Chapter 2: Reunion
DCI Gene Hunt was still in his office at 11:00pm. Devon had just left and Bammo, Terry, Poirot, Cotsie and Mark went to the pub at nine. He was just about to pack up and leave when the TV in his office switched itself on. Gene looked in horror as he saw Viv's face appear on the screen. He was crying and screaming in pain and fear.
"What the bloody 'ell…" Gene started, just as the shot widened and Jim Keats entered the scene.
"Enjoying yourself, Viv?" he asked. "No? Oh, well… you'll get used to it." Keats laughed to himself and walked out of shot. The screen went blank, and the phone on Gene's desk rang. Without thinking, he immediately picked it up.
"'Ello?"
"DCI Hunt?"
"Who is this?"
"This is… 'The Commissioner'." Gene immediately composed himself.
"Yes, Sir." He said, knowing what was about to happen.
"As you are now aware, Chief Inspector", the Commissioner continued, "One of your officers has been… 'transferred'… to the wrong department."
"Yes, Sir." Gene said again.
"And as he is still officially a member of your team, Mr. Hunt, it is now your responsibility to recover him either back to Fenchurch East… or to… 're-transfer' him, shall we say… to a more desirable location."
"Understood, Sir." Gene was already reaching for his gun.
"Also, Chief Inspector", the Commissioner continued, "In light of the situation, I have decided that your current team, though excellent police officers, are not suitable for this task, so I am authorising the reinstatement of seven of your former colleagues."
Gene's spirits lifted. "Thank you, Sir."
"Their reinstatement will take effect at precisely 11:30pm tonight. I believe you know where to find them."
"Certainly do, Sir."
"Excellent. A second car will be there for your disposal, as I doubt your new Mercedes-Benz will accommodate all eight of you. Good luck, DCI Hunt."
The line died. Gene holstered his gun and left CID, the lights automatically switching off behind him.
Gene reached the Railway Arms at 11:27pm. As the Commissioner promised, a second car was waiting there for him; Ray's Ford Granada. He parked his Mercedes at the end of the street in a dark corner. He didn't want them to see him as soon as they left the pub; he wanted to get a good look at them first. Hard as he was, the thought of seeing his team again was enough to make his hands shake… even more so when he thought specifically about…
"Get a grip, Hunt." He said under his breath. He checked his watch, just as it read 11:30. He heard the pub door open and looked up as his team emerged, one-by-one;
Sam. Short-haired and sharp eyed, wearing a brand new leather jacket over his striped shirt, with black trousers and black boots.
Annie. Her brown hair blowing in the breeze, complimented by her brown suede jacket over her white blouse, dark red skirt and dark suede boots.
Phyllis. Her greying hair tied back, wearing her favourite red cardigan, black wool skirt, tights and flats.
Ray. No change; dark brown curls and moustache, brown leather jacket, pale blue turtle neck, grey trousers and black shoes.
Chris. Still wearing Shaz's blue denim jacket, this time with a red shirt, dark jeans and white plimsolls. His hair was different, though. Not so much blond.
Shaz. Her hair was different too; it was longer, just past her shoulders. But she was wearing a familiar polka-dot top with black skirt, tights and heels.
Just one more to go. Gene's hands were trembling like mad and he was silently ordering them to stop. Then she came.
As gracefully as a swan, Alex Drake stepped out of the Railway Arms. She had somehow retrieved the white leather jacket that Gene had always liked, and beneath that, her off-the-shoulder, pink silk top. Below her waist she wore her tight, dark blue jeans with a white belt, and on her feet, her white leather boots. However, like Chris and Shaz before her, her hair was different. It was a lighter shade of brown, long and flowing, tied back in a pony tail with a prominent box fringe. Gene guessed that this was how she wore it when she was still alive… and noted that it suited her beautifully. For a moment, time seemed to stop, and everything except Alex turned to black as she glowed brightly in the darkness. All he wanted to do was just stand and stare at her, but Chris' voice soon brought him back to reality.
"What the 'ell's goin' on?
"I dunno, Chris", Sam answered.
"Well, what should we do?" Ray asked.
"Maybe we should try to find the Guv."
"No need, Shaz." Gene called, as he stepped out of the darkness. The seven officers turned to face him, and Alex gasped. She couldn't believe it; she'd spent the last three months in Heaven… but it wasn't quite Heaven without him… her constant… her Brave Lion. As the others smiled and greeted their Guv, Alex just froze.
"What's the matter, Bolly Kecks, you never seen a man walk out' the dark before?"
Alex couldn't answer.
"Well, lets not stand here all night, wastin' time, we've got our Skipper to rescue. Back to the station. Now!"
Ray, Chris, Shaz and Phyllis got into Ray's car and sped away. Sam and Annie got into the back of Gene's Mercedes-Benz and Alex sat in front. Gene turned on the engine.
"What d'you think of the new car, Sammy Boy?" Gene asked.
"Certainly better than the Cortina." Sam remarked.
"I preferred the Quattro." Alex replied, quietly.
Gene's spine shivered at the sound of her voice. Luckily, he managed to drive away before the urge to kiss her was able to overcome him.
