回复：【半原创】Un Amour Pour La Vie/一生挚爱

CHAPTER EIGHT LES RETROUVAILLES （I）
It had been seven years. Greg made a circle on the calendar at the date which was the anniversary of that farewell. He counted several weeks afterwards and marked another date with a star. That would be the day for their tenth anniversary of their first sight.
It was the year of graduation. During the past seven years, they had finished middle and senior highs. Thanks to all types of communications, neither of them had ever lost his best friend. Greg happily checked the calendar again, humming. Almost the time.
"How time flies!" Mycroft had never been in such a good mood to apply this tacky sentence. Nothing at this moment could make him low as he would soon meet Greg and be together with him again. Days ago he got the great news from Greg that he was admitted by Middlesex University. Same day later, Mycroft shocked Greg with greater news that he was actually moving back to London.
'I told you London is the best! Now you see it too!' yelled Greg happily.
'Right, you're always right,' said Mycroft, smiling.
'And my campus is in London also. How nice we are together again!'
'I can't wait for that day, neither.'
'When is it? This month? You want me to pick you up?'
'Not that soon. It's a family thing, see. Sherlock and I may move to London first, for schooling you know, then the rest. Perhaps next month I bet. Anyway the point is, I am back!'
'Formidable! Have you a place by the way? Wanna share mine?'
'I think my parents will make all set but thank you. At least we've got the cottage.'
'The cottage! I love there! I've got so many good times for years.'
'I know, I know. I've got the photos from you. Glad to see you having fun.'
'Soon you'll see us having fun there! Oh man, I'm so happy.'
'Me too, Greg. So am I.'
--------------------------
又有什么不能发的了…

CHAPTER EIGHT (II)

--------------------------------------------------------------
This screening thing is utterly stupid! At the very least give out a reason why! Gosh! People talk.

第八章 重逢之日
已经七年了。格雷格在日历上画了一个圈，日子是自分别以后的整年头。他又往后数了几周，又在一个日子上画了个星星。那是他们认识十周年的日子。
今年是毕业的年份。过去的七年里，他们完成了初中和高中。多亏了各种通讯手段，他们都没有失去最要好的朋友。格雷格哼着歌，开心滴又看了一遍日历。就快了。
“时光飞逝！”麦克劳夫特从没这么愉悦地写下了这句俗气的话。此时此刻没有任何事能烦恼到他，因为他很快就要再见到格雷格，和他在一起了。几天前他收到来自格雷格的好消息，他被大学录取了。当天晚些时候，麦克劳夫特用一个更棒的消息震惊了格雷格：他就要回伦敦了。
“早就告诉你伦敦最好了！现在你也这么觉得吧！”格雷格开心地喊着。
“是的，你总是对的。”麦克劳夫特微笑地说。
“我的学校也在伦敦哦。我们又能在一起了，真好！”
“我也迫不及待了。”
“啥时候？这个月么？要不要我去接你？”
“没那么快。你知道的，一家子。我和夏洛克估计会先到伦敦，学校什么的你看，其他人随后来。我想可能下个月吧。不过最关键的，我回来了！”
“赞！对了你有地方住么？跟我一起？”
“我猜我家到时候都能安排好，不过还是谢了。至少我们还有小别墅嘛。”
“小别墅！我爱死那里了！这些年在那里都很开心。”
