One Giant Leap
by elfin

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As horrified as she was, something made Cully look up from the Reverend Stephen's body to the top of the tower from where he'd jumped.

"Dad," she murmured softly.  He ignored her.  "Dad."  Stronger this time. 

Barnaby looked up at her, anguish written across his features.  She indicated the tower and he followed her gaze.

Troy was standing at the railing, not moving, and even from this distance Tom could see the handsome features frozen in horror.

"Troy?" he called up.  There was no answer.  He could see his sergeant's lips moving but couldn't hear a sound.  "Damn."  Looking as his wife he handed her his mobile.  "Call the station, get the coroner and a couple of SOCOs to make it look good."

"Tom?"

He pointed up.  "I think he's scared of heights.  And our suspect's just thrown himself off the tower in front of him.  That can mess with man's mind."

He headed into the church at a jog, taking the stone steps two at a time up to the roof of the bell tower.

Troy was still at the edge, arms outstretched, hands curled around the scaffolding rail, knuckles white.

"Gavin," Tom started, "it's over.  Come on, we'll get you down from here."

For a moment there was no reply.  Then Troy's head moved just an inch, as if he couldn't tear his eyes from the body fifty feet below him.

"I... I can't, Sir," he responded, dejected, rooted to the spot by sheer terror.  "I can't move."

"All right."  Tom closed the distance between them.  "Easy, Gavin."

Making sure his sergeant knew he was there, he rubbed one hand down Troy's back.

"It's okay."

He reached across, covering Troy's right hand with his own, spreading his fingers to settle them over those tightly gripping the metal bar.

"You can let go now."

"I don't think I can."

"Yes, you can.  Hold on to me instead."  He pressed his fingers down, between Troy's, encouraging, "Come on."  Under his hand on the young man's back he could feel him shaking.

But one by one the taut digits lifted, gripping his own with a strength that thrilled him, just a little.

"That's it.  You're doing good."  As soon as all the fingers were off the railing, Tom turned his hand and held Troy's tight.  "Now we need the other one."

Troy didn't move.  "I couldn't stop him," he said hurriedly.  "He kicked out at me, on the stairs, winded me.  I wasn't fast enough."

"There's nothing you could have done."

"He... climbed over.  I asked him not to but...."  He closed his eyes.

Tom wrapped his arm around Troy's waist and moved closer in an awkward hug.  He was aware of the eyes of his wife and daughter below but he wasn't about to let Troy suffer alone.

"There was nothing you could have done.  It was for the best, Gavin.  He'd been through so much."  He rubbed his thumb over the back of the cold hand held in his.  "Come on."

Troy took a deep, trembling breath and released the railing, immediately reaching for his DCI's arm. 

Tom led him away from the edge.


They stopped in the bell ringing chamber, Tom releasing his sergeant.

"I'm sorry, Sir," Troy exclaimed, pacing the square, wooden boarded floor.

"For what?"

"Losing it."

"Don't be daft."  He held out his hand.  Gavin hesitated, then took it, moving into the offered embrace.  Despite the height difference, Troy was enveloped, tucked into the older man's arms.

He held on, and a few moments later felt lips against his neck.  He lifted his head and was kissed blindly.

"Tom...."  It was all he managed to say before a demanding tongue insinuated itself between his lips.  He moaned softly, sucking on the offering.

They parted reluctantly.

"Are you okay?" Tom asked softly, touching Gavin's hair, playing it through his fingers.

"Yeah."  It was hesitant, but that had more to do with his sudden arousal.

"Can I come round?  Tonight?"

"Of course!"  He stole another quick kiss before straightening, trying to think about football.  His mind touched the memory of Stephen's dead body on the ground and his erection died.

Tom touched Gavin's face with his palm, cupping his cheek for a moment.

"I'd never let anything happen to you."

"I know."

Outside, a small crowd had gathered.  Midsomer village locals had, in Troy's opinion, radar-like senses for anything untoward.  He glanced over at where Barnaby was speaking to his wife.  And he smiled to himself. 

He had no idea how they were getting away with a full blown affair in the middle of all this.  But they were.

The bell tower loomed over him and he ignored it, turning his attention to crowd control, looking forward to the coming night.



elfin