January went by in the blink of an eye. Which was strange since nothing really happened. John and Sherlock had more time than usual on their hands. The station didn't have many cases for the two boys, but it was flu season, which meant extra shifts at the clinic for John. He was happy when he got called in. He hated being bored. Sherlock took to performing odd experiments in the kitchen. Mrs. Hudson became very upset when hearing of this. Apparently he had done this in the past, and sometimes the experiments got quite gruesome. I just made sure he knew not to mess with my food and I wouldn't complain.

It was early February when I decided that even I was too bored for my own good and started searching for jobs. Back in the states most of my past jobs had been working with food, and I was practically desperate to get away from the food industry. I searched through papers and online, filling out application after application, creating a resume on my tablet to print and hand out. This process was boring and time consuming, but I really wanted a job so I could have my own money to spend.

After a long morning of online job hunting I decided to take a break and grab some lunch at the café next door. I grabbed my jacket and noticed John grabbing his too.

"Are you going next door to get food?"

He looked at me. "Of course. Are you?"

"Yep. I'm starving."

We walked to the tiny restaurant together, finding our usual table and sitting down. Our waitress recognized us and brought us our typical drinks before we even said anything. I opened the newspaper I brought with me and flipped to the ads posting help wanted. We had only been sitting for a few minutes when I noticed John was acting extra fidgety. He couldn't stop shaking his legs up and down, and he kept looking around the café, as if looking out for someone.

"John."

His head flew up. "What? Yes?"

I gave him a look. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes of course."

"Then are you meeting someone here?"

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Nooo?"

"Then what are you so anxious about? I've never seen you so jittery."

He looked down at his hands on the table. "Is it really that noticeable?"

"Yes, it is. What's wrong, is it a criminal or bad guy or something?"

"No no no it's not anything like that. Not even close."

I thought about this. "So a friend? Are you looking for an acquaintance of yours?" I knew I was being nosey. I didn't care.

"Eh, in a way I guess."

I smiled as a new thought entered my mind. "Is it a girlfriend?"

The corner of his mouth tugged up a little. "No, not exactly."

"Ah. So it's just someone you fancy?"

He looked up and met my gaze. "You're not going to drop this are you?"

I flashed a big smile at him. "Nope."

He chuckled. "Well, yes, I guess you could say it's someone I fancy. Just, don't tell anyone, alright?"

"Alright, I won't say a word. But, if I guess who it is, you HAVE to tell me if I'm right. Deal?"

John gave me a sly smile. I could tell he was slightly enjoying this. "Deal."

Our waitress came over and took our orders. Of course she was my first guess. He said no, and I moved on, looking around the restaurant. I asked him if they worked here in the café, and he told me yes and that that would be the only clue he would give me. I guessed two more waitresses that he denied.

Then a new waitress came over and put her hand on John's shoulders, rubbing them slightly. Her other hand was placed on her hip, standing close to him. She was a beautiful busty blonde, and was obviously very fascinated with the doctor. She asked him sweetly about how work was going for him, and how his life was. He answered very flirtatiously, and occasionally would meet my eyes and smile, knowing what was going through my head. I continued sipping down my soup, waiting for her to leave. When she did go, I looked up at John's eyes and smiled big.

"Do I even need to say anything?"

He took a sip from his coffee. "It's not her."

My jaw dropped slightly. "How? You've got to be lying!"

He smiled and shook his head. "It's not her. She's not the one."

I rolled my eyes. "There aren't many workers left to choose from."

"Hey, I said they worked here. I didn't say whether or not they were working today."

I glared at him. "Oh, you think you're so sneaky don't you."

He laughed. "Oh I don't think I am. I know I am."

"Well if they aren't working today, why are you still so fidgety?"

He looked at me as if he were about to speak, but instead his eyes looked over my shoulder, then back down to his plate. He kept eating as if I hadn't said anything. I turned and looked behind me, just catching a glimpse of a dark haired woman walking back into the kitchen. It must be her. I decided to wait till she came back out to say anything.

A man then walked up to our table. "Mr. Watson?"

