Alex woke up the next morning feeling groggy with a banging headache. Getting out of bed, she made her way to the shower the wash away the evidence of her one night stand from between her legs. Standing under the warm spray of water, she reflected on last night. Alex only wanted Robert because he reminded her of Gene and she knew she couldn't have Gene so she settled for second best. On principle, she did regret sleeping with him. No doubt he'd tell Gene and he'd give her hell but what right did he have? He stole Rob's fiancé, so he couldn't talk but no matter what he's done, she couldn't help but feel guilty.

At first, she was attracted to Rob but now he seemed odd. She desperately wanted to talk to Gene. Being the psychologist, Alex knew that she had to hear both sides of an a story to make a judgement on something but she could help but listen to the niggling feeling she had that Gene was capable of something like this. Especially at the way he could brush her off as 'a shag'. Yes, they hadn't had sex yet. 'Yet, why yet? Who said anything about it ever happening' she questioned herself. Alex and Gene hadn't even addressed whatever it was between them, nor did they acknowledge it. However, it couldn't be denied that they had a strong underlying connection between them. As well as the fizzling sexual tension between the pair. No, she didn't want to think about sex with Gene. She'd just had sex with his brother, she wished she had never got involved now as she had a distinctly strong feeling it was going to get more complicated.

Stepping out of the shower, Alex dried herself and put a clean pair of pyjama's back on seeing as she didn't have work today or any cause to leave her flat. She especially didn't want to go down to Luigi's tonight, best to stay out of the way; just in case Robert was there.

Gene felt that Saturday nights at Luigi's was always best. There was no work that day and therefore no cause for him and Alex to be at loggerheads, just two friends sharing a drink. He wanted to see Alex more now than ever, partly because his brother was here and he was scared that he'd try and steal her away from him, not that he'd ever tell her but also to find out why they were so cosy together last night.

'Where is that bloody woman?' he thought. A few minutes later, he saw his brother walk in, bold as brass then sit down on the stool next to him. "What the bloody hell do you want?" he asked bitterly to Rob.

"What's up, am I not allowed to catch up wiv' me little bro?", Rob laughed. Gene immediately replied with, "Nothin' ya' gonna say is gonna be of any interest to me at all". Luigi made his way over to the brothers, smiled and gave them both a double scotch. Gene nodded to him in thanks while Rob just ignored him. Luigi did get a lot of crap of Gene but he and his team were his best customers, always loyal and there every night. The bickering was just part of how they worked but he instantly took a dislike to his brother which was very unlike Luigi, he tries to see the best in everybody.

"Well I'm sure the lovely Alex might be of interest to ya'" he teased with a sly smile creeping on his face. Gene grabbed Robert by the scruff of his neck, with his good hand as his other one was still hurting from punching the tramp yesterday, and said "You leave her alone!"

Robert laughed in his face and shoved Gene away from him. "Too late bro", Gene's ears prickled and his heart was thumping in his throat. 'Please don't let Alex have slept with this rat, please!' he begged with every bone in his body. "But I 'ave to say, ya' missin' out! She was great; fantastic lover, amazin' with her tongue an' mouth, oh God, I can't forget that gorgeous arse of-", Rob was cut off with Gene's fist flying straight into his face, with one more hit to his face, Robert fell to the floor. Everyone in the restaurant was staring at Gene with their mouths handing wide open.

He gave a curt nod to Luigi and quickly said sorry before leaving.

Alex was still in her pyjama's when there was a knock on her front door. Should she answer it? It would either be Gene wondering where she was or Robert coming back for seconds. Turning the television off, she got up from the sofa and headed towards the door. Looking through the peep hole, she saw Gene with a mixture of anger, hurt and frustration written on his face. Did he know about last night? He was pacing slightly so she ended his torment and opened the door.

Gene took in her appearance, her hair was all light and bouncy, face clear of makeup and she was dressed in what looked like a pair of mens pyjama's. It killed him inside to think his brother had sex with her and gone round boasting about it. Sure, he knew he'd boast about it to him but who else had he told, his team? He didn't want to think about that right now, he'd have to cross that bridge when he came to it.

"Gene" she smiled at him, she didn't know how to act so tried to play it cool but in fact, knowing she was not playing it cool at all.

He just strode straight past her leaving Alex stood at the door looking dumbfounded. She followed him and found him stood pacing again, in front of her coffee table. "Tell me he's lyin', Bolly". Alex thought she detected something in his voice resembling pleading but quickly ignored it and focused on the problem in front of her. Should she tell him or truth?

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about" she replied, more calmly than expected.

Gene walked straight up to her so he was practically in her face. "Cut the crap, Alex. He told me all the details, is it true?" Alex caught the dangerous look in his eye that showed her he was deadly serious and she found herself looking down at her feet before looking back up but anywhere apart from his eyes. A tear fell from the corner of her eye and she bit her lip. "Yes" she whispered as more tears silently fell down her face. Gene turned his back on her and walked towards the window, looking out and collecting his thoughts. "Gene" she whispered gently, the lump in her throat causing her voice to crack slightly.

