Part 1 of 3

XXXXX

John paced back and forth in front of Sherlock, "Is Charlie going to be here soon?" he asked for the umpteenth time.

"Any minute now" Sherlock answered, repeating the phrase for the twelfth time in the last twenty minutes.

"What's taking her so long?"

"She had an appointment" Sherlock stressed, knowing Charlie wouldn't want him talking about her therapy sessions, "and she said something about going to Mycroft's"

John paused and glanced at Sherlock, "Do you think she'll be okay today?"

"Okay? With what?"

"The… alcohol?" John said quietly so that their conversation was not over heard "I'm just worried that someone will notice her not drinking and say something and she'll get offended and… well, you know"

"She won't" said Sherlock bluntly.

"She was less than an inch off punching Lestrade in the face that Christmas"

"I said she won't. Charlie will be fine, don't worry about her – you know she hates that"

"Aren't you concerned?"

Sherlock swiftly guided John away to a corner, "Yes" Sherlock hissed "but quietly"

John glanced away and bit his lip, "If you think so, I'll trust your judgement, you know her best"

"Yes, I do"

XXXXX

When I arrived I checked my watch. I knew I was on time but I had panicked slightly on the way there that I would be late. My appointment had gone well but it ran over because she wanted to talk about how I felt about going to the wedding. I had stopped in at Mycroft's on the way there to get dressed and get Mycroft's wedding present, seeing as he wasn't coming - "I'm far too busy for such trivial nonsense"

I made my way to the toilets and hung up my coat (it was really just one of Sherlock's older ones but I wore that specific one most often so it 'belonged' to me). I turned and caught a glimpse of myself in one of the full length mirrors – I had to look twice. I barely recognised myself - in a good way for a change. Mycroft had bought me the dress the day before – it was ankle length, deep red, low cut with thick straps and long, thin silk sleeves that hung loosely at my sides. The bodice was fitted and embroidered with tiny swirling patterns that were made up of minuscule roses. Mycroft had, of course, bought me matching shoes; they were identical in colour, two inch wedged heeled boots, and they were surprisingly comfortable. I hadn't seen myself in it until now; I had left Mycroft's without having the chance to get to a decent sized mirror and only Mycroft's reassurance.

Self-consciously I smooth down my dress. I tried to sort my hair into some kind of order, adjusted my glasses and went to find Sherlock and John. I wandered through the building, folding and unfolding my arms awkwardly until I spotted Sherlock and John talking in a room off of the corridor I was on. Relieved, I rushed into the room, "Sherlock, John!"

Both men turned round at the sound of my voice. John's jaw dropped a little, "Charlie… wow. I mean, I mean… you look… wow, um, amazing! I didn't think… didn't expect…" I laughed at John's awed expression and blushed as he stared. The dress was a sharp contrast from my usual shirt and jeans. I grinned and John pulled me into a friendly hug. Then I looked to Sherlock, who was unusually quiet.

Sherlock was staring with eyebrows raised and mouth opened and was blinking repeatedly, giving him a look of pure amazement. "I know, I probably look ridiculous – don't blame me, Mycroft bought it-"

"No! You look beautiful, I… wait – did you say Mycroft?"

Beautiful; I smiled. "Yes, don't give me that look. I'll tell you all about it later"

A woman (who I presumed was Mary's chief bridesmaid) appeared, "We're getting started now, better get ready" she said with an Irish accent. She was confident and I knew her main intention of the day was to not go home alone. I found myself judging her cruelly, but smiled masking my thoughts – I didn't like her, not at all. John nodded and she left. He opened his mouth to speak but was swiftly interrupted by Greg Lestrade.

"Hey, has anyone seen Ch… oh, Charlie! Wow – you look amazing!" Greg stared with an open mouthed smile.

"Thank you Greg"

He shook his head, "Sorry Charlie, I don't mean to stare, but I just wasn't expecting… you… this…" he gestured at my dress and I felt the blood rise to my cheeks." And your hair looks great, you should do that more often" I had straightened it at Mycroft's and fixed it into a side parting.

"Thanks, I think we're supposed to be getting started now?"

"Yeah, yeah of course – I saved you a seat."

"Thanks" I turned back to Sherlock and John, "Good luck" then I left side by side with Lestrade.