Sherlock was sick for a few days and Phoebe could tell that he was getting more agitated on the fourth day.

"I don't wanna lie in bed anymore! It's not working!" Sherlock pouted as Phoebe sat with him per his request.

"I know you're bored, but just try and relax," Phoebe urged him.

"But I can't relax!" He whined and she huffed before moving so that her back was against the bed frame.

Phoebe pulled him close and rested his head in her lap. She ran her fingers through his curls gently.

"What are you doing?" He asked quickly, confused as to why she was doing this.

"Just close your eyes and relax, Sherl," Phoebe said and Sherlock huffed.

"Don't call me Sherl," he complained.

"Fine, clever boy. Now, close your eyes and focus on my voice," Phoebe said softly.

Sherlock followed her directions and closed his eyes, listening to her voice as she started to sing.

"Hush now, mo stóirín. Close your eyes and sleep. Waltzing the waves, diving in the deep," she started and Sherlock immediately felt happy.

"Stars are shining bright. The wind is on the rise, whispering words of long lost lullabies. Oh won't you come with me where the moon is made of gold and in the morning sun, we'll be sailing," Phoebe sang softly.

Sherlock's mind cleared as he focused on just her angelic voice.

"Oh won't you come with me where the ocean meets the sky and as the clouds roll by, we'll sing the song of the sea. I had a dream last night and heard the sweetest sound. I saw a great white light and dancers in the round. Castles in the sand, cradles in the trees, don't cry, I'll see you by and by." Phoebe kept trailing her fingers through his hair, lulling him to sleep.

"Oh won't you come with me where the moon is made of gold and in the morning sun, we'll be sailing. Oh won't you come with me where the ocean meets the sky and as the clouds roll by, we'll sing the song of the sea," Phoebe continued and John came in.

"What are you-"

"Shh, do not wake him, John Watson, or so help me I will be your worst nightmare!" Phoebe whisper yelled.

"Sorry," John whispered and Sherlock shifted, starting to wake up again so Phoebe kept singing.

"Rolling, rolling, rolling, rolling. Oh won't you come with me where the moon is made of gold and in the morning sun, we'll be sailing free. Oh won't you come with me where the ocean meets the sky and as the clouds roll by, we'll sing the song of the sea. Grá go deo," Phoebe finished and cute little snores left Sherlock's mouth as he slept.

Phoebe slipped out from under him and tucked him in before walking out with John.

"What was all that about?" John looked at her curiously.

"He was getting restless so I figured I could help him get back to sleep. Just being a good friend," Phoebe replied with a smile.

"You've been in his room a lot since he got sick. You dissapear in there with him for hours. How do I know that you two aren't getting off?"

"John! That's not what's happening! One, he's sick, two, we are strictly friends," Phoebe defended quickly.

"But you love him still, don't you?"

"Of course I love him. I don't know if I'll ever truly stop. But he doesn't love me and he made that clear," Phoebe replied as she dropped her head. "I'm trying to move on. I started talking to someone."

"So you are just gonna move on like that?" John asked and she shook her head. "I don't believe you."

"Well you should because I have a date tonight," Phoebe said quickly and John was shocked. "I wasn't gonna mope around forever. Sherlock will always be my best friend and I won't let my own emotions ruin what I do have with him."

'Oh stars... what have I just done?' She thought to herself.

"Oh, really? Who's the lucky guy?" John asked, curious as to who she had been supposedly talking to.

"Peter, I'm going on a date with Peter," Phoebe lied and John hummed.

"Congrats then. I'm glad you are finding happiness elsewhere," John said as he hugged her.

Phoebe smiled and nodded. "Thank you, now, I have to go."

She quickly left for her flat and called Peter.

"Hello, ma'am? Is there something you need?" Peter asked curiously.

"How would you feel about going on a date tonight? I kinda told my friend that I had a date with you to cover something up. Can you please do this for me?" Phoebe asked quickly.

"Oh, um, as long as it's not real. I mean, you're my boss and all. Plus I kinda have a thing for Lucinda so..."

"Yes, I know. It's obvious. It's just for tonight. I promise. We don't have to do anything other than go to dinner. It's just for show," Phoebe assured him.

"Alright then, I can do that," Peter agreed and Phoebe breathed deeply.

"Thank you. I promise, it's just a friendly outing but my friend thinks it's a date. I just need him off my back so he doesn't think I like- never mind. Thank you. I'll meet up with you at six. We can just have dinner at the cafe," Phoebe said.

"Got it. I'll see you at six," Peter said before hanging up.

Phoebe sighed and sat on her couch. She turned on the tv and ended up dozing off.

🔎

Phoebe woke up and saw that it was already five and she looked like she just rolled out of a dumpster.

Sherlock was snuggled against her side and she raised an eyebrow.

"Sherlock? You're supposed to be in bed," Phoebe said as she tried to get up.

"You were supposed to stay and keep me asleep," he countered as he fought back sleep.

"Sherlock, I have to get up, I have a date in less than an hour now," Phoebe said and Sherlock was suddenly wide awake.

"Date? I didn't-"

"It's not really a date. I told John that I had a date with Peter tonight. Peter agreed to pose as my date for tonight. You said that you wanted to keep this under wraps so that's what I'm doing. John just kept bugging these past few days. If he thinks that I have a date tonight, maybe he'll finally believe that I don't have feelings for you anymore," Phoebe explained before she kissed his head gently.

