"Let me get this straight, you want relationship advice? From me?" Sherlock asked.
John Watson, hands on his hips, shrugged. "I suppose that's what I've been saying for the past five minutes, yeah. Thanks for finally noticing."
"Sorry. Finals," Sherlock answered flippantly.
"You're never upset about finals."
"I'm upset that I can't take them all at once. Two weeks, I can do them in three days if they'd let me. What a waste of time."
"Not all of us have enormous brains," Molly answered, snappish. "And don't be mean, John is asking for help, though, I have to admit, I don't know why. Haven't you always been sucessful in the dating pool? I was always quite jealous of your ease."
"That was before," John rubbed the back of his neck, blushing red. "I wasn't ever serious about those girls."
"Why Mary then?" Molly folded her arms across her chest, concerned sister/friend immediately taking over. Mary Morstan and Molly Hooper weren't related, not even close, but the two were as close as sisters, and heaven help the man who tried to pull them apart.
"She's…" John held up his hands then let them drop weakly to his sides. "Molls she's everything…everything. There's so much of her and I just…I don't know where to start. She's incredible."
"She is," Molly agreed. "But what's different about your wanting to date her than all the other girls, John Three-Campus-Watson?"
Molly caught his shame as he winced slightly at his nickname, one that he used to rather enjoy hearing.
"I don't just want to sleep with her," John said. "I mean I do but…I want more. I want to know her, what she likes, what she hates, her family life, if she had a family, what she wants from a relationship, what she needs and what she doesn't need. I want…I want to know if I'm good enough for her."
Molly's expression softened, and even Sherlock looked at his friend with a degree of admiration.
"John," Sherlock spoke first. "If that's how you truly feel, then tell her so. Molly knows Mary well enough to tell you that Mary likes to know things up front. Don't beat around the bush, be forthcoming in your feelings for her."
"Mary doesn't like coy, not with a chap she's just met. Not unless she's serious and knows he is too," Molly added. "Be genuine, be yourself."
"Do you think…do you think I have a chance with her?" John asked quietly.
"I'd say you've got a better shot than most,"
At the sound of a new voice in the room, they all turned to see Mary Morstan in the doorway, bearing her clean laundry.
"I- uh…" John glanced at the others, then back at Mary.
"Well, Sherlock come on, laundry room is free. Grab the soap will you?" Molly grabbed the laundry basket waiting by the door and Sherlock followed suit, backing out of the room, behind Mary's back, he pointed to his eyes, then to John in an 'I'm watching you' motion.
"Better than most?" John asked at last.
Mary nodded, shy. "If what you told Sherlock and Molly is true, yeah." she smiled then, and John felt his heart skip a beat.
"So…maybe…would you like to grab lunch? Or a coffee sometime?"
"I'm free now," Mary dropped the laundry basket, grabbing her purse.
"Great! Great…um…I hear Speedy's does a really good soup special on Wednesdays."
"I know," Mary added, stepping past him and waiting for him to shut the door behind them. "I um…I saw you there the other day."
John stared after her as she ducked her head, her cheeks turning pink. Surprise turned to a smile and he jogged to catch up with her.
"Miss Morstan, I have an idea this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship."
She grinned, linking arms with him. "So do I Mr. Watson…so do I."