Chapter 9: The Tell-Tale Heart


"Kent, I know this is hard for you, but would you at least pretend to be happy? You wouldn't want your last day with the boss to end on a sour note would you?" Miles chided the younger detective as the rest of the team were finishing the setup for Chandler's going away party.

"It doesn't matter either way, Skip. He's still leaving whether or not I put on a happy face," Kent replied sadly.

"This doesn't have to be the end, you know. It's not like he's moving across the globe."

"He might as well be. Face it. He's never going to see me again, even if it's in a social setting. Our situation makes him uncomfortable and he doesn't know how to deal with it. He's leaving so that he can get away from me."

"You're just thinking the worst."

"I don't think. I know. I really messed things up this time."

"Hey, stop blaming yourself for something out of your control. Otherwise you'll end up like Chandler and you have way too much life left for that. Shit happens. Unfortunately, that's life."

"But I do blame myself. I knew that it wasn't going to be easy with his hangups. I knew that he wasn't going to be interested in me, but I still fell for him anyway. I brought this all on myself."

"Do you regret him coming to Whitechapel then?" Miles asked point-blank.

"No. I have no regrets," Kent admitted softly. "It's just...I don't know what I'm going to do without him."

"Did you ever tell him that?"

"No," Kent admitted in a small voice. "Do you think that would have made a difference?"

"It doesn't matter what I think. Chandler's opinion is the only one that matters. Kent, we've known each other a long time, haven't we?"

"Almost 8 years, Skip."

"Then you know that I'm not a sentimentalist, but this is one of those rare occasions where I'm going to make an exception. When you first came here, you were a raw, fresh-faced, wet-behind-the-ears, academy graduate with no experience and little confidence. Sure you made mistakes, but you always learned from them and used them to make you stronger. Now you're a confident detective constable with great potential and a bright future ahead of you. I've always known that you had what it took to become a damn good detective. You just had to realize it."

"Not that I don't appreciate the glowing praise, but why are you telling me this now?"

"Well, with Chandler moving on to Scotland Yard, it's a new chapter in everyone's lives, isn't it? There's bound to be a few bumps along the way with the transition and I'm going to need everyone's support during this time. I'll be depending on you, especially. Can you give me your full support, Kent? Can you do it in spite of everything even, without Chandler here?"

Kent was touched beyond words that Miles would place so much confidence in him. Skip was not one to be the touchy-feely type. The fact that the veteran detective had always looked after Kent showed how much he really cared for his staff. It was enough to make Kent snap out of his personal malaise for the moment and give him something to focus on. He had to stop moping around like a lovesick teenager like DS Miles said. Life would still go on whether or not Chandler was there.

"You can always count on me, Skip. I'll do whatever you need me to do."

"Good. Now come on. Let's give Chandler a proper send off, hm?"

"All right. I'll do my best."

"I knew you would."


"Well boss, this is it. It's been a hell of a ride, but we survived it without killing each other," Miles pronounced, causing laughter to ripple across the room where the staff gathered for Chandler's farewell party. Chandler smiled in recognition of their tumultuous beginning when he first came to Whitechapel. Although Chandler appeared cordial throughout the evening's festivities, it was a different story internally. He was preoccupied with Kent and how he was handling things. As Chandler looked out into the audience, he noticed that Kent stayed as far away from him as possible; not because he was being anti-social, but because he was hurting more than he wanted to let on. Chandler guessed as much.

"Before you go off and become a big shot in Scotland Yard, here's a little gift to remember us by."

"You shouldn't have gotten me a gift. But thank you all the same."

After rifling through the tissue paper, the normally calm and composed DI broke out in surprised laughter after taking out what appeared to be a lifetime supply of chalk. Underneath it was a laminated plaque that simply read, "We'll always remember you, sir. Cheers."

"I still remember that first time just as if it were yesterday. Time sure does seem to fly by."

"I have to hand it to you, sir. You stuck with it and stayed much longer than anyone thought you would. Anyone who can do that is all right in my book."

