For those who read my previous fic you'll know I was undecided about what to post next, a fake girlfriend fluffy fic or a dark, smutty one. Well, I decided to go with the fake girlfriend idea I think we need some fluffy fun this time around don't we. It's still post season 4 but with less dwelling on the phone call. It's all behind them and if not forgotten it's been forgiven. And yes there will still be smut, this is me after all! And the dark, smut fic will be posted later…so it's not forgotten.

Anyhow, less of me and more of Sherlock and Molly…

Chapter 1

It was late summer when Mycroft came round and delivered the bad news to Sherlock. The two men sat in mute silence for a couple of minutes before Sherlock finally spoke.

'I can't believe it's come round again so fast.'

'I don't know what your problem is brother mine, you weren't even at the last one on account of your being dead. I had to suffer it alone.'

'And how was it?'

Mycroft closed his eyes and his mouth flattened into a line. 'It's best forgotten that's what. Let's just say I'm glad some of the focus will be back on you. I take it you have a plan.'

Sherlock picked up his violin and absent mindedly plucked at the strings. 'I thought I might take a leaf out of your book.'

Mycroft frowned. 'You're not learning from my lesson then?'

'Well, I am. I am planning for my deception to be more believable. I mean honestly Mycroft trying to pass Anthea off as your partner when we all already knew you were gay was just ridiculous.'

Mycroft sniffed. 'Yes well I hadn't realised that my sexuality was that obvious.'

Sherlock chuckled and shook his head. 'So, no plans for a fake boyfriend then?'

'No, none. So who are you considering asking to be your girlfriend?' He smiled at Sherlock's grimace over his use of that word. 'Surely not that girl you used last time...she'd be eaten alive?'

Sherlock tilted his head. 'Hmm...Janine? God no. No, I was thinking Molly Hooper would be a good choice.'

Mycroft raised an eyebrow. 'Well, she does have feelings for you, after Eurus we all know that. Could be dangerous though?'

Sherlock initially winced at the reference to "that phone call" then it was his turn to frown.

'How so?'

'Well, I would have thought it would be obvious.'

'No.'

'Plain as the nose on your face.'

Sherlock's brow furrowed at Mycroft using his own words against him but he still had no clue what he was referring to.'

'I don't see it...what?'

'No, well you wouldn't. I just think it might be a risky enterprise for ALL concerned Sherlock.'

'Well I don't, but I do need your help. I need to lay the groundwork, so next time you speak to mother would you mind letting slip that I'm in a relationship?'

Mycroft snorted. 'Well you'll know when I've done that; she'll be on the phone to you immediately for the details.'

He stood and straightened his suit, picking up his umbrella. 'Anyway I must get on. I can't sit around here all day some of us have actual work to do?'

'Pfft.'

'When do you plan to ask Miss Hooper?'

'I'll need to do it soon, we need time to prepare. It might help to be seen out and about.'

'Oh yes, I forgot, you're a celebrity now.' The sarcasm dripped off Mycroft as he spoke. 'I'll be sure to look out for you in the pages of the Daily Mail.' He added derisively.

Sherlock stood and smiled as he buttoned up his jacket. 'Yes, do that, and do make sure you forward them onto mother when you see them.'

He saw Mycroft out of his flat and then watched from the window as his older brother stepped into the black Mercedes waiting on the street outside.

It had been four years since he'd last run the gauntlet of their Aunt, Lady Catherine; his mother's older sister. She was an incorrigible old bitch who insisted on the whole family visiting her, around the time of her birthday, every two years without fail. Widowed with no heirs, Mycroft was due to inherit the estate and her money would be divided between the two of them. If it was just down to the money Sherlock wouldn't go but his parents expected it of him and non-attendance just wasn't worth the grief.

Like his mother Lady Catherine was also highly intelligent but she had never had a career, instead she used her brains to make their lives a misery. She was determined that their DNA wouldn't die out with them and she had spent their previous visits trying to match make both Mycroft and Sherlock ever since they'd hit their late teens. With Mycroft now 'safe' and out of his closet Sherlock knew all her considerable efforts would be targeted at him which was why he had come up with his plan. He just had to make it very believable or she would see right through it.

He glanced around and spotted his phone. Picking it up he sent a text off to Molly inviting her round the following evening; there was no time like the present and they only had two weeks to build a back story and look like a couple so the sooner he got started the better.

MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH

Molly was surprised to receive Sherlock's text. It wasn't often he invited her round to Baker St and when he did there was normally some ulterior motive; the last time he'd needed a spleen for tests, the time before that...a bag of thumbs.

She walked round the next day after work enjoying the relative mildness of the evening after the recent heat wave of a summer. Autumn was always her favourite time of year and she looked forward to soon being able to get her jumpers and scarves back out.

She got to his flat just before seven and Mrs Hudson let her in chatting happily and asking if she had seen John and Rosie recently. She was almost a year old now and starting to get more active sitting playing with toys in the front room or starting to stand and take the odd shaky step; it wouldn't be long until she would be walking properly. Molly enjoyed going round, helping John out since Mary's death, not least because she figured it was probably the nearest she'd get to a baby of her own.

