fellows for the sake of his safety. It was that that man had never taken
advantage of his own power to interfere Greg's career, because Mycroft
understood how proud Greg was to be a real Scotland Yarder and to serve the
people and the society. Mycroft never turned his dreams and glories into shames. 'I
shan't have said that...' whispered Greg. He would say sorry if Mycroft were in
front of him at this moment, but he wasn't. Yet Greg was still feeling guilty
for his faithful members, who should never be betrayed or doubted. Too many
thoughts made Greg confused and he wondered what to say or do when next time he
met Mycroft. Finally
Greg told himself that he would definitely right the wrong when tomorrow came.
"Mycroft was all for me," Greg thought. "I won’t let him
down." Then
tomorrow came. The
criminal classes in London
were as bad as the rest in the world. They shattered peaceful lives for the
major and ruined all happiness in the community. Another serious crime was
reported to the Yard, D.I. Lestrade in charge of that. In order to catch the
evil as soon as possible, Greg went to Sherlock but came across the brother
unexpectedly. Greg
longed to talk with Mycroft but he knew it was not the right time. He
introduced the case and clues they'd got by far briefly to Sherlock and made an
appointment with him to meet at the Yard. Mycroft however didn't look at Greg
all along until he left, and Mycroft took a glance at the door while Sherlock
was looking at his brother in a disapproving manner. 'Remember
last time in the Palace, what did you say about John and me?' 'I
beg your pardon?' '"Just
once, can you two behave like grown-ups?" Was it? Well judging by the case
now dear brother, it was a bit rich coming from you, wasn't it?' 'I didn't know you
two were close.' 'What
a shame! I thought you two were closer.' Mycroft
left the 221B after meeting John at the gate. He had a seat in the car, thinking.
'Have I done it wrong?' said Mycroft. Anthea,
sitting next to him, was not sure if it was a question to be answered. She was
even less sure whether it was proper to let her leader know that she'd actually
got the case, more or less. After a long while of silence, she decided to
speak. 'I'm not supposed to make judgment on your moves, sir. But I have to say, Inspector Lestrade has somewhat got the point.' * * *
* Generally, Greg was all clear to Mycroft since he had nothing to fear or hide,
except for only one fact. He had never and would never tell Mycroft that on the
next morning of their thirteenth anniversary, he nearly came to tears when Mycroft
said 'Good morning'. Wasn't it all happy to meet the one you loved in every
morning? Greg would like to treasure that particular moment secretly for his
entire life.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
LA CENE Sometimes things might go ugly. The cold
air between Mycroft and Greg had lasted for days, and people very close to them
could sense the tense. It was more like a struggle for the two than a war. Both
of them had responsibilities and were doing critical jobs. They would like to
find a proper time to have a decent talk whereas the reality didn't permit.
Mycroft went traveling again while Greg was tied by the unsolved case. One
more day. Greg made a cross on the calendar which had already had several
crosses. Nearly a week, no talks, messages or meetings. Even in their busiest
years there was no such situation. Greg pacified himself by excuses, such as
that Mycroft was too busy to be distracted, or that there might be no signal
for his mobile during traveling. He suddenly recalled that Anthea didn’t travel
with Mycroft this time. Was it proper to call her instead? The hell the man's
pride or whatever! A man knew what the key was! He
did and got an answer that Mycroft was coming back this afternoon. Mycroft
was taking a rare break after a long and exhausting trip. Food on the plane
never tasted good, no matter how fancy the flight was. He missed the home-made
dishes done by Greg. 'Home...' muttered Mycroft but he was cut off by a sudden
phone ring. It was from the person he just thought about. 'Hi?'
