Hello again,

It's been a hellish week. I feel like my brain is on vacation. TGIF. Managed to get this chapter up, but the next chapter may take longer. We'll just have to see :)

As always, thank you for reading. Enjoy!

Recap: Chandler finally knows about Kent's feelings for him. What now?

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Whitechapel.

More Than Words


Chapter 4: It's Your Move

"Damn it!" Chandler cursed as he pushed away the case file in front of him on his desk abruptly. He couldn't focus no matter how hard he tried. The usually cool and composed DI was behaving very unlike himself. It was no wonder, considering what he had just discovered the previous evening. He leaned back in his chair and looked out of his office window overlooking downtown London. He couldn't believe it. Kent was in love with him? He knew the younger detective constable had always admired him professionally, but he didn't think that those feelings were ever romantic in nature. At most, Chandler figured it was just hero worship. But love? How could he have been so blind? How could he have ignored the signs over the past few years they had worked together? So much for being a detective. It only proved how clueless he was when it came to social situations.

As Chandler mulled over it some more, the picture was beginning to get clearer as he looked back on their exchange in his office after Kent had received the black eye from Mansell. It wasn't just the pain of being called unprofessional by his mentor. It was the rejection by the man Kent was in love with that probably hurt far more. It was no wonder Kent had felt threatened by Morgan Lamb. It all made sense now. Chandler's chest tightened in pain as he realized with dread that there was no way around it. The choice was painfully obvious, no matter how much he wanted to avoid it. He would have to hurt Kent yet again.

"Why did you have to fall in love with me, Kent?" Chandler asked silently. "Why couldn't you leave well enough, alone?"

Chandler wasn't against the idea in theory, but realistically, it was a useless endeavor. He could not go through that emotional roller coaster of investing himself in another person. Not again. He would rather stay alone for the rest of his life. And besides, he could never give Kent what he wanted. He didn't deserve to have his heart broken time and time again. That's what would have happened if he allowed Kent to continue to believe that there was a chance for them. Chandler could only imagine how difficult it must have been for his young DC to keep his affections hidden. All those longing looks that Kent had given went completely unnoticed and ignored by him. It was a wonder that Kent still held on to his feelings despite all the ups and downs in their relationship. It wasn't that he didn't find Kent attractive. In fact, he was quite aesthetically pleasing. There was almost an innocence about him. That innocence could have been lost forever when he was accused as being the mole in the Kray case. But Kent, being the kind of person he was, didn't allow it to change him. Despite everything Kent had gone through, he was still true to himself and his convictions.

Why did Kent even love him? Chandler saw nothing in himself that warranted such selfless devotion. He was bossy, opinionated, impatient, headstrong and oblivious to the people around him. And, he was convinced that he was damaged beyond repair as Kent so aptly put it. He had brought nothing, but death and misery ever since he came to Whitechapel. There was no sidestepping the obvious choice. Rejecting Kent was the only viable option. But he was damned if he knew how to break the news to his young and impressionable detective constable. It wasn't just their compatibility with each other. There was also his own superiors to consider. It would look bad for an officer of his position and his subordinate to get involved romantically. There would have been a conflict of interest as well as gossip. He didn't come this far in his career to throw that all away.

But then again, this wasn't just any other of his subordinates. This was Kent, the only who had been on his side from the very beginning and supported him through good and bad times. Not once did he ever speak badly of him no matter how many times Chandler failed. Not even after Kent was wrongfully accused of being the mole. And now Chandler would have to repay that loyalty by hurting him in the worst possible way. This was exactly why he hated whenever personal problems entered the workplace simply because he had no control over them.

Never in his wildest dreams did he think that his own detective constable had fallen for him. But with this new revelation, brought a new set of dilemmas. Not only was Chandler's personal relationship with Kent in jeopardy, but also their professional relationship as well. How could he work with Kent now, knowing what he did? Would Kent be able to work together with him once the truth was out? And why was Chandler even bothered with the fact that Kent would fall for his companion's sweet talking ways? He seemed a little too perfect. Couldn't he see that this Dylan person was just taking advantage of Kent's vulnerability to get closer to him? Just the thought of Kent being with Dylan made him uncomfortable. And none of it made any sense to Chandler.


"Hey little brother, you're right on time. I may faint," Erica Kent teased her twin as he entered the art gallery.

"Ha ha. Just because you're only older by 5 minutes, it hardly gives you the right to tease me whenever you feel like it."

