11/15/10 Note: Thanks to everyone who's been reading this over and over, I really appreciate it! For those of you who are new readers, it's come to my attention recently that the scene breaks I originally put in the story have somehow magically disappeared, so it is sometimes hard to tell when one scene ends and the next starts. Many, many apologies. I have had plans to go through and edit the story for random punctuation and spelling errors, and flagrant Americanisms (especially in the first few chapters before I had an editor) but I just haven't gotten around to it. I promise to add the scene breaks back in as well. I swear it will make more sense.

Thanks again for reading.

Disclaimer: Everything owned by someone else, 'cept the naughty bits, that's just my brain. Enjoy!

Alex Drake arched her back as her DCI's mouth reached her exposed neck. His body pressed close to her, trapping her against her desk, he kissed her neck, chin and finally her mouth, nipping at her with his teeth. Their tongues fought as his hands traveled her body, one on her breast, teasing, the other slipping under her blouse, his fingers on her skin. Alex stifled a moan. He pulled her closer as her hands slipped around his neck, one pulling his head, his mouth, closer to her.

"DRAKE!"

Alex shook herself. "What?"

"Will you be joinin' us, or are you plannin' to nap all morning?" Gene shouted at her.

"Sorry. Coming, " she mumbled. If he only knew. She grabbed her coat and trailed down the hallway after him.

Chris and Ray were waiting at the car. They climbed in the back seat, Alex and Gene waiting for them, as usual.

"So where we off to Guv?" Ray asked as they peeled away from the curb. Alex was glad she hadn't missed the rundown while she was daydreaming. Now, pay attention, she told herself. She looked at Gene's profile. It wouldn't be easy.

"Someone found a body down at the docks. Dead, but still warm. Well, warm for a dead bloke anyway. Want to get down there quickly to look around before every plonk in South London pokes 'is bloody big boots into the crime scene."

As they squealed to a stop and got out of the Quattro, Alex could see a few uniform standing in a dead lot. Brown grass and rubbish littered the spot. Some broken industrial bins trailed the west side of the lot, and what looked like a small abandoned warehouse sat at the north end. It wasn't big, though, and the north edge of the lot stretched about 30 – 40 metres longer.

"Let's have a look at the stiff, shall we?" Gene headed toward the uniforms, and they followed.

"Not much here," one of the uniforms spoke up. "No ID, nothin' in his pockets, no keys, nothin'."

"Gunshot wounds? Stab wounds? Anything? Blood?" Gene glared at them.

"Nothin' sir."

"Guess we'll 'ave to wait for the coroner, then." The four of them stood there.

"I'm going to look around, Guv," Alex said. Gene nodded at her. "You two, check out the warehouse and any nearby buildings. " Chris and Ray took off. Gene wandered off to the south end of the lot, Alex walking towards the bins, slowly looking at everything on the ground. Forensics was on its way, but they would look first.

She knew Gene would leave her be for a while, to see what they could find. Good, she thought to herself. She needed to think. These Gene fantasies were happening more and more often in the past few weeks. It had been months since she'd arrived "Here", months since she watched her parents die, again. In fact, it was New Years Eve today. It would be 1982, again, and she was feeling a bit lost. At least Gene was a constant presence in this imaginary world. Not to mention she couldn't remember the last time she'd had sex and she was horny as a bull. There'd been a few men here and there, but these eighties men were just not doing it for her. She was getting tired of the ridiculous clothes, and their shallow conversation. Even pissed she could barely stand it. Gene was attractive (if not grumpy and a bit pig headed) and in front of her most of the time. He certainly dressed better than the lot of them, she'd take the dark suits over the Member's Only jackets and the pastels any day. They were simply fantasies of convenience, she told herself. Shaking herself alert, she focused on the search.

After about an hour they all returned to the Quattro. Everyone had come up empty. Forensics had arrived while they were looking, and had set up to start their job. "Not sure if we'll have anything today, Sir," one of them said "Holiday and all. We should have a report to you by Monday."

"Ah, well" Gene grumped. "Was hoping for a bit of activity this morning, but I guess the villains have all checked out early for the 'oliday. Next shift comes in at noon. I expect to see you all at Luigi's by 7pm t' ring in the New Year."

Back at the station, Gene played darts in his office as the rest of the team tried to stay busy. Alex swore he kept looking at her, but she was never quite sure. She knew she was looking at him. Ray slept, Chris typed away and Shaz tidied up her station and filed away errant reports.

Alex stared at the ceiling. "Hey ma'am." It was Shaz. "You comin' to the party tonight? I went last year, it's fun. They boys all get very pissed and do stupid things." Alex laughed.

"A bit like every night then, eh, Shaz?" Shaz laughed too.

"Yeah, but it's New Year's, so everyone's in a good mood. Even the Guv." Alex could've sworn Shaz gave her a wink as she went back to her filing.

