Alex looked down at the hand that was entwined with hers and furrowed her brow.
"What's that look for Bolly?" Gene asked without even turning his head towards her.
"How did yo-"
"I don't need to look at you t'know summat's going through that head of yours," He stopped walking and looked down at their hands as well, "D'you not want me holding your 'and?"
"What? No..." She squeezed his hand a little as if to prove her point, "I was just wondering why you're never like this when the team's around."
"Just because you're used to getting your knickers off in public..." Gene let out a sigh and led her over to sit on a nearby bench in the park they'd been walking through, "Look Bolly, there's more than one side to the Gene Genie, at CID I have to be someone the men...and women," he added after a pointed look from Alex, "Look up to and respect. I can't very well be that whilst fawning over you can I?"
He looked away awkwardly as a smile reached Alex's lips, whilst stroking his thumb over the back of her hand.
"You're fawning over me?" He glanced at her and scowled as he saw her smirk.
"Shut up..." He looked away again but lifted his arm with a smile as Alex moved in against him.
"You're such a charmer..."
"And you're such a pain in the arse," Gene pressed a kiss to the top of her head softly; "Don't expect me to start calling you 'sweetie' or 'baby'. The Manc Lion does NOT do pet names."
Alex turned to look up at him and raised an eyebrow.
"You mean, except 'Bolly'?"
"Well...yeah-"
"And 'Oh god, don't stop'?"
"Don't you dare..." he sighed when he felt her shoulders shake with laughter, he pulled her a little bit closer, "Just because I don't act all lovey-dovey in the station doesn't mean I don't..." he cleared his throat roughly, starting to get to his feet, "We should y'know, get back."
Gene shoved his hands in his pockets and turned towards the path that would lead them back to Fenchurch East.
Alex slapped her thighs and stood up to join him, reaching out her hand towards him with a soft smile, "Gene..."
DCI Gene Hunt shot her a look with his infamous pout and wrapped his fingers around hers. Alex took a few steps so she was standing in front of him. Looking up, she wrapped her arms around his waist. Gene let his arms move around her, resting on her hips and his hands began to stroke her back gently, "I love you too."
"Fantabydozy," He leant down and pressed his lips, "Now, say that around the station and I'll have you bent over my desk quicker than you can say 'Psychological Bollocks'..."
"Mmm...promises, promises." She muttered against his lips.
"Will you shut up woman?" His kissed her again, trying to show her just how much he cared without putting it into the words he found so hard to say.
As they began to walk back to CID and their team, Gene glanced down at their entwined hands again, thinking that maybe...just maybe he'd be able to tell her one day.