From their date to New Years Eve. Sherlock worked on three cases and Vivian hardly seen him. He was at the lab for long hours and she was beginning to wonder if she should just abandon thoughts of him altogether. Now as she got home from work and prepared for everyone to come to Baker Street for a New Years celebrations she wondered where Sherlock was. She grabbed her phone and sent him a text as she started laying out the ingredients for some hot appetizers.

Haven't seen you, you do remember it's New Years. V.H.

She sent the message and heard his phone go off in his room. She smiled as she finished preparing things for the party. She slid a couple trays into the oven then realized Sherlock had not answered so she went into his room and was shocked to see his bed was empty. Vivian called his name, but got no answer. She heard something in the stairway and she called out again.

"Hello."

"Vivian, it's me."

She let out a breath and walked over to meet Sherlock at the top of the stairs.

"Where have you been? You left your phone here."

"Sorry, I had a case I was working on and I must have forgotten my phone when I went out."

"Liar."

"What?"

"Sherlock you never forget anything. So what was really going on."

"I believe I forgot your birthday."

"No you didn't forget it, you just neglected to say anything about it because you hate birthdays." He looked her over and decided to heed John's advise and not lie to her.

"I was out getting a surprise for you." She raised her eyebrows at him, clearly not impressed. He then reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small package. Vivian looked it over and then opened it slowly. She looked at Sherlock after seeing what was in the small package.

"What's this for?" She pulled out a gold engraved key ring and looked it over. It simply said 221B is now your home. S.H. Vivian wrapped her arms around Sherlock and she thought she felt his heart beating through her chest. He held her close before pulling away.

"Are you burning something?"

"Shit. Damn it, I forgot to set the timer." She ran to the oven and grabbed a towel to grab out the tray of burnt food. She set it on the sink as she started laughing. Sherlock stood behind her now to see what was so funny, but her laugh was infectious and soon he let out a small chuckle.

"You aren't a very good cook are you?"

"No, not really, my skills are in other areas."

"Such as?" She turned around now, Sherlock so close he was nearly touching her. She looked up into his eyes as she tried to search for the right words to say.

"I think I'm pretty good at making observations."

"And what do your observations tell you right now."

"That it's nearly time for our guest to arrive, we are lacking in nibbles and" She looked him over now and times seemed to slow as she noted his eyes were dilated and the pulse in his neck seamed to be quicker than normal.

"and if I'm not mistaken you enjoy being this close to me." Sherlock just gave her a quick smirk as he turned to head back down the stairs.

"Wait Sherlock, where are you going?"

"You said we are lacking in nibbles, I'm off to go gather some. You need to get dressed or are you going to wear that tonight?" With that he took off down the stairs and out the door. Vivian shook her head as she headed off to change into a cute silver and black dress for the night. She straightened her hair and wore it down. Molly was the first to arrive and she and Vivian spent the time alone talking and laughing over a glass of wine.

"I feel that I may be in the S.H.S.F.M. club alone again. I heard he took you on a date."

"Molly, he did. I'm sorry. I know how much you care for him, and if you don't like me seeing him I understand."

"Are you kidding me, you better see him as much as you can. You just better tell me all the details about what it's like with him." Both woman laughed and soon the door opened and Sherlock came in with two guest in tow. John helped carry in a few bags and Mary followed with a bottle of wine.

"So you burnt the food?"

"It's Sherlock's fault really, he had me distracted." The girls giggled and all three talked leaving John and Sherlock in the kitchen to put out the food he had gotten. Vivian answered the door for Greg and led him upstairs to where everyone was sitting and talking. After two bottles of wine someone had the brilliant idea to play "Never have I ever" and some how a bottle of tequila came out. The rules were explained and shot glasses were sat in front of everyone and John was nominated as the first to go.

"Um, alright. Never have I ever gone streaking." Vivian and Greg took their shots then refilled. Mary was next.

"Oh, Never have I ever stolen anything." John took a shot then Vivian followed quickly, next was Molly.

"Never have I ever, woke up in a strangers bed." Vivian was the only one to do a shot and she looked around at everyone. Now it was Greg's turn.

"Never have I ever left without paying a tab." Vivian was happy she finally got to take a break, but now it was her turn.

"Never have I ever, um, been mistaken for a prostitute." Everyone was shocked when Mary took a shock, she replied quickly.

"It was Halloween and I was at uni." Now it was time for Sherlock.

"Never have I ever been with a dominatrix." John looked at Sherlock, but then they both looked at Vivian who had just threw back her fourth shot. She licked her lips as she saw everyone looking at her.

"I never said I led an innocent life before coming here." After a few more rounds Vivian had done the most shots, but Molly was probably the most drunk. Soon it was time for the countdown to Midnight and everyone had their noisemakers and champagne toast ready. Once Big Ben started to chiming John and Mary kissed and Sherlock looked to Vivian and softly pressed his lips to hers. Greg looked to Molly, who threw her arms around him and kissed him deeply. Sherlock leaned down to whisper in Vivian's ear.

"As long as you are here, this will be an unforgettable year." Soon Molly started singing Auld Lang Syne and everyone joined in. They all laughed and before too long Greg left to take Molly home for fear she was a little too intoxicated. After another half hour Mary told John she was getting tired and soon they left, leaving Sherlock and Vivian sitting in the quiet flat. Sherlock broke the silence as he helped Vivian clean up.

"You did quite a few shots during that game tonight."

"You knew about my past before Sherlock. Does it really surprise you?"

"No, but the dominatrix, that was not expected." Vivian turned to look at him.

"It was before I went to work for the C.I.A. and I was having issues with they guy I was dating, so I went to a friend of mine for help. She just happened to be involved in that lifestyle and introduced me to the dominatrix in question."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"I did, but I don't think I could ever live that lifestyle. I was alright to give my control on occasion, but not all the time." Sherlock watched as she started cleaning up again, clearly not wanting to tell him too much about what she experienced.

"Why do you insist on trying with me? Clearly I have no experience in that matter."

"Because Sherlock, I don't care about experience. Honestly I wish I had less but this is just how life is. And I want to try with you because I care deeply about you. I still haven't changed, I would take a bullet for you, I believe in you and will do whatever I can to prove to you and the world how amazing Sherlock Holmes really is." With that being said Vivian stepped close to Sherlock and lowered her voice.

"Besides, I find myself drawn to you, your intelligence, your demeanor and you handsomely good looks." Sherlock could see her cheeks were flushed, but didn't know if it was because of him or the alcohol. Vivian put her hands on his chest as she stood close to him. She slowly ran her hands up and over his shoulders to the back of his neck. He stood rigid for a moment before relaxing and putting his hands on her waist. He didn't know what to do, his mind was telling him to stop her but another part of him was urging him to stay, a part he hadn't heard from before. Vivian pressed a gentle kiss to his lips and pulled away. He looked her over as she whispered to him.

"Goodnight Sherlock." With that she turned and went into her bedroom and shut the door, leaving him frustrated for the first time.

I will be on vacation until after Thanksgiving, so I probably won't be able to update until early December. Sorry