at him, going to wash the mugs. "I was under the impression that you and I were walking around London with Mum and Dad tomorrow?"

"Well, I certainly am. But your amusing detective neighbor that's your friend whom you flirt with is taking severed ears to be tested tomorrow."

"I do not flirt with him," Lily argued, allowing him to see a little bit more of her irritation since it was just the two of them in the hopes that he would drop it, "and he and John are perfectly capable of taking severed ears to be tested by themselves."

"I thought you usually joined them on cases? Certainly did on the one I just read."

"Two cases, Liam. Just two. And if you read the first one, you should know John sprained his ankle, so they needed my help."

"And then they invited you on the second one because they want you around — whether you want to believe it or not, Lil. He asked you to come on the third case. He wants you there, and I think John does, too. And you seem to want to be there."

"Well, they're my friends." She couldn't help but smile at least a little bit as she said it.

"John's definitely your friend. Sherlock is your friend whom you flirt with-"

Lily turned to him, letting a mug fall into the sink with a small clatter. "I don't."

Liam looked at her for a moment, then sighed. "I'm sorry, Lil. But it's been almost nine years now."

"Since it happened. Getting over it is a whole different story. And it isn't like he was the only one." She turned back to the sink, continuing to wash the mugs and trying not to cry as memories came back. "Over and over again..."

Liam got up from his chair, walking over to her and pulling her into a hug. "I know. I just... I want you to be happy, you know? And Sherlock seems like a good guy. Like you said, he saved your life. And after I read it... it's clear he cares, and you ran headfirst into that danger for him, so you care, too. He's a bit strange and in an even stranger profession, but I think it balances out well with you. You just seem like you around him."

"He isn't judgmental. He doesn't care. He wants to be my friend — you heard him. I've got no business ruining a good thing, even if I wanted to. Sherlock Holmes is far too caught up in his job to date anyhow, that much is certain."

"Maybe he just hasn't met the right person — or maybe he has, and that person is-."

"Not me," Lily said, gently pulling away from the hug to finish washing dishes.

Liam didn't push it that time, only saying, "Well, no matter what, nobody will ever love you more than Rosie does." Lily laughed as he went to put on his pajamas.

She continued scrubbing, taking a deep breath. She had new friends she could be herself around. They were close by, and they had fairly exciting lives that Lily had to admit she was happy to be part of (when there were no dead bodies). She'd only just established that she and Sherlock were friends; why potentially mess that up, especially when she was sure that she wasn't ready for a relationship yet?

She dried her hands, knowing she was friends with Sherlock Holmes, and that was enough for her.

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Lily wakes the next morning to find Liam still asleep on the couch, snoring away. She considers what to do for breakfast, especially seeing as 'Scrambled Eggs Master Liam' isn't awake to make any scrambled eggs. Instead of waking him, she pops some toast in the toaster and gets out the remains of the strawberry jam. She eats quietly at the island, checking her phone. Liam eventually gets up and makes himself some toast, too, finishing off the jam. It's a quiet morning.

By the end of it, they decide they better call their parents to figure out what they're doing for the day. They don't answer the first time Lily calls, inciting a bit of concern until they answer the second call.

"Hello?" Lily's mum says blearily.

"Hey, Mum," Lily replies. "Are you and Dad ready to head out for the day? Liam and I have just had breakfast."

"Honey, we just woke up. Totally overslept!"

Liam laughs. "Of course."

"We were tired," their Mum argues. "Anyhow, we'll have to get ourselves in gear and scare up some breakfast, so you two better head on without us and meet us later. We'll head to the shops first."

"Alright. Call me when you're ready," Lily replies.

"Will do. Love you."

"Love you, too. Bye."

"Bye."

Lily looks up at Liam after hanging up the phone. "What now?"

"Well, I know you're out of jam."

"So we're going to the grocery?"

He shrugs. "If you want to."

"Alright, then, let's get dressed," Lily replies, turning to head back to her room.

When she's halfway down the hall, Liam exclaims, "Wait, I have a better idea!"

Lily stops, turning back around. "Which is?"