John's head flew up from his plate. "Marty! How are you?"

"I'm doing quite well! How about you?"

"I'm doing excellent!" John then looked at me. "Marty, this is our newest flat mate Azalea. Azalea, this is Marty Stansen."

I smiled at the man. "Pleased to meet you."

He smiled back. "The pleasures all mine. You're lucky to constantly be in the presence of Doctor Watson here. He's a great guy. Hell he's just finished helping me out with a personal case, giving me some legal advice." He put his hand on John's shoulder. John visibly stopped breathing. He spoke a little lower.

"Of course, I'm always willing to help you out whenever you need it." John's tone changed. I got a weird feeling from the way he was acting that Marty's personal legal advice was supposed to be a secret. John held strong eye contact with Marty, as if trying to tell him something.

"Well it was good seeing you John. I best be getting to the back. I'm already late as it is."

John and I said bye and I watched Marty leave the table. He was a very good looking man. He was tall and thin with messy brown hair that had a hint of orange to it. His eyes were piercing blue, and his smile was contagious. I could easily tell he was a very likeable guy. I turned back and looked up at John. He was staring back at me, as if trying to read me. His expression was almost scared, like he was nervous about something.

And that's when it hit me like a ton of bricks.

"It's him, isn't it?"

John's jaw clenched as he looked down and nodded slightly. "Yes. He's the one."

I didn't even try to conceal my happiness and allowed my gaping smile to consume my whole face. "John! No way! He's so cute!"

"Good god Azalea keep it down would you?!"

I covered my smile with my fingers. "Sorry! He's just so adorable! I could totally see you two together!"

"Okay okay hush now."

"Have you talked to him?!"

"What?"

"Have you talked to him? Like really really talked to him."

"Do you mean have I…flirted with him?" I nodded. "Well no, not really."

"Well why not?"

John lifted his hands. "Uh, I don't know, maybe because I have no idea if he even swings that way!"

"Well how do you plan on finding out?!"

John sighed. "That's just the problem. I don't know. I've never, you know, felt this way towards a man before. I'm not sure how it works. It kind of scares me a little."

I looked into John's eyes. In them I saw genuine feelings for this guy. He really wanted Marty to like him back. "Don't worry John. We'll find out how he feels. I promise."

"And by 'we' you mean…"

"Me and you of course!"

He smiled a little. "Oh, of course."

Our waitress brought us our check, and John paid for the both of us. In return I mentioned inappropriately how I bet John would love to play doctor with Marty, in which John marched out of the café, asking me how old I was. We laughed all the way home.

The next week or so John didn't allow me to join him on his trips to the café. I didn't mind too much. I knew he would have to figure it out on his own. I did give him pointers though, whether he liked them or not. Most of my advice he did take, but some things he turned down as soon as I mentioned it. For example I told him to bring Marty flowers to work on Valentine's Day. He said there was no bloody way in hell he would ever even consider that. I took this as a sign John still hadn't made a move.

I knew Finley was going to get me something, so I took to finding a present for him. Mrs. Hudson decided to host a small Valentine's Day brunch and said I could invite him. Since Molly and Lestrade had now come out as "official", she invited them as well. It was set to be casual, and of course Mrs. Hudson was using recipes from her cookbook.

The day of the Valentine's brunch I woke up earlier than usual to help Mrs. Hudson set the table. I wrapped Finley's gift (it was a new shirt in his favorite style and color) and got ready. I was thankful the brunch was casual. I slipped into a pair of jeans and a nice shirt. I scrunched my hair just enough to create long loose waves and did minimal makeup. Finley showed up first, and it was as we helped Mrs. Hudson put the food out that I realized John was missing.

"Sherlock, do you know where John is?"

Sherlock turned to me while tuning his violin. "He was called into work early this morning. They were short staffed at the clinic. He said he'd be about thirty minutes late, but to not wait on him to get started."

Molly and Lestrade soon arrived, and we all began filling our plates from the table and sat in the living room around the fireplace. It was a very chilly day, so the fire was started early. The conversation was upbeat, and soon Mrs. Hudson mentioned presents.

