A/N: Three parts. This is the first obviously. All mistakes are mine.

Do indulge me with encouragement for this utter madness - for it's just getting started really! ;)

"There shouldn't be any lingering side effects," Meena said with better conviction than the usual online advert.

Molly had really wanted to believe her.

These pills if they worked would change her life. All of a sudden the glossy 'No More' pills (they were still working on the name) in a cheery pink casing existed. The sort of pills she'd been daydreaming about when she was a teenager and her heat was something she had to grabble with locked up in her room like she was some distressed Omega in the early 1930's. She'd been the one to lock her door of course, and no one in her family could blame her. There had been no want in being bonded to someone, or any of the other sordid solutions she knew. She couldn't help reading out the details about her 'condition' at the time.

The very first in her family or so they'd said, until they discovered that her Great Grandmother on her father's side of the family had been one. Her Great Grandmother who by some fortunate luck never really suffered, as there were fewer Alphas' out there back then.

During that time, the condition was considered an actual illness and linked to Hysteria. Molly had been the fortunate one of the Hooper's long line of innocent Beta's to be an Omega. Her parents hadn't been prepared to the whole business of it, and Molly herself only felt enveloped with shame when she remembered how much she moaned and railed and wanted and yearned.

This was of course before suppressors were permitted within the UK, and when they were, she was thankfully much more focused. Then came the daily life of eating various pills at certain times a day - planning her every meal and who she could be in the company with at certain times of the month.

She had truly longed for that sense of normality, which so many others around her seemed to have. They didn't need to eat a pill to reduce their heat or another to make them less receptive to Alpha's - then one to stop Beta's who were somewhat receptive, and of course vitamins because of the physical strain the other medicine had.

Molly had been through her share of remedies, and despite constant promises, it usually ended with her returning to the original medicine. Not that any of it really helped when she was working besides the worst Alpha out there. The one Alpha who somehow miraculously turned down Omega's left and centre, her included, and had only had an on-and-off relationship with another Alpha (besides that strange fraudulent affair with the Beta Janine).

To summarize, Sherlock Holmes made her fight daily against her natural urges with more conviction - for years.

It was a miracle that she hadn't caved into her urges, despite moments of weakness (the 'coffee' suggestion one of them), but it was because they weren't getting on like they used to, for various reasons that had nothing to do with their compatible biology and all to do with - "Oh, I was flying off to die for six months - I did mention it - well - I did now," and "Your ex-boyfriend Jim is on my naughty list, Molly. Happy Christmas."

She was glad when he suddenly flew off to Russia with John Watson, the pair of them blogging about some case which she'd briefly read up on - 'Dismissed FN leader, and his family all found dead in a locked safe house with the alarm system on'. She may have devoured the information, but she'd scowled at every picture she could find of Sherlock.

When Meena had finally mentioned to her about her 'pet project' that her company had been working on for over two years - "I didn't want to make you excited if we failed - so - I haven't been trying to duplicate sheep's exactly no -,"

"Does this mean - - you haven't failed?" she'd almost lost her footing that day, and then eight months later she received one of the first beta-test kits (aptly named) from Meena.

"Now, promise me you'll keep that diary or Dave will have my head-," she'd said. "Just in case something unexpected happens. We haven't had any anomalies yet, but something might pop up, like an extra nostril - kidding." The anomaly was certainly something Molly didn't expect and it was a whopper. It was the sort of thing that made her consider seeking professional help from someone who didn't occupy labs surrounded by white mice and tiny training wheels.

Smacking the door shut to the thankfully empty examination room she listened to the dial tone with her phone pressed up against her ear. She'd have a couple of minutes at best, enough of time to make a quick call, and luckily the dial tone ended abruptly.

"Hello?" said Meena clearly woken up from her sleep.

"Oh thank God!" she whispered, the tenseness in her shoulders diminishing ever so slightly.

"Where is she?"

"What's wrong?" said Meena on the other end quickly recovering, while Molly popped a finger in her other ear, her shoulders back to their previous rigid state, besides the undeniable redness creeping into her cheeks.

