This chapter is fully T rated so safe for all.

As for the reason for the disaster can I just say poor Toby, almost to a one he got the blame from all of you for ruining Molly's dress. He is both hurt and offended by all the accusations and wanted me to make it clear he has nothing but the deepest respect for Molly and would never do anything to hurt her :).

OhLaLee thought the British Government might have taken over the ballroom which I quite liked the idea of but none of you were correct (cackles gleefully).

So if it's not Toby or Mycroft it must be...well, read on and you'll soon see.

Chapter 11

She woke up to the sound of her mobile beeping, alerting her to a new text. She tried to ignore it at first but it was too late, the damage was done and she was awake.

She reached her hand out and found the phone dragging it under the covers with her, letting the light from the screen wake her further as she opened up the text from Sherlock.

Case has come in - an 8. Away for two days, will text on my return. SH

'What?' Molly was sat bolt upright in the bed before she knew it. 'Nonononono, please don't do this to me Sherlock,' she pleaded to her phone.

There was a second text which had come in moments after the first.

Looks like the boys are away for our dance. Fancy being my date? MW

She tried to smile at Mary's text but she knew her heart wasn't in it. She texted back an affirmative before falling miserably back onto the pillows. All her plans, all those lessons, she didn't want them to have to go to waste.

Where are you? Molly x

The text came back quite quickly.

Winchester. Double murder overnight. Wish you were here to do the autopsies, the local guy is an idiot! SH

Molly smiled, only Sherlock could send that kind of wish you were here text.

She sat thinking, tapping the phone on her chin as she did. She really wanted to go to the dance with Sherlock tonight but she knew what he was like on a case, knew a murder enquiry was more important. In the end she couldn't help herself and dialled the number quickly before she could change her mind.

'Molly, what is it?'

'Listen I know you're on a case and everything but I really want you to be here tonight.'

'What? Why, what's happening tonight?'

Molly huffed in frustration, 'the dance, Sherlock, you know the one we've been practicing for.'

'Molly, I think a murder investigation is more important than some dance!' He sounded a bit angry and Molly closed her eyes grimacing.

Then inspiration hit her, 'yes, you're right it is more important. But you are Sherlock Holmes and you are amazing... so solve it.'

'What...'

'Solve it for me Sherlock. Show me how brilliant you are, solve it and be at the dance. You have..' Molly looked at the clock by the bed showing it was 8.17am, 'twelve hours.' Then she hung up.

She chewed nervously on her bottom lip wondering if she'd done the right thing. She didn't want Sherlock to think that sentiment and relationships were bad for his work but likewise she didn't want to miss out on the big night. A few seconds later the text arrived.

Challenge accepted Ms Hooper. I WILL see you this evening. SH

Molly grinned happily to herself and got up, suddenly feeling refreshed and filled with energy. She had a spare few hours now that she didn't have a dance lesson so she decided to fill her time catching up with her housework before settling down with a cup of tea and her current book. She never seemed to have enough time to just read, always feeling guilty about jobs that hadn't been done.

She texted Mary about meeting up and getting ready for the dance together. Mary agreed, inviting Molly over that afternoon to spend time with her and Elizabeth before the baby went to Harry and Clara's for the evening.

Molly showered in her own flat before gathering up her things for the evening and treating herself to a cab to Mary's. She had barely stepped foot through the door before the inquisition started.

'Alright, tell me everything. And I mean everything, I'll know if you're leaving anything out you know.'

Molly laughed at the scowl on Mary's face, 'OK but could I maybe come in first. I don't want the whole street to hear about my love life.'

Mary led her through to the front room and grudgingly offered her a cuppa. Molly deposited her things onto the settee before eagerly picking up a grizzling Elizabeth. 'Wow, I think she's put on some more weight since I last saw her.'

'Not surprising,' Mary called back from the kitchen, 'she seems to be constantly hungry. I wouldn't be surprised if she isn't ready for weaning soon.' She pottered back through with two mugs of tea placing Molly's next to her on a small coffee table.

'So, I know from your text that you slept together...ah and I take it from that grin that it went well. No regrets then?'

'No, none. You were right I just needed to do it.'

'Yes I was right and you did need to. So what now? I couldn't believe it when John got the call this morning, such bad timing. I was really looking forward to this evening...not that I'm not still...I mean we'll have a good time but still, a proper date night with John would have been nice, it feels like forever since we got out of the house just the two of us.'

'Hey, you know I'll babysit if you two need a night out, you just need to ask. Anyway, never say never about tonight.'

'Why? What do you know?'

'Nothing, there are no guarantees just...well...I challenged Sherlock to solve the case and get back in time.'

A slow smile spread across Mary's face, 'oh Molly, that was wickedly brilliant of you. Well that settles it then, they'll definitely be there.

The rest of the afternoon was spent gossiping, playing with Elizabeth and laughing, lots and lots of laughing.

Harry and Clara collected Elizabeth just after five giving Molly and Mary plenty of time to enjoy getting ready for the dance accompanied by a couple of glasses of wine, but by the time they were in the taxi in their way to the dance Molly was started to worry.

Neither of them had heard from either John or Sherlock and time was starting to run out. They arrived just before eight to find the event just getting started. The large room, which housed the bar led out seamlessly into the gardens which had been decorated with hundreds of fairly lights and candles. Thankfully the weather was perfect and it was warm enough to dance outside. A dance floor had been set up in the centre surrounded by trees and flowers and small tables for the observers. The band was also set up outside playing and the bar was full. Plenty of staff plus friends and family were milling about and catching up with each other.