Alex slept all afternoon. She figured it would be a late night, and there'd be plenty of alcohol, so she should be rested. Of course, Gene kept popping up in her dreams, but, she supposed, it beat dreaming about her dad dressed as a clown of death, so she couldn't complain too much. She didn't feel much like dressing up, so she pulled on her jeans and black boots, the really spiky ones. She did have a brand new black top - buttons, and lacey all around the bottom exposing her belly to just below her bra. It seemed festive enough, so she threw that on, carefully leaving the top few buttons undone. It was a party after all. Finishing her makeup and hair (God! The Hair! How did people deal with all these curls!) Alex suddenly realized she was hungry. Not wanting to drink all night on an empty stomach, Alex went down to Luigi's for an early dinner.

"Good evening, Senorina Drake. You are early for the party?" Luigi greeted her.

"Actually Luigi, I'm starving. I slept through lunch and I'd love to have something to eat. Kitchen up yet?"

"For you, of course," he smiled. "What would you like?"

"Mmm. Chicken Piccata, I think. With a very small side of linguine in a light sauce. Yes, that would be perfect," she smiled at him.

An hour later Alex had devoured the chicken and was working on the pasta, a half-empty bottle of white wine on the bar in front of her. It was near 7 now, she figured the team would start showing up at any minute, and she was right. It turned out it was a private party for the department, and officers she didn't know showed up along with all of those that she did. Dates were allowed, apparently, as there were a number of women Alex had never seen, and she was certain they didn't work in the department.

"Evenin' Bollyknickers." Gene came over to her seat at the bar, picked up the bottle of white she'd been working on and refilled her glass. "See you've already started."

"Well, I wasn't sure there'd be food, so I came down early for some dinner." He was wearing a black suit with a black shirt and red tie. This could be a long evening, she thought to herself.

"Not a bad idea," he responded. "Care to join me at a table?" he gestured to the table against the wall they often sat at. Alex was surprised to find that while she'd been eating Luigi's small staff had covered every table with open bottles of wine and large plates of anti-pasti. Ice buckets full of champagne littered the small restaurant. Very nice, she thought. He picked up her glass and bottle, and as she slipped off the bar stool Gene got an eyeful of her barely buttoned and, thanks to the lace, quite sheer top. "Christ Bolls, why bother wearing a shirt at all?" She smiled out of his sight as he followed her to the table.

"It's a party, Gene" she said playfully as they got near the table.

"Mmm hmm." He made a very obvious show of looking down her shirt as she sat down. "Yes. A party. So let's have a drink." He poured some red for himself and he and Alex downed their glasses. They chatted pleasantly about nothing, Gene even looked relaxed. Alex was pleased she didn't feel as completely pissed as was always possible when out with Gene. Eating had been a good idea. "Time to mingle" he said at one point. It was almost 11:00. "Should chat everyone up before no one remembers where the 'ell they are." He grinned at her and got up, walking over to a very drunk group that included Chris and Ray.

Alex didn't really know anyone other than her team, didn't really want to either, so she got up and headed to the bar. She could see Gene watch her then go back to his conversation. Shaz was at the bar chatting with a few younger girls.

"Hi Ma'am!" she said brightly, slurring a little. She introduced her friends who said hellos and then excused themselves to find their dates.

"Having a good time Shaz?" Alex asked, smiling at her.

"Of course!" Shaz grinned. "I make a point of always having a good time now. You never know what will happen next, do you? I mean, don't go out of my way to be irresponsible, but you should live each day without regrets, right?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"You are so right Shaz. No regrets." They chatted a bit, Shaz excusing herself to go find Chris.

Shaz was right. There had been so many things Alex had wished she'd done before she'd been shot. She had no idea if she would ever get back, be able to live again. And even since she'd been here all she'd done was mark the time until she could save her parents, or so she'd thought. She wasn't even sure what had been happening to her since then. She worked, went out, went back to work. She was still marking time. Still waiting. For what? For a sign that she could leave? Go back to 2008 where her Molly and Evan were waiting? It had been months. Well, toss that, she thought suddenly. I'm tired of waiting. She looked over at Gene. He looked up and came over to join her at the bar.

"Well, Bolls, almost midnight" he said cheerfully.

"Yep. Have some champagne," she handed him one of the many full glasses that had been at the bar. Luigi had been keeping glasses full all night, and had just set these down in front of Alex.

"Don't mind if I do" he gulped the bubbly.

She was a bit drunk, and he was getting there. Now was as good a time as any. "Gene, how come you've never asked me out again. I mean, since our date."

He looked at her. "I'm very pissed, Bolls. Yer asking me this now?" He pulled a face.

"Yes," she said and turned to face him. They were standing very close to each other. "I thought we had a nice time, and here you never ask again. We just go out every night and get pissed up." She suddenly realized she was a bit drunker than she thought. That glass of champagne must have put her over the edge.