When she made her way up the stairs she felt that familiar swoop of her stomach at the thought of seeing Sherlock. That feeling was an old friend by now. She'd loved him for so long that she no longer knew what a life of not loving him felt like. Since her disastrous break up with Tom she had given up serious relationships but that didn't mean that she didn't enjoy the odd date here and there sometimes leading to sex and sometimes not. She just didn't want to ever give someone the impression she could offer more when she now knew absolutely that she couldn't.

As she walked in Sherlock was leaning against the mantel piece in front of the empty fireplace. She looked forward to the days when it would be lit, lending the room a gentle glow and warmth. Needless to say Sherlock looked mouthwatering, as ever, wearing his red house coat over black trousers and a crisp, white shirt.

'Ah good you're here. Would you like tea or coffee, maybe a glass of wine?'

He stepped forward to take her coat which she took off feeling a tad confused. It wasn't like him to offer her refreshments but the glass of wine did sound good. It had been a long day and it would be nice to not drink alone for once.

'Well, I'll have the wine but only if you're having one too.'

He smiled and went into the kitchen opening up the fridge and taking out the unopened bottle of Pinot. She frowned though as she saw the rest of the fridge contents.

'Hang on are those Mr Wilkin's hands? I asked you if you knew where they had gone...'

'And I didn't lie I just changed the conversation. They were only going to waste and I wanted to see how the fingernails would react to different acidity levels.'

He passed her a large glass of wine and she took her first sip shaking her head in mild frustration with him. It was going to be a nightmare trying to sort out the paperwork to cover up his theft.

'So, why did you ask me over? And more importantly why do you feel the need to ply me with alcohol?'

Sherlock gave her one of his genuine smiles and she hated how much she liked them. He indicated for her to go through to the front room and she did, opting to sit in John's old chair. Not that it was really his anymore since he'd moved out but it still felt like his all the same.

'Molly...I need to ask you a favour.'

'Oh well at least you're asking. Normally you just do whatever it is and then just expect me to pick up the pieces.' She waved a hand in the direction of the fridge but she was smiling ruefully as she did it. She never could stay angry with him for long.

'Well this time I need you to agree to it...in advance.'

'Alright so what is it?' Her voice took on an excited tone. 'Ooh, is it part of a case, do you need me to go undercover or something?' She giggled and then tried to straighten her face when he carried on looking serious.

He took a sip of his wine and then sat back, relaxing into his chair. 'Well sort of but it's not so much a case more of a personal issue.'

'Oh.' That certainly surprised Molly.

'Yes. Unfortunately every couple of years I'm expected to visit an elderly aunt with the rest of my family. She's very into tradition and...umm..' He cleared his throat uncomfortably before carrying on, 'continuing the family line.'

'Ok.' Molly still wasn't entirely sure what Sherlock needed her for but he seemed to be looking at her expectantly.

When she didn't respond he shifted uncomfortably. She had never seen him so out of his comfort zone...it was bizarre to watch and it almost cheered her up to know that he was human and could get nervous just like everyone else.

'She has had a tendency, over the last few visits, to encourage Mycroft and myself to settle down and given everything that has happened recently with my sister I'd rather avoid that this year.'

'I still don't understand where I come in.'

He took a deep breath and looked her in the eye. 'Molly, would you pretend to be my girlfriend for the weekend?' There was a beat of silence and then he tagged on '...please.'

'Oh...I...well, what exactly are we talking about? What would you need me to do?'

He seemed relieved that she hadn't outright rejected the idea and he crossed his legs and steepled his hands as he gave her a short monologue on how he expected it to all pan out.

'I thought we could go on a couple of dates to some well-known paparazzi locations in London, evidence in the papers will help to confirm our backstory before we go. The trip is in two weeks' time and would entail you coming with my family and myself to my aunt's house in Hampshire; it's a birthday celebration for her…of sorts, though she tends to be the only one celebrating. We just need to put on a believable show for the weekend and then we're done. I hope you don't mind but I've already involved Mycroft and told him to tell our parents that I'm seeing someone...again it helps to give some substance to the lie.'

Molly chewed on her lip looking thoughtful and Sherlock rested his chin on his hands as he watched her, wondering what objections or questions she might have.

'And the sleeping arrangements?'

'Separate rooms of course, as I said my aunt is very traditional. We can always make sure we get caught trying to sneak between them.' He flashed her a fast smile and she couldn't help but return it.

'It could be kind of fun I suppose...if we didn't take it too seriously. I mean we're friends aren't we?'

Sherlock inclined his head and smiled back. 'Yes Molly, we are. So, is that a yes then?'

Molly knew she might come to regret her answer but she couldn't resist. 'Yes...yes it is.'

'Excellent. I'll set up our first "date" and text you the details.'

Molly sensed that their chat had come to an end so she downed the rest of her wine and stood up feeling the effects a little as she did, it had been quite a large glass and she'd drunk it too quickly.

'Right...I'd best be off then.'

He stood with her and walked her to the door of his flat speaking as he went.

'Of course it makes sense for us to start to be more...ah...familiar with each other.'

'Oh right...like what?'

He swallowed heavily and Molly realised that he was nervous again and she suddenly understood why.

'Oh you mean like kissing and touching and stuff?'

He raised his eyebrow but nodded his head.

She wasn't sure quite what came over her, maybe it was the wine, but she smiled at him cheekily and said a quick 'good night then Sherlock' and then she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

Come on now; don't be greedy you'll get the kiss in the next chapter. So, the groundwork is laid let me know what you think and I'll be back shortly with another chapter xx