A/N: This chapters going to be Joe focused, I know the stories being told from Kent's POV mostly but Joe need to be explained at certain point. I've just realised that I don't think this story will be as long as Past Sins. Not so sure why, might have to do with it not being as episode focused as P.S was. But don't worry, it aint going to be ending anytime soon, I just wanted to warn you I can't see this going on for twenty four chapters.

Anyho. Enjoy

CHAPTER TEN

It was eleven in the evening by the time Joe was able to get to the hospital to see Kent. He smiled at the head nurse as he arrived. "Evening Alice." he said a little warily.

The middle aged brunette returned his smile. "Joe."

Joe was lucky, the woman was understanding and deeply romantic, she'd understood almost instantly Joe's anxiety and need to be at Kent's side. She was the only person he didn't have to pretend around. She was somewhat a kindred spirit when it came to breaking the rules, have been allowing Joe to visit after hours, knowing that his work kept him away during the day.

"How is he?"

Alice nodded. "He's fine. Doctor Jensen likes his progress and he's not in as much pain, though he'd still having trouble sleeping so we're still having to help knock him out." she smiled apologetically.

Joe glanced in the direction of Kent's room.

"You look like you could do with some sleep yourself. Why don't you go home, he's not going anywhere."

Joe shook his head. "I'm fine. - I can't…"

Alice gave a sympathetic nod. "I know, I'm just the same. When my husband's away, I can't sleep properly either."

Joe sent her a meaningful look. She had known instantly what was between him and Kent, despite his assurances that they were just work colleague. Eventually he'd admitted the truth and explained that no one could know. As with everything, she'd understood perfectly.

Joe turned and headed off towards the younger man's room, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion. Entering the room Joe pulled up his usual chair, a large red leather thing, and fell into it, his eyes fixed to Kent's sleeping form. He looked so much younger when he was sleeping, and clearly he wasn't in any pain. Joe carded his fingers through the man's curls and murmured a hello, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

A few moments later Alice strolled in with a mug of decent tea. "Here."

Joe nodded his thanks and took the cup, his gaze never leaving Kent. He could feel Alice watching him but he didn't look up.

"Joe?"

"Yes."

"I'm heading on holiday tomorrow, so you'll have trouble getting into see him."

Joe's gaze lifted to look at the woman with a hint of panic.

"My covers not as…sympathetic as me, I doubt she'll allow you to see him." she said apologetically.

"But I can't get here during visiting hours, surely she'll understand that."

"I know, sorry but I don't think she will. She's one of those old fashioned battleaxes, the kinda nurse that scares the living hell out of doctors and patients alike. Doubt she's got an understanding bone in her body."

Joe looked back at Kent and slumped in his chair. "How long?"

Alice sighed guilty, though she had no reason to. "Two weeks. By the time I get back he should be ready to be discharged. - I'm sorry Joe."

"It's fine, really. You deserve a holiday, I know you work hard. I hope you have a wonderful time." he smiled genuinely but there was sadness in his eyes.

They were silent for a few moments. "Any news on catching the people who did this?" Alice asked finally, nodding to the unconscious man.

Joe shook his head. "We have our suspicions, we're just waiting for him to make a mistake." his voice was hard and angry.

"Well hopefully he will soon." she paused. "You staying the night?" she already knew the answer before Joe nodded. "I'll fetch you a pillow and a blanket."

"Thank you so much Alice." Joe said, stopping her at the door. "I'd go crazy if I couldn't see him." literally.

"You're most welcome Joe."

~WHITECHAPEL~

Turned out Alice was right, her replacement was a dragon and she stood guard over Kent like he was some kind of princess in a tower. She wouldn't even attempt to listen to reason; she's simply folded her arms over her ample chest, snapped on about rules and regulations and then ordered him to leave. As a result Joe hadn't seen Kent in four days and he was climbing the walls. He'd tried to get away at lunch but every time he headed for the door, something came up and they didn't exactly have the man power to cover for him. Miles would always say he could handle it of course, but the case was too important, not that he didn't trust Miles or that Kent wasn't more important to him, but it was only the four of them and he wanted Duke's head on a block. He knew Kent would understand, especially if it meant bringing his attacker to justice.

By the fifth day he'd finally had enough. He needed to see Kent, needed to talk to him. - Need at least a kiss from the man. So at lunch he'd grabbed his coat, ignored the ring phone and headed for the hospital.

He turned the corner on his way to Emerson's room and paused as a man in jeans and a thick coat exited. Joe frowned, he didn't recognize him as any of Kent's friends, and he didn't exactly look like the kind of person Emerson would be aquatinted with. He watched him walk past, with a nod of acknowledgement. Joe turned to follow him with his gaze, as he stepped into the lift he turned once more to look at Joe with a knowing look, his face fixing itself in Joe's mind for future reference. He couldn't help but wonder who the man was, or why he was here to see Kent.

Joe continued on towards his boyfriend's room, his mind tumbling over itself trying to think of who the visitor could have been. When he entered the young man was no longer on his stomach but sitting up in bed, Joe's heart skipped. "Hey." he smiled as Kent lifted his brown eyes from a magazine.

