A/N: Would like to say sorry if you felt the previous chapter didn't work. Honestly, I wasn't overly sure about it either but it felt right at the time. I hope it wasn't too distracting from the story in general. If it was, please forgive me. Now back to the misery.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Kent couldn't help the excitement racing through him the next morning at the thought of seeing Joe. It had felt like forever and he couldn't wait to kiss him. Their phone call last night had given Emerson a piece of mind he hadn't felt in ages, he had slept like a baby after. He was sat cautiously on his bed watching the telly when the female doctor surprised him by walked in with a cheery face.

"Morning Mr. Kent."

"Hey Doc." Emerson smiled, turning off the telly.

"How are we feeling this morning?"

"Fine. Great." he grinned.

"Wonderful." the woman smiled, flicking though his chart. "Well, your progress is excellent. How's the pain when you sitting?"

"It's a little sore and uncomfortable, but nothing I can't handle."

"Good." she nodded. "And you're walking? How are you handling the crutches?"

"Fine."

"Great. Well…"

They were interrupted by the ringing of Kent's mobile on the cabinet; he smiled up apologetically at the woman, hitting the button to send the call straight to voicemail. "Sorry. You were saying."

"Well, I think you can go home." she said grinning brightly at him.

"Really." Emerson straightened. "When?"

"Today. Have you got someone who can come and get you?"

Emerson's smile brightened further and he nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah."

"Then after we've filled out some paper work and run through a few things you're free."

"Thank you so much Doc."

"You're welcome Mr. Kent. - I'll be back in a little while with the paperwork and your prescription."

Emerson nodded as she left the room.

She'd barely stepped over the threshold before Kent was checking the voicemail that had just been left for him.

"Em. Sorry but won't be able to make lunch; there's been a shooting at a pub. Dukes. I'll call you as soon as I can, promise. Really sorry…" Joe said apologetically in a hushed voice, Miles yelling in the background.

Emerson's face fell at Joe's message.

"Love you." Joe added in a whispered before hanging up.

Emerson's face lit up again.

Hanging up his phone, he turned to the contact list. If Joe wasn't able to meet him, he wouldn't be able to pick him up, which left only one person he could call.

"Robin?"

"Is everything alright?" he asked with panic and Emerson had to laugh.

"I'm fine. I was wondering if you could pick me up, there letting me go today."

"What!" the woman squealed. "Of course I can. - It won't be for a while though, is that alright?"

"That's fine. I've got some paper work to fill out and a meeting with the doctor. See you when you get here." He smiled.

"You bet." she hung up.

It was late lunchtime when Robin strolled into his room. His bag was packed and waiting and he was sat cautiously on the small cushion the hospital had given him to protect his rear. Over the past couple of hours he'd had to fill out a ton of paperwork, listen with embarrassment as the doctor told him that any 'sexual activity' was out of the question for at least another couple of months. "Just to be on the safe side." She'd smiled, clearly just as embarrassed as him, though she tried to hid it. Then she'd handed him a prescription from painkillers "only to be taken when the pain was unbearable." and for some sleeping tablets with the same warning. Then she'd left him with a hand shake, a smile and at "Hope not to see you here again." which he'd heartily agreed with.

When Robin had walked into the room he grinned from ear to ear.

"Well, you're most defiantly looking better." she said, examining him intently.

"I feel it. - You were right Rob, I can't let them win." He said, getting to his feet with only a slight wince as he reached for the crutches. "So take me home."

"Happily." Rob grinned, picking up his bag.

They were at the door when she stopped, turning to look at his suddenly. "Home?" she asked with a frown.

Emerson dropped his gaze but smiled. "The flat." raising it again he met his friends disappointed gaze. "For now. - Joe's working."

Robin's face lit up. "Alright, flat it is."

They were in the car and on their way before Robin thought to tell Kent what she'd heard at the station. She probably should have said something instantly but in all honesty she hadn't thought Kent would want to hear it, especially considering the good mood he'd been in when she'd arrived, but now she figured he had a right to.

"They've arrested Jimmy Kray." she said matter-of-factly.

"What?" Emerson's head snapped around.

She smiled softly over to him. "There was a shooting at a pub this morning. A witness fingers Jimmy Kray."

"You mean there really is… The Kray's are back."

Robin nodded. "Reggie's sons apparently."

Emerson paled, his hands began to shake. The Krays. The real Kray. So it hadn't been Dukes. He swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. "Take me to the station." he demanded.

