Valerie spent much of her free time over the next few months in Lestrade's office going over the case.
She tapped her pen against her cheek as she read through the file for the hundredth time, then stared at the photo of the body.
"Sir..."
"Yeah?"
"This first murder, this was four years ago."
"Right."
"If this new murder is the same killer, and he went through the trouble of placing the body the same way..."
Lestrade looked up from his file and stared at Valerie.
"Bloody hell," he whispered. "There are more."
"Serial killers don't usually wait four years."
Lestrade picked up his phone and dialed.
"I need unsolved murder cases from the last four years, single victim, mysterious circumstances."
He hung up and wiped a hand over his face.
"Our long days just got longer," he said.
"But if we can catch this guy..."
"It's worth it."
By December, Lestrade was moody on a good day. He tried to hide it, but Valerie knew him too well. The unsolved murders, on top of a failing marriage that had become a separation, was wearing him down.
The Yard's Christmas party was basic, but liquor was freely flowing and Lestrade showed no temperance that night. Valerie found him in a corner, barely able to stand as he leaned into the wall.
"Time to get you home, sir."
"It's a party, Parker. Don't be such a spoilsport."
"You're snockered."
"I'm fine."
"Oh, really?" Valerie took two steps back. "Come here."
"I like where I am."
"Walk to me, now."
Lestrade groaned, but pushed himself off the wall and stumbled forward. He caught his balance, only to lean left, then stumble straight into Valerie's arms.
"Right... you're fine. You could be arrested for this type of intoxication."
He straightened and looked down at her. "Are you arresting me, Parker?"
"Not if you come willingly, sir."
"And where am I coming?"
"I'm taking you home."
"To your place?"
"To yours, sir."
"Well, that's no fun."
At Lestrade's flat, she got him to his couch and pulled off his shoes. He fought against his coat as he tried to shake it off, until Valerie had to help him. She pulled off his suit jacket, then undid the top two buttons of his shirt to try to make him comfortable. Lestrade put a hand to the back of her head and pulled her down into a kiss. Valerie's eyes widened, and she whimpered, but he caressed her face and she closed her eyes.
"You're gorgeous," he whispered against her lips.
That was enough to bring her to her senses. She pulled away and turned her back to him. With her fingers pressed against her lips, she swallowed hard, then turned around. He was standing there, swaying.
"You're going to hurt yourself. Sit down."
"Was it awful?"
"What?"
"Me kissing you."
She shoved him and he fell back onto the couch.
"Let's just forget about it, all right?"
Lestrade laughed. "I probably will."
"Small blessings."
"Was it awful?"
"Sir-"
"It must be awful, or my wife wouldn't have been looking elsewhere, right?"
Valerie looked down at him as he lay his head back. She sat next to him.
"It wasn't awful."
He turned his head to look at her, and she met his eyes.
"Not even a little awful," she said.
He leaned toward her, but she put a hand to his chest.
"That doesn't mean it's a good idea."
He tried to stand, but fell back onto the couch.
"Bloody floor needs to stop moving."
"All right, that's it. I don't think I should leave you alone. Let's get you into bed, and I'll sleep on the couch."
"Bed's a double, love."
He winked at her and she rolled her eyes.
"I know that's the alcohol talking and not the man I respect. So, I'm going to forget you just said that to me."
He was staring at her, but his eyes were moving too much.
"Sir-"
"Could you please keep still?"
"I'm not moving."
"Then I may be sick."
She got him to the toilet just in time. She sat on the edge of the tub until he leaned back against the sink cabinet, sweat dripping down his face.
"That should help," she said.
She wet a washcloth with cold water and ran it over his face. She froze when he caught her wrist.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The next morning Valerie woke to the sound of the shower. She folded the blanket she used, and she was ready to go by the time he was done.
"How're you feeling?"
"My head is pounding."
"Not a surprise."
He stared at her for a moment.
"I feel like there's something I should apologise for."
"Well, I did have to sleep on a very uncomfortable couch last night thanks to your little bender."
"No... something else."
"What else would there be?"
He rubbed his temples. "I don't know."
"You had a pretty bad time last night, sir. Maybe you should take the day off."
"I think I will."
"Good."
"You know, you likely saw me at my worst last night."
"I wouldn't say-"
"Seeing as I can't remember most of it, it's not a stretch. I am sorry for that... for ruining your night."
She shrugged. "The party was boring, anyway."
He smiled at her. "Considering last night, maybe you could call me Greg when we're off duty?"
"Ah! The first name. Like friends."
"Right... like friends."
She nodded. "I have to get to work. Will you be all right?"
"I'll be fine. Go."
That afternoon, Lestrade walked up to her desk.
"I thought you were taking the day off?"
"I need to talk to you. Come in my office?"
"Sure."
He hung his jacket on the coat stand as she closed the door and sat in the chair in front of his desk. He paced a little, then leaned back against his desk in front of her.
"I remembered something from last night, and I was right about needing to apologise."
"Sir, I don't-"
"What I said to you about my bed, after you offered to sleep on the couch... that was so far over the line... I'm sorry."
"I know it was the alcohol."
"Sod the alcohol, it's no excuse. The fact that you stayed at all after that- Thank you."
"You're welcome. And I appreciate the apology, but you should be resting."
"No, I'm feeling better. And I'll feel wonderful after we catch this bastard."
Valerie stood. "I'll get the files."
"Listen, Parker... we're good, right?"
"We're good, Greg."
He smiled at her as she left his office.
The next couple of weeks were an improvement. Lestrade seemed happier as he and his wife worked out their problems. He invited Valerie to a small Christmas Eve get-together at Sherlock's flat. His wife would be busy packing for a trip.
The party turned out to be like most moments with Sherlock. His insults and deductions left everyone a little down and moody. Especially Lestrade. Sherlock blatantly told him his wife was having an affair, just as Lestrade was explaining that they were back together. Valerie watched his expression change from annoyance to grief. She wanted to talk to him, but this wasn't the place. Unlike Sherlock, she had tact.
At the end of the night, she followed him down the stairs and out onto the street.
"Greg, hang on."
"What is it?"
"I want to talk to you."
"I have to get home."
"I know you do, but don't let Sherlock ruin your reconciliation with your wife."
"He's right!"
"What?"
"He's bloody right! Of course he is! I thought about it, and I had to be blind not to see it."
"Greg-"
"Look, I get that you want to help, but I can't do this now."
"All right."
She watched him leave, then patted her coat and realised she left her phone upstairs. John helped her look around, but when John left the room, Sherlock approached her.
"He's married."
"Beg your pardon?"
"Despite the fact that his wife is a lying cheat, he is still married. You don't seem the type to have an affair with a married man, so I thought you could use the reminder, lest temptation sway you."
"Bugger that, you're just trying to show off."
"Possibly."
"Too bad you're wrong."
"Am I?"
"Of course."
"Hmmm. Doubt it."
He pulled her phone from his pocket and held it out to her.
"I thought it best I not say anything in front of anyone else. I knew you'd come back for your phone."
"You swiped my phone?"
"Yes."
"You insulted everyone all night, but you considered this should be kept private?"
"Was I wrong?"
"No. No, you are right about that."
"Good. I trust you'll make a good decision, Sergeant Parker."
He walked away, but Valerie stood there staring at him.
"You care about him," she said, "don't you?"
"Care about whom?"
"Lestrade."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"You consider him a friend."
"I don't have friends."
"Right... Well, thanks for being discreet. Especially since you're wrong."
"Right."
