Disclaimer: I own nothing of Sherlock BBC.

"You want me to be your plus-one? I thought Anthea always attended functions with you?" Molly lowered her voice after recalling that they were in the Diogenes Club, their usual meet-up venue.

She only officially met Mycroft Holmes when they were planning Sherlock's 'death' but Molly had heard about the British Government ages ago and was in fact quite looking forward to someday cross his path so to speak. When Sherlock left London, there was no longer the need for them to come together but out of nowhere Mycroft invited Molly to come to Diogenes Club for tea and from that day onwards, it became their routine and continued even after Sherlock came back.

"Well yes, however this time round I was singled out and requested quite specifically by the host to not bring subordinates as my date." The British Government cringed at the word and muttered about experiencing workplace bullying of a different kind. It was definitely a first for Mycroft Holmes to 'ask people out' so Molly kindly ended his misery by agreeing to his invitation.

"I'll be honoured, Mycroft. I just hope I do not embarrass you in front of a roomful of very powerful people in the world." Molly interlocked her fingers subconsciously.

"Oh no, Molly, merely a handful of somewhat powerful people in United Kingdom. This event is rather small-scale. It's not the peak season yet, you see." Mycroft of course noticed her involuntary reaction and his eyes twinkled with a hint of humour.

"And now you are teasing me. Very gentlemanly of you, Mycroft right after I agreed to spend a night with you." Molly retorted without thinking.

Mycroft's left eyebrow raised in response.

"God, that sounded so wrong." Before Molly found herself a hole to hide, Mycroft intercepted smoothly. "Molly, you would be fine. I promise to be your side at all times so nothing would go wrong. Don't worry." Molly believed in him, she always would but at the same time, she could never be truthful to him. Molly smiled at Mycroft, sweeping her worries away like a coward.

It wasn't until the next day Molly remembered she did not have an evening gown for tonight so she was relieved when Mycroft sent one of his minions to deliver one. It fitted Molly perfectly and looking at the brand, cost at least a few thousand pounds.

Mycroft must have attended this kind of functions many a times so it was nothing special for him but for her, it was immensely so and only because of him. Molly knew she was treading on dangerous waters here but she wanted to be 'free' and not worry for anything else for one night.

Unlike his brother who preferred to break into her flat, Mycroft was mannered enough to knock on the door. Molly looked into the mirror for one last time, making sure that her hair, swept to the side, was in place before opening it.

"You looked beautiful, Molly. The money was certainly well spent." Mycroft's eyes shone with appreciation and that boosted her confidence as a woman.

"Tomorrow I would send the dress for dry-cleaning and return it to you then you could…" Molly stopped herself when Mycroft gave her a look that simply said 'the British Government do NOT ask for refunds.'

"Consider it as a thank-you for willing to be my partner for the ball. Now I think it's time to go if we do not want to be late." He bent his elbow and Molly carefully slipped her arm through his, not wanting to winkle his sleeve.

Perhaps she was too old for fairy tales but Molly felt like Cinderella tonight. One thing's different though, she was not going to the ball to find her Prince Charming. Molly sneaked a glance at Mycroft looking very suave indeed in his tuxedo.

Upon arrival at the centuries-old castle, Molly started to regret her decision. As a Consultant, she was used to staying in the background to observe, analyse and advise. Sensing her apprehension, Mycroft patted her hand which was resting on his elbow in an attempt to relax Molly. Their eyes locked and she drew in a deep breath when their names were announced.

Molly opened her mouth in an unladylike manner as she looked at the huge chandelier hanging in the middle of the hall and the stunning flora decorations placed all over the ballroom. "And you said this was a small event." She whispered to Mycroft.

"Define small." Molly rolled her eyes and hoped no one saw that. "Don't think too much and just enjoy." Mycroft whispered back and she realized how close they were actually standing together. "Easy for you to say." Molly grumbled, trying to hide her blush while Mycroft grinned in return.

Throughout the night, she did not feel left out even though people were constantly coming up to talk to him. They were polite enough although Molly could see that they were curious about her as they kept looking at her direction but did not further question out of respect for Mycroft Holmes. It was interesting to watch him in his element, confident and at ease.

