A/N: Hey everyone! Well, I'm back with another chapter. This will probably run on for a few more chapters at the most. Remember to review!
. . .
Greg was sitting at his desk, glancing over a murder case that they were getting nowhere with. If only they could call Sherlock, he would've figured this out in five seconds flat and insult several officers' intelligence in the same span of time. Lestrade shook the thought from his head and closed the file, pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes.
It had been three long years since the consulting detective had jumped from St. Barts. So much had happened since then.
He had been demoted from his position as Detective Inspector soon after the fall. He had worked hard after that to earn his position back, something he had finally managed to do recently. Greg was finally back to where he had been three years ago.
Lestrade would rather be at a lower rank if it meant that Holmes was alive once again.
He had been the first person to hear the recording on Sherlock's phone, and was touched to know that Sherlock had regarded him as a friend. He would've loved to hear that usually, just not in the way he did.
Lestrade straightened and took another look at the file. He wouldn't rest until they figured this out. It was the least he could do, right? He tugged down his sleeve to hide the nicotine patches on his arm as he noticed more people walking by his door.
The past three years had been difficult. He had solved two cases that had everyone else stumped; maybe spending time around Sherlock had made him pick up some of the deceased detective's tricks.
He could never be as brilliant as the man; no, no one ever could be as brilliant as him, not even Mycroft. He felt proud of himself at those moments, and felt that maybe, just maybe, Sherlock would've praised him for a job well done (finally.)
It was more than just that though. Lestrade had helped Mrs. Hudson and Molly with the whole John situation.
John had become depressed and spent more and more time hiding from the world. Greg had finally managed to convince him to move away from 221B, even helped him look for flats. His phone was always on, just in case he received a text or a call from the doctor.
The two met at least once a week. Greg always thought it was to make sure John was ok and to help him with the grief, but it worked for himself as well. It helped them both really, and they got to know each other so much more than before.
Lestrade couldn't help but blame himself for Sherlock jumping. What if he didn't listen to Sally and Anderson? What if he stayed on Sherlock's side? Didn't try to arrest him? The thoughts zoomed through his head before a sigh escaped his lips and reached for his coffee. There was no use in thinking about the past. Instead, he should be focusing on the matter at hand.
Lestrade looked over the facts once more, becoming increasingly annoyed with the murmur of voices outside that was steadily getting louder. Finally having enough of it, he was about to get up when his door flew open. He stood up, shocked at seeing who it was that caused the commotion.
There, in the doorway, stood none other than the dead detective, Sherlock Holmes.
"It's nice to see that you're well Lestrade. Now, I need a case immediately. What did you lot not manage to figure out without my help?"
Lestrade still stood there, frozen in place, mouth slightly open as if he wanted to say something. He looked at John- who walked in behind the taller man- as if asking if he saw him too.
"What- how- bloody hell Holmes! Three damn years and you waltz in, assuming we have a case ready for you?" Lestrade finally said. He should have known- Sherlock would have never gone out like that. He would've pulled some grand trick.
Sherlock raised an eyebrow slightly. "So, Scotland Yard has been managing perfectly fine without me this entire time?"
Lestrade sighed, as if sounding exasperated and sat down, motioning for the two to do the same before tossing the file in front of the newly resurrected man. "Here you go. Fairly recent. A pretty gruesome murder. I think you'll like it."
He watched as crisp blue eyes scanned the file quickly before setting it down. "It's perfect Lestrade. No use in wasting time now with useless chatter with a murderer on the loose," Sherlock said, jumping out of his seat with excitement. It had been so long since he had a 'proper' case, he missed the thrill it gave him.
"You're probably right," Lestrade replied. "Of course I am," The taller man replied dismissively, heading towards the door, John standing up to follow him. "Meet us at Angelo's on Friday at seven for supper, will you?" John asked the DI, an impatient Sherlock waiting for him at the doorway. "Wouldn't miss it for the world John," He replied with a smile.
John nodded slightly and smiled back before turning to the consulting detective who made an irritated noise. They were about to leave before Lestrade spoke.
"It's good to have you back Sherlock."
Sherlock paused for a moment before turning around and giving the DI a slight smile.
"It's good to be back detective inspector."
And with that, Sherlock left in a blur, John at his heels. Lestrade smiled to himself, taking a sip of his coffee. Things were back to normal. But there would be one thing that needed to happen before everything fell back into its usual pattern.
Sally and Anderson would be apologizing to a certain consulting detective if they wanted to keep their jobs. He would make sure of it.
Which would be followed by an apology from Lestrade himself.
But there was still time for that. After all, there was a murderer on the loose.