When she first got a glimpse of Molly Hooper, she thought it was a far more hopeless case than she suspected at first. The woman seem determined to look as unappealing as possible, though it was probably an unconscious effort on her part.

Being clumsy and awkward she desperately wanted to go unnoticed, but that didn't really work with the sort of clothes she was wearing. If anything, it only made people more painfully aware of her presence.

Janine kept a discreet eye on her for a couple of days, all the while wondering if her plan was just stupid and she'd better give up on it. On the third day, she happened to witness Sherlock hijacking the poor girl – probably for something related to one of his cases – and decided it was the best idea she'd had in years.

Molly Hooper wasn't as helpless as she'd judged her at first; and Sherlock looked decidedly at ease in her company, pretty much like he was with John. Then there was also the fact that Molly was a pathologist, and therefore the two of them shared at least one common interest – something that couldn't be said for vast majority of people.

She was starting to anticipate the pleasure of pulling one over on the great detective, something that she'd been looking forward to ever since she'd realized he'd never been interested in her. If her plan proved to be successful, then she might as well consider the option of becoming a consulting matchmaker.

Sherlock Holmes wasn't the only one who could make up a profession after all.

xxx

She approached Molly at the café that stood around the corner from St Bart's. The mousy pathologist very nearly jumped when Janine sat down in front of her, nervousness quite apparent on her features.

"It's nice to meet you at last," she said smoothly. "I'm Janine, by the way."

"Oh."

"I don't bite, you know."

Molly blinked repeatedly. "You're Sherlock's – girlfriend, right? I've read it on the newspapers."

"Well, you shouldn't believe to everything the newspapers say. It's definitely inaccurate most of times."

"How may I help you?"

Janine took a good look at the woman sitting before her. It was as clear as day that she had given up on her hopes a long time ago, contenting herself with being Sherlock's sidekick – and on occasion a friend of sorts.

"Perhaps I should tell you that I'm not his girlfriend anymore –"

"I'm sorry," Molly interrupted her. "But I don't think I can help you with that. Now, if you excuse me…"

It was only when the door of the café closed behind the pathologist that Janine finally realized how the other woman has misinterpreted the situation. She wasn't there to ask for Molly's help in order to win Sherlock back; quite the opposite, as a matter of fact.

Perhaps she should focus on her own love life instead of meddling with other people's. Or if she did, she'd better change her approach to it.

In the meanwhile, she ordered a cup of coffee with no sugar in it.

xxx

Two days later a furious consulting detective barged into her flat.

"I get it that you're still angry at me," he growled. "But kindly leave my pathologist out of it."

Janine bit back a smile, readily grabbing the chance that was being handed to her on a plate.

"I honestly had no idea she was your pathologist, Sherl. I thought she was just another poor girl you dumped after using her at your leisure."

"Fine. I used you in order to get into Magnussen's office. He was an horrible man though, and you can't deny you're actually relieved now that he's not a threat to you anymore."

"That doesn't change the fact that you lied to me. I would still have helped if you'd told me the truth, you know."

Sherlock stared at her as if gauging the truth in her statement. "I admit I considered that option. I couldn't risk it though, not when there was so much at stake."

"Always the manipulative bastard, aren't you? That girl deserves far better than you."

"Do you think that I don't know that already?" he snapped, and that was when she knew she'd got exactly what she'd set out for.

"You're quite the contradiction, Mr Holmes. But I was wrong about you; you're not a nice man, but you're probably better than you think you are."

"Flattery will get you nowhere."

"What would you do for me if I promised to never upset your precious friend again?"

He considered her for a moment. "I might endeavour to find you a partner of your choice."

"Deal," she agreed easily, offering him her hand.

The great detective shook it gingerly, a smug look on his face as if he'd actually outsmarted her. Poor Sherlock, if only he knew.

She just hoped that for Molly Hooper it wouldn't be a case of 'be careful what you wish for'.