'I feel ill around her, almost dizzy, and when she touched my arm in passing it was like I had been burned. I can't stop thinking about her. Wondering what she is doing, if she's thinking of me, what it would be like to hold her hand or even kiss her.'

Blackbeard cocked his head and studied his pensive human. 'Sherlock' is what the other bipedals called him. Or 'Git'. Blackbeard wasn't sure which was the right appellation.

He loved His Human, though, whatever his name, and promised to be his Protector ever since His Human rescued him from the Bad Men.

And today something was tormenting His Human. He had not moved in hours and was wearing his Serious Face.

'I suppose it was inevitable.'

Blackbeard whined sympathetically and rested his snout on His Human's leg. Sherlock looked down at him and sighed with a smile, rubbing the spot behind Blackbeard's ear that never failed to make his tail thump happily.

'I'm in love, old boy.'

Blackbeard blinked up at him.

Well, this was an interesting development.

oOo

A few days later, Blackbeard was in the middle of his afternoon doze when the downstairs door opened.

The Biscuit Lady was fighting with the air monster downstairs and Sherlock was staring into the large metal contraption at the food altar.

Blackbeard lifted his head and perked up his ear as he sniffed the air.

Soft footsteps. And the overwhelming scent of Doggie biscuits.

Molly!

Blackbeard jumped to his paws and barked excitedly as his second favourite bipedal hurried the last few steps into his home and greeted him with a hug and ruffle.

'Oh, hello there handsome,' Molly gushed. Blackbeard basked in her attention, his tongue lolling out in happiness. He could almost taste the biscuits she'd stashed in her bag.

'Who's been a good boy?' She teased with a smile.

Me, I've been a good boy! He preened when she agreed enthusiastically.

'Ah, Molly,' Sherlock interrupted them, to Blackbeard's disappointment. 'I wasn't expecting you today.'

Molly stood up and Blackbeard sat back on his haunches, sighing now that he was no longer the center of attention.

But then he breathed in and forgot all about his disappointment. There was a strange scent coming from Sherlock. Blackbeard cocked his head and looked His Human over carefully. If he didn't know better, he would say Sherlock was attracted to Molly.

Blackbeard tilted his head up to look at Molly.

Then back to Sherlock.

He took another sniff and a second scent, similar, hit his nose. But this time, it was coming from Molly.

I'm in love, old boy.

Oh. Ooooh. Blackbeard's heartbeat quickened in excitement and he jumped to all four paws as his tail whipped back and forth in a blur. His Human loved Molly! And Molly loved His Human!

Oh, oh, this was the best day! She would live here and take Blackbeard for walks in the park with Sherlock, she would cuddle with him and bake him those pant-worthy biscuits every day and call him a 'good boy' and, and, and so much more! Blackbeard could barely contain his excitement.

'-and three fingers. I tried to wrangle an extra liver, but I'm already pushing Stamford's understanding. Maybe next month?'

Molly held out a cooler. One sniff and Blackbeard knew it was one of the Experiments that he would avoid at all costs. One unfortunate incident during his first week at Baker Street and he'd learned a hard lesson to avoid the coolers and their contents.

'That's more than I expected, thank you.'

'Just make sure they don't end up in Blackbeard's bowl,' she giggled.

Sherlock wrinkled his nose. 'I rather think he learned his lesson.'

Yes, I did. Blackbeard shook his head and hacked in remembrance. Molly laughed and scratched his ear.

'Poor boy.'

He looked up at her pitifully, hoping for more attention. But she was already walking into the kitchen. Sherlock followed her and watched as she deposited the cooler on the counter.

Blackbeard padded along with a whine. Sherlock absentmindedly patted his head, but didn't take his eyes from Molly.

'I, er, I was about to take Blackbeard out for a walk.'

His ears perked up at the word and he began panting again. A walk?! Yes, please. Oh, please please please!

Sherlock felt around the table for Blackbeard's leash. With an awkward smile, he asked, 'Care to join us?'

'I would love to!' Molly eagerly accepted.

oOo

It was hopeless. Blackbeard shuffled along beside his Human Idiots as they walked back toward Baker Street. They had spent the majority of the walk to and through the park in silence, each looking at the other when the other wasn't looking.

