Hello all! Finished my taxes, but work made me delay the next installment. Be prepared for lots of reading. I think this is a record for me. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Whitechapel does not belong to me.
FanFiction\Whitechapel: Someday
Chapter 7: One Step at a Time
"Wonder where the boss is? He's usually here before any of us," Mansell commented as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
Kent furrowed his brow in concern. He hadn't wanted to mention it, but he too was worried about Chandler being absent.
"It's not like him to be so late," Kent replied in agreement. "Do you think something's happened to him?"
"You're beginning to sound like a girlfriend," Mansell teased, not knowing just how close he was to the truth.
"I'm just concerned. That's all," the younger DC retorted. "Anything wrong with that?"
"It looks like we were worried for nothing. Here he comes now."
Kent turned his head towards the entrance where Chandler entered, holding a handkerchief against his mouth, coughing several times. His eyes were watery and by the way he was coughing, he sounded very congested. In short, he did not look well at all.
"My apologies for being so late," the DI said in between coughs.
"You look terrible. Are you sure you should be here in your condition, sir?" Kent asked worriedly.
Chandler smiled and looked at Kent directly, making him uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
"I made a promise that I intend to keep," he answered and headed towards his office.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" Kent demanded as he barged into Chandler's office unannounced.
"Working. Is there a problem?" he replied nonchalantly.
"You should be at home resting. DS Miles can take care of things while you're out."
"But what about tonight? You were looking forward to it. And I didn't want to disappoint you."
It was then that Kent noticed how tired Chandler looked.
"You didn't stay up all night, did you?"
"Not all night. Just…half the night."
"Whatever for?"
"I was thinking about things to do and where to take you to dinner on our date tonight. I wanted it to be special."
Kent's anger quickly evaporated. "I'm very flattered, but I don't want you collapsing even before clocking off time. Face it. You're sick."
"I am NOT sick," Chandler replied adamantly. "It's just an allergy."
"In a pig's eye. Honestly, you're just being stubborn."
"Is that any way to talk to your superior?" Chandler replied half-teasingly before succumbing to another coughing fit.
"I rest my case. For my sake, will you please go home? Otherwise I'll pester you all day."
"You wouldn't dare."
"I would. And I can be very stubborn when my mind is set on something."
"You know, blackmail is very unbecoming. Especially on you."
"Oh, I wouldn't call it blackmail."
"What would you call it?"
"All right, so it is blackmail. But seriously, I can wait until you're feeling better. I'm not letting you off the hook that easily."
"You mean, you wouldn't be disappointed if I postponed it?"
"Well, it's not as if you deliberately got sick just to avoid our date. Did you?"
"Of course not," he replied, laughing at the almost semi-serious look on Kent's face. "I guess that means I'll have to cancel the serenading violins at dinner and the carriage ride through Hyde Park."
Kent's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. That was going a little too far for a first date and all.
"Tell me you didn't do that," he replied in a panicked voice.
"I'm only kidding," Chandler said, smiling. Kent was so open with his emotions. Chandler just couldn't resist. "Hey, I must be getting a better sense of humor."
Kent pouted slightly at being teased by his DI. He was used to getting teased from everyone else, but this was different. This was coming from the man he was in love with.
"I promise I'll leave after I finish up with this report."
"Good. And get some rest. That's an order," Kent said before leaving the office.
Chandler smiled to himself as he went back to work. It was probably just an irritation in his throat that would clear up in no time. Kent was being such a worrywart.
Chandler sneezed loudly as he fell back against the pillows, groaning in pain as his head throbbed. He hadn't felt this bad since his hangover a few weeks ago. On top of his coughing, he was stuffed up and sneezing every other minute. He was now officially in full sick mode.
"I hate being sick," he grumbled as he blew his nose for what seemed like the millionth time in the past few hours.
The doorbell suddenly rang and Chandler automatically sunk back against the pillows, hoping his visitor would give up and leave. No such luck as the ringing persisted, making him get up from his nice warm bed to go answer the door.
"Whoever it is, go away. There is no soliciting allowed in this building."
"But I come bearing gifts," a familiar voice answered from the other side.
