Come what may

Chapter 7

It was official he was single again, not that anyone really knew he was in a relationship to begin with, except for Sherlock and John. Sally knew he was seeing someone, but she didn't know the specifics.

With the information Sherlock gave at the crime scene and the day before, his team had enough to go on, that he didn't require seeing them relatively soon. Yet, he still owes to tell them. A small part of him didn't want to. He didn't want them to know that he failed once again at a relationship. On top of that with Mycroft Holmes of all people. He lost out against a post, rich and sophisticated man, everything he is not. In the end he thought against it and kept it to himself. It was a Friday so if he and John are still on for Saturday and he ask, he will tell him. Forgoing the need to work overtime he went home with the rest of the team, when the shift ended. He did however stopped at a liquor store and replenish his alcohol shortage at home.

He wasn't planning on drinking himself into a stupor; he was however planning on having a relaxing evening. At around nine he texted to John, confirming their plans for tomorrow, the reply came ten minutes later.

"Sorry, forgot to let you know. Can't make it. We are on our way to Sherlock's parents for the weekend. Be back next week. JW"

"No problem. Please give my regards. PS. This is quite unexpected. Got something to tell you when you get back. GL."

Greg replied he has met Sherlock's parents before but under different circumstances. He liked them. John replied quickly.

"It is. They called this morning. Will do. Everything okay? JW."

Greg pondered for a moment, trying to figure out what to say. He didn't feel like telling him about his failed relationship over the phone, while at his ex's parents' house. However he did owe John the truth.

"No. Had a talk with Mycroft. It's over. Don't worry. Enjoy your weekend. Talk when you get back. GL."

John's reply was less than a minute.

"Bastard. I'm sorry. JW."

"Please don't be too hard on him. I'm angry but not vengeful GL "

John didn't reply. Greg didn't expect him to. With a whole weekend in front of him, he can either sit here and sulk or go to work. He ended up spending his Saturday at work and the Sunday at home, doing laundry and cleaning up his home.

Monday started with a call out early and his week got worse on. He still hasn't heard anything from Mycroft since he walked out that evening the previous week. Since most of the cases were 'below seven' it didn't valid a visit from the one and only Consulting Detective.

By Wednesday they caught a break and he was able to finish most of his workload and go home at a decent hour. With a take away in hand and plans on an early night he was quite surprised to find both Sherlock and John in his flat. He didn't even bother to ask how they got in; instead he just closed the door, put the packets on the table and took off his jacket and stuff.

"It's about time Lestrade." Greg just sighed as he looked at Sherlock who was going through his music collection. He picked up the bags and walked over to the kitchen.

"What is 'the clash'?" Sherlock asked, holing a cd in his hand with a very intriguing look on his face.

"It's a very rock band."

Sherlock rolled his eyes and moved on. John gave his partner a fond smile and stood up.

"Kettle's boiled?"

"Yeah sure, want to share my Chinese? There's enough for all of us."

John nodded and Sherlock pretended not to hear him. John followed Greg into the kitchen and while Greg dished up, John forgo the tea, instead he took out a beer for each of them.

Five minutes later they were sitting around the living room, everyone eating quietly and Sherlock just pushing his food around. Greg watched Sherlock, obviously a lot to say, but John must have had a talk with him, because he was keeping it in. When he was finish he just couldn't keep it inside. The two of them obviously were here for a reason and he was tired and wanted it sorted.

"Sherlock just out with it." Sherlock looked up and then placed his plate on the coffee table.

"You and my brother are over."

"Yes."

"Why?" Sherlock inquired, trying to show his disinterest.

"Why? You know why Sherlock."

"I don't."

"Yeah. You do. You are a smart lad; you figure it out, most likely before I did."

"He doesn't love Richard, not like he used to." Greg listened as Sherlock spoke, his heart contracting, try as he might, he just wouldn't be able to get over the idea he lost the man he loved to another. It's sounded like a very bad pop song.

"Sherlock, he never got over him. I'm not going to stand in the way of his happiness."

"Don't you love him?"

"Yes. More than I thought possible, a hell lot more than anyone else but sometimes love just isn't enough."

