BETA: None. WILL have spelling and grammar mistakes. (Please don't complain as I've just warned you.)

Sex: Finally. M/M

Swearing: None

Setting: This chapter takes place between episodes 3 & 4.

The music was pounding, vibrating through his body. Joe hated it, he stood out like a sore thumb, but they had little choice, this was their only lead. He rubbed at his temples wishing he'd had the presence of mind to bring his tiger balm. He glanced around to see Narroy talking to some young man at a table. He like the woman, she understood him, liked him he thought. And there wasn't the problem of them being different ranks, like there had been with Kent. There wouldn't be any sneaking around. It would all be easy. He could almost imagine a life with her. Not mess, no trouble.

The only problem was he wasn't attracted to her physically. He'd thought he was, she was very attractive and he'd noticed, but he just didn't feel that desire to be with her. He knew he was capable of feeling it, so it not being there was…disconcerting. He wondered if that really mattered. They were so alike, surely, that counted for more than sex. Even as he thought it, he knew it was stupid. Sex was as much a part of a relationship as sitting down to dinner. Joe stared at her a little while, waiting to see if he felt anything, jealousy, lust. Nothing. With a sigh, he turned towards some people, only to have them walk away. He wasn't having any luck here.

Joe decided he'd leave it to the others; surely, they'd have better luck. He moved to head for the bar and froze. Kent was there with some tall muscles brunet leaning into the junior officer's personal space, the man's hand hovering over Kent's arm. The jealousy he'd hoped to feel with Narroy slammed into him now, he felt his stomach clench tight. Over the past few months, things had been good between them, there hadn't been any awkwardness or tension, having both come to terms with the fact, it was over and they were both moving on.

Except maybe, he wasn't quiet over it as he had thought, or maybe it was normal to feel like this when you saw you're ex talking to another man, it wasn't like Joe had the experience to compare it to. Kent had been the only real relationship he'd ever had and he'd completely destroyed it. He still hated himself for that, what had he been thinking. You weren't, that's the point. His mind provided. His fingers curled in on each other at the sight of the stranger leaning closer to Kent, his mouth vanishing from view on the other side of his ex's face. Kent laughed and Joe felt the urge to storm over there and lay down the law, mark his territory. - Only Kent wasn't his anymore, was he?

Thankfully, all hell broke loose in the club as Mansell started a fight with one of the patrons, leading both Joe and Kent to break it up. Joe dragged the DC into a corner, while Riley and Kent tried to calm the crowd.

"Give me one good reason why I should keep you on the team? - Come on, give me one good reason?" Joe yelled over the music.

Mansell looked shamefully up at his superior officer. "Because I'm a dickhead who can't appreciate what he's got until it's gone." Mansell said regretfully.

Joe looked at him, his words hitting surprisingly close to home. "Is that what you said to Eva?"

"Yeah." he sighed. "But you're more forgiving than she is."

Joe turned his gaze towards Kent. He completely understood where the man was coming from; he'd been in a similar position, foolishly throwing away the best thing he had in his life without a thought of what it meant, or how alone he'd feel afterwards. Turning back, he fixed the DC with a stern yet sympathetic gaze. "Last chance."

"Thank you." Mansell nodded, and then gasped in pain as Riley walked up and slammed him around the head.

"Bloody idiot."

"Watch my bad ear." Mansell hissed; rubbing at the wound, he'd received a few days ago.

Joe glanced around the club, they were going to have to call it a night, they'd never get anyone to talk now. That was when he noticed that Narroy was missing and his heart flew into his throat. He'd been so caught up in Kent that he'd taken his eyes off the female DI and now she was gone. Fear gripped him tight and he ordered everyone to find her. He didn't want her being the next torso they dragged out of the river.

~WHITECHAPEL~

They found the female DI three streets away, unconscious in some perverts flat. Joe had been like a man possessed breaking his way into the house and throwing the man into a wall. Kent wasn't sure whether to feel proud, impressed or jealous. He settled for all three. They'd called for a car to come and collect their suspect and an ambulance for Narrory, the car came first and the young man was manhandled into the back and taken back to the station, the team remained to search the flat.

Emerson stood in the doorway of the pervs bedroom watching as Joe sat by the bed watching over the Narroy, the worry and fear on the blonds face sending a spark of jealousy through Emerson's stomach. Clearly, Joe had become attached to the woman, finally moving on after their break-up. Emerson knew he should be happy for him, after all he didn't want Joe to be alone forever, that wouldn't be fair, but he couldn't help but hate his choice in future partner. She was clearly trying to rip the team part, starting with the Skip, he just didn't know why. Would he be next if she succeeded? As much as he'd wanted a transfer, now he couldn't think of working anywhere that wasn't near Joe.

He swallowed hard at that thought and kicked himself inwardly. A little late to be wanting him back now Em. He scolded himself.

"Joe?"

The woman's groggy voice drew his attention and he looked over to see Joe leaning forward.

"I like you." she murmured.

Emerson held his breath.

"I like you too." Joe replied softly.

The young man's heart skipped and he turned on his heels, rushing from the room, tears burning the back of his eyes and passing the paramedics as he went. He pointed them in the direction of Narroy and Joe before setting himself to work, desperate to distract himself from the pain Joe confession had caused him. Sadly, the distraction wasn't enough.

That night, knowing that Joe had moved on, Emerson made the worst mistake of his life. Turning up on the doorstep of his ex, Tom, who'd, made it clear he was still interested, he decided to move on too.

~WHITECHAPEL~

Emerson didn't realize what a mistake he'd made until two days later when Narroy forced Joe to make a choice between her and Miles. A decision that really wasn't that hard for Joe. They'd all sat their waiting for him to say what they all knew he would. Emerson had felt a little sorry for him, being put in the position of choosing between the pair, but at least his suspicion had been proven correct.

"Let's concentrate on…..finding out what happen to Ella, an appeal is a last resort only."

Emerson had fought hard not to grin like a Cheshire cat as the woman's stuck up, arrogant nose was put out of joint, watching her with satisfaction as she grabbed her bag and coat and marching out of the incident room. Within two days they'd found their murder, sadly he'd killed himself before being brought to justice.

Emerson while feeling overjoyed to be rid of the woman had come to realize that he wasn't quiet as over Joe as he'd first thought.

A/N: I've absolutely hated writing the past two chapters, episodes 3 & 4 are just so boring, there really isn't very much to work with. And in fact over all, I hate season three, not because of the obvious Kent/Chandler issues, but just because it wasn't quiet edge of your seat exciting as the Ripper and The Kray's were. I don't get why they changed the format, I wish they hadn't. One long on going story, while being…well, long, had a level of suspense that was missing from season three. Anyway, on we go.