I don't know if it's just me, but this chapter feels kind of filler-ish because the next one is going to be a bit more thicker in terms of the plot line. Apologies in advance :)

Chapter 4

"So..." John started as Sherlock entered the flat; Sherlock rolled his eyes, already knowing where John was heading "How did it go?"

"How did what go?" Sherlock said, trying to evade John's prying questions. "Don't try and play dumb Sherlock, it really doesn't suit you." John said wittily. Sherlock stuck his tongue in childish distaste. This time it was John's turn to roll his eyes. "C'mon Sherlock tell me something! What was your date like? The suspense is killing me!" John was evidently getting desperate.

"Really? Maybe you should see a doctor about that" Sherlock smirked at his joke "And it wasn't a date. It was dinner with a friend." He didn't even believe himself.

"How was it? Did you enjoy yourself? No embarrassing moments?" John pressed straight on. Sherlock sighed, knowing he wasn't going to quit anytime soon "It was fine John. I picked her up, we had dinner and talked and then I took her home. End of." Sherlock exhaled a sharp breath. "You make it sound as if I'm a thirteen year old whose just come back from their first date."

"So you admit it was a date, then?"

"I give up." Sherlock removed his gloves and tucked them into his coat pocket as usual, before taking off his winter coat.

"What about Esmeralda, what was she like?"

Sherlock gave a quick glance from behind his lashes at John before saying "That Esme to you." He ran his hand hastily through his hair.

John raised an eyebrow "Already figured out nicknames have we? What's yours? Sherly?" John laughed, tears almost streaming out of his eyes.

"Don't piss me off John." Sherlock continued "Esme is fine."

"What does she look like?" John questioned, dying to know every relevant detail.

Sherlock marched over and stopped about three steps away from his flatmate and said "John, as much as I would love to continue revealing my entire private life to you, I think'll I pass, tonight thanks." Sherlock flung himself down onto his couch and stared at the blank television screen.

"Sherlock. I just want to know about the woman you are dating. I'm happy for you, really." John said with all sincerity in his eyes.

Damn his bloody kind heart.

"You have four questions and that's it." Sherlock said quickly, before he ended up changing his mind.

"What does she look like?"

"Tall, taller than you anyway, about 5ft 10. Really pale, quite petite and curly ginger-red hair."

"She sounds quite pretty" Sherlock decided to ignore this comment completely.

"Next."

"What does she do for a living?"

"She's an artist" Sherlock thought for a second before adding "A great artist"

"Talk about singing her praises!" Sherlock ignored this too.

John looked slightly apprehension about his next question. Sherlock picked up on that, but thought against saying anything. "D'ya think that... you know...you and Esme would want to double date with me and Sarah?" John asked without any real hope "When I told Sarah she was so excited and she really wants to meet her." John tried to play the pity card.

"Most definitely not!" Sherlock looked scandalized. "John, I swear you gossip more than a bunch of lonely old women in a supermarket"

"Not like you would be familiar with a supermarket anyway..." John retorted.

"What on Earth do you think could have possessed me to make me say yes?"

"Love, perhaps?" John grinned like an idiot.

"No."

"Ok, ok. Finally," "Thank God." John paused for effect "Are you feeling anything for her?"

"Well gosh John don't you just ask the simplest questions..." Sherlock muttered

"Sherlock, I'm being serious! She isn't just going to wind up being some toy that you play with when you get bored, is she?"

"Damn! I don't know, we've only been on one date. " John smiled in silent victory. "I haven't thought that far into the future."

"Coming from the man that usually 100 steps ahead of everyone."

"But, she's intriguing, I'll admit. There's something about Esmeralda, that I can't quite put my finger on." By now, Sherlock was in deep thought.

"I know that."

"Really?" Sherlock had snapped out of his temporary trance and now looked increasingly suspicious "How so?"

"Every time you say her name or talk about her or even when you're thinking about her" John paused "You smile ever so slightly and your eyes get just a little softer." John said, a smile spreading from ear-to-ear.

After a moment of silence, the tips of Sherlock's ear went pink and he dismissed John with a mutter of "Oh, shut up."

Thank you for reading! Next Chapter coming soon!

Special thanks to mundy for the really kind review and to bookwormiie for their review :)

You don't need to review if you don't want to, just reading it makes my ego inflate more than enough!