Greg groaned. His entire body ached, and he was sticky from a mixture of sweat, semen, and his anal juices. On the bright side, he knew his heat had ended and he no longer had that horrible empty ache gnawing at him. It was a relief to stand and stretch, able to think of something besides being fucked and filled. Of course, it was at that moment Sherlock decided to knock on the door.

"Greg?" he called in, causing Greg to freeze. Since when did Sherlock call him Greg? Memories of the first day of his heat returned and he groaned. He had thrown himself at Sherlock Holmes. He had been half-naked in front of him.

"Greg, are you alright?" Sherlock called, worried as he heard the groan. The pheromone levels had decreased, leading Sherlock to think that Greg's heat was over. Was something wrong?

"Why are you still here Sherlock?" Greg asked the door, head buried in his hands. God, just kill him now. He did not need this.

"You asked me to stay," Sherlock said softly. "I know you weren't in your right mind Greg, but it was for the best. If another Alpha had caught your scent, what would you have done?"

Apparently strip and beg him to fuck me, Greg thought bitterly. Suddenly, something penetrated his embarrassment and he hastily pulled on a pair of pajama pants and a tee-shirt before opening the door. Sherlock was standing on the other side, dressed, as usual, in a suit that was just this side of too tight. Looks bloody good on him though, Greg thought, before shaking his head to get rid of that thought.

"Why didn't you try to bond with me?" Greg asked. From what he can remember, he did pretty much everything besides turn around and present himself. Sherlock had ample opportunity, and most Alphas wouldn't have thought twice.

Sherlock arched one dark eyebrow. "Did you wish for me to bond with you?"

"No!" Greg exclaimed, "God no! I don't want to bond, with anybody. I meant, why didn't you? I was in heat, and any other Alpha…"

"I'm not any other Alpha," Sherlock interrupted curtly, masking his hurt at Greg's previous statement. He knew that Greg had no interest in mating, but the unintentional rejection still stung. Would it really be that bad to bond with me Greg? "I take a pill of my own creation that suppresses my Alpha instincts. I was able to be around you during your heat without pinning you down and taking you against any flat surface."

Greg blushed, but Sherlock's next statement has him staring incredulously.

"I cannot bond anyway Greg. While I take this pill, I am unable to knot."

"You're joking," Greg said, staring when Sherlock shook his head. "I can't believe it. So that's why you smell different."

"Different?" Sherlock asked, nonplussed.

"Yeah," Greg said, inhaling. It was the same as during his heat, Sherlock's scent, something undeniably Alpha, and that oddity that he had no basis for. "You smell like you, and Alpha, and something else, something different."

"Mm," Sherlock said, shrugging. "It is an effect of the pill."

"Well, I'm bloody glad that you take that pill," Greg said, thinking of what would have happened if Sherlock was any other Alpha. "If you weren't, we would have bonded."

"Is that such a bad thing?" Sherlock said, quietly enough that Greg didn't hear him. "Anyway," he said, this time at normal volume, "Now that your heat is over you can get me a case."

Greg rolled his eyes and headed for the bathroom. He was going to shower, then maybe get a cup of coffee before Sherlock dragged him off to the Yard. Halfway there, he stopped and turned back. Sherlock was lounging on his sofa, eyes closed and fingers underneath his chin. The younger man had stayed throughout his heat, making sure no other Alphas broke in and tried to bond with Greg. That gave him an idea, although he had no idea if Sherlock would go for it or not. May as well try.

"Sherlock?" Greg asked, moving to stand in front of the sofa.

One pale blue eye cracked open as Sherlock's head tilted in Greg's direction. "Unless you are going to the Yard as you are, I would suggest a shower," Sherlock drawled, resuming his former position.

Greg huffed a laugh. "No, you prat, I had something to ask you." Once again, Sherlock's head tilted in his direction. A sign that he was listening, even though the other man kept his eyes closed. "Listen, what you did during my heat…I appreciate it, really."

"Think nothing of it Lestrade," Sherlock said, brushing off the compliment. "Who would give me cases if you weren't around?"

Greg just shook his head, deciding to ignore Sherlock's commentary and continue with his previous plan. "It was nice, not having to worry about being mauled by some random Alpha, and I was wondering if you would do it again for my next heat."

Sherlock opened his eyes, confusion on every inch of his face. "You want me to come and spend the week of your next heat here, to ensure that no one comes looking for you?"

Greg scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. He hated this, that he was buying into the Omega stereotype, but for once he didn't care. He always worried that some random Alpha would smell him while he was in heat. If that happened, there was nothing he could do. Sherlock had been able to resist because of his pills, but any other Alpha would have bonded with him before the first day was done. If Sherlock was here, that would be one less worry. He already had proof that the younger man wouldn't take advantage of him, and he trusted him, God knows why.

"Yeah," Greg finally said. "I'd dig up a couple cold cases so you wouldn't be bored, but…"

"You need someone you trust to ensure other Alphas are kept away," Sherlock finished, closing his eyes once more. "Very well Lestrade, I'll do it."

"Really?" Greg asked, unable to believe that Sherlock would agree that easily.

"Of course," Sherlock drawled. "I've been trying to get access to your cold cases since I began working with you. It'll be my pleasure to tell you what your colleagues missed when they investigated the cases." In truth, that was only a very small part of his reason for agreeing. He wanted to help Greg however possible, and if he needed protecting from Alphas, then Sherlock could do that. No Alpha would get near Greg without permission, not even Sherlock himself. He wouldn't violate his friend's trust.

Greg laughed again; only Sherlock. "Well, great," he said, smiling as he went to get his shower. "We'll head to the Yard after I've showered, dressed, and eaten something, alright?"

"Mm," Sherlock said vaguely, already lost in thought once more.

Greg shook his head. "Thanks, by the way," he called over his shoulder. "You know, for doing all of this for me."

Sherlock waited until he heard the shower start before he replied. "There is nothing that I wouldn't do for you Greg," he sighed, "No matter the cost."


A/N: This is already posted over at AO3, so I'm going to be updating every other day.