"Azalea I know you got something for Finley."

"I did, but he doesn't have to open it right now."

Finley spoke up. "I'll open it later. I have a present for you, but it's not a wrapped gift."

I looked up at him. "Oh? Then what is it?"

He smiled at me. "Well, I planned on picking you up tonight and taking you back to my place where I'll cook us a nice dinner, then go see a late movie. They have old independent films playing late tonight at the cinema next to my apartment, and I remember you mentioning how much you loved independent films."

My smile was so big it was hurting my cheeks. "Finley that sounds perfect! I'm so excited! Thank you babe!" I wrapped my arms around his neck, making sure not to knock either of our plates off our laps.

Mrs. Hudson clasped her hands together. "How precious! Finley you are just too sweet." She then looked over at Molly and Lestrade. "Greg I hope you treat Molly the same way Finley treats Azalea. Did you two have any presents to exchange?"

Molly smiled. "Well we both have to work tonight, so Greg took me out to the shops yesterday and bought me a very nice dinner. It was perfect. I also gave him his present last night."

Greg smiled big. "She gave it to me this morning too."

Molly elbowed Lestrade hard. I peered around the room. Even Sherlock seemed to have trouble not laughing.

About halfway through the meal I heard the front door downstairs open and close. We could hear John's voice before he was even all the way up the stairs.

"I hope you all saved me something to eat!"

Mrs. Hudson chuckled. "Oh you know we…" She trailed off. I looked up at her, then turned around. My jaw dropped. The room went silent as everyone turned and stared at the tall lanky man standing next to John.

John was obviously extremely nervous. His voice was shaky as he spoke. "Um, guys, this is my…friend. Marty." Marty lifted his hand and gave a small anxious wave.

Mrs. Hudson broke the awkward silence. "Why hello there dear. I'm Mrs. Hudson, and this is Finley, Azalea, Lestrade, Molly, and Sherlock. There's plenty of food left in the kitchen, help yourselves!"

John led Marty into the kitchen where they grabbed plates and began loading up. I looked up at our group around the fire. We all looked around at each other, unsure of what to say. I started conversation back up, desperate to get the tension off poor John. The two men then joined our group, and though it was hard for the others not to stare, we all continued talking like before.

After about an hour we began playing charades, which was always a blast in 221b. I was surprised at how good Lestrade was at guessing, and Marty made us all laugh till our sides hurt when he was acting. Sherlock of course didn't play, but he had a smile on his face for a majority of the game. Around two Molly and Lestrade had to leave for work, and Finley had to leave and meet up with some family. Us remaining five did dishes and sat around the fire. Sherlock softly played his violin and snuck glances between John and Marty any chance he got. At one point John made the move and put his arm around the back of Marty's chair. Marty then scooted a bit closer to John to the point their knees where touching. It wasn't much, but it made my heart melt. He stayed the whole evening.

It was at six that I got dressed up nicely and awaited Finley to pick me up. He showed up outside our door in a nice black car. I said goodnight to my flat mate family knowing I would be home after they had gone to bed. We drove a little ways before arriving at his apartment building. He lived in a studio flat alone, and though it was small it was very nice. The entire flat had candles lit everywhere, and I could smell a delicious roast cooking.

Finley put on the shirt I had bought him, and I was pleased to see how nicely it fit his body. He poured us each a glass of wine and made our plates. The food tasted incredible, and I was very happy knowing my man knew how to cook. It was unbelievably nice to be with just Finley. Whenever we spent any time together it was either walking around in public or at my flat. We never really got to spend much time just us two, and I was grateful for this opportunity. It was a perfect Valentine's Day.

"You look absolutely gorgeous tonight."

I smiled up the model-like boy across from me. "You don't look so bad yourself."

