Disclaimer: So we made it to Disneyland. Going to the park tomorrow. Got tickets for four days. The kids are insistent that they'll need that much time to check for Eros under every characters costume. Like I really believe that. Still…couldn't hurt to check I guess. Still not mine and I'm still poor.

A/N: So here's the start of this weekend's updates. I hadn't planned on updating this one first but…well, I was busy this week and so this is the only story I have any chapters done on. That's right folks, I didn't write at all this week. I thought that once the students were gone work would be less busy; man, was I wrong! Hope you like this chapter. Let me know.

To Kate: Thanks for the review and the romance will come eventually.

To Redhood: I'm glad you like it and my other stories. Have a great weekend and thanks for the review.

Wednesday

"I must admit I was rather surprised to see you here on Sunday evening Holmes," the elderly Minister of Finance for France, Jean Levaux, said as they shared a glass of brandy after a long day of meetings.

"Oh? And why is that, Jean?" Mycroft settled back in his seat. He hated these meetings but Jean was a breath of fresh air. He was witty and amiable and one of the few politicians that Mycroft had ever met that really did care more for his country and its citizens than his own paycheck.

Jean gave out a hearty laugh. "Oh, Mycroft, you are a sly one. If I had left my Giselle, God rest her, hanging on our anniversary she would have stung me up on a clothesline and flayed the skin from my body." He chuckled again. "But then your Gregory doesn't have half the temper my Giselle did. No doubt he kissed your cheek and told you to have fun, did he not?"

Mycroft swallowed hard. A sudden vision of Gregory's weak smile as he'd left flashed across his mind. Had he even kissed his husband that morning? He couldn't remember but he suspected not. "Oh Hell," he muttered.

Jean's eyes widened and he stared in astonishment at Mycroft for a moment before he began to laugh again. "It is good to know for certain that you are human, mon ami," he said between chuckles. "Do not worry. Your Gregory is a very forgiving sort. I'm sure you shall only be relegated to the couch for a month or two."

Mycroft passed a hand over his eyes and sighed. "Or six," he told Jean. "I have been busy the past few months and haven't given Gregory nearly the attention he deserves."

Jean clapped him on the back with a smile. "So take a week off and make it up to him, mon ami. He will forgive you in the end. Gregory is very much in love with you and he knows that you love him very much as well."

Mycroft managed a weak smile for his friend. "Yes I do," he nodded. "Well I must be going," he placed his napkin on his plate. "I shall have to roust Aurelia from her bed so that I can send my husband a gift as an apology."

"Superb idea, Mycroft," Jean congratulated him. "That is if she hasn't done so already. Your assistant was a very good find."

"She was, yes. Though I'm nearly positive that she hasn't sent him a gift from me. She's been frowning at her BlackBerry all week. She may have sent him something to mark the occasion but he'll know that I didn't send it."

"That perceptive, is he?"

"Hmm," Mycroft stood and shook Jean's hand. "One of the pitfalls of marrying your best friend. Thank you for the dinner, Jean. I shall see you next month."

Jean waved him off. "Yes, of course, Mycroft. Do bring Gregory, won't you? My daughter is most anxious to discuss matters of police procedures with him again."

Mycroft smiled and nodded then strode off between the tables of the restaurant and out into the chilly Vienna evening.

MH/GL MH/GL MH/GL

Two hours later Mycroft had confirmed with Aurelia that she had indeed sent Gregory an anniversary gift. She had been nearly curt with him but Mycroft had promised to apologize to Gregory as soon as they returned home. She'd given him a very shrewd look and nodded before shutting the door in his face.

He swirled the brandy around in his glass to enjoy the full scent and sighed as he stared out on the lights of Vienna. This trip really would have been much better with his husband along but he hadn't even asked if Gregory would have liked to have come with him. Why hadn't he asked? He'd been standing on this balcony for over an hour trying to remember the last time he's spent more than five minutes in his husband's company.

Had it truly been more than two months since they'd shared a meal? How in the world had this happened? Mycroft searched his memory for the last time he'd kissed Gregory and nearly gasped. At least six weeks! How?

Why hadn't Gregory said anything? Then he remembered the last conversation, just before he'd come to Vienna. Gregory had wanted to say something and he'd cut him off. Irritated at being late he'd cut off his husband's words and he'd barely even looked at him. What had he been thinking?

He hadn't been, obviously. Why did Gregory put up with him? Mycroft twirled the golden ring on his finger and gave himself a wry smile. Gregory was going to make him pay for his inattention. He looked forward to it actually. Gregory's plans for revenge were always so delicious.

He fiddled with the ring again as a frown overtook his face. He'd never done anything so hurtful to Gregory before though. Would Gregory forgive him? He couldn't even begin to contemplate a world without Gregory in it. Gregory had to forgive him. There was no other way.

He set the untouched glass of brandy on the railing and set his hands on either side of it before leaning forward and hanging his head. He had some major making up to do. His mind raced with plans and ideas on how to make up for his mistakes with Gregory.

He straightened and fished his mobile from his pocket. Groaning at the time he opened his messages folder and groaned again. Five texts from Gregory and all of them unopened and unanswered. He always texted Gregory back immediately but he hadn't even bothered to check his mobile in the past three days.

Sunday 10:43

Happy anniversary, Myc. Sorry we couldn't be together today. Miss you. Love you.

Sunday 18:38

Tell A thanks for the dinner. Didn't feel like cooking or going out to get something so the Thai delivered to the door was perfect. On the off chance that you asked her to send me an anniversary dinner: thank you, Mycroft.

Monday 7:12

Hey, just thought I'd say good morning before I head to work. How's the meetings? Boring? You haven't answered my texts from yesterday. Everything okay?

Monday 17:48

Right you still haven't answered my texts but A says you're fine. Going out to the pub with John and Sherlock tonight. They gave us an interesting and disturbing present. Tell you about it when you get home. Look Mycroft, we need to talk when you get home. I really need to see you. Don't cut me out anymore. Sorry didn't mean to get all sappy over the phone but I just

Never mind. We'll talk when you get back. Love you.

Tuesday 9:17

I hold you completely responsible for the hangover I have. Well, you and John. For such a short little guy he sure can drink. Your brother on the other hand is a cheap drunk. Two beers and he gets this cute lisp that just cracks me up. Anyway, see you Friday.

"Dammit!" Mycroft cursed himself. Why hadn't he checked his phone?

Sudden determination straightened his shoulders. He would finish up early and surprise his husband this evening. His fingers rapidly typed out a message to his sleeping husband and then he too went to bed.

Thursday 1:06

Greg

I'm sorry. There are no excuses I could give you for my recent behavior and all I can do is apologize. Please forgive me? I love you.

-MH