"But it's so much fun. It's my birthright as your "big sister". Well? What do you think of my latest creation?"

Kent looked at the abstract painting with a confused expression as he turned his head to the side to view the piece.

"That all depends. What exactly is this supposed to be?"

"You peasant. It's supposed to represent passion. I call it 'Rhapsody in Rouge'."

"All I see are random streaks and splashes of red paint on a blank canvas."

"Yes, but it's the boldness and angle of those streaks and splashes and what they represent."

"If you say so Erica. Oh, will you excuse me for a second? I just got a text message I've been waiting for."

Kent smiled as he silently read the message from Dylan. "Was able to get out my meeting. See you tomorrow, Bright Eyes."

"What's that goofy smile all about? It must be good news for you to look so happy."

"It's nothing."

"Sure, it is. Fess up, Em. You've got crush haven't you?" she hinted suggestively, jabbing her elbow against his ribs.

"It's not a crush, nosy. He's just visiting from the U.S. on business and I've been keeping him company."

"Is that what they call it now? I didn't think you were such a playboy."

"It's strictly platonic. Not that this is any of your business."

"Oh, and I suppose it wasn't your business when you almost came between me and Finlay?"

"That's not fair. That was an entirely different situation."

"Look, you know I'll find out eventually so why don't you just tell me now and save us both a lot of trouble?"

"You're not going to quit, are you?"

"Nope."

"Anybody ever tell you that you can be a pain in the ass?"

"You say the sweetest things. Now spill it."

"All right, all right. I admit that there's an attraction between us."

"Oh Em, I'm so happy for you. You're always so focused on work that I was getting worried you would never find someone."

"Don't get carried away. I told you, we're just friends."

"For now. Don't tell me you're still hung up on your boss? If you ask me, you should forget about him and move on with this new guy."

Kent stared at his sister with his mouth hung, wide open in complete shock.

"Who told you about that?" he demanded.

"Finlay. Who else?"

"I'm going to kill him."

"Relax, little brother. I made him promise not to tell anybody."

"That doesn't give me much comfort," Kent replied drily. "I'll never be able to show my face at the station again. He's never going to let me live this down."

"Tell me something. Why are you going out with another guy if you're still hung up on your boss? This isn't like you."

"Because I'm tired of being lonely and ignored. I've waited for years, wishing and praying that somehow my boss would return my feelings even a little bit. And what have I got to show for it?"

"You're not trying to get back at him by making him jealous, are you?" Erica guessed astutely. She knew that her brother would never consciously do something malicious. But she also knew he was starved for love and affection.

"Of course not! First of all, he's never even given any indication that he's interested in me that way. And second of all, he still hasn't gotten over that…that woman. Do you have any idea what it's like to love someone who is constantly near you, and yet out of your reach? I'm human, too. I have my limits like anyone else. Look, my feelings for my boss haven't changed. But for the first time in years, someone has shown interest in me for myself."

"I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I appreciate your concern, but there's nothing to worry about. I don't intend on letting this situation get out of hand."

"Are you so sure? I mean, isn't it a little unfair for this other guy?"

"I know what you're thinking and you're wrong. I'm not leading Dylan on and I'm not using him. We have a mutual understanding. We're just friends and nothing else. He's okay with that."

Erica reached out to clasp his hands in hers in concern. "Is this what you really want, Em?"

"I can't have what I really want. And right now, this is the next best thing. I know it's wrong of me to take advantage of Dylan's friendship. But I just like the feeling of being wanted and cared for. He makes me feel important. Does that make me such a terrible person?"

"No, of course not. Everyone has a right to be loved. You go with whoever makes you happy and don't settle for anything less. You deserve it."

"Thanks, sis."

"Anytime. Oh, and give Mom a call once in a while, will you? She worries about you too."

"I swear, if you told her about this…"

"Like I have nothing else better to do," Erica replied sarcastically. "If I did, she would be pestering me every 5 seconds for updates."

Kent smiled. He was lucky to have such a close and caring family. Even if they were a little too nosy.

"Thank heaven for small favors. There's just one more thing. What was that crack about me never being able to find someone?"

"Oh dear, look at the time! We're going to miss the beginning of the movie if we don't get going," Erica replied quickly as she turned her brother around and hurried him out the door.


"Miles, do you have a moment?"

"Yeah, sure. What is it?"

Chandler moved his head slightly as he pointed towards his office. Miles nodded and followed the DI.

