Well, this is a surprise. Didn't plan to start a new fanfic now I'm busy trying to make a career out of this writing lark, but Gene and Alex had other ideas!

It has proved to be a really enjoyable way of getting back into the writing habit again, though. If people enjoy this first chapter, I'm pretty sure there will be a couple more to follow …

Carpe Diem

Chapter 1

Alex glanced at her watch for the umpteenth time. Six o'clock. Only an hour to go until show time. Leaning forward, she flattened her palms on the kitchen counter, closed her eyes and groaned theatrically, even though there was nobody around to hear.

What on earth had possessed her? Dropping her head back, she rolled her shoulders a couple of times to ease the tension in her neck muscles, drew in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. Damn you, Ray Carling, this is all your fault. Well, that and her ridiculous new year's resolution. Carpe bloody Diem. Seize the day …

…..

Luigi's, the previous Wednesday evening.

"Ray, you've known the Guv longer than me. Any idea what's bothering him? He's been like a bear with a sore head recently."

Ray caught Luigi's eye, gestured for another round of drinks, and turned to Alex with a shrug.

"Apparently his ex missus is gettin' hitched again, some businessman back up north. The Guv only found out a few days ago."

Alex blinked at him in confusion, swivelling on her bar stool and stealing a surreptitious glance at Gene. He was seated at "their" table, shoulders slumped, arms crossed, trademark pout firmly in place. A glass of house rubbish stood untouched in front of him, and she frowned. The Guv not drinking was never a good sign.

"Surely he wasn't still hoping for a reconciliation after all this time?"

Ray snorted dismissively.

"No chance. That ship sailed a while back. Or sank, more likely …"

He smirked at his own feeble attempt at a quip, and Alex chewed her lip thoughtfully.

"Ah. So she's moved on, got her personal life successfully back on track whereas the Guv … well, he doesn't really have a personal life, does he?"

Ray grinned lasciviously.

"If yer mean she's gettin' plenty while he hasn't had it in god knows how long, yeah, that's probably what's botherin' him!"

While rolling her eyes at the crudity of his remark, Alex was forced to admit she was curious.

"And how would you know? I can't imagine the Guv discussing his love life with anybody, least of all you."

Ray took a swig from his pint, eyeing her balefully over the rim.

"Doesn't take a genius. When he's not at work, he's in 'ere. When he's not in 'ere, he's at work. 'Ave you ever seen him with a woman in tow?"

Alex considered the question and decided Ray had a point.

"Well, now you come to mention it, no. But it's not as though he couldn't get a date if he wanted to. He's a got a well-paid, well-respected job, plus he's not unattractive. For a misogynist northern dinosaur, anyway." Not remotely unattractive. Not that I'd noticed. "If he just made a bit more effort he'd be beating them off with a big stick."

Ray gave her a long assessing look and she cleared her throat, hoping he hadn't read anything into her remarks..

"He pretty much was. And then you came along."

As he picked up the tray of drinks and wound his way back across the restaurant, Alex considered the implications of his parting remark. If Gene was currently celibate, surely it wasn't down to her? After all, she'd attempted to seduce him before and he'd walked away, abandoned her in a somewhat vulnerable state. No wonder she'd been such an easy target for that Thatcherite wanker. She shuddered, wincing inwardly at the memory of her own debauched behaviour, awareness gradually dawning on her. He only walked away because you were drunk and he was too much of a gentleman to take advantage.

Could it be true? Did he really want her after all? Her stomach did a little somersault as she sneaked another surreptitious look at the object of her attention, her eyes raking over him greedily. Broad shoulders, endless legs, a mane of hair she ached to run her fingers through, and those eyes … god, those eyes …

Desire pooled low in her belly and she sighed, taking another sip of her wine, her brows furrowed in contemplation. If she truly was responsible for his current state of celibacy the big question was, what did she intend to do about it?

Fenchurch East. Thursday lunchtime.

"Um … any chance of a word in your shell-like, Guv?"

Alex closed the door behind her, choosing to ignore the little voice in her head which kept on repeating that this was A Really Bad Idea.

"If yer must, but make it snappy. I've got the Super on me case and a pile of paperwork that could give the Leaning Tower of Pisa a run for its money."

Gene was still notoriously tetchy and everyone was tiptoeing around him, wary of being on the receiving end of a public dressing down.

"Right. Of course. I just wondered … er … do you have any plans for the weekend?"

He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, his piercing gaze boring into hers and holding her captive.

"Seeing as you ask, I thought I might just pop over ter Paris. Stroll down the Champs Elysee, maybe take in a gallery or two …"

"Really?"

The moment the word was out of her mouth she knew her brain was well and truly scrambled.

"No, yer dozy mare. I'll be on the sofa watchin' City annihilate United. Why?"

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and she felt her face heating under his intense scrutiny. She swallowed hard, feeling as though her mouth belonged to someone else and he sighed heavily, drumming his fingers on the desk.

"Spit it out, Lady Bols. Preferably before Beer O'Clock."

Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and raised herself to her full height. Get a bloody grip, Alex.

"I wondered if you'd like to have dinner with me on Saturday night. At the flat. I mean … um … I'll cook for us …"

For a brief moment he looked completely non-plussed, but he recovered quickly.

"You can cook?"

There was a definite glint in his eye, and she crossed her arms defensively.

"Well, I can't promise you Cordon Bleu standard, but I can knock up an edible meal when called upon."

He raised one questioning eyebrow.

"Starters, mains and pud?"

She resisted the urge to giggle nervously.

"Quite possibly."

"Hmmm. Sounds like an offer I can't refuse. When d'yer want me?"

Right now, Guv. Brace yourself. She knew she must be blushing like a gauche teenager and he couldn't fail to notice. Stop it, Alex. Time enough for that on Saturday.

"Er … seven-ish?"

He grunted in the affirmative.

"Fine. Now, if yer wouldn't mind, some of us 'ave work ter do… "

He gestured towards the door and she felt her hackles begin to rise before spotting the glimmer of a smirk. Biting back an indignant retort, she smiled sweetly instead.

"Whatever you say, Guv. I'll just be out here filing my nails and looking vacant if you need anything." Anything at all.

Looking suitably demure, she sashayed out of his office, secure in the knowledge that his gaze would be fixed on her behind all the way to her desk …

…..

Hope you enjoyed. If so, don't forget to leave a review. Be nice to know that people still love Galex as much as I do!

...

A/N. As some of you already know, I'm still in recovery after a major operation and an extended stay in hospital back in November. Glad to report now well on the mend, but energy levels are still somewhat low and sitting at a laptop for any length of time can get quite uncomfortable.

As a result, updates may not happen as quickly as I'd like, but I shall endeavour to do my best. I want to know what happens next too! ;)