Two things. First, this is exquisite. Holmes all day long has been running around like a tormented headless chicken, and now he finally pulls it together for Watson's sake, and then he's I SHALL SMELL HIM AND SMELL HIM AND THAT WILL BE ENOUGH. You're a marvel. I've honestly never seen a Holmes--and this also has to do with your premise, which might be kind of enabling in showing this deeply caring side of him--who is so egotistically *himself* and yet who treats Watson so very unselfishly. Usually, it's profound love mingled with "I *need* you so bad I could scream." Always a tiny selfish element, if only "Look at me! I did that for you! Whatcha think of it!?!?" But this Holmes is just, "Give me the chloral, and I'll give you the rest of my life." It's amazing. I'm quite in awe of how you pulled it off.

Second thing. You're scaring the crap outta me. All these hints of Milverton, and with Highly Sensitive Documents casually locked in drawers, and Very Personal Letters just scattered about. You're raising my blood pressure. :)