"A compliment coming from you of all people, Miles? I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing."

"Yeah, well don't let it get to your head. After all, you're defecting to the enemy," Miles replied sternly.

"I'm really going to miss you. I'm going to miss all of you. I couldn't ask for a better team," Chandler replied as he was moved by everyone's thoughtfulness.

"Stop by once in a while, hmm? That is, if you're not too busy rubbing elbows with all those hot shots," Riley replied as she shook Chandler's hand warmly.

"You know I will. Thank you, Riley. Mansell, you stay out of trouble."

"You might as well ask for a miracle, sir. But I'll try to keep my nose clean."

Chandler nodded in recognition. "Ed, I'll talk to you as soon as I get settled in. Please keep the bloodshed with Miles to a minimum."

Buchan laughed in spite of himself. Even Miles had to chuckle as well. "It won't be the same without you, Joe. But I know you'll go on to bigger and better things. Take care."

"Thank you." Chandler was about to address Kent, but he was nowhere to be found. It was as though he had vanished into thin air. "Where's Kent?"

"I think he went out to get some more snacks. Don't worry. He'll be back in time. He wouldn't let you leave without saying goodbye."

Chandler nodded in recognition, but he knew that Kent most likely left on purpose. He couldn't really blame him. Perhaps if Chandler had more faith in himself, he would have stayed and explored the possibility of a relationship with Kent in spite of his fears. But he wasn't about to let Kent keep hanging on, when there was no assurance of a future together. It wouldn't be fair to either of them. He just hoped that one day, Kent would put him completely out of his heart and mind, and find someone worthy of his devotion. Chandler just wished he could have been that person.


As evening fell later that day, a sullen, lone figure went around everyone's desks, binning the trash. It was a last homage to Chandler's never ending penchant for cleanliness and order. It was the least Kent could do since he couldn't say goodbye in person. He was afraid that he would break down into an emotional mess if he had stayed during Chandler's farewell speech, so he chickened out at the last minute and left on some lame excuse, not caring that everyone probably knew the real reason for his abrupt departure. Kent had been ready for this day for several weeks, but nothing could have prepared him for the reality of it. He didn't want the love of his life to leave, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. It also didn't help that he had practically pushed Chandler out the door, himself with his passive aggressive behavior and demands. Love certainly did crazy things to a person. After wiping his hands clean, Kent walked slowly towards Chandler's office staring at the vacant chair that the former DI use to occupy. He came over and ran his hand along the armrest thinking about all the good times as well as the bad times. It wasn't going to be the same without Chandler here.

"Were you going to let me leave without even saying goodbye?" a familiar voice came from behind.

Kent whipped around and was shocked to find Chandler standing at the doorway.

"That was the plan," Kent admitted reluctantly. "I thought you would be gone by the time I returned."

"I came back after the party, hoping you would come back. Would it make you feel better if I told you that I'm going to miss you most of all?" Chandler asked softly as he crossed the gap between them.

Kent swallowed nervously as he looked into Chandler's eyes. "Actually, that would just make it harder for me."

"Then I won't say it. Kent, I didn't want to leave on a bad note. I want to remember all the good times we had together, even though there weren't nearly enough of them to go around. I hope that in time, you'll remember me not just as your supervisor, but also as a friend. Although I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to forget about me altogether."

"I do have good memories of you, sir. No matter what's happened between us, that won't change."

Chandler looked genuinely relieved. "I'm glad that you can find something positive to remember."

"I would be lying to myself if I refuted that. You taught me that the truth is all the really matters."

"Then at least I did something right. Kent, I want you to know that all your years of support was appreciated more than you'll ever know. You trusted me and gave me a chance. For that, I'll always be grateful to you."

"Don't make it sound like I did something extraordinary. I would have done the same for anyone else," Kent replied evenly.

