Hey. Thanks for everyone who reviewed.
Still no plot in this chapter really that'll start to come in the next chapter.
I don't own anything, unfortunately.
By the way, this fic is in no way reflected on Series 2 so any similarities are purely coincidental. This also means that any references to the Super are in no way based on Supermac.


It was a quiet evening mid-week, Gene was held up by a meeting with the Super and Chris was messing around with Ray, playing yet more games involving alcohol and fire. Which left Shaz and Alex sat at the bar, happily drinking and talking amongst themselves. Alex had a huge amount of respect for the younger officer and the two them got along very well.

It had been several weeks since that fateful Friday night in Luigi's. Gene and Alex were still keeping their new relationship secret, neither wanted to jinx it that early on and Gene in particular hated people talking about him.

Alex was fine with keeping her relationship with Gene fairly private, she knew it was important for him to maintain respect at work. However, she had found it inconvenient. The team expects both her and Gene's presence at Luigi's in the evenings, the absence of both of them would make people suspicious. That meant having to spend all evening pretending they weren't interested in the other one until they could escape to Alex's flat.

Shaz of course, wasn't fooled and had no doubt that Gene and Alex were a couple, however well they tried to hide it. Chris wouldn't have noticed it if they had stood up and announced it to the whole of CID. Ray, however perceptive he may be, was still refusing to accept there was anything going on, he thought he knew the Guv the best of anyone else in CID and was convinced that the Guv didn't do serious relationships.

Shaz looked over to Chris and Ray, rolled her eyes and smiled. 'Like children, aren't they? I don't know what I see in him sometimes.'

Alex followed Shaz's gaze just in time to see Chris nearly set his shirt sleeve alight, 'Yes, it certainly wouldn't be the same without those two clowns, would it? Anyway, how's it going with you and Chris, Shaz? You've been seeing him for a while now.'

A dreamy expression came over the younger woman's face. 'Over six months now. It's great Ma'am. Really, he's such a sweetie when he's not with Ray. You wouldn't think it, would you? He's so hopeless, but he tries so hard, really he does.'

'No. I can believe it Shaz. Anyone can see how much he adores you. You two are very lucky to have each other.'

'I know we are. Speaking of which, how's it going with you and the Gu…' Shaz gasped and her hand flew to her mouth as she realised what she'd just said. 'Oh my God. I'm so sorry Ma'am, just ignore me. Forget I said anything.'

Alex just gaped at her open mouthed. 'But we've been so careful. I didn't think anyone knew, who else knows? Gene is going to mad when he finds out.'

'Know one else knows Ma'am,' Shaz answered Alex's thoughts, 'don't worry I haven't told anyone. You can trust me.'

Alex saw how terrified Shaz was, 'It's all right, Shaz. I'm not angry. Just shocked, we didn't think anyone knew.'

Shaz looked relieved at not having been screamed at. 'You really can trust me you know Ma'am. I won't say anything I swear.'

'I know I can Shaz. Thanks. I don't think I'll tell Gene, I mean DCI Hunt, though. He'd probably blow a few thousand brain cells if he found out someone knew about us.' Alex then smiled. 'If I'm being honest, Shaz. It's nice that you know, keeping it secret is such a pain.'

Shaz smiled back, 'I can understand that, Chris still likes to keep a low profile around other people. Do you not like keeping it secret?'

'Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. It's important that we keep it private, we are both senior officers and we need the respect of the team. It would just be easier if we didn't have to pretend constantly, we get very little time together, you know?'

'Same. Chris feels he can't let Ray down. He hasn't got a girlfriend and gets pissed off when Chris spends more time with me.'

'Exactly. God, you have no idea how good it is to talk about this.' Then a thought struck Alex, 'Shaz how long have you known, how did you find out?'

Shaz giggled, 'Well it was fairly obvious when the two of you started making out in the middle of the restaurant, Ma'am.'

Alex blushed, 'Yes, I suppose so. And don't think I don't know that you set it up! But no-one else has jumped to the same conclusions that you have. What did they assume, by the way?'

'They think you just shagged and that was it. Ray is so convinced of how well he knows the Guv that he refused to accept that it could possibly be anything else. Of course, he has told everyone else his view of events and the rest of CID have taken his word for it.'

'Well, that's to be expected I guess. Thanks for not contradicting him, Shaz, really thanks.'

