"Oh Sherlock, you're missed so much, and I wish the final confrontation hadn't happened, especially at the location it had. I also wish we had a body to bury, but I guess not all wishes can happen, at least...at least the Switzerland police will not lose more people because of this, and will do their best to prevent other losses as well"

Lestrade goes home soon after, but not before visiting Sherlock's grave, which also had Mycroft visiting it.

"Hello Inspector"

"Hello Mr. Holmes...I don't know if you're aware of this but..."

"The Switzerland police sent their report to you today regarding Sherlock's death, I know"

"How?"

"As a government official and his brother they decided I had a right to know what was in the report and so sent a copy to me"

"I see"

"In a way it's...relieving to know that nothing could have been done differently that could have potentially saved Sherlock's life"

"I know what you mean, but still..."

"Yeah, in any case this is only a short visit because I unfortunately can't afford to stay too long today"

"I'm heading home myself in a moment, but the report..."

"Compelled you to visit today, I understand"

"I'm sure you do"

Mycroft simply nods and then leaves to give Lestrade privacy, Lestrade himself only stayed long enough to leave the flowers he'd brought and to let Sherlock know that they hadn't given up on taking down Moriarty's empire and then went home to get sleep, sleep that he'd been missing out on because of his current case. The next day he came into the office later than usual but it wasn't a surprise to the higher ups, most of the team had also just arrived since he had told them how late they could be that day due to just finishing up a case and needing the sleep, even paperwork deadlines were delayed because of the case. Everyone immediately started on the paperwork that they had yet to finish related to the case they were finishing up and some of them were also surreptitiously glancing at the Switzerland report since they had decided to ignore it the day it had arrived though they also knew they couldn't ignore it forever due to what or more to the point who the report was about.

"Okay everyone, finish what paperwork you can and then I'm going to give everyone the rest of today and tomorrow off to properly deal with what's in the Switzerland report"

"You already read it didn't you?"

"Yes I did, but even I still need proper time to process everything"

"Understood, you'll clear it?"

"Yes I will, by letting them know in no uncertain terms that if they don't give us the time off I'm ending their observation of us"

"But I thought..."

"You'd be correct in that technically speaking I have no voice over the situation, but there are other ways to end their observation of us though I would most likely be fired because of it. But honestly I think it's time they ease up on it, I get why it was so intense initially, I truly do, but enough is enough on the tightness, time has passed and we're better"

"What are you planning Lestrade?"

"Sorry Gregson, but I'm not telling you"

"Why not?"

"You would be in just as much trouble as me and I can't afford that, we can't afford that for reasons that you're fully aware of"
The other three suddenly look down because they knew what Lestrade was talking about, back when they were all teenagers they realized that they remembered their past lives and thus once they were able to they got together and made a vow to stop evil when possible and that if Moriarty showed up again they would do what it took to stop him and his network no matter the cost. What Lestrade and the others didn't know was that their superiors had decided on their own that it was time to slightly ease up on the restrictions and observations that the group was under. This was because their superiors recognized that time did heal wounds to a degree and that they were better, but they were also going to be observant for a little longer knowing that the Switzerland report had come in the day before and that could cause a setback for the group.

"So we're agreed that if they handle this situation well enough then we'll back off on the restrictions and observations?"

"Yes, and that includes Watson and Mr. Holmes"

"Um...unfortunately you're overridden regarding Mr. Holmes"

"But..."

"Royal order, the King wants him under observation for a bit longer, and not entirely because of his brother's loss and the resulting actions he took shortly afterwords"

"His rank within the government"

"Exactly, we're his security for a little bit longer until certain things calm down enough that he doesn't need the extra security"

"Okay, then he's the exception to the rule with valid reason"

"So when are we telling them?"

"Tomorrow"

"Um...might have to do that today actually"

"Oh?"

"Take a look, Inspector Lestrade is heading our way"

"Oh"

A minute later and Lestrade is being given permission to enter the office.

"Yes Inspector Lestrade?"

"I'm giving my men tomorrow off and if you try to force them to work anyways I will miss one week of mandatory therapy meetings for every attempt, I will also make sure that any cameras at all our apartments or homes are dealt with for a week as well"

"You know the consequences of you doing that correct?"

"Yes I'm fully prepared to deal with the consequences if I go through with what I just said"

"I see, well then now that we know your stance it's time for you to face the consequences of telling us your plans. First of all, you, Gregson, Bradstreet and Hopkins are being required to take not only tomorrow, but the rest of the weekend off to start dealing with what the Switzerland report has to say regarding Sherlock Holmes's death. You and only you are getting the entire week off due to the fact that you're not only dealing with the Switzerland report but I know for a fact that you've been lying to your team about how much sleep you've been getting and it's beginning to show in your reports Lestrade, it's good that you're dedicated to justice but not at the expense of your health. Finally after you've started dealing with the Switzerland report all of you are going to be reduced to bi-weekly meetings except as always in an emergency and the surveillance we have on you will be reduced to just in the office or out in the field if it's needed"

"Understood sir, and...thank you for understanding my protectiveness of my team"

"It's not a problem, actually...that protectiveness is something I need to talk to you about after your mandatory break, there's something we need to discuss"

"Yes sir"

"In the meantime, after you guys finish up the paperwork regarding your current case you can consider yourselves off duty, let them know they have the entire weekend and we'll expect you back next Friday"

"Yes sir, shall I tell them what you told me about our restrictions?"