He gave me a smirk. God I loved that smirk of his. We talked nearly nonstop for most of dinner. I briefly filled him in on the whole John-Marty thing, and he was just as thrilled as I was about the idea. He then looked up movie times at the cinema down the road, and after deciding on one we took our dishes to the sink to wash. He tried to push me out of the way, forcing me to not do any washing. I flicked dish water on him, causing him to flick water back. We began having a full on water battle, soaking each other. He slipped and fell, then pulled me down next to him. We laughed hard, then he pulled me down for a sneak kiss.

We didn't make it to the movie. Instead we decided to change into drier clothes, but somehow got lost in the process and ended up kissing fully naked. My lips were hungry against his, my hands grabbing for more. He placed his hands on the backs of my thighs, picking me up and wrapping my legs around his waist. He carried me to his room and set me down on his bed, making sure my head was on a pillow. He then crawled over top of me positioning his hips between my legs. Before going any further he looked me in the eye.

"Azalea, there's something I want you to know."

I stared up at the perfect face inches above mine. "Tell me."

He leaned down and put his forehead against mine. His breathing was shaky. "I love you."

My smile took up my whole face. "I love you too Finley."

With that he kissed me and lowered himself down. We slept very little that night.

It was five in the morning when I asked Finley to take me home. As much as I would have rather stayed there warm in his arms, I knew John could possibly wake up soon to go to work, and I wanted to be home before then. I put my wet clothes in a bag and wore a pair of Finley's boxers and one of his long button up shirts that looked more like a dress on me. My hair was a matted mess and my makeup was half smeared off, but I didn't care. Finley loved me. He wasn't going to judge how I looked.

He drove me home and dropped me off. I thanked him for the perfect Valentine's Day and headed inside. I tip-toed up the stairs, wanting to get a glass of water. The flat was quiet, and the rising sun lit the room up just enough. I quietly made my way into the kitchen, filling up a glass of water. I was still smiling, still high from such an amazing night. I danced a little dance around and table.

And then I saw Sherlock watching me from his chair next to the window.

I froze. We stared for a few seconds, unsure of what to say. His eyes confused me. They searched me all over, taking in the obvious evidence of how I spent my night. But what confused me was the fact his eyes weren't disapproving. They weren't scolding like I expected. They looked hurt.

I finally spoke up. "Have you been there watching me this whole time?"

His eyes fell to the ground. "I've been here all night."

I furrowed my brow. "All night as in you fell asleep right there?"

"No Azalea. All night as in I've been in my chair awake all night waiting for you to come home."

A twinge of anger shot through my stomach. "And why on earth were you doing that?"

"Because you said you'd be home late after going to a movie. I didn't think almost six in the morning was considered late at night."

"Why did you even wait up? What was the point?"

"The point is you're getting home way later than you told us."

"No, the point is you are not my father Sherlock and you can not control me."

"Azalea why?"

I looked around confused. "Why what?"

"Why are you getting home so late? Why?"

I swallowed hard. I could hear something new in his voice. "Sherlock, please don't."

I could now see his jaw clenching. "I couldn't sleep Azalea. I couldn't sleep until I knew you were home safe."

"Wow now you're really sounding like my dad."

He was now standing up "Will you stop calling me your dad?! I don't want to be your dad Azalea!"

"Then what DO you want to be Sherlock?!"

"Dammit Evee I don't know!"

The entire mood of the room had changed. We stared hard at each other, not knowing what had just happened.

I softened my voice, realizing the stormy waters we were nearing. "Sherlock, what's going on in your mind? Will you please tell me? I need to know. Please." I was practically begging him.

He now avoided eye contact. It took him a long time before finally speaking. "I'm just tired. I just need some rest."

My heart sank. A familiar wave of disappointment washed over me. "You're not going to tell me anything are you?"

His gaze remain fixed on the floor. "You should get some rest as well."

I swallowed back tears. I was able to mutter out a simple "okay" and started towards the stairs. Before heading down them I stopped.

"Sherlock?"

"Yes?"

"Can you please just not tell anyone about me getting home late? Especially not John?"

He looked up at me. "I won't say a word."

I walked down the stairs and crawled into bed, trying to force the last image of Sherlock out of my mind. When he looked at me, his eyes were glistening with tears; tears filled with words unspoken.