Oh she should never have agreed to be a test subject.

"I don't think it's working like it's supposed to!" Molly hissed into the phone.

"What? What do you mean – have you been throwing up? Oh God. We've got to start from scratch again. Jesus. Dave is going to be so disappointed…"

"No! It's not that – it's-," began Molly, but before she'd even gotten to finish the sentence the door to the room snapped open and Sherlock looked at her with an expression of mild bafflement. It was just like him to smell her out, especially when he wasn't supposed to be able to.

"Is she hiding from me?"

"Molly," he said with a carefully raised brow, his expression calm, but she knew all-too well what was going on in that head of his.

After all, she could hear his every thought.

- 2 days ago -

Day 01: 07:44

Ate the pill with breakfast. Don't feel any different, though it might still be working. My suppressors don't usually make themselves known. It's not like I instantly feel less inclined to shag. Do I? Hmm…I've been going on them for so many years that I – wow – They don't need to know that I think?

Despite feeling optimistic about her friend's project regarding suppressors, she'd been rather sceptic. There were loads of adverts out there about new suppressors that revolutionized the whole concept of 'Alpha & Omega', and allowed them to have a freedom of choice.

It did not need to only be about biology, but about the respective peoples actual wants. But she was hesitant to believe in it, for suppressors in general were still rather new in their conception. Very many felt that Omega's shouldn't be allowed to conceal their true nature, though that was perhaps due to their shortage in the UK. But Alphas in general took suppressors or the majority of them would be in trouble in their daily life.

Meena had despaired over the whole topic; railing off about how stupid the government were for trying to enforce the Omega's to be public, especially when it was still rather taboo a subject. For her own sake very few people knew about her status, and one of them was of course Sherlock who she for a while pretended took suppressors because of her, though that was probably her own surge of hormones talking.

Hopefully with these new pills she wouldn't even feel a twinge, constantly having to phone into work because she was going through a more than irregular heat. Molly knew it was because she was 'stalling' like her mother kept calling it, warning her that if she wasn't careful she might snap entirely, but hopefully she wouldn't experience any of that.

10:23

Went out. Didn't feel a twinge when I passed Matthew in the shop across the street (he's a bonded alpha who doesn't even use suppressors!).

Not even the regular migraines.

Is this how it is for everyone else?

"How are you feeling?"

"Normal."

"How's your blood pressure?"

"Normal as well," she said peering at her wristwatch feeling at ease, while she walked through the rather barren hallway, occasionally giving a nod to a passing nurse or doctor. "And my blood sugar too, if you wondered. Mike was nice enough to test me."

"Lovely – you'll have to do another round tomorrow though, just to be on the safe side. I don't want you to suddenly experience any swings – you haven't experienced any, right?" said Meena nervously on the other end, while Molly only grinned in return.

"No, none – it's very nice, really."

There was a relieved sigh on the other end, and Molly felt herself relax on the idea that her friend finally returned. "So – has his highness popped round yet then?" said Meena with a laugh.

"No," said Molly with a sigh. "I suspect he'll be the real test then?"

"You know how you are around him…when he was gone those two years you seemed pretty happy-," said Meena while Molly only felt like sighing. Maybe it's just my type. Tom never stood a chance being a Beta, and he deserved her telling him, but for once she liked to pretend she was normal. Not one of the few percentages in the country that completely lost it once a month (Her Great Grandmother managed). " – Then the git came back and you literally had your tongue hanging out – sometimes I do wonder if you're really an omega – you're not very obedient-,"

Molly laughed though she sobered up instantly, her eyes darting about reluctant for anyone to overhear. "I suppose it's all about the right…" she started in a whisper, but she didn't want to finish the thought, though Meena did it for her -

"If only the right alpha got his head out of his arse."

"He isn't like that-,"

"Right…He let you slap you – he's an alpha! He should have literally had you pushed up against the wall, your legs apart, his knee bent between -," began Meena who suddenly snapped – "How do you feel?"

"What?" said Molly blanching at the change of tone.

"Did that image set you off?"

"No?" she said laughing.

