Disclaimer: 'Ashes to Ashes' (and all of it's characters) belongs to the BBC and Kudos Production, sadly it's not mine.

Hello all! Long time no see. Okay, i was having a little trouble writing. I've working on 'Entrapment' with gazing-at-blue-skies and nefertari1989, a 26 chapter epic nutter i have to say. As such i hadn't had to really think since the beginning, the plot was all sorted from three different angles! So someone told me i should start writing something, no real plot in mind and write and write until you're focus comes in. As such i started writing this fic. Don't panic, it does have a plot but when i started writing it didn't have so please forgive the first few chapters because they're a little shaky! Decided to put it up on here as a little experiment...i wondered if the point where my focus came back would be obvious to anyone reading it and so here it is! Anyway, i figure you've had enough of me whittling on but i thought i'd best explain. With that all said, i apologise in advance, here you are!

Alex rolled her eyes as Ray complained from the back seat.

"I jus' don' see why we 'ave t' go there Guv. Yer know they're all toffee nosed bastards in there."

Alex spun round to face him, not even giving Gene a chance to reply.

"Look Ray, it's for one evening. And if you don't like it you can always go home can't you?"

Ray folded his arms across his chest like a sulking child while Chris laughed at his friend. One quick movement from Ray and Chris soon fell silent.

'Really', Alex thought. 'All this fuss? Was it really needed?'

Luigi had come to them all last night while they were sitting 'being merry' and told them Luigi's would be closed for a while, a few nights at least. He had the decorators coming in after constant badgering from his wife, and Luigi wasn't against taking a little break from the loud, immature rabble that made up most of Gene Hunt's C.I.D.

Alex smiled as she remembered Luigi's words to her; she at least would be missed. Although Alex wasn't exactly fond of the trattoria itself, she would miss Luigi's kind heart over the next few days, being left with only pig headed ignorance.

Alex had decided maybe a change of scene would do the boys some good and, seeing as they were missing a watering hole, had convinced Gene to try out another bar.

She remembered her parents making the odd visit there, when the work load wasn't too much, and she'd longed to see it again. The last time had been with her mother. They had talked for a long time while they sipped their wine, with not one argument to speak of. The building itself seemed to have a subduing quality about it…perhaps it was the wine?

Still, Alex hoped that maybe that very quality, where ever it came from would turn the boys into amiable companions, if only for one evening.

Four hours later however, Alex realised her hopes had been beyond reality, even in this dream world. However, it did seem to have some small effect upon Ray. The pretty waitress had soon caught his eye and Ray was helpless but to behave a little better. Oh sure, he was still Ray, but Alex had only ever seen him quite so gentle once before; with Nina.

Ray had treated her like a porcelain doll and Nina had been thankful to have someone she could talk to, even if it was the most unlikely of people at Fenchurch East.

Alex watched the waitress skit off and made her way to Ray, sitting down at his table with a smile.

"How's it going Ray?"

Ray looked a little defensive.

"Alrigh' I spose."

"She's pretty isn't she? What's her name?"

"Amy."

Alex smiled, knowing she wouldn't get anything worth while out of Ray's mouth, but his body language said it all.

"She seems quite taken with you Ray," Alex injected a little mock surprise in her voice and stood, "I'd better get out of the way, wouldn't want her getting the wrong idea would we?"

"Ma'am."

Still smiling, Alex walked away nearly bumping into Gene. He held out a half filled glass for her.

"Bit more expensive 'ere 'int it Drake?"

Alex smirked. "And not a drop of Bolly in sight."

Gene stuck out his chin.

"More than enough of you t' keep us all on our toes. Eh, looks like Ray's luck's in."

Alex smiled and nodded, turning in Ray's direction to watch him smile at Amy.

"Well if he carries on being a near perfect gentleman like that, it might well be. Where's Chris?"

Gene pointed to a corner where a booth held a contented couple. Chris sat with his head against the back of the chair, Shaz curled to his side, each with a bemused smile on their faces. Alex chuckled at the sight. Gene shook his head.

"Bloody poof. Looks like we've been left to fend fer ourselves then Bolly."

Alex raised one eyebrow hearing the double meaning in his tone. After a moment, she smiled and motioned to a table. Once he'd joined her, Alex's smile widened.

"Have you made your pick yet then, Hunt? I thought there was nothing more aggravating than a posh bit of skirt? Isn't that what you always say?"

Gene narrowed his eyes and leant forward a little.

"'N I stand by it an' all. I like a challenge me."

Oh really? Well Alex liked a challenge too, and his words were challenge enough.

"Ah yes. Nothing quite like wanting something you can't have is there Gene?"

Gene shrugged, looking away momentarily.

"There's nothin' I can't 'ave Boll's. If I want sumthin', I get it."

"So I'd noticed."

Alex saw the beginnings of a smile on Gene's lips and wanted nothing more than to wipe it away…by any means possible. She glanced at her watch, any excuse to tear her eyes away from his. 1am, she sighed.

"Well, pleasant as this evening has been Mr. Hunt…"

Alex got to her feet, not bothering to finish her sentence. Gene nodded and got up, beckoning to Chris and Shaz before shouting to Ray.

"Oi, Pepe le Pew, get yer arse over 'ere if yer comin'!"

Alex watched as Ray placed a chaste kissed on Amy's cheek, folding a piece of paper into his pocket as they parted.

"Got her number then Ray?"

Ray looked triumphant as they left the wine bar and began a slow walk up the road.

"Ma'am", Ray nodded at Alex before turning to talk to Gene and Chris.

"Different class o' birds in there, eh lads?"

Gene nodded but said nothing. In his mind, he thought the classiest bird in the place had shared the dying moments of the evening with him.

Alex's thoughts as she looked back at the building were that maybe she had judged too soon.