Hey guys! Thank you so much for reading! There were so many follows and favorites, and the reviews were wonderful! It's so hard for me to keep the characters in character, so your reviews that said that they were and how much you liked it and were looking forward to this chapter really meant a lot to me. They just brightened my day! I hope you like this installment as well! 3

Rosie slept in Molly's arms as the three ascended the stairs of 221B.

"Thank you for the birthday celebration. I will see you tomorrow, John," Sherlock said quickly, placing a kiss on Rosie's forehead and a pat on John shoulder. Before John could say anything, he flew to his room, closing the door behind him.

Molly and John looked at one another. They both knew something was bothering the detective.

John walked to the back while Molly sat in his chair with the baby. He rapped on the door before pushing it open slightly. "You alright mate?"

Sherlock was lying on his bed, his fingers poised beneath his chin. "I just need to think."

"You've seemed off since we left the café." John hoped he could get him to talk. He was pretty sure this was about Molly. He didn't throw fits without reason – even if it seemed like it sometimes. And this wasn't about drugs.

"I just need to think," he insisted.

John stepped into the room and closed the door. "I know I don't usually ask… but with everything going on…what do you need to think about, Sherlock?"

"Your question."

"My question."

"At the café. You asked if Molly or I ever thought about having children. You were very ambiguous with who you directed the question. We both assumed you meant individually. However, considering our previous conversation in this flat, I have reason to believe you meant Molly and I together."

"I assumed you would answer separately." John avoided the unsaid question. "You haven't thought about it; she has."

"That's the thing John. I have." Sherlock continued to lay on the bed in his thinking position.

"You have?" John was surprised. They seemed to be approaching an entirely new level to their friendship. Sherlock wasn't always so vulnerable with his thoughts.

"Rosie has changed a lot," Sherlock continued.

"She has." John confirmed and smiled a little.

"I think…I would like to have a family, but… John, I am not a 'family man'." He sounded slightly frustrated. I would be gone for long amounts of time, I would put them in danger, and as I'm sure you've noticed, there aren't many women who could love me and I could love in return." He paused. "I've always thought love was a chemical defect found on the losing side, but after Mary… and Rosie… I wonder if it can't… make you stronger. There is something to be said about having friends and that something could easily be applied to other relationships."

John was proud. He couldn't help it. Out of all people, his wife, his daughter had somehow changed his best friend. He knew Sherlock had been on the path for some time, but he never thought they would get to this point, having this conversation. "It sounds like you've already thought about it, Sherlock. I said it before and I'll said it again, having someone – romantically- in your life would complete you. You'd be a better person. A better detective-"

"How does having someone on your mind constantly help you become a better person, help me increase my skills as a detective? It seems rather distracting-"

"You might actually understand people's feelings!" John needed him to stop fighting. "You've come a long way, Sherlock, but you'll never understand any case that involves love unless you feel it. You'll never understand a crime of 'passion' until you've had it. You'll be more aware because that's what love makes you. Aware of feelings, aware of…the intricacies of the mind or whatever you want to call it."

Sherlock stayed silent. John was afraid he might have gone into his mind palace until something else crossed his mind.

"Sherlock?" he tested. Sherlock responded with a questioning noise and a raised eyebrow in John's direction. "Who's on your mind anyway?"

Apparently, that was the right question because suddenly Sherlock's eyes opened and he jumped off his bed. "Enough of this John. Why don't you take Rosie home and leave Molly to 'drug'-sit me."

Sherlock tried to reach for the door knob and push John out but the doctor stood in his way. "No, Sherlock! We're going to talk about this now. I'm not leaving Molly to deal with you like this. Now answer me this, do you like Molly Hooper, Sherlock?"

Sherlock Holmes could make a lot of deductions and inferences from something as small as dirt splatter at the bottom of your trousers, but when it came to emotions, there seemed to be no other way than to state it clear and precise.

Sherlock stopped trying to get around John. He stood his ground, narrowing his eyes at his shorter friend. John stared back.

Suddenly Sherlock walked away, waving his hands about. "Why do you need to be involved in my love life, John? Why do I even need one? One moment, you're telling me to call The Woman and now you're pushing me onto Molly Hooper. Why does it seem so difficult to you that I am not interested in having a relationship?"

"Because Sherlock!" John realized how loud he was being and lowered his voice. "Because being interested in a relationship and being interested in someone are two different things, and… maybe it's out of grief, but I lost my wife, Sherlock. I lost… my world, and I want- I need for you to have that. I need to know that there is hope… for men like us…"

Sherlock stared at his friend. Pain flashed behind his eyes as well. He took a deep breath. "John… I… can't. I don't know how."

"Just ask her out, mate." The tension in the room started to ebb away.

"Out where?" Sherlock finally started to show his nerves. It was never said who they were talking about.

John rolled his eyes. "To dinner. Go to that Chinese place around the corner. Or Angelo's. Something simple. It'll be just like tonight, but without me or Rosie."

Sherlock opened his mouth then closed it again. His eyebrows were furrowed. John exaggeratedly grabbed the door handle. He opened the door and gestured for Sherlock to go ahead. His eyes were wide, but he gave a quick tug on his suit jacket and walked out. John followed.

Sherlock reached the edge of the living room before Molly turned back to them and gave a small smile. He stopped in his tracks and John hung back.

"Molly Hooper," he started but was slow as if he had forgotten the words, "would you… like to… have a… baby."

John tried not to face palm. This was going to take a lot of work.

"What?" Molly asked with a chuckle. "Didn't we just talk about this at the café?"

"Y-yes. I didn't mean…that. I meant would you like to have… dinner?" Look at that, Sherlock Holmes stuttering over a girl. John was both frustrated and amused.

"Dinner?"

"Dinner." Molly still looked confused, but Sherlock just stood there awkwardly.

John sighed and walked forward to grab his baby. When he got close to Molly, he whispered, "It's a date. He's trying to ask you out." He heard her squeak as he backed away with Rosie. Both their faces were red as he made a quick goodbye and headed out the door.

Okay, I lied. There will be more. This was supposed to be a short little oneshot, but it got bigger than I thought it would. Also, conclusions are not my strong point apparently; I keep ending it with people walking out of the room haha. I'll work on it.

Anyway, thank you for reading and following, etc. You've all been wonderful!

(By the way, I do not own these characters or the show.)