Please Excuse My Writing

Dear Darlin'

Dearest Sherlock,

I am glad to hear that you're content for now, and you can think.

You were right. Of course you were right. The date with Greg was terrible. We don't have a thing in common, other than the association of our jobs. Mary has moved into 221b with John, now. We had dinner the other night.

I wish I had someone I was that close with. They seem so happy. I want to be like that. I think everyone deserves to be happy, don't you? Well, most people anyway.

I miss you, so much. If you only knew how much I miss you. Please come back soon. Even just to visit. No. Sorry. That's a stupid idea. You keep going. Do what you need to do.

I find that I'm lonely, although I am only lacking you. I didn't even see you that often. But I am. Lonely, that is. God, I'm even awkward on paper. At least I'm consistent. But really. Even in a crowd, the least lonely place you can be, I find myself looking for someone.

I suppose you'll find that particular statement stupid, but I am trying to write you the truth.

I have tea more and more times with Mrs Hudson. She's a very sweet woman. She misses you, Sherlock. As much as I do, perhaps more if it's even possible. You impacted on so many people's lives, and they all feel your absence.

I do hope this reaches you. I hope that you have as good a time as you can in Canberra, and you find the man you're looking for quickly.

I love you. I miss you. I'm thinking of you. Always.

Please write back as soon as you can.

Forever and always,

Molly Hooper.

Dear Molly,

I am always right. I am now in Canberra, and the climate is a lot like London's. it's winter now, and rather cold. Isn't it good that we were able to salvage my coat?

I miss you too. More than I anticipated. I miss the coffee, and your terrible jokes and the morgue and your horrible attempts at flirting. You count, Molly Hooper. Don't ever forget that you count.

I have had no luck as of yet in finding him. Unfortunately I cannot mention his name. It occurs to me that it also may no be wise to use our real names in these. We'll figure something out.

I wish I could help you with your loneliness, but the truth is, I feel the same. I miss you all, and I don't think anyone could ever replace any of you. Not one person. You're all much too unique for there to be anyone to take your places.

Please continue to keep an eye on our friends. Mycroft keeps me updated, but it's nicer to hear it from someone who really knows them. Because you can... Read them. Their emotions. You see them, like you saw me that night before the fall.

You truly astounded me when you did that, Molly. You saw right through me, like I usually see through everyone else. You're and anomaly, something entirely new to me, and I plan to investigate.

Writing to you helps me. Because I know that you're in England, fading this and thinking of me, and that helps. I hope that it helps you to hear from me. The truth is, I think of you more often than I'd care to admit, and I miss you, just as much as you seem to miss me.

The realisation has just dawned on me that the words 'I miss you' are a rather odd turn of phrase, and is among one of the most used phrases in the span of our short correspondence.

But I do. I miss you. You. Someone who had seemed so insignificant. Just so that you're aware, you are anything but insignificant. You count. You alway have, and I think you always will.

I might just accept your kind offer, and drop in in the near future. It's not a stupid idea. I find the thought of being close to you all strangely comforting.

I look forward to future letters,

Sherlock Holmes.