said Greg uncertainly. 'Oh,
dear Lord, we're not having phone calls, are we?' asked Mycroft, trying to be
calm. 'I,
err, I just wanna see if you want to have dinner some time.' Greg was still
unsure. Mycroft
didn't say yes or no for a while. Then he replied, 'OK.' The
dinner was at the same place for their anniversaries. The waiters there were
familiar with these two gentlemen, and one led the way to their usual table,
with a candle and a vase. The ornaments were supposed to be romantic but not
quite fitting today's situation. They got seated and made orders. A long period
of silence until the appetizer was served. 'How
was the trip? I bet you should have Anthea with you, or you were taking too
much,' Greg began. 'The
trip was fine and I could go without her sometimes,' Mycroft said and filled
the glasses with wine. 'Your case done? I read some on the paper.' 'Right,
all done, thanks to Sherlock, you know. He's done a good one this time. Saved a
lot of time. And money.' 'Good
to know that.' The
silence came back. Then the main courses came. They ate quietly. Millions of
words set their teeth on edge but neither knew how to begin. Greg
wanted to tell Mycroft that Sherlock made a bigger contribution this time than
ever. He knew why Sherlock had joined the case and done so much. This little
brother was listening to Mycroft's request to assist the Yard. Greg wanted to
tell Mycroft that the fellows were still protecting him and he did feel happy
and relieved about that. Greg wanted to tell Mycroft that he missed him so
much. Mycroft
was slicing the steak. He used to like this course since he was not allowed to
eat red meat, except for important days such as their anniversary. Now he
enjoyed nothing. Mycroft wanted Greg to come back. During the days when Greg
was in the cottage, Mycroft felt the home empty. Surely he had a full house of
pages and maids, but no single person would take over his overcoat after work
and say, 'You look tired. You should rest.' John said that Greg didn't want
Mycroft to live in the cottage with him at that time, because Greg reckoned the
home was safer for the more important one. Mycroft understood Greg's concerns
but home was no longer a home without him, merely a cold house. Most
of the dinner was quiet. Sometimes they talked, yet in a very polite manner.
Too polite to be Mycroft and Greg. Then the desserts. Then they finishedl. Didn't
work. Mycroft sighed. Greg gave him a kind drive home after the meal and they
had a courtesy talk at the gate, saying good night, and then Greg left. Leaning
against the door, Mycroft barely wanted to move himself, eyes closed. Suddenly
there was a knock at the door. "Can
it be?" Mycroft was hoping high and he answered the door. It was! 'OK,
I cannot take it any more,' said Greg, entering the lobby on himself, and
looked at Mycroft into his eyes. 'Let's get down to business! I'm sorry I
wasn't all open or honest to you. But hey, to be fair, I was also blinded by
you! Let's call it even, shall we?' Mycroft's
eyebrows rose high for one second and then he had got that sad look back. 'I
don't feel good about what I've done, neither. But you didn't trust me and it
hurt me. You even sent me that letter.' 'Oh
my, the letter. How did I... I'm sorry Mycroft, seriously. I shan't have done
that, very awful. I...err,' Greg was trying to express himself in a proper way.
'We get married! If it is what it takes to prove you that I love you, we get
married!' 'OK!'
Mycroft answered too fast for Greg to realize what the answer actually was.
After a couple of seconds, Greg followed the meaning of it and saw a giant
smile on Mycroft's face. 'Oh,
gosh...no wonder I've always been the one to compromise. You knew it was to
happen, again! I hate your brain. Seriously how many scenes you've pictured?'
said Greg helplessly, throwing himself into the couch in the living room when Mycroft
put their shoes into the cabinet, beaming. 'Well
according to my knowledge, this is a major one, very critical!' Mycroft
couldn't help smiling, which turned out to be a wild laugh. Feeling the
happiness, Greg laughed too. Who was going to care about who said sorry first
at this cheerful moment? 'OK,
stop laughing, I'm dying!' said Greg, massaging the belly. 'So, the same
scene?' 'I
have to say that I didn't see you pop the question in my plan.' 'So?' 'I'll
make it right by asking it again.' said Mycroft, on his knee. 'Greg Lestrade,
would you marry me?' 'Yes,
Mycroft Holmes. I'm so honored.'