Disclaimer - I do not own Sherlock, I am merely borrowing the characters.

AN/ I apologise for all spelling and grammar mistakes. Thank you's are at the bottom. Enjoy :)

Oh crap.
Molly stared at the offending piece of equipment she held in her hands.
Oh crap, crap, crap. She continued to mutter profanities under her breath.

Squatting not so gracefully on her toilet, Molly sat staring at the obnoxiously bright blue lines. They seemed to glare at her judgmentally. This was at least, what she had convinced herself. Certain that this test (and the three previous tests) must be incorrect, she decided that she must intervene with the result. Firstly, she came to the conclusion that her perfect 20/20 vision must, of course, be failing her, hence shutting her eyes and rubbing them with her free hand. This was unsuccessful. Next, she put her non-existent psycho-kinetic ability into play, by squinting at the stick in her hand, forcing it to change. This, unsurprisingly, was also unsuccessful. Finally, in a last act of desperation, she began to frantically wave the test from side to side, as though it would change its mind. Getting carried away, she loosened her grip mid shake, and sent it flying across her bathroom, seemingly hitting each surface. During this Molly (acting entirely on instinct) wrapped her arms over her face to shield her eyes, whilst her legs jumped up to join the rest of her body, ironically resembling the foetal position.

Once the banging had stopped, Molly straightened herself to see where the test had settled. Suddenly feeling foolish after her over dramatic display, Molly noticed the test lying in her bathtub, and with a new sense of motivation and a dash of dread, she began to move off the seat. Making her way across her bathroom, still squatting, Molly approached the test cautiously. She resembled a 'bomb squad officer' with her slow pace and steady movements, this was even more impressive considering her pyjama shorts and knickers, still remained around her ankles. Peering over the tub she saw that the two blue lines remained, judging her even more. Feeling the last bit of hope drain out of her, she lent against the nearest wall and slowly slid down until her backside came in contact with the cold tiles.

(Approximately six weeks earlier)

It was tradition that each time Molly would visit her grandmother, she would be quizzed about her love life before she was even inside. This month, Anne had gone with- "Have you found someone yet, or are you set on dying alone?" Anne really didn't like beating around the bush. "I will have you know that me and Brad Pitt are doing swimmingly well, in fact I'm expecting to meet him any day now." Molly replied in mock sincerity. "Molly-" Anne scorned "this is no joke. I would like to meet my great grandchildren before I die, and I'm no spring chicken." "Please! You'll outlive us all. It's going to take more than old age to send you to the pearly white gates." Molly said pushing her way inside. "The fiery pits of hell more like." Anne laughed, whilst Molly just ignored the comment as she took in her surroundings.

Having spent most of her childhood in this house most would assume it was home. It looked as every home should, pictures of family members varying in age, old trinkets on every surface, marks dotted around each with their own story. It was clearly loved. But all Molly saw was that the wallpaper was peeling off the walls, and had been for the past two years, the carpets had so many stains that you could barely see the original pattern, and the smell of old people (a combination of figs and death) was getting stronger and stronger each year. Molly childhood was not a bad one, far from it. She was raised with the right amount of love and affection which turned her into the woman she was today. Her childhood was however, unconventional. She was initially raised almost entirely by her father until his death when she was 12, she was then taken in by her grandmother, a woman that until that point she had never heard of before, and stayed in this house until the age of 18, leaving for university.

Molly and Anne had stuck to the same routine of tea and biscuits on the second Saturday, every month, for years, and today was no different. After catching up on the latest gossip and having a general chat, the attention was then turned onto Molly's love life once again.