"Okay, but be safe. If anything happens, call me first," Sherlock said.

"No, you're sick," Phoebe said as she put a hand on his cheek.

"Fine, call John," Sherlock compromised.

"I will, don't worry. Now, let me get up," Phoebe requested as she patted his back gently.

"Okay..." Sherlock let her go and she went to get ready for her 'date' with Peter.

She came out after a while and walked over to Sherlock.

"How do I look?" Phoebe smiled and he looked her up and down.

"You look like you always do," Sherlock said as he sat up.

"Is that a good thing?" She asked curiously.

"In my opinion, yes," Sherlock commented.

"Why thank you," she said before sitting beside him. "This is just a friendly outing, I promise."

"It's okay if you want to be with someone who knows how to love you. I get that you want someone normal," Sherlock said as he looked down. He didn't fully understand why he was so hurt by her going on a date with someone else even though she said it wasn't real.

Phoebe frowned and moved herself so that she was sat on his lap sideways. She made him look at her gently.

"I don't care if you don't know how to love me yet. I don't care if you never learn to love. You putting forth the effort and showing me that you do care a least a little is what makes me so happy. What kinda fun would it be if I fell in love with some boring normal guy? I know you can't say it back, Sherl, but I love you," Phoebe said to with a smile before she kissed him.

Sherlock kissed her back gently and held her close. He felt a fluttering feeling in his chest. It was weird, but he kinda enjoyed the feeling.

Phoebe smiled before she pulled away and she said, "we may not be together officially, but I would never throw away the possibility that maybe someday we could be together for real. I told you, this is just a friendly outi-"

The door to her flat opened and she moved her face away from his quickly.

"What are you two doing?" John looked at them suspiciously.

"Sherlock won't tell me if I'm beautiful! How am I supposed to go on a date if I don't look beautiful?!" She lied herself across Sherlock's lap dramatically.

"I don't think it matters," Sherlock played along.

"John, do you think I look beautiful? I need to look beautiful." Phoebe gave him her puppy dog eyes.

"I always think you're beautiful, Phee. Sherlock, tell her she is beautiful. Don't be a dickhead," John said and Phoebe snorted.

"Fine, you look beautiful, Phoebe," Sherlock said and Phoebe smiled at him.

"Thank you!" She sat up and kissed his cheek before getting off of his lap. She grabbed her purse and walked over to John. She kissed his cheek and smiled. "I'll see you both later! Bye!"

She left and John looked at Sherlock.

"What are you doing in Phoebe's flat?" He asked.

"I wanted her help to fall back asleep but she was asleep so I laid on her couch and fell asleep. I'm feeling a lot better though," Sherlock said and John felt his forehead.

"Well, you no longer have a fever so that's good," John said and Sherlock nodded.

"So, have you found me a case?"

"You bet I did," John said and they ran upstairs.

🔎

Phoebe walked into her cafe and bakery, walking over to where she saw Peter.

Peter smiled when he saw her coming over to him.

"Hey, Peter, thank you so much for doing this," Phoebe said as she sat down in the booth across from him.

"It's not a problem, really," Peter replied as he watched her.

"Hello, my name's Lucinda, I'll be your- Peter? Phoebe?" Lucinda looked at them and her heart broke, thinking that they were in a date.

"Luci! Hey!" Peter blushed a bit and he smiled at her.

"Oh, I uh, sorry. I didn't realize you two were... I didn't think..." Lucinda kept her eyes off the two, biting the side of her lip.

"We aren't together. I'm posing as her date tonight because she told her friend that she had a date," Peter said immediately and Phoebe nodded.

"Trust me, Peter isn't really my type. I have a thing with one of my friends. We aren't technically together but we... we've had our moments together..." Phoebe blushed and looked at her hands.

"Let me get you your usuals and we can talk," Lucinda said with a small smile coming to her face before she left.

Phoebe heard Luci let out a breath of relief and she smiled to herself.

Peter watched her walk away with a look of adoration in his eyes.

When Lucinda came back with their tea and Presley was cooking their food in the kitchen, Peter's smiled widened

"So, this guy, what's he like? I want all the details," Luci said and Phoebe laughed a little.

"Well, he's an asshole, that's for sure. He's stubborn and a jerk, but he is one of the smartest people I have ever met, short of his brother who is literally the smartest person I know. He has his moments though where he actually seems like a normal person. When he actually shows that he cares, he's gentle, sweet, and overall really amazing. He has no patience to save his life though," Phoebe explained as she stirred her tea a bit and smiled as she spoke.

"What's his name? Is he a customer?" Peter asked curiously.

"Oh, yes. He's a regular, but I shouldn't say his name. We are keeping our little thing under wraps so that word doesn't get out," Phoebe said to them.

"Why would word get out? Do people have it out for him?" Lucinda asked.

"Definitely, more than one. He's somewhat of a public figure. That's all I'm gonna say. If you figure it out, do not tell anyone. I'm trusting you two," Phoebe said quickly.

"Got it. Well, I hope you guys enjoy your dinner. I'll see you tomorrow during our shift, Peter," Luci said before kissing his cheek.

He beamed brightly and Phoebe laughed a little at the childish look in Peter's eyes as he did a tiny little happy dance in his seat while watching Lucinda walk away.

Phoebe wished Sherlock felt like that about her but she was happy with what she got. It was perfect enough for her.