DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ashes to Ashes or any characters featured in Ashes to Ashes.

This is the first chapter of my first fanfic. I know it's long (I was attempting to go for a bit of a proper book/novel!) but I hope you enjoy it and feel free to review it. :) I'll be adding more chapters soon!

1. Flashbacks

'I'm happy, hope you're happy too...'
David Bowie's voice hazily filtered through into Alex's confused, disorientated mind, causing her to stir from her slumber. Her head pounded with excruciating pain as she tried to lift herself off the ground, the pain dissolving when she laid her head down again. As her eyes fluttered in vague recognition of the song, she awoke to the same place in which she was previously shot. She timidly drew in a small breath and began surveying the room. Gazing around in initial familiarity, she could sense that Arthur Layton, her captor, had vanished.
She was safe.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she sat up, nursing her aching, pounding head. She stood up with caution, brushing her white fur coat and red dress free from the dust and dirt that littered the area she had lain.
White fur coat and red dress?
Confusion and panic swept over Alex as her eyes widened, absorbing the view of her seemingly new clothes. Her cheap necklace glinted and glittered in the little amount of light that penetrated the area which she stood. Her hands fumbled in her permed, curly hair, grazing over the area where the bullet had perforated her head, before dropping her arms helplessly to her side. She stumbled to the exit of the room and staggered through the doorway onto the deck of the Lady Di, filled with colourful banners and streamers strewn over every surface. Drunkards glared at her disapprovingly before returning to their previous ramblings and activities, dismissing her presence with a raised eyebrow, a mocking smirk, a drunken laugh...
'Please, help me -'
Men and women tumbled over each other other the floor, indulging in their drunken stupors, giggling as Alex breathlessly clambered her way across the room.
'I've been- I've- been sh-shot -!'
A man laughed in her face and he collapsed into the increasing pile of drunks in the middle of the smoky, hazy deck.
'I'm injured, I n-need help! I've been sh-shot!' she was tearfully gasping as the smell and taste marijuana overwhelmed her senses, sending her reeling. She clambered to the door leading out to the walkway, gaining glances from the people standing, sitting, sprawling across the floor leading towards the exit of the boat she found herself in. They cleared the way as she began to sprint, or rather, clatter her way down along the floor to the open space on the dock. Suddenly, two police officers crashed onto the walkway and charged past her, not giving her a second's glance. She desperately tried to grab the arm of one of the officers as she began to shout.
'Please! Help me, I've been shot in the head! I'm suffering serious head trau-'
'Not now, darlin',' the police officer said dismissively. He violently ripped his arm from her grip and he tore down the walkway to catch up to his fellow colleague. In a daze, Alex continued to clatter to the entrance from which the police officers had entered, breathing and gulping fresh air into her lungs as the cold wind hit her like a brick wall. Taking a slight pause to orientate herself to these growingly unfamiliar surroundings, she attempted to recompose herself. She was faced with David Bowie posters strewn across the wall.
'Come on, Alex, stop being so ridiculous. You know as well as anyone that this is simply a hallucinogenic dream -'
Her calming thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the deafening roar of a car, increasing in ear-splitting volume as it came closer to her. A handbrake turn later, the glittering red car screeched to a halt a few metres away from Alex. As she stared at the car, the dark figures from within it started to emerge. Crocodile skin boots landed on the floor as the driver climbed out and slammed the door.
Gene Hunt. Gene Hunt. Gene Hu-

'Yes, Bolly! What the bloody 'ell d'yer want?'
Alex startled awake suddenly, finding herself in the darkened, empty office of C.I.D. David Bowie was crackling quietly on the radio. The desk lamp pierced the darkness brightly, burning her tired eyes as she focused on Gene, leaning forwards on her desk towards her with close proximity. She jumped back in shock, realising that she had been saying his name in her sleep. A flush seeped onto her cheeks as she looked at Gene, still staring at her inquisitively. Gene. Gene, Gene, Gene. His blue eyes pierced into hers, a shiver spreading itself across Alex's skin. She stretched and heaved a big yawn.
'Good dream then, Bolls?' Gene's eyes glittered jokingly. 'Only, you were shoutin' my name, so one can assume that the Gene Genie 'ad granted yer wishes-'
'Don't be ridiculous, Gene,' Alex retaliated in mock annoyance. The recurring dream of her waking moments back in '81 were beginning to haunt her, even now in 1983. 'Just a returning nightmare, that's all.' She raised an eyebrow and smirked as Gene straightened himself up. He sighed.
