I See you
Chapter 1
Greg looked up and then back down to the pamphlet in his hand. He read the lines and sentences again just to make sure he read it correctly the first time.
'Be part of the good side of the law.'
No, still the same, he sighed inwardly as he looked up at the man staring at him, all smiles and triumphantly
"So what do you think Lestrade?" Greg nodded at the superintendent, a smile on his face as if he just discovered his boss was a genius and he needed to confirm.
"Uum, is it supposed to be catchy?" Greg tried while keeping his face neutral, yet very interested. The superintendent narrowed his eyes and grabbed the pamphlet out of Greg's hands.
"Yes. Along with practical and efficient in helping the youth of today to see a more involved police force. To inform them we are not the enemy." Greg nodded, pretending to be successfully reprimanded.
"I'm sorry sir. I'm sure it will be effective in its course." The Sup nodded and waved the pamphlet as if a mini fan. Why Greg wouldn't be able to tell you as the office was cool and comfortable, the air conditioning system working well. He wet his lips before speaking, he have to get his question right without pissing his boss off.
"Sup, I understand that we have a new campaign for public awareness, I'm just not sure what I'm doing here."
The sup gave him a fake and wide smile and Greg's stomach just gave a drop. He does so not like where this is going.
"You are our face."
Greg mimics the brief confused look that Sherlock would get when Greg tries to offer him some social interaction advice.
"I'm the what?"
"The face, people like you and trust you more, the old ladies think you're adorable, the women wants to sleep with you, and young girls think you're sexy, hell even the men look twice at you."
Greg mouth fell open, he is not some BBC TV Adonis, and he is a cop, a detective for crying out loud.
"Excuse me sir?"
"You heard me. So I've volunteered you to go with a select team and go around schools and varsities to get the Yard some positive PR."
"With all due respect sir, I'm not here to get good publicity, my job is to put bad guys away." Greg replied, already pulling his face in distaste. To his surprised the Sup's face become wider with the smiles and Greg had a momentary image of that small child in Charlie and the Chocolate factory who nearly drowned in the chocolate river.
"That's good Lestrade, keep the attitude like that, the people will love that, humble and modest. Knew you're the man for the job. If all of this go well, you might just find yourself with a Christmas bonus" Greg stared at the boss.
"Erm... what?"
"Listen Lestrade I don't have time for this, tomorrow morning at eight there is the meeting in the boardroom, that will explain everything you need to do and also provide you with a roster as to your appointments with which school and Varsity." With that the Sup practically chases him out of the office. Greg was still stunned when he got back to his office. He needed a second opinion. He just had no idea who to ask. Sherlock? Oh God no. John? No he'll tell Sherlock and then he'll know... Sally? No it might be seen as harassment and she will not be honest. Making it all a joke. Mycroft? Well they have been expanding their relationship from friends to a little more than friends. The relationship may be in its early stages but Greg knew it was serious and both were in for the long haul.
Still he can't ask Mycroft whether he was sexy enough for a PR campaign
On the other hand, Mycroft is his best friend and have always been honest with him.
Before he knew it he had the phone in his hand. It rang twice before Mycroft answered.
"Good afternoon Detective Inspector." Greg visibly relaxed as he let Mycroft's voice flow over him.
"Hi My, how's your day going?"
"Oh an endless loop of meetings and so forth."
"Doubt as interesting as the meeting I just had."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, that's actually one of the reasons I'm calling, um...do you think...would you... if you were to have PR... umm." Greg faltered as he was unable to get the words out, instead he just leaned over his desk, slighty bumping his forehead on the desk, it only made a soft thud sound, anything harder and he might give himself a headache. The line was silent and he could hear Mycroft clearing his throat before he spoke.
"That was quite something else, you know I'm good but I'm not that good." Mycroft said, his voice laced with amusement. Greg laughed softly
"Yeah that wasn't one of my best explanations."
"Would you like to try again?"
"I'm not sure. It's a bit of personal and we are new in this relationship, and as much as I trust you and value your opinion..."
"Gregory out with it."
"Do you think I'm sexy enough for a PR campaign?"
Greg sputtered out. The line was quiet.
"Mycroft?"
