Disclaimer: I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.

Warning: SPOILERS for season 2 episode 1 "A Scandal in Belgravia." If you haven't seen it, I would highly suggest you hit the back button right now.

A/N: I adore Irene Adler as a character…hate her as a love interest. I think this version did an excellent job of being delightfully ambiguous. Enjoy.

"We're not a couple," John stated firmly.

"Yes you are," Adler maintained.

"There," she stated, showing him the phone screen. "I'm not dead. Let's have dinner."

John looked away before turning his eyes back toward her and replying,

"Who the hell knows about Sherlock Holmes. But for the record, if anyone out there still cares, I'm not actually gay."

"Well I am."

John hates her. She reads them all so well, calling him out as easily as if she were Sherlock himself. He wasn't lying. He's not gay…or rather doesn't consider himself to be. It's just Sherlock. Brilliant, insane, beautiful Sherlock who can read anything except, apparently, emotion. But they are Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, and for now that's enough.

Except…there's her. And John isn't sure what to make of this strange, dark, fascinating woman. Sherlock is intrigued, but John can't tell if it is more than just the game. What he does know is that Sherlock met his match in Irene Adler, and that is very dangerous. Unfortunately, there is nothing to do but wait and see…and wonder how much of that conversation Sherlock actually heard.

"Who the hell knows about Sherlock Holmes. But for the record, if anyone out there still cares, I'm not actually gay."

To Sherlock Holmes, John Watson is very curious. Not in general, but in his relationships. Granted, Sherlock is largely unfamiliar with emotions, but he is aware enough of his personal feelings toward the doctor. However, he is significantly less sure of John's feelings toward him. And Sherlock is most assuredly not used to being confused.

Then there is the case of Irene Adler. The conversation he overheard and his own interactions with her constantly left him befuddled, although he had no interest in her beyond her intellectual skills. And somehow, she seemed to know something he didn't about his personal life. Fascinating. But, he had bested her in the end of course.

There was still something about her though. And that something led him to save her life. After all, it would be a shame to let someone so brilliant have such a boring end. What he can't ascertain now, is why John lied to him about her. He knows well enough that everyone of importance believes Irene to be dead; he helped her disappear. And yet, John lied in…what? An attempt to spare him from that knowledge? But why would he do that unless…

And then it clicked. John thinks he has feelings for her. That wonderful man can be terribly dim sometimes. With that realization, Sherlock mused over how to determine the nature of John Watson's true feelings. Ironically enough, it was his time with Adler that gave him the answer.

"You don't actually think I was interested in you. Why? Because you're the great Sherlock Holmes: the clever detective in the funny hat?" She mocked.

"No. Because I took your pulse," he whispered.

Hmmm. It's worth a try.

And later on that evening, John Watson felt his pulse race as Sherlock Holmes pushed him up against the wall of 221B Baker Street and kissed him until he could no longer stand.

Well…that answers that question.