AN: Just a little drabble, Pride and Prejudice-esque. :) Happy Friday!

'Miss Hooper.'

Molly spun around in surprise. She had come out into the garden to escape the throngs of people in the overly warm dance hall. She had not expected to be followed. And certainly not by him.

Stepping closer until the moonlight crossed his face, Sherlock Holmes inclined his head in greeting. 'I apologize, I did not intend to startle you.'

Pulling her lace wrap closer to hide her shaking hands, Molly bowed in a facsimile of a curtsy. A blush stained her cheeks in embarrassment at forgetting basic manners. 'I was simply lost in thought, Mr Holmes.'

He nodded with a small smile. 'I find myself often lost in my thoughts, as well.'

She returned his smile and willed her heart to remain still and not leap in hope at how his eyes crinkled when he smiled. A softer look than she had ever seen on the brooding man.

'Are you enjoying the festivities?' She asked when he did not seem inclined to speak.

A grimace flashed across his face. 'I…do not find crowds accommodating. And most people are insipid social piranhas without an ounce of sincerity in their body. Present company most excepted,' he hurriedly added when she blanched in offence. 'You are rather singular, Miss Hooper.'

An unexpected warmth spread across her chest and she smiled. 'Thank you.'

Mr Holmes nodded. Clearing his throat, he drew his shoulders back. 'There is a reason I sought you out tonight.' If she were fanciful, she would imagine it was a blush that darkened his cheeks.

'I know that in the past I have made my stance on marriage and love clear.'

Molly winced and her heart clenched in pain at the memory of the day he had unintentionally, but no less cruelly, mocked her affection for him and crushed her hopes under the heel of his boot.

He stepped closer and her breath caught as his eyes, never leaving her face, were brought into the light. Soft and alight with color, they roved her face before coming to rest on her eyes with an intensity that nearly buckled her knees. She lowered her gaze to his chest and waited for the words that would break her heart once and for all.

'Would it surprise you to hear that I may have been mistaken?'

Slowly, she lifted her head. He stepped closer, bordering on indecent, and took her hand. She watched with wide, disbelieving, eyes as he brought it to his lips and placed a soft kiss to her knuckles.

'That as hard as I tried to fight against it, I have found my heart is no longer my own.'

Speechless, Molly could only stare at him, unsure if she was dreaming or if it was truly happening.

'If my attentions are no longer welcome, please inform me now and I will never again impose them upon you.' He spoke softly and humbly.

When she did not answer, he raised his other hand to brush her cheek. 'However, if you would not be averse, I would very much like to court you, Molly Hooper.'

He stilled, his face so close to hers she could feel the warmth of his breath, see the beat of his heart in his throat.

'Why me?' She breathed.

'Because I love you,' he answered.

Her heart thundered in her chest as she searched him for any sign of deception. And found none.

So without thought for propriety or consequence, Molly did what she had wanted to do since the day they met.

She closed the distance between them and kissed him. His arms held her safely and she sighed happily against his lips.

It was soft and chaste.

It was perfect.