Good Enough

Genre: Family, Romance, FUTURE FIC

Pairings: Greg and Molly, background, Johnnie and Josie

Main characters: Greg, Adults Johnnie, Greer, Josie

Greg studied his oldest son, peering at him over his pint of imported amber ale.

John seemed lost in thought, worried almost.

"So," Greg said, casually, glancing over at the doorway. Greer was due to join them any time now.

"Penny for your thoughts, Son?"

John said nothing, and Greg watched as his gaze drifted over towards Josie, busy taking drink and food orders.

"Was thinking I'd leave your mother for Uncle Mycroft," Greg said. "Turns out he's got a thing for men who bench press Irish Setters. Once they've been sedated of course. That's only if the fainting goats are unavailable, obviously… they sedate themselves, you know."

John blinked, turning to his dad.

"Sorry, what? Uncle Mycroft? Very funny, Dad. If ever there was an utterly asexual being, it's got to be Uncle Mycroft. Although he does love us all in his own way… the man's got the romantic sense of a pile of bricks." John trailed off, his attention once again drifting.

"But, you were paying attention, I gather?"

John sighed, and Greg noted discontent in his son's breath.

"Yeah, I guess I was. Sorry, Dad. I guess I'm just worried… about Joey. That she's not truly happy being with me."

"Son, have you been paying attention at ALL when she looks at you? It's the same look I get from your mother. The same look Uncle Sherlock gets from Aunt Sally, that Uncle John gets from Aunt Alex."

"Yes… and that Rosie gets from Julian, Greer gets from Sam. I know Dad. She just doesn't seem as happy as she was when we first started seeing each other, is all."

Both men looked up as Greer suddenly joined them, with Josie close behind to take her order.

"My usual, Jose," Greer said, smiling warmly. "Followed by YOURS, I do hope you'll be joining us when your shift ends?"

Josie looked at John, worried longing in her eyes. "Well, actually, I…" she trailed off.

"Oh don't be silly, dear lass," Greg said, taking a cue from Greer. "Of course you're joining us. It won't be a full on Lestrade Family Debriefing but most of us will be here at least. You've what, 15 minutes left to shift? Order a bite from the kitchen and grab a drink, my treat. Join us then and our Debriefing may commence."

Josie met Greg's eyes, and something in them set her at ease. There was an older, wiser understanding in them, even though they were essentially the same eyes she gazed into when she was with John. In John's eyes, lately, was worry and apprehension.

"Alright then. How could I refuse two such devastatingly handsome blokes. A lass would have to be touched in the head, wouldn't she?"

"Damned right she would be," Greer said, laughing lightly. "Come now," she said, suddenly rising to her feet. "Let me walk you to the bar. I think I'd like to check out the drinks menu and maybe order my food."

Greer gave a pointed look to Greg, who merely smiled in acknowledgement – something that did not go unnoticed by John.

When the two women had gone out of earshot, Greg turned to his son. "No worries Johnnie. Your sister's got it handled. Greer is a daddy's girl and she takes after me, but she's got your mum's heart through and through, and her woman's intuition."

"Makes her a kickass copper, doesn't it Dad," John said, smiling thoughtfully. "Scott and I learned years ago not to piss her off. She's the best of you and Mum, I reckon."

"So are you and Scott," Greg said.

Over at the bar, Greer perused the small food menu, finally deciding on a cold beef sandwich with a side of chips. She made sure to take her time, so as to fritter away as much of Josie's remaining time on the clock as possible.

When she glanced up at the clock, gesturing to Josie, the young waitress closed her eyes with a tired, relieved smile.

"Come on, Sister," Greer said gently, carrying her drink and Josie's as well, and parking at a vacant table.

"What's wrong, love?"

Josie said nothing for several minutes, while Greer waited patiently, munching on her sandwich.

Finally, she spoke. "It's just that… well sometimes I don't feel as though I'm… I don't know. GOOD enough for John."

Greer, washing down a bite, nearly choked on her scotch.

"GOOD ENOUGH? Oh my God Jose, what the hell are you talking about? You're more than good enough love, you're bloody PERFECT."

Josie blushed furiously, and averted her eyes. Greer blanched suddenly.

"Oh, I'm sorry… heart got in front of my head again. Got to work on that, seriously I do…" Greer said, reaching out her hands to grasp Josie's.

"What I MEAN is, why would you think that, ever?"

"I'm just a waitress. I serve drinks and food, and I clean up tables and I wash dishes in the kitchen when it's quiet and… just… I don't know."

"You mean, you're just working class, with a better work ethic than anyone I know apart from my own family."

Greer paused, with a sigh, hoping and praying that she'd say what she mean properly the first try. "Jose, you do a job that takes dedication and heart because it isn't always easy, and for better or for worse, it's always exhausting. And it takes a hell of a lot of wisdom and attention to detail, and some days are wretched while others are just bloody fantastic and put you over the moon."

"Never thought of it that way, Greer," Josie said softly.

"Yeah, well I also just described what John does as a paramedic, Scott too. What Daddy does as a copper. What I do as a copper too, and Julian. What Mum does as a pathologist. What Rosie does as a registered nurse."

Josie averted her gaze, before moving it over towards her beloved John.

"I could go on and on, you know," Greer said softly, squeezing Josie's hands. "But I hope I don't have to. John loves you for you, and he doesn't consider himself better than you because he did a bit of training to do what he does. If anything, you keep him sane and give him reason to look forward to the end of the day."

As Greer and Josie had their woman-to-woman, Greg and his oldest son had their man-to-man.

"I suspect Josie is feeling a bit insecure at the moment," Greg said, as he navigated his fork around the mountain of chips on the side of his plate.

"Insecure? Why would she feel insecure?" John said, as he considered his burger and the best way to approach it.

"Josie is a pub waitress. Now, I know to us that means she's working class like us, but to her, she probably considers herself to be less educated and less worthy. She undervalues what she does in light of what WE do, Son."

"Undervalues? That's the most ridiculous sodding thing I've heard all week, Dad!" John declared, setting down his food. "Not just anybody can do what Joey does, and do it so well," he said, almost resentfully.

"Well, YOU know that, John. And I know that, and so does Greer, if what I'm observing from here is any indication. But does Josie know that?"

"We need to have a little heart to heart, don't we then?" John said, suddenly smiling. "Make sure we're on the same page."

"Would be wise, I reckon," Greg simply said, as he prepared himself to blissfully bite into his sandwich.

"Though I suspect your sister has made sure Josie knows where to meet you in the index," he said.

John chewed his mouthful thoughtfully, then swallowed. He washed it down with a pull of his ale then said, "You're probably right, as usual, Dad. Say, would you mind if Joey and I took leave a bit early this evening? I think we've got a bit of chat due."

"Agreed, Lad," he said, as he suddenly rose to his feet to hug Josie, who had finally returned with Greer.

John, seeing his Joey back, rose to his feet as well, and embraced her as warmly and lovingly as he knew how to, kissing her softly and whispering to her, "I love you, my beautiful, perfect girl."

Josie blushed and smiled, but as she sat down, Greer and Greg both knew that their messages had indeed been heard, and heeded.