Hey, thank you so much for all the likes and reviews. It has warmed my heart to get so much encouragement. I hope you like this chapter just as much.

Chapter 2

When Molly thought back on that kiss she couldn't quite believe that she had been that brave but he'd just given her free license to indulge in one of her fantasies and she had suddenly worried that it might be her only chance. The wine might have played no small part as well!

She recalled the moment when she sat in her flat later that evening telling Toby, her cat, what had taken place.

She remembered how she had stood on her tiptoes and taken hold of the lapels of his dressing gown pulling him down slightly to she could reach his lips, then she had kissed him. She had been surprised by how fast he had reciprocated with only a momentary pause before she felt his arms come up around her back holding her closer to him as he tilted his head and opened his mouth to hers.

He had tasted divine and for a moment she had lost herself in the kiss feeling his lips moving against hers and his hands on her back but then he had broken away and gently set her back on her feet. She knew she was breathing heavily and feeling a little dizzy and she was glad to see that he at least looked a little affected by it.

'So, how was that?' She asked.

'Ah...unexpected but yes, that works perfectly.'

'Good, I'll see you soon then.'

She left the flat and as she walked away and got out of sight of his windows she held her hand up and giggled a little when she saw she was shaking. She needed another drink!

After she had finished giving a bored looking Toby all the details she decided to check her phone before retiring to bed. There was a text on it from John asking if she'd be able to look after Rosie the following evening. Her lips quirked up into a quick smile as she replied with a yes and asking what time.

She'd grown closer to John since Mary had died. He'd really struggled to be a single parent to Rosie in the first few months following his wife's death and Molly had helped out as often as she was able to and in return he was a good friend. In some ways it was a shame that she didn't feel more for him and him for her as they would probably have been perfectly happy together but instead a strong friendship had developed and she loved hearing his tales of the adventures he shared with Sherlock. It was so much better hearing them in person than reading the blog.

As she put the phone down and started to get ready for bed she decided she might just discuss Sherlock's proposal with John. She needed an outside perspective on it and he probably already knew about it so she wouldn't be breaking any confidences.

She climbed into bed and hoped that she would manage to get some sleep although she rather suspected that her dreams might be haunted by that kiss. She needed to try to keep some perspective and remind herself that this was all fake but she worried that her heart wouldn't remember. In a lot of ways she was surprised that Sherlock would ask her knowing, as he did, how she felt about him but knowing how he was about emotions it wouldn't have occurred to him how hard it might be for her. She was glad that was the case because she wouldn't have wanted to miss out on this experience for the world.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

Sherlock had realised just what his brother had been talking about as soon as his mouth had met with Molly's. He had fully expected it to feel just like kissing Janine which had been perfunctory and slightly boring but it wasn't.

As he had opened his mouth to hers it had felt like a fire washing over him. For a moment he had just given into all the physical pleasures and sensations that had hit his body. The danger that Mycroft had mentioned was very, very obvious but now that he was sat alone and thinking it through he couldn't see any viable alternative. Molly was still the best person for the role and the thought of going to his aunt's house unprotected just left him cold.

He needed to be careful though, for the first time ever he realised just what he might have been repressing about his relationship with Molly and had been ever since that phone call all those months ago where he had found himself forced into telling Molly that he loved her. He had told himself ever since that he had meant it platonically, she was his friend but now...now he could see himself giving into physical need and emotion with her and the thought of it scared him more than any tussle with Moriarty or mind game with Magnussen.

MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH

By the time Molly made it to John's the following night she had already received a text from Sherlock confirming their first "date". It was for Friday night in two days' time. As she'd opened it she had felt a familiar flutter of nervous anticipation and she had to keep telling herself that none of it was real. She couldn't help the thought though that she might get another chance to kiss him. Real or not it was an experience that she wanted to repeat.

John opened the door and ushered her in.

'Evening Molly. I've just been putting Rosie down for the night and just wanted to check she was settled before I nip out. Do you fancy a glass of wine while we're waiting?'

He indicated to the kitchen and Molly nodded as she removed her coat and hung it up before following him through. They chatted as John uncorked the bottle and poured. He was a bit shy as he admitted that he was going out on a date that evening, his first time since losing Mary.

'I know it might seem a bit soon but I have no intention of embarking on anything serious. It's just...well; I need someone...something...'

Molly smiled. 'It's fine John, I'm not judging. There's no rule book as to when you should or shouldn't date. So, is she nice? I mean well obviously she's nice or you wouldn't be seeing her. Where did you meet her?'

They made their way into the front room and sat down on the settee.

'We met at the group bereavement counselling. She lost her husband last year, cancer. She's like me, just wants some companionship without all the expectations. We're meeting up to see the latest Avengers film.'

'Oh I know the one you mean, it sounds good I hope you enjoy it...and don't worry if you want to go for a drink afterwards. I haven't got any plans tomorrow so I don't mind having a late night.' Molly broke off and took a sip of her drink closing her eyes as she savoured the taste. 'God I need this today. Work was a bit of a nightmare and I've just heard from Sherlock about meeting up. Well, you probably already know all about it, I'm sure Sherlock's discussed it with you.'

John looked confused and shook his head. 'I don't think so; he hasn't mentioned you much recently.'

'Oh right, I just assumed he had.' Now she felt a little unsure as to whether to go on but it was a bit late to backtrack now.

'Well, he has some family visit he has to make in just over a week...'