“我知道，我知道。我看到你那些照片了。真高兴你在那里很开心。”
“很快你就能看到我们一起在那里开心了！老天，我太高兴了！”
“一样的，格雷格，我也是。”
这通电话过后，一切照旧，只是这俩人都觉得日子比往常都长。格雷格每天都在倒数。老实说他也不确定麦克劳夫特是哪天回来，但他就觉得能是画星星那天。
那天就是明天了。格雷格在今天的日期上画叉叉的时候，门口有人敲门。他站起身来开门，却看到一张笑眯眯的熟悉的脸。
“不是吧！”
“恩？”
“你怎么今天就来了？应该是明天！”
“呃，那真不好意思，日子错了？”
“当然！还没准备好呢。”
“不过你都在今天日子上画叉了，理论上说我也没错太多吧？”
“你咋知道的？”
“亲，你还拿着笔呢。”
“天！”
“我们就这样在门口站着么？还是我明天再来？”
“啊，不好意思。快进来。你能找到这里真是奇迹。我是说，你都离开伦敦好多年了不是么？好多东西变了。”
“总有一些是不变的。再说我对我的记忆力很有信心。”
“这倒是。看你头发就能看出来。”
“噢，别提了。难道你看不出来你没我高了么？”
“嘿，我一米八，够用了。”
“真是不好意思啊亲爱的，但是我一米八五了。”
* * * *
格雷格说他被麦克劳夫特骗了。麦克劳夫特一头雾水不知道为什么。“就因为回来早了？”他问。格雷格却怪他给自己的照片具有欺骗性。“我怎么能看出来你都一米八了？还五！参照物还是夏洛克！”

第十章 天都亮了
“太太太太太太太太太太对了！”这是此时此刻唯一在麦克劳夫特脑海里奔腾的句子，也是之后写满了日记的一句。疑虑、担心，还有负罪感，统统不见。当他看见那双变得更加明亮的眼睛的时候，麦克劳夫特知道他并不是一个人。
黎明时分，温暖灿烂。昨夜的雷雨很好地将一切洗刷如新。微风吹进没有关严的窗子，轻轻拂动了窗帘，带来了一阵大自然的清新。麦克劳夫特这辈子头一次，可以分辨出空气流动的色彩。
格雷格就在身边，安稳宁静地睡着。抱着他，感受到生命跃动的脉搏，麦克劳夫特有一种前所未有的真实感。他倾身凑近，亲吻了格雷格的额头，来证明这一切是真的，与此同时在内心感谢自己，没有让此刻成为遗憾。
睡着的就要醒来了。格雷格轻轻动了动放在麦克劳夫特肩膀上的头，麦克劳夫特不得不警告自己“淡定点儿！”。
“早上好。美好的一天，不是么？”麦克劳夫特轻声说。
格雷格几秒钟以后才意识到自己已经醒了，他笑着说：“美好的一天。”
室外的阳光过于灿烂，窗帘也无法将它拦住。光与影投射在屋子里，让一切变得温暖而梦幻。两人并不想动弹，就这么舒服地交谈着。
“你早就知道会这样的，是吧？”
“老实说，没有。”
“好像我会信似的。”
“好吧，我知道。”
“看！”
“你总是对的。”
“我当然是对的。告诉过你，十三又是星期五准没有好事儿。”
“它们毁了我们的计划，确实不怎么样。”
“还有我们的友谊。”
“什么？”
“你真觉得从今以后我们还是朋友？”
这是非常尴尬的一刻，时间和一切都凝固了。麦克劳夫特看向格雷格的眼睛，闪亮依旧却严肃，他想从中发现点儿什么来让自己安心。然后，他很开心地笑了。
“比朋友还要好。”
“恩，比朋友还要好。”格雷格笑眯眯地回应了。
清风带来树木沙沙的声音，偶尔还夹杂着潺潺的流水声。
“你想过这场景的吧？”
“我们么？是的。不确定什么时候，但是想过。为什么这样看着我？”
“难以置信啊。”
“嗯？”
“从没想过你会不规矩，想些乱七八糟的。”
“拜托，你才是不规矩的那个吧？”
“什么时候？”
“一直都是。‘主任这次来处理你。’‘你怎么敢往你班主任的包里放一堆毛毛虫！’”
“噢罗宾森太太！还有主任！我真该告他们毁我名声是不是？”
“应该的，我支持你。再说，那也不是乱七八糟，现在也不是。”
“和想的一样？”
“大体一致小有不同。”
“好的不同？”
“再好不过了。”
太阳继续升高，光影在地板上变换着角度。两个人时而交谈，时而享受着宁静。最后他们决定弄点儿东西吃。
“谢天谢地是周末啊。不用上学，真开心。”格雷格边穿衣服边悠闲地说着，麦克劳夫特从后面望着他。他突然有了一个疯狂又极端的想法。
“那我们就这么呆着。不上学，不工作。就我们俩。”
“不可能！”格雷格大叫，显然他毫无思想准备。“我同意你说学校有时候很无聊。但是工作啊亲！”
“你知道的…”
“我不知道。你在说的是工作，让你在城里有钱有一席之地的工作。”
“我是说…”
“别说傻话了。这还是我认识的麦克劳夫特么，还是被附体了？你在担心个啥？”
“没什么，就是…”
“放轻松，伙计！好吧我不清楚你都有些什么顾虑，但是听着！你不是一个人。我罩着你，亲爱的！”格雷格说着，拍了拍麦克劳夫特的肩膀。
一语胜于千万，一瞬即为永恒。麦克劳夫特紧紧抱住格雷格，头埋在他的怀里。麦克劳夫特在心里承认他彻彻底底地错了。他自己才不是那个应该被感激的，要感谢的是格雷格。
“非常感谢他，感谢他允许我没有将此刻变成遗憾。”麦克劳夫特在他用同样一句话刷了整页日记后，又加了一句。
* * * *
“你真被惯坏了。”格雷格无奈地说，而麦克劳夫特笑眯眯：“这都是你的错。”这样的场景在几十年里上演了无数次，时不时还附带着闹心的画外音。“看在老天的份儿上，你们俩！这儿还有人呢！”

CHAPTER ELEVEN HAKUNA MATATA
All had changed. All had remained. All in all they were one, which was on top of everything. They kept in touch by phones during busy weekdays, and filled weekends with all sorts of activities. Some nights were the nights but they knew what meant the most to them.
'I made it! I made it! It's Tobias! It's him!' called Greg excitedly, too loud for Mycroft to stay close to the phone.
