Chapter Text
“Charlie Savage, I am arresting you on suspicion of handling stolen goods, you do not………”
“Oi, what you doing!”
A murderous Ben Mitchell steams out of the Arches to the sight of Tubbs, his old cellmate and friend being arrested.
Ben red faced confronts the officer “He ain’t done nothing, this is harassment….”
The arresting officer just replies smugly “The dozen or so stolen blue badges in his glove compartment says otherwise Mr. Mitchell. I suggest you back off right now unless you want to join your little mate at the station”
Ben is showing no signs of backing down, so the officer calls over one of the PC’s nearby to deal with him. “Halfway, take care of Mr. Mitchell ‘ere before he does something he will regret”
PC Callum Highway has only been in the force a few months, this is not the sort of operation he enjoys, he likes the ones where he gets to help people, but this is part of the job and the officer was right, if Mr Mitchell didn’t calm down this situation will escalate.
Callum slowly approaches Mr Mitchell, who was looking either very angry or very upset, Callum couldn’t quite tell, and tries to treat him like he would anyone else in distress “Come on Mr Mitchell, I know it’s hard seeing your mate get arrested but……”
“Fuck off will ya” Ben shouts with venom in his voice, turns around and storms back towards the Arches.
Callum doesn’t want to leave him like this, he is clearly upset, so he follows him into the garage, Mr. Mitchell does not seem any calmer.
“Unless you got a warrant for me too, just get out”
Callum holds his hands up and walks in slowly “I just came to see if you are alright Mr. Mitchell, you seem very upset, I know it’s hard to think of your friend doing bad things, but he was caught red handed, I’m sorry”
Ben gives Callum a look of utter contempt. This actual idiot in front of him thinks he is upset because he didn’t know what Tubbs was up to. The Police can’t think much of the Mitchells these days if this is the type of idiot they send. He can tell the young PC was trying to calm him down but that just made him angrier.
“Are you thick or something? Get out!”
Callum tries not to flinch, he is used to people calling him an idiot, but this is his job, being a Policeman is not just about looking after the nice people.
Ben has his back to Callum now so doesn’t see Callum continue to approach him, so when Callum reaches his arm out to calm Ben down, Ben instinctively turns around and throws his arm out towards the young PC, his fist connecting with his mouth.
Blood starts to trickle from Callum’s lip straight away and Ben looks on horrified.
Fuck, he has just hit a Policeman.
With Ben’s record, there is no way he won’t get sent down for this. He was just starting to build a life for him and Lexi, Lola and Jay and in one moment, it’s all going to be taken away from him. Ben’s anger drains immediately replaced by a crushing fear that he is going to lose everything.
Ben stutters “…….I……I didn’t mean to……..I’m sorry…….I have a daughter, I can’t go down for this……” and for once in his life, he was deadly sincere.
Callum just looks shocked. He puts a hand to his own lip, feeling the blood and then looks up at Ben who was still staring at him, mortified. Callum can see that he really didn’t mean it, so he walks towards the Arches door and shuts it, remaining inside.
Ben has no idea what is going on. He expected the PC, ‘Halfway’ the other officer called him? To arrest him straight away but the young PC obviously had other ideas. Looking at him, he was tall but gangly, Ben couldn’t tell if he had much muscle under the uniform. Ben thinks he could probably take him on in a fight if needed despite not winning many, well any, fights recently.
“Look mate, if you’re going to arrest me, just….”
Callum shushes him, puts his finger out to tell him to shut up. Ben still has no idea what is going on but the look in Callum’s face didn’t seem to be an angry one, so he does as he is told.
Callum looks down at his bodycam, standard Police issue on a job these days, and breathes a sigh of relief, the little red light is off and he looks up at Ben and smiles.
“It’s not working, see? The little light ain’t on. Been telling ‘em for weeks I need a new one, this one is right dodgy” and Callum is still smiling.
Ben shakes his head and holds his hands up, confused.
Callum chuckles “Sorry, you can speak now”
Ben nods but isn’t quite sure what to say. This Halfway chap makes no sense to him. “You’re not going to arrest me?”
“Nah, was an accident wasn’t it? You didn’t mean it, I can tell” he replies earnestly.
Ben looks sceptical “and the bodycam?”
