Only SHE gets to call him that. SHE has to put up with his bullshit on a daily basis, that is her right. But NO ONE gets to call Sherlock that besides her.
In this context Sherlock knows that Sally calls him freak as part of their vitriolic banter, but neither of them really take offense to the name calling because they both know they don't mean anything by it. But the person who calls Sherlock freak aims to hurt him (Sebastian from TBB maybe, or a suspect).
Sherlock gives Sally a go for defending her, and she tells him to shut it. No soppy "finally understanding each other" moment. Just them being themselves around each other.
Someone besides Sally calls Sherlock a freak. Sally flips out.
In this context Sherlock knows that Sally calls him freak as part of their vitriolic banter, but neither of them really take offense to the name calling because they both know they don't mean anything by it. But the person who calls Sherlock freak aims to hurt him (Sebastian from TBB maybe, or a suspect).
Sherlock gives Sally a go for defending her, and she tells him to shut it. No soppy "finally understanding each other" moment. Just them being themselves around each other.