"I should have known better," said Meena sighing. "Right – call me if he makes an entrance though."

"Yeah, of course."

"Not that kind of entrance mind you."

"No – he wouldn't..."

"There she is."

She blinked, her sentence hanging in the air, as she took in the sight of the empty hallway. "What's wrong?" said Meena, while she stopped in her walk, turning round to see if there was anyone nearby.

Only flickering lights and the sound of the air conditioner whirling.

"Nothing…" said Molly softly, shaking her head a bit, before she began walking again. "Thought I heard something..."

23:02

Alpha at work did not appear. Though I did hear a voice. I think it must have been a faulty speaker in the hospital. We had a problem like that last year - made Mimi in fifth believe she heard voices. It only lasted for an hour or so, and infrequent as well. Hopefully one of the side effects isn't hearing voices! Haha!

Day 02: 08:46

Same as yesterday really, though appetite has increased slightly. Don't really mind, as usually my appetite doesn't really exist during heats. And it was nice to keep down my breakfast for once.

"Molly-," said a deep baritone voice that almost made her drop all her test samples onto the floor, though she caught them in time to stare into the familiar face of the man who usually made her head feel - nothing. His dark curls and piercing blue eyes didn't make her insides melt, though she recognized them to be handsome features, besides his fine straight nose and prominent cheekbones. Neither did his usual attire with his dark coat and a black tight shirt, the buttons almost popping off make her start. She could smell the sandalwood from his soap, but the musk didn't make her knees weak. "Molly?" he repeated with more bite this time, eyebrow raised, as she beamed at him wordlessly in return. His rather rattled expression waned off at her expression it seemed, as he soon headed off to the coat tree to hang away his things.

"Back from Russia?" she said in a bright voice, her dimples prominent, and cheeks rather hot because of this earnest miracle. She wasn't a complete mess, and she just kept staring at him until he had dragged off his coat, showing of his thin yet muscular body.

"Yes - and you are-,"

Not even a twinge, but the most ordinary thought 'wonder how often he works out, a lot then?' Taking in every little detail of him unabashedly, she almost felt like clapping her hands together, and giving Meena a call, or even informing him of the current development.

"Very good," she said smiling.

His opinion about her status was unknown to her, as they'd skirted around it for years. However, she knew she wouldn't manage to keep shut about this too long, probably dropping it like she did the 'sex' word on occasion to see his disgruntled face. Sherlock was staring at her though, like he'd caught on something in the air, but he was getting that familiar previously rather hypnotic stare of his. The gaze that usually held her in place, but looked like he was as usual asking for a favour.

"Can you do me a favour?" he asked, his voice dropped an octave lower, and the hint of what could be a growl in it.

She almost laughed outright at his face.

Instead of that irritating hollow pit that grew in her stomach whenever she felt like disobeying, her body practically aching and every other self of sense pushed aside - she was relinquished entirely.

He was just an ordinary man before her, handsome and somewhat intelligent, but all in all just a man. She didn't need to make a dance of it, or bend the rules of her own nature for once. Molly Hooper could for once in her life out right say - "No."

It felt like the world stopped, like the whole of St Bart's had fallen silent at this moment, and she smiled stupidly because of it. Sherlock, however, looked like she'd punched him. There was a sort of bemused expression on his face, like he was slowly catching up on the information, as if he was expecting her to comply belatedly instead.

Even standing so close as he was where she could feel his breath against her cheek, she did not do anything but blush, which frankly was odd (she'd have to remember to write that down). It turned silent, and he cleared his throat and she redirected her attention to her work.

"She's disobeying me before I've even given the order."

"Sorry?" she said looking up alarmed from her samples, causing Sherlock to take an almost faltering step back, though he began to recover, replacing his surprise with a smirk. "What did you just say?"

"No, need to apologize," he said smiling. He'd been picking up old tactics these days, which was very annoying. "Now do you mind-," he began his eyes on her microscope, clearly wanting her to clear off when there was another one in the room, but it was unusual that he'd be that honest.