The rest of the group hold a silent conversation and then the person who had been talking to Lestrade is the one to answer.

"No, that will come from us when they return to duty on Monday"

"Yes sir"

"Dismissed"

And with that Lestrade leaves the office and once back at his office calls the group into the privacy of said office.

"What is it sir?"

"After we've finished the paperwork for the case we just finished everyone not only has tomorrow off, but the entire weekend, that is except for me. Due to the fact that I've been lying about how much sleep I've gotten while the rest of you are to report back in on Monday I'm to report back in on Friday next week"

"They know about the Switzerland report"

"Yes, they know about the Switzerland report and thus the reason everyone has at the very least the entire weekend off"

"And you get more time because of your stupid stunt"

"Yeah it was stupid alright, but I thought it was needed"

"Well it wasn't, if he was here you know what he would have said and done"

"I know, in any case let's just finish up those reports and then leave for the weekend for most of you"

"Yes sir"

And so the group finishes up the paperwork and then leaves for the rest of the weekend per their orders, and due to this unexpected break from work they actually managed to go with Watson to Scotland for the weekend and relax while he was at a medical conference/vacation since the conference was only for the one day due to the nature of said conference.

"It's a shame Mr. Holmes was unable to come this time"

"Yes, but at least you were able to take a break"

"True, maybe next time though Mr. Holmes can come with us"

"Agreed"

"In the meantime let's simply relax, though what you're going to do until next Friday after we return home is a mystery Lestrade"

"I have a few ideas besides catching up on some missed sleep"

"Got it, still it is nice to have a small break from everything"

"Agreed"

Once the weekend was over the three Inspectors who had only been given the weekend returned to duty on Monday and discovered that their restrictions would be lessened soon after their superiors were sure that they were handling the Switzerland report well enough. They also learned that a few changes were being forced on the entire department because of Lestrade's actions in the last case they had worked on when he had lied to them about the amount of sleep he was getting

"Sir, is this to punish Lestrade?"

"No, but we've decided that we have to do it now because of Lestrade, that we can't deny, however he's not the only officer who's been lying about their sleep patterns during cases lately and we need to get a handle on it now before it gets worse. As such these new changes are going into affect within a month since we understand that it takes time to implement such changes and we'll tell Lestrade ourselves about that when he returns of Friday, and also...I need you three to be prepared to join in a meeting that I'm going to have with Lestrade on Friday at a moments notice, so make sure that you're not out in the field at all Friday is that understood?"

"Yes sir"

"In the meantime we have another case specifically for you three, hopefully it's an easy case but unfortunately..."

"We have a reputation"

"Exactly"

"We're on it sir"

"Good now then you can't go into the field today due to...issues regarding the scene of the crime but hopefully by tomorrow you'll be able to start your investigations properly"

"Yes sir, um is it possible to start interviews at the station at least?"

"Yes that you can do today, however..."

"Interviews alone aren't enough, we know sir, we'll take a look at the scene as soon as we can"

"Good, and in the meantime we've told the witnesses that they should expect a phone call from the main investigators sometime today, or a visit to their work places if that's better for them"

"Right, I forgot that getting a phone call means scheduling a time to come in"

"How could you forget that?"

"Uh...how long has it been since that's actually been done in one of our cases?"

"...um...good point"

"In any case they might not be able to leave their job and as such we'll have to do the interviews there and their bosses can't argue"

"Exactly, for now though leave and make your necessary phone calls"

"Yes sir, depending on how long the case goes will Inspector Lestrade also be involved in the case?"

"Yes, but hopefully that won't be the case"

"Indeed"

As it would turn out all of their interviews would have to take place at the place of work that their witnesses worked at due to their own individual issues. And the next day they got their first look at the crime scene which actually told them everything they needed to know about the case when combined with the interviews and thus their case was over except for the paperwork within three days of them getting the case.

"Huh, that was faster than expected, even with it being an easy case as far as we knew"

"Indeed, now then since you three solved it within three days that means that you'll be free tomorrow when Lestrade comes back on duty. Once the paperwork is at least started if not exactly finished for this case you'll be allowed to go home"

"Thanks, I think we all only have a little bit of paperwork left on this case and then some backlog that we really should get done"

"Understood, we're not forcing you to go home unlike last week but don't forget what we're going to be implementing soon"

"We won't"

"Good"

And so the group finishes not only the current case paperwork but also manages to catch up on a few other cases in regards to paperwork, including two active cases that were looking more and more like they were connected and thus one big case instead of two separate smaller cases. The next day Lestrade came in before the others but not by much and he was told about the upcoming initiative that was to deal with the problem that many officers, not just Lestrade had regarding active cases and too much overtime and lying to other team members about getting required sleep.

