Thanks for all your reviews so far. Enjoy!Chapter 3

It had been a long day, but at least some good came out of it. CID had the robbers in custody, noone was fatally shot, it was only three days till christmas and it was Gene's round. Back at Luigi's, Chris was sat with Shaz in a little booth taking comfort, getting every ounce of sympathy from Shaz taking about how he could have died. Alex watched as they sat talking and giggling.

"What are you smiling about? Not that i'm complaining"

"Just look at them Hunt, smiling, happy, so young. I remember those ol' days, when someone cared"

"I'm sure there's somone who cares about ya Drake". Gene clearly had one too many as he sat there swaying on his stool, staring at her with elevated eyes. "i mean what about before you came here, no loved ones?" Alex shrugged. "oh come on, there must be someone, a girl like you".

"There was once... along time ago"

"And..." willing her to go on

"And he left me, end of" not wanting to continue, she attempted to change the subject, but she had his attention.

"What could you possibly have done for him to leave you, silly man. Bet he doesn't know what he's missing"

Alex then found herself staring at Gene, who was now gazing back at her.

"So what do you want for Chirstmas Alex?" he asked, slightly changing the subject, still staring at her.

"Oh i think i have everything i need"

"No you don't. Not everything, and neither do I" as he spoke those words, he began to lean in. But the mood was soon broken by the sound of Luigi dropping a wine glass. Stunned that Alex had let herself feel that way, she began to get up, and she then realised how much she had had to drink as she lay there facing the ceiling. Gene was now laughing at her, as he leant down and picked her up, putting her over his shoulder in a fireman's carry kind of manner.

"Now say goodnight to Luigi Drake, its time for a bit of sleep i think" and with that, he carried her up stairs.

"Key" Gene said as he tried to get Alex into her flat. Growing impatient he said, "sod it!" and it was then that Alex's door flew open.

"Coming to tuck me in Gene?" she said suggestively.

"Don't think so Bolls. I'm sure you can manage" as he bagan to walk back out, back to Luigi's where he left his coat.

"Ah Signor, didn't think i'd see you back here soo soon"

"Luigi, if you put as much thought into that bloody house rubbish of yours as you do my life, people would be queuing up to come in here, business would be booming!" he spoke as he stormed out.

"Signor?"Luigi called. "I have a gift for you". Gene stopped, and turned to face Luigi who was holding a little box. He presented it to Gene and with the words "use it wisely" as he went back into the kitchen.

Once Gene was back in his Quattro, he opened this little white box that intrigued him. Inside, lay a branch of mistletoe. Typical Luigi he thought grinning to himself, wondering what to do as he drove home.

--

Inside her flat, Alex was lying in bed, going over the thoughts in her head of today's events. Several thoughts stood out. What did he mean 'a girl like me'? And what don't i have that i need? Would Gene Hunt go to the trouble of buying me a present? The same Gene Hunt that makes it his duty to make her day a living hell, the man who spoke with his fists, and his shoot first ask questions later approach to policing. Basing everything on his instincts "evidence can be found to back up my instincts" as he always said. Puzzled, Alex faded off to sleep, but just before she did, there was a knock at the door.

Stood at the door, was Luigi, smiling.

"How is your young man?" he asked, smiling at Alex.

Alex, remembering Evan asked "Who, Evan? He's fine i guess, and he's not my young man, why do you ask?"

"No Signorina. Signor Hunt"

"oh... hes ok, he was acting rather weird if you must know. And he's not my young man. What is it that you want Luigi? it's rather late"

"Oh nothing, he just seemed a little happy when he left. You must have done something right. Goodnight"

At home, Gene thought about what to do about this mistletoe. Naturally, he had someone in mind, but he didn't know if Alex felt the same about him and he didn't want to make a fool of himself. So he put it back in its box, with no idea on what to do. He later decided, that he would give Alex the box, make it her call. Afterall, he was planning on giving Alex a gift of somekind, but didn't know what. He would just make sure he was in the office before anyone arrived so he could slip it into her draw. And with that in mind, he went to sleep.