Disclaimer: We all know that I don't own Sherlock or anything to do with it. The original characters and plot lines in this are mine though.
A/N: Why am I writing this? Because I love Lestrade. Unashamedly so enjoy. The fic is set post season 4, the boys are back on cases but Mary isn't dead because I love her and she deserved so much more.
"Rosie's started doing this thing where she replicates Sherlock's facial expressions." John said. "Mary thinks it's hilarious, Sherlock doesn't even realise what we're laughing at."
"Hmm-" Greg replied distractedly, eyes on something just beyond John.
"You'll probably see it yourself. That's if you're still up for it." John continued, glancing to his phone lighting up as simultaneous text messages from Mary and Sherlock arrived.
"Yeah course." Greg replied, still distracted, almost spilling coffee down himself as he lifted the cup to his mouth.
"So you'll do it then?" John asked lifting the cup to his lips. "We shouldn't be out long, about an hour or so."
"Yeah, yeah course." Greg replied running a hand through his hair. It took John longer than it would have taken Sherlock to lock onto the fact that Greg Lestrade was entirely distracted. His gaze lingering on a table in the corner. John turned to see the table in question occupied by a very pretty brunette, her eyes trained on a book, a golden retriever at her feet. It was funny but John had never noticed there being a sign saying dogs allowed and there was no indication it was a service dog. John looked back to Greg.
"Rosie's started breathing fire that won't be a problem will it?" John said folding his arms across his chest.
"No, no course not- wait what?" Greg's attention ricocheted back to John and he looked puzzled as John chuckled. "Sorry." Greg apologised letting out a sigh.
"Why don't you just go over there and ask her out?" John turned to look back at the brunette who had no wedding ring on her finger.
"Yeah right." Greg replied running fingers through his hair again.
"What's the worst that's going to happen?" John tilted his head slightly. "I'll go over if you want." John laughed and started to get up but Greg jumped up.
"No, no- fine." Greg replied.
He felt like a teenager, sweaty palms, which he kept running through his hair over and over again. He started to walk the short distance towards her table hesitated and turned back. John was looking at him like he was being ridiculous and Greg was grateful Sherlock wasn't here. He didn't need the verbalisation of all those insecurities that were being voiced in his head. Greg started to walk back, diverted to the napkins and came back to the table. Jesus what was wrong with him? Well he knew exactly what was wrong with him. He was a middle-aged divorced detective. He was grey, he wasn't in the prime of his life and she was- well-. This wasn't the first time he'd seen her, wasn't the first time he'd thought about asking her if she fancied a drink, wasn't the first time he'd studied her as she sat reading, dog at her feet. He'd caught snippets of conversation she'd had with the barrister, never managed to catch her name but he knew she liked books, he knew her favourite film was Robin Hood Prince of Theives.
"Seriously?" John laughed shaking his head and Greg told him to shut up.
Greg took a deep breath, smoothed down his shirt, puffed out his chest and turned smack bang into the pretty brunette who dropped her books, the cup she'd been bringing back and the plate.
"Oh- oh my I'm so sorry."
"Oh shit, sorry"
"Bingley, Bingley stop you're going to hurt yourself." The Brunette said trying to keep the dog back from the broken china and the spilled coffee.
"God I'm so sorry." Greg said trying to get to the broken cup before her and before the dog. Who took the leaning in as some sort of sign that it was okay to greet Greg with a wet nose and tongue.
"Bingley, Bingley stop." The Brunette tried to pull the dog back but to no avail so Greg gave up on trying to clean up and sat back on his heels to pet the dog.
"I'm so sorry Lucy I'll pay for the-"
"Don't be daft." The busy barrister behind the counter replied as the brunette put the pieces of broken china on the side.
"Bingley!" The brunette said pulling the dog back gently. "Sit." She said and to Greg's surprise the dog sat. He picked up the book and handed it back to her. "I'm so sorry, and I'm sorry if he's covered you in fur."
"Don't apologise, my fault, not looking where I was going." Greg said running a hand through his hair again and petting the dog. "Bingley? Interesting name." He was cursing himself inside for trying to make small talk and he could see John's shoulders shaking from where he stood.
"Not an original, Pride and Prejudice." She replied with a soft smile.
"Same time tomorrow Maria?" Lucy, the barrister asked as she came around the front of the counter and started to sweep up.
"Not quite, reading group in the morning and the old people in the afternoon. I'll bob round for the cake and sandwiches though." She replied before making tracks to leave.
"Uhm!" Greg started and then morphed it into some sort of cough. "Sorry again." Greg said rubbing the back of his head again and cursing loudly when she left and he hadn't even gotten her name, wait, no the barrister had said it. Maria, Maria it suited her. "Stop it!" Greg slapped John around the head and sat down opposite him. "Shut up." He glowered into his coffee as John continued to chuckle.
A/N - Did you enjoy? Please review but if you don't want to that's okay too. Likes and follows are just as important.