It's not much. It's definitely not my best writing. But it's something.

Emily practically jumped out of her skin at the sight of Sherlock sitting at her desk; elbows resting in the space between the keyboard and the edge of the desk, his hands in the prayer position. Fingers grazing his chin as he thought to himself. His eyes were closed, perhaps to better see into his mind palace.

"What are you doing here?" She asked when she realised it was him and not someone else. (Roid.)

John and Emily had awoken that morning to no sign of the Detective. While they had enjoyed the quiet morning to themselves, they couldn't help but speculate where the hell he could be.

"Thinking."

"Well, do you have to do it here?" She huffed and took her coat off, throwing it over the back of her chair and ignoring the urge to throw it over his head.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"It's quiet."

"Well, it won't be anymore."

"Evidently."

"What are you even thinking about?"

"Why would anyone stay in a job they hate?"

"What are you really thinking about?" She rolled her eyes, having to lean over him to sort her computer out so she could start her day.

His eyes opened and he spun the chair round to properly look at her. "That is what I'm really thinking about."

"Well, could you think about it somewhere else please? I need to get on. Why don't you go and ignore Molly?"

"Being in here is helping me think."

"Don't be silly. Go away." Having not quite woken up properly, she really wasn't in the mood for this. She snatched her phone from her coat pocket and typed out a message to John. Found him. In my office of all places. Please come and collect. xx

"Why isn't Molly talking to you?" Emily froze for a second, hoping he wouldn't notice but of course he did.

"I've no idea."

"Don't lie."

"I'm not lying, Sherlock. I don't know." She spun to leave the room but found her gaze landing on a bouquet of flowers. "Why are there flowers on my desk?"

"No idea, they were here when I got here." Sherlock answered as he went back to the position he had been in when Emily had arrived.

With a roll of her eyes, she reached over him and towards the note that had come with it. At least, she would have reached for the note that came with it, if there had been a note to start with.

"Have you taken the note?"

"What note?"

"The note. People usually send one with a bunch of flowers so the recipient knows who they are from."

"I already checked." Of course he had, "There was no note. Whoever sent you these sent them anonymously."

"So probably Roid then." She sighed as her phone alerted her to a new message.

On my way. Xx

"You can't stay there all day Sherlock." She muttered to him as she wrote John a little note. Though she knew full well he would stay as long as he could.

Forty five minutes later, John walked into Emily's office to find that Sherlock was indeed still seated at her desk, though Emily was nowhere in sight. However, there was a yellow post it note stuck to the Detective's forehead. Though it appeared as if he hadn't even noticed.

Text me when you've got rid of him please. Xx

John chortled at her message and wondered where she could have gone. "Out Sherlock." The Doctor was pleasantly surprised when the Detective instantly stood from the chair and left the room. He didn't even grumble about it.

On our way out. Where are you hiding? Xx

"Nice flowers you bought for Em. Did she like them?" John questioned as the two started down the corridor.

"Wasn't me. They were there when I got here."

"And the chocolate bar?"

"Knew she wouldn't have had much to eat. She'll be hungry by ten."

It didn't take long for Emily to reply. As if she had been waiting with her phone in her hand. Been sitting in Mike's office. Xx

Is Mike even back yet? Xx

Nope. But there was nowhere else I'd want to hide. Xx

Wouldn't want to chat with Molly for a bit?xx

John, too busy trying to make sure Sherlock was actually leaving the building and not running off somewhere else, never questioned the lack of response he got to this question.

Let's have dinner.

This text came to Emily when she was halfway through a Milky Way bar that had mysteriously appeared at her desk and trying desperately to find the motivation to continue with her work. She had told herself that only when she was halfway through the pile of paperwork that currently sat on her desk could she have the chocolate bar. But her mind had then been only able to focus on the treat; her eyes constantly landing on it. She had obviously had no breakfast so, really, it had been very silly of her to have even thought that she could be patient.

Emily glanced at the sender. It was from Irene.

It had been just over a month since the eventful night of New Years and this was the first time Emily was hearing from the woman. She had wanted to reach out herself, but she had been unsure what to say to someone who had faked their own death. She had typed out numerous messages but had ended up deleting them all. None of her words felt right.

An odd opening line, Emily thought to herself as she read it again, but straight to the point. She liked that.