'Right then, Bolly Knickers. It's been a bloody long day and everybody else 'as pissed off 'ome, so I think that a drink migh' be a good idea for the both of us. Get yer coat.' Gene strode into his office, finishing off his glass of scotch, before whipping his overcoat off the back of the desk chair and shrugging it onto his shoulders. Alex, still slightly dazed from her impromptu nap, looked at him as he approached her again.
'What yer waitin' for? Yer slower than a ruddy 'erd of turtles stampedin' through peanut butter.' He grabbed Alex's white leather jacket from the back of her chair and began to walk out of C.I.D. Alex pulled herself up wearily and followed him out to the front of the building where the red Quattro, the car that haunted her in her dreams, stood proudly. Gene unlocked the car and hopped in, Alex following suit. She clicked in her seatbelt.
'What 'ave I bloody told yer about the 'ole seatbelt thing? Yer not a ruddy vicar, Bolls.' He unfastened her seatbelt. She made no effort to retaliate to his actions. Gene smirked with approval. 'Yer learnin' well.'
With a screech of the tyres, the Quattro sped off, leading down the familiar route to Luigi's. Gene parked up around the corner of the building, and both he and Alex walked down the steps into the cellar-based restaurant.
'Ah! Signor Hunt! Signorina Drake! How are you both? You are keeping good I hope?' Luigi welcomed Alex and Gene with such enthusiasm that Alex couldn't help but smile broadly.
'Very well thank you, Luigi. Yourself?' Alex beamed as Luigi scurried behind the bar to get drinks.
'Me? I'ma fine, Signorina. Signor Hunt?' Luigi asked, turning to Gene.
'Scotch,' he grumbled, much to Luigi's expectations. 'And a glass of yer shit 'ouse red for 'er,' he added, motioning towards Alex.
'Si, Signor,' sighed Luigi. He turned on his heel and grabbed two glasses as Alex and Gene sat in their usual table in the corner of the cosy restaurant. The candle in the centre of the table separating them cast a warm glow upon the surface, splashing light on Alex's face as she leaned in to talk to Gene. She caught his gaze and she smiled warmly before beginning to talk.
'Where is everyone?' she asked curiously. 'They're usually here by now.'
'Ray's out with some posh bird 'e met a few weeks ago, and Chris and Shaz are no doubt snuggled up in the cinema watchin' some shite soppy film.'
'Ah, right.' Alex nodded at the revelation. 'Just you and me, then.' She smiled to herself. Just Alex and Gene. Just me and him. Just us.
'Yes, Bolly, in-bloody-deed.' They looked at each other for a few seconds before Luigi proceeded to bustle over with the scotch and red wine. Grabbing the glass, Gene took a large swig, downing the remainder of the glass before slamming it down on the table violently, grimacing slightly from the sharp taste as he lent back nonchalantly in his chair. He laid his arms on the sides of the chair, and heaved a heavy sigh. He averted his eyes from Alex's gaze.
What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
Alex's ears pricked when she heard her name.
Something isn't right with Gene, Alex. What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
Alex glanced over at the radio where the crackling, ominous voice was sounding from. She arose from her chair, gliding over to the radio as Gene followed her with his eyes.
What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
'Nothing's wrong with him,' Alex quietly retorted, picking up the radio. 'He's most likely very stressed-'
What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
'Nothing, I-'
What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
'He's-'
What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
'Who are yo-'
What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
'Gene's fine!' she shouted angrily into the radio. It crackled loudly before returning to the classical music Luigi had opted for earlier in the evening.
'Why thank you, Bolls. I like to think I'm fine, don' like ter boast about it though. People migh' get jealous.' Gene had wondered up behind Alex, who was staring in disbelief at the radio she still held in her hands. Luigi shot a concerned look to Gene, then to Alex. She placed the radio back down on the bar counter. Alex took a deep breath and looked up at Gene.
'Are you alright, Gene?' she asked, wanting to confirm his well-being; a waver in her voice gave her fear away.
'I'm fine, Bolly Kecks, it's you that we should be worryin' about.'
