December 1981

After she had watched her parents die in the car bomb, all Alex wanted was revenge for their deaths. She had been so depressed that she just had to get away for a while, take time to pull herself together and get a strategy for how to get home back to Molly, back to 2008. Alex had already told her DCI that she was leaving so he wouldn't be expecting her back anytime soon.

It had taken her two months, but she finally had a lead on Arthur Layton, the man her father had hired to put a bomb under their car so that the whole family could die together. She still couldn't bring herself to hate her father, but Layton was a different kettle of fish. He was the reason she was here. If she could stop him, she could go home.

Alex had used all her snouts and had learned that Layton had been seen in Manchester. She didn't have anyone to help her up there, but she knew someone here who did. But how could she convince him to accompany her to Manchester to find Layton? The case had already been turned over to Bomb Squad.

-----

Alex walked into Luigis knowing he would be there. As soon as she entered the bar, sure enough, she could see him sitting alone in his usual seat. The bar was otherwise empty; only Luigi was there, cleaning some of the tables.

Gene said nothing as she sat herself down beside him; he was busy filling in the department timesheets. The only acknowledgement that she had arrived was a quick heavy breath out of his nostrils

When he had finished he turned to her.

"You gonna tell me where you've been. Drake?"

Alex looked at him and knew she was going to have to come up with an answer. Maybe it was time for some of the truth.

"I need a drink first," she stalled.

Gene called over to Luigi.

"A bottle of your house red, sharpish!"

Gene poured Alex a glass and she drank it straight down. She the proceeded to tell him all about how she had been looking for Arthur Layton and that the information had led her to believe he had been seen in Manchester, Gene's old city

Finally, Gene spoke. "Have you reported this information to DCI Jenkins? It is technically his case now."

Alex replied, looking down at her empty glass.

"I wouldn't trust that idiot to bring in the washing. That bastard Layton murdered Caroline, Gene. You might not have liked her but she was my friend."

Gene could see how tired Alex looked. "So, you need the Gene Genie's help, right, Bolls?"

Alex looked at him and knew she was going to sound like the helpless female what ever she said. "I only need a list of snouts in the area."

Gene smirked. "You go to my neck of the woods alone 'n' looking like that, you'll get yourself into all sorts of mischief. I'll come with you, just to keep you out of trouble. Give me a few hours and I'll see if I can arrange some leave. Wait for my call in your flat."

-----

Next morning, Gene banged on Alex's door at 6am as arranged. As Alex opened the door, his eyes widened as he caught sight of the bulging suitcase.

"Bloody 'ell Bolls. You plannin' a holiday or summat? I only got a few days leave. Can't leave Raymondo in charge any longer or we won't have a station to go back to."

Alex smiled at the thought of the trouble the mice would get up to while the lion was away.

"Only a few essentials, Gene," she replied sweetly.

Gene sighed, then picked up the case and took it down to where the Quattro was parked, placing it into the boot where his own small holdall was. Then he got into the driver's seat and waited for Alex to appear. A couple of minutes later she came down with a flask of coffee. Gene looked at her sceptically.

"What?" she asked innocently. "It's a long drive."

Gene shook his head opened up the glove compartment, taking out a hipflask.

Alex just smiled to herself as Gene started the engine and the Quattro screeched away.