Greetings! What's this? Another chapter upload in less than one week?! I'm just as surprised as you are. As I promised, more interaction with our favorite DC and DI. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me :) Thanks to ITV for creating a great series.
FanFiction\Whitechapel: Someday
Chapter 2: Nothing But the Truth
Kent stared dumbfounded after Danni's revelation.
"Me? What did I do?"
"You didn't do anything per se. I think it all started when boyfriend Max, suggested that we move in together a few weeks ago. That's when the panic attacks started. Perhaps, subconsciously, I didn't want to replace you since you were the first significant man in my life and the only one that I lived with."
"Danni, we haven't lived together for over six years. Why would you feel this way right now?"
"The therapist my doctor referred me to says that there is no rhyme or reason to when these kinds of attacks occur. Part of the treatment is learning how to deal with them and more importantly, finding the root cause."
"What do we…what do we do about it?" he asked uncertainly.
"I have a proposition for you."
"Why do get the feeling I'm going to regret hearing this?"
"Let me stay with you for a while. If the panic attacks stop, I'll know that you're not the reason."
Kent turned away to not show his conflicting emotions. It wasn't that he didn't want to help Danni. But he was wary of what could happen if he allowed her to stay. He was in enough emotional turmoil from dealing with Chandler. He didn't need more drama than he had already had.
"Emerson?"
"You're asking a lot."
"I know, but I wouldn't ask you to do this, if I didn't have any other alternative."
Kent turned around.
"What about your boyfriend? How does he feel about this?"
"He said to do whatever it takes. He wants what's best for me."
"Before we go any further, I need to tell you something. There's someone else."
"Oh, I see," she replied softly. "I don't want to mess things up for you. That's the last thing I want to do. Is it serious?"
"Only on my part. I'm afraid he'll have none of me."
"What? How could he not want to be with you?" she demanded angrily. "What is wrong with him?"
Kent smiled at her fierce loyalty and over protective nature.
"It's not that simple. He's not interested in men…and he just happens to be my boss."
"Sounds like you've fallen really hard for this guy. Have you told him how you feel about him?"
"Of course not," he replied defensively.
"Why not? You never how he'll react. And if he's open to it, how is he going to reciprocate your feelings if you don't tell him?"
"And what if he doesn't reciprocate them? What if he decides he can't handle it? Can you imagine what it would be like to be working side by side with him knowing he feels that way?"
"Emerson, exactly how long have you harbored these feelings?" she asked suspiciously.
"Almost three years."
Danni reached over to smack him in the back of the head in chastisement.
"Ow! What did you do that for?"
"For being a git. Don't you realize that the longer you wait to tell him, the more opportunity you leave for him to find someone else?"
Kent fell silent as he stared at the floor. He never considered the possibility, but it made sense now that Chandler had been more overt regarding his romantic interests. Kent thought he had all the time in the world. But in reality, he was on borrowed time.
He didn't resist when she gathered him into her arms, cradling his head like a child. On top of the strain of the past few months, he had reached the end of his rope and let out his frustration in a stream of silent tears.
"I'm sorry, Emerson. I didn't mean to give you a hard time."
He quickly wiped away at his eyes as he pulled away from her.
"Don't apologize. I've known all along deep down that you're right. I just didn't want to admit it."
"I see that you still have a good cry once in a while," Danni teased, trying to break the tension.
"You know, as strange as it sounds, I miss you bossing me around like you used to," he replied softly.
She pushed him away abruptly, almost giving him whiplash. "Just what do you mean by that?" she demanded. "Do I need to remind you that I saved your ass on more than one occasion?"
"Oh? I take it, you don't want to stay here, then?" he asked.
"But you said…"
"Forget what I said. I've had a change of heart. Since my flat mates are away on holiday anyway, it won't be a problem. I could use the company."
"Well, if you're sure."
"Positive. Come on. Let's go get your luggage so you can settle in tonight."
"That won't be a problem," she replied smiling in satisfaction.
Danni walked over to the foyer, opened the door and brought in her suitcases from the hallway, which had been sitting there the entire time.
"I knew you wouldn't say no."
Kent shook his head and laughed in disbelief. Some things never change.