'No, no,' Alex protested insistently. 'Honestly, I'm fine. I just...thought I heard something, that's all.' She took one final glance at the radio before returning to the table, gulping the rest of her red wine from the glass with exasperation, leaving a smudge of red lipstick on the rim.
'Another, please, Luigi.' Alex motioned towards Luigi, who flashed her and Gene a broad grin, before getting another set of glasses from the counter.
'Don't know about you, Bolls, but everythin's all quiet on the front in C.I.D.'
'I know,' Alex sighed. 'It's nice for a change.'
'S'pose. Bit borin' if yer ask me.' Luigi returned once again with a scotch and red wine; both Alex and Gene immediately picked up their glasses and took a swig each.

As the evening quietly continued, both detectives were getting progressively more tipsy. They had ordered food; steak and chips pizza for Gene, tagliatelle pasta for Alex. Gene grabbed his knife and fork almost ferociously as he started to rip the pizza into large sections.
'So, is the way to your heart through your stomach, Mr. Hunt?' Alex asked flirtatiously, raising her eyebrows with a smirk to her D.C.I as she took another sip of wine.
'Bolls, any woman 'oo thinks that the way to a man's heart is through 'is stomach is aimin' just a little bit too 'igh,' Gene replied. He repeated Alex's eyebrow-raising gesture before returning to his food. Alex chuckled, breaking into a big smile before taking another big gulp from her wine glass.
'You should smile more, Bolly. It's the second best thin' you can do with yer mouth.' Gene grinned as Alex hastily grabbed her napkin, swiftly covering her mouth to stem the spurts of wine falling from her lips as she laughed. Gene, evidently pleased at this reaction, picked up his glass of scotch and downed it, again grimacing after finishing it.
'Right, Lady B, we're both pretty pissed, so bein' the gentleman I am, I'll escort yer upstairs to yer flat. Then, I shall proceed to slump on yer sofa while you twaddle about in yer skimpy pyjamas givin' me more than a good eyeful.' Gene stood up and crossed to Alex's side of the table. He held out his arm, which Alex accepted. She warily stood up, blinking several times and shaking her head to try and get rid of the dizziness she experienced as she got up. Linking her arm with his, Gene led Alex through the door of the restaurant, gesturing goodbye to Luigi, who smiled knowingly at him. They clambered up the stairs, giggling in their drunken states. As they eventually reached the top of the stairs, Alex fumbled in her bag for her keys. Clumsily, she dropped her bag, sending the contents clattering over the landing. She laughed as Gene raced to collect the lipsticks and pens that were threatening to topple over the top step and down the stairs. She bent over to pick up the bag and her keys, straightening up to find Gene standing close to her with her lipsticks and pens in his hand. She took them from him, their hands brushing for a split second before she looked up into his face. Their eyes locked as silence consumed them. She could hear Gene's sharp intake of breath as the smell of her perfume and wine gripped his senses; his thoughts were completely lost and he was overwhelmed and consumed by desire. In the dark shadow of the landing, they both stood still, boring into each other's eyes. Alex's stomach flipped as her heart began to pound quickly; her breathing became slightly heavier.
'Th-thank you for the...er...the stuff,' she finally managed to whisper with a small smile, her voice catching in her throat as butterflies began to override her.
'That's alright, Bolls.' Gene continued to look into her eyes, never breaking eye contact with her. 'Maybe we should...'
'Yes. Need my keys.' Alex regrettably broke their intense gaze as she turned to look into her bag to fish out the keys. Gene breathed a heavy sigh of relief as she opened the door and let them in. She placed her bag on the table and went over to the cupboards, where she got out two small glasses and a bottle of scotch. She poured them a third of a glass each and gestured the glass towards Gene. She took a small sip, savouring the flavour in her mouth and sighing in satisfaction. She put her glass down as she began to walk through to the living room. Gene followed her, his eyes wandering intently over her behind as she walked past him.
'I'm just going to get changed.' She motioned towards the bedroom, smiled at him, then disappeared through the door, heaving a huge breath as she shut the door.
Gene Hunt? Alex, he's your D.C.I! He's a senior officer, he's your boss!
