A/N: Sorry for the long wait guy.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Mac. Mac? No matter how many times he said it he just couldn't get his head around it. He'd thought Mac was his friend, but then what did that matter, Joe was his boyfriend and look where that had gotten him.

He'd like to say he understood why Joe had believed what he did, that he could forgive and forget but the truth was he didn't think he ever could. Truth was the foundation of every relationship and after yesterday, Emerson knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Joe didn't trust him. He wondered if he'd ever even suspected Mac, or Mansell or even the Skip? And if not, what did that say about their relationship and Joe opinion of him. Kent sat on his bed staring at the wall. He'd finally stopped crying; now he was just numb. His mind focused solely on what he'd over heard. Mac had been the traitor. When his phone began to beep, announcing a text message, he glanced at the plastic. It had been ringing and beeping on and off since Joe's departure and he didn't need to look to know who it was calling. Despite that, he found himself reaching for it, and glancing at the screen. To his surprise it wasn't Joe, but DS Miles. Emerson's chest clenched with disappointment. As irrational as it was, he didn't want Joe to call by he didn't want him to give up either.

Emerson was tempted to ignore the text, not caring what it said, but freezing out Joe was one thing, after all that was personal, doing the same to the Skip was quite another and he doubted the older man would appreciate being ignored. Hitting the button he scanned the short to the point message.

MSG: DS Miles

Buchan's, 8:00PM

Come

Kent stared at the message for a minute, unsure what to say or do. He was being ordered to Buchan's place for some reason. Maybe it was a wake or something, for Mac, but why would that be at Buchan's? Miles didn't even like the strange man, the only one who gave Ed any time was Joe. Emerson was still wondering what was going on when another messages came through for the detective sergeant.

MSG: DS Miles

You better bloody be there Kent,

Or I'll come to your place and drag you there.

8:00PM

Now Emerson really was intrigued. But he couldn't face going there, he knew Joe would be there, knew he'd have to face the man that only twenty four hours had stood in front of him, called him a traitor and broken his heart in the process. And besides, he'd already decided to quit, so he didn't need to jump when the Skip bellowed. It wasn't like he was needed anyway; Joe would've been doing perfectly well without him. He thought sarcastically.

But as much as he didn't want to go, as much as he didn't want to see Joe and the others, he did want to see the Kray's brought to justice and if that meant meeting with his ex-boss/boyfriend then he really had little choice in the matter, because Jimmy and Johnny had to pay for destroying his life.

Heaving a sigh he pushed himself off the bed, glad the pain was finally giving way and began to get changed.

~WHITECHAPTEL~

Kent pulled up on the moped outside Ed Buchan's house. He hadn't planned on taking it, just seeing the thing brought back bad and painful memories but he couldn't go by bus and it was quicker. It somewhat surprised him that his behind could take it, though he still winced when going over speed bumps and pot-holes. Considering his stitches had only just been removed, his flesh was holding up exceptionally well. He figured it was at least a bright side to his and Joe's break-up, and they were most defiantly over, Emerson couldn't stay with him knowing that Joe could think that about him. At least the bright side was that he wouldn't have to worry about Joe seeing his scares. Not that that was much of a bright side.

Climbing off the small bike, Emerson made his way up the garden path and paused in front of the door, his heart pounding as he wondered if being here was the right decision, after all what could he do? His hand hovered over the knocker for a few minute while he gathered his courage to face Joe. Finally he let it fall and waited. It took a few moments for the door to be opened and he stood staring nervously as Buchan blabbered on about secret knocks. He was highly tempted to tell him where he could shove his secret knocks, but instead asked after his boss. Buchan stepped back to allow the man in, leading him to the dining room.

Emerson was barely through the door when he saw Joe sitting near the head of the table, next to Commander Anderson. Everyone's gaze turned on him but nobody said a word. Joe's gaze softening as he smiled gently at him. At any other time the sight would have made Emerson's heart skip and well, to be honest it still did, but it was over powered with anger. He took a seat next to Mansell as the commander began to talk, thanking them all for coming and going on to say how he wasn't actually in the Kray's pocket but that the whole scene at the station, which Kent had missed due to being put on suspension, had been a ruse to throw off anyone who was genuinely in the employment of the twins.

Kent sat uncomfortably as Buchan poured the tea and handed out biscuits while the Commander and Joe went on explaining about their plan to bring down the murderous pair. Emerson couldn't bring himself to meet Joe's gaze, instead keeping his head lowered and focused on lap, listening to the overly familiar voice tell them about the original investigation. Emerson's head snapped up when Buchan interrupted the DI.

"Oi!" Miles snapped, drawing Buchan's attention and indicating for him to zip-it.

Emerson almost laughed when Ed fell silent and dropped down into his seat. Almost. When Joe stared talking again he forced himself to look at the man, listening to what he said and fight the anger that bubbled away inside him. He just kept telling himself that he was here to stop Jimmy and Johnny, then he'd hand in his notice and never see Joe or the Force again.

~WHITECHAPEL~

When Emerson walked into Ed Buchan's dining room, Joe felt his heart leap into his throat. He looked awful, which considering what he'd been through and what Joe'd done to the younger man, was perfectly understandable. He watched as he took a seat, noticing the slight wince. If they'd been allowed he'd have asked how he was? Offered to get him whatever he needed. Get on his knees and beg his forgiveness. - But they weren't alone, and wouldn't be for a while.

Joe could see the anger and hurt in the younger man face as he refused to meet his gaze. As soon as he could, he'd pull him aside, talk to him. Apologize. Not that there were any words in the world that was going to make up for what he'd done and said, but he had to try. Maybe in time they could get through this, strike it up to one of those bad days Emerson knew he suffered from.

Getting to his feet Joe began to tell the group about the original inquiry into the Kray's, ignoring Ed Buchan's interruption as best he could. The only thing he couldn't ignore was Emerson staying silent in his seat, staring into his lap. He still felt bad, he hadn't slept and not just because of his disastrous meeting with the Kray's. He'd been haunted by doubts almost from the second he'd thrown the younger man out of the station. Doubts that now he wished he'd listened too.

A/N: Sorry about the shortness of this chapter, I'm trying to get through the story but as you can tell it's taking me a while. I can't tell why, maybe it's the angst. But I promise I will finish it, though it may take me longer than the last story did. Really sorry for the wait. Next chapter will be Joe apology, so we're pretty near the end. Then I'll try to start season three. Fingers crossed. Though, I won't be posting that one till it's finished, which I think I may have said about this one, but this time I mean it.

Anyway, Thanks for reading and hope to have another chapter for you soon. Fingers crossed. (Though not while typing.)