When the quartet started to play the waltz music, Mycroft apologised to the man he was currently conversing with and extended a hand to Molly. "People did not say they attended a ball and not danced. I trust you know how to waltz?" Molly nodded and found it hard to stop smiling as they walked into the dancing area.

"Did you have fun tonight?" Deep down, Molly loved the waltz as she found it romantic, where as long as the dance could last; the world seemed to shrink and only left the two of them with no one to break the spell.

"I probably would not have the chance to do this again so thank you, Mycroft. I enjoyed myself tonight and I would never forget this." Besides the man she was dancing with, Molly's radiant smile was successful in capturing the attention of everyone else in attendance.

Then Mycroft surprised her by giving an impromptu twirl and a playful dip at the end of the dance. Molly covered her mouth to prevent from laughing out too loud and his eyes crinkled, reflecting her expression in a more subtle tone. "I understand you have the morning shift tomorrow and we should retire soon." Alas, all things come to an end, especially the good ones.

After bidding their goodbyes to the host and hostess, they waited at the foyer for the car to arrive. Cold wind found its way and Molly rubbed her hands against her bare arms. Ever a keen man, Mycroft saw her action and went to remove his jacket.

Molly turned her head in surprise as she felt the heaviness of a jacket being draped on her. Their noses nearly touched and if one of them moved a little more closer, their lips would meet. Recovering himself, Mycroft took a step back. Molly hid her disappointment and grabbed the lapels to pull them closer so it wouldn't fall off her shoulders. The jacket was still warm from his body heat and smelled of him, a mixture of cologne and sand wood.

During the ride to her flat, neither of them spoke and Molly, lulled by the car moving steadily in the night, started to doze off. Mycroft looked up from his phone from time to time to keep any eye on her in case Molly moved around too much during her sleep and accidently hurt herself when the vehicle turned or stopped at traffic lights.

The car stopped in front of her flat. Looking at Molly, Mycroft frowned at the crease between her brows. She might have fallen asleep but it wasn't a peaceful one for reasons unknown to him. An idea suddenly popped up into Mycroft's mind, wanting to do everything within his means to smooth that away. Surprised, Mycroft wondered where did that thought came from then shook his head before alighting the vehicle to wake Molly up from the other side of the car.

Molly rubbed her eyes and groggily stepped out of the vehicle. In her sleepy haze, Molly tripped over the curb, twisting her ankle but luckily Mycroft was there to catch her and carried Molly bridal style into the flat. After she wrestled with the keys to open the door, Mycroft placed Molly on the sofa. "How's your ankle?" He asked while bending on one knee to have a better look at it. Molly slowly rotated her ankle and decided that it was not too serious an injury, a mere sprain.

Mycroft then stood back up and walked towards the door to let himself out. "Wait!...Would you like to…Do you want to stay here for the night?" Molly's hand moved across the sofa to calm her rapidly beating heart. "Do you want me to, Molly?" Mycroft did not want to be taking advantage of her because she got caught up with everything that happened tonight.

"Gladly"

If all Molly could have was a night with him then she would make the best of it. Mycroft made a quick call to his driver that his services were no longer required until tomorrow morning and removed his clothing, placing them neatly on a chair.

He gently pulled Molly up from the sofa, "Lean on me. We do not want your sprain to worsen." before kissing her. Their tongues playfully fought for dominance as his hands explored the contours of Molly's body. After undressing her, Mycroft once again carried Molly to her room and resumed their kissing on the bed.

They broke apart when their lungs desperately screamed for air. Feeling insecure, Molly tried to cover herself with a blanket but Mycroft stopped her. "I meant what I said. You are beautiful, Molly and probably too good for me. I don't know what I did to deserve you." I'm the one who do not deserve you, Mycroft. If she did not fall in love with him before this, Molly does now.

Their lovemaking was unhurried; taking the time to enjoy every delightful friction and savouring the entire process. It was beautiful in the most primitive manner imaginable and Molly would always treasure it. She only wished that time could stop right here and daylight never to arrive.

Author's note: I wished to retain some of Molly's personality, being somewhat awkward and shy in a endearing way. That's why she's my favourite character in the show because she felt realistic enough if you could understand what I'm trying to say?

If you found this chapter too soppy, I'm sorry about it but *spoiler alert* this is probably the only time where it could be overly sweet in this story...