"You're asking me if you're -let me get this right 'sexy' enough?" Mycroft voice pitched when he said sexy and Greg couldn't stop laughing softly; only a Holmes can make words like that sound like a potion. He still remembered Mycroft's face when he said they should go on a date.
"In a nutshell." Greg responded.
"May I ask why?"
"It's a long story."
"Want to tell me over dinner tonight?"
"Sure."
"I'll see you later then."
"Definitely." Greg put the receiver down with a smile. His day has just improved by a lot. Barring any gruesome murders he might just have a reasonable average day.
Greg made it home just after six and knowing how punctual Mycroft is, he was just about ready when the car picked him up. Instead of a restaurant they had dinner at Mycroft's place, Greg preferred it as it gives him the opportunity to not only spent personal and intimate time with Mycroft, he also get to see Mycroft slowly removing his mask, one layer at a time.
"So Gregory care to elaborate on this morning's phone call? I must admit, I'm quite curious as 'sexy' is apparently a part of your job requirements." Mycroft was treated to a delightful scene when Greg blushed furiously and looked down at his food. He didn't answer.
"Do I need to drag it out of you?" Greg shook his head before taking a sip of the wine and looked at Mycroft.
"We have a new PR campaign, and the goal is to be more approachable and people orientated.
"To build a better relationship with the public?" Mycroft asked and Greg nodded.
"Yeah so my boss thinks that I am the perfect candidate to go around schools and varsities to promote the Yard."
"The poster boy."
"Something like that. Apparently my face is better than goldilocks and the three bears, as it appeals to all ages."
"Is that what he said?"
"Yeah, old ladies thinks I'm adorable, women wants to sleep with me, young girls think I'm sexy for my age and even men look twice. Apparently." Greg recited while looking over Mycroft's shoulder.
Mycroft used a full minute to process the information and think of a suitable response. If only Greg knew, his mind trying to understand how a man like Greg had absolutely no idea just what an impact he has on people around him, and not just his looks. Greg has the ability to put people at ease, to calm them. It's one of the reasons he has such love and admiration for the man, how he makes Mycroft feel okay about being himself.
"I can see the logistics of it, after all you're basically the only one my brother trust."
"Yeah, but he didn't have to make me sound like some Hollywood star, I just want to do my job and when I told him that he was like "keep the attitude, humble and modest." Idiot." He added as an afterthought. Mycroft smiled, wondering if he should tell Greg he just sounded like Sherlock. He could see the appeal, Greg is a wonderful in every way, and they choose wisely with a man like Greg.
"Gregory, I think they made an excellent choice in you." Greg looked at him, his face opened and genuine.
"You think so?"
"Yes. You are very good at your job, you are loyal, compassionate, dedicated, faithful, hardworking, and honest, you have integrity, you are tenacious, if you'd like I can give you a list."
"A list?" Greg asked shyly. Mycroft sighed, 'doesn't this man have any idea about his worth?'
"Yes. Do you want it alphabetically or chronologically?" Greg blushed and looked away. They ate the rest of their dinner an easy and light conversation.
Greg insisted on helping Mycroft clean up the kitchen before they do anything else.
"I have a dishwasher Gregory." Mycroft remarked, exasperation all over his face, Greg gave him a boyish grin as he washed the plate.
"I know, but this allows us the time to be together and some quality time together."
"I can think of better ways to spend time together." Mycroft's dry voice filtered through the air. Greg chuckled at the man.
"Get your head out of the gutter." Mycroft pulled a face and tried to look affronted, which caused Greg to laugh even harder.
"Gregory..." Mycroft tried in vain to reprimand Greg. He didn't even notice that Greg was done until he saw him pulled out the plug.
"There all done."
"Can we go do something else now?"
"What did you have in mind?" Mycroft half throw the dishcloth on the counter before he pulled Greg close.
"Not washing dishes I can guarantee you that." Greg allowed himself to be pushed against the counter as Mycroft's arms encircled him in a private bubble. This is the moment Greg loves, when he is the sole focus of Mycroft Holmes and the looks at him as if he is the only man in the world. He can relate and felt exactly the same. He tilted his neck to give Mycroft more access as the man clearly had some fascination with his neck. His entire body to be precise but the first kiss, besides his mouth is his pulse point in his neck.