CHAPTER 11:

John Watson had been in the army, and his role was to be a medical doctor. He was to cure ailments and keep an eye on the men who came into his infirmary.

Sherlock Holmes, though not officially his patient, was his best friend and therefore fell under the flap of the infirmary tent, so to speak.

So when Molly came for dinner to the agreed-upon restaurant with Sherlock in tow, he didn't miss the high color in his cheeks, nor the glint in his best friend's eyes. It was something that almost immediately left him, wondering if he needed to do a urine test. Because there's no way, Sherlock could have found a case so quickly, here in this sleepy seaside town of all places. And there were no other times his expression took on that playful and self-satisfied glimmer-

"I have a case," Sherlock announced coming upon John and Mary.

"How was the clinic?" Molly asked alongside him.

"It was great. I think the team is really lovely, they even mentioned something about going for drinks after his first day.": Mary told her.

"You're not supposed to be working cases!"John was busy griping.

"Your table is ready." The maître d offered.

The foursome was escorted to a little table with a seaside view, where John waited exactly as long as it took to sit down before he was back on Sherlock again.

"The doctor was very clear in his orders. You were supposed to be-"

"You haven't even asked me the details of the situation yet John. I'm disappointed in you." He chided, offering to pull Molly's chair out. She smiled shyly and nodded her acceptance.

"Nothing you have to say is going to get you out of this Sherlock. I let you get away with a lot of things mate, but this is not one of them-"

"It includes Molly." He explained, somewhat defensively. She was perfectly fine with-"

"Molly he's supposed to be rest-"

"I am attempting to resolve the issue of human emotions and romantic connections, and Molly has kindly offered her assistance." Sherlock cut in before John could offer any more protests.

It was an effective means of ending the conversation, as John was silent, and Mary even seemed to be taken aback by his pronouncement.

"You're- what issue are we talking about here?" He looked between the pathologist and his friend. The former was blushing to the roots of her hair, and the latter was perusing the menu as though he didn't have a care in the world.

"Being romantically involved." Sherlock frowned. "Do they steam the mussels? I thought I saw cans outback, why wouldn't they use fresh?"

"Maybe they aren't in season," Mary answered, still watching Molly from the corner of her eye. "Sherlock, what do you mean by being involved? As in you two are an item now? Or-"

"You already did the play-acting with Janine, why should you do it now with Molly?" John sputtered.

"What's wrong with him doing it with me?" Molly demanded and just as quickly tried to barrel back. "What I mean is, we're friends. I'm someone he's comfortable with, so why shouldn't I help him?"

"But Janine-"

"Was one of my bridesmaids, let's not forget." Mary cut in crisply.

"Janine is lovely. A delight." John agreed. " But we know how that ended and-"

"Molly is different. We're beginning this with no misgivings. They have a class in town I was interested in, and the rate for a couple is far more favorable than going it alone. Besides that, I'd rather have Molly at my side then going it alone, dealing with desperate singles can be tiresome."

"Yeah, not something I miss," John muttered.

"I should hope not," Mary mumbled back.

"And I wanted to take the class, but I didn't want any creeps trying to chat me up, yeah? So it just made sense to sort of... work together." Molly added.

"Really. no ulterior motives here, Watson. You should be more trusting, I am your best friend." Sherlock, per usual, sounded very proud of the fact, enough so that John couldn't take it away from him by continuing the scolding.

"Right. Right just-" The doctor sighed, pulling up his menu. "Just careful? The both of you, hm?" He looked between the pair who nodded their agreement, good as gold. And while he didn't trust Sherlock farther than he could throw him at the moment, he believed Molly to keep them on a steady path.

"Right so if we're going to pretend we're a couple, then we're going to need to behave like one in front of our classmates. I propose we discuss and resolve what sort of public displays of affection are acceptable and prepare our back story." Sherlock announced that evening. He'd shown up at Molly's door just as she was curled up in bed watching something to fall asleep too, and while it wasn't the first time he'd seen the cherry pajamas she hadn't been trying to repeat the experience.

