I'm officially saying that this is the last chapter. I just thought exploring their thoughts slightly further this was a nice way to round off. I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

"I love you too."

Those four little words meant the world to Gene. He knew where the both stood and, the most important thing, they could now afford to take their relationship at their own pace. So many images came flooding into Gene's head of their future; things he hadn't thought about since… well, he could never remember feeling like this ever before. He had been feeling nervous about telling her how he felt, but he didn't want to waste any more of his time without her. It was a gamble to say 'I love you', but they had both known it for a long time.

Alex was so confused right now. She had lost everything but had gained something very special: someone very special. Deep down, she still had reservations about her choice as she still did not fully understand the circumstances of Sam's departure. Alex had presumed that Gene didn't know either as it was clear that he hurt at Sam's reluctance to talk to him about leaving. At some point, possibly like Sam, there was a point where everyone had to leave: maybe Alex hadn't fulfilled her purpose here but would be forced out of Gene's world once she had. She had originally based her decision on how Gene lived here but, the more she thought about it, it became clear that Gene was always the exception to the rule. Even his own rules. She decided to leave these concerns at the back of mind; she couldn't take much more in.

"Alex?" Gene asked tentatively, testing the water as it were. "I'm gonna stay with you tonight. I'll take the couch, but I wanna make sure you're alright." As Alex opened her mouth to interrupt, Gene lifted his hand and added, "I won't take no for an answer, Bolls."

Alex admitted defeat and simply gave a 'thank you' smile. She knew he had a sensitive side somewhere and she was glad it had come to light. She needed him to stay: she was an emotional wreck, understandably.

That night, it felt like time itself had simply frozen, like Alex's rejection of moving on and caused a rift of temporary limbo in limbo itself. That confusing thought left Alex's head to throb and so she decided to just enjoy the peace. Gene awkwardly tried to induce small talk, but understood her lack of interest. To be fair to him, Gene had just relived his life in the last few hours and so succumbed to the deafening silence in surrender. They drank their wine in silence, their own feelings gradually becoming a blur of numbness.

"I want to go home, Gene," Alex said quietly after finishing her last glass. She looked up at Gene to see a face of horror, sadness and disappointment. "I mean upstairs, to my flat?" She smiled at him as his face reverted back to its usual indiscriminate mould.

"Bloody 'ell, don't scare me like that," Gene replied, almost managing a mischievous grin. He stood up and anticipated having to guide her up the stairs. He reached out to help her, but Alex waved Gene's helping hands away. He didn't take offence: he was happy that she seemed to be more stable. Alex had stopped crying and shaking for now, but he realized that this strange grieving process would take a long time for both of them to recover from. They would bury themselves in work every day but by night, the process would continue. They would lean on each other and they simultaneously thought, 'We'll be alright.'