"Molly will you go on a date with me?"

It was probably a good thing that she was sitting, else the shock would have knocked her knees below her. If he had asked this a few years ago, she would have blushed profusely, stuttered and maybe(no definetly) fainted. But things had changed, she knew Sherlock better now. Now she just rolled her eyes, for she had now figured out his motive.

"Definetly." She said and dimpled at him. "What's the case?" she asked.

Sherlock sighed partly in relief and partly in dissapointment that she didn't think it was an actual date. Wait what? Where did that come from? He mentally shook himself and gave a brief run down of the case. Molly frowned with concern as he explained. She was always like that, worrying about the well being of the client.

Sentiment.

"When is the party?"

"It's this Friday in Cardiff. Dress code is formal. I'll have Mycroft clear off your schedule." he said with a smirk. He enjoyed making Mycroft do such trivial things for him.

"You better do that. I don't want to be drowned by paperwork this weekend."

Sherlock gave a nod to show that he understood. He then bid a reluctant (only because he liked the lab) good bye and left the morgue.

Molly watched him leave. When she was sure he was gone, she allowed herself the feelings which she had denied herself in his presence. Hope and happiness. Though she had acted cool when he had asked her to be his date, inside she was whooping in joy. Yeah sure, it was just for a case. It was not a real date, all would be act. But it won't be a act on her part. She still loved Sherlock deeply and just being in his presence was enough for her. She had something to look forward to this Friday. With a smile she resumed doing her paperwork.

/-/-/-/

Mary was trying her best to maintain a neutral expression, when all she wanted to do was smile from ear to ear. Their plan had worked brilliantly. She had had no doubts about succeding. One mention of Molly and she knew Sherlock would defineltly take up the case. This should be enough proof, for anbody that he was in love. Sadly it was not enough for the world's only consulting detective.

But fear not, she would see to it that he acknowledge what was right in front of his eyes.

Currently, she was listening to Molly explain about the case. Molly visited her almost every other day. Mary was now eight months pregnant, and couldn't move around much. So instead of their usual girls night out they just spent sometime gossiping at Mary's.

"The event is on Friday." Molly was saying.

Mary could see that Molly was excited. Good. It was a sign that she still had strong feelings for Sherlock.

"What are you planning to wear?"

"I don't know. It's a formal event. Maybe I'll buy something tommorow when I get back from work."

Oh no! Mary thought. Despite her intelligence, Molly had a very questionable fashion sense at the least. She usually wore clothes twice her usual size that didn't flatter and show off her petite form. She decided to jump in.

"Molly I know a friend who is a personal shopper. I'll get an appointment for you. She will help you get ready for the event."

"Don't you think personal shopper is a bit too much? Don't bother yourself Mary. I've got this. " Molly said.

"Molly, you would be undercover as the guests of the Duchess. Believe me when I tell you that all the high class ladies will be pampered by the leading beauticians. You need to look the part. A perosnal shopper is the least of the requirements."

Mary knew perfectly well that Molly couldn't refuse her suggestion, if she put it like that. If it was for a case she had to agree.

"You're right Mary. Get that appointment."

/-/-/-/

This palce is huge, that was Molly's first thought when she entered into the dress botique along with her personal shopper, Chrissa.

Mary had been true to her word and had got her Chrissa's appointment. Molly had gone to Chrissa's office after work to meet her. Chrissa had the figure of a super model and dressed like one too. Molly had expected her to be indifferent towards her,typical behaviour of extremely good looking women, but she was wrong. Except for the fact that she made a face at the dress she had been wearing, a bird patterened pale green top with khakis, she had been very friendly. They had set out immediately to go shopping and that is how Molly found herself in this palce.

The shop had an extremely French sound to it that she couldn't even pronounce it. Upon entering, Chrissa immediately went to a row of racks, stacked with glittery dresses. Molly had no choice but to follow her. Chrissa gave her a once over, before picking dresses from the rack and handing them to her. Molly examined the price tag which made her heart go weak. A single dress cost almost her entire month salary. She was about to voice her concerns to Chrissa when she said "What are you waiting for? Go try them!" She shooed Molly towards the trial rooms, before she could protest. All the dresses were too pretty that Molly was afraid that she might soil them by wearing. Despite her fears she decided to give it a try. The dresses were so beautiful themselves that they would make anybody look good when worn.

She had to say, the dresses made her look great. Chrissa 'oooh'ed and 'aaah'ed at every dress but finally decided on a deep blue low neck dress. It was made of a soft velvet like fabric that clung to her. It came down till her knees and shimmered when she moved. Molly loved it. Chrissa took a picture of her in the dress and sent it to Mary, who wished to accompany them but couldn't. Then they purchased the dress which blowed a small hole in her bank balance, but Molly didn't mind. She rarely allowed herself such pleasures.

