The first time it happened John made no pretence to hide it. He didn't know he would need to and neither did Sherlock. They had both laughed it off.

Sherlock can tell from the sound of his footsteps on the stairs that the date has not gone well. For the past month John has been coming home from his dates with his new girlfriend with a spring in his step. Today his steps are hesitant, slower than usual.

Therefore Sherlock looks up from his research when John enters and is surprised to see that a bruise is spreading across John's cheek. 'What happened to your face?' he asks, mildly curious.

'Got in a fight.' John says, blushing slightly. Sherlock returns his attention to the computer with a slight smirk saying 'I hope you gave as good as you got.'

John's response is more than a little effective in retrieving Sherlock's attention to their conversation. 'I would never hit a woman' he says turning toward the kitchen.

Sherlock abandons his research and turns his whole attention on his flatmate. 'She did that? Lucy, Lana, whatever, she hit you?'

John keeps his back to Sherlock and busies himself with the kettle 'Laura, her name is Laura, and yes.'

Sherlock watches John silently as he makes tea and hands him a mug. 'Laura', he thinks, he won't be deleting her again. 'Not as boring as your usual girlfriends' he states and John chuckles… 'Oh great, you like your women when they turn violent I should have known, after Irene'

Sherlock scoffs but says nothing, and the evening ends on a high note… and really John is probably at least partially right, women with a temper are more interesting than Johns usual choice of bland girlfriends.