Disclaimer: Hmm, what? Oh right. No they aren't mine. No I haven't kidnapped this Lestrade, are you crazy? The real Lestrade is a police detective and would know how to get out of handcuffs even if they are fastened to the bed. He could get out if he wanted to. Fine! *grumble grumble* Never let me have any fun with Greg. I wouldn't have rented him out to make money. He's much too good for that.

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to beccabrrr who wanted to know how Greg and Mycroft finally admitted to the attraction they felt for each other. Hope you like it.

Sentiment Is Not Advantageous…Except When It Is

"I have a request," Sherlock stated.

"Really?" John asked astonished. "You mean you actually can't deduce something yourself, Sherlock?"

Sherlock sent his husband a quelling look and then returned his attention to his brother. "I want to know how Lestrade broke through your armor, Mycroft. You always said that sentiment was not an advantage and then you go and fall in love with Lestrade. How?"

Mycroft gazed at his brother considering his question. The younger man was genuinely curious. "All right," he agreed and then stopped as his phone buzzed on the small table beside the sofa.

All three of the other men glared at the mobile for the interruption and then transferred the glares when Mycroft opened the phone and checked the text messages. Mycroft looked up from the phone at the feel of those glares and blinked. "Artiebiba says she'll drop by at about five with takeaway and an update."

Greg relaxed back against Mycroft's leg and smiled sheepishly. "What kind of takeaway and an update on what? You said you weren't going back to work until I remembered you."

"Thai, what else would she bring you? And a report on why we were uniformed of what had happened to you last week until over twelve hours later." Mycroft told him easily. "I promised I would stay and I'm not a man to go back on my word."

Greg nodded and then that bright, cocky grin erupted across his features. "Good, you make a great pillow, Myc."

Mycroft rolled his eyes. "I believe I've enough time to fulfill Sherlock's request before she arrives."

MH/GL MH/GL MH/GL

"Detective Inspector?"

The feminine voice at his office door had Gregory pulling his mind from the stacks of the Pink Lady's case notes piled on his desk and flicking his eyes up to observe the woman. He groaned. "Good morning…?"

"Adelaide," she glanced at him with a small smile. "Mr. Holmes would like to see you sir."

Gregory contemplated bashing his head against his desk but decided it would hurt too much to be worth it. "Of course he bloody does," he grumbled. "I'm up to my ears in paperwork and Mycroft Bloody Holmes wants to meet with me. Tell him I haven't time, Adelaide. I have to get this crap finished before I can even think about leaving today."

"We don't even have to leave your office, Detective Inspector Lestrade," Mycroft's voice came from just behind Adelaide. "You do know that it is nearly two o'clock do you not? And you've not eaten since you had a sausage and egg sandwiched in a slice of toast this morning before six."

Gregory had ceased being amazed at Mycroft's knowledge of his personal habits a very long time ago. Probably directly after their first meeting, he was Sherlock's brother after all. He rubbed at tired brown eyes as the younger man strode forward and set a brown paper bag on his desk between the piles of files. "Thank you?"

Mycroft waved off his gratitude. "Think nothing of it." He sat elegantly in the chair across from Gregory. Adelaide softly exited and closed the door behind her. Mycroft opened the bag and handed Gregory the sandwich contained inside. "I realize a hot meatball sandwich isn't the most healthy lunch but with your eating habits I'm sure you will survive one sandwich." He took out a fork and a salad for himself.

Gregory grinned and tore open the wrapping on the sandwich. "So why have you come for a visit, Mr. Holmes? I mean besides the food which is appreciated."

Mycroft sent him a bland look. "Always so curious, Gregory. I thought we'd moved past the mister stage. I do recall asking you to call me Mycroft."

Gregory grinned wider and his brown eyes sparkled. "Sure thing, Mycroft." He loved bantering with the older Holmes brother. Mycroft was milder than Sherlock. Oh, Gregory had no doubt that Mycroft was one of the most dangerous men he'd met but as long as he did his best to keep Sherlock safe Mycroft wouldn't do anything damaging to him. "Now answer the question."

To Gregory's amazement Mycroft fiddled with his fork and refused to meet his eyes. "Can I not simply bring you lunch?" Mycroft asked.

Gregory chuckled around a bite of his sandwich before swallowing it and regarding Mycroft with more than a bit of amusement. "You never just visit, Myc."

Mycroft's eyes flitted around the room again. Gregory stifled his laugh. He had a feeling he knew why Mycroft had come to him but he decided to let the other man tell him in his own time. "What do you think of Dr. Watson?" Mycroft finally asked when his eyes lit on Jennifer Wilson's file.

Gregory sat back in his chair and gazed at the ceiling in thought. "I think," he said slowly. "That Dr. John Watson is going to be the best thing that has ever happened to Sherlock. He's a decorated war hero that is patient, kind and tolerant. But he also has a core of steel. He will not allow Sherlock to go too far and he won't let Sherlock drive him away. I think Dr. Watson is here to stay and that he will be the making of Sherlock." His gaze left the ceiling and he stared straight into Mycroft's light blue eyes. "I also think you already knew all this and that you're stalling. Now why are you really here, Mycroft Holmes?"

Mycroft cleared his throat and attempted to tear his eyes from Gregory's. He couldn't move and he felt his skin flush. "I…um…AreyoubusyFriday?" He finally said in a rush.

Gregory stared for a moment before he finally worked out what Mycroft had said. "Not that I know of and it's a good thing I can speak Sherlock or I wouldn't have a clue what you just asked me," he rambled. "Why did you ask me? Are you asking me on a date?" His eyes widened. "Really? Please say this is a date."

Mycroft's anxious face relaxed and he smiled at Gregory. "Yes, I'm asking you on a date, Gregory. I find myself overwhelmingly attracted to you. I have tried to fight it because…well, I didn't think you'd ever say yes. Watching Sherlock interact with Dr. Watson convinced me that if a man like Dr. Watson could be attracted to Sherlock then there was nothing stopping me from testing the waters with you."

"Myc, I've wanted you since the first time you kidnapped me," Gregory breathed out. "I didn't think you'd ever…well, seems we're both as stupid as Sherlock always says."

MH/GL MH/GL MH/GL

"Yes you are," Sherlock crowed and then glared smugly at John. "Told you this was all your fault."

John smirked back at him. "I don't mind taking the credit and can you really, honestly tell me that you're displeased with the result?"

Sherlock scowled but was saved from answering by the ringing of the doorbell. "Artiebiba's got the best timing," Greg laughed as John went to answer her ring.