Ok. Just give me a day, time and place. I can't afford anywhere fancy though. Xx

She stuffed the rest of the chocolate bar into her mouth, instantly regretting it as she immediately found she couldn't chew it properly. Her phone vibrated against the table again and trying not to dribble as she fought against the snack she frowned at the new message waiting for her.

Tonight. When you've finished. I'll have a car waiting for you. xx

Emily almost choked.

But I don't have anything to change into. Xx

I think you look nice in what you're wearing now. Xx

Emily opted to finish her mouthful before continuing with the conversation.

How do you know what I'm wearing? Xx

I have my ways. Xx

Brilliant, Emily thought to herself. Not only does Jim have someone watching her in this place, but so does Irene. The idea that it could be the same person briefly flickered through her mind but instantly vanished as her phone went off again.

Unless you want to wear your battle dress? Xx

Emily could not help but frown. What on earth did she mean?

Battle dress?

I look forward to seeing you. Xxx

Her phone screen faded to black as she continued to stare at it in bewilderment.

What's a battle dress? Xx

She sent this off to Sherlock, knowing he would more than likely - hopefully - know what the term meant, but despite checking her phone every ten minutes for a response, she never received one. Perhaps he was sulking with her that she'd managed to get John to get rid of him that morning.

Emily was, without a doubt, under-dressed.

As promised, Irene had been waiting for her in the back of a sleek black car. The redhead from last year stood by its back door ready and waiting to open it for Emily. As she got herself comfortable, the blonde watched the woman walk round the front of the car and get herself into the driver's seat.

The three women had made polite conversation all the way to the restaurant and as soon as Emily had set foot out of the vehicle, she knew she was going to be turned away.

But Irene had taken her hand, not allowing her to get away so easily and as the pair walked up to the door and it's waiting staff - Irene oozing nothing but her usual sexy confidence whilst Emily kept her gaze firmly on the ground not wanting to see the inevitable judgmental looks she would receive from the doorman - no one batted an eyelid at the blonde.

"Miss Adler. Welcome." The man closest to Irene greeted. Emily was certain she could hear the smirk he was wearing and sure enough when she finally looked up from the ground to check, he was indeed sending the woman beside her a smirk.

"Hello Charlie." Irene replied, letting a hand trail against his chest as they entered, the doors held open for them.

Emily turned her gaze to the man on her right, and found him rolling his eyes at the antics of his colleague. She let her sight fall back to the ground so as to hide her smile.

"Do you know what he likes too?" Emily asked as the pair followed the Maître de to a table even though no words had been exchanged.

"Of course." Irene gently squeezed her fingers before letting them go, apparently trusting Emily not to run off. "Though pretty tame to a few of the other people I see."

Emily didn't wish to know in what way he was tame so was rather grateful that they had arrived at their table.

As the Maître de tucked them into their chairs Emily took the opportunity to look around the room.
The first thing she noticed was - unfortunately - her reflection in a mirror. While her hair was nowhere near as bad as it usually was first thing in the mornings, she could have done with running a brush - or even her fingers - through it.

She wished Irene had taken her home first so she could have changed. There, on her collar was an ink stain. And if she could see this in the mirror, she was sure their neighbors - dressed in suits and beautiful silky dresses - could also see it.

The lighting above them was from a chandelier. Emily was certain she had never actually seen one in person outside of Buckingham Palace. Let alone the other twenty that she could see.

As the waiter approached their table to pour them some water, Emily could feel a panic attack coming on. This was a building she should not be in. She knew she would not be able to afford anything on the menu and she certainly did not look like she belonged here. The people who dined here could probably fit her whole house twice over into their garages.

"Emily?" Irene pulled her focus back onto her and the waiter stood patiently at their table holding a menu out to her.

"Oh. I'm sorry. Thank you." She took it from his hands and while she opened it to its first page could not actually see any of the words. Too busy trying to think of a way to leave and go home.

The waiter disappeared after informing them he would give them a few moments. As soon as he was out of ear shot, Emily lowered her menu and glared at the woman before her.

"It's gorgeous here isn't it?" Irene asked, ignoring the look she was being given.

"Are you insane? Bringing me here? I can't afford any of this!" She hissed in the hopes that their neighbors wouldn't hear her.

"Don't be silly, I'm paying."

"I don't belong here." Emily continued, not accepting the woman's words. "Look at the state of me."