"Perhaps. But you went above and beyond the call of duty. You supported me even though it meant being singled out by the others. If you hadn't done that, I don't think I would have made it through those first few months."

"Now you're exaggerating," Kent replied uncomfortably. "I supported you because you were my boss and it was the right thing to do. End of story."

Chandler smiled gently. Kent was beginning to sound like him.

"It's kind of ironic. You were the first to welcome me here and now you're the last one to see me off. I'm glad that Miles has you here, Kent. I can rest assured knowing that you'll give him the same support as you gave me. He may not admit it, but he'll need all the help he can get now that he's running the show. Lord knows I did."

"All things considering, you didn't do such a bad job."

"Thank you, Kent." Chandler looked visibly moved at the finality of their last moments together. "I've never been good at saying goodbyes."

"Me neither," Kent admitted softly. "Perhaps we shouldn't say it, then."

"Agreed."

From this moment on, Chandler would no longer be working with his most faithful and ardent supporter. He was not only losing a valued co-worker and teammate. He was losing a friend, and perhaps something more. Chandler's heart constricted painfully at the thought as it was time to leave.

"I want you to know that it's been an honor working with you, Kent. I know you'll be a success in whatever you do."

"Thank you, sir," Kent answered, using every ounce of self-control he had to keep his voice from trembling.

Chandler extended his hand towards Kent. The younger man stared and paused hesitantly before reaching out to clasp it in return.

"Take care of yourself."

"You too," Kent replied softly.

All of a sudden, Chandler gathered Kent into his arms and hugged him tightly, almost squeezing the breath out of him. Kent was so surprised that he didn't know how to react. Added to the fact that this was the first time Chandler had ever embraced him out of his own volition. When he came out of his befuddled stupor, Kent raised his arms and wrapped them around Chandler's broad back before burying his face against the curve of the older man's shoulder, breathing in his scent and silently etching this moment into his memory. It was strange. It felt so familiar. So right. Only in his dreams did he ever imagine being held like this by Chandler. But like all dreams, it was fleeting and would come to an end all too quickly.

Chandler pulled away and made his exit, leaving Kent alone as he watched him disappear out of the room and out of his life. Kent wanted to say what was in his heart. He wanted to tell Chandler that he loved him, but the words never came out.

"Goodbye Joe," Kent replied softly into the empty room as hot tears stung his eyes.

He now had to pick up the pieces of his broken heart and start the next chapter of his life without Chandler.


"You look like something the cat dragged in and spit up," Erica noted as her twin sibling entered her flat and collapsed onto the sofa. It had been two months since Chandler left for Scotland Yard and the transition had been far from being without its hiccups. Fortunately, the new Detective Sergeant worked well with Miles, who was finding it exasperating having to deal with the human resource aspect of being in charge now that he had taken over as Detective Inspector. No one ever said being in charge was easy.

"You really know how to make a person feel better," Kent replied sarcastically. "Remind me to never ask you to cheer me up."

Erica had invited her Kent over for dinner to catch up, but more so to see how he was doing in the aftermath of Chandler's departure. After getting an update from Finlay, she was worried that her brother was unable to move on from the now promoted Chief Inspector. It was clearly evident that the longer Kent dwelt on it, the less chance he had of actually moving on with his life. Erica sat down next to him understanding his misery.

"I'm your sister. It's my job to tell you the truth. Level with me, Em. You still haven't gotten over Chandler, have you?"

It was more of an accusation rather than a question.

Kent gave a look of exasperation. "Not you too. I get enough of that from everyone at work. I'm fine, all right?"

"If that was true, why haven't you been with anyone since the night you were assaulted?"

"Maybe because I don't want end up in another situation like how it was with Ian ever again. Can you blame me for wanting to be cautious?"

"No, of course not. But maybe you don't WANT to be with anyone. Maybe it's really because Chandler rescued you in your moment of need and you fell for him all over again."

"That's ridiculous. I would have to be absolutely crazy to fall for him again after everything I've been through," Kent bristled indignantly.