"You know, Ms Stewart has a nephew whose coming into town." Molly groaned, knowing where the conversation was going. "He's single. Cute, if you can ignore the teeth." "Gran, I'm not looking to date anyone. I-" "I know, I know." Anne interrupted clearly frustrated. "You're not looking to date. You're building your career. You're still upset about the last boyfriend. I know, Molly. But, you've graduated now and 'Michael the plonker' was years ago." Molly tried to talk but was quickly shushed into submission. "All I'm saying, is that I don't want you to end up alone or settling for second best because you're too old to find someone better. You deserve better." "When did you get so wise ?" Molly joked in hope of breaking the serious tone. "It comes with age." Anne smiled. "You don't have to go and married this very second, there's still time for all that business. You should go out, have fun, do something crazy for your dear old gran." "You're such a meddling old woman." Anne laughed. "It's a superpower of mine."

It wasn't the first time she had heard that speech, and she guessed it wasn't going to be the last but for some reason that day she listened. Once back at hers, she began to make calls to see if anyone wanted to join her for a night out. It wasn't going to be crazy or reckless despite her gran's wishes, but she thought a nice outing wouldn't do any harm. She might even enjoy it.

(Later that night)

Molly sighed into her drink and mentally cursed her gran, and her own stupidity, for the fourth time that evening. She sat in a club that was far too young for her, listening to her closest friend (and only person she knew who was free on a Saturday night at a couple hours notice) Marie, moaning once again about her 'good for nothing, lying, cheating, bastard' of a boyfriend.

"-And e's like 'it's not fair you know, I have needs' and I just start screaming at 'I'm. I mean 'e told me she were 'is cousin and then I find them butt naked in my-" Marie's voice droned on and on. Her London accent becoming stronger as she became more, and more, intoxicated.

At least the music was so loud that only bits and pieces could be heard, otherwise Molly was fairly sure she would have pulled out her own teeth in sheer boredom. Whilst Marie was blathering on about nothing really, Molly began to reflect on how she had actually gotten to this place in her life.

She had no money, apparently medical schools aren't cheap and internships are poorly paid. She had one friend, who to be quite frank, she couldn't stand. She had no love life, and never had really. Her last, and only 'real' relationship was just over three years ago, and that was a total disaster. Years and years of working, studying and doing the right thing, the sensible thing, had left her with this. Nothing. God that was depressing.

Suddenly needing a drink, Molly stood and started to walk towards the bar without a word to Marie (although she doubted Marie had even noticed) and decided to get very, very, drunk. Molly joined the mass of people equally attempting to buy a drink and simply waited her turn enjoying the distraction of the many stupid conversations going on around her. Slowly shuffling towards the front as people were getting served, she unexpectedly found herself standing at the front leaning against the edge of the bar. Noticing a bar stool, she decided to sit, realising just how uncomfortable her shoes actually were, and ordered a rum and coke.

"That'll be £5.20" the plump barman informed her.

Just as Molly reached into her purse, an unknown voice yelled "it's on me". She faced to turn the kind gentleman, although she needn't have moved much as he was incredibly close (too close) to her. He was young, mid twenties and relatively good looking. Light brown hair and blue eyes with small freckles across his nose, only visible because of his proximity.

"I'm Daniel." He said smiling holding out his hand.

"I'm Molly." She returned, shaking his hand.

"It's nice to meet you." He slightly slurred, leaning even closer. She could now smell the alcohol on his breath.

"Yeah... Thanks for the drink." She raised her drink to him. Not knowing what to say next she began to rock her heels against the bottom of the chair. They remained in silence for quite a few moments. It was an exceptional amount of awkwardness.

"So... Wanna come back to mine for some sex?" He was a lot drunker than she first assumed. Either that, or he was socially inept.

Unsure how to respond to such a straight forward question Molly just looked down without saying anything hoping he would just leave. Although she thought it impossible, the amount of awkwardness had increased. As she was about to get up and run, she heard a snickering on her right hand side.

Finally having a distraction from Daniel and 'the awkwardness', she turned and faced the newcomer. He had dark hair and pale skin and it was clear that he was tall, despite the fact he was sitting down. He was facing her with a slight smirk on his face, and was holding a glass filled with what she assumed to be vodka.