"What do you mean about giving me an order?" she said taking off her gloves, rather glad she could have an argument without feeling ill.

"What?" he said blinking stupidly.

"She must be on new medicine, even her scent is different. How annoying! I've gotten used to that scent and now I have to make myself immune to this one as well? Thank you Molly Hooper – now would you be so kind as to bend over and let me sniff your knickers? Would save us some time!"

The problem with that long speech was that his lips hadn't moved during it, his face the semblance of cool and collected. "What?" she said gaping at him.

Sherlock looked perplexed at her in return. "Is something wrong?" he said with his brows furrowed. "If she opened her mouth a little bit more. Stop. Not here, never her…Shut up!"

"I've – I've got to go-," she said before more or less sprinting out of the room in top-speed, trying to avoid the voice. "She hasn't figured out that I was here yesterday already?" There was no mistaking that deep voice.

"Would be like Stamford to tell her."

Oh my God.

Day 2: 21:17

Possible snag. Possible. Heard voice. Yes. Actual voice.

I keep on hearing a voice…not good - not good. And the voice sort of sounds like the alpha that visits my work? Is that mental? It's mental. It's utterly mental. Oh My God. Okay. I'm all right. It's not real. It just sounds like Sherlock.Shit. I'm not supposed to mention his name.

"Is this how it's going to be? I'm going to leave the country. And every time I return, St Bart's is in uproar? Maybe I should have bonded with her years ago out of sheer convention."

She'd lost it, clearly, obviously. That was the only logical explanation. 'Sorry Meena, side effect is insanity. I'll see you when they let me out'. Maybe it was just a temporary voice? "She's always begging, I can smell her juices overflowing between her thighs, like raspberries and - oh for god's sakes… Two hours since last - apparently another dosage needs to be applied. Boring!"

Just one of those 'temporary' voices that sounded like Sherlock, like he was whispering into her ear about her… juices. Obviously that wasn't real. He'd never once shown interest, and they'd been strictly professional in every way, popping loads of pills between them. "She can't expect me to not see her when I return? Ah. Office. Obviously." The door to her office slammed open, and he was leering at her with that familiar face of his, while her head was still predominantly reeling.

"Sher - Sherlock? Umm - what's wrong?" she said in the calmest voice she could muster. Finally every single little Omega-urge drained out of her, but with one large side effect. "You're not naked with your legs spread over your desk? Maybe I should have taken the pill - before - I entered her office."

"Have I - done something wrong?" he said with an innocent expression, his brows furrowed and his lips pursed.

"She'll be easier to work with if I apologise now."

"I'm sorry?" she said with wide eyes.

"What?"

"I apologise if you think I was being unpleasant, Molly, but I really do need your help-,"

"Oh look she's blushing. Hook line and-"

"Get out," she said standing up from behind her desk. "Just - get out."

"What's gotten into her?"

"Fine..." he drawled, his eyes briefly darting to her desk, though he was out seconds after.

"A journal. Symptoms. Voices? What voices?"

"Okay," she said with a deep breath. "Okay, I'm not - I'm - I'm okay-,"

"What's wrong with Molly Hooper?"

"That's not helping," she cried out against the door, not that he could hear.

Day 3: 16:15

Considered calling in sick today, but that wasn't real? Was it? I should have called Meena last night, but I didn't feel right. She'll probably test me loads if I tell her, not that I shouldn't be tested, but it just felt so REAL. It was probably just a one off. I haven't encountered anyone else like that? So why him? I did try talking with Matthew at the shops, but he just looked at me like I was mad. I'd do that too if someone was silent and squinting at me. I couldn't hear what he thought though, but I can't…I can't REALLY be hearing Sherlock. Sherlock bloody Holmes is not - no one hears him - Oh god what if I really am?!

"You're serious?" said Meena on the other end, while she nodded against her phone, knowing her friend couldn't see her, but she really needed to keep her mind off things. "She's in…ah - on the phone - but she usually doesn't run out of the lab for personal calls-,"

Molly immediately lowered her voice, "Yes, I'm serious. I can hear-,"

Light stole into the room, as the door opened revealing Sherlock standing in the doorway. "Molly?" he said. "Why are you-," he raised his brows when he noticed that she took a step back.

