just finished watching 2x01 ; spoilers in the comments!

[byherheart]

What is it, that they say?

'The game's afoot.'

How thrilling.

Comments

[byherheart]

Almond.

[Sounding quite amused, as she settles back on her heels.]

And I'm not certain -- you tell me.

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

True, though I wanted the chocolate.

[He sighs, watching her closely.]

I disagree with him, but then I am predisposed to disagree with all assessments of my personality.

[byherheart]

Then I'm afraid I must agree with the good doctor out of principle.

[Simply agreeing would have let on too much as to what she would like to think.]

And you should have eaten the chocolate if you wanted it. Denying pleasure is only healthy when it quietly delights you.

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

Someone else had touched it.

[He defends, nose screwing up. He can keep thumbs in the fridge, but let someone else handle his pastry and he's completely off.]

There are other reasons to deny oneself pleasure.

[byherheart]

[She grins, at that, completely enthralled.]

Lecture me, then, of croissants.

Why do you?

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

Why do I prefer chocolate?

[Tilting his head.]

Or why do I deny myself my vices?

[byherheart]

Both.

[The latter. But seeing inside that head of his is always a treat.]

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

Because it's darker- sweeter, and better.

And because Mycroft barely tolerates me on my best behaviour. He won't stand for a little brother who is an addict.

[byherheart]

Denying yourself human connection hardly makes you an addict. The drugs, well --

[Irene waves a hand.]

That's what chocolate is for.

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

I don't set out to deny myself human contact.

[They just sort of... tend to become frustrated and move on.]

[byherheart]

[Irene knows that. How attached he is to Watson proves that. But she's not going to point out the obvious to Sherlock Holmes.]

And here we are again, at you not answering my texts.

I'd still like that dinner.

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

I was right not to.

[He reminds her. It isn't fair of her to lecture him about not reaching out, not when she came very close to breaking his heart.]

[byherheart]

Dangerous people were after my blood, Sherlock.

[Quietly, though she does lose that flippancy.]

Being dead was what kept you safe.

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

And I suppose the rest was worth a 'significant dent in the treasury.' Perhaps I'd be more offended if you'd sold my security breach for less.

[byherheart]

As I said.

[Evenly.]

Dangerous people were after my blood.

[Moriarty asks. Moriarty gets.]

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

And that's what I get, for playing the game.

[Recalling her words.]

Yes, in retrospect, perhaps I did try to keep you at arms length.

[byherheart]

You know the risks better than anyone else.

[Pause.]

Why, then? Why did you come after me?

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

I didn't know the risks. I'd never done that with anyone. I had never wanted to. I was reluctant to engage because I barely understood the rules. My inexperience made your success predictable.

But there are very few people in the world I deem to be worth troubling with, and no matter what you had done, you are one of them. I could not allow you to be killed.

[byherheart]

[She is quiet at that, but only for half a breath, before Irene offers him the tiniest of smiles, leaning forward ever so slightly, her tone warm.]

That is the fastest way to get yourself killed, my darling.

[ -- and then, a little quieter -- ]

I am sorry.

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

I won't do it again, don't worry.

[He promises, quietly.]

I have only myself to blame.

[byherheart]

Why, for allowing for the opportunity to enjoy a person's company?

Any woman would be extraordinarily lucky to capture your interest.

[They, of course, pale in comparison to her, but Irene will keep her ego to herself this once.]

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

For what? To be used, like John is, against me? Or to use me in turn?

[byherheart]

I certainly wouldn't date a woman that can't shoot a gun, that's certain.

[Mildly.]

But your life is fraught with danger, Sherlock. Hiding yourself away from people won't change that.

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

Say what you like, I am never doing this again.

[A tiny bit of bite in his voice. This is the end of the discussion, for him.]

Tell me where you will go next?

[byherheart]

[She ruined a piece of him. That hurts, but Irene has no place to say so.]

Why would I tell you that?

The fun is in the puzzle, Sherlock.

I trust you can figure it out.