Alex, from the first moment she had ever clapped eyes on him, knew Gene Hunt was an extraordinary man. She reminisced of her first days of '81; her first days of realising just how much of a wonderful man she had met. The gruff-talking, crude-thinking, scum-busting, irresistible Manc Lion. With a satisfied sigh, Alex took a few minutes to think and recompose herself in her current circumstance and then started to take off her clothes to change into her black silky pyjama top that was lying on her bed. As she slipped it on, she undid an extra button, revealing more cleavage than had been on display in her previous outfit: 'leave something to be imagined' was the philosophy she had been taught and lived by. Looking in the mirror, she surveyed her appearance, deciding to release her hair from her trademark quiff and leaving her fringe swept across her head elegantly. She pulled her top down slightly, covering up her bum a bit more; she didn't want to increase the arising tension too early. She picked up her dressing down and shrugged it loosely onto her shoulders, and then grabbed the spare blanket from the bottom of the wardrobe and continued back into the living room, where Gene had repositioned himself on the sofa, legs splayed out, head resting on his arms. When he heard the door open, his head snapped to Alex's direction.
'Dear Lord, give me patience, and give it to me now,' he muttered under his breath as he stared at the more scantily clad Alex, drinking her in. Although her arms were covered by the dressing gown, her long, smooth legs were bare. Her pyjama top revealed her creamy chest, the v-neck of the top dangerously lingering above her breasts. Alex gave a small smile in his direction before settling down on the sofa next to him with the blanket.
'I thought you'd like a blanket to sleep in, if you want to stay the night,' she said, placing the blanket on the coffee table in front of them. 'It can get a bit chilly.' She looked up at him, smiling delicately. He nodded in understanding, still too taken aback to speak. She got up and walked across to the kitchen table; she could feel Gene's gaze upon her as she picked up her glass and the bottle of scotch. She returned swiftly, taking a big sip from her glass, and settled back into the sofa. Gene refilled his glass again; he downed it in one gulp.
'Wow, Bolly. Doctors migh' not be able ter find blood in our alcohol stream.' Alex giggled. Slumping back so his eyes were level with Alex's, Gene smiled as she sighed.
'If I'm not careful, I'll start losing arguments against inanimate objects.' Alex chuckled as she slipped off her dressing gown, revealing her body that was covered with no more than a drape of silk. Gene attempted to clear his throat subtly but found that he was wrestling extremely lustful thoughts about his D.I and her state of attire. She threw the dressing gown behind her, landing on the back of the sofa, and she grabbed the blanket and spread it over their bodies. She pulled the blanket up, snuggling into it as she looked at Gene. She took a breath before hesitantly beginning to speak.
'S'everything alright with you, Gene?' she asked in reference to the radio incident, her voice slurring as she placed her hand on his shoulder. She absent-mindedly began tracing little circles with her fingers, electrifying Gene's body. Gene flicked his eyes to her, and then back to his glass.
'S'all fine, Bolls. I'm just very, very drunk.' Gene was indulged with thought as he looked up at Alex. She interpreted the look in his eye as a delicate caution to not go any further; she knew they were both reluctant to stop, yet under the drunken circumstances, Alex took heed in his caution.
'Yes, I could tell.' She withdrew her hand from his shoulder, returning it to the blanket so she could pull it up against her chin. She watched as Gene put his glass down. He took in a deep breath and sighed.
'I'd better be gettin' some sleep, Bolls. Can' be copin' if I'm as tired as a three-toed sloth running a marathon,' he said, slurring his words heavily as his eyes began to droop. A light laugh escaped Alex's lips as she slipped out from underneath the blanket, placing the material delicately over Gene's slumped, tired body.
'Night, Bolly,' he murmured incomprehensibly.
'Goodnight, Gene.' Alex turned into the bedroom, closed the door, and exhaled in contentment and relief.

'Mummy?'A little girl's face blurredly began to appear in front of Alex's eyes.
'Mummy? It's me.'
'I know,' Alex whispered, eyes heavy from sleep. She smiled. 'It's so good to see you, Mi-ma...'
'Who am I, Mummy?' The girl's expression became concerned as her face became increasingly distorted before Alex.
'You're my...daughter?' Alex filled with doubt and panic.
'Yes. What's my name, Mummy?' The head tipped to one side in a questioning manner.
'Your name is-' Alex hesitated, a blankness settling across her mind as she racked her brain for an answer.
'What's my name, Mummy?' The figure asked again, distancing itself from Alex.
'Ma...Mil...Mo...Ma...' Alex shut her eyes in frustration as she began to list the possibilities of the name of the blurry little girl who stood before her.
