Step Twenty-Seven: Until Next Time...

Author's Note: And we reach the final chapter! Thank you to everyone who has followed this story. To the people who have reviewed, added this story to their alerts or favourites, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. This story started as such a small idea and grew so beautifully.

So thank you, I love you all.

Enjoy the final chapter!

Mycroft was leaving for another trip. Greg was used to them by now, they'd been married fifteen years after all. That didn't mean Greg had to like it.

He laid in bed watching Mycroft dress for the day, or week, however long he was going for. Mikey was over at his mate's place and Logan was still in bed. It was Saturday, hopefully their youngest son would sleep in and leave Da in peace.

'I'm gonna miss you,' Greg said.

Mycroft smiled, doing his tie up and making sure it was perfect. 'I know, love, I'll miss you too.'

Greg pouted.

'You know I love you,' Mycroft said.

'If you did you wouldn't go.'

Mycroft's smile just broadened and he didn't say anything.

All too soon Mycroft was done. His stuff was packed and downstairs in the car with Mycroft's new assistant, Thomas. Anthea had moved up in the world and she, Mycroft and Greg stayed in contact. She was a smart woman, of course she wouldn't stay with Mycroft forever. That didn't stop Mycroft from complaining that she'd abandoned him whenever his new assistant did something wrong.

Mycroft and Greg stood before the front door and Mycroft put his briefcase and umbrella down to hug and kiss his husband. It was the same taste and gesture, but it hadn't waned in the years they'd been together. Mycroft still got a little jolt whenever he kissed Gregory Lestrade. And Greg still grinned like an idiot whenever they broke apart.

'Love you,' Greg said, kissing him again. 'Stay safe, okay?'

'I'll try, I promise,' Mycroft said. 'I love you, Gregory.'

'Well... bye, then,' Greg said, but made no attempt to move away from his husband.

Mycroft smiled and kissed his cheek. 'Until next time.'

'Why don't you ever say goodbye?' Greg asked, hands hanging onto the politician's hips.

Mycroft pulled back to look at him. 'Excuse me?'

'You never say goodbye,' Greg said, 'only 'until next time'.' He looked up at Mycroft. 'Why?'

His husband smiled and took Greg's hands, bringing them up to his lips.

'I never say goodbye, Gregory, because it's not goodbye. We will meet again, I'll make sure of it.'

Greg smiled, colour tinging his cheeks. 'So all those times you said until next time... you really meant it?'

'Of course.'

'Even after our first meeting?' Greg asked. 'When I basically wanted to rip your head off?'

Mycroft chuckled and drew Greg in until their bodies pressed together. 'Yes, Gregory, even then I wanted to see you again.' He smiled and leaned down to press soft kisses to the DI's face. 'Does that surprise you?'

'Kind of,' Greg said, 'you made it seem like you hated me.'

'No, you hated me,' Mycroft corrected. 'I know I was... annoying.'

'A bastard.'

'Smug.'

'Dickhead.'

'Gregory,' Mycroft sighed, drawing back and raising an eyebrow.

'Sorry, sorry,' Greg said and smiled warmly at his partner. 'So... don't you have to go?'

'Mm,' Mycroft nodded and closed his eyes, drawing his arms around Greg's shoulders. 'In a minute.'

'Myc, you have to go.'

'I will.'

'Mycroft...'

Mycroft groaned. 'Fine, fine. I won't be back for a week, you know.'

Greg grinned and leaned up to kiss Mycroft slowly. When they broke apart ten minutes later, Greg breathed his words softly against Mycroft's lips.

'Until next time...'

{THE END}

Author's Note: Another Mystrade is over. I love them, can you tell? It might not be obvious.

Yeah, I'm weird, get over it.

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed the story and I'm off to write more because I have no life. Cheers!

I live to entertain.

And, most importantly,

{IBegToDreamAndDiffer}