"Understood sir"

"In any case I have that meeting that we discussed earlier to get out of the way"

"Yes sir, and...depending on how you reply to some of my questions a few of your fellow Inspectors will be joining us"

"Then it's probably for the best that they're at the meeting from the start"

"Then call them and we're going to meet in the private office"

"Yes sir"

And so Lestrade goes back to the main area

"Gregson!, Hopkins!, Bradstreet!, you three are with me"

"Yes sir"

When Lestrade leads them to the location of the higher ups they knew that they were to be part of Lestrade's meeting from the start. And as soon as they reach the office they are told that they had to close the door because the conversation was private.

"You wished to see us?"

"Well, more specifically Lestrade, but he said that you might as well be involved from the start depending on his answers to a few of my questions and all things considered I agree"

"Oh, so...what is going on sir?"

"First I need to know when the last time you guys had contact with John Watson was?"

"During our weekend break"

"Good, because he hasn't been brought in to consult recently so we were wondering if something had happened to him and we hadn't been told"

"Nothing like that sir, we just haven't needed him is all, or at least not as much as we thought we would recently"

"Not since the death of his friend, is it really that you don't need him or is it that you're deliberately not calling him?"

"It's probably a bit of both sir, things have been pretty straight forward lately and...well Holmes and Watson were a team and it just...doesn't feel right to have one member of the team and not the other"

"Is he aware of that himself?"

"We...haven't told him, but he might suspect I don't know"

"Which means you haven't even discussed this with him have you?"

"No sir"

"Okay, that's one of the things you're going to have to do after work today, or if not today then soon. But that's not the only thing I need to talk to you four about I'm afraid and the next thing we need to talk about is complicated"

"How so sir?"

Their boss simply sighs and then goes towards a cabinet that had their personnel files in them and brings them out and puts them onto the desk. Once he had them out he puts them on his desk by birth order and everyone could tell that he had that order memorized.

"You know, the higher ups, when I wasn't one of them, always found it strange that four people suddenly showed up at the Academy at around the same time and seemed to just...connect with one another and become a tight unit during training. It was later discovered that you all attended the equivalent of American high school together so we thought that was the explanation, that you met at school and became friends there and after separating briefly when you found out you were at the Academy together you reconnected with one another and it was almost as if you were never apart. We didn't suspect anything was different for several years, I became one of the higher ups, some of the other higher ups retired and life was normal, and then three years later the first case after Lestrade becomes an Inspector he asks for the paperwork that we have for official consultants. Now then do you know I found something strange about the paperwork and the request?"

"Um...no sir"

"Not only have we not had any consultants for several years but the paperwork didn't find any connection between our newest consultants and you four, primarily Lestrade at the time but you other three became suspicious soon enough. I went through everyone's paperwork again and discovered that all of you are within a year or so of each other in regards to age so I thought that maybe, just maybe Lestrade and the consultants had met some where's that wasn't obvious or necessary for paperwork and connected with them because of the whole age thing. I thought about that because the consultants didn't live any where's near you four so that was the only way for things to have happened. I continued to look at the paperwork and discovered that Dr. Watson had recently left the military due to an injury and that there was no way for him to have met up with you four or his fellow consultant. That brought about some suspicions on my part but I didn't say or do much at that time deciding to wait and see if I could find a rational explanation in all of this"

"You didn't though, did you sir?"

"No, I didn't, instead only six months later I overheard a conversation that raised even more suspicions than I already had"

"What exactly did you hear sir?"

"I'm not going to go into exact details, partially because I don't remember all of them, but what I do remember is how you all were discussing how helpful and harmful technology was to your investigations and how you hoped someone named Moriarty wasn't reincarnated and had their memories like you did with access to said technology. I also overheard John mention that you were all lucky that not everyone caught and died from the 1918 Spanish flu so that he didn't lose everyone all at once, though he lamented that Sherlock had outlived him by two years and that Lestrade had lived to see part of WWII through, though apparently only two years of the war. I decided to keep a closer eye on everyone after that and when Moriarty's name popped up again in connection with a crime I knew to be on the lookout for trouble and when Lestrade warned Sherlock not to fight Moriarty alone again I knew that all of you were going to talk about a related incident and you did"

"That's why you were so understanding when Reichenbach happened"

"Yes, as soon as Lestrade left in the middle of an investigation we knew something was up, I decided to listen in on your conversation to make sure it wasn't anything too serious but when I heard the word Reichenbach come from you lips Bradstreet I knew it wasn't good"

"I see...so you've known this for a while now, is there anything else you want to discuss with us?"

"Regarding your situation? I do indeed want to talk about it further, but not today, or at least not at the moment, you four have some paperwork to do first"

"Yes sir"

And with that the group leaves to deal with paperwork, and get involved in an accident investigation which would ultimately be wrapped up pretty quickly since it was determined that a combination of slick road conditions and broken traffic lights were the cause of the non-fatal crash, though both drivers had serious injuries everyone would ultimately survive. In the meantime after their normal shift ended they all wound up back in their superior's office to continue discussing what had begun earlier that day