"We can go with Sherlock and John to get the ears tested."

Lily sighs. "Liam-"

"I want to go on a case, too," he argues.

"You're leaving this evening; they probably won't solve it by then."

"Oh, come on, Lil! They surely want you to go, and I want to go."

"They've probably already left."

"Just call Sherlock and ask."

Lily turns and walks down the hall again. "I'm not inviting myself on a case!"

"It's not inviting yourself if they want you there!"

Lily closes the door to her room, shaking her head. What his fascination is with those ears and the case surrounding them, she'll never understand. Sherlock and John made it sound mostly open and shut, aside from finding the guy responsible. And, potentially... bodies.

Maybe Lily shouldn't join them on this case.

When she reenters her sitting room, Liam is already halfway up the stairs. "Come on, Lil. We can still catch them."

"Liam-"

"Please let me spend my day off in the most adventurous and interesting way I possibly can."

Lily sighs but walks to the stairs anyway to put on her shoes. "You're the one that wanted an office job."

She grabs her bag and keys, then follows Liam out, locking the door behind her. By the quiet, she guesses Sherlock and John have gone out already, but the quiet doesn't last long.

"Lily going?" Rosie's distant voice asks, and Lily can't help but smile.

"See?" Liam says to her, and she shakes her head, hearing the end of Sherlock's reply.

"-with her family today."

"But she always goes," Rosie replies.

"Well, not today," John sighs, sounding disappointed.

Lily stands at the bottom of the stairs, in the foyer, as they round the corner. "You might want to rethink that statement, John."

Rosie brightens. "Lily!"

"Hello, Rosie."

"Hey," John says, surprised. "I thought you were with your family today."

"Well, I am with that one," Lily replies, gesturing to Liam, who's looking at the things on the small table against the wall.

He turns and smiles, holding up a hand in greeting. "Hi."

"Hello," John replies.

"So you're both coming?" Sherlock asks. Rosie is in his arms, while John has the box of ears.

Lily shrugs. "Well, our parents overslept, so we're not meeting them just yet, so... if you guys don't mind us coming, we'd like to — Liam more than me, but..."

Sherlock looks at Liam, who smiles eagerly. "I think forensics are cool."

"They are," Sherlock replies, "but this won't be blood splatter or anything."

"I know. But it is severed ears," Liam points out, causing Lily to sigh.

Sherlock shrugs, heading to Mrs. Hudson's. "You're both welcome to come, if you'd like. We need to drop off Rosie first."

Mrs. Hudson says hello to Lily and Liam when she opens the door, then takes Rosie, who says goodbye to Lily and Liam (with laughter) more than John or Sherlock. Then, the four of them head out to the pavement, where John hails a cab.

When it pulls up, he opens the door to the first row, then gestures for Liam to get in ahead of him, quickly following behind. Lily opens the other door and slides in, Sherlock getting in next to her.

"St. Bart's," John says to the driver, and they're soon on their way. Liam and John are talking quietly, but Lily, of course, doesn't try to eavesdrop, instead looking out the window at the passing shops.

Any one of them could be her bakery one day, if she bothers to look. But she hasn't in a while, instead reading and tending to the garden and joining Sherlock and John on their cases. Liam asks about it still — though he thankfully hasn't since he's been here — and she doesn't know what to tell him. The thought of it scares her, makes her want to bury the notion, put away the dreams of the bright walls, large kitchen, desserts filling the case next to the counter. Not once does she see any bookkeeping or anything actually important to running a business. She doesn't know the first thing about it. If she hadn't made such good friends and gotten a wonderful flat, she would think the move was a mistake.

"How's... your book coming along?" Sherlock asks conversationally.

Lily turns to him in surprise, jolted out of her thoughts. "My book?"

"The one you're... writing...?"

"Oh, my book," she realizes. "Well, I had a little idea for it that I sent to my publisher, and she said I could do better than that and gave me more time."

Sherlock grimaces. "That's... not great."

"She was right. It's been done before a hundred times. I just need to figure out something else."

"So no fairies?"