"Must be something personal," the older detective remarked intuitively, after Chandler closed the door behind him.

"I haven't even said anything yet."

"I know when something is eating away at you. You've been using that tiger balm as if your life depended on it."

Chandler smiled wryly. Sometimes, Miles knew him better than himself.

"Observant as always, Miles. You're right. Something IS bothering me."

"Well, go on then," the older detective prompted him impatiently when the DI remained silent.

"It's not that simple. You see, I'm in a rather delicate situation, and I need your advice on how to approach the subject."

"Is it work-related?"

"Well, sort-of."

"What do you mean sort-of?"

"I've recently become aware that someone in the department is enamored of me."

"That isn't news. Half the women in the building ogle you whenever you pass by. So, has this mystery person actually confessed to you?"

"Well…no. Not officially anyway."

"Then how do you know for sure?"

"I just do," Chandler replied quickly.

"What's the problem? I would be flattered if the shoe were on the other foot. But don't tell Judy that. You know how jealous she can be," the DS replied tongue-in-cheek.

"The problem is that I don't feel the same way. I was wondering, well…if there was a way to let them down gently."

"There's never a nice or easy way of rejecting someone."

"Still, I've always believed in being honest."

"Are you sure you're not just trying to avoid the hassle of a being in a relationship instead?" Miles replied suspiciously.

"Of course not," Chandler protested vehemently as he reached for his little jar of tiger balm and dabbed the ointment to his temples, rubbing them furiously.

"It's been over a year already. Don't you think it's time you moved on? Life goes on whether you want it to or not."

"You don't have to remind me of that. I've spent most of my life learning how to cope and move on after difficult situations."

"Yeah, I know," Miles replied softly. "I may be speaking out of line, but would it hurt to see where this could lead to?"

"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not interested in anybody," Chandler reiterated firmly.

"Fine. But just remember, how are you ever going to find your soul mate if you keep rejecting any sort of human contact? What happened to the stubborn DI who once said, 'I may stumble, but I don't give up'? It's like you've given up altogether and gone back to square one."

Chandler fidgeted uncomfortably as he dabbed some more of the tiger balm ointment. What Miles said hit him directly where it hurt. With Morgan he felt like he had hope of a normal relationship for the first time in a very long while. But fate had taken her away from him and consequently, he fell back into the dark abyss of solitude and loneliness again. Now that he knew about Kent's feelings for him, it stirred back a lot of painful and uncomfortable memories. He didn't want to go through that again. He just couldn't. It wasn't that he didn't care for his detective constable. He liked Kent…a lot. He would have gone as far as to say that he had a genuine fondness for him. But fondness and love were two very different things.

"That's beside the point. I'm really in a bind, Miles. I don't know how I'm going to break the bad news."

"Hey, I've seen you brush off some very pushy advances without hesitation. What's so different this time?"

"The difference is that I know this person. And I know that the truth is going to hurt them."

"You ought to just level with her. She won't like to hear what you have to say, but if she can't accept how you feel, then there's nothing else you can do. Of course I would advise using a little tact when you break the news. You never know how she'll react."

Chandler looked down at his desk worriedly. Kent was such a sensitive person and he had already gone through so much already. Hurting him again was the last thing he wanted to do. But it was looking more and more like that was his only option.

"What if I pretend that I don't know what's going on and just leave things the way they are?"

"That is the WORST thing you could do."

"Why?"

"Because you're just prolonging the inevitable and you're also giving the other person false hope. It's not fair to both of you. It's better to set them free and let them find someone else that will fulfill their needs."

"I suppose you're right. How did you become so wise in matters of the heart, Miles?"

"Years of practice. I've had my fair share of heartaches though. But in the end I was lucky to find Judy. I wouldn't trade her for all the money in the world."

"She's lucky to have you as well."

Miles smiled confidently. "Well, obviously. So, what are you going to do?"

"You've given me a lot to think about. It's not going to be easy no matter what I choose to do."

"Good luck with that. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes."

"Neither do I, Miles," Chandler thought to himself silently. "Neither do I."

To Be Continued

Posted: 05Apr2014

A/N: I know there aren't any lovey-dovey scenes right now, but I'm trying to build up tension and anticipation. I want Kent/Chandler to kiss as much as you do ;)

Preview: Chandler is indecisive on what to do, but fate steps in yet again and decides for him. (Darn fates!)