“They will want to look at it as your mate resisted arrest, they would have seen you hit me, but as it ain’t working, this is just between you and me OK?”
Ben lets the tension he didn’t know he was holding release and takes a minute to look, really look at the man who has just saved him from going back to jail, that and the shoddy maintenance of his bodycam. Ben can’t see any duplicity on his face, it looks open and honest in a way that you don’t often see, but everyone want’s something.
“So, what do you want PC Halfway”?
“It’s PC Highway, Halfway is just a nickname, had it from when I was little………”
Ben is sure he has heard that name before but doesn’t react, so he continues.
“OK, PC Highway, what do you want?” still not hiding the sceptical tone.
“Just Callum is fine……….and a tissue would be great, cheers”
Shit, Ben had hit him pretty good and the blood was still flowing from his cut lip. Ben heads to the first aid kit to get some wipes so Callum can clean himself up. Ben hands them over and motions for Callum to sit down, Ben takes the seat opposite and watches in silence as Callum cleans the cut.
Callum can see Ben is studying his face as he cleans the cut. “What, have I got something on my face? Apart from blood obviously” Callum tries to joke but smiling just makes it hurt and he winces.
“I am sorry Callum, it was an accident, but I’d rather you tell me now what you want for keeping quiet about this, I ain’t having this hanging over me”
Callum looks confused “I don’t want anything Mr Mitchell”
“Ben”
“I don’t want anything Ben, told you, it was an accident, I don’t want to see you go to Prison for that, you said you had a daughter?”
“Yeah, she’s 7”
“Aw, they're lovely at that age”
“Not this one, proper monster” but Ben can’t help but smile.
Callum can see Ben is still not trusting him “Look Ben, do you have any idea how much paperwork assaulting a Police officer generates? I’d be at it for days and right now, it’s my finishing time and I would quite like to go home rather than spend all night at the station filling in forms”
Ben can tell Callum is just saying that for his benefit, but he lets Callum continue “so if anything, you’re doing me a favour by not saying anything about this, OK?”
Ben smiles and tries to accept this for what it is, a nice guy trying to make sure a simple mistake doesn’t dictate the course of Ben’s life for the next few years. Ben, a little more relaxed and more like himself says.
“After all that drama, I think I need a drink”
Ben gets up out of the chair and grabs a bottle of Whiskey and two glasses from the cupboard.
“Why do you have Whiskey in a garage Ben?”
“For occasions just like this” Ben smiles and pours them both a large measure.
“Err, I can’t drink on duty Ben”
Ben doesn’t miss a trick “Didn’t I just hear you say it’s your finishing time?”
“Well, yeah, but even off-duty, it is against the law to drink in uniform”
Ben is feeling much more like himself now “Well I wouldn’t object to you taking the unform off officer?”
Callum goes bright red and Ben loves to see it. How easy it is to get a reaction from him “Come on, I won’t tell anyone” and at Callum’s frightened look adds with a wink “about having a drink I mean, not the stripping”
Callum huffs a laugh and seeing the twinkle in Ben’s eye, he knows he is just joking, winding him up “I suppose one wouldn’t hurt if I take off my helmet”
Ben can’t help but stare as the helmet is removed, with it off, Callum looks younger, still quite a bit older than Ben, 27/28 Ben would reckon, but without the helmet, he just looks like a quite attractive lad.
Callum get embarrassed at Ben looking at him and feels self-conscious. He ruffles his hair so it is not so flat on his head, his fringe falling on his face “I don’t bother doin’ my hair at work, it’s always under this bloody helmet so why bother?”
Ben likes it loose like that and he surprises himself by saying it out loud. Callum just goes red again and finally takes a drink of the Whiskey Ben poured for him.
“So Callum, you ain’t been a Policeman for long I take it?”
“Is it that obvious?”
Ben gives him a comforting smile “Yeah, ‘cause you seem kind Callum. I ain’t met many kind Policeman before” Ben starts gesturing with his arms “stick a Uniform on a guy and it usually goes to their head, you know?” Callum nods so Ben continues “so I figure whatever it is that makes them all eventually become twats, ain’t got to you yet”
Callum shakes his head “They are not all bad Ben, some of my colleagues are really nice” not that Callum knew too much about that, he hasn’t really made any friends on the force yet, but he guesses there are probably some nice ones. “and I was in the Army before this, I’m used to a uniform”
Ben raises his brow “like playing the hero then do you?”