Erica raised one eyebrow up questioning him, but knowing the answer even without saying anything.

"Don't even say it," Kent warned.

"I didn't say a word. But you must admit that if you weren't still hung up on the guy, you wouldn't be moping around like this. After all, it's been two months."

Kent lowered his gaze to the floor. "We're not kids anymore. I don't need you to look out for me."

"Too bad, because you're stuck with me for life. You should be thanking your lucky stars that I haven't butted in up to this point. Otherwise, I would have told Mom. But when I see my only brother hurting, I have to step in. Just because I'm dating Finlay now, doesn't mean I've forgotten about you."

"I'm sorry Erica. It's just...I'm so tired of everything. I feel like I've been on an emotional roller coaster ride for the past few months. My life has been on hold for years because I made Chandler the center of my universe. Now that he's no longer there, I don't know how to move forward."

"That just means that you were really in love with him. That isn't a crime is it?"

"If it is, then I guess that makes me a repeat offender. I should have listened to my gut instinct the moment I was beginning to fall for him. I should have kept away as far as possible. You and Mom warned me, but I was stubborn and thought that Chandler would change. I was presumptuous to think that he would do that for me. I should have a stamp on my forehead that says 'Idiot'."

"Stop being so hard on yourself. We all do crazy things when we're in love."

"Yeah, but I should have learned my lesson by now. Why is that I seem to always gravitate towards guys that hurt me?"

"You're just so trusting that you can't help, but dive head first into everything. When you love someone Em, you always give it everything you've got. To tell you the truth, I've always envied that about you."

"You envy being naïve and stupid?"

"I envied having that kind of faith. Before I met Finlay, I went for the casual fling because I was afraid of commitment. Whenever things didn't work out, I could always say that it wasn't meant to be. Because of that, I hurt some really sweet, caring guys who didn't deserve to have their feelings taken lightly. But you were never like that. In spite of being hurt in the past, you somehow found the strength to love again even though it meant taking a chance. That takes a whole lot of faith, and you have it spades. I know it seems like things are bleak right now, but that will change. Time heals all wounds. Even for a broken heart," she replied softly.

"My heart's been broken so many times that I'm beginning to think I was never meant to be happy."

Erica put her arm around her brother in sympathy and rested her head against his shoulder. "There's someone for you out there, Em. I know it."

"I wish I could believe that."


"Excuse me sir, but are you planning to stay late again?" a tall young woman asked as she poked her head around the door to Chandler's new office at Scotland Yard. "Everyone else has already left for the night."

He looked up at one of his staff members and gave a halfhearted smile. "I didn't realize that it was so late, Alice. I've been so busy that I didn't notice."

"That's been happening a lot lately. Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

His assistant entered halfway into the office. "If you'll forgive me for saying so, you seem like you've been preoccupied ever since you got here. I hope we haven't done anything to displease you."

"No, of course not. I didn't mean to give off that impression. I'm still trying to find my way around. It's quite different here from Whitechapel as you can probably guess."

"Well, I'm not surprised. That district has been known to be the epicenter of some very sinister and unusual crimes over the past few years as well as in the past. We heard all about your escapades before you came here, especially the Ripper Copycat murders. It must have been quite an experience."

"Do you think I made a mistake by letting the murderer go?" Chandler asked solemnly.

"No, sir. If you hadn't, then Detective Inspector Miles could have died. I wouldn't have wanted that on my conscience and neither did you for that matter."

"It's ironic. Even when you think you're doing the right thing, sometimes it comes back to haunt you," Chandler replied cryptically. "It's true when they say that no good deed ever goes unpunished."

"Are you speaking professionally or personally?" the young woman asked astutely.

"Perhaps a little a both. Thank you for checking up on me, Alice. Don't worry, I'll be leaving shortly."

"All right. Goodnight sir."

"Goodnight."

