CHAPTER NINE

Emerson's eyelids felt like they had fifty ton weights hanging from them and his body was heavy and immovable. His mind was a foggy haze that he didn't think would ever lift. He had no idea where he was or why he wasn't in his own bed, with Joe beside him. Then the smell of disinfectant filled his nostrils and slowly it came back to him, the hospital, the operation, the attack, the pain. Tears slid from beneath his closed dark lashes and his body shook under the force of the sobs. The doctor had mention possible nerve damage, which would mean he'd never walk again. His heart slammed painfully against his ribs and his eyes shot open. He moved his feet beneath the heavy blankets but lying on his stomach, he couldn't tell if he they were actually moving. It felt like they were, but then that didn't meant a thing, phantom limbs and all that.

In the dark, through his blurred vision Emerson could see a figure sat in an uncomfortable hospital chair, his blond hair ruffled and his head tilted awkwardly. The painful racing of his heart calmed at the sight and he took a couple of deep breaths, sniffling back tears.

The sound must have snuck into Joe's subconscious. His eyes snapped open to meet Emerson's watery gaze, then he was shifting forward in his seat, his impatient fingers carding into the tangled dark curls. "Hey." he whispered.

Emerson couldn't speak, his throat tight with emotion, so he smiled softly and ran his tongue over his dry lips.

"Thirsty?"

Emerson nodded as much as he could while lying on his stomach. He watched Joe pour some water into a plastic glass with a strew before holding it to his lips. Emerson wrapped them around the plastic tube and sucked. The cool water a god send to his parched throat. After a couple of deep swallows, Joe pulled the glass way, putting it back on the cabinet by the bed then returning to his seat, his fingers once again threading through Kent's hair.

"How are you feeling?"

"L-like I've been hit by a b-bus." Emerson replied roughly.

"Right, sorry, stupid question. - But you're not in any pain"

Emerson shook his head, swallowing hard once more. "W-what are y-you d-doing h-here?"

Joe frowned. "Where else would I be?"

Kent's lips pulled into a sad smile. "Well I would have thought, from the look on your face earlier that you'd have gone after Dukes."

Joe's face hardened and he remember the anger and need for revenge that had swamped him the instant he'd seen Kent lying bleeding on a hospital trolley. "We'll get Dukes." Joe said with determination. "You don't have to worry." he lent forward and pressed a gentle kiss to the younger man's lips. "I promise, Em, he won't get away with this, I won't let him."

Kent nodded sadly.

"How's the investigation going?" Kent asked, shifting and wincing on the bed.

"Are you alight? Do you want me to get a nurse?"

Emerson shook his head again. "I'm fine, just not used to sleeping on my stomach, like this."

Joe met his gaze warmly. "Just pretend you're at home." he said with meaning.

Kent couldn't help but giggle and found himself wincing again. "Ow, don't make me laugh."

Joe's smile widened. "Sorry." his fingers continuing to play between the strands of dark hair.

"So?" Kent sighed, his eyes drifting shut.

"So what?"

"You haven't answered my question, about the investigation."

Joe sighed tiredly; he didn't want to talk about his day, the one that had to be the worst in living history. He didn't want to tell Emerson about what the commander had told him about Miles, though thankfully that warning which had spike Joe's nervous suspicions had proven unfounded. He didn't want to tell him that they were only down to him, Miles, McCormack and Mansell, because none of the other officers wanted to risk the wrath of Steven Dukes. He didn't tell him that only a couple of hours ago him and Miles had found the dead body of Slasher Daneford in his car.

"It's progressing, you don't need to worry about it Em. All you need to do is get yourself better and come home."

"I've only been here a few hours…. What is the time anyway?" Emerson asked, his eyes fighting to stay open.

"Four in the morning."

"Oh…" his eyes closed again. "Shouldn't you be at home, sleeping." his voice grew quiet as sleep took hold once more.

Joe's finger ran down his cheek. "You know I can't sleep without you there." he whispered.

"Aww, that's so sweet." Kent giggled childishly.

Joe brushed another kiss to Joe's lips and cheek. "Go back to sleep." he whispered.

Emerson hummed as he slipped back into unconsciousness, leaving Joe alone in the silent room, just watching over him.

He would have to get to work in a few hours, but he couldn't face going home without Kent, keeping him warm, waking up to that soft body and playful smile. No, he couldn't imagine he was going to get much sleep until the younger man was home again.

So Joe shifted back in the chair and tried to fall back to sleep, determined afresh that Dukes was going to pay for what he'd done to Emerson.

~WHITECHAPEL~

Kent fidgeted as the nurse cleaned his wound and changed his dressings. Finally the drug induced haze of the past forty-eight hours had lifted. The doctor had already informed him, much to his relief, that there was no serious damage, he'd have some scaring but after some rest and physiotherapy he'd be back on his feet and in full working order, but until then he was to be care and there was to be no 'physical actively' as he'd polity put it. Like sex was the only thing on the young DC's mind.

Though with his mind no longer addled by drugs, that announcement had set in motion an almost endless stream of insecure. He hadn't been able to see the wounds and so his mind, as most would, had filled in the blanks with the most horrific images it could conjure up. With them came question about his future with Joe.

The man had already begun to distance himself. He hadn't seen Joe since his admission. He'd thought he'd been there when he'd woken up after his surgery but Emerson had quickly dismissed that, it had been dark and he'd been doped up on pain medication. Of course it hadn't been Joe.

It hurt more than his injury to know Joe had already begun to push him away. He'd thought what they had was about more than sex. Joe had even told him he loved him, but now when it counted most where was he?

Part of Kent's mind screamed that Joe had a job to do, that he was out there trying to find out who'd done this to him, but the voice was ignored because it was easier to think that Joe didn't want him any more than to imagine the pity in his eyes when he finally saw the torn and broken remnants of his body. Cause how was he ever going to be able to let Joe see that? A shiver of dread and disgust ran down his spin and tears swelled in his eyes causing Emerson turn his face into his pillow and cry.

TO BE CONTINUED….

THANKS FOR READING AND REVIEWING.

A/N: Sorry it's such a short chapter and a depressing one.

BTW For anyone who's interested, I've got two wallpapers to accompany the stories. You can find them on my DeviantART page. Gatergirl79.