Alright, I know I updated this morning and this is out of my normal schedule but I am so excited about Ch.11 that I couldn't help myself, I had to move this along. Also this story is written (just needs posted) and I'm working on a new story so I'm thrilled to give you all the goods. And trust me when I say GOODS!

Again, love you readers, followers and reviewers! You make me smile!

And by the way, I own nothing... not one bit!

Ch10-Preemptive Strike

Molly got up bright and early Sunday morning with a bit of nerves in her stomach that she hadn't felt in a very long time. She had all but given up on the prospect of a dating life after the gut wrenching end of her engagement to Tom. She really did have the worst taste in men... sleeping with his married editor. It was as if horrible men actively sought her out. Of course she knew that wasn't the case, it was all her. She was simply attracted to the kind of man that would ultimately break her heart, (or turn out to be a psychopathic criminal mastermind.) She was making tea when her phone chimed.

I need your help with an experiment today-SH

That was odd. She was well of the fact aware that Sherlock knew her schedule. He would call her in at anytime night or day if he had a case, but for an experiment?

Sorry, I'm off today-Mx

I know, I meant for you to come to Baker Street-SH

What? He had spent an inordinate amount of time at St. Barts since Moriarty's momentary return. Molly, however, hadn't been to his flat since the little party Mrs. Hudson put together to celebrate his success (except to collect body parts and look at his pants.)

I'd love to help Sherlock, but I have plans. Sorry-Mx

Cancel your plans, it's important-SH

Please-SH

Molly suddenly felt a little torn. Sherlock sounded a bit desperate (the man rarely said 'please.') She had always helped him when he needed her but she was really starting to look forward to Ginny's fix-up.

I'll get back with you-Mx

Molly drank her tea and thought for a moment then decided to call her friend.

"Molly, it's early this better be important. Like someone broke into my flat and stole all of my Dior, important." Ginny said, (Irene was really enjoying her alter ego.)

"Well as you know I don't own any Dior to be stolen but it's important, I think. Sherlock just sent me a text, he want me to come help him with an experiment. Can you contact you're friend for me?"

"Ya, no." Ginny said.

"What?"

"You're not canceling to run off with Sherlock. Tell him you have plans." Ginny said through a yawn.

"I did, he ah, said to cancel them."

"Of course he did. Listen you want to get his perfect little bum off your mind then you're going to have to be an active participant. Don't cancel your date. I'll be at yours in about an hour, you need to be ready around noon."

"Why are we meeting so early?"

"It's Sunday, I thought you could do something casual. Maybe lunch and a walk, what ever people do on Sundays, I'm usually hungover. Do not give in Molly. You're not spending your time with mold spores today." Ginny scolded.

"Okay, fine." Molly said reluctantly, "I'll see you soon."

Sorry Sherlock, it's too late to cancel my plans. Meeting a friend at noon. Maybe I can come by after-Mx

Irene gave Molly about ten minutes to text Sherlock then called her back.

"You're still coming to do my make-up aren't, please don't cancel on me Ginny." Molly said with a bit of panic in her voice.

"Just making sure you were firm with Sherlock."

"Oh, ya! I sent him a text. Said I had plans at noon. Then said maybe I could help him later." The first part of her statement was loud and clear, the latter a bit softer.

"Hmm, we'll work on that. At least you said no. See you soon."

Good, thought I was going to have to taunt him a bit more. Irene thought, she even gave him the time for me. Operation Hooper-Holmes is moving along nicely. Good God, I sound like a character in a rom-com.

"Kate bring you're bottom in here, I need to slap something!" Irene yelled across her suite.

Sherlock was not at all happy that his plan had failed. Molly never told him no. This was unprecedented... The Woman was pure evil, he should never have involved her in Molly's life. Molly was everything that was good about his world and Irene Adler was currently tainting it.

He needed advice but of course John would selfishly pick this weekend to take Mary and the spawn to a B&B. He was currently not taking Sherlock's phone calls or returning texts. Selfish ass! Who goes to a B&B anyway? What was wrong with him? How tacky! He could call Lestrade but his love life resembled the Hindenburg disaster. He suddenly thought about Mycroft and was thrown into a fit of uncharacteristic giggles.

No! He was going to have to handle this completely on his own. He still needed to figure out what to say to a possible romantic partner, so he followed his own advice and did his research.

Since his Mind Palace trip to St. Barts last night, he had suddenly never been so sure of anything in his entire life... Molly was his and he would prove it to her. He couldn't believe it took so long to realize his jumper hatred was actually physical attraction. He had come to understand that he didn't want Molly in different clothes, he just wanted to see what was underneath the ones she was wearing. In his defense this really wasn't his area... He spent all night in Molly's room, going through all the data he had collected. He was surprised to find that her room was in fact the largest one he had built. It had managed to grow so slowly that he didn't even consciously do it. It just sort of happened.

He sat down at his computer and painstakingly navigated the myriad of relationship advice sites. It was dull to the point of tedium, but needs must. After a couple of hours of research he felt somewhat equipped for his endeavor. He got dressed in his favorite suite with his tightest trousers and dress shirt (the sites did mentioned not to shy away from appealing to your conquest's baser instincts.) Then he was out the door to woo Molly Hooper!

Okay, give it to me... ready for the reviews. Chapter 11 is a big one...