Sherlock Holmes is a great man.

Lestrade knows a great number of people who would never admit that, but it's the truth. Sherlock Holmes is not, however, a good man.

Sherlock never pretended to be a good man. He does what he does because he finds it fun. Lestrade almost likes that about him. It's honest.

Lestrade doesn't meet many people that honest.

He has a strange sort of affection for Sherlock, and he likes to think it's reciprocated. Sherlock certainly seems to prefer him to the various other detectives he's pissed off/made to feel like a complete idiot, and, in one case, arrested over the years.

The sudden appearance of Doctor John Watson in Sherlock's (and therefore his own) life is a surprise. Sherlock Holmes doesn't do relationships. Except, apparently, he does. Within a day of meeting each other they're moving in together and solving crimes together.

Lestrade can't work out what it is about John Watson that Sherlock likes, what it is that the man who disparages most of humanity is attracted to. He does his research. All records show John's a good doctor. Exemplary military record with commendations for bravery. A shot to the shoulder and the psychosomatic limp that followed (which Lestrade can't help but notice he's managed to shake off after meeting Sherlock). No criminal record. There's a lot that's admirable about John Watson, but he still can't figure out what has drawn John and Sherlock together.

John's attraction to Sherlock is slightly easier to figure out. Despite Sherlock being generally insufferable and unimaginably hard to live with, John enjoys the danger and excitement that follows Sherlock and, Lestrade can't help but imagine, John can see the echo of a good man inside that high functioning sociopath.

Whatever the reasons, however it happened, John and Sherlock make an excellent team. And an excellent friendship. Lestrade won't forget the time John was in danger, and the sheer panic, fear and pain that had flashed across his face. Sherlock cares for John, and it's because of that that Lestrade thinks he might one day get his wish.

Sherlock Holmes might be a good man.