Chapter Two – Making your mind up

DS Ray Carling was in the middle of completing his crossword when Chris entered the office.

"Best get yer beach stuff out, we're goin t'airport tomorrow" announced Chris, Shazza looked up from her desk, face beaming,
"Aww babe, you takin me away on holiday?" she asked, clearly excited.

"As if! Chris couldn't afford a weekend in Skegness!" interrupted Ray, earning a snarl from Chris.

"You get any more biscuits while you was away? I'm bloody starving here!" added Ray. Chris' reply was cut short by the entrance of Gene and Alex.

"Alright Guv" greeted Ray,

"Cut the chit chat Raymundo, got stuff to plan" said Gene. Ray laughed.

"Oh, ya mean Chris' romantic getaway with Shaz down to Heathrow?"

Gene slammed his fist onto Rays desk, making him jump and sending a thick blue biro line onto his crossword.

"No! I do not Ray, we ave a killer to nail, and this is how we're gonna do it"

An hour later, red wine and cigar equipped, Gene Hunt sat at his usual table in Luigi's amidst the half drunken conversation of CID. He had to admire Drake's plan, even if it had needed a slight 'Gene Genie' tweak to perfection. Drake had been a part of his team for three months now, he knew they argued and disagreed over endless subjects, but he couldn't help but dwell over the spark he'd noticed between them. He actually felt jealous about her and that Evan bloke! Freak he thought to himself, god help him if e comes onto her in front of me. The brief interlude was rudely interrupted by the crash of Chris and Ray attempting to throw a punch at each other, albeit minus any success.

Amongst his unusually wandering frame of mind, Gene had missed the arrival of Alex, who was casually sat at the bar, sipping her own glass of his poison.

"All on yer own Bolly? Girl like you?" The Rasp of Gene Hunt's voice sent a shiver down Alex Drake's spine.

"You looked rather comfy over there in your corner Gene" retorted Alex, smugly. She'd seen him when she'd arrived, but chose purposely to sit at the bar. Gene took a seat himself.

"Thought you might be all cosy with that bloke of yours tonight" he quipped.

"Gene Hunt" began Alex, "Do I sense a hint of..." Alex' sentence was interrupted by her left hand being grabbed by Gene's.

"Don't go there Bolly. You know as well as I do" retorted Gene in a low growl. Alex Drake paused. She'd half-heartedly expected Gene to yell his reply as usual, but he hadn't.

"I see something between us Gene. Whether you decide to do something about it...well that's your decision"