A/N

OK, we're still at the hotel, I'm trying to include a few more characters now, although there will be lots of Galex =0)


The Morning After

Shaz had just got out of the shower, Chris was still in bed, mouth open snoring loudly. The wedding night had been... well a bit of a disaster, Shaz thought to herself. She'd managed to somehow get Chris up to the bridal suite. It was lovely, there was a sitting area, with TV and video player, a chaise lon to curl up together on, the bathroom had a Jacuzzi bath big enough for two, and to finish it off there was a four poster bed. Not that he would have noticed, she said scowling at Chris. He had been that drunk when she'd got him upstairs he'd collapsed on the bed and passed out. She'd had the lovely job of getting him out of his morning suit; she didn't want it him ruining it before they returned it to the suit hire shop. To say she was annoyed was an understatement, it was all Rays fault, she huffed. Every time Chris tried to keep up drinking games with him, he ended up in this state, she didn't normally mind but she had had great hopes for the wedding night, you're supposed to consummate the marriage... well there would be no consummation for Chris in the foreseeable future.

"Chris" snapped Shaz giving him a shake

"Wha...what?" he mumbled, wincing as he opened his eyes, his head was pounding. "Morning Mrs Skelton" he said smiling.

Mrs Skelton, she liked the sound of that, no Shaz, be angry with him, she chastised herself. "Don't you Mrs Skelton me Christopher."

What was he in trouble for? He thought casting him mind back. He couldn't remember anything after the speeches, apart from the first dance with Shaz, followed quickly by throwing up the vast amounts of alcohol he'd consumed, bloody Ray, he thought.

Great, she thought, he's giving me the innocent puppy dog eyes, "You; fell asleep" she shouted, "Great way to start married life don't you think?" she stood arms folded across her chest, staring at him.

"Sorry, Shazza, I'll make it up to you, I promise" he said giving a sheepish grin.

She hated it when he did that, he knew she couldn't stay mad with him, "You better had" she said frowning, "Lover" she added seeing the worried look on his face. She sat down on the bed, leant over and planted a kiss on his lips. "Time to get ready, don't want to miss breakfast" she said.

ooOoo

Alex opened her eyes, he was still here. His arms wrapped tightly round her, her arm wrapped around him, last night was bittersweet for her. After what happened with Evan, even the thought of his name made her stomach churn, but Gene came to her rescue, just as he always did. And she'd kissed him, it brought a smile to her lips, she had kissed him. She would never forget the look of surprise on his face, but he didn't try to force anything further; or worse pull away. As always he had been the perfect gentleman, a stark contrast to the picture she had built up of him with Sam. She had thought Sam was right about him, but spending as much time as she had with Gene, she had seen a whole other side to him, one he didn't show to many people. He was kind, caring, gentle and protective. Protective of her. She tightened her hold on him a little.

"Bloody 'ell Bolls, I need ter breath yer know" She jumped at the sound of his voice, she hadn't realised he was awake.

"Morning" she whispered

"Morning" he replied, he desperately needed to move, she'd been laying on his arm all night, and had no feeling in it from the shoulder down. Last night had taken him by surprise. That bastard Evan, he'd kill him if he ever went near her again. Then there was the kiss. She had kissed him. He got a warm feeling in the pit of his stomach, stop you bloody poof he thought to himself.

"Sorry Bolls" he said unwrapping himself from her, "Call of nature" he slipped out of bed and into the bathroom.

She got out of bed and went to look in the full length mirror, attractive Alex, really attractive, she thought taking in her appearance. The pyjamas drowned her; her hair had turned into a frizzy mess and her face. Well what could she say, the bruise on her cheek had come out, she brushed her fingers over it and winced.

Gene came out the bathroom and saw her examining her cheek, "'Ows it feelin'?"

"Sore" she said, "How is it men know just where to hit a women to make the most impact?" she asked him, not expecting an answer.

"Not all men hit Alex" he answered softly. He'd never hit her, or any woman, he'd witnessed enough of that from his Dad, his mother had been a human punch bag for him, as well as Stu and himself if they were unlucky enough to get in the way.

She smiled at him, "I know Gene"

"Shall we go down to breakfast?" he asked

"I think I'd better give it a miss, I don't want them all seeing my face like this" she pointed at her cheek, "Make my apologies to Chris and Shaz"

"I aren't goin' without yer, I'll get 'em to bring us summin' up"

"Do you think that's a good idea? I mean, if you stay up here with me, it won't look good, then there's Tina, she saw more than she should, I need to find her to tell her not to say anything" she babbled.

"Right then" he said, it wouldn't look good, he thought, was she embarrassed to be with him?

Seeing the puzzled hurt look on her face, she said, "I didn't mean that how it came out"

"S'ok Bolls, I understand, give me a minute to get me stuff"

Shit. Well done Alex. "Gene, I really didn't mean it like that" she went to stand in front of him, "I just don't want everyone knowing about Evan, I don't want them thinking I'm weak. And I don't want anything to ruin Chris and Shaz's big day."

"Think Chris might have done that for 'imself, the state he were in last night" he chuckled.

Alex raised her hand and brushed a stray lock of hair out of his face, running her hand down his cheek and around his neck she pulled him towards her and kissed him hard on the lips, breaking contact she said, "You should go down though; you need to find Tina and explain... well make something up... and try to be tactful"

"You know me Bolls, no one more tactful than me" she rolled her eyes at him, and they both started getting dressed.

ooOoo

Bloody Gene Hunt, always getting in the way of them, Evan was fuming, he'd had to spend the night in his car, he was hung-over and aching from Gene's assault on him. Hmm.. he mused, assaulted by a police officer, wouldn't look good for Gene's track record. He started up the engine and drove out of the hotel car park, an idea already forming in his mind.

A/N

I don't normally post chapters until I have a couple written, but thought I'd see what response this one got before I committed myself to a full on fic, I know this Chapter's a bit slow, but I will try to increase the pace over the next couple of chapters (if I get that far) thanks for reading, please review =0)