He leaned closer. My god she really wanted him. Well, him or a good shag, and since he was her best option for the latter she leaned closer. "Honestly, Bolls, you can be a bit…odd."

That caught her off-guard. "Odd! What do you mean by that!" She stood up and leaned one hand on the bar. She then noticed him outright laughing. She softened up a bit, he looked good laughing.

"Well, yer bloody gorgeous" he teased, "but sometimes yer all 'let's go, get the bad guys have fun' and the next yer moody as a teenager! And, half the time I have no idea what the 'ell yer talking about. Sometimes I even think you 'ate me, Bolls." He rolled his drink around in his glass. He was almost serious.

"Never, Gene," she pouted at him, putting her hand on his arm. She could see him start for her, they were already very close, standing at the bar, when Luigi interrupted.

"It's almost time" he said, and handed them each another glass of champagne. As everyone moved to get their fresh glass for toasting, Alex found her back up to the bar, with Gene Hunt facing her, standing very close. Touching, but not completely pressing her up against the bar. She looked up into his eyes, his almost smiling mouth. Someone started a countdown.

"…7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Happy New Year!" The bar full of people hugged, couples kissed, everyone drank champagne, cheering. Alex and Gene both downed their glass. Then Gene leaned close to her, and kissed her on the cheek. "Happy New Year, Bolls" he whispered.

Her mouth was close to his ear. One chance. "Gene, if you don't take me upstairs and shag me right now, I will be forced to take Ray out into the alley and change his life." She nipped his ear with her teeth and he pressed her against the bar.

"Well, then," his voice was husky in her ear. "I guess you leave me no choice." No one noticed as he followed her out of the restaurant.

He didn't touch her all the way up the stairs. Not as she unlocked the door, opening it to let them inside. She was wound like a spring, wanting his hands on her. She shut the apartment door. He dropped his jacket on the floor and in an instant one hand was around her waist, one pulling her face to his. His wet mouth, lips pressing hers, his tongue desperate for her mouth, tasting like champagne and cigarettes. He walked her back against the kitchen wall, slipping one hand over her behind and down her leg, pulling it up to his waist, "First, these bloody boots" he took one off, struggling just a bit, then repeated his actions with the other. "Jeans. Off." His mouth played with hers as she unzipped her jeans, slipping them down to her ankles and kicking them off over her now bare feet. He kissed her neck, down her collarbone, unbuttoning the few remaining buttons on her top. He slipped his hands around and made quick work of her bra, instantly slipping both hands over her breasts. Her back arched as she almost slid to the floor. "I love yer tits Alex" he growled. She moaned in agreement.

"My trousers. You do it." His hands slipped under her knickers and between her legs, fingers finding and entering her wet center, thumb on her clit. She moaned and shook, barely able to undo his belt and the fastening on his trousers. Eventually they dropped to the floor. Somehow his shoes were already off, and he kicked the trousers away, sliding her knickers down at the same time. She moved up to unbutton his shirt, nothing underneath but skin. She leaned forward and ran her tongue over first one nipple, then the other, bringing forth moans of approval from Gene.

"Gene," she was breathless, kissing him, nipping his ears, "I want…" it trailed off. She slipped his boxers down over his waist, exposing his very erect cock.

"Shhh, I know what you want." She went to take off her shirt "No, leave it." His hands slipped down her body, finding her rear and lifting her up. Instinctively she lifted her legs around his waist, hooking them around him. Thank god she had long legs.

His cock slid over her wet clit, then fully inside her, "Oh, god, Gene" she groaned and shook. He thrust slow and steady, their position against the wall stimulating her clit until she felt like one unstoppable orgasm. He sped up, moaning her name, and she kept coming. It was unreal. "Harder," she begged him. He obliged, and after a few hard thrusts exploded deep inside her, "oh, god, Alex." She could just focus enough to see the sweat on his face. He didn't stop. They stayed pinned to the wall, still erect, he kept moving slowly inside her. She was almost insane, afraid he would leave when they were done. "Gene…stay"

He laughed hoarsely. "Alex, I have wanted you since the first moment I saw you. I'dve spent my weeks' pay, had you been a prozzie." She laughed, too weak to do anything else. She'd be pissed off at him later. Besides, he still had her pinned to the wall. "If you think I am leavin' 'ere after a quickie in the kitchen, you are very, very much mistaken. " He was breathless. Thrusting into her again, she shuddered and he gently slipped out of her, slowly lowering her legs, her feet lightly hitting the floor.

"Gene," she whispered, clinging to him "Not sure I can walk, yet." He chuckled and slowly slipped off her top and bra, leaving her naked, and she leaned against the wall. He pulled his tie over his neck, and dropped his shirt on the floor. He was still wearing his socks. She leaned forward into him, bodies pressed close. He kissed her deeply. "Come on" he said, leading her to the bedroom, "we've got all night."