"Yes," Sherlock says, or rather the word just sort of falls out of his mouth. She wants to be seen with him in public again. He's shared something with her that's always been closer to his heart than he's admitted to anyone else, and she likes it enough to want to see more. With him.

It means more to him than he has words for. It means something like a chemical change in him, in the way their lives are converging, an emotional reaction that gives off a heat and light like nothing else in his life.

It means you love her, Mary says gently, somewhere at the back of his mind where he keeps truths he needs to hear spoken in the voice of someone who can make them sound less frightening. It means John might be right about more than you thought. Now stop thinking about me so you can concentrate on doing filthy things to her when you get back.

His hand inches up, just a little, brushing the hem of her skirt.

"Yeah. That--would be good, actually."