Sherlock had finished a case less than an hour ago and was utterly famished. Luckily, there was a new restaurant that had opened nearby. It was called Jacquard's and from what he'd heard about it, the food was pretty good.

The detective went inside and decided to eat at the bar, but all of the seats were full. So regrettably, he was forced to sit at a table. It was annoying, but his stomach desperately needed nourishment, so he acquiesced. After opening a menu and briefly looking at the contents, he ordered a steak with wild rice pilaf, a side salad and a glass of water.

After the waitress left, Sherlock's mobile began to vibrate and he saw that John had just sent him a text.

How'd the case go? -JW

Perfect. The sister drowned her twin in the Thames and attempted to take her place. LeStrade and the rest found her back at her old flat. She left some photos there that she forgot to burn. A small mistake that turned out to be her undoing. -SH

Ah, I hadn't thought it would be the sister. Well, then. I assume everything's all wrapped up? -JW

It was all a matter of observing, John. I think you were inclined to think better of her because she was so attractive. She knew that and exploited it. -SH

So you're saying I was taken in by a beautiful woman? -JW

A beautiful woman who also happened to be a homicidal manic, but don't worry about it. -SH

You're a pain in the arse. -JW

And yet, we're still friends. -SH

Oh, don't think I'm not concerned for my mental health when it comes to that. -JW

Sherlock smirked and was about to respond, but sensed that someone was coming to his table. At once, he looked up to see an attractive woman in her mid thirties walking over.

She wore a soft yellow blouse and black slacks. Her hair was long and wavy and she wore light pink lipstick and a bit of rouge that gave her face a lovely splash of colour. Sherlock was surprised to find himself taken off guard by her beauty.

What a lovely stranger.

"I'm so sorry I'm late. The person who takes over the night shift at work was late and I had to wait for her to get there before leaving." She moved a strand of brown hair out of her face and smiled at him. "Anyway, I'm here now and I hope you won't hold it against me. So, you're William? I'm Molly. It's nice to meet you."

Sherlock's brow furrowed and he was going to ask this woman how in the hell did she know what his first name was when he realised that she'd mistaken him for someone else.

From the sweat at her temples, she was clearly nervous and the way she'd awkwardly walked up to the table showed that she wasn't used to wearing high heels often. Not doubt she wore them tonight because she wanted to appear taller than she really was and impress her real date, wherever he was.

Even though Sherlock knew he should have told her that he was not, in fact, her blind date and that she'd made an error in coming to his table, something stopped him. Perhaps it was a lack of his conscience, but whatever the reason, Sherlock quietly decided that he didn't want to eat alone.

Sherlock had been so lost in his thoughts that he failed to realise that Molly was holding out her hand and starting to look a bit worried that he hadn't taken it. Quickly, he reached over and gave her a firm shake and smiled to reassure her. "Right. Of course. It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Molly."

Thankfully, the crease between her eyebrows softened and her face brightened up again. "I'm just glad you're still here."

"Well, after you kept me waiting, I began to think that you stood me up, so I went ahead and ordered dinner." Molly twisted her lips in regret and Sherlock scrambled to soften the blow. "But I know what it's like when things unexpectedly happen. So please, don't worry about it. When the waitress comes back, I'll ask her for a menu."

"That's okay. I already know what I want." There was a bit of shy flirtatiousness in the way Molly said that and Sherlock found himself smirking. Normally, he could care less about flirting and teasing with the opposite sex, but for some reason, this woman compelled him.

To be honest, he had a feeling he'd like her.

"Oh, do you?" He lowered his voice and smirked at her, enjoying the light blush that appeared on her face.

"Yes. My friend owns this restaurant, actually. He also gave me a sample menu of what they serve here and asked if he needed to add or remove anything because he says I have great taste in food."

"And were you able to help him?"

"A bit. I suggested that he add seafood and vegetarian choices for people who want something a little different."

"Sounds reasonable."

"He thought so too."

It was then that the waitress came back. "Hello, can I take your order or do you need a menu to look over for a bit?"

Molly smiled. "No, I don't need one, thanks. I'd like the chicken parmigiana with a glass of red wine, please."

"You got it." The waitress nodded to Molly and took off again.

"Playing it safe?" Sherlock asked.

"I'm sorry?"

