A/N: Hey how about that triple update last week right? Because of the number of requests I had gotten to finish that part of the story I couldn't resist giving you guys the chapters because I had them pre-written.

Here's a little secret, I've had chapter 31 & 32 written since around chapter 10.

Well I know back at The Fall, I said that the story was going to be all me from here on out but the Series 3 teaser trailer and the BBC One Original British Drama trailer happened and well I couldn't help myself.

I trust you all have seen them so lets play spot that reference! (You don't have to, I was just trying to be witty)

Alright I'm rambling, time to let you read.

xXx

John walked across the street from the hospital to the cafe him and Sherlock had agreed on. When he was inside his eyes zeroed in on the genius sitting in a booth. His heart fluttered a bit at the sight of the tall detective. They had made dates over the past week but between work and cases the two hadn't seen each other since Angelo's.

Sherlock was looking at something on his phone and didn't see John until he slid into the seat across from him.

The dark haired man looked up and didn't say anything but had a slightly horrified expression deeply rooted on his face.

"What's wrong Sherlock?" John asked a bit worried.

"What is that thing on your face?" Sherlock demanded.

"I have something on my face?" John asked picking up the shiny napkin dispenser to use as a mirror.

"Yes it looks like a dead caterpillar on your upper lip."

John sighed, understanding what Sherlock was talking about.

"Sherlock it's just a mustache. I thought I'd try one out since I didn't have to go through the weird half 'stache phase."

"It doesn't suit you John. It makes you look like you're balancing a rodent tail on your upper lip."

"I get it you don't like the mustache, can we move on" John asked exasperated.

"Fine but don't expect me to take you seriously with that thing on your face." Sherlock said wiggling his finger at the mustache.

"I can live with that." John replied with a sigh.

"How have you been?" John asked hoping Sherlock wouldn't bring up the mustache again.

"I've been avoiding Lestrade."

"Why?" John asked.

"He's been sickeningly happy since he and Mycroft got engaged."

"What, when did this happen?" John asked with interest.

"As far as I can tell the Saturday before last."

John hummed his acknowledgment, realizing how much he had distanced himself from those he cared about since before Sherlock's return.

"What have you been up to John?" Sherlock asked, even though he could deduce it faster.

"Work, going to therapy. Nothing interesting." John forced a smile when he said this and Sherlock was sadly reminded of the man he met so long ago at St. Barts.

"You know I would love for you to accompany me on cases again; the thrill of the chase the blood pumping through your veins; just the two of us against the rest of the world." Sherlock said with dramatic flair.

John's eyes flashed with excitement, which made Sherlock smile.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say I would love to."

"But?"

"But I do have a job with a pretty strict schedule."

"Did I tell you that Scotland Yard pays me a consulting fee?" Sherlock deflected.

"When did they start doing that?" John asked curiously.

"It was one of Lestrade's conditions for me to work cases; I had to legally be hired, even if it's freelance, and that means they pay me." Sherlock explained. "The condition includes anyone working with me." Sherlock added offhandedly.

"Let me think about it." John said thoughtfully.

"Of course."

They sat there in silence, and just as John was going suggest getting something to eat was when his hospital pager went off.

"I'm sorry I've got to go." John said quickly and getting up after glancing at the device.

He left before Sherlock could say goodbye; a few moments later the genius got up and left the cafe as well.

He opened the door when John crashed into him. Sherlock grabbed the little blonde's arm to keep him from falling.

"Did you forget something?" Sherlock asked.

"Yeah, this" John replied before stretching up and crushing his lips to Sherlock's.

Sherlock was a little surprised by John's willingness to show affection in public, when he had been so averse to doing so before the fall. His surprise, however, didn't stop him from returning the kiss and wrapping his arms around John's waist.

They only broke apart when someone behind John cleared their throat loudly, wanting to enter the café.

John smiled sheepishly and placed one last peck to Sherlock's lips before stepping aside.

"I'll call you when I get off work and we can get some dinner, yeah?" John asked Sherlock.

"I look forward to it" Sherlock replied. John smiled then dashed across the busy street. Sherlock started off down the sidewalk, a smile on his face.

xXx

Greg was filling out some paperwork humming pleasantly when his phone rang. He picked it up without looking at the number expecting it to be Mycroft.

"I'll be home soon love, I've just got a few more reports to finish." Greg greeted. He was scanning over a witness statement tapping the edge with his pen to the beat of Suffragette City.

"That's sweet Greg but I think Mycroft would have some issues with that nickname." John replied on the other end.

"John" Greg said shocked and dropped his pen. He hadn't heard from his best friend in almost 2 months. "How have you been?"

"I'm doing better. I was calling because I heard congratulations are in order; you and Mycroft are engaged?" Greg smiled instinctively at the question.

"Yeah, we are."