Callum bristles at that and Ben takes note “Nah, nothing like that, was only the Catering Corps”
Ben narrows his eyes, he knows there is more to it “Even so, you must have seen some things?”
Callum deflects, the army clearly a sore subject “Yeah, but enough about me, what about you? Tell me about yourself Ben Mitchell”
“What, they didn’t they warn you about me on induction?” Ben replies with a smirk.
“No” Callum replies truthfully “They did warn me about a Phil Mitchell though, you related?”
Ben grimaces “Unfortunately yes. He’s my Dad”
“Oh, now you mention it, I do see a family resemblance from his mugshot” Callum adds with a grin.
Ben swats his arm playfully “Oi, and we were just starting to get on so well”
Callum rolls his eyes and takes another drink. The warm feeling in his belly is just the Whiskey he tells himself.
Ben pushes for some more information “So really, I didn’t warrant a mention at all in your little Mitchell briefing?”
Callum smiles “Don’t look so offended, that’s a good thing ain’t it? I’ve been assigned to the Square as your Local Community Bobby, so on my first day, they gave me a rundown on some of the ‘known’ people in the square, your Dad was one of many.” Callum only half joking continues “Not sure what I’ve done to deserve this patch”
Ben can see Callum’s smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes, Ben isn’t sure if its nervousness about his new job, the fact that half the inhabitants of the square have a record of some kind, him included or something else.
Callum ignores the inquisitive look on Ben’s face “Anyway, I ain’t one to judge someone for their family, even if half the things I hear about your Dad are true, I’m not going to judge you for it. I’m the last person that would do that”
“Your family not quite the Walton’s then?”
“More like the Addams Family to be honest”
Ben doesn’t push but Callum, who at this point he has only known for barely an hour continues on like they are old friends “There’s my Dad, he tried at first, my mum left when I was young, but I always thought deep down he blamed me for her leaving, no idea why. And Stuart, my big brother, I know he loves me, but he has a cruel streak a mile long, never know what he is going to do next”
Ben thinks, Stuart Highway. He knows that name, heard Mick and Linda mutter it like a swear word. Ben knows some bad things went down with the Carters while he was away from the square, one of them being Mick ending up in Prison for something he didn’t do.
“Wait, the Stuart Highway. The ‘shot himself to frame Mick Carter’ Stuart Highway”
Callum looks stricken, obviously not expecting Ben to know his brother and just nods slightly and stares at his feet.
Ben places his hand on Callum’s and repeats Callum’s words from earlier back to him “I ain’t one to judge someone on their family, I’m the last person that would do that”
Callum looks up at him and smiles “Yeah?”
Ben grins back “Course” but this gets Ben thinking “So you know Mick and Linda then?”
Callum gives a broader smile a that “You could say that, they were like surrogate parents to me growing up and Lee was my best mate, right pair we were. Drove Shirley round the bend”
Ben laughs at that, “Look at us, so much in common, Shirley was like a step-mum to me for a bit”
Callum puts his drink down, face turning serious and he puts his other hand over Ben’s. As solemnly as he can muster he says “I’m so sorry Ben” before cracking up and laughing out loud. Ben can’t help but think Callum is very attractive when he laughs.
Ben laughs with him “Oi, as I’m sure you know, under that prickly exterior, Shirley has a heart of gold”
Callum chuckles “Very, very deep but yeah. Had to stop her several times from lamping my Dad when he upset me”
“Same” Ben smiles back. Suddenly glad that Callum had someone like Shirley looking out for him, just as he had. Knowing that after everything that happened with Heather, he certainly didn’t deserve her kindness.
Ben gets up and gets the bottle of Whiskey, refilling both their glasses, Callum looks a little wary but doesn’t say anything. Callum was always a people person and it’s been so lonely since leaving the army. He hasn’t made many friends, his awkwardness seemingly leaving a bad first impression and as much as he loves Stuart, he can’t be around him, not after all the terrible things he has done. He has no idea where his mum is these days and his Dad, well, at least Stuart loves him, his Dad can barely stand the sight of him most of the time.
