Sherlock pondered her words. "Till the next time, Mr. Holmes." Those were the words written on the first note she gave him. He checked his pocket. The note read:

"Mantelpiece."

He frowned. There were at least several dozen mantelpieces on the ship. Which one could be referring to? He hurried to his suite. She had snuck in there several times before; it was his mantelpiece she was probably referring to. Sure enough there she was. He walked over to her. She had helped herself and was looking through his many drawings.

"These are…good," she admitted. Sherlock said nothing and strided over to the family vault. Irene glanced up, curious. Sherlock opened the vault and took out the necklace and held it out to her.

"What is it? A sapphire?"

"A diamond. A very rare diamond, nicknamed the Heart of the Ocean."

Irene weighed it in her hand, appreciating its value.

"Will anyone bother us in here?"

"No. The cigars and brandy should keep everyone occupied."

"Then I want you to draw me. Wearing this." Sherlock nodded and went to get his charcoal and tools. She winked at him. "I'll be right back, need to get myself ready." Irene disappeared around the corner. She took off her dress once she was out of sight. She knew the perfect outfit to wear. She called it her battle dress.

Sherlock took off his coat and waited on a chair, sharpening his charcoal. He could hear Irene walking back to the room.

"Took you long en-" His voice failed him as he saw Irene standing at the doorway. She was stark naked, with the exception of the necklace gracefully hanging from her neck. His jaw dropped a little. She strutted over to the sofa and artfully arranged the pillows before lying down. She adjusted herself, trying to find the perfect pose.

"Tell me when it looks right to you."

Sherlock did not give anything away in his expression that Irene's nudity affected him, but on the inside it felt like his heart was beating over a hundred times a minute. "Bend your left leg a little, and lower your head. Eyes to me," he commanded. Sherlock proceeded to draw when an orgasmic sigh escaped from Irene's lips. He dropped his pencil and she chuckled. With gentle strokes, he sketched the outline of her body, then the couch.

"Keep still," he instructed. The longer he drew, the more he furrowed his brow and concentrated. Sherlock sat there for several hours, unaware of how much time had passed, only paying attention to the task at hand. Irene took the time to devour him with her eyes, always a coy smile dangling at the corners of her lips. Sherlock set down his pencil and stretched his fingers.

"Done."


My heart was pounding the whole time. It was the most erotic moment of my whole life…up till then at least.


Sherlock signed the drawing with his initials, wrote the date, and titled the drawing "The Woman."

Irene looked over his shoulder and slid her arms around his neck with a mischievous look on her face. She was still naked. "Whatever shall we do now?" she purred. "I am at your command, Mr. Holmes." Sherlock handed her the drawing without looking at her, his expression was as stolid as ever.

"Put this and the necklace back in the safe, will you? And put some clothes on."

Irene pouted but did as he asked. She put the diamond and drawing into the vault and closed the door with a soft thud.