Chapter Text
Series: it's a chapter not a book
Part 2
No more stranded.
Chapter 1
It's been three months before suspicion arose. Greg was avoiding everyone. Things have been busy, especially on the Holmes front of town. Mycroft was trying his best to smooth the ruffled feathers of his parents and the government. The truth about his sister was out and Sherringford has been upgraded to the best in the world. The entire staff has been replaced and screened. On top of that they would be closely monitored as well. A repeat of had happened is out of the question. Lady Smallwood has finally forgiven Mycroft, but then again after what he went through it is a bit hard to keep a grudge.
It was in the quiet moments of the day and night that Mycroft's mind would betray him and conquers up Greg's face. The worst part is that he won't see Greg when he was happy or laughing as he loved to do around him, no it would be that despair, the giving up look, and his mind won't reply the good things he said the "I love how you smile My" or the "you're unbelievable sexy tonight" no it is the "caring is not an advantage, thanks for that" that would resound in his mind.
Sherlock was making regular visits to his sister and when home was fixing his relationship with John and Rosie, also the repairs to the flat took some attention as well. John, he would occasionally think of Greg but then Rosie needed a diaper change or he is needed at the clinic and that moment would pass.
Molly...molly oh molly...she cried herself to sleep that night, the flowers taunting her as it stood tall and proud in the vase on the coffee table. She was curled under her favourite blanket a romcom playing in the background. She hurt him, she really did and now she lost a good friend, she tried calling him a few times but he never answered. She wanted to go over but then her morgue was filled with bodies from an island…and John needed help with Rosie and then it just became easier to deny what happened and sweep it under a rug. It is quite amazing how easy it is to push something away because it makes you uncomfortable. So in short; out of sight out of mind.
Greg on the other hand, did send a text to Sherlock saying his brother is fine and okay. But other than that he made no contact. As he promised himself he went to a pub, turns out there was an Arsenal game on... drank a bit... then a bit more…then a lot more...the pub was close to him so he didn't even had to worry about a cab. Brilliant.
The next day he spent in his bed with a huge hangover that in turn drowned out the huge amount of self-pity he felt. The day after that he got up early, showered, shaved and put on his favourite shirt for work. He made an appointment the same day to get a haircut, nice and short and without any hassle. He went to work, he did his job and then he went home. No extravagant cases, no London chases, no Consulting Detective anywhere. A week later he was called in do the Chief's office. The Chief was retiring and Greg was up for a promotion - if he wanted it. Yes his record wasn't the best, because of Sherlock, it was also better than the rest, because of Sherlock. If he agrees he would make some serious changes to his life. For starters, a lot more desk work, less time in the field and he would be overlooking a lot more teams and personnel. Greg eyed the room, the office will be his, and he has to admit, it does seem like a nice offer. He should take it, offers like this does not come every day and this is most likely his last opportunity. In fact, he doesn't need to think at all about it, it is not like Sherlock thought of him when he nearly cost him his job on several occasions, or when he is running of somewhere and Greg must pick up the pieces. It is not like John or Mycroft...or Molly ever thought of him, when he needed someone. No, he was always just there. DI Greg - Dependable Ignorant Greg. He looked at the Chief, the smile wide.
"I'll take it." So he did, he spend the rest of the week, clearing up his open cases, updating paperwork, signing the necessary documents and enrolled for a few follow up courses. For a month he shadowed the Chief, following him everywhere, sitting in with every meeting, getting to know the other teams and divisions. Everybody was glad for him; they all have a huge amount of respect for him and knew the Yard was in good and capable hands. Sally was promoted to DI and took his old office.
Two months later and he was in charge, he welcomed the salary increase and benefits with a wide smile. He sat down one evening and draw up a list of what he would like to do; yeah being in a relationship would have helped with some things. Like the holiday, cinema and theatre...although he wasn't going to let it stop him. The first free Friday night he had, he went to see Aladdin, he didn't care for the show, he wanted to start living fully, getting out and doing things for himself. Next time it may be Phantom of the Opera. He had already booked his first weekend getaway to Brighton, and he also booked his first one week holiday in Italy, a small town in the Northern Parts.
He also joined a local gym to stay in shape, less fieldwork and running is no excuse. He can stay in good shape. Turns out that after a month he felt good, he was getting enough sleep, exercise went out, overhaul he was doing great.