Chandler immediately opened the door to find Kent smiling at him.
"Kent, what are you doing here? I thought we agreed to cancel our date tonight."
"Well if that's how you're going to greet me, I'll just leave. And after all the trouble I went through, too."
"Don't get me wrong. I'm glad that you're here. But aren't you afraid you'll catch my cold?"
"I couldn't let you fend for yourself when you're obviously not well. I figured you wouldn't be doing much cooking right now so I brought you some homemade chicken soup chock full of vegetables and protein to get you back on your feet in no time. My auntie swears by it. Do you feel up to eating?"
Chandler looked at Kent fondly. Just his being there was enough to make him feel better.
"If it's as good as the last meal that you cooked for me, I can't possibly resist."
"Flatterer. I'll just go heat it up. Go back to bed and I'll bring it to you."
"I'm glad you're not rubbing it in."
"What? You mean that I was right all along about you being sick? Why, I wouldn't dream of it." Kent just headed into the kitchen, smilingly knowingly.
"Here we are. All nice and hot for you. Oh, and I also made some ginger tea with honey and lemon. There's more soup in the pot and tea in the kettle as well."
"Thank you for everything. It looks wonderful. I just wish I could smell it. I'm sure my taste buds are all shot to hell."
Kent sympathized with his situation. Being sick was never fun.
"Do you want some company?"
Chandler gulped nervously. "What do you mean?"
Kent perched himself at the edge of the bed beside Chandler and leaned one hand against the mattress.
"Relax Joe. I'm not going to do anything to you. That will come much later."
The hunted look of panic that Chandler gave in response was enough to make Kent burst out laughing. That was almost too easy.
Chandler felt the corners of his mouth turn upward as well, as he realized that Kent was teasing him.
"Well I guess that makes us even. Truce?"
"Truce," Kent agreed.
"This is really good. Where did you learn how to cook?" Chandler asked after taking a couple of big spoonfuls of the hearty soup.
"During college. I ended up doing the cooking and Danni did the housework. It was a fair exchange for both of us."
"How progressive of you."
"Progressive nothing. It was either I learned to cook, or we starved. I mean Danni is great, but she can't cook to save her life. Ok, that's an exaggeration. But she hates to cook and eating out was a rare treat since neither of us had much money at the time. Even now, I'm the one that does most of the cooking at my flat."
"I guess I shouldn't be saying this, but she did mention to me that she was worried that you wouldn't make it when you first joined the police force. I've always wondered what made you want to join in the first place. Would you tell me?"
"Promise you won't laugh?" Kent asked uncertainly.
"I promise."
"I kind of did it as a dare to myself. You see, all my life people have looked at me and automatically thought that I was a wimp because of how I looked. I was more into books and studying than sports and dating. When I finished college, I wanted to prove to everyone, especially to myself that I could become a rough and tumble cop. You know, being the hero and catching the bad guys and all that rubbish. I guess I'm more suited to detective work than going head to head in a fist fight. Not like you did with Jimmy Kray. At least you weren't afraid."
Kent looked down at the floor as the memory of his brutal attack still haunted him from time to time. The scarred welts on his backside were a constant reminder of the dangers of their job.
"Everyone experiences fear. I hate to ruin your image of me, but I was afraid as well."
Kent looked up at him in surprise.
"Really? You didn't seem like it after coming back."
"Wouldn't you feel a little uneasy if you walked into a den of thieves and thugs possibly fighting for your life?"
"You're right. I would. Thank you for being honest with me."
Chandler always shivered whenever he remembered the day they had a received a call from the hospital telling them that Kent was injured on duty.
"Don't thank me, Kent. You wouldn't have gotten hurt if I hadn't sent you out alone."
"I was ambushed from behind. You couldn't have done anything."
"You know, it takes a strong person to go through what you did, both physically and mentally. Don't you ever let anyone tell you that you don't have what it takes. There's a strength in you that can't be measured by appearances."
"The same can be said for you as well," Kent replied astutely.
"What do you mean?"