'No problem, Ma'am.' She smiled at her boss and continued, 'You know, I was so pleased with myself that night. I didn't think for a minute that I would be able to pull it off, what with the both of you being so stubborn.'

Alex laughed. 'I'll be honest. I was terrified when you suggested spin the bottle. I was sure I'd make it so obvious that I had feelings for him. That's another thing, how did you know?'

'I'm good at spotting things like that, Ma'am. It wasn't obvious, just little things. The way the two of you looked at each other, how you argued. It was inevitable really, from the day you joined, I just helped the process along a little bit.'

At this, Alex looked confused, 'The day I joined? But I didn't…'

'Oh, I know you didn't realise it then' Shaz interrupted, 'that wasn't until later. Around the time those lawyers were blown up.'

Alex felt a little stab in her chest at the mention of her parents' death, but it was overridden by the shock of Shaz's insight. 'I didn't realise quite how observant you were, Shaz. You'll make a fantastic detective one day.'

Shaz beamed at this comment, 'You really think so Ma'am?'

'I'm sure of it.' She assured the young officer. 'I still can't believe that Gene agreed to play the game that night. It seems so unlike him.'

Shaz smiled at this, 'Oh, I think he was getting desperate by that point.' Alex had a bemused expression on her face, so Shaz went on to explain, 'The Guv was even easier to read than you were, he realised his feelings a lot earlier than you did too. I think he was besotted in the very first week, poor guy.'

Alex was speechless. She was having trouble comprehending the thought that Gene had liked her all along, it just seemed so unlikely.

'How is it going with you and the Guv, anyway? You do a very good job at hiding it, so it's difficult to tell what's going on with the two of you. I don't miss the looks though, he looks at you as if there's no-one else in the world. You don't argue quite as much as you used to either.'

Now it was Alex's turn to look dreamy, 'Oh, it's fantastic Shaz. Like you wouldn't believe, he's so different when there's no-one else around. He's a real gentleman underneath it all, still unbelievably frustrating, but what do expect from the "Manc lion"?'

Shaz's face split into a grin. 'That's great Ma'am. The last few weeks is the happiest I've seen you since you came here.'

'Seriously though, Shaz, I think I love him.'

'Who's that then, Bolly?' Alex froze when she heard Gene's voice behind her.

'Err,' Shaz frantically searched her brain for an appropriate answer, 'David Bowie, Guv. We were talking about music.'

'Bloody nancy music.' Gene's instincts told him she was hiding something, but wasn't particularly interested and so leaned over the bar and called out, 'Luigi! Get me a bottle of your house rubbish.'

Alex had now recovered her composure and scowled at her DCI. 'You know you really are rude to him, Gene.'

'Yer know I'm jus' messin' with yer, don't you Luigi?' he asked in a teasing tone as Luigi passed Gene a bottle of red.

'Of course, Signore Hunt.' Luigi said as he went to tend to another customer.

'See, Bolls. Yer, gonna come 'n' help me drink this muck then, or not?' Gene said over his shoulder as he made his way to their usual corner table.

Alex rolled her eyes at Shaz and followed Gene over to their table. Alex smiled to herself as Gene poured her a generous glass of wine. 'Trying to get me drunk, Mr Hunt?' she asked quietly.

He flashed her a cheeky grin and retorted in mock outrage. 'How could yer even suggest I'd do a thin' like that, DI Drake?'

Alex laughed. 'So, how did your meeting with the Super go then?'

'Nothin' hugely important. Jus' informin' me that a couple of coppers are joinin' us from Nottingham for a few days. They're followin' a lead on some drugs bust, or summit like that. I'll fill you in properly t'morrow mornin' before they arrive.'

'OK. Sounds interesting.' Alex glanced at Gene and noticed how tired he looked. 'Gene you look tired, are you all right?'

Gene smiled, he loved it when Alex was concerned about him, still trying to get used to having someone to look out for him. 'Fine Bolls. Jus' knackered, been a long day.'

'You're right there, it's gone nine Gene. The rest of us got here nearly two hours ago.'

Gene loosened his tie and removed his jacket. 'Yea. Bloody Super, he can talk fer England. Sorry to leave yer here on yer own.'

'Don't worry. I've had a great evening with Shaz, lots to talk about. You know she's a very bright girl, you should think about giving her more responsibility.'