/-/-/-/-/

Mary looked at the picture she had just received from Chrissa. Sherlock was going to have a hard time solving the case, since it would be the last thing on his mind.

/-/-/-/-/

It was Friday. Finally. The case was pretty simple, he would solve within a minute as soon as he met the guests. He hated the waiting game. Action was what he wanted.

You want Molly also, the now very active voice in his head said. Sherlock just ignored it. That part of had been extremely excited at the prospect of a date(albeit a fake one) with Molly. Sentiment was seeping into the cracks of the walls he had constructed around his heart. Not good.

He could think about it later, right now he had to get ready. He walked upto his closet and threw the doors open. He contemplated on what he should wear. He had to allow that this behaviour was unusual. He never indulged in such trivial choices but he had this unshakable feeling to choose properly. Only once had he done this before, when he and John had gone to meet Irene for the first time. But that had been different, hadn't it? It had been a necessity to lure Irene, the same way she had dressed (or rather not dressed) to try to lure him. Now, he wanted to impress Molly though he couldn't fathom why. He decided to just go with it and continued to contemplate. After going over the pros and cons of every item, he decided on a white suit with black pants.

He was in the process of wearing his jacket, when he heard a knock on the front door.

Mycroft, he thought with a sneer. He had this precise way of knocking that grated on his nerves. Sherlock continued to button up his jacket when Mycroft walked into the flat.

"Hello brother dear." Mycroft said as he looked around the flat in disdain.

"What do you want Mycroft?"

"Can't a brother visit simply?"

"No. I am busy right now, please see yourself out." Sherlock didn't even glance in Mycroft's direction.

"Oh! I can see that you are quite busy. Going to the ball with the pathologist. I didn't think you were the one for socialising ,Sherlock."

"I am not! It is for a case."

"Yes, I'm sure." Mycroft said with a smile in his voice.

"What?" that tone had caught Sherlock's attention. He glared at Mycroft.

"Oh! It's nothing. I just came by to tell you to not crash the party. The Duchess is a benefactor to the crown."

"And?" Sherlock asked. "You wouldn't have come all the way to just tell me this."

"I assure you Sherlock there is nothing more." Mycroft said as he looked at his brother. Hmmm… actually he had come to see why his brother was even bothering to take this case, it was hardly difficult. Now that he saw him all dressed up, his suspicions were confirmed. Sherlock had feelings for the pathologist. Despite his talks about alone protecting him, he had fallen for the pathologist. Sherock had always been like that. He craved company, but wouldn't allow himself to indulge for fear that those he loved would leave him. The episode with Redbeard had left deep scars in him. Atleast Mummy would be happy that Sherlock finally 'found someone', and stop pestering him as her focus will shift to Sherlock. Ha!

Sherlock gave him a suspicious look trying to decipher his intents. Mycroft decided to take his leave.

"Well I have other matters to attend to. Good day brother dear."

"Try not to start a war Mycroft. You know what it does to the traffic."

Mycroft rolled his eyes and left the flat. Once outside he immediately picked up his phone with an evil smirk to call mummy.

/-/-/-/-/

Sherlock stared at Molly's front door. He had been doing this for the last twenty minutes. Some how he couldn't summon his hands to knock on Molly's door. It was ridiculous. He had been to her flat many times, but right now he was feeling…. What was the word? Nervous, yes he was feeling nervous.

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Coming!" Molly shouted from within. Upon hearing her voice he had the absurd urge to flee, but he held his ground.

This is just Molly for god's sake!

The door opened to reveal Molly and all sane thoughts vanished from his mind. She was wearing a deep blue sleeveless dress(purchased recently) that came down till her knees while clinging to her form and black pumps that made her legs look longer that usual. She had curled her hair and left it untied. She had worn minimal makeup and lip gloss. Molly blushed as he took in her sight open mouthed. When he realised that he was openly staring, he cleared his throat.

"You look good" he said gruffly looking down at his feet.

Molly beamed at him.

"You don't look so bad yourself." She said making his ears turn pink.

He looked too good to be true in his white suit. The shirt was as usual tight, revealing his quite muscular form. His curls contrasted fantastically with his suit.

"Let's go." Sherlock said and together they made their way to the car, a black Jaguar(Oh my god!) Sherlock had hired. Molly was surprised when Sherlock headed to the driver's side. She looked at him questioningly.

"Don't look so surprised Molly. I can drive, I just prefer not too."

Molly smiled and got into the car along with Sherlock. The car purred into life under his touch and they sped towards Cardiff, each trying to stop staring at the other.

AN: Thank you for reading and the reviews! :')