Disclaimer: These characters are property of the BBC and Kudos. I own nothing. Lyrics property of Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.
Thanks to Emzi.x for beta'ing! I know Galex is popular on here, but i thought i'd have a stab at something a little different. There will be a little Galex at the end, and i ask you to be patient with me :D Inspiration from Billy Joel, Hope you like it.
A bottle of white, a bottle of red
Perhaps a bottle of rose instead
Well get a table near the street
In our old familiar place
You and I - face to face
Gene Hunt had never had to be desperate. At 17 years old, he was aware of the affect he had on women. He'd played around and had some fun with a few, lost his virginity at 15 and received his honours from friends.
He'd never admit that he regretted it though, because now he'd met Emily. Emily Parker was his sweetheart. 16 years old, deep brown eyes, long chestnut curls and a body to die for. Gene thought she was beautiful, and he wasn't the only one.
Everyone thought Gene was the luckiest guy for miles around, and he had to agree with them but he wasn't after her for her body. Oh sure, the fact that she was physically amazing helped, but he loved her for her mind. Emily was one big contradiction. She looked innocent as a butterfly but Gene knew her naughty side well. He blushed at the very thought.
Everyone thought Emily was as white as new fallen snow, but Gene knew different; Gene knew she had a dark side. Gene even called her Moony, a pet name that he'd known would raise many laughs, but only he and his girl knew the real meaning of it.
Gene played with his napkin and looked at his surroundings for the sixth time with a smile. Tony's Restaurant was a favourite of many of Gene's classmates. It wasn't too expensive, but it had a classy, romantic ambience. Italian waiters bustled around, the band sat in the corner playing out romantic, foreign sounding melodies. Gene closed his eyes and listened.
He smiled, eyes still closed. The only thing he saw when he closed his eyes was Emily. No, not like that. Emily swirling around in a floatey white dress. He caught the smell of her perfume and opened him eyes breathing deeply. Emily smiled at him from across the table.
"Yer looked dead peaceful."
Gene smiled and reached across the table for her hand.
"I was thinkin' 'bout you. What took yer so long then?"
"Mum made me get a cab."
Gene rolled his eyes.
"Oh god, I'm gonna get a right mouthful aren't I? Not t' worry, got me driving test next week."
Emily smiled and Gene felt his heart nearly explode.
"I've got a real good feelin' about it. Yer gonna be the worlds safest driver, they can't possibly fail yer."
"Well I wouldn't wanna ruin the angel sat by me side."
Emily lifted his hand to her lips and kissed his palm. Keeping her eyes on his she grazed her tongue along the tips of his fingers.
"Angel yer say?"
Gene returned her dirty smile and suppressed a low growl.
"Yeah. Angel, Mooney. Yer halo's slipped that's all."
Emily didn't release his hand, continuing to kiss and nip him, causing him to feel a little 'uncomfortable'.
"Oh? Slipped t' where?"
Gene's grin widened.
"T' where yer knickers are gonna be if yer carry on like this love."
Emily dropped his hand with a smile, and sipped her wine. Gene followed suit, trying to wash away the groan of longing lodged in his throat. Emily picked up the menu.
"I quite fancy the pizza, looks tasty."
"I quite fancy you, fer the same reasons."
"Ever the charmer eh Gene?"
Gene smiled.
"Naturally. I do love yer, yer know that don't yer?"
Emily smiled, and glowed. Young love eh?
"Yeah I do. 'n I love you too Genie."
"Genie? What sort of stupid girly name is that?"
"It's not girly! It's manly. 'n anyway, you call me Mooney, so I'll call yer what ever I damn well please."
"Alright, but only cos I'm gonna show yer one of these days just 'ow magic it could be."
"I don't doubt it fer a second."
Genie stuck, and his friends never took the piss, even if Gene was as soft as shit. In fact, it became an endearment rather than a piss take. Everybody loved the Gene Genie and the Gene Genie loved it. As for Tony's, well it was never short of business, and Tony himself got to know Genie as one of his regulars. It was no surprise to Tony when 3 months later, he found him sat at the bar. What would have been a surprise for poor old Tony was the fact that his young friend was in fact only 17, and he'd been serving him booze for well over a year.
"Genie! Why you sit alone? Where's that pretty girl'a yours?"
"She'll be 'ere soon, y'know she's always late."
A bottle of red, a bottle of white
It all depends on your appetite
Ill meet you any time you want
In our Italian restaurant.
Right on cue Emily walked in and the two of them were shown to a table. Gene thought Emily looked beautiful as always, he didn't notice that she seemed to be slightly upset. They ate and sipped on their drinks and talked amiably, with the odd flirtation, and a lot of endearments thrown from Genie's side of the table. Emily smiled at him, a sad look in her eye.
"I wish we could always be like this, 'ere, together."
Gene frowned slightly before giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Well we will Moo, I'll always be 'ere."
Gene stood and helped her with her coat.
"No Gene.."
Emily started to sob. Gene, totally confused, tried to wrap his reassuring arms around her, but she pushed him away.
"Don't please. My dad doesn't want me seeing you anymore Gene."
"What? Why?"
"'e bumped in t' yer dad and-"
"Oh god… No, it doesn't have t' be like this, I can talk t' 'im-"
"'is mind is made up, I 'ad to climb outta me window t' get out, 'e's gonna kill me when I get 'ome."
"I'll come with yer, I'll make sure 'e doesn't hurt yer."
Emily shook her head and dropped her gaze to the floor.
"I'm sorry. Goodbye."
She walked away from him, leaving him stood frozen to the spot until she reached the door. He took a deep breath and snatched up his coat, running after her.
"Emily! Em, wait!"
He tugged on her arm so she faced him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I mean it Moo, when ever you want me, I'll be 'ere, waiting for yer. I love you."
Gene swooped down and kissed her gently before taking a few steps back and walking away. She hadn't responded to his kiss, she'd just carried on crying. And soft as he was, he let her slip away from him. The only woman he'd ever loved.
All reviews are welcome, and whether good or bad, you have my appreciation! LSQ x