Three days she had told him…

God how could she have been so stupid. Gene had offered her a way out and she hadn't taken it. They ripped the blindfold from her eyes and Alex found herself blinking in dim light. There had to be twenty people crammed into the non-descript room.

A blow to her kidneys sent Alex stumbling forward. She tensed as the second punch fell. Her face this time… Alex bit her lip in an effort to stop herself crying out. Blood flooded into her mouth. Alex's legs were kicked out from under her and she hit the floor with enough force to knock the breath from her chest. Slater was standing over her, hands unbuckling his belt.

Oh God, this couldn't be happening.

"Pig! Did you think we wouldn't find out?"

Alex didn't answer. She remained silent, but the tactic earned her another smack in the face.

"Sharon here recognised your boss. She's had dealings with DCI Hunt."

"Needed a microscope to find it," the woman laughed. "Should get yourself a real man, love."

"Gene," she heard herself whisper, even though she knew that he couldn't possibly hear her. His name, the only words she had spoken since this ordeal had begun. A plea, a prayer… she didn't know which.

She tried to crawl away only for two other men to grab her and hold her down. The audience surged forward, eager to take part in her final humiliation. Someone ran a hand through her hair. Fingers gripped the strands, pulling painfully. Alex did know where she found the strength, but somehow she managed to yank herself away from the offensive touch and scramble to her feet. Unsteady in her heels, she stumbled towards the door even though she knew that there was no chance of getting through. She could hear them laughing as she made her futile attempt to escape. They stood back and watched her lurch around the room. Caged.

There was a window, but looking out all she could see was the sky. Heavy clouds. Black enough for night. A gust of wind-splattered rain hit the window.

Someone caught her arms, forcing them being her back and forcing Alex to her knees.

Metal cuffs snapped around her wrists.

Hands snatched at her shirt ripping it across.

The figures, half in shadow, surged forward once more.

Slater was there, standing before her, laughing as he thrust his hips towards her face. And, at that moment, Alex realised she would rather die than endure another moment of this. They didn't think she had anywhere to run. Laughter still ringing in her ears, Alex moved again, lunging towards the window and crashing through it.

There was a moment of blessed relief … before gravity took a hold and she fell into a clump of bushes. Even though her fall had been broken, the impact stunned her for a few precious seconds. Alex heard herself scream, just to prove to herself that she was still breathing.

Aching, bloody and bruised, she rolled to her feet and kicked off her shoes.

The rain-drenched street was empty, as were the cars parked by the kerb. A run down industrial estate in a non-descript part of London… Alex picked a direction at random and started to run… or perhaps stagger was a more accurate description.

"Please help me. Please help me…" she chanted the prayer in time with her faltering footsteps.

Somewhere in the distance Alex heard the roar of an engine. Headlights pierced the gloom and she realised that her fleeing figure was clearly visible. Spotting a narrow alley between the buildings, Alex darted down it. Stumbling out of the alley she found herself in another unnamed street… another car screaming towards her. The same car? Blinded by the headlights, Alex couldn't tell.

Turning her face from the glare of the lights, Alex lurched backwards, hoping to reach the dubious safety of the alley. A shadow moved in the darkness. No way… there was no way out.

Alex tripped but with her hands still cuffed behind her she fell face down on the tarmac. The car screeched to a halt but all Alex could do was lie there. She suddenly realised that she didn't care anymore. If her life was meant to end here then so be it.

There was a shout, but she didn't move, content to let the rain fall on her exhausted body. Alex didn't care that she was half naked. She didn't care about anything … not anymore.

If she stayed still, perhaps they would think she was dead. And if they thought she was dead then maybe… just maybe they would leave her alone. Alex closed her eyes, letting her breathing slow to the point where she was barely inhaling.

Hands dragged at her body, turning her onto her back. She tried not to flinch as her back touched the cold pavement. The feeling of hands on her body was her undoing. Sickened by the touch Alex had to twist away. She tried to stand but fell again. This time, someone caught her.

"No you don't."

Alex screamed. Loud enough she hoped that someone… anyone would hear her. A leather-gloved hand clamped over her mouth, muffling the sound. She tried to bite, to kick… anything to free herself but the arms that held her were unbelievably strong. Before she realised what was happening Alex felt herself being dragged towards the car.

A/N - Just wanted to add a huge thank you for the reviews!