Of course, the truth was Sherlock was far more than a work partner. They were not romantically or sexually involved, but their lives were deeply entwined. They were, in a very real sense, life partners. She wanted to be with Martin, but she wasn't going to give up her partnership with Sherlock. She couldn't.

She saw the disappointment, and it made her sad. She understood why he felt that way. He'd been through a lot just to come here and be with her, and that condition on their relationship must have felt like some degree on rejection.

"It's not you," she offered quietly. "If that helps. I hope it never comes to that, and I'll do everything I can to make sure it doesn't."