DI Chandler rubbed his temples with his ointment balm trying to get a hold of himself, as felt his control slipping again. It had been three months since Morgan's death, and he was getting worse every day. Miles, as usual was being his bossy, motherly self, pestering him to get some rest by taking some time off, but he balked at the very idea. It wouldn't have done any good getting away. Whether it was at home or someplace else, he still had to deal with his usual issues. It was when he was alone that it was the worst time for him. Immersing himself in work was the only thing keeping him sane at the moment.
He looked up from his desk as he observed the bustling office, as he was wont to do from time to time. The scene in front of him was a picture of normality, which was in stark contrast to the turmoil the detective inspector was going through, mentally.
His gaze stopped upon Kent who was sitting at his desk, scouring over several documents while on the phone tracking down leads on the latest case the team had been working on. Ever since the Bogeyman murders, their relationship had been somewhat strained. It was especially apparent after he had chastised his subordinate the day of Morgan's death. There was no mistake that things had changed between them and it had added to the strain he was already under.
Kent had always stood out even in the beginning when Chandler first took over the Whitechapel division. It had made the rough transition a little easier knowing that the young and eager detective constable was willing to do anything he could to help him out. He was almost always the first person he chose to come along with him when they were out following leads. It wasn't too difficult choice since none of the other detectives at the time had respected him. And besides, Kent was the only one of them that he had any confidence in.
After a while, what started out as convenience became a force of habit. It became routine and a matter of comfort for Chandler. In doing so, he became an unofficial mentor to Kent. Thanks to the fruits of his labor, the detective constable had grown professionally and had become a vital member of the team. Chandler had subconsciously come to depend on him, but now Kent shied away from being anywhere near the detective inspector which rattled him. Chandler needed things to be a certain way and functioning without Kent was like functioning without a limb.
From all appearances, it seemed that Kent seemed to have left the incident behind him, being the consummate professional that he was. But Chandler noticed that the younger man was making an extra conscious effort not to be around his presence, unless he had to be. Even when he would ask Kent to go along with him to follow up on a lead, he would always find an excuse not to go. For the good of the team and his own psyche, Chandler could not let this situation continue.
"Oy, Kent," DC Mansell called over to him, as they were winding down later that evening before the end of the day. "A couple of us are heading over to the pub around the corner. Come and join us."
"What's the occasion? It's only the middle of the week. You didn't go and get engaged again, did you?" Kent quipped.
"Very funny. Since when do you need a reason to hang out and a have a pint?"
"Sounds tempting, but I'll have to take a rain check."
"Come on. You could use a night out, after the funk you've been in."
"What funk?" Kent shot back, defensively.
"It's not exactly a secret. Everyone knows it."
"Knows what?" he asked a little nervously.
"That you and the boss had a falling out. He really must have pissed you off."
"Not that it's any of your business, but I'll have you know that you couldn't be more mistaken. And who told you, anyway?"
"You're a detective aren't you? Figure it out. What are you getting so worked up about? It's about time you spoke up and stood your ground."
"YOU should talk. I don't see you doing that."
"We're talking about you, not me. Besides, it's different with you and the boss."
"How do you reckon that one out?"
"Aw come on. Everyone knows you look up to him. It's no surprise."
"That was in the beginning. It's different now."
"Is it?"
"YES, it is. I do have my own opinions you know."
"Glad to hear it. I was beginning to think you would never get up the nerve to talk back to the boss."
"You're making a big deal out of nothing. It's all over and done with anyway."
"Kent, would you mind stepping into my office?" Chandler asked from the open doorway.
Mansell smirked in satisfaction.
"Apparently not," Kent said under his breath as he was about to head into the lion's den.
Kent took a deep breath as Chandler closed the door behind him. His office seemed smaller when it was just the two of them occupying it.
"I'm going to be up front with you, Kent. I've noticed some tension between us for a while now and it's beginning to interfere with our working relationship."
"I don't know what you're talking about, sir."
"It's as though you've been avoiding me on purpose. I'm sure I'm not imagining these things. I want to know why. Is it because of me or something that I've done?"
"Has it ever occurred to you that there are other things going on my life?" Kent answered defensively. "Contrary to popular opinion, I do have a life outside of work."
"I didn't mean to imply anything. It's just that you're an important part of my team."
