"That doesn't mean you owe me anything," he answers with a frown, his eyes searching Watson momentarily. He's at least accepted that Watson hasn't ever seriously considered leaving Holmes for Miss Morstan, and that's something; what Holmes has to do now is figure out why his mind leapt to such an idea. It really isn't too difficult to sort that out, though he hates to admit any of it.

He sighs heavily. "I think that I love you too much to be the reason you miss out on happiness. You would make a good father." He sighs again and rests his forehead in his hand, wondering if there's a way out of this conversation. Maybe he just ought to go to bed.