Still facing the window, he started with a deflated voice "You stupid, stupid woman". Alex's anger over took her guilt, "Stupid?" she raged. "I had sex with him Gene! That does not make me stupid, nor is it any concern of yours!"

"He's my brother!" he shouted back, matching her anger.

"So what?"

"And yer me DI, yer supposed to 'ave a poncey degree in psycho-watsit and see past people's lies"

"IT'S PSYCHOLOGY!" she screamed at him. "And Rob never lied Gene, you on the other hand", she trailed off. Gene's stood looking at her with his eyebrows furrowed while shaking his head at her in disappointment.

"Sit down, Bolly" he said softly. Alex was shocked at his quick change in tone that she did as he said. Sitting down on the sofa, Gene sat next to her and took hold of her hand. Alex tried to pull it away but he just tightened his grip on her. "I want ya' to tell me what Rob said to ya'". Alex internally debated whether or not he was purposely being evasive and trying to change the subject from his lies but gave him the benefit of the doubt. "You split him and his fiancé up, you took her from him and left him heartbroken. Now I know why you didn't want him coming down London, letting all of your little secrets out the bag", she spat.

Gene removed his hand from hers and leant on his knees, placing his head in his hands. "And I suppose ya' believed 'im, someone you've only known for a day over ya' faith an' trust in me?", he looked at her and saw tears falling down her cheeks. "He lied to me didn't he?" she asked. Gene sat up and pulled her into his embrace, kissing her hair. "Yeah, Bolls. Look, before I came down London, I were married; ya' know that. But the reason we got divorced were 'im. They 'ad an affair an' I couldn't stay there. That's when you came along, all short skirts an' posh psycho bollocks"

Alex moved out of his arms and looked into his eyes. "Yeah" she whispered, more tears falling thick and fast. "I'm so sorry, Gene". Wrapping her arms around his waist, she snuggled back into his chest until her tears had all dried out. She wondered what possessed her to ever sleep with Rob, when Gene was right here. He was always right there when she needed him, never the bad guy. Just then a horrible thought came flooding back to her.

"You only want to get in my knickers", she whispered. Gene felt sickened, what else has that slime ball been telling her? "No Alex" he simply stated.

"If he's lying then what would make him think that?" she asked curiously but she did believe him, well and truly. He was her Gene Genie and they were 'unbreakable'. "Well, I kinda warned him off ya'" he murmured into her hair. "Why would you do that?", she asked. 'God, this woman will not leave anything alone!' he thought. "I know what he's like, a quick shag an' dump 'em".

Alex stared up at him, "I can look after myself and it must run in the family then" she stated. Gene stood up and left Alex on the sofa.

"Look Bolly, it might be like that wiv' other women but not you! I don't shag everythin' that walks ya' know, I do 'ave some standards! Unlike yerself".

Alex looked at him blankly, did he mean that he didn't want to 'shag her' because he didn't find her attractive, didn't like her like that or was she just way out of his league? Whatever he meant, he certainly didn't want her the way she wanted him. She wished she could turn back time to Thursday night and find out the truth properly, then they'd be just as close as they always are without this mess coming between them. She honestly cared for Gene, more than that which is why she slept with Rob in the first place. Looking back, it was quite a stupid thing to do, she slept with him because he was everything Gene wasn't and now she realises she should have just stayed well away; from both of them.

"Can you go now Gene?" she asked, not meeting his eye.

"Alex, no. I didn't mean that how it sounded!"

Alex stood up to walk away but Gene grabbed her arm to stop her, she turned round and slapped him round that face. "Just go! Leave me alone!" Pulling free from his grip, she headed towards her bedroom and slammed the door shut.

Gene took the hint and left, not feeling any better than when he first arrived. One good thing though, was that now at least she knew what a snake Robert was and she'd stay well clear. Hopefully, in time, they'd get back to how they were. Gene couldn't bare it if she hated him, he cared for her so much which is why he hadn't slept with her yet. They'd have plenty of chances where Alex had drunkenly threw herself at him but he didn't want it to be like that, not how Robert was portraying it. Yes, he did want to get in her knickers but not like that. He wanted them to be strong and professional about it, to trust each other and wake up next to each other every morning. He knew there were no chances at all of that, she was too good for him.

Wow, I didn't intend for there to be as much angst as there was in this chapter but once I get the ball rolling, I can't stop! For that, I am sorry and a warning that things may get more angsty before they get better! :( Thanks for the reviews, I'd like feedback on this chapter because I wasn't particularly sure about some parts of it but didn't have the heart to re-write it as it took me quite a while. LOL :) X