*** I do not own any of these characters. Except for Joaquin Norfleet. Okay kiddos, I just mapped out the next few chapters and things are about to get pretty juicy so hold on to your hats ladies and gentleman! I apologize yet again for the sparse posting but I'm hoping these next three or so chapters will make up for it! Reviews/follows are just fantastic and bring me tears of joy! ***

21

Sherlock and I walked into the grand ballroom where the party was being held.

"This is certainly a bit on the fancy side," I said gazing around the huge room. It was beautifully decorated with large white paper lanterns, tons of twinkly little lights, and white silk tapestries. It was like being in a dream. And I was there with Sherlock. I pinched my arm, just make sure it was real.

"Has your pinch convinced you?" Sherlock asked, with his fake Joseph Yezhov accent.

"Yes," I replied sheepishly since I didn't think he'd notice. Of course he'd notice.

Sherlock led me to the line where a large burly man asked for out invitations. Worriedly, I looked up at Sherlock. What were we going to do? He wasn't even a real doctor and I certainly wasn't invited. But true to Sherlock fashion, he smoothly pulled two invitations out of the inside of his jacket pocket and handed them to the man and if I'm not mistaken a note, but it couldn't see how much it was. Had Sherlock just bribed this man? With a nod of his head, both Sherlock and I moved into the room.

Before I could really even take notice of the people mingling and dancing in the large room, we were approached.

"Molly Hooper!" rang a happy voice.

"Joaquin?" I answered, surprised to see him at this party.

"Molly, darling, I had no idea you were coming to this little get together," he said smiling at me.

"Little?" I said in a higher pitched tone.

"And who is your charming date? Is this your intern?" he asked, remembering Joseph from the time he saw Sherlock kiss me in the hallway at Bart's.

"Er, uh, yes. This is my intern, Dr. Joseph Yezhov MD. He's training to be a pathologist too," I said quickly. I peaked over at Sherlock to see him raise an eyebrow.

"Pleasure," said Sherlock extending his hand to Joaquin.

Joaquin hesitantly shook the extended hand.

"Well, if you'll excuse me, I must start mingling," said Sherlock, studying Joaquin momentarily before disappearing into the crowd of people.

"What a strange fellow," Joaquin remarked.

"You have no idea," I said before waving down the waiter that was walking around with the drinks.

After talking with Joaquin and following his as he introduced me to countless doctors, he asked me to dance with him. I'd normally refuse but with four drinks under my belt, dancing seemed like a reasonable request.

We were dancing next to each other for the first fast song but suddenly a slow song came on and Joaquin pulled me close to him. It was awkward but I just shrugged and wrapped my arms around his neck as his encircled my waist. We swayed as he hummed the song in my ear. I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. But the hair on the back of my neck instantly stood up as I felt his hands slide farther down my waist. I was about to make a remark when Joaquin moved away from me.

"I hope you can forgive me for interrupting," said Sherlock again in that ridiculous accent.

Joaquin seemed upset but nodded his head and moved away as Sherlock replaced him. I eagerly put my arms around his neck, although I had to reach them up pretty far since he's quite the giant. He wrapped me in his arms and the swaying resumed.

"My problem has returned Molly Hooper," Sherlock whispered in my ear.

"My emotions get in the way of all other thought. I was trying to feel out my leads when I saw his hands on you. Suddenly I couldn't even think a single thought other than marching over and demanding he leave and that you stay with me," he continued.

I was still fairly sure this was a dream so I was too afraid to speak and risk waking up from this wonderful scenario. For Sherlock Holmes, what he had just told me was the equivalent to a lovers plea.

I moved my head to stare into his beautiful green eyes.

"and there are other concerns, obviously," he said seeming nervous for the first time ever, "I don't believe Dr. Norfleet is to be trusted," he added.

"You're jealous," I said smiling.

"That's completely ridiculous and irrational," he said furrowing his eyebrows.

"You are jealous and I don't think I've ever been happier," I said absolutely beaming.

"You look gorgeous tonight," he said, clearly trying to change the subject.

I pulled his head down and kissed him as I ran my fingers through his hair. He pulled my body against his and kissed me deeper. We both eventually had to let go. As we were both breathing hard, he whispered in my ear, "Maybe I've underrated this emotion of jealousy."