Molly and Mary found their allocated table which was inside but close to the open doors and looking out onto the gardens. They sat down looking around at all the activity. 'So, the competitive dancing starts in just over 20 minutes, weren't you hoping to enter with Sherlock?'

Molly bit her lip as she searched the entrance once again looking for Sherlock. 'Yes, I mean, I know we don't stand a chance of winning but, well it was just going to be for a bit of a laugh. I put our names down last week, how about you and John?'

Mary just snorted, 'you are kidding aren't you, we can't ballroom dance to save our lives and what with Elizabeth there was no time for lessons. No I'm quite happy watching you. Shall we go get a drink? I think I see a gap opening up at the bar.' She stood up in anticipation

Molly looked at her watch for the fifteenth time, 8.20. She followed Mary through the crowd.

They got back to their table just as the compare was calling the dancers for the first waltz of the evening, 'that's it then,' said Molly. 'Looks like the challenge was too much.' She tried to muster a smile for Mary but couldn't quite manage it. She was surprised however to see Mary grin widely.

'Oh I wouldn't say that', Mary tipped her glass to point at something behind Molly. Molly turned to see Sherlock making his way towards her, through the crowd, adjusting his bow tie as he walked.

Without breaking his stride he caught Molly's hand pulling her outside towards the dance floor, 'come on Doctor Hooper, I think you'll agree I won your challenge, I want my prize.'

Molly just had time to pass her glass to Mary before she found herself settling comfortably into Sherlock's arms as they waited for the music to begin. Her left hand reached up to brush the damp curls from his forehead, 'in a rush were we Mister Holmes?'

He smirked as he looked down at her, 'whilst I hate to lose a challenge I didn't think you would appreciate me turning up covered in blood.' At her shocked expressions he quickly continued, 'not my blood I might add. Anyway, concentrate, extend your neck and no saggy arms. I don't intend to lose this competition either.'

With that the music started and Sherlock led her round the dance floor. As they danced with about twenty five other couples three judges walked around the edge of the dance floor watching them. After about five minutes they began to confer before they separated and went to different couples tapping them on the shoulder and gesturing for them to leave the dance floor. By the end of the dance there were ten couples left including Molly and Sherlock.

'The second dance, a rhumba will commence at nine o'clock. Would those left in the competition please register your names with the judges. Thank you.'

The dance floor was quickly opened up for general dancing and after Molly had given their details they made their way back to John and Mary.

'Wow, you two cut quite a rug out there. I didn't know you'd actually practiced. I got the impression you'd been drawn into other forms of activity.' Mary smiled at Sherlock as she spoke.

Sherlock looked from Mary to Molly and narrowed his eyes, 'hmm well, it seems you and Molly have been drawn into gossiping again haven't you! On that basis I think I need a drink, John?'

John had arrived whilst Molly and Sherlock had been dancing and he followed his friend after giving Molly a welcoming grin.

'Hey, I didn't realise how good you two were. You make quite the couple; you should hear what people were saying. No one could believe the great Sherlock Holmes had deigned to be here let alone compete. They're very impressed that you managed to persuade him and are very suspicious, as they should be, of your current relationship status.'

Molly blushed. She never really wanted to be the centre of attention, she was normally used to just melting into the shadows, the proverbial wallflower. It seemed being with Sherlock was going to change that and it made her feel more than a little nervous.

When Sherlock returned he slid his hand around her waist and turned her too him so he could kiss her. 'There that's better, I didn't have chance to give you a proper greeting when I first arrived, and can I just say you look beautiful tonight, positively ravishing and yes I do plan to ravish you later.'

Molly blushed all over again, her hands on Sherlock's chest, 'you don't look so bad yourself. I knew you'd scrub up well.'

It was at that moment that the second round of the competition was called, Molly felt quite confident with the rhumba, it was her favourite dance. The music started and they quickly moved in harmony together. As before the judges took some time to watch technique and discuss their choices before making their decision. Once again Sherlock and Molly were left to carry on dancing and by the end there were only three couples left.

Molly was slightly out of breath as the music ended and she giggled happily as she realised they were still in. Sherlock she noticed was scrutinising the other two couples and Molly started to feel a little nervous about what he was up to. She reached her hand up and pulled his face back around until she could meet his eyes. 'Hey you, let's win fair and square eh! No deducing them and sending them fleeing for the hills.'

'But..'

'No, no buts. Let's just dance and if we're good enough we're good enough, and if we're not well we had fun. Plus it brought us together didn't it, that's prize enough for me.'

'Hmm, I suppose you're right. I just hate to lose that's all. And I just know that the man in the first couple is engaged in an affair, and that woman is under the influence of drugs. I could just...'

'Sherlock, come on. Buy me a drink and tell me how you plan to ravish me later.' His eyes swung back round to look at her and she tugged him off the dance floor by his hand. As they stood at the bar a few minutes later he leant on her with his arms around her waist as he whispered rude things in her ear. Molly was once again blushing as well as grinning from ear to ear completely oblivious to the nudges and comments of the people around them. She honestly had had no idea that Sherlock would have such an extensive sexual vocabulary and was only sorry that they had to wait until after the final before she could drag him back to Baker St.

OK so there will be two versions posted of the next chapter, a T rated version and an M rated version. They'll go up at the same time so you can pick the one you prefer to read.. Hope that keeps everyone happy.

And just so you know it will also be the final chapter. Nearly time to say goodbye to our dancing duo .