"Is it just me," Jones began as he eyed the two men who had just entered Scotland Yard, "or have those two been almost chummy of late?"
Gregson too watched the men; Bradstreet was asking Lestrade about something the older man clearly did not want to discuss-he could tell by the raised eyebrows and hand gesticulations of the former as well as the closed expression worn by the latter. It was the third day in a row the men had come in to work together; they had left together the previous two as well.
It could have been an interesting situation; Gregson, however, suspected that with Bradstreet's wife staying with her father until he recovered, Lestrade's wife had quite likely offered to watch their child while he worked. It made sense that Bradstreet would arrive and leave with Lestrade, especially if the woman was also insisting on feeding the the man. Based on what Gregson knew of the woman, it was highly likely.
Gregson mused for what was not the first time that he generally knew more of Lestrade's business than he would have liked.
Jones, on the other hand, made it a point to stay out of the business of his colleagues. He had their backs, certainly, if they needed help, but remained uninterested in their personal lives. The man, Gregson had eventually decided, did not enjoy being around people.
He was not entirely sure why the man had chosen a profession that involved protecting them.
"Lestrade had better be careful," Gregson quipped. "Watson might get jealous."
Jones snorted derisively. "Watson has no idea that Lestrade's taken a liking to him. Or how rare such a thing is.
Gregson shrugged. "Well, he doesn't spend as much time with the man as we do. He'll catch on eventually, I suppose. And Bradstreet's the most easygoing person I've ever met. If anyone could put up with Lestrade long term, it's him."
Jones too shrugged, conceding the point, though something in his eyes suggested he knew there was more going on that Gregson was saying. True to his nature, however, the other Inspector did not press the issue.
"So how long do you think it will take Watson to figure out that Lestrade wants to be friends?" Jones asked, and Gregson nearly choked. "I thought for sure he would have caught on after Lestrade kept bringing him tea last winter while the furnace was out, but the doctor didn't seem to catch on."
"Maybe he thought Lestrade was just being polite," Gregson offered.
Jones shook his head. "He's known Watson too long for that. The doctor is well past being on the receiving end of that ridiculously polite mask Lestrade likes to put on when dealing with strangers."
Again, Gregson shrugged. "He'll figure it out eventually.