The people that do care about him, the Carters, he would love to see, he wants nothing more than to be around them again but….as if Ben could read his thoughts:
“Must be nice then, having Mick and Linda on your patch, they must be over the moon to have you around, especially with Lee, Johnny and Nancy away?”
Callum grimaces “I haven’t been to see them yet” At Ben’s confused look Callum continues “I know I will bump into them eventually, but after what Stuart did to them, I don’t think they will be pleased to see me”
“Don’t be daft, Mick and Linda aren’t like that”
“I know but I’m working up to it, they don’t even know I’ve left the army”
Ben gives Callum his most reassuring look “Callum, they ain’t gonna be disappointed in you alright? A Policeman, not my idea of good career move but they will be proud of you, you know they will”
Callum smiles “You think so?”
“Course, and you can’t avoid them for ever, the amount of times the old bill gets called to that boozer……so what I’m saying is you should go and see them, not let the reunion be when you arrive to break up a fight or summat”
Callum nods but Ben can see on his face he is only doing it to placate Ben. Callum seems to care about the Carters a lot but also seems to be absorbing the guilt of what his brother has done to them.
It’s getting late and they are both a little drunk, Callum’s tie and Police tunic long since abandoned along with the helmet and with his crisp white shirt unbuttoned at the top, Ben can’t help but stare. He is sure Callum is going through something similar, as when he thinks Ben isn’t looking, Callum looks at him, really looks at him and Ben is sure he can see yearning in his eyes.
“No really, have I got something on my face?”
Ben has been caught staring again so instantly switches to flirtation mode “no, It’s just a nice face is all”
Callum’s ears go bright red, realising what was going on. Ben was trying to flirt with him. Callum’s brain short circuits a bit, this doesn’t happen to him “oh, right. Sorry. I ain’t…….you said you have a daughter?”
“Doesn’t stop me from being Gay Callum”
Callum looks confused, Ben doesn’t owe him any explanations but does anyhow “…I was young and trying to prove to the world I was straight. Turns out that only works for so long”
Callum looks uncomfortable, not disgusted but Ben can tell the air has changed.
“You got a problem with that Callum, haven’t you been on your diversity and inclusion course yet?” Ben says with a hint of challenge.
Callum doesn’t want Ben to think he has a problem with him “No, course not, you just surprised me is all. I’m not used to people….”
“What, flirting with ya? Why not, you are a good-looking bloke Callum”
Callum blushes and looks down, struggling to take the complement. Just for something to do so he didn’t have to respond, Callum takes another drink. It seems to do the trick and the sudden tension dissipates again so Callum asks Ben about Lexi, , what school she goes to, does she live with him, what being a Dad is like and Ben, as always, is happy to talk about his Lexi.
It was really getting late and as nice as the chatting was, Callum was tired after a long shift, combined with the several glasses of whiskey he had consumed, he thought it was time to head home. When he voiced this to Ben, he cajoled him one more drink ‘just for the road yeah?’ Callum couldn’t or didn’t want to say no.
**
As Ben was pouring the last drink he took a good look at PC Highway. His first thought was he was glad Callum was their new community officer, it would be nice to have someone around that actually seem to give a shit about the community. Ben has no idea who the last one was, the Police only ever turned up to the square when something was wrong, which admittedly seemed like every other week. So, the thought of having Callum about the market, about the square on a daily basis was nice.
His second thought was not so nice, Callum is going to around a lot and he has just spent the last couple of hours telling him all about this life, his Dad, his daughter. That was stupid. As Callum said himself, he wasn’t on the Police’s radar at the moment, but the way Callum is looking at him now as he pours the drinks, as if they have been mate’s for years, means that he will certainly try to be.
Ben can’t have that. He can’t put his trust in this lad. Yes, Callum said he wouldn’t mention the ‘assault’ but what if he changes his mind? What if Callum decides to start looking into the Car Lot, the Arches. It wouldn’t take much to see that the books don’t always add up. He knows Tubbs would never rat him out, the Police already have their man but if Callum starts to look too closely at where the disabled blue badges came from…... No, Ben can’t have that.
**
Ben puts the Whiskey bottle back in the cupboard and quickly, so Callum can’t see, removes a small remote control from the workbench and activates it.
If Callum was paying attention, he would see the little red light illuminate on the Arches security camera, nestled high in the corner of the room.
