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

Sex: M/M

Swearing: Mild

Setting: This chapter takes place during episodes 5 & 6.

Conversation: Some of the dilogue from the show has been changed to fit the story.

I'm having a bit of trouble with Word at the moment, so if there are more Spelling and Grammar mistakes than usual, forgive me.

"I need research." Lent demanded marching into Ed Buchan's vault.

"What do you require?" Ed sniffled wiping his nose with his handkerchief.

"Files on spree killing couples."

Ed sighed as he pushed himself out of his chair. "I wasn't aware we were hunting a couple?"

"We not, but we should be."

Ed struggled to free a file from the shelf. "Here. Nebraska 1957..."

Kent snatched the slim card from Ed's hands as he spoke, opening it eagerly. "Your welcome. - Charles Starkweather and Caroline Fewgate, they killed eleven in all."

"Including parents and two year old sister." Kent murmured reading the article.

"Yes, she was four been at the time. She said that she was held hostage by Starkweather; he said she was a willing participant. To this day she's never spoken of the murders. So nobody knows how involved she actually was." Ed clarified.

"Right." Kent closed the files. It was perfect. "By all means go out on a limb but it in a lonely place." Ed insisted to the junior officer rushing away.

"I know what I'm doing?"

~WHITECHAPEL~

Joe sat behind the wheel of his car on the way to another crime scene, his mind on Kent's outburst at Morgan. While the man insisted that it was his suspicions that had caused him to act that way Joe knew it wasn't. He knew it was that the man could sense the attraction he felt for the woman. Which only added to the guild he was already carrying. The worst part was that he wanted to tell Emerson it wasn't anything. That he'd made his decision. That he was the one he wanted. But part of him couldn't do it, and he hated that.

He also knew what he couldn't distance himself from Morgan, not while he was still working the case. His only hope was to get through it and ignore what he was feeling. When it was over he'd send her on her way and never see or speak to her again.

But right now he had no options, so he did what he always did when faced with personal problems; he threw himself into the work. Because that was simple and not complicated and as much as he could he would stay away from Morgan.

~WHITECHAPEL~

Of course being lead investigator meant he couldn't stay away from her. He had to question her about the latest killing. He hated the way his heart leapt as he strolled into the interview room with Miles after returning from the crime scene of Roger Clement Solby. She'd looked so happy to see him until she realised that he was there about another murder.

After showing her a picture of the latest victim they discover she didn't know him either. Joe sighed. He knew there had to be a reason she was a target but they hadn't found anything, and Miles was becoming more and more insistent that it was because Mantis wasn't the killer. But he had to be, there was no one else.

"Mantis tried to silence you with red legal tape. Are you involved with any legal disputes?"

"No." Morgan shook her head, full aware of Miles shifting frustratingly by the door.

"Protests? Causes?"

"No. No. Nothing like that."

"Maybe because it's not Mantis!" Miles snapped angrily.

Joe sighed again, sloughing in his chair. Why did he have to bring this up now?

Morgan looked between the pair. "Well that's quite an atmosphere between you two."

"Don't worry about it." Miles said calmly. "It's the way we work."

"Oh. Do you like working like this?" Morgan asked with a frown.

"Love it!" Miles replied defensively.

Morgan turned to stare at Joe and he shifted in his seat like a child. "Are you happy with the situation?"

Joe shook his head, glancing up at her. "No….No I'm not."

"Well do you want to talk about it?"

The men were silent for a moment, before Joe shook his head, speaking softly. "It's very kind of you to offer but I don't expect you to fix…."

"I'll talk!" Miles declared, interrupting Joe. "No problem. As soon as he apologises we can chat till the cows come home."

"Why should I apologize?" Joe snapped back, turning to glare at his sergeant. "For trying to save a man's life."

"He didn't listen! You went off half cocked. You put yourself and others at risk and you could have gotten yourself killed!"

"Why do you have to worry about me so much? You're not my mother! You're always telling me what to do, always sticking you ore in." Joe snapped petulantly.

"You know your problem? You've got no one so you think it doesn't matter what happens to you. You don't care!"

"But you do?" Morgan asked, watching the men.

"I have to he hasn't got anyone else!"

Joe's head snapped up to looked at Miles, hearing the genuine concern on his face.

"You do realise don't you, if you'd have got shot, the only person crying at you funeral is me!"

Joe watched as Miles stormed out of the room. He was wrong of course, there would be Kent too, but he hadn't even thought of them when he'd walked out in front of Blythe. How could he not have thought of them? His best friend and the man he claimed to love. When had he become so selfish? His mind began to spin, his heart pounding. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his tiger balm. "I'm…I'm sorry you had to hear that." he said, rubbing at his temples.

"It's natural when we feel threatened to want to assert our authority. Imposes rules." Morgan replied softly.

"He just can't help himself. He doesn't even try." Joe murmured, his hands shaking.

"I was talking about you."

Joe's head shot up to meet her caring gaze.

"How many times have you changed your shirt today?"

Joe looked shamefully down at himself. "Three times. - It would have been more but I ran out." he answered honestly.

"Give me your hand."

Joe frowned at her, his heart beginning to race faster.

"Trust me."

He reached out uncertainly, taking a breath as she touched his skin. Warmth sweeping his body. He could feel the goose bumps spreading over his arms as she slid the rubber band over his hand. He frowned down at the item, confused.

"It's a thought stopper." she clarified.

Joe watched her, his mind spinning painfully against his ribs as her fingers rubbed against his skin. The desire to touch her, kiss her almost overwhelming.

"When you feel the need to control things, you snap it hard then you won't feel the need to change your shirt, or lay down the rules. - or whatever it is you do at the moment."

Joe's frown deepened before he gripped the band and snapped it against his wrist, as he told himself to stop, that he'd made his choice. The sharp pain caught his breath, distracting his mind from tormenting thoughts of Morgan Lamb. He smiled at her as his mind cleared. "No ones ever…huh. Thank you." he got to his feet and headed for the door, smiling at her again. The desire briefly gone and now with a way to keep it gone.

A/N: I'm fully aware that this story sucks. Sorry. I don't know if it's because I just hate writing it, all this angst is despressing or if it's my dislike of season 3 seeping through. Really sorry that this isn't living up to the previous stories. I'm totally not having fun writing it. But there is only a chapter or so to go and I won't leave those of you that have stayed with it hang. I will finish it. That's my promise to you.

So you know, there's only a couple of more chapters. Thanks for reading and reviewing, and following the story.