John smiled. "Seriously, Sherlock. You boring someone to death? Doesn't happen! You would only insult them and scare them away."
"You know what I mean, John."
Sherlock passed the rest of the day in his ordinary manner, namely finishing his research for the blood-indicator, but he had already finished that before he had been busy for 13 minutes and 49 seconds, so, after his research, he started bothering John by deducting, teasing and making nasty don't-you-see-it's-so-obvious remarks while he lay languidly on the sofa. At last, John was sick and tired of it. And that was exactly what he told his flat-mate.
"Sherlock, Molly is coming over here tonight."
"I invited her, yes."
"Are you going to do anything special then? Impress the girl?"
"Dull."
"Well, perhaps, but the result you'll get in the end won't be dull at all."
Sherlock opened his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"You know what? Deduce it. Cook a meal for her, think of something you can do tonight, or she might just leave after dinner. Go bowling, for all I care."
"Bowling?"
John raised his hands skywards in despair and decided to leave the detective to himself, he was going out.
After John had left, Sherlock decided he had to make Molly comfortable. Cook a meal? A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He would surprise them all.
At least, that was what he planned to do. His mother had taught him how to cook, and he had been pretty good at it once. But because he had a housekeeper, pardon, Landlady who cooked for him, he didn't need to do it himself. That was why he found himself flappig a towel in his kitchen, trying to get rid of the black smoke.
A worried Mrs Hudson stuck her head around the door to inquire what had happened upstairs, and when she saw Sherlock, standing in the middle of the kitchen, looking very lost.
"Oh, dear. Let me help you. What had you planned to cook?"
Sherlock explained and that is how John found them: making a lasagna, together. John folded his arms before his chest and looked at the two of them. Mrs Hudson was like an army-officer, giving commands to the obeying Sherlock and keeping an eye on everything that happened in her kitchen. Smilingly, John took out his newspaper, sat down and started reading.
When there was a modest ring at the door downstairs, Sherlock had just finished setting the table. He glanced at his watch, and went downstairs. John had to fight the impuls not to sneak after his friend and watch how they would greet each other.
When both were upstairs, Molly sniffed loudly. "Smells good, Mrs Hudson."
Mrs Hudson pointed towards Sherlock, who stood nonchalantly against the door post. Molly turned her dark brown eyes on the tall man, a hinge of appreciation in it.
"Well," Sherlock exclaimed, rubbing his hands. "Who wants dinner?"
"Sherlock, I hate to admit it, but it was really good!" John said, leaning back in his chair. Sherlock smiled at his Landlady. "Yes, it rather was, wasn't it?"
"Where did you learn that?" Molly asked.
"My mother was very keen to teach me, but Mrs Hudson helped a great deal. She could control an army and a saucepan, and both would be able to defend the country," Sherlock teased the elder lady, who smiled proudly back.
"Look what I have here," John stated when he came walking down the stairs, carrying a box Sherlock didn't recognise.
"Oh, Trivial Pursuit!" Molly clapped her hands. "That's such a fun game, haven't played it for ages!"
John opened the box and quickly explained the rules to Sherlock and Mrs Hudson, who were both not familiar with the game.
"Sherlock, a question for you. Ah, it's an easy one. What kind of Australian toy comes back when you throw it away?" John asked.
"A boomerang. Obvious."
Molly got a question about Tennis, John about international code words. Mrs Hudson answered the question about the weddingdate of Lady Di and Prince Charles correctly, and then it was Sherlock's turn again.
"What was the name of Luke Skywalker's father?" Molly asked.
"Who's father?" Sherlock looked as if he had swallowed a living cockroach.
"Luke Skywalker. From Star Wars," John explained patiently.
"Star Wars?"
"The films?"
"I'm sorry Sherlock, but you must answer now."
"Daddy Skywalker?" Sherlock guessed.
"Sherlock: Who killed MacBeth?" Molly asked.
"Is that a king?"
"Yes, he was."
"A brute murder?"
"It was in battle, actually."
Sherlock thought very hard but just couldn't remember. "I can't recall a case or lawsuit about this. Who was it?"
Molly glanced at her card. "Macduff."
"Macduff? What a weird name is that!"
"It's Shakespeare, Sherlock."
"Ah."
"Which playing card brings bad luck?"
"Who invented all these questions? They are so trivial!"
"That's why it's called Trivial Pursuit."
"Yes, I see. What was the question again, John?"
"You're just trying to get more time, Sherlock. Answer the question!"
"It's just ridiculous."
"Just answer the bloody question, Sherlock!"
"No. It's a stupid question."
"You just don't know what the answer is. It's Queen of Spades, by the way."
They sustained the game for exactly one round. Molly won. Sherlock stated afterwards that it was even more tedious than Cluedo.
"I like Cluedo," Molly exclaimed, but the look on Sherlock's face silenced her.
"I owed you the violin, remember?" Sherlock asked, getting up and lifting the instrument from its housing.
John moved in his chair so he could sit more comfortable, Mrs Hudson offered tea to everyone and sat down too. Molly fixed her eyes on Sherlock as he lifted the bow and created the first soft tones.
She closed her eyes and her toughts floated away on the melody the detective shaped. She recognised some Bach and Paganini, but it slowly changed to something she had never heard before. A sad melody, but also hopeful and lifting. Powerful. she felt that if he played just a while longer, she could touch his soul, but she just couldn't grab it.
When he stopped, she sighed and opened her eyes. "That was beautiful, Sherlock," Molly whispered.
Sherlock bowed and smiled, fixing his eyes a bit longer on the girl sitting on his sofa.
"It was a lovely evening, dears, but I'm off to bed," Mrs Hudson announced. All wished her a good night, and John stood up shortly afterwards too.
"I'm off too. You two: behave!" he winked and left the sitting room, leaving Sherlock and Molly alone.
I have some ideas for what can happen next, but suggestions are welcome! Thanks for the Alerts, Favs and comments, they are helpful and stimulating :) I hope you liked this Chap too, hopefully I didn't mess the characters up..