'What's my name, Mummy?'
'I- I- can't, M-'
'What's my name, Mummy?' The little girl's voice became louder and louder and more overwhelming in repetition. A deeper, richer tone began to combine with the little girl's as Alex started heaving with tears.
'What's her name, Alex? What's wrong with Gene, Alex?'
'I know that voice. You're the man from the radio! Who are you?' Alex asked frantically, looking around in frustration.
'What's her name, Alex? What's wrong with Gene, Alex?' The voices pounding in her ears were driving with increasing volume until Alex screamed, eyes flying open as a loud bang erupted from her right.
'I can't remember! I don't know! I can't! I can-'

'Bolly!' The door to Alex's bedroom had been wrenched open to reveal Gene standing in the doorway, looking dishevelled from sleep. Alex was sat bolt upright in her bed, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed heavily.
'I can't remember, Gene!' She continued to look straight ahead of her, trying to place where the little girl had stood. Gene, shocked at the state of her, went to her bed, sitting down next to her.
'What, Bolly?' Concern rattled through his voice as he placed his arms around her, cradling her in comfort against her distress.
'She was there- my, my daughter, Gene.' Alex heaved another heavy sob, burying her head into Gene's warm chest. 'I can't remember anymore, I've forgotten-'
'No you 'aven't.' He rested his chin on her head, reassuring her with gentle strokes on her back. 'You 'aven't forgotten, Bolls.'
'I have, Gene, I have. I've been here so long...' Alex whispered. Gene remained silent as she began to calm down after a few minutes of quiet recomposure. She breathed in heavily, his scent filling her lungs and giving her reassurance, and emerged from his warm embrace. She smiled tearily up at him.
'Sorry,' she said. 'Had a rough night.'
'Aye, me an' all, Bolls. Must 'ave bin the stupendous amounts of alcohol we 'ad last night.' Gene looked at Alex, noticing yesterday's makeup smeared lightly around her eyes and her messy, matted hair, before standing up.
'Come on then. Get yer arse into gear and clean yerself up, yer daft cow. We 'ave ter get ter work, as much as I 'ate to say it.' Gene, with one final look at her, left Alex alone in her room. She sat on the bed, dazed and confused at her earlier vision. Sighing, she got up off the bed and exited the room, heading past Gene towards the shower.
'Help yourself to anything from the fridge if you're feeling a bit peckish,' she said to Gene.
'Don't worry, Bolls. Already 'ave,' he replied, mouth stuffed full. 'What is this french stuff?'
'Pain au chocolat,' she replied with a French accent. Gene raised his eyebrows in question. 'Or, to you mere mortal, bread with chocolate.' She flashed a smile and continued through to the bathroom, turning on the shower and getting in as Gene finished his breakfast with a grin.
After her refreshing shower, Alex climbed out to gather her towel around her; she then realised that she had left her dressing gown on the sofa in the living room. She also remembered that Gene was still in the living room: she could only begin to imagine the things he'd potentially say to her in her current state of attire. Pulling the towel even tighter around herself, she unlocked the bathroom door and stepped out gingerly. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the living room. Gene, still tired from the night before, lounged lazily on the sofa before realising Alex's presence was now in the room.
'Come on Bolly, move yer-' He stopped mid sentence as he turned to look at her: dripping wet and virtually naked, Alex smiled, butterflies of nervousness filling her stomach. Gene inhaled heavily, electricity surging through his body before channelling south. He cleared his throat.
'Sorry, I need my dressing gown.' Alex quickly swept past him, going to collect the garment from the back of the sofa where she had thrown it the night before. Water trickled from Alex's hair and ran down her neck towards her cleavage: Gene followed the drops with his eyes intensely as she leaned onto the sofa. Gene gulped as she turned to go.
'Sorry,' she said with an apologetic smile. Gene stared at her as a glint of mischievousness flashed across her eyes and played upon her smile. 'I need to get ready.' She threw the dressing gown over her shoulder and turned again towards the bathroom, smiling to herself as Gene cleared his throat again.
'Watch out, Bolls. Walk into C.I.D like tha' and yer'll 'ave everyone randier than a four-balled tomcat.' Hearing her laugh, Gene confirmed that she had left the room and returned to thinking of Maggie Thatcher to try and urge away his sexual arousal at seeing Alex so very nearly naked.
