"Good," Watson huffed, still bristling with stubborn anger. "I'm glad you'll consent to agree."

He picked up his coffee cup, and had a sip, deliberately slow while he tried to calm himself of his own righteous fury. His look across the table was one of challenge, daring Holmes to continue to protest, daring him to offer any further objection.

"We will be far safer together than separated," he said, with all the finality he could summon.