"What's wrong with you?" Irene asked not even looking away from her food options.

"What's right with me? There's a stain on my blouse. My hair is a mess. I'm pretty sure there's a massive ladder in my tights. Have you brought me here to embarrass me?" The idea had only just occurred to her but saying it out loud she believed this could be the only reason why she would be bought here.

"Oh Emily no." Irene had finally looked at her, putting the menu down and reaching across to hold onto the blonde's hand, her ring glinting under the dim light.

"Then why have you brought me here?" The couple next to them looked at Emily a little concerned. Though she was unsure if it was because they were worried if she was about to throw a tantrum or because she was probably ruining their date she couldn't tell.

"I brought you here because I wanted to treat you -"

"You already treated me more than you should have with those heels."

"Yes, why aren't you wearing them?" Irene asked curiously.

"I can't walk in them." Emily reluctantly admitted. She had tried a couple of times to practice in them when the boys had been out but had succeeded much more in just sitting down and looking at them. "Please, take me home."

"Miss Adler, are you and Miss Cooper ready to order?" Emily was not even surprised they knew her name.

"Yes please Alexander." Though the woman addressed the waiter she did not take her gaze away from Emily. "I'lll have my usual and I believe Emily will have the same." Finally she sent him a dazzling smile as he wrote her order down.

"Of course. Anything else for you? Some wine?"

"We'll be fine with just the water tonight thank you."

"Very good Miss Adler." Irene slipped the menu from Emily's hands and gave them back to the waiter. She waited all of five seconds before turning back to the blonde.

"I'll take a Gin and Tonic if you have any? Please." Emily asked hopefully, finally looking up at their waiter.

He sent her a smile. "Of course. I'll just be a moment."

"Thank you."

Irene studied her for a moment, making Emily all the more uncomfortable. Perhaps she was finally judging how she looked. Irene herself looked gorgeous. Her dark hair was in gentle waves, resting against a strappy black dress that showed off just enough of her cleavage without giving too much away. It was unsurprising really that Emily noticed a few of the men at the surrounding tables take notice of her. "Tell me about your day." Irene finally broke the silence that had fallen between them.

"What for?" She shrugged, not understanding why she was even here.

"You sound like Sherlock." She teased, though upon gaining no response decided to actually answer the question. "So you can try and relax after what was probably a long boring day in your office. So we can distract you from feeling how you are."

Emily thanked the waiter again as he placed her drink down in front of her.

"So," Irene waited until the blonde had had a decent gulp of it. "Tell me."

And so, Emily, having not quite accepted that she was stuck here for the evening but enjoying her drink nonetheless, began to talk of her day; telling the woman before her every detail. Sherlock annoying her, the flowers she suspected were from Roid that she had promptly binned when she had returned to her office, Molly ignoring her - pretending to be busy when they had passed one another in the corridor.

Without even noticing, Emily managed to forget the other people around her and relax. The numerous drinks helped until it was time to leave and the room began to spin as she stood.

"Happy Valentine's Emily." Irene's voice whispered into her ear and placed a swift peck on her cheek leaving a smudge of red lipstick. Not that Emily even noticed. Too busy fighting to get the seatbelt out so she could exit the car and finally be back at home.

"Thanks for….thank you for dinner." She finally managed to click the contraption free and after a brief moment of her arm being stuck, opened the car door. The cold air hitting her so quickly she already felt a little better. "And my gins."

The red head was beside her now, holding out a hand for Emily to take. At first she didn't want the assistance, though after wobbling in her heels before she had even stood up thought better of it and accepted the hand.

"Happy Valentine's."

"You should have come in for dinner with us. Pudding was sooo tassssty. Thank you for my pudding."

"Do you have your key?"

"My key. My key, my key my key my key. I hope so." She chuckled as she rummaged roughly in her pocket. Hearing the familiar jingle of them she looked up at the red head. "Phew." She giggled now and for a moment found herself unable to stop.

"Emily?" A voice called from a short distance away.

Leaning around her aid, the blonde noticed her landlady waiting at the door.

"Oh, I'm in trouble." With that, she made her unsteady way towards the building, hoping to be sober by the time she reached the older woman. As she reached the door, she turned back to the car and the two women watching. With amusement or worry, Emily couldn't tell. "Bye. Happy….day." She waved enthusiastically and tried not to fall over as Mrs Hudson helped her inside.

FB