After twenty minutes of getting dressed, blowdrying, hairspraying and applying make-up, Alex emerged in a pair of tight high waisted skinny jeans and a black and blue stripy top with her white leather jacket.
'White leather jacket, Bolly? Been a while since this ruddy atrocity graced my vision.' She looked gorgeous in it.
'Yes, well I couldn't find my normal jacket, but instead this was hanging up so I thought I'd dig it out for once.' She held the corner of the jacket and flipped it up, revealing a faint red stain. 'It's been a while, I don't think I've worn it since-'
'Yeah, I know.' Gene seemed to swiftly divert the subject. 'Come on then, let's go.'
Alex locked the door and both her and Gene went downstairs, greeting Luigi who was already up and preparing the restaurant for the customers who would inevitably dine there later in the day.
'Good-a morning, Signorina Drake, Signor Hunt.' Luigi smirked playfully, raising his eyebrows suggestively. 'You did-a have a good evening?'
'Yes, we very much did so, thanks to yer shitty 'ouse wine bollocks. Gets yer pissed real quick, doesn't give yer the time to dwell and appreciate how it tastes like mouldy grapes marinaded in cat's piss.' Gene stalked out of the door, leaving Alex to apologise for his rude behaviour and console Luigi over his house wine. She eventually followed Gene out, and got into the Quattro. They sped off and arrived at C.I.D seven minutes later.
'Mornin, Ma'am,' Shaz said cheerfully as Alex and Gene walked in. 'Mornin' Guv.' Gene strode into his office, slamming the door behind him. Ray and Chris, standing casually next to Ray's desk, gave each other a smirk as they looked towards Alex and then to Gene's office. Chris raised his eyebrows.
'Hello, Shaz. How are things?' Alex smiled and then looked across to Chris, who was continuing to chat to Ray across the room.
'Oh, you know, so-so. Chris is still bein' all funny like, can't figure 'im out for the life o' me. Oh well. Boys will be boys, eh?' Shaz smiled and went to her desk, on top of which lay a mountain of paperwork.
'Mornin', Boss,' Chris and Ray greeted Alex. She raised her head and smiled in acknowledgement of them and went to sit behind her desk, where paperwork from their previous case met her disappointedly.
After a few hours of trawling through the files and folders strewn over the office, the sharp, piercing ring of Alex's telephone resounded through the office.
'D.I Alex Drake,' she answered.
'Yes, hello Ma'am.' Viv greeted her cheerfully, as per usual. 'We have somebody down here, she's in quite a state.'
'Right, okay. Give me a brief summary.'
'Rape and attempted stabbing.' Viv's tone of voice changed suddenly.
'Ah. I'll be down now. Thank you, Viv.'
'No problem, Ma'am.' Alex placed the telephone down and began to head out of the office.
'D.I Bolly Knickers!' Gene barked from his office. 'Office, now!'
She turned on her heel with exasperation and walked into his office.
'Yes, Guv?'
'Give me the low down.' Gene leant back in his chair, placing his feet upon the desktop.
'There is no low to down,' Alex replied, 'apart from a woman downstairs who's been raped and nearly stabbed. I'm about to go and see her.'
'Fandabbydozy.' Gene got up and strode out of his office, Alex following suit quickly after him. As they reached Viv's desk, they were met by a woman covered in bruises and blood.
'Jesus.' Gene cringed at the sight of her. Her eyes were swollen and of a deep blue and purple hue, and a bloody slash dominated the right side of her face. Her brown hair was matted with blood, as were her clothes. She sat, sobbing, in the waiting area, Viv next to her, comfortingly placing his arm around her. Gene stood back as Alex went over and knelt by the woman, placing a hand on her knee.
'Hello. I'm D.I Alex Drake. Obviously you've been through some trauma; let me take you into the office.' Alex smiled at the woman assuringly, and she stood up along with Alex. Gene trailed behind as Alex led the woman into the office. Alex pulled the chair from behind her desk and offered it to the battered woman, who accepted it gratefully.
'Would you like a drink?' Alex asked.
'Coffee. Milk. Two sugars. Please,' the woman whispered.
'Of course. I'll be right back.' Alex turned and headed into the kitchen.
'Fancy a garibaldi, love?' Gene appeared from his office with a plate of biscuits. He took one and stuffed it into his mouth.
