"I may have just made a colossal mistake…" Sherlock laments out loud. He was speaking mostly to himself, but secretly hoping John could provide some insight. After all, this was one of few areas where the good Doctor's knowledge surpassed his own.

"What are you talking about?" John laughs, leisurely tossing his keys down on the dining table. It was blatantly uncharacteristic of Sherlock to admit fault in any circumstance.

"I kissed Molly," the detective blurts outright.

Watson's eyebrows shoot up and his eyes widen into gigantic orbs as he shifts his weight, unable to believe his ears. "I'm sorry, you what?"

"Oh, you heard me," Sherlock grumbles with irritation. "Don't play stupid John."

"I heard something, yeah. But my ears must be playing tricks on me because I swear you just said that you kissed Molly Hooper… Our Molly? The one that just walked out my front door?"

"Clearly I was wrong to divulge this information," Sherlock sighs, rolling his eyes. He shoves his hands into his gloves one by one as if he were preparing to leave.

"No, no, now hang on!" John objects as Sherlock adjusts his scarf. "I'm done poking fun, I promise. Stay. Tell me what happened."

"I already told you what happened, but you seem to find it amusingly implausible."

"You kissed Molly," Watson states once more for the record.

"Yes."

The doctor nods. "And what brought this on?"

"I was… curious," Sherlock admits vaguely. "She's been very prevalent in my thoughts as of late, and it seemed as good a way as any to shed some light on the subject."

John can't help but smirk with amusement, restraining himself from making what would inevitably be an ill-received comment. But seriously, it was about damn time. "Okay, so you kissed her. And what was Molly's reaction?"

"Well, she didn't stop me…" Sherlock says with a hint of defense in his voice.

"That's always a good sign," John confirms, barely able to contain his laughter.

Sherlock finally gives in and reluctantly takes a seat on the couch. All of a sudden Watson feels as if he were dealing with a client.

"I haven't been able to stop thinking about her John. Not since…"

"You told her you loved her?" Watson supplies indelicately.

"Yes, that," the detective confesses unenthusiastically.

John holds up a hand before his friend can continue. "Sherlock, is there any infinitesimal possibility that you actually care for Molly in a romantic way?"

"Well that's what I was trying to figure out now, isn't it?!" Sherlock exclaims with frustration.

"You weren't just acting out of guilt then?" John probes, concerned for Molly's well-being as much as Sherlock's.

"I don't think so, no. But it's difficult to be sure."

"Well, did you enjoy it?" John asks, realizing he was going to have to walk Sherlock through this step by step. "The kiss, I mean. Did you enjoy it?"

Sherlock briefly recalls the intimate exchange from earlier. "It wasn't… wholly unpleasant," he admits uncomfortably.

"Jesus-" Watson rubs his forehead in disbelief.

"Look, I'm not a sentimental man, John."

"Maybe not in the past," John affirms. "But you're different now. People change Sherlock. It doesn't mean you're any less of a person now because you're in love."

"I know," Sherlock acknowledges calmly. "And I do love Molly, but I just don't think I will ever be capable of loving someone… normally."

John cocks his head in surprise. "There's nothing normal about you Sherlock. There never has been. Molly knows that, and she likes you in spite of it."

Sherlock raises an eyebrow. "What's your point?"

"My point is, you don't have to alter yourself to be in a relationship... you just have to learn how to be yourself with Molly."

"And you think that will work?"

"Okay, be yourself- only nicer," he clarifies in good spirit. John takes a breath, seriously evaluating the situation. "Look, Sherlock- what's the worst that could happen? Things don't work out between the two of you. But how will you know unless you give it a chance? If you care about Molly at all, then you owe it to yourself and to her to at least give it a try."

Sherlock is unexpectedly impressed with John's advice. It seemed a logical enough path. Surely he and Molly could work something out. That settled it then. He would text her first thing in the morning. Satisfied, the detective stands to leave.

"Oh Sherlock, you mentioned something about the case earlier. What was it?" John asks out of lingering curiosity.

"What? Oh that. Solved it. Tediously simple really. Greg should have the guilty party in custody by sundown."

Watson is unable to hide his surprise. That was quick even by Sherlock's standards. "Right then. I guess I'll be 'round tomorrow to work on the blog."

"Great," Sherlock agrees with enthusiasm. The atmosphere in the room had changed dramatically.

"You're awfully chipper all of sudden," John notes with skepticism.

"Well, you know me. Always fired up when I have a new case."

"New case?"

"Weren't you listening to the words coming out of your own mouth a minute ago? I'm going to win over Molly Hooper," Sherlock announces with a gleam in his eye. "The game, dear Watson, is on!"