Irene was quite surprised at the outburst. Both the admitted fact and the outburst itself. But she did not comment, knowing that he needed his moment of quiet to collect himself. Appearing unfazed, she picked up her cup, taking another sip of her tea before setting it down, glancing at him as she pondered his question. There were perhaps a million different ways to answer that. But there would be only one that would suffice for the answer that he wanted, and deserved, to hear.
Reaching across the table, she offered her hand. A gesture of friendship, of compassion and understanding. And, given what he'd revealed of himself when he'd so outwitted and beaten her at her own game, would allow him to measure her pulse, knowing that she spoke the truth. "Sherlock, this isn't about my satisfaction. This is about the needs of perhaps the two most important people in my life right now."