Ben takes another look at Callum, sitting sipping his drink and he can’t help feel guilty for what he is about to do. It’s stupid really, only known the guy a couple of hours but Ben had let his guard down and he gets the feeling he is a about to crush the kindly lad in front of him.
Ben shakes himself out of it, he can’t leave it up to chance that Callum will stay out of his business, he needs to regain the upper hand.
**
Today had been a weird day, Callum didn’t expect things to turn out the way it had. Getting punched in the face, albeit accidental, was not on his to-do list today. But he had met Ben through it and Callum hopes he has finally found a friend. He also has to quash that feeling buried deep down within that wishes it could be more than friends but his Dad, Stuart, his Army mates flash into his mind and he remembers why he can’t let them kind of thoughts dwell. He needs to find himself a nice girl to settle down with, be normal, and as much as he thinks he can see something in Ben that he very much likes, he needs to push it down. He thinks him and Ben could be good friends, that is enough for Callum.
**
Ben approaches Callum with his back turned to the Camera and starts pawing at his own eye, it quickly turns red.
“You alright Ben?”
Ben continues until he is standing directly in front of Callum “Yeah, think I’ve got something on my contacts, a bit of dirt or something”
“Don’t rub at it then, let me take a look”
Callum gets up and stands in front of Ben, he carefully moves his hand to Ben’s eyebrow and pulls it up so he can get a closer look into Ben’s eye. Ben’s breath hitches and looks down to Callum’s lips. Callum looks like a deer caught in the headlights but catches on quickly and nods his head slightly with permission and Bens kisses him. Just a light Kiss but it seems to unlock something in Callum.
Callum puts both his hands on the side of Bens face and kisses him back, a full hungry kiss, deeper than the one Ben gave him moments ago and it takes Ben aback.
It takes a few seconds for Ben to pull himself together, he was honestly shocked at having the kiss returned with such vigor, he wasn’t expecting that but he composes himself, that feeling of guilt rising up again but he quashes it. He needs to do this.
“No Officer Highway, that’s not OK. You can’t do that!” Ben shouts, putting on his best theatrical performance.
Callum looks horrified “What, no Ben, I……..”
Bun pushes him away forcefully, ignoring the bewildered look on Callum “That’s not right officer, just because I’m gay doesn’t mean you can take advantage of me like that…” forcing out some crocodile tears.
Callum, on the other hand, feels real tears start to prick at his eyes “No, Ben. Ben please, I thought…. you kissed me first!”
“I didn’t Officer. I thought you were just helping me with my contacts. I’m going to have to report this. That was not OK”
Ben takes the remote out of his pocket and points it at the camera, the red light going off.
“What the hell Ben?!”
Ben drops the performance and looks smugly at Callum. “Just because your little camera is on the blink, Officer, doesn’t mean mine is”
Callum is more upset than angry “What the hell was that all about Ben? I didn’t force myself on you, I would never……..”
Ben is surprised about how distraught this is making Callum, and a little guilty, but it’s done now, he has his leverage over the young PC.
“Calm down Callum, I know you didn’t, but that’s not what it will look like on the recording is it? It will look like you took advantage of the situation”
Callum shakes his head and can’t help the tears in his eyes from falling “Why would you do this to me Ben? I said I wouldn’t say anything about you hitting me. I was trying to be kind and you do this?”
“That’s the problem innit Callum? Kindness is a weakness. You expect me to take your word for it that you wont report it, leave my fate in your hands just on your say so?
“Yes! I gave you my word”
Ben laughs, not a pleasant laugh either “Well Callum, that’s not how it works round here. You will learn that soon enough. You need to toughen up mate otherwise you won’t last five minutes”
“I ain’t your mate. I ain’t nothing to you” Callum hisses back.
Ben goes full on predator mode, stalking Callum and putting his hand on his chest “I must say, you did surprise me with that kiss, wouldn’t have guessed you had it in you to be honest”
Callum is too angry and upset to deal with the kiss right now, being blackmailed puts his little ongoing sexuality crisis into perspective “So what now? You going to get me fired?”
“No Callum. Don’t be so dramatic. This is just a little insurance policy, make sure we are on the same page. You cover for me, I cover for you”
“but I didn’t do anything wrong!” Callum cries exasperated.