"You're not like all the other detective inspectors. You get personally involved in the cases and you put your heart and soul into them. You actually care about the victims and your own staff. That's why you feel inadequate sometimes when things go wrong. When you can't save a victim, you start to doubt yourself and your ability to do the job. I'm sure the pressure you get from the head office doesn't help either. I know it hasn't always been easy for you since you took over the Whitechapel division. We didn't exactly roll out the welcome mat for you."
"YOU did," Chandler replied remembering how Kent got the chalk for him when no one else would at his first meeting with the staff during the Ripper Copycat murder case. "You were the only one that even paid attention to what I said."
"I had my reasons," Kent replied coyly making Chandler flush warmly, and not due to his illness.
To Chandler's horror, Kent suddenly leaned forward getting dangerously too close for comfort. Chandler pulled the sheets up to his chest and backed into the pillows against the headboard.
"Wha—what are you doing?" he asked in a panicked voice.
The younger man closed his eyes and placed his forehead against Chandler's forehead for a few seconds and then pulled away.
"Taking your temperature the old fashioned way. What did you think I was going to do?" Kent replied smiling at Chandler.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" he accused.
"Not exactly. You don't have fever, but you're definitely warm. I'd better re-heat your ginger tea. I'm sure it's cooled down by now," Kent said taking the tray back into the kitchen.
Chandler breathed a sigh of relief as he attempted to regain his composure. He really thought that Kent was going to kiss him. He wasn't opposed to the idea, but he didn't know if he was ready yet. He yawned as the effects of the chicken soup were making him drowsy. When Kent returned, Chandler was almost asleep. He was about to leave when Chandler stopped him.
"I'm not sleeping."
"You could have fooled me. Why don't I go and let you rest?"
"I'm awake," he protested adamantly, willing his eyes to stay open.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. Come here."
Kent placed the cup of ginger tea on the bedside table and sat down on the bed again.
"How are you feeling now?"
"Much better, thanks to you," Chandler replied smiling gently. "I'm glad you stopped by."
"If you recall, this isn't the only time I've been here."
"Well, at least I'm awake this time to appreciate it. Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Why did you stay with me that night?"
"I told you. It was because you're my boss and we're part of a team."
"I doubt even Miles would have went as far as to stay the entire night. There has to be another reason."
Kent got up from the bed and turned away, wrapping his arms around himself. He was silent for a long time as he struggled with his decision whether or not to tell Chandler how he truly felt about him. Was now the right time?
"I've wanted to tell you this for a very long time, Joe. I meant to tell you, but I was afraid of how you would react. To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure if you would ever be interested in me. You're probably not ready to hear this, but the truth is, I lo…"
Kent suddenly heard gentle snoring coming from behind him. He whipped around and found Chandler fast asleep. He sighed resignedly. Had Chandler even heard a word he said? Fate had again stepped in and prevented him from doing what he wanted. Kent went over to the sleeping DI and brushed the blond tresses from his forehead and turned down the lights before leaving Chandler's flat.
Kent couldn't help but smile to himself as he settled down in his own bed later that night as he looked back on that fateful night he had kept Chandler from driving in his drunken state. Ever since then, it had been a whirlwind of emotions. Their relationship had been on the brink of collapse not too long ago. And now, very soon they would be going on their first real date. Life was funny sometimes.
Kent straightened his dark blue tie against the collar of his pale blue silk shirt and brushed off the stray bits of lint from his matching dark blue suit, which he bought especially for the occasion. He was looking very handsome as the custom-tailored suit hugged against his body line in the all the right places, accentuating his slender form. It had cost an arm and a leg for the luxury of a custom made suit, but it was worth it. After all, it wasn't every day that he went on a date with Detective Inspector Joseph Chandler. Chandler said to dress sharply, but wouldn't tell where he would be taking them to dinner.
Kent jumped anxiously when the doorbell rang. Chandler was punctual as he arrived right on time as he had said. His breath caught in his throat when he opened the door and saw that Chandler was dressed in a black tuxedo, looking suave and very debonair in his matching black overcoat. He even had his hair cut shorter making him look younger. It really was a sin for someone to be this handsome.
"You look great," Chandler complimented him, in a nervous voice.
"Thank you. So do you."
"I, um, I didn't know what to bring you, so I thought you might like these."
