Gene couldn't help smirking to himself, even if he was a little annoyed. It was eight o'clock and he'd been waiting for nearly half an hour in the warmth of the August evening. He felt hot and was convinced that he looked stupid. As he stood outside the magnificent building, leaning against one of the Corinthian columns, he frowned and pouted at passing guests. The Annual Police Ball had been held here for centuries but not once since Gene had moved to Fenchurch East had he even contemplated attending. It was only when Alex had asked if he'd go as her date, that had he agreed to go.

Several couples had come and entered already, and still no sign of her. It was now past eight, and Gene was beginning to get really tetchy. Had she stood him up? Was she sat at home laughing at him, knowing that he would be patiently waiting for her at the ball? Or worse still was she with another Thatcherite wanker. At this thought, Gene let out a little growl and scowled at the next couple to enter. Catching Gene's glower, the young couple scuttled through the door and inside quickly. As he mused about Alex and the Thatcherite wanker a bit more, he got increasingly agitated and started to smoke his final cigarette of the twenty he had bought just over an hour ago. Just as he was about to admit defeat and enter the building to purchase a triple whisky to drown his sorrows, a taxi drew up at the hall. As Alex stepped from the cab, the recognition dawned in his eyes and he pushed forwards through a small crowd of ball-goers to hold the door for her, ignoring their comments about him pushing by. As Alex pulled herself out of the cab, she heard not only the swift intake of breath from Gene, but from several of the small crowd who had swung round to take a look.

Looking up she caught Gene's eye as he reached for her hand and she placed her smaller hand in his. She had decided against a conventional little black dress, instead opting for a long satin dress in gold, which hugged her curves in all the right places and with a v-neck which left just enough to the imagination. She'd left her jewellery to a minimum, just opting for a pair of diamond stud earrings, and a gold bracelet. She glanced at Gene, and then to the small crowd of people at the entrance of the building, every one of the women wore black – had she made a mistake choosing gold? Gene started to lead her to the entrance foyer, but halted when she didn't move away from the cab, he turned to face her.

"Whassup Bols?"

Tentatively she looked up at him "Gene. Do I look OK?"

Gene almost snorted. Glancing around at the others women in the vicinity, he just laughed. "Are you joking Bols?" He said sniggering "You look bloody amazing! Come on Bolly Knickers, I need a drink."

Smiling lightly she let him lead her through the crowd of staring eyes, into the building and directly to the bar. A grand foyer greeted them, with large doors directly in front of them, which lead to the main hall; a bar the length of the room on the left hand side; and a reception desk with offices behind on the right hand side. He ordered for them both, a double whisky for himself and a large glass of wine for her, downing his whisky in one, finally turning to take her in. Gene couldn't believe his luck – every other man in the room was staring at Alex, some with their mouths wide open. He took in her beauty; her hazel eyes, the round form of her bust, her slim waist and her perfectly formed bottom. She stood with her mouth slightly open, she could feel herself waning under Gene's powerful gaze, looking expectantly for Gene to speak.

Gene couldn't resist any longer. He wrapped his arm around her small waist and pulled her to him. To his shock, she didn't relent, allowing herself to be pulled into his body. "Let's find somewhere more private" he whispered in her ear.

Alex quickly downed her wine, hoping it would give her some Dutch courage and again allowed herself to be lead by Gene, feeling eyes follow them across the foyer. He led her through a door which said Staff Only, and along a corridor, turning left down another corridor and finally trying the handle of a deserted office. Alex waited whilst Gene jiggled the lock a bit, before grunting impatiently, and forcing the door open with his shoulder. Alex followed him in, standing by the door.

Gene now looked slightly dishevelled, as he turned to face her, sitting himself on the small desk, which practically filled the whole of the office. Alex felt a surge of attraction to the slightly ruffled man in front of her.

"Come here." Gene made this a command, not a request and Alex duly obeyed, fixing her eyes directly on his. As Alex drew near, he grabbed her hand in his, wrapping his fingers around hers.

"Gene. I want you to know. I've wanted this for a long time."

"Same here Bols, and since you've rolled up looking so bloody shaggable, I thought I'd better take the opportunity." He heard her breath swell in her chest, and watched her chest directly in front of him moving silently up and down.

Gene wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into him, letting her feel his hardness through his trousers. Alex sighed deeply, willing him to pull her closer. She put her hands around his neck, moving her face towards his, closing her eyes and waiting for him to close the slight distance.

She felt his lips brush hers and she groaned in delight. Gene responded to this, kissing her with more force, pushing his tongue into her mouth. The kiss was frantic and passionate. Three years of desire rolled into one kiss. Gene's hands hunted for the zip to her dress, his hands fumbling at the catch, then easing the zip downwards and rapidly removing her dress. Gene pulled his lips away, and heard Alex sign a little at the connection being broken.