"He irritates me now." Greg frowned, he and Mycroft were always going head to head in something and they've been irritating each other for years now.

"Mycroft?" he tried to clarify. Sherlock shook his head.

"Richard." Greg wasn't a detective because he got bored, he actually were smart enough. A heavy feeling settled in his stomach.

"Richard was there this weekend? That's why you had to go on short notice." Sherlock nodded and john spoke up for the first time.

"He called them behind Mycroft's back, saying they should catch up. Mummy called Sherlock, to find out what was going on, why all of sudden, we decided to go and find the answers ourselves." Greg swallowed a few times, the food in his stomach becoming uncomfortable and heavy. All of a sudden he wanted to be alone. They haven't even broken up for two weeks yet Mycroft and Richard are at the "meeting the parents" stage. Took him four months to get them to visit. He might've had met them before but that didn't really count. This was so messed up; he ran his hand through his hair.

"John…"

"Why didn't you fight for him?" Sherlock blurted out. Greg turned to Sherlock the pain and raw emotion clear on his face.

"Because he doesn't want me. I'm sorry Sherlock. I love him, but he doesn't love me, and I'm not going to stand in his way. If I had a small inkling of an idea that we could be together I'd fight, he kept me secret, like I'm the 'other man' instead of the other way around. It hurts, god it hurts. I'm in my fifties, and the one person I'd thought 'this is it; this is for life' kept me hidden. I can't deal with that. Don't tell me you could if you were in my shoes. What would you do if John went behind your back and had dinner and lunch dates with an old ex, and when you meet him, he introduces you as just the man he works with? I gave him my all Sherlock, you can read me like a book, and he can read me as if he made me, yet he opted for hurting me. I told him I love him, I accepted him, every part of him personality, work wise, all of him, yet it wasn't good enough. It wasn't strong enough to withstand the rich, posh and status of Richard Wightman."

No one said anything and Greg suddenly wanted them gone, he wanted to be alone. He didn't want to look at Sherlock and see his brother, he didn't want to look at John and see pity. He took a moment to look at them and his heart ached. They were finally happy, after years of denial and pain they were happy, he knew he should be happy for them, he should be excited for them and he tries, he really try.

John broke the silence by getting up and taking his plate to the kitchen. Greg got up and followed with his own plate. Greg knew they came for him and that lessened the pain a little bit. Even Sherlock was concerned enough and that meant a lot to him. He leaned against the counter.

"Thanks for stopping by. It really means a lot."

"I was worried." John admitted.

"Don't worry John; I'm not going to do something irresponsible. I'm so used to rejection by now, and being alone is about second nature."

"It shouldn't be."

Greg gave an empty bark of laughter as he looked at John.

"We don't always get what we want John, happy endings are for stories."

"I got mine."

"You live in a story with your soulmate, more like a blog, but still a story."

"Greg..."

"No stop. I can only deal with this in little amounts, tonight has been a bit of overdose."

John just nodded and walked out, Sherlock stood by the door listening but not saying anything. Greg thought it strange and weird. Usually he can't wait to give his opinion about the matter but he has been strangely quiet the whole time. It made him uneasy, and a placed him on guard. They said their goodbyes and Sherlock gave him a lasting strange look and even though Greg tried he knew he was unconvincing as a man who kept everything together. When they finally left he closed the door and leaned against it. Richard and Mycroft are together, Richard went to on a weekend away trip to Mycroft's parents, well if he had any doubt about Richard that disappeared along with his last bit of hope like the mist in front of the sun. Poof and it vapoured away into thin air.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

For three months he kept it together, he functioned on auto, and he pretended everything was fine.

It all came crashing down in pieces when john called.

"John, I don't have a case for his Highness, keep him occupied like you normally do." It was silent.

Greg became worried.

"John? Is everything okay?"

"I'm so sorry." His voice was soft, and Greg could practically feel the sympathy through the mobile. Greg heart sank.

"John, what happened? Please tell me Sherlock is okay."

"He's fine. It's Mycroft." Greg shuddered as he tried to breathe.

"What happened?" he croaked out.

"He's getting married in two weeks."

Greg didn't hear anything after that.