"Y/N, daily walk I see." When I was close enough he bent down to pet the dogs and give them compliments. Lucky licked him and Greg chuckled and I giggled.

"Doc says they're good for me. And how can I resist spending time with my boys. They always take me somewhere new." I said in joy while petting Barnaby who was the calmest of the bunch as he sat by my side. "It's always nice to see you on these walks." I said giving a closed eyes smile. My cheeks felt warm and I tried to ignore the small butterflies.

"It's lovely to see my favorite boys, but sadly I'm on another case."

"Off to see Sherlock I bet." I said without malice. I had run into him once or twice during the mans comings and goings. He deduced me from the start and most people would be impressed or insulted but I smiled. I held no anger or emotion for how he saw me. It was endearing in a way for him to see so much. Like knowing your secrets are safe. He wasn't judgmental either.

"Yeah, I'd avoid it if I could." Lestrade said in response.

"Don't be like that. You are a brilliant person in your own right. Your smart and intelligent and funny. Your a lot of things. Just because you ask for help on cases doesn't make you dumb." I said sternly before sighing while I reigned in my emotions. "Sherlock is a genius and it never hurts to have his help. The sooner you catch the bad guys the sooner everyone is safer, right?" I tilted my head and smiled.

"I feel safer just knowing that the Detective Inspector Lestrade is on the case." I admitted proudly. "I'll leave you to it. Always wonderful to see you." I turned and didn't give him time to respond as I walked past him. When I was at his back I quickly fanned my face as I tried to keep down a blush.

I looked down at my dogs and barnaby was giving me knowing looks. "Don't you start! You've been eyeing up the poodle three streets down." I scolded.

With Lestrade.

Lestrade shook his head with a soft smile and a light blush before he slapped his face and settling into a stern expression. He continued walking further where you came from until he was at the door of the one and only Sherlock Holmes. Forgoing the knocker entirely he opened the door and set off up the stairs. His steps not trying to be light as he entered the apartment of the famous detective.

When the door was opened, Lestrade looked toward Sherlock and found it odd that he was standing by the window. The violin in his pale grasp but unplayed. Watson also in his chair and looking confused as well.

"Sherlock I need your help on a case. There's been a few murders—" Lestrade's words were cut off by the screech of a violin.

"She loves you." Sherlock said after ending the screeching noise.

"Sorry?" Lestrade asked dumbly.

"Y/N." Sherlock said it like it was so simple. But everything came simply to the brilliant genius.

"Couldn't possibly, we don't even know each other that well. Only met a couple times in passing."

"Now that's where your wrong. Every time you come over you stall at the store on the corner before coming. Not because you have to but just so if she is walking her dogs that the two of you will run into each other. You always wear a special cologne when you come to me for a case. And unless your trying to court John or myself then it's for Y/N."

"That doesn't mean she likes me. We just stop an chat, is that so unusual? So what if I wear nice cologne."

"Loves not likes." Sherlock commented.

"She doesn't." Lestrade argued while crossing his arms and Sherlock made a show of shutting the open window. "You were eavesdropping weren't you?! That's disrespectful of her privacy you can't just do that!" Lestrade said getting uncomfortably angry.

"Every time you two talk she always compliments you and smiles more. I dare heard her giggle. Did you hear her giggle John? That is the sound of a woman in love."

"That was a giggle." John Watson said from his chair with a mischievous grin. "She loves you. But you should probably act fast."

"What why?!" Lestrade asked and he could feel his heart pinching.

"Two weeks ago she had a balled up napkin with a phone number on it. And seeing as how she hasn't brought anyone to her flat or left wearing something nicer then her casual clothes, then we can assume she and the mystery man haven't talked yet. You might still have a chance if you don't screw it up." Sherlock said moving to sit in his chair.

Lestrade wavered and walked to sit on the couch that was usually reserved for clients. "What do I do?"

"What you can start by doing is admitting you like her back." Sherlock said absently.

"Of course I like her! She's got this smile that makes me warm and her laugh... she's so kind and always has nice things to say about people, even the barmy people. She's beautiful and smart and so funny. She once told me a joke and I laughed till my sides hurt." Lestrade said excitedly with a lovey dovey smile.

"We know. We heard it from here." John said giving the cop a friendly smile. "You should ask her out."

"She likes long walks, obviously, her favorite food is tomato soup. She likes these flowers and you have about an hour before she gets back. Also, arrest the baker he's the murderer. Now go, you only have an hour."

Hour later.

Y/N turned the corner to her street fully rejuvenated from her walk and smiling. What surprised her was Lestrade sitting on a park bench with flowers and food.

"Lestrade? Dontcha have a case going on?" I asked in confusion. Who did he buy flowers for?

"Well Sherlock already cracked it and I was working on another case at one of the nearby resturants and got hungry but I ordered too much to go so I was wondering if you'd like to share it. We can eat it at the park or your flat. Wherever your most comfortable and I got you—I got you these." Lestrade picks the flowers up from the bench.

"He told you." I said while taking the flowers to smell.

"Well yeah, I mean no! No he did not." Lestrade said while scratching the back of his neck.

"It's okay." I smiled and snorted a little. "For a detective your not exactly observant." I said in jest before looping my arm through his free arm. "Let's go to my flat, Detective inspector." When we passed 221b I looked up at the window upstairs and met eyes with the cold genius.

My lips formed into a genuine smile and I nodded to the man and he responded back.

Turning back to Lestrade I smiled and spoke. "You'll have to remind me to thank Sherlock properly."

"Thank Sherlock?"

"You see I've liked you for a very long time but unfortunately as bubbly as I seem. I have a very hard time confronting my feelings. I'm sure Sherlock used the words 'loves not likes'. You're part of the reason I named this big boy lucky. He's my lucky charm because the first time I met you was the same day I got him. I may be forward to ask this but you buying me dinner and flowers means you intend to pursue me?" I looked up at him.

"For as long as you'll let me."

"That sir will be a very long time. I happen to find you charming, funny, and the right kind of gentleman." I leaned up and slipped a kiss on his jaw. "And you have me completely enamored." I giggled at the glowing blush on his face.