'Cool down, Greg. You're deafening me,' complained Mycroft, although he didn't sound like so.
'Sorry, man. I'm just too high,' said Greg, giggling.
'I can hear that. Take a breath and now tell me what's happening.'
'OK, here's the thing. I've got an intern in Scotland Yard and guess who is my boss?'
'Must be someone amazing. The Tobias, I guess?'
'Bingo! That's D.I. Gregson, my hero, man!'
'Bravo, Greg! You're flying!'
'Oh good monsieur, you've no idea.'
This was the last year of their colleges, the year before entering the real world. Mycroft put the mobile back to his pocket after the call and then autographed some document with a minor smile on his face. Greg was all set, now his turn.
Frankly speaking Mycroft himself was not a fan of politics since it had way much to do with human beings, whereas the only people he did care in the globe were countable by one hand. However things could become interesting if you watched them from another point of view. Men's thoughts, men's activities as well as interactions between one and another, all could be entertaining.
"Surely entertaining. To serve the country is the face and to make the hard choice is the core. Saying the Queen and royalty is not quite my thing. I prefer the wording, to achieve a state of equilibrium among multiple parties. After all Greg is doing his best, tracking criminals down across the years through thick and thin. How could I be left behind?" According to Mycroft's page.
Another rainy day of London, which was routine. Yet not every Londoner was fully prepared no matter how long he had been in this city, for example, Inspector Lestrade. Sally Donovan, Sergeant in his team just now knocked the door to ask if he would like to carpool because of the rain. Greg however excused himself from the kind offer, saying extra hours, which was half of the actual reason.
'Good evening, Inspector. '
'May I help you, Monsieur?'
'I would like to report a crime that somebody ignores weather reports.'
'As you know Monsieur, there are storms we cannot weather.'
'You surely weather I've got the umbrella, don't you?'
'Of course, that's one of your advantages.'
'Oh dear, you flattered me.'
The Mister Important, Mycroft, covered Greg and himself under a big black umbrella that he held everyday, smiling. After the unexpected rain on that you-know-which anniversary, Mycroft had tried so hard to make Greg mind the weather. Romance was good but health should be better. However neither that future or this present Inspector had never remembered to do so. Therefore the other had to take over the responsibility.