"Oh, no, definitely fairies. I just need to figure out the story and the moral of it all."

"Ah."

They reach St. Bart's soon after. It's a long, tall building, brick and a mix of off-white and brown, due to age. Not unlike other buildings in London. Sherlock gets out, waiting for everyone else, then he and John lead Lily and Liam inside, through a maze of hallways. Liam looks around at everything, excited. Lily doesn't understand his interest, but he's always found that sort of stuff fascinating.

"Molly!" Sherlock calls as they finally enter a room. It's only then that Lily remembers Sherlock mentioning his friend at St. Bart's. Which means this Molly is likely that friend, and Lily now has to meet her — a new person that might not like her. And she didn't even bring cookies.

Inside the room, a woman (clearly Molly) is bent over a microscope. She doesn't look up, and her tone is clipped. "Sherlock."

"I need you to test something for me," he says, causing John to give him a look. He adds, "Please."

Molly stands, walking over to him, tiredly commenting, "I'm assuming it's in the box." Before he answers, she takes it from his hands, then sees Lily and Liam, and her voice goes a bit higher and, thankfully, sweeter. "Oh, hello."

"Hi," Lily says nervously, not quite meeting Molly's eye. "I- I'm Lily Marlow."

"Liam," he adds, stepping a bit closer to Lily. "Her brother."

"Lily's our new neighbor," John explains.

"I'm Molly Hooper," she says to Lily and Liam. "Are you... involved in this case?"

Liam shakes his head. "No, we're just... tagging along."

"So, what's in the box?" Molly asks Sherlock.

"Two ears, I think from two different people," he explains. He gives her a short run down on the case as they know it, including whose ears he suspects they are.

"I'll need their DNA in order to figure that out," Molly replies, the friendliness beginning to drain out of her voice again. She lifts the ears out of the box. Lily turns away, grimacing, while Liam walks closer.

"We'll call her," John says. "Or Lestrade, now that I think about it."

"Go for Lestrade; he can probably get something of the fiancé's easier than Miriam or Susan could," Sherlock replies. John nods, pulling out his phone and going to the corner of the room.

"Do you need me to test the box, too?" Molly asks.

"I ran some tests myself at home," Sherlock replies, "but I didn't turn up anything useful. You can run your own, if you want, but I don't know how beneficial it'll be."

"I probably won't then."

"When do you think you'll be done?"

She shrugs. "Depends on when you get me what I need. I'll call you."

There's a pause, Lily and Liam both observing as Molly works, though Lily tries not to look directly at the ears. Suddenly, Sherlock says, "Thank you."

Molly looks up, surprised. "Did you just say, 'Thank you'?"

Sherlock shrugs. "I'm learning to."

Molly chuckles. "John finally get through to you?"

"Not exactly," Sherlock replies, glancing at Lily, who's a bit surprised. Surely he didn't just glance at her for no reason. Which means he's learning to say thank you... from her? She never would've guessed she's affected him much at all, definitely not in that way. But he's told her thank you before, especially yesterday, and he's apologized to her, too. She hasn't read all of John's blog, but it's obvious to her that Sherlock hasn't always done that, that it's not in his nature. His mind just simply doesn't work that way. But surely he didn't start changing that after she came along? He's known John for years, so it's much more likely he at least started this learning. But could Lily really be continuing it?

And is this part of the looking after that Mycroft was talking about?

"Oh, I see," Molly says, looking at Lily, a sort of sadness in her eyes, mixed with a hurt that creeps into her voice. "It's you." So Lily wasn't the only one who picked up on that...

She shrugs. "I-I don't know..." what to say, she finishes in her head. This woman is hurting on the inside, Lily can tell, but she can't figure out why. All she knows is she might have something to do with it now.

Liam must've noticed, too, or at least noticed Lily's nerves; anyone could, really. "Hey, what is this for?" he asks Molly, taking her attention.

Sherlock looks at Lily. "Don't be nervous around Molly. She's friendly."

"To be honest, she didn't seem particularly friendly towards you..." Lily replies.