"Bolly. Step back a bit. I want to see you."

Alex duly responded, taking a step backwards still in her high heels. She had chosen a light yellow bra and French knickers set. The bra accentuating her cleavage, and the French knickers emphasising her flat stomach. Gene said nothing for several seconds, just staring at the sight in front of him and taking in every inch. Next thing she knew, he had spun her round and picked her up, sitting her on the desk.

Gene leaned forwards, and kissed her gently on the cheek. He placed his hands on her breasts cupping them. Alex could bear it no longer and grasped Gene through his trousers, listening to his moan of pleasure.

"Gene. I need you now."

Alex was aware that she was shaking with desire, feeling her stomach tighten with lust.

"In a minute Bolly. I want to appreciate you first."

Gene expertly removed her bra, pulling his mouth down to her erect nipples lightly flicking his tongue over one, and then the other. Alex groaned. "Please Gene, take me."

"In a minute Bolly. Keep your knickers on. On second thoughts..."

Alex pushed Gene's head downwards. Gene took the cue, kissing her stomach, then the top of her legs, suddenly pulling her knickers off in one quick move. Alex cried out, wrapping her fingers in his hair.

He started to caress her with his fingers, the roughness to them adding extra pleasure, masterfully feeling inside her. Alex moaned, whilst Gene placed gentle kisses along her collar bone.

Alex could feel herself getting hotter and hotter. "Gene... Please..." She brought her legs up to wrap around his waist, Gene was still working her to climax. Alex felt her stomach tighten, and a burst of pleasure wrack through her body, moaning his name as she buried her head into his shirt.

Gene held her in his arms, waiting for her shaking to subside. She pulled her face from his shirt, and looked into his beautiful blue eyes. He held her gaze as she reached for his belt, and helped him to ease off his trousers. He used his hips to part her legs, pulling himself towards her. His breathing was ragged and he could feel his heart pounding. Alex looked so expectant, her eyes wide with desire. "God Bols. I've bloody dreamt about this." Alex smiled coyly up at him "Me too."

Gene took a deep breath, taking in her scent, savouring every moment. Was this really happening? He wasn't dreaming again was he? No, she was definitely there, waiting for him.

Suddenly they both looked up. "Gene. Did you hear that?"

"Shit. Yes Bols. That was a gun shot." He looked at her, searching her face.

"Gene. I heard a man shout your name too." She looked worried.

"Shit. Shit." He pulled his trousers back up and drew away from her, grabbing her clothes. "Put this on". Alex quickly dressed.

"Stay here. I'll be back in a jiffy." Gene went to walk out of the door. But stopped himself, turning around to plant a kiss on her forehead, in exactly the place where she'd been shot by Layton. He gave her a half smile. "We'll resume this later gorgeous. Don't move." Gene turned on his heel and Alex watched him walk off in the direction of all the commotion.

Alex still felt overcome with emotion from her encounter with Gene. She'd never admit it to him, but he always had the same effect on her. Making her body ache, even just with a look, and well before tonight when they had finally to given in to their needs. Alex stood in the dark.

There was a shuffle outside the door. "Gene is that you?"

"'Fraid not, Bolly Knickers." Arthur Layton emerged from the dark. The younger version of the man who had taken her away from 2008, from Molly and her previous life was stood in front of her. His hair was shorter, but lank and greasy like the 2008 Layton. His eyes were less deep set, but still dark.

"That was a lovely show you put on for me. Maybe you could provide an encore just for me later?" He leant up against the door to the office, a lazy smile on his face.

Sick bastard. Alex took a sharp intake of breath, trying not to let Layton see the fear in her eyes. "Where's Gene?"

"Don't be so naïve. He fell for it hook, line and sinker."

"Shit. It was a trap?" Alex was trying to think fast, exit – blocked by Layton. Windows – none. Shit. Come on Alex. Think!

"Of course it was. I have no need for that oaf. I just needed to get rid of him."

Christ. Alex was scared and it was becoming increasingly hard to hide it from him. No way out. What was she going to do?

"Come with me Alex." Layton wasn't even looking at her now. He was gazing lazily around the office.

"Fuck off Layton!" Alex's voice was a pitch higher than usual, and Layton picked up on her frightened tone.

"Fine. Have your way." Layton again looking everywhere but Alex, with a lazy tone in his voice.

It was too fast for Alex to react. Layton had hit her head hard with a blunt object and she was crumpling to the floor. Layton let her fall, then grabbed her and slung her over his shoulder and left the building, walking to his car. He dumped Alex on the back seat and drove off without a backward look.