'How is everything? You work late today.'
'I'm in the Yard, no such thing as off duty.'
'You make me feel shamed as I had a light schedule today.'
'You deserve a lighter one, Mycroft. You've looked tired for ages. I know you'll always make it as you've always done, but still.'
'I'm fine, Greg. Don't worry about me too much.'
'OK, not you, how about Anthea? The little girl deserves a good break.'
Anthea, assistant of Mycroft, couldn't hide herself in the background any more. She greeted and smiled to Greg, 'Thank you for your kind offer, Inspector. I'm glad with my status in quo and all fine.'
'Don't push things as this man. He is mutated.'
'Beg your pardon?'
'Look at you and Sherlock, you've got genes beyond human's imagination. Marvelous brains I mean.'
'I take it as compliment. Coming to Sherlock, is he doing well?'
'Oh he is really into driving Anderson crazy.'
'Hopefully your team will be used to him soon.'
'You mean decades?'
'There is still a way.'

=W=~~小穆窝来啦~~！开学了有点小忙XDD先顶一个以后慢慢看
加油XD

这种青梅竹马的感觉真好～然后会结婚么？＞3＜

CHAPTER TWELVE DU BON ET DU MAUVAIS
Greg never asked what Mycroft actually did at work initiatively. He used to be curious to death at the first place. However he soon realized that his curiosity had a chance to put them in trouble. Then he stopped. If Mycroft would like to say something about work, he listened patiently, such as Anthea the helpful assistant. Otherwise, Greg never wondered as he understood there must be a reason.
His super idol, D.I. Gregson had retired gracefully and after years of dedicated works Greg became the new leader. Life was perfect, according to Greg. A beloved career, an ideal Valentine, a lively family, a bunch of reliable colleagues, and Mycroft's little brother...
Mycroft's little brother...Greg sighed a heavy sigh. He had known Sherlock for over twenty years and till now, he was still not sure if this fellow had actually grown u****ot. This wonder had nothing to do with physical conditions. As for intelligence, God bless Great Britain! Yet somehow Greg had a feeling that was hard to tell. Now standing at the front gate of 221B Baker Street, Greg was about to visit this little brother.
It turned out only John home. John Waston, ex-army doctor, Sherlock's flatmate. Greg had been so glad to see such an opportunity for the little fellow to know how to deal with people in an average way. Experience however told him that John merely was another name on the 'Spoiling-Sherlock-Too-Much' list. After all Greg had to confess that he himself was on this list, too.
'He's in Barts, some odd idea, you know.'
'That's what makes Sherlock. He will somewhat scare me if he's one of us one day.'
'You've got the point. Coffee?'
'Tea, please. I don't need an alert mind since he's not in.'
'Rare to see you in weekdays. I thought you're twenty-four seven.'
'I actually am. But today rest.'
'Not for the case?'
'No, just closed a big one.'
'The one Sherlock...you know.'
'Yes, that one.'
'I see.'
The conversation with John was apparently enjoyable, especially taking the Holmes brothers as topics. John had a vast of complaints about noises in the midnight, body debris scattered in the flat, and so on.
'Nothing is gonna scare me after all those pieces, even Sherlock becomes a human if you ask me,' said John helplessly.
'And my wall. I should have increased your rents, boy.'
'Even mine? Please, Mrs. Hudson!' groaned John.
Mrs. Hudson, the landlady of 221B, joined the talk when she served them tea. FYI, she was also on the list. Greg showed a big smile, feeling cozy to have such afternoon tea. Mycroft was on a trip again to somewhere that couldn't be told, making Greg the guardian of the boys. 'You'll like John's personality,' Mycroft was certain. Greg heartily admitted that John was a sweetheart and normal human being indeed. So was Mrs. Hudson.
'Shan't have let you boys ever in,' she said, pretending serious.
'Oh ma'm, you know how thankful we are!' called John, giving Mrs. Hudson a hug. The landlady laughed out and left for her place.
'How innocent I am!' said John to the beaming Greg.
'Been there, trust me.'
'Has he been like this for long?'