"Joe." he shifted uncomfortable. "Your - Hi."

Joe crossed to the bed. "How are you? Sitting up I see."

Kent gave him a sheepish smile. "Yeah, I've got this cushion thing…" he pulled back the covers to show Joe. "…bloody uncomfortable but at least I'm not lying face down anymore."

"I'm glad you hear to." he smiled warmly; he gaze giving the door a quick sweep before he lent in and pressed a swift gently kiss to Kent's lips.

Kent pulled back and looked up at Joe. He'd been needing that for days, he was about to ask why Joe hadn't been by sooner when Joe spoke first.

"So, who was your visitor?" he tried to sound casual but Kent distinctly heard jealousy in his tone, and hearing it put him at easy, just a little.

"Visitor?"

"The guy I just past. - I saw him coming out of here." Joe frowned.

"Oh, him... Not a clue, he was lost. Said a nurse gave him the wrong directions. Couldn't wait for him to leave, he's one of those tells you his life story types." Kent replied matter-of-factly.

Joe didn't feel convinced but then there was no reason for Kent to lie to him, so pushed the whole thing to the back of his mind. He pulled up his chair. "Well, I'm glad to see you're looking better. - Sorry I haven't been able to visit. The case has us run off out feet and that dragon of a head nurse wouldn't let me in after hours."

Emerson nodded. "Of course. How's it going?"

Joe sighted tiredly. "Slow. But don't worry, Dukes will make a mistake eventually and then we'll have him."

Emerson nodded absently, fidgeting again.

"Are you alright Em? Do you want me to…"

"No, I'm alright." he snapped a little too harshly.

Joe's breath hitched at the tone.

"I'm sorry Joe, just… well, you know, cabin fever or something. Just want to get out of here."

Joe moved forward with a warm smile. "I know, I want you home to."

Kent turned to meet his gaze and flushed, a hint of panic in his eyes. "I - I was thinking that…" he swallowed nervously. "…that I'd go back to my place." he said in a rush. "Robin's said she'll take some time off to look after me. - I'm not going to be….able to…I'm going to need to heal."

Joe's face fell at Kent's words. He wasn't coming home. Joe chest expanded painfully as he forced air into his lungs. It had been so hard being in that flat without Kent there. That was why he'd spend nights on this uncomfortable chair. The past week alone had left him exhausted. It had become impossible to sleep without Kent next to him. He'd been looking forward to the day he'd be release and Joe could curl up next to him and finally get a good night's sleep.

He wanted to insist that Kent come back to his, back home, but as much as he wanted that, he understood why Kent felt he needed to be at his own place. It was true he was going to need some looking after for a while and it wasn't like Joe could take the time off of work to do it. Robin could always look after Kent at his place but then that wouldn't be feasible considering the secrecy of their relationship. So with a resigned sigh he nodded. "H-have they said when you'll be released? You're sitting up so that's clearly a good sign."

"I guess." Kent shrugged, his gaze fixed on the magazine he'd stopped reading. "Still hurts though, luckily they've given me some really awesome pain killers." he said trying to sound light-hearted but there was a shift between them that was painfully and awkward.

Joe felt it too and it was making him edgy. "Do you…need anything?"

Kent shook his head.

The pair sat in silence for a long while before Joe broke under the stress, getting to his feet he fussed with his coat. "Well, I should…you know."

"Yeah."

Joe looked down at the red rimmed brown eyes. "I'll try and pop in tomorrow." he mumbled.

"Okay."

"Well, okay then. Bye." Joe dropped a kiss on Kent's forehead and walked out of the room, a familiar weight pressing on his shoulder, one he'd thought he'd exorcised for good.

~WHITECHAPTEL~

Joe arrived back at the station and went straight to his office. His head was pounding and his eyes hurt. Closing the door behind him, he hung up his coat and dropped down into his leather office chair. He began pulling his stuff out of his pocket and arranging his desk. When it was done he leant back only to feel it wasn't done correctly, pulling all of the objects back towards him he begun again. After the second time he sighed as the peace swam over him. He lifted the small tub of Tiger Balm and applied it to his temples. He hadn't needed to do this in so long because usually he could find his peace in Kent, but now the stress was just too much and Kent wasn't there to help him through it.

He had his elbow resting on the desk, rubbing at the balm covered skin, when he opened his eyes for a few moments and noticed a small piece of folded paper in his inbox tray. Sitting up straight he reached out for it, unfolding it he stared at the writing.

Three murders under their belts, one more wouldn't have been trouble?

Joe frowned down at the message for a long moment before jumping to his feet and going in search of Miles.

TO BE CONTINUED…

THANKS FOR READING AND REVIEWING. LOVE YOU ALL.

A/N: Okay, before I get messages getting excited about the possible appearance of Kent's ex. I'll put you straight right now. The guy coming out of his hospital room was not the mysterious Tom... Though I'm sure that's who Joe and maybe even a few of you were thinking. But I'm afraid not, and I don't want to get your hopes up.

Hope you're enjoying the story so far. I'm still having trouble with this one but I think I'm getting into the swing of it.