Chandler handed him a box of chocolate truffles.
"You didn't have to do that. But thank you. I love chocolates."
Chandler looked relieved. While Kent put the chocolates away in the kitchen, Chandler sneaked a peak at his phone before he returned. Kent smiled up at him and shyly slipped his hand into Chandler's hand.
"Shall we go then?"
Chandler smiled in return and squeezed his hand as they walked to his car.
Kent's eyes widened as large as saucers when they stopped in front of a beautiful Victorian hotel that just exuded luxury, class, and elegance. He hadn't expected Chandler to go all out for their first official date, but he was pleasantly surprised and very flattered. But he shouldn't have expected anything less, knowing Chandler's fine attention to detail. When Kent stepped out of the car, he craned his neck upward to marvel at the exterior. He didn't know such a hotel existed around this part of town, since the recent trend of hotels had been geared toward modern tastes.
He felt Chandler's hand at the small of his back, waiting to usher them to their final destination. The interior was just as breathtaking as the exterior of the hotel with its high ceilings and intricate architecture. Kent had never experienced such opulence before in his entire life. It was though he had stepped into another world.
"This is where we get off," Chandler said as they got off the top floor where the dining room was located. They crossed the entire dining area until they reached the opposite end of the room where an attendant dressed in elaborate Victorian livery opened the double doors leading out to the terrace.
Kent couldn't believe his eyes. A private table awaited them, complete with candlelight, chilled champagne, and a panoramic view of the city skyline. He went up to the balustrade and soaked in the view of the glittering night lights and various landmarks that London was renowned for, which were nestled against the backdrop of a diamond studded starlit night. While Kent took in the view, Chandler took another surreptitious glance at his phone.
"It's magnificent. But you shouldn't have gone to so much trouble."
"Why shouldn't I?"
"All of this must have cost you a fortune."
Chandler walked over to him and placed his hands on Kent's shoulders gently. "Just the look on your face was worth it. Think of it as my way of saying thank you for everything you've done for me. You deserve to be wined and dined after what I put you through. And besides, you're cute when you worry about me."
Kent felt the blood rush to his pale cheeks. It was amazing the power this man had over him with just a look or spoken word.
"I just wanted tonight to be special for our first date."
"Well, technically this our second date, but who's counting?" Kent quipped lightly.
Chandler smiled and led him back to their table where he poured a glass of champagne for the both of them. As Chandler handed Kent his fluted glass, their fingers brushed lightly causing both of them to look into each other's eyes. The electricity between them was palpable. For a fleeting second, Kent thought that Chandler was going to lean in and kiss him, but no such luck as he quickly went to his side of the table. Oh well, the night was still young.
"Here's to friendship," Chandler toasted him. "And perhaps, much more."
Kent clinked his glass against Chandler's glass in agreement. "I'll drink to that."
As they took their seats, Chandler signaled to the maître d' to start the service for the beginning of a sumptuous seven course meal. Kent couldn't help but notice that Chandler had worn the monogrammed cufflinks he had given to him for his birthday gift. The amount of thought and detail he had put into the entire evening overwhelmed Kent. No one had ever made him feel so special. It was no wonder Kent was in love with him.
"Is there something the matter?" Chandler asked noticing that Kent had spaced out briefly.
"No. Nothing is wrong. In fact, everything is perfect."
"Joe, what ARE you doing?"
"Nothing. What makes you ask that?" Chandler replied nervously as he had been caught looking at his phone again after several courses had been completed.
"You keep looking at your phone when you think I don't notice. You've done that more than three times already."
The DI covered the screen automatically with one hand.
"What are you hiding from me?" Kent asked suspiciously.
"Honestly. It's nothing. I was just…checking traffic."
Kent raised one eyebrow skeptically. "Oh really? Let's just see what the traffic is like right now."
Before he knew it, Kent swiped his phone and looked at what Chandler had been perusing from time to time. He was in for it now.
"Interesting traffic information," Kent remarked in amusement as he scrolled through the websites that had recently been opened. "Ways to Make Sure Your Date is Successful, How to Impress your Date, What to Do on a First Date, and What Not to Do on a First Date."