'I had a lovely time,' Molly said when they stopped outside of Baker Street. She was looking at Sherlock balefully. Blackbeard glared at His Human. For a brilliant man, the Git was being remarkable stupid. If that lovely Shepherd mix from down the street ever looked at Blackbeard the way Molly was looking at Sherlock, they would be expecting a litter by now.

But instead of seeing what was right in front of him, Sherlock looked away toward the street. 'Yes. We should… do it again?'

Molly smiled, her eyes dimming in disappointment. 'Sure. I'd like that.

Sherlock cleared his throat and nodded. 'Good. That would be…good.'

And then they just stood there! Blackbeard looked from one to the other. Then back again.

Oh for the love of doggie kibble! Having had enough of their moony-eyed shyness, Blackbeard sprang to his paws and started running around them.

'Whoa, boy!' Sherlock called out in surprise as his arm was yanked by the leash and he fell forward right into Molly, who yelped in surprise when the leash wrapped around the backs of her legs and she stumbled forward, bracing herself on Sherlock's chest.

'Blackbeard, stop that! Sit!'

For once, Blackbeard ignored his Human's orders and ducked under his leash and ran around them again.

'Blackbeard, halt!' Sherlock commanded loudly, just as Blackbeard reached the end of the leash slack.

Panting and excited, he sat on his haunches and watched delightedly as Sherlock struggled to untangle them, his face turning bright red and trying to avoid looking at Molly. A rather difficult feat, considering they were tied front to front.

But Molly didn't move. She was watching Sherlock flush and stammer and avoid her gaze entirely. And for a bipedal, she was also remarkably bright but rather blind to some obvious things. Like Sherlock's feelings. But Blackbeard watched with smug satisfaction as she saw Sherlock and finally, finally realised what she had missed all along. Without a moment's hesitation, she reached up to pull his face toward hers. Their lips met awkwardly, as Sherlock blinked in surprise. He seemed to be struggling to understand what was happening. But then, with a great sigh of relief, he closed his eyes and kissed her back.

Blackbeard laid down in the shade and smiled to himself. Yes, this was the beginning of something beautiful.

oOo

Six Months Later

'Are you sure? I mean, I would love to, honestly,' Molly was saying as Blackbeard woke up from his afternoon nap. He indulged in a deep stretch before he padded over to his Humans who were sitting on his bed. Well, they called it a sofa. But that was neither here nor there. He nudged his way past Sherlock's legs and sat down between them, resting his snout on the cushion.

Molly gave him a good scratch behind the ears and his tail thumped against the wood floors. Yes, this was the best life. Molly was here almost every day and Blackbeard was in doggie biscuit heaven. She would take him for a walk in the mornings if she stayed over or stop by for a nice, long ear scratching when Biscuit Lady was watching him while Sherlock was away.

'But I'm not sure how Blackbeard would take it. I don't want to intrude.'

Sherlock scowled. 'Don't be ridiculous. I love you and you wouldn't be intruding. I want you here.'

Blackbeard whined. Sherlock's tone was very sharp. He didn't like it when Sherlock was angry.

Molly sighed, but then she smiled. 'I love you, too, you sentimental git.' She leaned her head on his shoulder. 'And I'd love to move in.'

'Good,' Sherlock declared and kissed her head. 'And just think, this will be our regular afternoons. You know, unless you're on duty or I have a case.'

Molly sighed contendly. 'Sounds just about perfect.'

Sherlock patted his lap for Blackbeard to join them. Excitedly, Blackbeard laid across their laps and settled down for a nice long petting. He rested his nose on Sherlock's leg and let out a happy snort. This was the life. Molly would soon be here every morning for walks and every evening for couch cuddles and he would die happily of consuming too many of her delectable doggie treats.

Blackbeard barely paid attention to their conversation, lost in the bliss of having his ears scratched and that one spot on his back he always had trouble reaching, as visions of doggie biscuits danced around his head.

That is, until Molly said, 'Toby will love having the run of the back garden. My current landlord doesn't allow cats outdoors.'

Blackbeard's eyes flew open.

Cat?!