Chapter 2 – The Return of the Ice Man

It had been nearly a week since Greg's strange encounter with Sherlock's brother. In the beginning, he had been thinking about it nonstop, trying to figure out what he meant with his last comment.

"I can see why they call you Silver Fox."

But he had no clue. And as the days passed, so did his interest. He was way too busy to keep thinking about someone who had left again, and Greg did not expect him back. After all, it was a man from the government. Why would he return to Scotland Yard for silly little police cases?

Greg looked down at his work. Homeless man stabbed stray cat. What a case. Greg looked over the profile of the man and saw he was unknown to the police. No criminal record, no warnings… Charges dropped, is what Greg wrote to conclude the case. In the end, the cat was a stray. It would cost too much money and effort to go after this guy. Give suspect a warning.

The floor in front of his door creaked. Greg knew this because he had been in this office for many years, and the floor in front of his office had been in this poor – although sometimes convenient – condition ever since he had moved into his position as a detective inspector here. He decided to wait for a knock on the door, but there was none.

"Are you going to come in?" he called out, knowing for sure that the person was still standing there. Another creak, one of hesitance, and then the door handle was pushed down. The door opened and…

"Good afternoon, detective inspector Lestrade," said the older Holmes brother. "I hope my timing is not inconvenient for you."

"And what if it is? You're a Holmes, if inconvenient, you'd come in anyways," replied Greg and motioned Mycroft to sit. "And it's Greg, by the way. Your brother calls me Greg. Well, he doesn't really know my… Never mind, please sit."

Mycroft smiled and gladly sat on the chair in front of Greg's desk.

"Can I first and foremost establish that I am not my brother? I am nothing like him, and I do not desire to be anything like him."

"You're more like him than you think." Greg stood up. "Coffee?"

"Tea would be nice."

Greg nodded and left to the hallway, where he collected one tea and one coffee. Mycroft had been looking around from his chair, but noticed nothing personal. Nothing that pointed towards hobbies, interests, or a partn-… Wait, why would he care about that?

"Any reason why you are shaking your head?" asked Greg as he walked in. Mycroft jumped a little and looked at the man as he was served his tea.

"No reason at all," he said quickly. "Thank you."

Greg sat back down and Mycroft picked up his cup.

"No problem. Why are you here? Do I need to get rid of another file?"

Mycroft took a sip and then cleared his throat.

"No, not really…" he said, to which Greg raised a brow.

"Well, that's a little vague. 'Not really'? Then why are you here? Don't you have work to do for the government?"

Mycroft sniffed but then smiled.

"I have taken the afternoon off, actually."

"Really?" asked Greg, slightly mockingly. "To do what? Spend the afternoon with me?"

Mycroft's smile disappeared and he didn't answer Greg's question, but Greg quickly understood what he meant. An awkward silence filled the room as the two men both took a sip from their beverages to avoid having to talk. Finally, Mycroft found that it was his obligation to explain himself.

"You see, I've… noticed you."

Greg frowned.

"Noticed me? Noticed me how? We work far apart."

"I mean, my brother has mentioned you once or twice. 'Lestrade', he calls you. He's always unsure about your first name. In any case, when my brother mentions another human being besides his best friend John, the person must mean something to him. So I looked you up, and I found you to be…" Mycroft stopped. He had wanted to continue, but somehow nerves had blocked his ability to do so.

"Could you get to the point? You found me in the database, and then what?" Greg wasn't impatient, or maybe he was, but all he really wanted, was to know why Mycroft had showed interest in him, and in what way.

"And I thought you were rather attractive." Mycroft took another sip of his tea. It was rather hot, because Greg hadn't offered milk.

"Attractive?" Greg leaned back in his chair and looked the Holmes brother over. "Look, I'm not sure how to explain, but… I have an ex-wife."

"I know that, I saw it in your file."

"Right… So I'm not really gay. With all respect, of course."

"How do you know you aren't gay?"

Greg had just taken a sip of coffee and slightly choked on it.

"How do I… How do I know? Well, I have an ex-wife, and…"

"And what?" Mycroft raised his brow. "Maybe there is a reason she is your ex-wife."

"Of course there is a reason. Are you implying that my marriage failed because I might be gay?"

"No, but I am implying that you are in no straight relationship right now, and therefore could give a gay relationship a chance… Or at least a date with a man."

It was silent once again, for a moment. Greg only spoke up when Mycroft was about to speak.

"Are you asking me out?"

Mycroft curled his lower lip in doubt and looked at the window.

"I think that I am asking you out, yes."

Greg nodded understandingly and looked at the steam that arose from his coffee. A date with a man? But I'm not gay. Then again, he is right about my failed marriage… Maybe I am… no. I certainly am not gay. But… Mycroft is interesting. He intrigues me. Maybe I should just give it a chance. If it doesn't work out, I can tell anyone who saw us that it was only a friendly date.

"Fine, I'll do it. I mean, yes, I will go out on a date with you."

Mycroft instantly turned to him and smiled.

"Good. Dinner, tomorrow. I know where you live, so I'll pick you up at 7. Don't forget to wear a dark suit. We're going somewhere fancy." He helped himself up. "Thank you for the tea. Next time, I'd like some milk in it."

As he headed to the door, Greg stood up.

"Will you please not tell anyone?" he asked.

Mycroft did not turn around, but his grin grew wider.

"Of course, as you wish. You are only at the very beginning stages of exploring your gay side."

"I don't think I am g– …" he started, but Mycroft had left before he could finish. "I'm not gay. I'm not… gay…"