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Everything changes

Alex closed her eyes, resting her head back against the sofa. It had been an awful day, Gene suffering more than most. She felt sick at the thought of the beating he had taken, knowing it had been so Ray could get himself away and raise the alarm. Back up had been swift but not fast enough to stop Gene getting hurt.

Xxxxx

He stared in the mirror, relieved the rest of his team had survived unscathed. Swearing under his breath at every movement he shrugged his bloodstained shirt off and began to run a bath. It was the only thing that was going to stop his body seizing up. The litany of bruises and abrasions that covered his chest told him as much. He closed his eyes, sensing Alex behind him.

"Bolls."

"He was going to kill you." Her voice sounded resigned, distant. Gene closed his eyes again.

"Nah not me luv."

"Yes you." She stepped nearer. Turning the running water off she reached for him. Her hands rested on his bare shoulders as she kissed his back. The sharp intake of breath spurred her on.

"Alex."

"I nearly lost you." Alex whispered as she kissed a bruise below his shoulder blade. "Gene." Her voice hitched as she stepped away, picking up the already soaked flannel before using it to bath the wounds on his back. Gene tensed for a moment, surprised when her lips returned to his skin.

"Don't cry." He whispered, turning in her arms. One hand lifting her chin to make her look at him. "That's an order Bolly. No tears." Alex nodded, turning her attention to the marks on his chest. Her lips covered a patch of reddened skin that she knew had to be tender.

"Monsters. Bloody monsters." She blinked back tears. Gene nodded, he had to agree. Seconds later he pulled her into his arms, cradling her as she buried her face in his chest.

"I'm here. We're ok, we're together." He kissed her hair. "You and me. Eh Alex? The way it was supposed to be." Alex nodded before running a finger over a particularly nasty bruise.

"Always."

"Always." Gene sighed as she reached up to kiss him. His hands pulled her closer, dipping lower to hold her waist and bottom. Alex's found her fingers moving through his hair at their own accord as he pinned her against the bathroom door.

"Bed." Alex whispered as he kissed her neck. "Now. Oh!" She gasped as he lifted her off her feet.

"Bed." His voice rumbled lower than she could remember.

"Bath." Alex breathed as his fingers pulled her red t shirt away.

"Stuff it." Gene began to kiss along her abdomen. Sighing she closed her eyes. He was alive, they were together. Nothing was going to separate them. Not now. Not this time.

"The water."

"Bloody Nora." Gene propped himself up on one elbow. "I don't need a bath. I need you." She smiled at his declaration before pulling him in for another kiss. He was right. Nothing else mattered. They were together and they were safe. For now.

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A/n please review