'Yeah. Thanks.' The woman shyly took a biscuit from a plate, nibbling the corners. Alex reappeared, holding a steaming mug of coffee.
'Here you are,' she said softly, handing the woman the mug. 'Just take some time to calm down, and then, when you're ready, we'll take you into the interview room to have a chat.'
'Thank you,' the woman said. Placing her garibaldi on Alex's desk, the woman took a sip of the coffee.
'Can I just take your name?' Alex asked gently, getting her notepad and a pen.
'Maxine Palter-Spence.' Alex dropped her pen in shock.
'What, sorry? I mean, can you- erm, sorry. Can you repeat that?'
'Maxine Palter-Spence.'
'Yes, thank you Maxine. I'll leave you to enjoy your coffee.' Alex quickly stood up and ran to the toilets. She crashed through the door, heaving in heavy breaths as she placed her hands on the sinks to support her.
'Maxine Palter-Spence?' she asked herself.
Two little girls ran up to Maxine, who was crouching down and holding her arms out to them.
'It can't be.' Alex ran the tap and lightly splashed her face with water.
The little girl with the blonde hair was overwhelmed in Maxine's embrace, while the other little girl stood watching, a grin etched onto her face.
'Sophia.' Alex reminisced as she envisaged her best friend from her childhood hugging her mother tightly. Alex's memories jumped forward.
The two little girls were sitting in their maths lesson. The headteacher came in.
'Sophia Palter-Spence?'
The little girl nodded.
'I need to speak to you.'
The little girl rose from her desk, looking at the other girl.
Alex remembered the look of panic that flashed across Sophia's eyes as she left the room with the headteacher.

'She was murdered.' Alex's eyes widened in realisation. 'Maxine was murdered.' She slammed the door of the toilet with a frustrated shout and ran her hands through her hair. She decided to return to C.I.D, where Maxine had finished her coffee and Gene had helped himself to the last of the garibaldis. Alex walked over to him, speaking into his ear.
'Guv. Can I have a word? Now?'
Gene looked perplexed as Alex headed into his office; he followed. He shut the door behind him and turned to face Alex.
'What's wrong, then, Bolly Knickers?' he asked.
'Maxine. It's- it's Maxine. Something's going to happen to her.' Alex stared into Gene's eyes before tearing them away, losing herself in deep thought. 'I remember, it was in September-'
'What on earth are you rantin' about, yer daft tart?'
Alex sat on Gene's desk, her fingers massaging the temples on her head as through to encourage recollection. She opened her eyes from her thoughts as she remembered the date she was after. 'September the 12th, 1983. I know it's a long way off at the moment I mean, it's only March - but Maxine Palter-Spence was raped in March...and then she was raped again and murdered on the 12th of September...Also, if my memory serves me correctly, she had overdosed on drugs as well-'
'Yeah, and Gene Hunt will start exercisin' and we'll all be travellin' in UFOs,' Gene said snidely.
'Trust me Guv, thi-'
'So, you can predict the future now then, Bolls? Why didn't yer say so, we might 'ave actually solved crimes easier 'ad we been told of yer marvellous skills!' Gene slumped himself into his office chair and put his legs up on the table, crossing his arms expectantly as Alex stared at him.
'Don't you see? Crime prevention!' Alex slammed her hands down on the desk as she leapt up, flustered and frustrated. 'I know it sounds ridiculous, but I remember it, crystal clear! We- we can...take measures to ensure crimes don't happen. We need things like...er, background information, CCTV-'
'CCT-what? What the bloody 'ell is wrong with you today?' Gene asked in exasperation.
'The woman who practically adopted me as a child after my parents were blown up is going to get murdered, and you're just sitting there on your arse like a ruddy great big lemon!' Alex angrily whipped past Gene to the door of his office, walked through and slammed it shut. Inhaling deeply, she was met by the stares of her colleagues in the department. She quietly cleared her throat and went over to Maxine.
'Right, I'm going to take you to the interview room now, Maxine. D.C.I Hunt will join us in due course,' Alex informed Maxine, helping her up by the arm. She could sense that Maxine was tense. 'Just relax.' Alex gave her a reassuring smile.
They slowly walked through to the interview room, where the lonely table standing in the centre of the room was radiating negativity. Alex helped Maxine into her chair, and proceeded to take her own. She clicked 'record' on the tape recorder.
