Anyone who has ever met Sherlock Holmes would say that he is an unaffectionate man, cold, calculating, but moral. Those who knew him well were lucky enough to consider him a friend, would never make such a mistake. He is simply rarely affectionate, in his own weird way.

Joan Watson was one of the few that would say that Sherlock Holmes, when the timing was right, was the most affectionate man she has ever met. There have been three instances in her life since she met him that he was truly and openly affectionate; and every time it was directed towards her (She would include the times he was affectionate towards Irene during her brief stay in the Brownstone, weren't it not for the fact that that snake nearly destroyed him).

The first time, probably one of her favorites, was when he proposed that she leave her career as a Sobriety Companion, and instead become his apprentice and eventual partner. His words, "I am better with you." touched her, and she was taken aback by his insecurity in the proposal. Nevertheless, the compliment lead her to a new career; one she wouldn't trade for the world.

The second was smaller and more subtle, but no less special to her. They were waiting for the man with the killer bees, and he had promised her that he would not go after Moriarty like he had Moran. He had told her that he was different, that he had changed and that "The difference between then and now, is you." She smiled as she remembered telling him that it was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to her. And that fact remains the same.

The third, and perhaps the most memorable and definitely her favorite of them all, was when he named the Euglassia Watsonia. To others, naming a bee doesn't seem like much. But Sherlock's passion for bee keeping mixed with his own rather large ego, made naming a bee after her a significant thing. Her surprise can't be overstated, and she thinks that it was this moment that she really fell in love with the man.

There were probably countless other moments where he was showing affection, but these three were special in that they were the only times he ever completely let his guard down.

So as she sat there in her bed; staring at the diamond ring resting in the black velvet box, sitting in the dead center of the pillow next to her, she wasn't sure whether to be touched, infuriated, or annoyed. Probably some combination of all three.

Under the box, there was a note written in Sherlock's unmistakably deliberate and spidery handwriting, "I am better with you." Joan couldn't help but smile at the words that he had used to propose to her the first time. She almost thought it was a joke, or some cruel lesson to see if the diamond was real or not. Watson examined the ring more closely to see if that was indeed the case.

The ring was simple but beautiful. It had a yellow gold band with a large pear-cut diamond with a smaller pear-cut amethyst on either side of the diamond. Joan had recently read a book on the meanings behind gemstones as a part of her training, and almost laughed aloud as she remembered that amethyst, along with other meanings of healing, was the gemstone of sobriety. Leave it to Sherlock to give her engagement ring a double meaning. But regardless, he knew her almost too well; and every aspect of it suited her.

After much thought, Joan realized that Sherlock really was proposing, and was either too busy or too cowardly to ask her directly, if she knew him at all it was probably both; they had been working on a rather tricky case lately. With a smile, she slipped the ring on her left hand and headed downstairs, careful not to give anything away as she descended the stairs into the parlor. Joan walked calmly and quietly like she always did and kept a poker face as she watched Sherlock fidget in front of his...their Wall of Crazy, whether from frustration from the case or insecurity about the proposal, she wasn't sure.

She didn't say anything and didn't need to. He knew she was there. "Morning Watson." He simply stated, not turning to look at her.

"Morning Sherlock. I'm going to make coffee, want some?" She replied as she made her way to the kitchen, not mentioning the ring at all.

"Please." Once in the kitchen, Joan began to make coffee and she heard Sherlock lingering by the door.

With a small smirk, one that only the Great Sherlock Holmes could detect, she said "We are telling you're father if you haven't already. And I know you don't like him, but it would be nice to have him at the wedding. And I hope you asked my father's permission first, like you said before, they're traditionalists and they won't take too kindly to you proposing without their blessing."

Joan paused for a breath and continued. "And I want Captain Gregson and Bell there, I have always considered them your friends, but now they're mine too and I want them to be there. And I know you probably want to elope or just go to the courthouse for a marriage license, but I've always wanted a real wedding. It's just a weird quirk of mine, okay? Usually I don't care about that sort of thing, but the idea of getting dressed up in a long white gown and having my father walk me down the aisle is a fantasy of mine. I don't want anything extravagant, just a few friends and family, but still a real and proper wedding. And so help me Sherlock if this is just some test and not an actual proposal I will hurl this coffee pot at your head without hesitation."

Sherlock stood frozen as she rambled, basically saying yes without actually saying it, certainly to punish him for not having the guts to ask her directly. He stared at the ring on her finger and smiled. Eventually he found his feet again, and moved deliberately and swiftly over to her. He wrapped his arm around her waste, pulled her to his chest and kissed her softly on the lips. It wasn't a make-out session by a long shot, it was tender and it ended just a little too soon for Joan's taste.

"We will keep things professional while we are on a case. Especially when we are at the precinct." Joan stated simply, as she continued to be held in Sherlock's arms.

"Obviously."

"And you really do need to call you're father."

