John sighed happily as he sat back in his chair, reading the newspaper. Though he was content with his married life, he missed being here at 221 B. The sense of responsibility which came with marriage and children, was something that his bachelor life didn't know of.
Everything was just the same way, as it had always been. A total mess. He couldn't help but compare 221 B with the apartment he and Mary currently lived in. Their flat was not spic and span, but it had a comfortable order to it. Not like the total chaos out here which only Sherlock knew the way around.
This place definitely needs the feminine touch, he thought with a smile. He and Mary would make sure it did.
He glanced at his best friend who was currently lost in his mind palace, striking his prayer pose. John found him this way, an hour ago when he had entered the flat. The flat would seem eerie, with no sounds emanating from it, even though there were two occupants. But the silence used to be a heavenly melody to John's ears after the loud 'tantrums' which Sherlock threw when he was bored.
But right now, he wanted Sherlock to listen to him. He was a man on a mission and he would accomplish it.
He and Mary were having a great time playing cupid between Molly and Sherlock. Initially when Mary told him that Sherlock fancied Molly, he was wary about it. Of course Sherlock cared but John didn't think romance was his area. But when Mary pointed out the facts and he saw evidence with his own eyes he had to believe. When Sherlock and Molly had come over with biscuits he caught them stealing glances at each other just like teenagers. John totally got it. Others would know they were in love, taking these cues. But Sherlock wouldn't even approach the matter with emotion. For all John knew, he might think he was coming down with a disease which made him want to constantly look at the pathologist.
He really wanted to shake some sense into Sherlock but that might not have the desired effect. Sherlock was essentially a scared animal in the matters of heart and he didn't want to startle him and make him withdraw. So he and Mary had come up with a plan that ought to bring those two together.
Right then, Sherlock unfroze from his stiff pose and glanced at John, no doubt figuring out what he had done and would do today. John was used to this behavior. He simply continued to read the paper.
"Tea?" Sherlock asked.
"Yes, that would be good." He saw Sherlock get up to head towards the kitchen.
"I'll make it" he offered, when he realized that Mrs. Hudson won't be bringing the tea. Seriously between drugged coffee and tea with bobbing eyeballs he was not going to take chances.
Sherlock shrugged before checking his phone and laptop simultaneously. He cursed and began to pace furiously. He was sulking and pacing when John handed him his cup.
"What is it?" John asked him despite the fact that he knew the answer and was just waiting to exploit it.
"Bored" Sherlock said with a dull voice as if that explained everything.
"No cases?"
Sherlock gave him a 'don't state the obvious' look.
"Well in that case I think I might have a substitute for you. A way to keep boredom at bay." Sherlock immediately brightened at the prospect of work.
It was pure luck, or rather fate that John had come across the matter. He had gone to the station to pick up Lestrade from for their pub night when he unexpectedly met Mark there. He and Mark had gone to the university together, before Mark decided it was too much for him and had dropped out. John had never heard from him after that.
"Mark?" he had exclaimed in disbelief at the fashionably dressed man.
"John!" the main with thick French accent. "What a pleasant surprise!"
They had chatted for some time, before John asked him what he was doing down there. Mark was currently the proud owner of a posh French Restaurant (hence the accent?) which he ran along with his wife. The hotel was in the Cardiff. Apparently it had caught the interest of a Duchess, who had recently come into a handsome inheritance from her late father. She thought it was a perfect place to throw a party/ball. The Duchess had been receiving death threats from an unknown person and Mark was there to seek the help of the force for protection during the party/ball. The unsigned notes mentioned that the ball would be the last event she ever attended.
John hadn't thought much about the incident at that time, but when he recounted it later to Mary she sat up with excitement.
"John, we have been presented with a wonderful opportunity and I intend to take full advantage of it."
John had just stared blankly at her, before she explained excitedly. He had to admit, his wife was smart. Also she was beautiful, funny, kind, sweet…Right. So here he was now, trying to bait Sherlock into the plan.
He told him about his friend Mark and the threats to the Duchess. Of course it wasn't more than a three for Sherlock, but the dry spell in mysteries was enough to make Sherlock grudgingly accept the case.
"So what's the plan?" John asked.
"We will go as guests, I'll do some investigation and ta-da we will catch the villain."
John shook his head. "I cannot go with you buddy. Mary and I have a parenting class and she will have my head on a platter if I ditch her this time also."
Surprisingly Sherlock didn't argue with him. Nobody messes with an angry Mary. Sherlock knew that personally.
"Then I will go in disguise as a server."
Oh! No you won't. They discussed all possible ways Sherlock would respond, and John was ready.
"I'm not sure about that Sherlock. Don't you think that going to the ball as a guest would be more advantageous? It would be really odd for a server to chat with all important people."
"Hmmm….You've got a point there. Well done John. Clearly my skills seem to have rubbed on you." John rolled his eyes.
"But the event is a ball, and I would require a date, which I don't have and can't hire at such a short notice."
It was time for John to do his part. He said with a casual tone "Maybe Molly can help."
Sherlock stiffened at the suggestion. John didn't say anything else, just letting the idea sink in. A full minute had passed before Sherlock responded.
"Yes, Molly would help." Then in a quieter voice with a smile "She will go as my date."
John made his excuses and left 221B grinning triumphantly from ear to ear. Leaving behind a suddenly nervous consulting detective.
/-/-/-/
Molly was hidden behind a mountain of paper work on her desk, when she heard her Office room open. She had locked the door behind her, so there was only person who could open the high tech modern lock, the hospital had provided her with. It was Sherlock Holmes, the lock picker. Ha-ha!
She glanced up, from the file she was currently signing to briefly smile at him and returned back to it. But not brief enough to miss his wind tousled hair, his sharp cheek bones and his beautiful form.
Get a hold on yourself! She chided her brain.
After years of pinning after Sherlock, she had gradually accepted the fact that he could only offer his friendship, and she would take that gladly. Though she loved him, the friendship phase worked and she got to know him better. She barely stuttered around him.
But in the past few weeks, she sensed an invisible tension between them. The one that came with the changing of relationships. She was positive that it was her own imagination that came with long sleepless nights. Yes, that must be it.
While she had been rambling mentally, Sherlock just stood there going over the file which she had recently completed. He seemed to be building up courage to ask something. If he was going to badger her again about taking home a whole body, she was going to give him an earful.
He cleared his throat, so she looked up at him with an expectant expression.
"Yes?"
"Molly, will you go out on a date with me?"
AN: Thank you for reading. Hope you like it! :)