'Oh dear, since day one.'
'No wonder you're Inspector.'
'You'd been in wars then.'
'And I thought I'd seen the worst yet Sherlock's just proved me wrong. To be honest with you Greg, he's a machine at times.'
'That's the Holmes. They can be sweet as long as they want to but they choose to be demons instead.'
'I bet you're right. A man of mercy rarely comes out of him.'
'That two siblings, they have personalities you either love or hate. But only they can do what they've done.'
'A blessing or a curse?'
'How about both?'
'God bless them.'
'God bless us too.'
* * * *
Sherlock yelled to his brother not to send baby-sitter any more. Mycroft nevertheless ignored him completely and utterly. Dealing with the Holmes took guts, especially when oneself was sandwiched, which was well understood by Inspector Lestrade. However as long as you could handle the worst of them, you deserved the best.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN UNE LETTRE INATTENDU
Everything was routine. Mycroft was busy with critical events, domestic or international, traveling a lot with the assistant. Greg was hooked by cases with his team and sometimes the Holmes Jr. who was halfway between brilliance and annoyance. Sherlock did favors to Scotland Yard once he found something interesting in a certain case otherwise he preferred the couch. John came to assist Sherlock as well as to discipline him during solving problems.
Evils came. Evils left. London was perfectly protected by the Yard and some private forces. Days were peaceful and joyful to the many.
Life however had ups and downs, even Mycroft was no exception. The hard-nut Sherlock was one large side of the story but he was not the one Mycroft was worried much at this moment. It was actually Greg.
Yes, Greg, the man who always let Mycroft feel safe and sure but now threw a big surprise. A letter. The moment Mycroft unsealed it he was wondering if life had been back twenty years ago. Then he went frozen when he knew what this letter contained.
Life had downhills. Things could go wrong.
Mycroft found Greg sitting near the steam at the cottage. He looked tired and pale, wrapped in an ill-fitted overcoat at random. Mycroft felt deeply sorry to see such a dispirited Greg, who was supposed to be full of energy for good. He felt much guiltier for this Greg since Mycroft himself was the one to drive him as this.
'Enjoy the sunshine, dear?' Mycroft began with an easy topic.
Greg however didn't dart a look, simply getting on his feet and heading for the riverside. Mycroft wondered how to continue but he got way astonished to see a bottle of wine. Greg was never a drinker! If he used alcohol it meant something was really bad.
'May I share a glass?' Mycroft tried again.
Greg took a drink and finally looked into his direction. Mycroft was happy about this feedback but then fell deeper to see the expressionless face.
'Havn't seen you after back. Rumour has it that you get a new boyfriend, don't you? Just tell me.' Mycroft was doing his best to make the air easy by saying silly.
Greg gave out a laugh blankly while Mycroft did a dry one. They got eye contacts at last, and Mycroft saw his sad eyes, no longer brilliant.
'Flowers,' said Greg.
'Right I've got you flowers! You told me that you like them.'
'I like them alive.'
'Sorry. Never again,' said Mycroft urgently. 'Could you come over, please? You look tired, Greg. Something bad happened? Say it out and I'll help you.'
'Surely you will. You're the Mycroft, aren't you? Always know what's on the way.'
'I don't get it...'
'Hoho,' laughed Greg in a low tone, which made Mycroft nervous. 'You have this...unreasonable need someone to rely on. You noticed that?'
'I didn't mean it. I know I've done something wrong. Please don't be mad with me!' Mycroft quickly followed up. He had already got some clue before he came here and now he needed a chance to start the conversation.
'Did you? Fine then, don't leave it there,' said Greg, looking at Mycroft eye-to-eye.


'Look Greg, all I've done is because I love you, please keep this in mind. I care about you so much and couldn't afford to lose you in any way. I did send my men around you. They were not spying you, I swear! I did so just because I'd like to know if you're safe in the first place. Being a cop means dangers and I can't put you in any. Please Greg, I should have let you know. I've been stupid for keeping you in dark. I didn't do anything to interrupt your detection or whatever, trust me! I...'