He sighs. "Yes, well, that's me. You're perfectly innocent in the matter; you only just met her." Lily doesn't know how right he is, though. Yes, she's only just met her, but the look in Molly's eyes when she looked at her... What could she have done? As a matter of fact, what did Sherlock do? Lily's innocent, he said, but is he? She's been cold to him since they walked in.

"Lestrade said he'd get what we needed," John says, walking back over. "We can go get it from him later today, or go with him. Whatever you want to do, Sherlock."

"I suppose we might turn up something at Jared and Diane's house. Text him, tell him we'll meet him there," Sherlock replies. John nods, looking down at his phone again. Sherlock looks to Molly. "Will you be here late?"

She cuts herself off in the middle of explaining something to Liam. "Usually am."

"We can get you the DNA tonight."

"Good," she replies, then turning back to Liam, who's drinking it all in. Lily absently wonders why he decided to do maths instead of science, while simultaneously feeling a bit better seeing a happier expression on Molly's face. Another thought occurs to her.

"Does Molly like sweets?" she asks Sherlock.

"Are you going to bake her cookies?" he asks back.

Lily shrugs. "Maybe. If you know that she likes something else better, I'll make that instead."

"She likes cherry turnovers," John supplies, and Lily nods.

"I'll get on that soon. Let me know when you come back here to get the results, okay?"

Sherlocks nods. "Will do."

They leave soon after, Liam going on about how cool her job is and John mentioning the mini science lab in 221B. But Lily is thinking.

Something happened between Sherlock and Molly. Something that made Molly upset, and Sherlock seem... apologetic? Lily has seen him apologetic before, particularly towards her. This is the same, if toned down. Maybe he's already apologized, maybe he hasn't; his mind works differently. John might've helped him voice his feelings, though he's at least starting to do that on his own. Lily has no idea exactly what he was like before she came along, so she can't be sure of anything really. Especially not what happened between he and Molly.

Unless John wrote it down, put it in the blog... But it's none of Lily's business, and if Molly is upset about it, John wouldn't include it anyway.

So where does Lily fit into all this? Why does it seem that Molly is upset with her?

Oh, I see. It's you, she'd said. Lily remembers her tone, the look in her eyes. And as Lily thinks on it, she realizes what it was: defeated jealousy.

She thinks that Lily's changed Sherlock — and, clearly, so does he. So, Molly wanted to change him herself, but... couldn't? Could she be jealous of their friendship, just based on that?

It would all make so much more sense if Lily knew what happened, but it's none of her business. And whatever grievance Molly has with her now definitely isn't her fault. So, she resolves to bake Molly cherry turnovers and be as friendly to her as possible. She's hurt, but she's sweet, at least from what Lily saw when she was talking to Liam.

"Wrong way," Sherlock suddenly says, putting his hands on Lily's shoulders and turning her ninety degrees to face another hallway. John and Liam are already walking down it.

"Oh," Lily says, embarrassed, walking on, Sherlock's hands slipping off her shoulders. "Sorry."

He easily catches up and walks next to her. "You seemed... lost in thought."

"Yeah, a bit," she replies, hands absently messing with the strap on her bag.

"Can I ask... what you were thinking about?"

Lily won't lie; she makes it a habit of being truthful, especially to her friends. But she also doesn't want to pry. "Molly."

"What about her?"

"Just... something she said. And why."

There's a pause as they turn another corner and Liam's phone rings. Lily assumes it's her parents, but she can't hear what he's saying. Then, Sherlock asks, "Did you figure it out?"

Lily looks at him, a bit confused, her mind having left their conversation. "Figure what out?"

"Molly — what she said."

Lily shrugs. "Not really. Close enough, I suppose."

Sherlock nods. "Well, you'll get it eventually. You're good at that sort of thing."

Lily's brows furrow. "What sort of thing?"

"Feelings."

As they reach the front doors, Liam turns back to Lily. "Mum and Dad are ready, said to meet them at the shops."

"Alright, then let's head over there."

Sherlock and John leave first, getting a taxi to meet Lestrade. Lily and Liam get their own, going to meet their parents.