Now sitting cross-legged on her bed, she watched him pace the length of the room, trying to ignore how his button-down clung to the definition of his muscles and focus on what he was saying.

It's for a case Molly pull yourself together.

"I think that's alright. I don't have to touch you too much I guess-"

"Why shouldn't you? I'm your significant other, touch should be well established." He strode over and took her hand in his, nodding in satisfaction.

"Like this, you see? If we're taking the class as a means to inspire something in our relationship, we will do less, and if we're a newer couple, we would do more."

"Maybe- Maybe this could be our first holiday away together? Then if one of us is nervous, that makes sense?" Molly offered, scarcely breathing.

" Our first holiday away together...: He nodded thoughtfully. "We're looking forward to a holiday by the seaside, and you asked if we might look into the class while we're here. If we're seen with the Watson's, we'll simply explain away any questions by stating we arrived as a group."

"That seems like it could work. I think it's a good idea." Molly agreed, still holding his hand.

"Of course, we're going to have to make sure our body language matches our words." Sherlock continued, fingers laced comfortably in her own.

"Body lan-" She scrambled back when he abruptly crowded into her space and he shook his head with a heavy sigh.

"If you're stiff and halting around me, anyone with negative designs on Evelyn's life is sure to see through it. Expressing affection is a normal part of any relationship; physical intimacy is something expected." He pressed on, releasing her. She rubbed the palm against her leg, trying hard to appear unbothered by the direction of the conversation.

"I understand, I'm sorry. It was just a- I was surprised." His eyes narrowed at her, and Molly suddenly felt exposed. "I can do better. I want to help Evelyn." She promised.

"Excellent, then you're not averse to arranging rehearsal time."

Molly stopped. "Rehearsal time? You want to practice?"

Sherlock shrugged. "You don't? If we want for our plan to go smoothly than we must prepare Miss Hooper."

"Right. Prepared." Why was she repeating everything he was saying, she sounded so stupid! .

"Yes. You have objections?" She hated the raised brow, the doubt she surely heard creeping into his tone. This was for a case, and Sherlock was her friend so she could do this! She just needed to pull it together and be professional, Evelyn was counting on them. Molly couldn't allow a girlish crush to get in the way of assisting that poor woman.

"Nope! No doubts here. In fact, let's start now." She rose, marched up to the man, and before she could lose her nerve, tugged him down to kiss his cheek. "You need some sleep, hun. I think you're looking rather tired, don't you?"

"Don't call me hun, it's ridiculous." Was Sherlock's reply, sitting on the bed and tugging her between his legs. "You're meant to be my lover, not a maternal figure. Try again." Was he testing her? Her resolve hardened. If this was some way to try and embarrass her, she wasn't going to fall for it.

"Honey, we've got work to do tomorrow, so you should go to bed." She kissed his other cheek, and his hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her in.

"Now you remind me of an old married woman. More natural, like you mean it." Oooh, he was pushing it now! She didn't miss that little gleam in his eye, the way his lips were beginning to tilt up. Determination gave her courage, and courage made her bold. One small hand cupped his cool cheek, thumb skimming over those gorgeous cheekbones.

"You can't work a case if you're exhausted." She reminded him softly. "Let your mind rest, and we'll get a fresh start tomorrow."

"Molly-" The croak of his voice only proved her point. With her eyes closed, she kissed the corner of his mouth but they flew open when his hand covered her own. His blue eyes had gone a shade or two darker, his attention left her breathless.

"Sherlock-" He was leaning into her-

"Sleep well, Molly Hooper." His lips pressed against her forehead, lingering all too briefly before she was released and Sherlock was heading for the door.

"Good- good night." She called out weakly. He didn't reply and as soon as the door closed behind him she buried her face in her pillow.

What the hell had she agreed to?!