Sherlock had always been worried about Watson, about whether or not she could protect herself. He was nagging her about it for ages, she only agreed when he expressed concern for her, he knew every time he told her he cared, she would go along with whatever he wanted, except tattoos.

Back to the story, they were in the brownstone, Sherlock going on about how important it is to keep a balanced stance, but she couldn't concentrate.

He hadn't cut his hair in a while so it was all messed up because he hadn't brushed it either; he looked so handsome with it that way. His voice was rough and full of wisdom, he had gone through so much and yet here he was ready to teach her.

She was grateful to him for just being here, using his time to mentor her, nobody else would unless she paid them.

He knew she wasn't listening, it would usually annoy the hell out of him but now it was just cute. He didn't mind as long as she was there, looking beautiful as always, he didn't blame her though, he wasn't even listening to himself.

Something about stance control, god why wasn't he paying attention, he always did, to the smallest of details but all he could notice is how she walked and how her hair reached all the way down her back.

When she had her hair up for her run, you could see all of her perfectly shaped face, and how her light make up made her natural features even more beautiful.

Back to the lesson, he grabbed at her but she jumped out the way, she knew not to take this lightly, she wacked him in the arm holding it behind his back. He managed to spin round and back out of her grip, he threw a punch but she blocked it, with her medical background she could easily find pressure points in his wrist.

He complained about her cheating but she didn't want to hear it, she threw a punch at him, a few struggles later Joan had fallen over Sherlock's leg, he had got dragged down with her.

She had banged her head and was about to lift it up when she realised how close they were, less than a few inches away, they were just staring into each other's eyes.

It should have been awkward, they were just friends right? They longed to be more, more than friends, more than partners, they wanted love, to be loved and to live happily knowing everything would be fine if they were together.

How she wanted to kiss him, to hug him and never let him go, but she couldn't do that, her heart hurt a little yet at the same time it had never felt better, to be close to him. She smiled, oh no! Why did she do that, she shouldn't have done that, he obviously knows she likes him now. She wanted him to know but she didn't want to be rejected by him, wait…..

He was smiling too, looking down at her, just smiling. He didn't usually smile at all, not even when he got a particularly hard case which he could solve in less than a day and show off to Watson. He liked to show off, to make himself look better to her, and then maybe she would love him.

Sherlock's thoughts

Were so close, why am I so happy? Why am I smiling at her? Why is she smiling back? OH, Joan why are you so beautiful, amazing, intelligent, caring, creative- STOP THIS! She's your partner, you can't, you may ruin a friendship, you shouldn't want to but, it has to be. Oh no, I can't be, not for Joan, no I went down that road once before, you got her killed, DO YOU EVEN REMEMBER THAT! yes but with Joan, its different, she's strong and we live together and I can protect her and OH FOR GODS SAKE LOOK AT HER, eye's dilated, heart rate increased and she's SMILING! At you! Just kiss her already.

Joan's thoughts

Oh, well this is awkward, isn't it? Ok, just be cool, so what your smiling and he's smiling and things couldn't be much more perfect wait, he just looked at my lips, maybe this could be better. What! You can't possibly think that, that would work. But it would, were a perfect match, how did I not notice this attraction before. Ok, remember wwsd (what would Sherlock do), his eyes are dilated and his pulse slightly increase, WOULD YOU JUST! Ok calm down, oh no I looked at his lips, oh god please, make him just slip and kiss me or something. I have never been this desperate.

MAGIC SKIP OF THOUGHT TO STORY

He was leaning in, so close to her he couldn't help it, and his arms were tired. They were so close, they had both closed their eyes, lips centimetres from each other and …..

BRING BRING BRING

You have got to be kidding me, Joan thought as her phone went off in her pocket. Sherlock pulled back and whispered

"Maybe you should answer that" he sounded almost disappointed, now both had opened their eyes. He rolled off her and walked into his room to punch the pillow or something, HE WAS SO CLOSE!

She answered her phone calmly, after she closed her bedroom door, Emily immediately regretted calling her.