"Chicken parmigiana isn't too expensive and it's one of the easiest dishes to order because it doesn't take a long time to make. You didn't ask for a side and red wine is not a costly beverage in restaurants like this." He cocked his head, observing her carefully. "If you were concerned about emptying my pockets, don't worry. A night out at a restaurant like this won't break me."

A light blush appeared on Molly's cheeks and she bit her lip. "Sorry, I guess I'm feeling a bit nervous. The last date I went on was pretty bad. It was with my ex, Tom. He barely had enough money to pay for his own meal, let alone mine. And he asked me to pay for dinner, which I did, but it was so embarrassing because that wasn't the first time it happened."

Sherlock raised his eyebrows. "You mean he asked you to pay for dinner on more than one occasion?"

"Yeah! At least six times because his card had been declined. Now that I think about it, I really should have broken up with him before that. He never cared about doing things I wanted to do. I met his friends, some of his family and even participated in some of his hobbies, but he had no time for me if I wanted us to do something that I liked. It was a relationship only on his terms."

"He may as well have been single, then. That kind of "relationship" does nothing good for anyone. Your ex was clearly an idiot."

"You're preaching to the choir. And you know what else? He wasn't even that good in bed." Molly grinned and then, she stopped, covering her lips with her hand. "Oh, my. I can't believe I just said that."

"I don't see why not. If your ex - Tom, was it?" - she nodded - "was unable to satisfy you in more than one level, you were well within your rights to break up with him. What you need is a man who can match you intellectually as well as emotionally and physically."

Molly's cheeks seemed to grow a bit more red and Sherlock frowned, wondering if he'd gone too far. "Is something wrong?"

"Ah, yes. I'm fine. I just need to go freshen up." She took her clutch in hand and sent him a disarming smile.

"Oh. Alright."

"I won't be long."

The moment she was out of sight, Sherlock blew out a breath of air that he hadn't realised he'd been holding in. Molly was interesting and that was a rarity, since most people bored or annoyed him. Perhaps it was the loneliness in her eyes when she talking about her ex boyfriend, the clot.

As Molly spoke of her failed last relationship, Sherlock understood that she needed an equal, someone to be around who could relate to her in ways most people couldn't. She needed a foil and he could empathise with that. Sometimes, he felt the same way...

His mobile buzzed right then and he read the text John had just sent him.

Mary wants to know if we should place a setting for you? -JW

No, enjoy your evening together. I'm having a dinner date. -SH

Wait a minute. You're on a date? With an actual human being? -JW

Yes, John. -SH

That's it? Aren't you going to tell me what she's like? -JW

When I get to know her better, I'll let you know. -SH

When you get to know her better? -JW

Try not to repeat everything I say, John. It's quite tiring. -SH

Fine, but I expect you to tell me every single detail when it's over. -JW

Haven't you ever heard of the expression "I don't kiss and tell"? -SH

But you never kiss! Anyone! -JW

Good night, John. -SH

With that, Sherlock turned off his mobile and tucked it away in his pocket. He felt a twinge of guilt for lying to Molly because she really wasn't his date and he was taking liberties in a most callous manner. She thought he was another man named William - although, his first name really was William, so that was a funny coincidence - and he was taking advantage of her in a way.

Hopefully, he'd be able to get away with it because Molly intrigued him and he wanted to get to know her better. When she returned a few moment later, their food had been placed on the table and they began to eat.

It was silent for a bit while they ate their food, but once Sherlock swallowed his third bite of steak, he asked, "So, you've never done this before, have you?"

"How did you know?"

"Your forehead has been perspiring and since you've come from the restroom, very likely to calm your nerves, but the sweat is a sign that you haven't completely gotten rid of your anxiety."

She crinkled her nose. Sherlock thought it was cute. "That's a good observation. Does it come naturally or did you just figure that out at random?"

"Naturally. I make a lot of deductions in my line of work."

"Are you a cop?"

"Consulting detective. I help the police when they're out of their depth, which is almost always."

"I'm guessing you're good at it?"

"Oh, I am."

Molly folded her arms on the table and turned her head to the side, watching him closely. "Mm, you're very cocky."

"So I've been told."

"Well, I can see this is going to be an interesting evening."

Sherlock raised his glass to his lips and smiled. "I was just about to say the same thing."