Chandler leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. It was quieter in Scotland Yard in contrast to Whitechapel; much quieter. His modern office with its posh, sleek furniture and state of the art equipment provided all the resources he needed at his fingertips. Everything was run like a well-oiled machine, without much drama; just the way he liked things. Chandler had everything he could want for his professional career. Opportunity, prominence, and prestige. And yet, something was missing from his life. Correction, SOMEONE was missing. Chandler closed his eyes, conjuring up an image of the person in question and Kent's impish smile immediately came into focus. He never imagined that he would miss anyone as much as he missed Kent. Not a day passed by that he didn't think about him or how he was doing. He thought that being physically separated from his former DC would somehow suppress his burgeoning feelings for him. He thought that his absence wouldn't affect him and that he could move on without Kent in his life. He was wrong on all three counts.

There was no use in denying it any longer. Chandler was attracted to Kent. Whenever he touched him, Chandler' senses would tingle in anticipation. He could remember in vivid detail how soft Kent's hand felt and how it seemed to dwarf in comparison to his own hands. But the moment of truth for Chandler came when he held Kent closely to him as the younger man slept in his arms. He actually felt at peace and never wanted to let him go. He realized now that Kent was more than just a subordinate. And he was more than just a friend. He was Chandler's soul mate. He never thought he could feel such strong emotions for another person. But Kent wasn't like any other person. Kent had been there for Chandler and supported him in every way. He provided emotional support and stability, which Chandler should have appreciated more than he did.

What he felt for Kent went beyond anything he had ever felt for anyone and that included Morgan Lamb. If Chandler was honest with himself, he had to admit that part of his initial attraction to her was due to the fact that she had been a psychiatrist and understood his motivations for his obsessive compulsive habits. For the first time, he was able to deal with the psychological part of himself that he couldn't control at times. But with Kent, it was Chandler's heart that was affected. He not only touched the part of Chandler that was emotionally flawed, he also touched the part of him that yearned for companionship and the desire to be loved.

Chandler missed Kent so much that he would often find himself expecting to see the younger man walk through the door with a status report flashing an enthusiastic smile or to update him on various leads like in the past. But then reality would set in, harshly reminding him that Kent was no longer there. What wouldn't he give to see him one more time or even just to hear his voice. Of course there was nothing physically preventing him from getting in touch with Kent. All he had to do was push one button on his mobile phone. But in doing so, it might cause more harm than good. After all Chandler was the one who left Kent and told him that he couldn't give him what he wanted. He was the one who ran away because of his fear and insecurities.

The Chief Inspector leaned forward in his chair and propped his elbows on top of his desk, lacing his fingers together while resting them against his forehead, deep in contemplation. He wondered how Kent was doing. Perhaps he had moved on to someone else by now. At this very moment his former DC could be in the arms of another man. Someone else would be holding him and caressing him and... Just the thought made Chandler want to knock over a chair and several other pieces of furniture in the room in jealousy. He should have been happy that Kent was moving on with his life with someone else. Chandler couldn't even convince himself of that one. The truth of the matter was that he missed Kent and wanted to be with him again. He wanted to be with him in every way. To think that at his age, he was acting like a lovesick teenager. This was probably what a mid-life crisis was like.

"Miles, what would you tell me to do if you were here?" he asked out loud.

"I'd tell you to stop whining and go see Kent as soon as possible."

Chandler jolted backwards in surprise and held a hand to his chest over his thumping heart. He had been so deep in thought that he didn't notice that someone was in the room with him. Miles was leaning against the door jam with his hands in his coat pockets, grinning like the cat the caught the canary.

"Miles! How long have you been standing there?"

The seasoned detective walked over to Chandler's desk and sat in the opposite chair like he used to back in Whitechapel. "Long enough. So this is what Chief Inspectors do all day in Scotland Yard. Pretty nice setup. I see you're still the last one here. Some things never change."

"I was just about to leave. What are you doing here?"

"Can't an old friend come by and visit? I figured it was about time since you haven't stopped by the old place yet. So, are you gonna do it or not?"

