A/N: what if Holmes wrote a similar list as Watson did, to understand him better? He would probably compare him to his brother, Mycroft. Here's my suggestion...

Disclaimer: both characters are not mine; perception of them is. If you read the text below, yours will be the perception of my perception of characters created by A. Conan Doyle... hope that isn't a problem...

0. According to SY archives and my deductions, isn't a known criminal.

1. Self-reliant and not inquisitive by nature (has yet to ask me the time!); never leaves his things around - camping habits.

2. Knows next to nothing about combat techniques, except those practised in the gym (boxing, average; fiddlestick - apparently watched a friend training: knows by sight). Excellent marksman (unless he boasted, which seems unlikely.)

3. Widely educated; thinks all knowledge useful. Tried to reason with me about some obscure astronomical problem; as if I can somehow change the ways of celestial bodies! Isn't afraid of consulting a book before stating a fact. Worldly knowledge - scanty at best.

4. Polite. Never said a word when I explained safety measures of my little lab, despite obviously knowing half of them, and being deeply disturbed by the other half.

5. Good memory. When asked a question, provides relevant information; rarely muses aloud. Sometimes doesn't answer before the correct word is found, the big-endian. Well-read on drugs, probably has personal experience, but not an addict.

6. Easily distractable (or is it again his politeness?); gullible. Doesn't trust newspapers, but reads them with alacrity.

7. Can hold his drink. At least as well as I.

8. Open-minded; must be the worst temptation (and the worst disappointment) to ever befell a pickpocket. I myself couldn't resist yesterday (only a dentist's card; must advise him to choose another one if he doesn't want his teeth to rot in a year or year and a half).

9. London geography - poor. Relies on cabs for transportation.

10. A true sportsman. Bets unsuccessfully, but that doesn't discourage him in the slightest.

11. Will to live - tremendous, to work - even more so.

12. Reliable. Doesn't undertake tasks that are beyond his abilities.

13. Has an ear for classics; must have attended concerts (while studying in Netley?)

14. Receives and answers letters from various locations in India and Afghanistan, though they are infrequent. Does he have any hopes to come back into active service? Otherwise doesn't have friends or enemies.

15. Precise in habits, but doesn't mind me being late. Always pays in due time.

16. Secretive - I have yet to uncover his "other vices".

17. Health unstable; no allergies, at least to the agents I inadvertently tried.

18. Eating habits irregular; is more dependent on sustenance than I have ever been. Doesn't have preferences, except strawberry tart. Is annoyed if I eat all the cookies.

19. Prejudices few and characteristic of an idealistic gentleman. Usually hides them well.

20. Isn't prone to pranks, gift exchanges, and other unexpected moves.

21. All in all, a tolerable chap; I don't expect we shall meet again after the lease expires, unless he stays in London and one of us requires the other's help (which by now seems a stretch of imagination). I still have some questions about him I'd like to be answered, and four months to sate my curiosity.

I shall continue the list as I know more.