The next few days Sherlock tried to control himself. He found he was looking at Molly quite often and thoughts of her plagued him like never before. The way she had looked at him…the way she made him feel…like some great beast was wanting to rip from his belly with lust. He had never known this feeling before and it was quite exciting.

He was already in the lab waiting when she arrived this particular day. He didn't have any work to do…he just showed up to watch her…

And after an hour of trying to look like he had something to do, he found he had run out of ideas. He tried to think of a good way to start a conversation. He couldn't. So instead he blurted it out.

"Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?" His deep voice cut the silence in the room.

Molly looked up quickly at him, "What?"

"Dinner? Do you want to get some? Later obviously…" He said looking back at her.

She smiled looking down.

"Um…yeah. Sure why not? Just a couple of work friends for drinks right?" She laughed.

Sherlock didn't. "Yes. Of course."

The day absolutely dragged on. Every time Molly would walk by him, her scent would be like a drug for him and he would momentarily forget everything in the room but her. He didn't have any work of his own to do so he instead helped her get a few tests run. Mainly so she could get out of work on time. When she did finish up and wash her hands, her grabbed her coat and helped her put it on, then threw his own on. It was almost six p.m. and the plan was for them to go home, shower, and change, then meet at the restaurant at 7. Sherlock of course dressed in his dark colors that looked so handsome against his pale skin and dark hair. He prided himself on staying clean as a cat. Although his flat may be a mess with work everywhere, there was a place for everything and he knew where everything was. It was as he called it, an organized mess.

He was the first to arrive and ordered a bottle of red wine for the table. He had just taken a sip when Molly walked in. He stood and she spotted him, smiled, and made her way to the table. She had a very simple but fitting black dress with her hair hanging loosely around her shoulders with some curls towards the ends.

"This restaurant is beautiful Sherlock!" She grinned hugely.

"You've never been here?" he asked politely.

"Oh gosh no. This is way too fancy for me!" She didn't want to sound rude so she quickly added, "Not that I didn't want to come! I just have never had an occasion…" She trailed off clearing her throat.

"Well I just so happen to know a few people that work here and they owed me a favor, otherwise reservations would have been impossible so quickly."

The table itself was beautifully set up with an ivory white tablecloth draped elegantly across it and a single red rose in a small glass vase in the center. Sherlock had moved the vase towards the edge of the table so it didn't block the view of his date.

"Was Tom angry you were coming to dinner with me?" Sherlock asked.

"Oh…" she laughed nervously, "No…he knows I work with you…he didn't care…"

Sherlock knew immediately she was lying. He had looked her up and down as soon as he had seen her and knew at once she hadn't told him where she was going. He looked at her with a smirk on his face.

"So what is the occasion may I ask?" She said taking a sip from her wine glass, obviously trying to change the subject.

"No occasion. Just wanted to see you." He said simply.

"Oh…okay." Molly said. She fidgeted a little.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing…"

She was so easy to read. Almost like looking at pages in a book.

"You feel guilty. You didn't tell Tom where you went." He said. "But the question is…why?"

"I…" Molly started but seemed to have nothing to say.

"I want you to know Molly; I'm not trying to date you. I can't have a normal relationship…I don't think I'm capable of one."

She seemed to be a bit disheartened and her mouth twitched a bit.

"But I have found myself unable to stop thinking of you." He said quietly. "I don't understand why…all I know is…" He leaned forward to talk more quietly, "I want you Molly." She looked up and stared into his green eyes.

"I don't want to ruin your relationship. I simply want to give you what you have wanted all along."

She didn't seem to be able to break eye contact. Her breathing was caught somewhere in her chest. Was Sherlock seriously saying this right now? To her?! Was she asleep?

"I understand this may be difficult for you. But I can't leave you alone anymore." He added.

She didn't seem to be able to form words anymore. Sherlock seemed to notice.

"I wonder if you will accompany me to my flat tonight. I have a lot more I'd like to…discuss with you in private." His eyes gleamed playfully.

"Um…I-I…Tom…"

"Forget about him. When you're with me…I want you to only focus on me. Do you understand?" He said lowly.

She obviously couldn't speak so she swallowed hard and nodded. Dinner went by painfully slowly. Neither ate very much, but Molly seemed to like the wine he had chosen as she had three glasses of it by the time they left.

Sherlock paid the bill, assisted Molly with her coat, then placed a hand on her lower back and firmly guided her out the door.