This time it was Chandler's turn to turn red with embarrassment, as he took back his phone hastily.
"I had no idea you were so nervous about tonight. I bet you hardly got any sleep last night as well."
Chandler reluctantly nodded his head, confirming what Kent suspected.
"You don't have to jump through hoops to impress me. I was already impressed the day I met you."
"You were?" he asked in genuine surprise.
"Sure. I mean, who wouldn't be impressed with a detective inspector who shows up on his first day heading up a new department and shows up at a crime scene in a Savile Row tuxedo?"
Chandler chuckled as he remembered those rough first days. He could smile now, but it had been no picnic in the park at the time.
"You'll have to be patient with me. I'm new at this."
"I know," Kent replied softly. He reached across the table to clasp Chandler's hand. "Joe, one of the reasons I went out with you was because I wanted to get to know the real you. Not someone I think you should be. Just be yourself. That's good enough for me."
"I'm not sure I know how to do that," Chandler admitted quietly.
"You were fine the other night when I came over, weren't you?"
"That was different. We weren't on a real date then. What I mean is, before, we were colleagues. Supervisor and subordinate. Now it's just…different."
"But we're still the same people aren't we? When we clock off, you're still you and I'm still me. It doesn't matter what our positions are when we're off duty."
"You make it sound so simple."
"It is if you don't over analyze things to death."
"Are you saying that I'm obsessive about these kinds of things?"
"You? Obsessive? Not on your life," Kent replied sarcastically making Chandler laugh in spite of himself.
"You really are one of a kind," he replied gripping Kent's fingers tightly.
Kent smiled at him. "So are you."
"I'll be right back," Chandler said, suddenly exiting the table making a beeline for the men's restroom. He was feeling just the slightest bit OCD at the moment.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening," Kent said when they came back to his flat after a perfectly lovely date. "I really enjoyed myself tonight."
"So did I. Kent, I don't know where this…this relationship will lead us. But what I do know is that I want to see you again."
"Oh, you most certainly will. Like in about 9 hours before we have to go to work."
Chandler chuckled, rubbing his forehead absent-mindedly.
"What I mean is, I want to see you personally, outside of work."
"Good. Because I feel exactly the same way you do. Does this mean we're going together now?" Kent asked softly.
"I guess it does. You know, it's going to be hard keeping this from Miles and the others. You should have heard them when they saw you with Danni at the station."
"I bet it was a right kerfuffle. Maybe it would be better if we didn't mention it."
"I hate to admit it now, but I was a little jealous when I saw you two together at the station."
"Only a little jealous?"
"All right. I was more than a little jealous. I can't help that I want you all to myself."
"That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me. But there was never anything to worry about. Danni's just a friend. If it makes you feel any better, I think she only kissed me to make you jealous."
"What makes you say that?"
"Call it a hunch. But from now on, she's going to have to deal with her problems on her own, without me in the picture. I have more important things to focus on. Like you and me."
"That has a nice sound to it. Well, it's getting late and I'd better get going. Goodnight Kent," Chandler replied turning to leave.
"Isn't there something you've forgotten?"
Chandler checked all of his pockets automatically.
"I'm sure I've got everything that I brought with me to dinner. What did I forget?"
"You forgot to kiss me goodnight," he replied softly.
"That's a requirement now?"
"Not necessarily. But it would be nice."
Chandler swallowed the lump in his throat nervously. He reached up tentatively to cradle Kent's cheek in one hand as he slowly bent down towards his mouth. Kent closed his eyes and leaned towards him. This was the moment he had been waiting for so long. Chandler was a hair's breadth away from Kent's waiting lips, when he suddenly bailed out and instead gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek before making his escape.
Kent leaned against the door and smiled fondly, holding his hand against the cheek where Chandler had kissed him. It was all right. He could wait for Chandler when he was ready.
To Be Continued
A/N: I apologize for the length of this chapter, but I didn't feel it wouldn't be right to split it into two separate ones. I wasn't going to make you all wait for Chandler & Kent's date :)
Whew, after this chapter, I'll need a couple of days to recuperate before starting the next one. But who knows? Maybe I'll get inspired again.
Uploaded: 17Apr2013
