Sherlock was walking to the store to get milk when he noted that someone was following him. An attractive woman with her hair tied in a ponytail. No doubt a regular blood donor. Had good relations with both parents. A respectable young woman that was well read.

Had Mycroft no shame?

Sherlock decided that he would simply fake ignorance. Pretend that he didn't see her. He hoped that he would lose her if he walked a little bit faster. The supermarket was getting closer but the woman caught up to him and offered him a smile.

"Hey. Your brother told me to talk to you," she said.

Sherlock was taken aback. He was sure that Mycroft would tell her to pretend that she wasn't hired by him.

"Well. At least you're honest," Sherlock said.

"My name is Stacey," she introduced.

"And my name is Rachel," a voice called out.

Another woman rushed up to them. She was also very pretty and her smile was bright and white. She was promptly followed by a black woman, then another white woman. Then an Asian woman. Then one man, three blonde haired woman, another brunette, a black hairedwoman with glasses and a redhead.

"My name is Kara."

"I'm Betty."

"My name is Tina."

"How do you do? I'm Jessica."

"Alright alright!" Sherlock shouted.

They were surrounding him and he couldn't escape. Was Mycroft planning on keeping him trapped in a circle of idiots until he agreed to go out with one of them? The women (and the one man) paused and waited for the detective to continue.

"Can you guys move? I need to get milk," Sherlock said.

"The poor cows. I'm a vegan, you know?" said one of the blonde women.

Sherlock actually already knew that. It was obvious to him from the sight of her. He hated it when people pointed out the obvious.

"Then you're definitely not the one for me," he replied curtly, "None of you are. Tell Mycroft to get himself a date."

"Hey Sherlock," Stacey said, "I have an annoying older brother too. I understand."

Sherlock felt sure that she was just trying to connect with him.

"Fantastic," he muttered sarcastically.

"I have a younger sister. She's such a brat," said Tina.

"Well. I must admit I'm offended that you would see your younger sibling like that," Sherlock frowned, "Let me through."

"I have two brothers and three sisters," the one man said.

What made Mycroft think that he would want someone with that big a family? He could barely stand his own. Sherlock managed to push through the crowd. He rushed out of there.

But Mycroft came up in front of him. Sherlock paused to tell this jerk what was on his mind.

"What is your problem? All these people are annoying! Why would you think I would want to go out with any of them?"

The people were coming back. They stopped walking close behind Sherlock. Mycroft looked at his little brother.

"I figured that the more people I introduced you to, the more likely you would be to choose one of them. Are you sure none of them strikes your fancy?"

"Yes. I'm sure," Sherlock said.

Mycroft sighed.

"Then I'll have to look for a more adequate group."

The black woman, Tina, looked aggravated at his comment.

"I'll show you adequate," she said softly so only Sherlock heard.

Sherlock resisted the urge to look back at her. He was curious to see if she would actually do something.

Mycroft turned his attention to the group.

"You should leave now. You'll still get paid. Thank you for your time and I'm sorry that none of you appeal to my-" he paused because the group were looking to his left.

Before Mycroft turned to look, Tina had slid past him and grabbed his umbrella.

"What in Heaven's name!" Mycroft cried.

Tina ran off with a big smile on her face. Mycroft looked flabbergasted and angry at the same time.

Meanwhile, Sherlock was laughing. That act of revenge was so simple and yet it WORKED! Tina took off with Mycroft's signature umbrella. Complete proof that Mycroft was not infallible in his observations.

Two men in suits 'escorted' Tina back to Mycroft. The group were whispering amongst themselves. Mycroft frowned at the thief.

"You," he said pausing for a dramatic effect, "Can just forget about the payment."

The woman cursed under her breath and the umbrella was given back to Mycroft. Sherlock's laughter finally died down enough for him to speak.

"I will give her a chance," he replied.

Mycroft turned swiftly to his brother with a shocked expression on his face.

"What? You really mean that?" he asked.

Despite what she had done, Mycroft still had a hint of hope in his voice at the prospect of Sherlock dating her. Sherlock figured that if she had the courage to steal from the second most brilliant man in Britain (Sherlock was the first, of course) then she deserved it.

Tina smiled at him coolly.

"You have good taste in women," she said.

"When are you going to date her?" Mycroft asked.

Sherlock sighed. What was up with Mycroft?

"Now. I guess. If she's not busy."

"No, I'm not," Tina replied.

They had some Italian. Sherlock was thinking that he would get bored within the first few minutes. But the discussion turned out to be really...interesting.

He didn't have any feelings for her. Which was fine because she didn't have any feelings for him either. They went on a few dates as friends before Tina went back to her country. America.

xxx

"Sherlock? Who's this in this picture?" John asked while he was digging around the flat, trying to clean it.

It had been several months since that date. Sherlock had John as a friend now. And he was the most important person in the world to him.

But he would still not forget Tina anytime soon.

To this day, Mycroft bragged how he got Sherlock to date and Sherlock wouldn't hesitate to remind him of the umbrella incident.