Ashes to Ashes… duh, duh, duhhh…!
Alex desperately wanted to get back to Molly; of course she did. She was her daughter, her whole world. But this was a different world and there was something special about the man sitting opposite her. Something that had been there from the moment they'd met. She remembered resting her hand on his heart, feeling the warmth of his chest. 'Now then Bollinger knickers- you can either kiss me, or punch me'. The words echoed around her head. The moment she had connected with the famous Gene Hunt. She looked across the bar at him. Behind the bullish, maverick of a DCI, was a lion waiting to be tamed. But could she, Alex, tame the 'Manc Lion'?
"Stop day dreaming about me and order another bottle of red!" Gene's voice slurred at her. Alex signaled to Luigi and he brought over another bottle. "Just put it on the tab" Gene muttered.
"You don't have a tab Mr. Hunt. Not anymore. I am not giving away free drinks at the end of the night, because you're too drunk to find your wallet.'
Gene ignored him and Alex smiled. It was a typical night out. She looked across the room and saw Shaz and Chris dancing together, with Ray chatting up some girl's just behind. Tonight felt different though. She felt guiltily at home. As if this was her destiny.
"You did well today Bolls. I know I'm not the greatest fan of psychology…"
"Its…yes…" she muttered, realizing he'd actually gotten it right.
"…But it seemed to do the trick. Keep at it."
"Is that a compliment Mr. Hunt?"
"No. If I were paying you a compliment I'd say something about your arse… " He glanced at her. "And what a nice one it is too". Alex rolled her eyes, 'nothing changes' she thought to herself.
"Right, I'm off now then… early start tomorrow and everything…" Alex muttered, refraining from drinking another glass of Luigi's finest. She hopped off her stool, smoothed down her hair and attempted to steadily walk around the bar.
"You're drunk in charge of a handbag again Lady B" Gene smirked. 'Here, let the Gene Genie give you a hand." He placed his jacket over her shoulders and put his arm around her waste, supporting her. She staggered up the stairs, but Gene was steady on his feet; which was surprising due to the amount he'd put away that evening. Holding her close, he could smell the perfume on her body. It smelled sweet, but Gene tried to push that thought away. He'd been denying his feelings for 3 years now. He was Gene Hunt; it wasn't bloody Romeo and Juliet.
They reached her flat and Gene propped her up against the wall. "How come I always end up rescuing you?"
"I don't need rescuing." Alex replied. "I'm tipsy; I'm not a damsel in distress. My mind is functioning fine."
"Seems unlikely with your mind Bolls". He put his hand inside her pocket to fish out the key, but she grabbed it, placing it over her beating heart.
"This is real isn't it? I'm alive. You're Gene Hunt; you're real and you're here."
He lent into her. "Of course I'm real. I'm not a bloody alien. I don't go traveling to the moon in my green spaceship."
Alex smiled. Typical Gene. Always ruining the moment. She lent into him and their lips locked. Their worlds combined together. She could see everything clearly now.