'This is D.I Alex Drake conducting an interview with Maxine Palter-Spence, on the 27th March,' Alex's voice rang clearly through the empty room. The bang of the door resonated loudly as Gene stormed in, throwing his chair out and sitting it in.
'D.C.I Gene Hunt has entered the room and is now present at the interview,' Alex said, looking at him as he slouched slightly into his chair before proceeding. 'Maxine, please tell us the exact events which occurred.'
'Well, I was working at the shop-'
'The sweet shop on Barker's Road?' Alex asked. She had fond memories of Spence's Sweeties...
'Erm, yes.' Maxine was taken aback.
'Sorry. Please, continue.'
'Anyway,' she went on, 'I was working the shop from ten o'clock yesterday morning, and everything seemed fine; we had normal customers in and business was as usual. It was at about five, when I was closing up for the day, when someone came in.' Maxine took a deep breath. 'It was my uncle, Tim. I was taking the money from the till, I needed to drop it off at the bank, but then Uncle Tim came behind the counter and asked if he could lend a hand. It was then that he drew out a knife and held it against my throat, telling me to put the money into his bag. I panicked, and I-'
'It's okay. Calm down,' Alex comforted, putting her hand on Maxine's as her voice rose with fright. 'You're safe here.' Maxine blew out heavily.
'I tried to knock the knife out of his hand, but then he punched me. I fell and I hit my head on the counter. All I can remember is him grabbing the till and pouring the money into his bag, and then...and then...he- he cut me.' She rolled up her sleeves and showed Alex and Gene the deep gashes on her arms. 'He told me to be quiet...not to scream...' Her breathing became fragmented as sobs began to emerge. 'Then he...then he...r-raped...' Maxine erupted into tears, heaving huge sobs. Alex and Gene stared in disbelief at the poor woman.
'Did Tim rape you, Maxine?' Alex asked quietly.
Maxine, still crying, nodded her head. 'Y-yes.'
Alex closed her eyes in reluctant acceptance of what Maxine had confessed. 'Okay. Let me get you some water. D.I Alex Drake has paused the interview.' She hit the pause button on the tape recorder. 'Stay in here, Maxine, we'll be back in a minute.' Alex gestured Gene to leave the room with her. Once outside, Gene turned to her.
'This is a nasty one, Bolls.' Gene loosened his tie and undid the first button on his shirt.
'I know. I hadn't realised this had happened,' Alex said, reminiscing of her earlier years when Maxine looked after her.
'Well, it bloody well 'as happened. Now, stop prancin' about like Mystic Meg with a psychic ball shoved up yer arse and get the poor woman some water,' Gene snapped. Alex, frustrated at Gene's lack of compassion, walked away, through the office and into the kitchen. She picked up a glass from the cupboard and began to fill it with water. The radio crackled and the same ominous voice that Alex had heard the previous evening filled her ears.
What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
Alex attempted to ignore and block the voice out of her head. She continued to fill the glass with water until it reached the rim.
What's wrong with Gene, Alex? The voice echoed the same phrase, sending shivers down Alex's spine. She walked up to the radio, speaking into it with a hushed tone.
'Hello?'
What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
'Who are you? What do you want?' She began to get frustrated with the repetitive monotonousness of the voice coming from the radio.
What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
'Nothing! He's fine, I assure-' Alex was cut off abruptly as a sharp, searing pain tore through the front of her head. She screamed in agony as the blistering pain suddenly blinded her vision.
What's wrong with Gene, Alex?
Alex grabbed the kitchen counter with her free hand, steadying her weakening body. The intense throbbing in her head became more painful.
'Noth- nothing...is wr-r-wrong...I...' Bright flashes of light appeared before Alex's eyes, burning her pupils with such pain she shut them tightly. Flickers of her daughter appeared, along with an unknown man, whose features were blurred. Suddenly, Gene's face appeared and swam menacingly in her vision, his voice drifting into the mix of blaring voices.
What's wrong with me, Alex?
'N-N-NOTHING!' Alex shrieked as her throat tightened, making it difficult to breathe. Spots of colour appeared before her eyes as her throat closed off completely, ceasing all supply of oxygen to her body. The voices grew deafeningly loud as Alex collapsed from the excruciating pain, making one last piercing scream as the glass she was holding shattered on the floor, her head hitting the counter as darkness consumed her.