Sherlock: The Next Generation

Chapter 57

 Chapter 57

"Finn has invited me to go to lunch with him tomorrow," Molly announced upon getting home from school. John turned around from where he was helping Sherlock with an experiment (essential, supposedly, and needing two people) to look at Molly in horror.

"Yes, brilliant, remember to stay safe," Sherlock said absentmindedly, concentrating on what he was doing. It didn't seem the words had even registered with him.

"Sherlock!" John hissed right in Sherlock's ear. "Molly is going to lunch with a boy." He definitely heard that time, judging by how he dropped what he was doing (not even caring that the test tube smashed) to turn around and stare at his daughter.

"Lunch with a boy?"

"Yes, isn't it wonderful!" Molly grinned, hugging herself happily.

"Who?"

"Finn," Molly rolled her eyes. Her dad obviously hadn't listened to her first announcement.

"Call Lestrade," Sherlock turned to John. "Get him to arrest the boy and question him. Then bring him here. I want to know what his intents are."

"Dadddd," Molly whined, a look of annoyance cross her face. "But you've already met him!"

"That was years ago," John pointed out, arms folded as he glanced between his husband and daughter.

"Indeed," Sherlock agreed. "He will have changed over those years, he will have begun to corrupt and fester. Who knows what he's like now? I'm sorry, Molly, I cannot let you go to lunch with a possible criminal."

Molly just groaned, a deep scowl flitting across her lips. "He is not a criminal! I would know if he was. And you let Martin go out with Karina! She's the daughter of Irene Adler."

Sherlock titled his head, turning to look at John before replying. "What is the phrase? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Karina was a way of watching Irene."

Molly arched an eyebrow and folded her arms. "Oh really? Then how come I can't go on a date with Finn, if you believe he is a criminal?"

Sherlock opened his mouth to reply then closed it again, frowning. He hated when someone used his logic against him. Especially when it was one of his children (or John).

Eventually John and Sherlock gave in, after quite a bit of compromising. Molly was allowed to go to lunch with Finn, but one of the two would take her there and pick her up. Molly had drawn the line at her dad and papa coming into the cafe and sitting nearby, having their own date. John wasn't too happy when Molly wouldn't allow that. Their little girl was growing up. It was hard to believe that she was thirteen... A teenager. The look in Sherlock's many coloured eyes told John that he was thinking the same thoughts. It was bad enough that Hamish was in university and Martin had a boyfriend, that being his second relationship. But now Molly was going on a date... Sure, she was a bit of a romantic like John and John had started dating in high school but still... Molly had always been their little girl. This made John realise how Sherlock and him weren't exactly young any more. No, they definitely were not. Solving cases was beginning to get a bit taxing to both when it involved a lot of running.

"... And no physical contact," Sherlock finished off what seemed like a list of rules. John was pretty sure it was everything Finn could not do unless he wanted to find himself thrown in jail.

"But dad," Molly pouted. "Not even hand holding?"

"Absolutely not. You are not allowed to hold hands with a boy until you are fourteen."

Molly rolled her eyes. "What about a girl?" she added in slyly.

"You are not allowed to hold hands with anyone in a more than friendly manner until you are fourteen," Sherlock corrected his earlier statement, looking smug. Molly sighed while John was just rather amused by Sherlock's blatant over-protectiveness. John was quite protective of Molly too, but he wouldn't mind hand holding and the like. Kissing, however... No. She was only thirteen. As far as he was aware this Finn boy was a year older as well.

"I bet when you and papa went on your first date you did more than hold hands." Molly just looked sullen now, hands on her hips.

"Well, that depends on what was our first date."

The next day dawned bright and clear, Molly waking up at an absurdly early hour and spending the whole morning bouncing about the place full of energy. Sherlock ended up deciding to be the one to take her along, wanting a good look at Finn so he could change his mind and throw the boy in jail if he wanted (legally or not).

"Dad, just don't be embarrassing," Molly frowned up at Sherlock as they approached the cafe where Molly was meeting Finn.

"Why would I be... Embarrassing?" Sherlock tilted his head as he glanced down at his daughter. Molly just rolled her eyes, not having time to reply because she had spotted Finn.

"Finn!" she squealed, a wide smile framing her lips. The brown haired boy waved to her. Sherlock narrowed his eyes, glancing over Finn in a scrutinising manner.

"Hi, Molly," Finn greeted her as they got closer. "Mr Holmes." He nodded to her dad.

Sherlock nodded slightly to him.  "If you even so much as think of doing anything untoward to my daughter I will know and have Lestrade arrest you."

Molly trying not to groan, instead settling for covering her face with her hands. Thank you dad for ruining her relationship with Finn.

"I will make sure that does not happen," Finn replied genuinely. Molly removed her hands from her face and arched an eyebrow.

"Good." Sherlock still looked suspicious, if a bit more at ease. He turned to his daughter. "Your papa is picking you up. Have a good time."

"I will," Molly smiled. Sherlock ruffled her hair, something that really annoyed her, but her dads did it all the time and wouldn't stop, before walking away.

"Shall we?" Finn asked with a teasing smile, offering his arm like a perfect gentleman. Molly giggled, taking his arm. Going against Sherlock's no holding hands rule really, but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

"Yes, please."