"Oh, I'm sorry did I interrupt this beautiful display of modern day romance? Do continue, I'm rather enjoying this fumbling attempt at initiating a one night stand. Although I feel I should warn you-"he focused his attention solely on Molly"-you will be bitterly disappointed, as for what he has in looks and sparkling personality, he is rather lacking in other areas. Well that combined with the fact that his fiancé is currently ringing him as we speak, I'd advise you send him along."His smirk had grown throughout his speech until he was sporting a full on smile.

"What's that supposed to mean? And how d'ya know about Janine?" Daniels voice had gotten louder in anger and frustration.

Feeling the potential of a fight about to happen Molly turned back to Daniel and muttered a quick 'I think you should probably leave'. Surprisingly enough that was all it took for Daniel to go and continue his search for a mindless fling.

After watching him stumble off Molly turned and faced her saviour.

"Urmm... Thanks for the warning. What's your name?"

"Sherlock Homes. Your gratitude is completely unnecessary, I doubt you would have actually gone home with him due to your 'frigidness'. I merely sped up the process." Molly was taken back by the sudden insult.

"I'm not frigid! And what kind of a name is Sherlock?"

"So you would've gone home with him then? Oh, and my mother wanted to be original." He replied.

"She achieved that. As for Daniel, no I wouldn't have gone home with him b-"

"Exactly." He interrupted.

"-BUT that's because I have standards, thank you very much!" She yelled indignantly.

"What, standards that no one has met for the past two- no three years ?" He began chuckling.

"Wha-how...I" she stumbled in confusion.

"Face it, you're frigid. It's a combination of a bad relationship and abandonment issues from childhood, most likely stemming from your father."

"I don't have daddy issues!"

"I said abandonment issues, you really should improve on your listening skills." He began tutting and shaking his head, mocking her.

"You're such an arse! Has anyone ever told you that?"

"Multiple times actually. It's not my fault if I see more than everyone else. Like your abandonment issues for example ,or how you have built up frustration from the lack of sex over the past three years, or how you find me infuriating and equally incredibly attractive. It's a very useful skill, if I do say so myself."

"I don't think I've ever met such a pretentious arsehole." She laughed. "You're not denying any of it though."

Molly's eyes narrowed in anger and embarrassment. She didn't want to admit it, but damn he was sexy. With odd shaped eyes, pointy lips and ridiculously high cheekbones, he was not conventionally good looking by any means. But there was something about him that was undeniably sexy.

"Well as entertaining as this meeting has been, you should probably get back to your dear friend so you can a cab home, and snuggle in bed. If you leave in the next few minutes, maybe you can make it in time to catch the rerun of that TV show, the one you love so much. You can return to your boring life, and you will eventually forget the infuriatingly gorgeous man, that you could've spent the night with if you weren't so frigid." His tone was maddeningly patronising, daring her to do something.

"Unless, Molly-" his voice deepened on her name. "Would you like to accompany me back to mine?" He raised one eyebrow in question.

It might have been the music, deafening her and her judgement. Maybe it was the amount of alcohol she had consumed that night. Perhaps it was her meddling grandmother and her speech of impending doom. Although most likely it was because he was right, she was frustrated, he was attractive but mainly her life was boring and she wanted it to change, just for one night. Whatever the reason Molly found herself saying-

"Yes. I would very much like to accompany you, Sherlock Holmes."

"At least I remember who the dad is." Molly softly laughed at herself. Falling into quiet once again, Molly began to realise just how big this situation was.

Crap.

AN/ So, that's the first chapter of 'unexpected'. I've had this story idea for the past year or so but it took me a long time to actually write it down! I'm excited to get the story going and the romance flowing :)
A couple things to clarify : this is an AU where, Moriarty doesn't exist (I couldn't fit him in), Sherlock isn't as famous as he was in season 2 & Molly has only just graduated (making her 26). Other than all that, everything else is the same, kind of...

I would like to send a huge thank you to everyone who reviewed my last one shot:

Rocking the Redhead/racveq/patemalah21/hervissa/Crimson and Chrome 42/ and a guest.

You guys make me smile :D

If all goes to plan I should post chapter two next Friday.

Hopefully see you then.