"Is she scared of me?"

"Is that him?" said Meena on the other end.

Worryingly she bit her lip, "Sherlock - you mind?" she said putting on a smile. "Please?"

"This isn't Moriarty? …No, he's gone. She's safe."

He stared at her, his blue eyes seemingly emotionless, while she felt all the confusion of his internal honesty. With a nod he walked back outside, the door snapping shut as she let out a breath.

"Meena," she hissed more fretfully than before, torn into bewilderment at that sudden reveal. Every mention of Jim and her had been a joke after all. Snide remark after snide remark about her poor choice in romantic partners, but apparently he was worried she was being harrowed by a master criminal. "This can't be real!"

"…This is your only side-effect then?" said Meena after a minute.

"What? What do you mean this is my only side effect? This is a terrible side effect!"

"Well…I don't know."

Molly gaped, "This has happened before, hasn't it?"

"I'm not lying when I say I didn't expect it to happen to you."

"Meena - - what's going on?"

"Okay, so it was 1 out of 115 tests… We considered it a fluke mostly, because who wouldn't? The pair of rats who'd been through the round - harmless testing mind you, since you do mind - umm - well - they sort of - seemed to have a telepathic connection."

Molly almost lost her phone, her hand trembling.

"Wait - I'm - I'm not going mad?"

"No, you've just, well, we ran tests on the rats, and, err, apparently - they were connected on a deeper level."

"What kind of deeper level?" she said slowly terrified of what direction this conversation would lead her.

"You know how many mean the origin story to the alpha and omega's were based on soul bonding, and all that rubbish said by the philosophers?"

"…Are you telling me that - - Sherlock and me - we're - we're-,"

"Yeah - soul mates, yeah - I'm sort of saying that - and - your biology is in tune, more or less, but if you want to be romantic, then yeah. Soul mates it is, then."

It was real. It was his inner most private thoughts, and despite her flat-out denying what Meena had told her, she knew somehow it was true. But she was glad that distance lessened the chance of her hearing him. "Where the hell is she?" She supposed that he couldn't suppress his dominative traits, despite his better judgement, for all the cool intellect he seemed to be harbouring outwardly - - "I should bend her over my knee and punish her for being gone so long. My hand sliding over her - oh shut up!" Molly was annoyed that she found herself flustered over what he thought, but at least it was because she was genuinely flustered - not only Omega-hormones. If they really were soul mates, then it made sense, as he'd always gotten through any barrier her medicine put up. Pushing open the lab door she found him settled by the microscope, testing some skin samples, and swiping a finger over the screen of his camera phone. He didn't say anything on her entrance, eyes glancing briefly into her direction.

There he was her soul mate.

The most difficult Alpha there was as well.

"Hi…I'm sorry I walked out earlier," she said pressing her lips together when she saw his hand still over his phone.

"I doubt it."

She'd not as much walked out, as scarpered out of the room when his thoughts had driven her mad. Sherlock gave a muted nod from behind the equipment, settling aside his phone to attend to the various knobs of the microscope.

"Had a bit of an emergency with Meena, her - umm boyfriend-,"

"You're a terrible liar Molly," he said tersely. "So. Please. Don't."

"Okay," she said archly, walking over to pick up on where she'd left off, though not keen on entering any half-conversation with him either.

"She really must hate me…Looks like she can barely tolerate being in the same room. Not that I don't deserve it. I didn't exactly expect to live after flying off. Telling her before I left would have gained nothing, but more misery. 'Oh Molly, yes, I'm going abroad to die - fun isn't it?'"

She stilled in her actions, staring up at him.

"What is it Molly?" he said in a bored tone.

"I don't hate you," she said not able to help herself.

He stared at her, "How did - - I should - I should go."

"What the hell is going on?"

I wish I knew.

Sherlock stared at her, his eyes on her closed lips. He paled in front of her, but he suddenly stormed off, the door swinging shut behind him.

Oh my God... He can hear me.