"Do what?" Chandler replied carefully.

"Go see Kent."

"What makes you think that I want to?"

"Maybe because you miss him?" Miles replied astutely.

"I don't think that would be a good idea. I bet he doesn't even want to see me again after the way I left."

"Well now, that's a bet you would lose. I heard through the grapevine that Kent hasn't been seen with anyone since you left. I've also heard from a reliable source that he still has feelings for you."

"Really?" Chandler replied eagerly. He sounded like a kid again.

"Really. If you leave now, you should be able to catch him back at his place."

Chandler immediately collected himself. "And why would I want to do that?"

"Ugh! Sometimes you make me want to box your ears. Look here, I'll make it simple for you. Kent likes you and you like him. So stop playing mind games and work it out with him, will you?"

"You mean you knew that I...?" Chandler replied in shock.

"Of course. Why do you think I was teasing you about him all the time? Most people would have taken the hint a long time ago. I thought you'd never figure it out on your own. I mean it only took you SIX years. Better late than never I suppose. Now that you've owned up to it, there's no reason why you two can't get together."

"I can think of a lot of reasons why."

"Are they actual reasons or just excuses? After a while, you can't tell the difference anymore. That's your problem. You've convinced yourself that you're incapable of being in a relationship when that's not true."

"It's not as simple as that. Do you have any idea how difficult it was for me to get past Morgan's death? Or to even entertain the notion that I would even want to be involved with Kent in a romantic relationship?"

"Of course I do. But you're making things more difficult than they need to be. You're so obsessed with the past that it's preventing you from having any kind of future."

"Yes, well, obsession has never been something I've lacked. I've always been an independent person for as long as I can remember. I was always in control of my emotions because I had to be. But for the first time in my life Miles, I don't have that option. Even though I might want to be with Kent, he may not want to be with me anymore. Not after the way I left."

"So that's what's worrying you."

"That and the reality that follows if he in fact wants to be with me in spite of everything," Chandler replied softly. "I pushed Kent away for so many years and I always took him for granted. I treated him like a second-class citizen most of the time. And yet, he still wanted to be with me. I never realized how much I missed him until he went to Sheffield. And now that we're no longer working together, it feels like there's a part of me that's missing."

"Then why aren't you telling this to him?"

"Because...I can't ask him to go through another emotional roller coaster with me again, Miles. It would be asking too much."

Miles gave him a sympathetic look that belied his usual gruff exterior.

"You've never been a quitter, Joseph Chandler. I've seen you during one of the lowest moments of your life when I found you sitting alone in a shower stall soaking wet, after taking on Cazenove. You didn't quit then even though you were that close in doing so. Why would you start now?"

"That was a different scenario altogether. You can't compare that situation and...and THIS."

"You're just fretting because for the first time, you're not in control. I've been watching the two of you ever since Kent came back from Sheffield and I've noticed that you don't talk to each other."

"What do you mean by that? We talked to each other all the time."

"You two may have talked, but you've never really communicated. Maybe you should start trying, before it's too late."

"Miles, I appreciate your concern and advice, but it's no use. You can't guarantee that Kent will accept me. And you can't guarantee the future."

"Neither can you. Look, all you can do is tell Kent how you feel and let the chips fall where they may. There are no guarantees in life, but you can do everything in your power to help them fall in your favor. Never underestimate the power of the truth. You'll never know what will happen if you sit there and do nothing."

"But I've made so many mistakes. All I've ever done is cause Kent pain and heartache. Even if by some miracle he decides that he still wants to be with me, he has no idea what he's in for. You know how complicated I am, Miles."

"Kent put up with you for almost six years. I think it's safe to say that he knows you and he's seen everything you have to offer."

"Not quite everything," Chandler responded quietly. "Kent sees what he wants to see and not the part of me that is imperfect. He's never seen me when I can't control my OCD."