'Mmm. I been thinkin' the same thing meself recently.'

'Really? I think she'd really appreciate it.'

'Yea. Well she 'ad us sussed the night we got together, didn't she? Got to be pretty good ter spot tha', didn't she?'

'That's true. So did Ray, come to that.' Said Alex.

'Yer know. I've been thinkin', Alex. What do yer think people would say if they knew 'bout us?'

Alex thought back to her earlier conversation with Shaz. 'I think they'd take it better than you assume they would.'

'Hmm.' Gene stared at the table not really knowing how to continue, 'I know we said we'd keep it secret. But, well, they're gonna have ter find out at some point aren't they? Do think it would be OK, ter let people know? If yer don't want to, then obv…'

'Definitely.' Alex cut him off, Gene looked up, not understanding. 'Gene, it's such a hassle keeping this quiet. I'm not saying we should be unprofessional, but pretending I don't want to kiss you every time I see you is slowly driving me insane!'

Gene laughed at this. 'Know what yer mean Bolly. I have the same problem meself, specially when yer turn up wearin' those ridiculously tight jeans. Seriously, though, yer don't mind if that lot find out?' He gestured at where the rest of the team were sitting.

'Not at all Gene. I just thought you didn't want people gossiping.'

'They gossip anyway Bolls. At leas' it might stop all the speculatin' and I honestly don't think we can keep it under wraps for much longer anyway, someone will find out at some point.'

'Er, Gene. Someone already does know.'

'What?!'

'Calm down, it's only Shaz. She let it slip tonight when we were talking. You'd be horrified at how well she can read us, told me some very interesting theories this evening.' Alex replied in a teasing tone.

'Oh, God. 'Bout me, I'm guessin', she sees a lot more than she should. What's she said to yer?'

'Nothing awful, Gene. Just pointed out a few things that I hadn't noticed before, still not sure I believe all of it.' She didn't want to get into it now and so put the conversation back on track, 'So when and how are we going to break the news?'

'Dunno. What do you think?'

'Not sure. We could tell them straight out I guess. Or we could just wait until they figure it out for themselves. Have you not got any ideas at all?'

'Hmm. I've got one or two.' Gene whispered in her ear as his hand moved her waist.

He pulled back slightly to look in her eyes. She could see the desire in his gaze and suddenly realised how he was suggesting announcing their relationship to everyone.

'Really, Gene? In front of everyone?' she asked. Her voice husky with her own desire.

Gene simply nodded. His eyes momentarily moved to her mouth and she licked her lips in anticipation. With that Gene pressed his lips against hers, hesitantly in case she pulled away. He kissed her slowly and Alex felt herself melt into him. She began to return his kiss more urgently and Gene lost any sense of hesitation. Pushing his tongue inside her mouth, sliding passionately with hers.

When they eventually resurfaced for air Gene rested his forehead against Alex's, their eyes still closed, breathing heavily. As their breathing returned to a normal speed Gene buried his face in her skin and kissed her neck.

'I can't believe you just did that, Gene.' Alex said, still breathless.

Gene pulled back to look at her, fearing she was annoyed with him. But was met only with Alex's amused smile and passion-filled gaze. He smiled back and asked, 'Complaining are we, Bolly?'

'Not at all, Mr Hunt.'

'Good.' Then he smiled a little sheepishly, 'Were they watchin'? I wasn't paying attention, got a bit carried away.'

Alex giggled, 'I noticed. Although I can hardly talk, can I?'

Gene laughed and they broke their gaze to look around the restaurant. Only to be met with half the station looking directly at them. Shaz had a knowing smile on her face and winked at Alex. Ray and Chris, along with several other members of CID, were sporting identical expressions of shocked confusion. There were several of the female uniforms talking animatedly, making no effort to hide the fact they were gossiping about DCI Hunt and DI Drake, some were even shooting death glares at Alex.

Alex turned her attention back to Gene, 'I think they were watching. Well that's one way to break the news.'

'C'mon.' said Gene standing up, offering a hand to Alex. 'Let's get out of 'ere before the wolves descend.'

Alex took Gene's proffered hand and allowed him to help her up. They walked through the restaurant and to the stairs up to Alex's flat, followed by at least a dozen pairs of eyes, all with their faces agog.


Thanks for reading. I promise the actual story will start soon, these first couple of chapters have been mainly fluff. Please R&R.