"Sherlock! Case for ya," said Lestrade, pulling out the file.

"Yes obviously, or we wouldn't be here," replied Sherlock dryly. Lestrade made a face but ignored the comment, instead handing Sherlock the file. John and Gwen immediately both crowded near, trying to get a glimpse at the file's contents. Noticing this, Sherlock looked slowly at them both before stepping away so that he stood apart from them. John rolled his eyes and Gwen scowled.

"Excellent," said Sherlock after a moment, snapping the case file shut. "May we go to the crime scene?"

Lestrade waved a vague hand.

"Knock yourselves out."

John, Gwen, and Lestrade exchanged their goodbyes while Sherlock merely turned and left. Hurrying after him, John and Gwen followed him to the car and clambered into the back of the taxi together.

"May we see the file now Sherlock?" asked John after a moment.

"Oh," was all Sherlock said, simultaneously passing it off to his partners. John graciously opened the file so that both he and Gwen could see.

Gwen inhaled sharply, her eyes wide. A hand slowly rose to her face, subconsciously placing itself over her mouth in her shock. Two heads quickly snapped up, looking intently at Gwen.

"What is it?" asked John kindly.

"I..." Gwen cleared her throat. "I used to know her."

"How?" asked Sherlock sharply, the importance of his question evident in his voice. "Tell me exactly how you know her."

"Well I just... I'm sure it's a coincidence," she said, "I used to take piano lessons from her, that's all. That must have been, well... about ten years ago now."

John immediately became sympathetic, saying sorry and trying to comfort Gwen. She appreciated his kindness, and she allowed herself to rest her head against his shoulder.

Though that may have mostly been for the sake of avoiding the calculating look in Sherlock's burning blue eyes.

"How was she killed?" Gwen asked once they'd arrived at her piano teacher's house.

"Stabbed to death," replied John quietly.

"Stabbed seven times as a matter of fact," contributed Sherlock, his tone vague as he had already begun to inspect their surroundings. "Twice in the stomach, once in the leg, once-"

"Yes, alright Sherlock," John cut him off, seeing the uneasy look in Gwen's eyes. Gently rubbing her back, John peered down at her concernedly.

"Are you going to be alright Gwen?" he asked. "Maybe we should take you back to the house."

"No," she said finally, raising her eyes from the ground to meet his. Smiling almost steadily, she reached out and grabbed the doctor's hand, giving it a squeeze. "I'll be alright. But thank you for your concern."

"John, examine the body, will you?" Sherlock called out. John gazed around the room.

"Where is it?"

"Upstairs."

"Well then why aren't you upstairs?"

"Looking for signs of entry," was the mumbled reply as the detective continued to sweep over every inch of the room. John merely smiled at his friend's typical behavior and gave Gwen another smile before heading up the stairs, leaving Gwen and Sherlock alone.

"Tell me what you're looking for."

Sherlock quickly looked up from his work, surprised at her request. Normally Gwen merely stayed in the background watching. Never before had she been so bold.

"Anything to show me who else has been here other than Mrs. Wilson. Was it a forced entry, or was it someone she expected to visit?"

"Couldn't you get the police to help you with that?" she asked pointedly, gesturing at the door through which Sherlock had banished all the cops upon arrival. Sherlock scoffed.

"The police. They merely get in the way, muddling everything."

"Alright then. Teach me." Again, Sherlock started a bit in shock. Such an odd way of speaking, jumping around topics like that. About to refuse her, Sherlock paused for a moment and reconsidered. What was the harm after all?

Grinning at Sherlock just as excitedly as he was grinning at her, Gwen found herself stunned by the spark in his stunning blue eyes.

"This is what you look for..." he began.

"I imagine today must have been rather hard for you," commented John softly, searching Gwen's face with his eyes. Sherlock had already retired for the night, feeling rather perturbed by the fact that he had thus far been unable to get any leads regarding the case. John had opted to stay up a bit longer with Gwen, and they were now seated next to one another on the couch.

"Yes," she replied simply, staring openly back at John.

"You'll be alright won't you?"

"Oh yes. No need to worry about me Dr. Watson."

"You can..." John cleared his throat. "You can call me John you know."

"I know that."

A silence fell over them. John shifted slightly in his seat. Gwen noticed and immediately began to wonder why.

"Gwen... I thought perhaps you and I could grab a cup of coffee sometime. Just- just the two of us. Without Sherlock. If you would like."

Gwen was rather surprised at this, and she considered it momentarily.

"Yes alright," she replied, smiling kindly. "That could be fun."

"Well," John said abruptly, though smiling in relief now, "I suppose I should bid you goodnight."

"Alright." John nodded once before quickly standing and turning on his heel, heading straight up to bed. Gwen calmly watched him go, unsure what to think of this new development.

"Sherlock, how would you feel if I dated Gwen?" John asked his friend the next day. Gwen had gone out for breakfast this morning, giving the two men some alone time.

Sherlock slowly looked over at John from where he was sitting in his chair. As soon as they made eye contact, Sherlock smirked.

"I'm hardly surprised."

"That's not really an answer to the question."

"I doubt that I have any real say in who you choose to date. Correct?"

"Well... I suppose not. But I would rather have your understanding anyways."

"Not my support?"

"I'll take what I can get."

"Well then. I understand. Satisfied?"

"Eager to keep working on the case?" Sherlock finally turned back to the doctor, a twinkle in his eyes.

"Coming?" Sherlock quickly leaped up, grabbing his coat and heading for the door. John shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Shouldn't we... shouldn't we wait for Gwen?" Sherlock completely ignored his friend, strolling out of the flat. Cursing quietly to himself, John jumped up, grabbed his own jacket and followed.

"She'll know where we are," was all Sherlock said as they made their way outside. John made a face but followed Sherlock nevertheless.