"I would rather not." Sherlock stated indignantly.

"Sherlock! He's going to find out eventually. If it makes you feel any better, imagine his face when you tell him that the Sober Companion he hired turned into your partner in detective work and is now your fiancee." Joan reasoned, with a smile at the thought.

Sherlock couldn't help but laugh. "In that case we should arrange to do it in person. I would love to see his reaction. I did ask your parents' permission by the way. I am well aware of the customs of your family, and I was not about to tread on these customs with something so significant."

Watson gave him a small peck and smiled. "I should probably call them and tell them the news..."

She started to pull away when Sherlock pulled back on her wrist. "I am well aware of your answer, it's very clear to me. But I would very much like you to say the words if you don't mind...Is this a yes?"

Watson smiled, as she leaned into him and whispered, "That's a hell yes." She left a fleeting kiss on his cheek and headed upstairs to call her family.

About ten minutes later, Sherlock received a call from Gregson about the case they were working on. "WATSON!"

"Yeah?" Joan thought she would be hurt by the fact that he still wouldn't call her by her first name, but then realized that even though they were now romantically involved, it really did not change their relationship that much. He was still Sherlock, she was still Watson, and Joan wouldn't have it any other way.

"Captain Gregson called, there is a new lead. We are to meet he and Detective Bell at the precinct."

Watson came downstairs and put her arms through the coat Sherlock was holding open for her. "What are we going to tell them?"

"I thought it was your wish to remain professional at the precinct."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean we can't tell them. It's not like I'm going to take the ring off every time we have a case."

"Well then, I think it best that we tell them the truth. We are engaged, we expect them at the wedding, and then we'll move on to the case."

"They're going to ask a lot of questions."

"Do you mind it?"

"Not at all, it'll be fun to be on this side of the information for once." Watson said with a grin.

"Then let's let the cat out of the bag, so to speak."

"Morning Ms. Watson, Holmes." Gregson greeted them as they entered his office.

Joan and Sherlock looked at each other and nearly burst out laughing as they both thought how she wouldn't be "Ms. Watson" much longer. Gregson noticed, but didn't say anything.

Bell walked in and nodded his greetings to the two consulting detectives. "So we have a new lead, His name is Nicola Azari. Here's his file." He handed Joan the folder, and she reached for it with her left hand. Sherlock, of course, knew that this was deliberate and covered his hand with his mouth to hide the smirk that was threatening to spread across his face.

At first the two didn't notice, but quickly they did a double take and Bell caught her hand to further examine the diamond that sat rather contentedly on her ring finger.

"Mind explaining the giant rock on a finger that is usually reserved for wedding bands and engagement rings?" Bell asked.

Gregson whistled and raised his eyebrows. "Who's the lucky guy?"

"Whoever he is, he's certainly got a bit of money, this ring's gotta be at least 2 carats..." Bell answered.

Joan could no longer suppress the grin she was holding, and her eyes flicked back to Sherlock to see how he was faring. At first she thought he was crying. His face was in his hand, and his shoulders were shaking, but she soon realizing that he was laughing, which turned out to be contagious, because suddenly she was laughing as well. Her hand went to Sherlock's shoulder as she tried to steady herself so she could breathe again.

Gregson and Bell looked at each other, both thoroughly confused, until finally Gregson seemed to figure it out and his eyes went wide. He pointed at the two consultants who were still trapped in a giggle fit. "You two?!"

It took Bell a moment to catch up, but once he did, he was just as surprised. "Them two?!"

Slowly the pair began to regain their composure and nodded in affirmation.

"When did this happen?" Gregson continued.

Joan was the first to take a calming breath before answering. "This morning. Piece of crap of a proposal if it wasn't so damn cute."

Sherlock finally stopped laughing and replied rather indignantly. "I thought it was a very logical proposal, it was not in anyway meant to be cute."

"You were scared I'd say no, so you left it on my pillow with a note. That would be classified as cute." Joan countered.

"You proposed with a note? Come on Sherlock, take her out for a meal, be romantic." Gregson interjected.

"I thought it was. I used the precise words I used when I proposed that she become my apprentice."

Bell smiled, "I'm siding with the her on this one, that's cute." Bell started to laugh at Sherlock's expense, something he did not appreciate.

"Come on Holmes, it was sweet. I like it, the proposal suits you." Gregson tried to placate the consulting detective.

"And she said yes, so it can't have been that bad." Bell added.

"That I did. We expect you both at the wedding." Joan answered.

"I guess I'll have to get used to calling you Mrs. Holmes." Gregson shook his head, the name felt strange in his mouth.

Both Sherlock and Joan shook their heads. "I am keeping my name." Joan smiled back at Sherlock, and he squeezed her hand. They hadn't even discussed it, and yet they both knew that they would always be Watson and Holmes no matter what.

"Well alright then. Now we have that out of the way, let's get back to the case." Sherlock noted.