'Hmm, it's a good one. No need to remind me of your love, I know it well. And that's why I could handle your men so long. Talking about that lot, Mycroft, I'd say you've got the best fellows. They were so close to fool me all if I were not a cop. Sorry for them I am. I'm not so clever as you are, Mycroft, we both know. But I'm still good enough to be an inspector, even you can't deny that. I'd known your fellows since, well not day one, maybe week one. I never took it as a problem or whatever because you're concerned. You care about me and you did so. I care about you too so I didn't mind. Happy?'
'Then I don't understand. I honestly didn't do anything else...'
'Are you sure?'
'Please.'
'You've done background checking on Donovan and Anderson, haven't you?' asked Greg casually, feeling like that he didn't really want an answer. 'Their resumes, histories, families and whatever they've been involved in.'
Mycroft went speechless. He had. As a matter of fact, not only the two mentioned, the entire team of Greg's had been investigated thoroughly. It was thanks to his position that enabled him to get inside information compared to any other, but it was not the point at this moment.
'How could you ever do that? They are my fellows, my friends. They follow my leadership willingly because they trust me so much. Now I pay them up by doing homework on their lives instead of relying on them. It's all fine that you want to keep an eye on me and get first-hand news about me, Mycroft. But it's never good to do such things to my colleagues! Even you, out of love. They are reliable. Each and every of them!'
'I'm terribly sorry, Greg. What shall I do to make this right? If there's any I'll do it. Don't blame yourself Greg, I'm the one.'
'Any difference? You did or I did. The output is the same. You've done the same thing to John, right? Making sure he follows Sherlock with goodness and loyalty. To be honest with you Mycroft, it's my first time to feel sorry for our little brother in all the decades.'
'Forget about them two, it's us. I was so afraid to see you in danger and any thought of that drove me nuts. I had to ensure myself no hidden threats around you! Do you think it was easy for me to hear that you were pointed by a gun?'
