It took a few more days for Mycroft to be released from the hospital.

John and Sherlock had been there a few more times, Gregory had had to go back to work but had cut back a few days, he had enough overtime, God knows, and had turned up at Mycroft's bed every afternoon and stayed until late in the evening.

Today Myke was due to be released.

He was already dressed; Gregory had taken his bag while the doctor gave him last instructions. And then they left the hospital.

Outside, Mycroft's car was already waiting. They got in.

When the car stopped in front of Mycroft's house, and he wanted to get out, Gregory held him back.

"Please don't get up, Myke. I'll just get some fresh clothes for you, I've just spoken to your butler, he's already packed a bag. And then you're coming back to my place. I've taken the next few days off. And until the end of next week, you're staying with me so you can get some rest."

"No, Gregory, I can't. You have no idea. I have to..."

"Myke! You've been out of order for a whole week and the world didn't end. There are some crises... but your packed bag has your laptop and your cell phone, and yes, you have broadband at my house. And I will allow you to work from your sofa in the mornings. But you will rest in the afternoon."

Greg said that with a certainty and a self-evidence that impressed Mycroft.

"So, you'll allow me to do that?"

"Yes, I will. But only if you keep your end of the bargain and get enough rest."

Myke smiled. Gregory was not afraid of him at all. There was hardly anyone else who'd dare speak to him like that. No, actually there wasn't.

But Gregory was not just anyone, he was someone very special, he was his partner.

"Agreed", Mycroft said, leaning back into the cushions of the fund. Greg gave him another gentle kiss on the forehead, and then he walked towards the house to get the things he'd promised.

As Mycroft looked after him and once again admired his rear view, he felt that he felt comfortable. Yes, he seemed to like it when Gregory spoke to him so assertively and took charge in his hand. He sensed that his partner was concerned about him, about his well-being, and it was extremely pleasant not to have to be the strong one, the decision-maker in everything, but to just let go and let someone do it. Giving the controle out of your hand.

Yes, as little as this seemed possible to him in his daily life and as little as he would have wanted to, in his relationship with Gregory he began to enjoy it.

And so it was that Mycroft spent the next few days with Gregory, being looked after and pampered to the letter.

Nothing too bad had happened in the days of his illness. The looming crisis in Southeast Asia was history within hours. The banana republics in South America, which had turned on each other and unleashed a full-blown guerrilla war, well, that could be put to rest within the next few weeks, and with that you had a couple of really nasty dictators off your back.

Most difficult was the vicious sabre-rattling of the two small states in the middle east... well, he'd have to send some really good agents there. But that's nothing he couldn't handle either.

He kept in touch with his deputy and successor and had to admit that the man did not do a bad job.

Besides, he realized that he was actually not healthy yet. The few hours in the morning were quite exhausting for him.

Around one o'clock Greg always had lunch ready, and after that Mycroft was banned from mobile phones and laptops.

Gregory was strict and would not be bargained with. And even though Mycroft grumbled against it every day, he enjoyed it.

It was by no means that he was bored in the afternoons. Gregory kept him occupied.

They snuggled a lot. In addition, as Gregory mischievously put it, they perfected their kissing technique through practical exercises on living objects.

They dressed warmly and went for walks outside in the frosty air. They were short walks not to overexert Myke, but they were beautiful and did him good.

They watched movies together.

Gregory had been horrified that Myke hardly ever watched movies and virtually never really knew any movie that mattered. He had decided to fill that "education gap".

Mycroft wasn't too keen at first. He wasn't used to trivial things like that. But in the end, he found that it was actually quite fun doing it with Greg. They didn't just watch the films, Greg turned them into a real event. ...with chips or popcorn or finger food, and afterwards they'd talk, share their thoughts.

Yeah, he could actually get used to that.

And another thing he could get used to was having Gregory around every day. That was truly the thing he enjoyed most. The feeling of not being alone. To have someone who cared for him, was there for him, and was there simply because he liked him.

Mycroft recovered well, and was finally fit enough to resume his work in full.

So it was decided that he should return to his house on Sunday and go back to his office on Monday as usual.

Gregory had once again conjured up a great lunch on Sunday, steaks, potato wedges from the oven, salad. And muffins with liquid chocolate chips for dessert.

It was very quiet while they ate.

"Gregory, what's wrong?"

"I hate to let you go, Myke."

"Don't worry, Gregory. I'm fully recovered, thanks in part to your loving care."

Greg lowered his head.

"That's not it. It's just that I've gotten so used to having you here. I've been so happy to have you here with me. And now, who knows when the next time we'll have time together will be. My apartment will seem cold and empty without you."

Mycroft's heart was in his throat. Oh, man, he loved that man so much. He didn't want him to be sad.

But there was no other way to do it for a while.

"Gregory, I'm going to miss you too, I'm going to miss you so much. I'm gonna try to have a night off as soon as possible so we can get together, okay?"

Greg nodded. He ate with little appetite.

Myke sighed.

His heart was heavy too.

And a plan was forming in his head.