"A lot's happened recently."

"Yeah" Greg replied; he paused briefly before asking, "John, do you want to get coffee tomorrow, catch up?"

"Sure."

xXx

Greg was early for his coffee with John. He went up to the counter and ordered his drink. He stood off to the side staring at the display case full of pastries, debating getting one.

"You might as well get it otherwise you'll be thinking about it for the rest of the day." John said behind him.

Greg turned around to see John looking at him with an amused expression. Greg smiled in return when he took in his friend's clean appearance.

"I really don't need it." Greg replied.

John rolled his eyes and stepped up to the counter.

"One coffee with milk, no sugar, and the pain au chocolat my friend has been eyeing for the past 10 minutes."

"It has not been 10 minutes" Greg protested.

"Has too; you've been staring at it so long you didn't notice your coffee was done" John countered grabbing his own coffee and the pastry from the barista.

Greg grabbed his coffee off the counter and followed John to a table. They sat down and John pushed the pastry to Greg across the table.

Greg hesitated before picking it up and taking a bite. It transported him back to his childhood and the summers he spent in France with his Grandpère. A wistful expression took place on Greg's face as he chewed; he missed his Grandpère but was glad to find a reminder of the best part of his childhood.

"Told you" John said with a smile.

"Thank you John" Greg replied after swallowing. "So how have you been? I haven't heard from you in almost two months. I heard you were staying with your sister."

"Yeah after Sherlock's return I couldn't handle living with him after everything he put us through. I was still drinking until Harry threatened to kick me out if I didn't sober up and start seeing my therapist again."

"So are you…" Greg asked a bit unsure how to ask if John was in therapy, knowing how the man could be about it.

"I see Ella at least twice a week. With her help I've dealt with Sherlock's faked death and have been sober for a bit over a month now."

"That's good. I'm glad you're doing better. I've been worried about you mate, but I didn't have a way to contact you." They sat sipping their drinks and Greg nibbling on his pastry.

"So I'm wondering how you heard about mine and Mycroft's engagement."

"Oh…uhhh….Sherlock told me on our last date." John explained, starting to fidget with his cup.

"Hold up. You and Sherlock are back together?"

"Yeah, I suppose we are. I love the man but I'm not an idiot, we're taking things slower than last time." Greg nodded his approval. "I was actually thinking about helping Sherlock out on cases again."

"Well when you decide you're ready let me know so we can get the paperwork done." Greg replied, knowing John couldn't resist the excitement of working with Sherlock.

John smiled and took a drink of his coffee. They sat in companionable silence; when you're with a Holmes the need for inane chatter becomes superfluous.

"Alright this is bugging me. What's with the mustache?" Greg burst out suddenly.

"Not you too" John chuckled defeated.

"What? Sherlock doesn't like it?"

"No he said it looked like I was balancing a dead caterpillar on my upper lip and he couldn't take me seriously with this thing on my face. And Harry's been poking fun about it but I just brushed it off as her being my annoying older sister."

"I was going to say it looked like you had a squirrel's tail glued under your nose, but dead caterpillar is an apt descriptor." Greg said with hints of amusement in his tone.

"That's it I'm shaving the thing off when I get home." John replied exasperated. Greg laughed at John's dramatic response, and John soon joined in. As soon as they calmed, John looked at his watch.

"Oh dear, I need to get back to the hospital." John said starting to get up, coffee in hand. Greg nodded, understanding, he should probably get back to work as well.

"It was good to see you again mate." Greg said pulling John into a quick hug.

"Yeah, good to see you as well; we should do this more often." John replied returning the hug.

"Yeah, see you around." Greg said and left the café with the rest of his coffee and pastry, already planning on returning to the establishment if just for the reminder of his childhood.

xXx

So here's my headcanon/backstory for Greg. His father grew up in France but went to university in England where he met and fell in love with Greg's mother. Greg being Johnathan's (Greg's father) first born was always Grandpère Lestrade's (for those of you who don't speak French Grandpère means Grandfather) favorite out of the 7 Lestrade children, Emily being second favorite since she was the only girl. Since Greg was his Grandpère's favorite he often spent a month or two of summer in France on his Grandpère's farm and Greg loved the time away because he didn't have to fight his siblings for the attention of an adult and didn't have to be the responsibility for anyone but himself ('cause lets face it having 6 younger siblings Greg would've had to help his mum keep them in line).

Also if it wasn't clear throughout the chapter I hate the mustache they had John with in the teaser trailer. It does not suit Martin's face and just no. I severely hope they don't keep it, it makes me cringe in horror.

Now don't get me wrong, I have no problem with men and facial hair. In fact I do love a man with a beard (especially if there face is suited for a beard...Sorry now all I can think about is Mark Gatiss with a beard...mmmmmmm beardy Gatiss)