'For God's sake Mycroft, you're the one to do the very job of the least security in the world! And what was the use to inform you when you were in the Far East.'
'I'm taking about the time I was in France! My Lord, how many rifles had pointed you on earth!'
Both of them stopped. The atmosphere tasted heavy.

第十三章 突如其来的信
一切照旧。麦克劳夫特为国内国际的大事忙碌着，带着助理四处出差。格雷格他那一组被案子缠住，有时候还有那个既聪明无比又闹心巴拉的小福尔摩斯。碰到某些有意思的案子，夏洛克也来苏格兰场搭把手，要不然他更想躺沙发。约翰来协助夏洛克查案的时候也在约束他。
坏人出现了。坏人消失了。伦敦被苏格兰场和某些个人力量，好好地保护着。对大多数人来说，日子平静祥和。
然而生活总是跌宕的，就算麦克劳夫特也不例外。那个难缠的夏洛克占据了一大部分，但此时此刻，他并不是让麦克劳夫特非常担忧的那个。事实上，格雷格才是。
是的，格雷格，那个一直以来都让麦克劳夫特觉得安定放心的人，此时却给了他个大惊喜。一封信。麦克劳夫特在拆信的时候还在琢磨，日子是不是回到二十年前了。然后看到了信的内容，他僵住了。
生活难免遭遇低谷。事情可能变得很糟。
麦克劳夫特在小别墅那里找到了格雷格，坐在河边。他看起来疲惫苍白，随意地裹着一件不合体的大衣。看到这样颓废的格雷格，麦克劳夫特难受极了，他应该是永远充满活力的啊。面对这样的格雷格，麦克劳夫特更有负罪感，因为正是他本人造成了这样的他。
“亲爱的，晒太阳呢？”麦克劳夫特扯起一个轻松的话题。
但是格雷格看都没看，就那么站起来往河边走。麦克劳夫特不知道怎么继续，但是非常震惊地看到了一瓶酒。格雷格从不喝酒！如果他喝酒了，说明问题真的很糟糕。
“可以给我一杯么？”麦克劳夫特再次尝试。
格雷格喝了一口，终于看向了他的方向。麦克劳夫特为这回应高兴了一下，但紧接着看到那面无表情的脸，更无措了。
“回来后还没看到你呢。听说你有新男朋友了，是吧？跟我说说。”麦克劳夫特尽量地用傻话来缓解气氛。
格雷格空洞地笑了一声，麦克劳夫特也干笑了一下。他们终于视线接触了，麦克劳夫特看到了那双悲伤的眼睛，不再明亮。
“花啊，”格雷格说。
“是啊我给你带花了！你说过你喜欢的。”
“我喜欢他们活着。”
“对不起！不会再这样了，”麦克劳夫特连忙说道，“你能过来么？你看起来很累，格雷格。发生什么不好的事了么？跟我说，我帮你。”
“你当然帮我。你可是麦克劳夫特啊，不是么？总是知道要发生什么。”
“我不明白…”
“呵呵，”格雷格低声地笑。“你有一种…不可理喻的、需要别人依赖的需求，你注意到没有？”
“我不是故意的。我知道我做错了。求你别生我的气！”麦克劳夫特赶紧跟上。他在来之前已经多少察觉到一些，他现在需要的，是一个打开话题的话头。
“是么？好吧，那就说说。”格雷格说着，看向了麦克劳夫特的眼睛。
“那什么格雷格，请千万记住无论我做过什么，都是因为我爱你。我太在乎你，无法忍受以任何方式失去你。我确实派人到你身边了。他们不是在监视你，我发誓！我这么做就是想第一时间知道你是否安全。从警意味着危险，我不能让你陷入任何危险。求你了格雷格，我应该让你知道的。一直瞒着你实在是太傻了。我没做任何打扰你破案的事，相信我，我…”
“恩，说得不错。不用一直提醒我你的爱，我都知道的。这也就是为什么长久以来我一直忍着你的人。说起那些人，麦克劳夫特，我不得不说你真是有着最好的手下啊。他们几乎完全瞒过了我，如果我不是做这一行的话。对不住他们了，我是这一行的。我没你那么聪明，麦克劳夫特，这点我们都知道。但我也足够胜任一个探长了，这个连你都无法否认。我从，好吧不是第一天，第一个礼拜就知道这些人了。我从不把这事儿当事儿，因为你在担心。你在乎我，所以你这么做。我在乎你，所以我不介意。满意么？”
“那我还是不懂。老实说我真没再做…”
“确定？”
“拜托了。”
“你调查过多诺万和安德森的背景，是吧？”格雷格随意地问着，好像并不需要一个答案。“他们的履历，过去，家庭，和他们相关的一切。”
麦克劳夫特说不出话了。他做过。事实上，不只这两个人，整个格雷格的小组都被彻底调查过。托他所在职位的福，较之旁人他可以得到更多内部资料，但这不是此刻的重点。
“你怎么就能这么做？他们是我的伙伴，我的朋友。他们心甘情愿跟随我是因为他们非常信任我。现在我用调查而不是信赖来回报他们。你想关注我还是想知道我的第一手资料，都没问题。但决不能对我的同事做这样的事！即使是你，出于爱。他们值得信任。他们每一个人！”
“我非常非常抱歉，格雷格。我该怎样补救？如果有任何事我能做，我一定做。别责怪自己，格雷格，我才是那个做错的。”
“有区别么？你做的还是我做的。结果都是一样的。你也调查过约翰吧？确保他跟着夏洛克是出于好意和忠诚。说实话啊麦克劳夫特，这是我几十年来，头一次这么同情我们的小弟弟。”
“别提他们俩了，说我们。我太害怕看到你有危险。任何这样的想法都会让我崩溃。我需要确定你周围没有潜在的威胁！你觉得我听说你被人用枪指着是一件多容易接受的事么？”
“看在老天的份儿上麦克劳夫特，你才是做着天下最没有安全性工作的那个！而且你在远东啊，告诉你有什么用？”
“我说的是我在法国那次！天呐，你到底被多少狙击瞄准过啊！”
他俩都不说话了。空气凝重。