Disclaimer I do not own Ashes to Ashes or Life on Mars. All recognisable characters belong to Kudos and BBC Television. These stories follow the UK version of the TV show, not the American. All my stories are set n present day London. Annie and Sam are married and so are Gene and Alex. Sam and Alex were both in comas but in my version Gene was waiting for her when she woke up. Follows on from my other stories. For sailormoon.

The Sheriff and his Men?

Shaz looked around the CID office, aware that it wasn't the first time she would be the first person to arrive and it certainly wouldn't be the last. Quietly she dumped her handbag on the desk and made her way into the kitchen wondering when her husband and their colleagues would arrive.

"Shaz!" She almost jumped out of her skin as she heard Ray call her name. Appearing in the doorway of the small kitchenette he tried his best puppy dog smile.

"Tea?"

"If you are making a brew, luv." He watched as she rolled her eyes.

"I am."

"Great, the Guv just arrived. He's in one of his moods." He walked into the kitchen. "I'd tell that dozy hubby of yours to lay low today. Dunno what Alex has done but she has really got him in a mardy."

"Why would it be Alex's fault?" Shaz sighed as she waited to pour the tea. The kettle seemed to get slower everyday.

"Well, women innit? Can't live with you and can't live without you."

"I know what you'll be livin' wiv'out if you carry on with such sexist bollocks." Shaz huffed as Ray laughed and handed her the milk.

"Bung some sugar in mine. Maya's got me on a diet. Got to be healthy when the baby arrives."

Shaz smiled slightly, taking pity on her friend she poured more sugar than she knew was healthy into his tea. Both winced when they heard raised voices in the main Squad Room. Shaz sighed heavily as Ray shrugged his shoulders. "See what I mean."

#################

Alex shrugged off her white leather jacket, aware that she wasnt;t going to be able to wear it for much longer. She was already beginning to show despite the fact she had well over another five months to go until her third child was born. Annie smiled sadly as her as she took her own seat.

"You ok?"

"Yes, fine." Alex glanced towards her husband's office. She knew he would never admit it but he was just as worried about all the cuts in the police service as the rest of them were. Today was not going to be easy.

"Really?" Annie tilted her head as her brown curls bounced around her head.

"Morning sickness is a bugger. Especially when you have a busy two-year old, a teenager and a grumpy git like him in the house in the morning." She rested her head on one hand as Sam and Chris hung up their jackets.

"Tell me about it." Ray walked from the kitchenette and pushed Chris' feet off the end of his desk. Chris moaned in protest.

"And how would you know?" Annie smiled indulgently at the man who was her son's godfather.

"I live with Maya." Alex nodded at him as she kept her attention on the man on the phone in his office. She had been worried about Gene for a while, despite all his protests that he was ok. She knew the Manc Lion and at the moment he was far from acting like it. She watched him slam the phone down before running a hand over his tired features. Moments later he was in the doorway of the office.

"Bolls! Ethel, get your bony arses in here pronto!" He yelled. Alex rolled her eyes. Perhaps he was more like his old self after all?

"What is it?"

"Body turned up."

"Well?" Sam stared at him, relieved that Alex had closed the door behind her when she had followed him in. As the two DI's in the department it was obvious they would be told before the rest of the team. "Pass it to Lytton and his croanies."

"I am not passing this one to him. May I remind you Sammy Boy I am the sodding sheriff around here."

"Yes, Guv." Sam glanced at Alex who frowned slightly.

"What happened?"

"Body found this morning," Gene sighed. "Sam, you will have to take the lead on this one. You're the most senior DI on this and Alex may be seen to be compromised. Me 'an all."

"What?" Alex could feel her anger beginning to well up in her stomach. She was a damn good copper and he knew it. "Why on Earth?"

"Sam, can you brief the team? Cheers."

Sam nodded his head before stepping out the office more confused than when he went in there. Alex folded her arms as Gene stepped behind her and closed the office blinds.

"Gene?"

He turned to face her and tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

"Bolls." He sighed heavily.

"Why would either of us be compromised? What happened?"

"It seems the victim." Gene scoffed. "Is Arthur Layton. Alex. Arthur Layton is dead."

##########################

A/N Is it worth going on? Please review.

###############