A/N: I am not entirely happy with this chapter, but I really don't think staring at it waiting for some inspiration to strike will get me anywhere, so I'm posting it anyway. Also, unlike previous chapters, I'm going to be playing with POV a bit. Greg won't be present for all the action, so it has become necessary to hop behind the eyes of others for a time. Don't worry- the next chapter will be normal.
Chapter 10
It took several days before Greg worked up the nerve to make the call. In the interim, he'd seen Sherlock several times, but hadn't been able to bring it up. Finally, he felt he was ready. He could say what he had to say.
Greg dialed Sherlock's number, hesitated, and then hit 'call'. The consulting detective answered the phone after only one ring, giving Greg no time to change his mind. "Lestrade," Sherlock said, brightly (or at least, brightly for him), "do you have a case for me?"
"Not just now, no. I'm actually calling because... I've got something to tell you."
"Well, by all means, tell me then!"
"So, um... I suppose you know that John and I got together while you were, um, gone."
"I deduced as much, yes." There was a hint of amusement in Sherlock's voice.
"But, um, I wanted to tell you that we're over now, and that there are no hard feelings. I only wish the best for the two of you."
"Lestrade," Sherlock said, sounding confused, "John and I are not 'together'. I highly doubt that he feels at all romantically towards me."
Greg raised his eyebrows, though there was no way, of course, that Sherlock could see them. "Oh, really? Well, then, I'm sorry to have wasted your time. I'll call you when I've got something interesting for you to look at."
"Right. Bye!" Sherlock said, and hung up. He was currently sprawled on the couch, still in his pajamas and dressing gown. He called out to John, who was in the kitchen, making tea. "John?"
"Yeah?" came the slightly muffled reply.
"I just got off the phone with Lestrade."
"Oh? What did he say?" John asked, walking in with two steaming mugs of tea.
"He seemed to think you were attracted to me. Isn't that absurd? Why on earth would he think something like tha..." Wait a moment, Sherlock thought, John's not making eye contact. He's scratching his ear, he's turned his torso away from me, and his lips are smiling, but not the rest of his face. He's lying, then, or rather, caught in a lie. His pupils are dilated, he's breathing visibly faster than he was when he entered the room, and he's sweating. These could be symptoms of a lie, or they could be attraction. Even if they are because of the lie, what could he be lying but an attraction to me? This whole train of thought took Sherlock only a split second. He leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "You are attracted to me, aren't you?"
"Well, um, yeah. I sort of thought it was obvious."
Sherlock stood quickly, running his fingers through his curls, and turned to face the window. "Oh, bloody hell!" he cursed under his breath. Then, he whirled back around and collapsed back on to the couch. He took a deep breath, and began to speak.
"John," he said, "you are my best friend, and you mean more to me than anybody else, but... I have never been attracted to or felt romantic about anybody in my life. If I ever could be in love with anybody, it would be you, but... I'm not. I'm really sorry."
John tried to smile, and nearly succeed. "No – that's okay," he said, "I understand. I'm sorry to have made you uncomfortable."
Sherlock saw John's fists clench at his sides, and then, suddenly, release. John stood quickly. "I'm going for a walk," he said, grabbing his jacket and phone.
"John!" Sherlock called, "I-"
"I'll be back," said John, closing the door. He walked down the street and, as soon as he turned the corner, pulled out his phone.
"Greg?" he said, "We need to talk. Where can I meet you?"
A/N: Reviews = love!