CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A/N Spoilers and whatnot in Chapter One.

Anthea looked up from her laptop when she heard footsteps approaching. She smiled when she recognised the tall, silver-haired man.

"Morning, Inspector."

"Is he in?" asked Greg.

"He got your message. He's waiting for you."

"Oh, good."

He looked nervous, she thought. But if Mycroft's reaction to seeing the message he had sent was anything to go by, he had nothing to worry about.

Greg walked into Mycroft's office to find him standing in front of his desk, his arms folded and a chill expression on his face.

All the carefully-rehearsed words and phrases fled form Greg's mind as he looked at him, horrified at what their separation had done to him. He was as thin as a rake and both his hands were heavily bruised, a legacy of his hospital stay. That wasn't the most appalling thing, the look on his face was.

Greg had never seen him like this, this was the face of the man who practically ran the free world, he emanated power and control, his lips set as straight as a ruler and no warmth at all in his cold sapphire eyes.

"You, er, got my message then?"

"It's the only reason you were allowed in the building, Inspector. I do have a meeting with the Chancellor in five minutes."

Bollocks. Greg couldn't look at him anymore. He addressed his next words to the floor.

"I came to say I'm sorry, Mycroft. I was a stubborn, stupid idiot. I should never have reacted like that. I was supposed to love you, why would I just reject you like that without even asking for an explanation?"

"An excellent question, but the answer is simple. You were blinded by old hurts. In the end, the lie was all you could see. Do you understand now why it was necessary?"

"Yes, yes I do. Please, if you want I'll walk out this door now and you'll never have to see me again. Just tell me you forgive me."

Mycroft made a strange noise and Greg looked up to see silent tears running down Mycroft's face. The cold look was gone, this was the man he had shared his bed and his life with and Greg didn't hesitate, crossing the room and taking Mycroft's face in his hands.

"Oh, love…" murmured Greg.

"There is nothing to forgive," sniffed Mycroft. "In my wildest imaginings, I never expected losing you to hurt so much. And if my recent incarceration in hospital proves anything, it is that I can't live without you. I love you, you idiot."

Greg smiled as he wiped Mycroft's eyes with his thumbs.

"I love you too. But we can't go back, can we?"

"No, you're right. It's time for a new chapter. That is, if you're willing."

"Yes, of course. I can't think of anything I'd like more."

"Good. I've missed you so…"

Mycroft wrapped his arms around Greg and pulled him close, it felt like coming home. Greg held him tightly, kissing the corner of his mouth. At the last second Mycroft shifted, their lips met and they were lost, it was a drowned-deep kiss that made their hearts sing. Lack of oxygen made them break apart.

"Gregory, I've got this meeting…"

"Yeah, you said. Look, why don't I wait for you?"

"That's a lovely idea, "replied Mycroft with a smile, "However I have a better one. Will you wait for me at home?"

Shyly he reached into the watch pocket of his waistcoat and pulled out a familiar key.

"I don't need a spare," he said, pressing it into Greg's hand.

Anthea did her best to stop him, but the Chancellor of the Exchequer wasn't someone to be stopped by a mere female.

"Really, don't go in there!" she begged. "Mr Holmes has someone with him."

The Chancellor merely snorted and walked in to find Mycroft Holmes, the Iceman himself, in the arms of another man. And they were kissing. He stood there, open-mouthed and watched. It was a loving, worshipful kiss and, rather than feeling amused or horrified, he felt only regret that it had been such a long time since anyone had wanted to kiss him like that.

Anthea grabbed his elbow and towed him out of the office.

"I warned you, "she scolded.

Greg followed seconds later, smiling his million-dollar smile. To the further consternation of the Chancellor, Greg leant over and kissed Anthea firmly on the cheek.

"I know it was you. Thank you, darling."

She blushed, secretly pleased.

Greg glowered at the Chancellor.

"Don't tire him out, he's just got out of hospital. I'm not kidding."

"Who do you think you are?"

"Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade. The luckiest man alive," he replied.

TBC