[To say he's taken aback would be an understatement.]

...Where's this coming from?

[John said in a soft, whooshing breath, eyes soft but concern evident in his voice. He paused, considering the other man on the couch, before speaking again.]

I'd probably be put off. We might have a row. But then eventually... I don't know, you'd take off on one of your cases and I'd follow without a second thought and we'd just forget about it because that's just the way we are, isn't it? It's not as if you haven't lied to me before, and yet here we are.

[He smiles, just slightly, but even that alone is honest and unwavering.]

You usually have a reason you're not telling me the truth, even if I don't think it's a good reason.

[Then he twists that smile into something more of a wry, teasing snerk, pointing at the detective.]

Not that that's an invitation to lie, just so we're clear. I do like to be kept in the loop once in a while, you know.