John walked into the offices of the New Scotland Yard. It was his first time back since...everything had happened, so he pretty much expected the stares he received the second he walked in. It also didn't help that he was about 4 months along and had a bit more of a paunch than any of them remembered. He picked up his pace trying to make it to his destination, but was stopped by a familiar black woman with a constant bad attitude.

"John, what are you doing here? Didn't expect to see you around." she inquired.

"I'm just here to see the Detective Inspector." He briskly said, trying to end the conversation there. Unfortunately, Sally wasn't hearing it.

"I'm sorry about...I'm sorry, John. But I did try to warn you."

John tensed up but tried to remain polite. "Yes, well..."

"I mean, the Freak was bound to off someone sooner or later. You're just lucky it wasn't you."

While she was speaking, she'd turned away to rifle through some papers. By the time her attention was back on the doctor he was a brilliant shade of red and looking like the next murder to be committed was to be by his hands.

"Are you done?" he tersely asked.

Seeing that she may have hit a nerve, she tried to backpedal. "Look, John. I didn't mean anything by it. I'm just glad you got out of it unhurt, is all. I mean, the way you two were going, I thought you'd be married with a kid pretty soon. What a disaster that would have been..."

"Meaning?"

"I mean, no offense John, but any kid with those genes...well, if it were me I'd go ahead and terminate the thing befo..."

"THAT. IS. IT!" John bellowed in a voice previously unheard of from the mild mannered doctor. They of course forget that he was a high ranked official in the Army.

"How dare you stand there think you have the right to judge ANYONE on their behaviour?! You didn't know him the way I knew him! You didn't know him at all! YOU were too busy passing judgements on a man who pointed out your myriad of faults on a daily basis. Perhaps if you weren't so busy making yourself available for another woman's husband, you'd have had more time to see him for the person he actually was! Now before another idiotic word falls out of that mouth of yours, get one thing clear. If you ever and I do mean EVER speak ill of Sherlock Holmes in my presence once more I'll..."

"Donovan!" Greg called from behind John, catching them both and everyone who was listening in off guard. "My office, 10 minutes. We'll be discussing your behavior in-depth, am I clear?" he said with a smoldering glare of his own.

"Crystal, sir." She growled out before stomping away.

"John, I need you to calm down and follow me." Greg gently whispered placing a hand on John's shoulder. Heavily panting, he complied with the DI's wishes. Once inside the office, he directed him to a chair and sat at his desk.

"Look, I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I was hoping you'd be able to avoid her and Anderson for the short while you were here. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine...She just got to me for a bit."

"I understand, but you very nearly threatened a police officer, which is a crime."

"I know, but...wait. Were you listening the whole time?"

"Not the whole time, Just the part where you starting barking like a mad dog. Once I saw who you were barking at, I knew what had set you off. Look, you can't let her get to you. The stress isn't good for..."

"I know that!" he snapped. Once he realized how harsh his words sounded, he apologized and sighed. "Look, things haven't been easy...I've had to deal with comments like hers from complete strangers, people who've read about us in the news. Even though I've moved, I can't escape it...or him. It's all just so..."

Greg got up from his chair and walked over to comfort the doctor who was tearing up before him.

"I'm sorry, John. You've got a lot to deal with right now, and a lot more on the way. Just...don't try to do it alone, all right? Call me, come to me, whatever and whenever."

"This isn't your responsibility, Greg! I can't ask you to drop everything because people are being mean to me. I am not weak, by any means. You don't have to..."

"No, I don't. But I want to and I'm going to. John, I care about you...a lot. Why won't you let me?"

"Because I can't lose you too."

"W-what, but I..."

"You're a Detective Inspector of the New Scotland Yard. Your life is on the line every time you step away from this desk. I won't let what happened before happen again. I've lost too many people, I can't..."

Greg began to deeply chuckle. "You sound exactly like my ex-wife. Look, how's what I do any different from what you and Sherlock did? I think you guys did more dangerous things actually."

"But we did them together. I was always there to watch that idiot's back...all but one time. I can't do it, Greg. I'm sorry."

"I understand." he sighed heavily and began rubbing his face. "Just promise me, that if you change your mind, I'll be the first one you contact, all right?"

John just nodded and solemnly walked out, leaving behind a trail of stares and whispers behind him.