I stared dully at the wall after the door had slammed, hearing his reproof still ringing in my ears. Why must I always make such a mess of things? When will I learn to think with my head, not my heart?
I had deserved the rebuke for nearly blowing our cover, but it was not as if I had intentionally done so. I sighed, dropping my head wearily.
I heard the door open and he stalked round me, pouring himself a drink and drinking it deliberately.
I took a deep breath. "Holmes?"
He raised his eyebrows, not saying anything.
"Why do you tolerate me, if I am constantly falling short of competence in your cases?"
Evidently he was not expecting that, for he spluttered before turning to face me, studying me for a long moment before walking over to sit opposite me.
"Why are you sitting there instead of finding other lodgings after my rather hasty outburst?" he countered with his own question.
I was startled, but answered. "That's ridiculous."
"How so."
"Leaving, over such a trifle? There are far more important things…" I trailed off.
He quirked an eyebrow at me meaningfully, and for the first time since my mistake I smiled.
Holmes smirked. "Besides," he added flippantly, "where else could I get a four-in-one friend, bodyguard, secretary, and biographer?"