It was only some nights when he wasn't busy studying or reviewing a case or preparing for a meeting that he would thought of them. All of them: Sherlock, John, Mycroft and Molly, he would wonder about John, how he is coping with Rosie and being back in Baker Street. He saw in the news that the flat was renovated and open for business. He would think about Sherlock and how he looked at Musgrave, the boy who grew up, in a matter of hours. His big brother wasn't there and he had to make decisions, be responsible, and he did it wonderfully. He would wonder whether Euros is back on the island, how they are coping with her, has Sherlock - or Mycroft told their parents, that their daughter is alive? He would wonder about Molly, how did the conversation go when she saw Sherlock again, did he explain to her what happened? Did he hurt when he told her it was all just for show? To save her life, and to an extent his...? But most of all he would wonder how Mycroft is coping with it all, with the fact that all secrets are out, did he and Sherlock somehow fixed their broken and fragile relationship? He would wonder a lot, but then he would remember how Molly hurt him, how Mycroft knew what had happened, yet pushed him back to her. He would remember how neither Sherlock nor John really gave a damn about him in the first place and he would stop wondering.
He has a new job, a lot more responsibilities, he has a whole Yard to look after and oversee, and he cannot afford to wonder about the past. They are not going to care when he is without a job, all alone and no future and that is what he needs to focus on, his future. If he loses his job, they are not going to pay his bills, buy his groceries and so on. He needs to do what needs to be done. Alone.
And he used Mycroft's phrase, 'caring is not an advantage' because it is not, it didn't advance his career, his life, his heart or his future. Only he can do that. The thing is, when you placed other people first for so long, you gave them permission to make you second, and he was tired of being second. He was alone when he drank himself into a stupor, he was alone when he cried himself to sleep that night, he has been alone these past few months, they all know where he is, where he lives and how to contact him, but when you're second, you get forgotten.
But is all over now, he dusted himself off, focusing on his career and doing stuff that makes him happy, he'll he even signed up for the local football team, no big league, just men playing over the weekends with their wife's and kids watching. He may not have them, but he wasn't entirely alone. He decided on his first pay check as a DCI to get...a dog. One that he could take out for an evening walk, that the kids can play with when he takes him to the park when the men play football. One that is always happy to see him, and will not place him second. He got Silver when he walked past the pet shop, this little Silver Slade German Shepherd was eyeing him with a sad face and Greg could relate. He was also the only one left and that was when Greg's resolve broke. He bought the puppy and played and held him the whole night. It was the first night in several weeks he slept soundly and with a smile on his face.
Silver, became the highlight of his day, he trained him well, got his own spot next to Greg's bed, where he just have to reach down and the soft hair would tickle his hands. Silver got a bath every week on a Saturday afternoon, after his weekly visit running around in the park and being played with by dozens of kids and sticky fingers, full of soda and crisps.
The weekend to Brighton was fun, he was very glad for his gym and football as they did a lot of running.
When he got back he got a text from John, asking him if he would like to catch up and have a pint on the following Thursday, he declined as he had plans with the previous Chief and his wife, they invited him to a Symposium, they had an extra ticket, and he said yes. John would understand. If he didn't that's okay too, they are all grown-ups and he is doing well. Besides, if John and Sherlock or any of them watched the news, they would've seen he was the new Chief Inspector and is quite busy at the moment.
Back at Baker Street John eyed his phone with a frown, he really needed a night out, and he couldn't remember the last time he and Greg went out to a pub and just talked rubbish for a few hours while having a few drinks. Sherlock looked up from his microscope.
"What's wrong?" John looked up.
"When was the last time you saw Greg, or spoke to him for that matter?" Sherlock frowned and stared ahead as he tried to remember.
"At Musgrave, he left saying he was going to check on Mycroft and then he sent a text the next day saying he is fine. Why the sudden concern?" John rolled his eyes as he stepped closer.
"Sherlock, that was more than three months ago." Sherlock stared at John in disbelief before he realized it was the truth.
"Haven't you been going to the pub recently?" John shook his head.
"No, I tried to arrange this Thursday, but he declined, said he had a prior arrangement. Said maybe another day. You don't think he is avoiding us do you?"
"No, of course not, why would he do that?" Sherlock asked but John could see he was more asking himself than John as he stared off trying to sort out the puzzle. After about five minutes he turned back to John, who by then was in the kitchen making formula for Rosie. He needed to speak to Mycroft and find out if he has had any contact, he should call Molly as well, she and Greg had started a relationship, if anyone would know, it would be her. John came back in the living room, holding a bottle; Rosie should wake soon from her nap and would be hungry.
"What are you thinking about?" John asks as he sat down opposite Sherlock and pulled his laptop closer.
"I should contact Mycroft and Molly and ask them if they know anything, if he was avoiding us and what the reason could be if he is."
John nodded, it seemed like a plan, before he could answer as suspected the cry of a baby girl asked for attention first.