Jack the Shredder

"We need to question him," 3.7 pointed out in quiet firmness. 
"Yeah." And Bennington sighed. 
"I'll go call the cops. Without waiting for a reply, 3.7 hurried back into the bar. 
"Let me go," Jason begged between sobs. "I can't be seen like this." 
"I'll give you my shirt." Bennington removed the cream, silky shirt he was wearing. 
"Please." 
"You have to talk to us, Jason. You have to tell us what you saw, what he looked like, smelled like, anything that could help us catch him." He wrapped his shirt around the other man's groin area. It was a good thing Jason was so slim, otherwise, it would have been ineffective. 
The police came at the same time the ambulance did. Though Jason protested, he did so in vain. They took him to the hospital. Though scared bad enough to lose the contents of both his bladder and bowels, Jason hadn't been physically harmed. Somehow they made it through the police questioning though Bennington had to keep nudging his very shaken friend. It was only after Stevens had finished questioning the man as well, that the doctor gave the gay man a sedative. 

"Aye," Stevens said dryly when they were in the hall. "I should have known you'd be involved, 3.7." 
"Not even penitent," Gurst said, "I was just passing through." 
"I doubt that. It's too bad you friend couldn't have seen the man's face better," the head of CI5 said in irritation. "Long hair and bad breath are very little to go on." 
"He may remember more tomorrow," Bennington suggested. 
"Yes." 
Stevens shrugged on his overcoat. He turned to Bennington. "I want you to walk the streets again." 
"Yes." Bennington hid his distaste. 
Stevens walked two steps away from them and then turned back. "Och, well, I guess it has to be done. Bennington, I know you don't want a partner in this, but it's nay safe for you out there. Gurst was right." 
"But, sir..." 
"Trust me in this. I'd hate to lose you. Gurst, you win. You're 4.5's backup." Gurst grinned in relief and pleasure. Stevens eyed him in sour disapproval but he said nothing else. He vanished down the dimly lit hospital corridor. 
Bennington threw his partner a querulous gleam and turned his back on him. 

"Okay, sunshine, if that's the way you want it." Gurst sat down on the worn, hospital waiting room sofa. 
When Bennington finally realized his partner wasn't following him, he pivoted, stared at 3.7 and then demanded, "Well? You coming or aren't you?" 
"Nah." 
Bennington snapped, "Don't be an arse." 
"Not me, Mary Poppins." Gurst's tone bridged just mildly on the sharp side. "You're doing just fine by yourself." 
Bennington flushed and admitted reluctantly. "You're right." He sighed tiredly, ran his hands through his curls and said in a kinder tone. "Please forgive me." 
Gurst smiled hugely. "I thought you'd never ask."

"I'll wait over here in the shadows. You strut your stuff and I'll watch." 
"Yeah. See you don't fall asleep." 
"Who? Me? Unzip your coat sunshine." 
"It's cold out here." 
"Unzip it and unfasten you buttons. Let your chest be seen. You have to make yourself tempting." Gurst searched the other man diligently. 
"Not that tempting." 
"And run your fingers through your hair." 
"Just go stand over there and be quiet. Run my fingers through my hair, my arse." 
"Does your backside have hair, Bennington?" 
Bennington gritted his teeth and stalked across the street to stand and loiter by the lamp post. Gurst's soft laughter flitted across the street. 4.5's muttered cursed brought yet another burst of muted mirth...and then proceeded to unzip his coat, unbutton his shirt. 
Though quite a few cars stopped, and the driver propositioned Bennington, each one drove off when the answer was no. 
At three the next morning, Bennington, exhausted, called it quits. 

"Fagged out?" Gurst inquired softly as he crossed the street to stand beside his friend and partner. 
Bennington sighed as he ran his hands over his face. "And then some." 
"My place is closer. Wanna kip out there?" 
Bennington thought about it. "Nah, your sofa is too lumpy." 
"So, share the bed with me." There was something about Gurst's tone that made the other agent glance up sharply. Gurst grinned mischievously. "I'll keep my hands to myself." 
"See that you do, Gurst." 
"I just said I would, didn't I?" 
"Yeah." 
"Well, then." 
"Well..." Bennington sighed wearily. 
"So you'll kip out at my place?" 
"Yeah. I'm too tired to climb my stairs. You drive." 
"Okay," 
Bennington caught himself dozing off in the ride to Gurst's ground floor apartment. "Must be more tired than I thought," he murmured, slightly embarrassed. 

"I won't tell anyone." 
"See that you don't." He climbed out of the vehicle, ignoring Gurst's muttered comments. 
Later, safely encamped in Gurst's small place, Gurst asked, "Want a cuppa?" 
"Sounds good. Throw in a couple of biscuits, will you?" 
"Sure." 
Over tea and chocolate covered biscuits, Gurst asked, "You ever do it for money?" 
Bennington froze for an instant. "No." His eyes dared the other man to argue. 
"I have." 
"You...!?" 
"Me. I did a lot of things to survive when I was younger. Want some more tea?" 
"Yeah. Thanks." Bennington yawned hugely, and then sighed in exhaustion.