"What?" Robin frowned over to him.

"Take me to the station. I - I…" He gasped for a breath. "…Just take me, Rob."

"I don't think that's a good idea Em. You've just gotten released from…"

"I need to see it for myself. I…" he turned pleading eyes on his friend. "Please."

Robin sighed and turned the car in the direction of the station, wishing she hadn't said a word.

Kent struggled out of the car and hobbled away with his crutches, Robin right behind him.

"Em, are you sure about this?"

He didn't answer; he just swung himself over the threshold. Suddenly everyone's eyes were on him and he swallowed back his nerves. He headed for the stairs when a voice behind called him.

"Hey buddy."

Emerson turned to see Mark walking towards him a smile on his face. "Hey."

"What are you doing here?"

"Heard about the arrest."

Mark sent Robin a dangerous glare.

"I thought he had a right to know." she shrugged.

"So it's true?"

"Yeah." Mark nodded, glancing around him. "But you didn't need to come here. I would have told you everything when I got back. Assuming you're not bugging off to your 'friends' place." Mark smirked.

Kent rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm coming back to the flat." he replied curtly.

"Then go and I'll tell you everything when I get home."

"No." Kent snapped, heading for the stairs, ignoring the concerned protests of his friends.

He waddled into the office and looked around. McCormack was working at his desk. He looked up when the young man entered and smile. "Kenty boy." he got out of his seat and wrapped the younger man in a hug. "How you doin?"

"Fine, thanks. How's things here. I heard you've arrested some guy calling himself Jimmy Kray."

"Yeah. Boss as gone over to Organized Crimes to talk to that Cazenove bloke."

"Oh."

"Is that why you're here?"

Kent nodded. Just wanted to see it for myself. McCormack nodded understandingly.

"You wan' anything?" the Scotsman asked.

"Nuh, thanks Mac. I'm just going to sit here and wait for the Skip or the Boss."

"Alrigh." He smiled, retaking his seat.

Kent settled down at his desk with a hiss and a wince and waited.

~WHITECHAPEL~

It was an hour later when Kent hobbled back into the incident room after paying a visit to the toilets to be met by Joe.

"Kent?" Joe said with surprise.

Kent couldn't stop the small smile.

Aware that they weren't alone Joe kept his words and tone professional, though his heart was soaring at seeing the younger man finally. "We weren't expecting you back so soon."

"I heard there'd been an arrest. I wanted to see who did this to me." Emerson said with a determined frown.

Joe met the man's gaze. "You're looking much better." he said after a moment, fighting every instinct to wrap the man in his arms and kiss him.

"I'm feeling good." Kent smiled. "I had a great night's sleep."

Joe's gaze flickered to McCormack, thankful the man was too busy on the phone to pay them any heed.

"Let's get some tea while we wait."

"Wait?"

Joe nodded. "The Krays lawyer is insisting on an identity parade."

"Why?" Kent frowned following after Joe as he made his way out of the room.

"Say's there's no way to tell whether it was Jimmy or his twin brother Johnny that killed the man in the pub."

"But we can right?" Kent sound panicked.

In the crowded hallway Joe turned to Kent. "We'll get then E-Kent." a promise in his gaze.

They were making their way down the stairs carefully when they were met half way by Mansell, whose face told the pair everything. "She couldn't do it boss."

Joe felt his gut clench tight at the words and his gaze snapped to see Kent's face pale.

"There free?"

"If our only witness is unreliable, we can't hold them." said apologetically

At that moment the twin strolled causally around the corner. They glanced up at Kent with a smile. Anger flooded Joe with a need to protect the man he cared so much for. He rushed down the stairs after the pair, yelling at them as they left.

"You'll never be this lucky again. Consider this a war gentleman."

"A war?" Jimmy said casually, buttoning his black suit jacket. "Oh we love ourselves a war, don't we Johnny?"

"Oh we do." the other twin smirked. "We do."

TO BE CONTINUED….

THANKS FOR READING AND REVIEWING.

A/N: I know I said I don't like all the lovey dovey 'I love you's' but actually it kinda feels right for Joe and Kent, especially considering the future. Again sorry for the previous chapter.

The conversation between Joe and Kent, for the most part is from the series. Except for a few of my own lines, I'm sure you can tell which ones. And the conversation with the Krays is from the series too.

Hope this chapter wasn't another right-off. If so, sorry.