'Ah that'll be the rich aunt, I remember him having to go to that when I lived at Baker St. He came back in a foul mood. Apparently she'd tried to set him up with the vicar's daughter from the local village and she hadn't let it go all weekend.' John laughed to himself at the memory. 'So, where do you come in then Molly?'

Molly wished that Mary were here right now. She could almost hear hear her response and imagine how it would have played out.

'Come on John it's bloody obvious.'

John would frown looking confused. 'Not to me it isn't.'

'He'll have asked Molly to be his fake girlfriend to take the pressure off. Am I right?'

She turned to John feeling more than a little nervous. 'He...umm...well, he asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend for the weekend.'

'Well I hope you told him what he could do with that suggestion.' Added John.

This time Molly blushed bright red and John sat back in his seat with his eyebrows raised. 'I'm being an idiot, you said yes of course. Why wouldn't you? It's perfect.'

This more than surprise poor Molly. 'I'm sorry how...how is this perfect?'

'Because Sherlock is an arse who doesn't realise what he's got right under his nose. You know I used to think that he was asexual or something, he didn't seem to have any interest in men or women but then Irene happened.'

He looked nervously at Molly who murmured, 'the one he saw naked?'

John nodded. 'I thought maybe there was something going on there right up until that godawful time at Sherrinford. But when I heard Sherlock telling you he loved you I realised I was wrong. If anyone can draw Sherlock into a relationship it will be you...I think it's always been you.'

Molly didn't know what to say in response to that. When she had spoken to Sherlock after it had all calmed down he had been very honest and very apologetic but he had been clear that whilst he admitted he loved her it was only in a platonic sense and she'd accepted that. She had understood why he had had to do what he had done and was grateful even that he had cared about her enough to subject them both to that call in order to try to save her life but she had never seen any sign that it meant more. John must be mistaken.

'You know I can almost hear Mary in my head and she only has one question.' He chuckled. 'So, have you kissed yet? After all I'm assuming you'll need to in order to make the deception look real.'

Molly nodded. 'Yes, we kissed last night. Well, I kissed him, though he did kiss me back.'

Molly smiled and John laughed. 'Good girl. So, what's the plan now?'

Molly took her phone out and checked the text. 'He's taking me to somewhere called the Chiltern Firehouse for a meal on Friday evening.'

'I know it. It's just round the corner from Baker St; it's where all the celebs hang out. I take it he's aiming for a good pap shot that will get you in the papers?'

Molly nodded her head again but looked more nervous this time. 'Yes that's the plan but what the hell do I wear?'

Then she laughed as she realised who she had just asked. 'Sorry, I forget sometimes that you're not one of my girlfriends.'

John didn't miss a beat. 'Wear that dress that you wore at the Scotland Yard Christmas Party. Sherlock hasn't seen it but I can guarantee he'll love it.'

Molly frowned as she thought back, trying to remember which one he meant 'The red one, that's quite revealing, are you sure?'

'Yes, it'll be perfect. Trust me Molly, I'm a man and there wasn't a single guy at that party who didn't fancy you in that dress.'

MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH

Molly went to Baker St on the night of the date. It made more sense than for Sherlock to pick her up given that the Firehouse was walking distance from his flat. It was a mild evening for September and not raining so they set off walking with Sherlock wearing his Belstaff and Molly's favourite blue scarf. She wondered if he knew and had worn it on purpose but decided against asking him. He put his arm out for Molly to loop hers through and as they walked she stroked the arm of the coat with her free hand.

'I do love this coat, another reason for me to love colder weather...I kind of miss it in summer when you're not wearing it.'

Sherlock rolled his eyes at her sentimentalism. 'It's just a coat Molly.'

'If it's just a coat how come you had your brother keep it for you when you went away for two years. Come on be honest, you love it too.'

'It's just practical that's all...good pockets.'

He looked down at Molly to see that she was repressing a giggle and he couldn't help but smile in return. 'Fine, fine, I like the coat. Happy now?'

They turned the final corner near the restaurant and were immediately accosted by a couple of the bored looking photographers that had been waiting outside for the chance of a few celebrities.

'Mr Holmes...Mr Holmes...Daily Mail. Can you tell us who your partner is?'

Sherlock moved to put his arm around Molly's shoulder pulling her closer to him. She smiled nervously trying to make sure she didn't embarrass herself or him in any way but feeling very uncomfortable with all the attention.

'Doctor Molly Hooper and she is my long term partner.'

'How long have you been seeing each other?'

The question was directed at Molly and she shyly gave the answer that they had agreed. 'Three months.'

'And is he good Miss Hooper? Does he live up to his nickname of Shag-A-Lot Holmes?' There was a ripple of laughter at the riskee questioning and Molly blushed but declined to answer.

'Any chance of a kiss shot Mr Holmes?'

Molly felt a little hopeful but Sherlock just gave her a chaste kiss on the side of her forehead and then led her past the group and up the stairs to where one of the top hatted commissionaires was waiting to escort them to their table.

As the staff took their coats in the reception Molly's dress was finally revealed to Sherlock and she had to admit that he did a double take when he saw her and seemed to swallow heavily.

'Do you like it? Is it alright?' Once again she had to repress her desire to pull the hemline down but she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed when his only response was, 'it's fine Molly.'

Then he took her hand in his and the two of them made their way through into the busy, vibrant bar and restaurant.

So, some Johntent and their first date and I couldn't resist using a place that Benedict is well known for hanging out in and yes, it is just round the corner from Baker St. Are you enjoying their interactions so far?