"Am I?" he asked pointedly.
"Of course you are. If you're having difficulties, you know that you can always come to me. I'll do everything in my power to help you if I can."
"You told me once that the only thing that mattered to you was the truth. Did you mean that?"
"I still stand by what I said. What is it, Kent?"
Kent hoped he wasn't going to regret this. He took a deep breath.
"I was avoiding you because…I know that you blame me for what happened to Morgan Lamb," he replied quietly.
"What?" Chandler asked in complete bewilderment.
"I was the last person to see her alive. I should have made sure there was an officer present when I left. It's my fault that she's dead."
Chandler turned around and attempted to gather his composure. All those bad feelings from that fateful day came rushing back in a torrent of emotions. He felt his control was slipping rapidly, even after snapping the rubber band that encircled his wrist given to him by Morgan.
"It wasn't your fault, Kent," he managed to say in an even tone of voice.
"You don't have to spare my feelings, sir. I know how much she meant to you," Kent said with difficulty.
Chandler whipped around angrily and walked up to him until they were almost face to face.
"I would appreciate if you kept your observations about my personal life to yourself. What I feel or don't feel is irrelevant. It is of no concern to you."
Kent stared at his superior in disbelief. He was only being honest. Isn't that what Chandler wanted? Why was it all right for DS Miles to offer his unsolicited advice and opinions, but he was not allowed to? Normally Kent would have backed off, but this time it was different. Kent was angry and hurt. And he had reached his limits. Kent summoned all the courage he could muster and stood up to Chandler for the first time since they had known each other.
"It concerns me when you let your personal feelings jeopardize a case, like it almost did last time. You practically bent over backwards to protect Morgan. Any time I mention anything about her, you go off on me as if I'm the enemy attacking you. It happened back then, and it's happening right now."
"Because you went after her relentlessly as though you had a personal vendetta. She was a victim, not a suspect. Then you made unfounded allegations about her being an accomplice with the murderer without any real proof."
Kent gritted his teeth as Chandler chose the wrong thing to say to him.
"I seem to recall you doing something similar to me in the Kray case."
Chandler reacted like he had been sucker punched.
"That's not fair. It was an entirely different situation. I did what I thought was best under the circumstances."
"And I didn't?" Kent retorted.
"I thought we were past that. If you have a problem with me, then come out and say it. But you had no right to verbally attack Morgan at the time. Which, may I remind you, she was found innocent of your erroneous theory."
Even after Morgan's death, Chandler was still defending her, which only fueled Kent's rising displeasure.
"I had EVERY right to act the way I did," Kent interjected angrily.
Chandler was taken aback by the younger detective's volatile reaction. He had been so enamored of Morgan that he couldn't see that Kent's ulterior motive was to protect the detective inspector.
"You accused me of having my judgment clouded, but apparently you have absolved yourself of doing exactly the same thing."
"What the hell do you mean by that?" Chandler demanded.
"Wasn't your judgment clouded by romancing a key witness who could have been a potential suspect? Didn't you share confidential information with her that could have compromised the case? Where was YOUR objectivity, sir?"
"You're out of line, Kent. I won't have you undermining my authority," Chandler replied coldly. "I am still your superior and you will show respect, is that clear? I don't enjoy being second guessed, especially by a subordinate."
Whenever Chandler felt that he was not in control, he had a nasty habit of pulling rank, especially when he was backed into a corner. This time, Kent wasn't going to let him get away with it.
"And I don't enjoy being treated like a second class citizen because of my position," Kent responded curtly. "I may not have your seniority, but it doesn't make my input any less relevant. And for the record, I have always respected and supported you. Which is more than I can say for you."
He turned to leave before he said something he would really regret.
"We are not finished here."
"You've made your point perfectly clear what my position should be. Perhaps I should go to a place where I won't have to be so careful of what I say," Kent replied, and left the dumbfounded detective inspector standing there in his office to ruminate on his last words.
Kent was oblivious to the curious stares he received as he angrily walked out of the DI's office and left the building. All he wanted to do was get as far away from the station as quickly as possible.
To Be Continued
I love giving Kent a little anger. Based on series 3, we know he is capable of it. Oh the angst! Thanks for reading! :)
Uploaded: 15Mar2013 (I think)