Ben would like to answer that of course he did, he put his trust into Ben Mitchell, let his guard down and that he deserves this, but he can’t, he honestly feels bad about what he has just done but knows it is necessary.
“Look Callum, I like you yeah? You seem like a nice bloke. But I can’t have you hanging around, poking into my business, having that cut lip of yours hanging over me. You keep out of my way and that little recording will never see the light of day”
Callum shakes his head,not hiding his hurt and anger “You’re unbelievable”
“So I’ve been told” Ben cockily returns.
Callum grabs his tie and Police tunic and heads to the door. He turns around and pleads with Ben with his eyes to stop this before it goes any further. Ben just turns his back on him
“Shut the door on the way-out officer”
***
It had been two weeks since the incident in the Arches and Ben can’t get the kiss out of his head. He suspected Callum found him attractive, could see it in the looks he was giving him but that kiss, it is all Ben could think about over the last two weeks.
As things stood, they had no real need to interact further. He spies Callum around the square every so often, that dopey smile on his face as he helps old ladies across the road, greeting the market traders, his mum even mentioned that nice new Policeman that had taken over the meetings about the drug use in the Prince Albert but Ben could tell, even from afar, from the tension in his shoulders and the haunted look in his eye that Callum was not happy.
Ben could try and talk to him, but he doesn’t imagine that would go down too well, so he has another idea. Ben grabs a phone from his collection and heads to the market, Callum is usually doing his patrols about now.
It doesn’t take long to find him, he is carrying some boxes from a van to a market stall, Big Mo’s stall to be precise. Ben rolls his eyes and heads over.
“Got yourself some free labour eh Mo?”
Big Mo narrows her eyes at Callum “He insisted, wouldn’t take no for answer”
“Yeah, I've heard that about him” and Callum almost drops the box he was carrying and glares murderously at Ben.
Ben ignores the glare and as sweetly as he can says “PC Highway, a word please”
“I’m helping this lady with these boxes Mr Mitchell, you can wait” and Callum sets about ignoring him.
Ben, dropping the sweetness act barks back “No, I said now” walking away with no room for an argument.
Ben doesn’t look back and is worried for a moment that Callum wasn’t following but soon he hears from behind.
“What the hell is wrong with you, I was just helping that nice old lady with some heavy boxes”
Ben laughs, Callum Highway really is one of a kind.
“You should be thanking me mate, I’ve most likely just stopped you from handling stolen goods”
Callum looks bewildered.
“That ‘nice old lady’, has never done an honest day’s work in her life. I’ll bet my right arm the contents of those boxes is some dodgy knockoffs or something.
Callum did get a peak at one of the handbags in the boxes, he didn’t think it was really spelt ‘Louis Vitten’ but not being an expert……
“What do you want Ben”
“I’ve come to give you a present” and Ben attempts to hand him a phone.
“I have a perfectly good phone Ben” ignoring the outstretched hand.
“Yes, but this one is a burner, untraceable. For when I need to get in touch”
Callum looks wary “Why would you need to get in touch, you can just call the station like a normal person”
Ben ignores him “I’ve been thinking, it would be nice to have a mate in the Police, keep me posted on the comings and goings in the square”
“This ain’t Line of Duty Ben, I am not working for you”
Ben smirks “But PC Highway, we’ll make such a great team. We got so close in the Arches. Of course, if you would rather just forget the whole thing, I can just send the video to the station, see what happens”
Callum looks horrified at the thought so Ben lets him off the hook.
“Look, I ain’t going to ask you to do much, nothing that would hurt anyone, just run a few number plates through the Police computer when I ask, stuff like that. What's that between mates eh? No one needs to know and no one gets hurt”
Callum closes his eyes. How has he got himself into this situation “Just running number plates, you promise?”
“I promise” and Ben gives him his sweetest grin.
“and I’m supposed to trust your word am I?” Callum sulkily replies
“I hold all the cards here Callum, don’t you forget. There is no proof I hit you but there is ample proof of what you did. You play nice and we will get along famously” It was said in a jovial tone, but Callum took it for the warning that it was.
Callum takes the burner phone, puts it in his pocket and walks away without another word.
Ben shouts after him “Look forward to seeing you again soon officer!”