Honesty

Sherlock isn't stupid, he could tell that Danielle was trying to give him and John some time to talk, alone time. The Chinese was a good idea though, he was hungry. He hadn't eaten yet that day or even before that, for two days or so. He'd been too busy with the case, the third body in the past month to think about eating. The crime scene today had disturbed him, the drugs didn't, it was the victim who resembled his girlfriend that bothered him. It was a horrible wakeup call that had shocked him more than he would admit.

And thankfully he didn't have to admit it, she already knew, she called him and made him come back to the flat. When she arrived he all but pinned her to the wall, kissing her feverously. She didn't argue, in fact she responded well, kissing him back just as hard. They remained like that for a few minutes until she wrapped her legs around his waist, he carried her into the bedroom. They kissed for the better part of an hour, touching just to reassure him that she was fine.

It was only after that they talked about Sherlock and exactly what he had been feeling at the crime scene. Then they were kissing again, she lost her dress and Sherlock's shirt was being unbuttoned when the police broke into his flat for a rather horribly timed drugs bust.

Sherlock looked at John; his best friend was watching him, blue eyes wide. "You have questions" Sherlock stated, beginning on buttoning up his shirt.

"Why didn't you tell me? And please don't give me that crap about her father, please; I believe I deserve to know."

"Very well" Sherlock shifted in his chair, crossing his leg and facing John completely. "Its early days"

John looked at his friend, brows furrowing "Yet she was in your bedroom, in nothing but her underwear."

"It is…was…" Sherlock struggled, obviously uncomfortable. He looked up at his friend with pleading eyes. John looked at him with a 'please explain' expression. He sighed and continued. "That was the first time."

John looked slightly surprised, leaning his elbows on his knees. "And we interrupted, god, that's rough."

Sherlock didn't disagree, instead he just steepled his hands beneath his chin. "We haven't been together long, she only got back today from a week and a half in Europe, we didn't want to rush into things."

"Sex Sherlock, you can say it" John laughed at his friend. "There's no need to be embarrassed."

"I'm not embarrassed" he snapped.

"Then what's the problem?"

"I was scared John" he admitted. "Not about sex, I've had sex before, I just chose not to until now. I was scared at the crime scene, the victim reminded me of her. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her."

John nodded. "I understand."

"Is this how you felt? With Mary?"

John nodded. "Yes, I knew from the moment I met her, it sounds stupid but she is just so…her. She's amazing and I just knew that she was the one, is that how you feel with Danielle?"

Sherlock nodded, looking like a confused child. "She approached me in a bar, I was undercover, hoping to catch the murderer, and she brought me a drink. It was strange, I'm used to women hitting on me, but it wasn't like that. She wasn't hitting on me, she looked different, and she stood out. Not in a bad way, I mean she's beautiful but she was just there. I don't know, I guess I could tell that there was something different about her. I could deduce things from her but I didn't want to. I wanted her to tell me instead." He took a breath. "She knew I was undercover and was trying to help me blend in, the case was a dead end and we danced. When she left, I walked with her. She kissed me and I guess I forgot that I could have those feelings."

"What feelings?" John asked.

"Desire, it's been a long time since I wanted anyone but I want her John, so much it hurts." Sherlock looked up at his friend, their eyes meeting. "When I saw her tonight, she'd dropped everything to be here and it felt right, it wasn't like we were rushing into anything."

"I'm sorry that we ruined that" John spoke sincerely, clapping his hands together. "And I'm sorry that we doubted you."

Danielle spoke quickly as she and Mary walked down Baker Street, towards the Chinese which she knew wasn't that far. "I'm sorry that you had to find out that way, Sherlock speaks very highly of you and John, he did want to tell you himself but I'm afraid that I insisted."

"I get it" Mary responded, walking beside the attractive woman. "Sherlock's amazing, only a certain people get him, most assume he's an arrogant sod but I liked him when I first met him, he was funny, couldn't see what he'd done wrong. Much like a child, he needs people around him that get him, I can see you do."

Danielle didn't bother hiding her smile. She looked at Mary as they walked. "I just…I've never felt this way before, he's just so…him."

Mary chuckled in response. "He's defiantly a character"

Danielle giggled In agreement. "I just saw him and I kind of knew, not that this would happen, but I knew that I needed to know him, just to have him in my life. Honestly, I didn't think he'd be interested, he's amazing."

"Yes but from what I can see, so are you and that is exactly what Sherlock likes. Not that I've ever known him to date before, he just likes puzzles and things that keep him interested."

Danielle paused "Honestly, my life is hectic, especially with my job. I'm always in popular demand and I've only ever had one serious boyfriend, it didn't end well so I kept things quite casual until now. But so far he's made it clear that he finds me very interesting. It's just going to be hard, I my job is dangerous."

Mary looped their arms and they continued walking. "What exactly is it you do?"

Danielle looked around the practically empty street before bowing her head down to whisper in her ear. Her voice hushed. "I do whatever the people I'm consulting need me to. It could be tracking a killer, or stopping terrorist attacks, being a body guard or anything. It's a very rewarding career."

Danielle and Mary returned twenty-five minutes later with hot bags of Chinese food, she placed them on the coffee table knowing the kitchen table would be a mess, like always. She didn't even get plates of knives and forks, instead she just started unwrapping the food and left a pair of chopsticks for everyone. John and Mary sat on one side of the table while she and Sherlock sat on the other, backs lent against the sofa.

Sherlock made a point of sitting close to her, so their shoulders were brushing together. On the table in front of them was a feast: two helpings of duck chow mein and egg fried rice, kung po chicken, sweet and sour chicken balls, BBQ pork, chips and prawn toast.

There was friendly conversation throughout the meal. John often stopped eating just to stare at the scene in front of him, Sherlock sharing food with his girlfriend, feeding her with his chopsticks. It was a surreal experience to watch his flatmate and best friend stupidly in love with another person.

"When do you have to leave?" Sherlock asked her, head rested on top of hers.

"I closed my case in Germany last night, flew back here this morning on the soonest flight I could manage, I even flew public airway instead of private because the jet wouldn't have taken off till lunch time. The only other case I have, is the same one you're working, although solving it is of course priority, I do not have to work until tomorrow morning. I'm all yours for the night, then I will accompany you to Scotland Yard."

"Good" Sherlock commented, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"We should get going" John said quickly, glancing at Mary who nodded in agreement.

"Thank you" Danielle responded, watching as they pulled themselves to their feet. She clarified "For being there for him, even when you thought he was using, you were here for support, it's nice to know that he has such lovely and caring friends."

John smiled politely, saying a rushed goodbye before leaving with Mary. Dani jumped up when she heard the door closing downstairs, picking up the leftover food and putting it in the fridge. She put the rubbish in the bin and turned around to find Sherlock standing directly behind her, grey eyes staring at her with intensity. "Bed?" he asked.

Dani smiled, taking a step closer to him so that their chests were pushed together lightly. "Take me to bed Sherlock Holmes."