"Big news flash. He already knows you're not perfect. And yet he still wanted to be with you in spite of your faults even though you gave him a reason to hate you in the past. If he was willing to forgive you for that, he can forgive you for anything."

"That's why he deserves someone better."

"Let me ask you something. Do think Kent is intelligent?"

"Of course I do."

"Do you think he's a fairly reasonable person?"

"Yes," Chandler reiterated.

"Do you think he's capable of making sound judgments without letting anyone influence his decisions?"

"Does this line of questioning have a point?" the Chief Inspector replied impatiently..

"I was getting to it. My point is that it's not up to you to decide what's best for Kent. He's more than capable of making that decision for himself. And if it makes him happy to be stuck with you, then who are you to tell him that he shouldn't?"

"But..."

"No but's. You can keep on giving excuses until the cows come home, but it won't change the fact that you want to be with Kent. That's all that really matters. Everything else is just background noise. If you ask me, you'd be damn lucky to be with him."

"What if I end up driving Kent away? What if I mess things up again? What if...?"

"What if you stop making excuses and listen to your heart for once? Do you really want to spend the rest of life your life regretting what could have been? Kent understands what it means to be an officer of the law. He's been through the trenches and has gone through a lot for someone so young. Most importantly, he knows you and accepts you for who you are, warts and all. Are you really willing to give him up for a life of regret?"

Chandler leaned back in his chair in defeat. For once, he had no answer. "You should have been a lawyer, Miles. You make a very good argument."

"What? And give up all the glamour of police work?" the older detective quipped.

Chandler smiled, immensely grateful for Miles' friendship. He took out a bottle of scotch from his bottom desk drawer accompanied by two glass tumblers.

"Will you have a drink with me before you go for old times' sake? I'll need all the fortification I can get if I'm going to go through with this."

Miles smiled and took one of the tumblers, waited until it was filled, and clinked it against Chandler's subsequently filled glass. "For old time's sake."

"So, now that you're in charge, how do you like running the show?" Chandler asked.

"I don't mind telling you this since you've been there before, but it's right a pain in the ass. I don't know how you put up with all the paperwork and dealing with the high muckity mucks at head office and their attitude."

Chandler chuckled in sympathy. "Not exactly what you thought it was, was it? Now you know what I had to go through."

"Every time I try to do some actual work, I keep getting pulled in another direction or I'm asked to put out a fire, or deal with some Human Resource Department issue. I wish people would just leave me the hell alone so I could do some actual work."

"It's only been two months and it won't always be like that. Give it some time. Look how long it took me to get used to it."

"And that's supposed to make me feel better? I guess I'm so used to the grind of police work that all my other new duties caught me off guard. Actually, I was surprised you followed through with your decision to leave."

"Why would you be surprised? I wasn't going to remain there forever."

"I just didn't picture you as the desk jockey type. You're a problem solver. That's what you do best."

"I admit, that the position is not quite exactly the perfect fit, but when an opportunity presents itself, you have to go for it."

"If you could come back, would you do it?"

"That would depend on whether or not Kent want's me back in his life."

"Oh, I'm sure he wants you back. He's just too stubborn to admit it. He's becoming a lot like you."

"That's a terrible thing to say to anyone. And unless I hear directly from Kent himself, I'm not going to hold my breath on any sort of reunion."

"Just to show you how confident I am, I'll jump on top of my desk in my skivvies and scream like a chicken if it turns out that I'm wrong about Kent."

Chandler laughed. "You really would do that, wouldn't you?"

Miles smiled knowingly as he took another sip of his drink. "Damn right I would."

"How did you know, Miles?"

"How did I know about what?"

"That I was attracted to Kent. I didn't even come to terms with it myself, until recently."

"That's like asking how do I know if the sun will come up tomorrow," the older man retorted. "You two were meant for each other. It doesn't take a detective to figure that out."

To Be Continued...


Upload date: 30July2016 PST

A/N: I don't know why Kent and Chandler make such a nice pair, but they just do. Thank you for your support!