Alex woke up the next morning to find that Gene had gone. She turned over and saw a note on the pillow, picking it up she read through narrowed eyes as the sun was slightly too bright for her.

'Bolly,

You dropped to sleep straight the way.
I'll be round later to take you out for that dinner you promised me,
8ish sound okay? Let me know if not

Gene x'

She instantly smiled and traced across the 'x' he had written, it made her heart leap - she honestly didn't think Gene would be that type of man.

It came to half seven just as Alex had finished getting ready, she didn't know where Gene was taking her but guessed it was somewhere nice from the note this morning. She was dressed in a red dress that looked formal but still sexy, it rested just above the knee and had quite thick straps secured on her shoulders. It complemented her breasts and figure, she knew Gene would love it. She finished with a pair of simple black heels.

It was bang on 8 o'clock when there was a knock at the door. Alex opened it to reveal Gene dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt unbottoned at the top and no tie which was unusual for him but a good look. 'No Alex, this is simply a birthday meal'

"Ready?"

Her heart sank, she thought he'd at least give her a sign of recognition that she'd looked nice even if it wasn't the best compliemnt she'd ever recieved. "Yeah" she replied simply looking at the floor.

The both left the flat and got in the Quattro, driving in silence.

"We're 'ere" he said as he pulled up outside a hotel.

"Hotel Gene?"

"Don't worry, I wern't plannin' on gettin' in ya' knickers, it does nice food"

"Oh"

"You seem disappointed Bolls"

"No" she hurried her reply and got out of the car.

"Oh yeah, forgot to tell ya'" he said as he got out the car.

"What?"

Gene walked around to take Alex's arm and led her into the hotel entrance. "You erm-"

"Yes?" she asked stopping to face him

"Ya' look nice tonight Bolls"

For the second time that day, her heart skipped a beat, she instantly livened up and planted a huge smile on her face "You too Gene" she then led him in.

After they'd finished their meal, they headed into the bar where there were some comfy chairs. They sat down at them after going to the bar and ordering a bottle of champaigne.

"Think I've 'ad enough of that from last night" Alex said.

"It's only one bottle" he opened it pouring them both and handing it over, she glanced down and noticed he was wearing his cufflinks she bought him.

"I see you're wearing your birthday present"

"Of course I would be" he smiled up at her "and speaking of birthday presents.." he trailed off and reached inside his jacket pocket retrieving an envelope.

She frowned in confusion but took it anyway, opening the envelope she pulled out two tickets. Looking at them, she saw they were two tickets for a weekend at a spa. She looked up at him in shock.

"Erm- not sayin' ya' need pamerpin' or oute Bolls.. Just thought it'd be nice yano, you could take Shaz with you.. It's for next weekend"

"No, thank you Gene- It's very thoughtful of you, it's-" she stopped mid sentence and smiled at him giving him the responce words couldn't give. Just then,
her smile dropped.

"What Bolly? Have I done something wrong?"

"No, erm- did you say it was for next weekend?"

"Yeah, why?"

"That's when Chris and Shaz go away for her cousins wedding"

Secretly Gene knew this was going to happen, that's why he booked them for that weekend. He really wanted to go himself, a quiet weekend away with Alex. He smiled at the idea.

"Oh, I didn't know"

"It's okay" she smiled.

"You goin' on ya' tod then?"

"Looks like I'm goin' to have to, don't know anyone else"

"I could come, er- If you wanted some company like" he looked away in fear of rejection, he seriously hoped this would work out.

"Gene Hunt, in a spa? Never thought I'd see the day" she laughed, he looked slightly hurt and snuffed.

"Yeah, stupid idea like, I'm sure you'll find someone to tag along"

"I never said no did I?" He just looked at her confused, silently asking for an a clearer explaination. "Of course you can come Gene, I was going to ask you anyway you silly man! Who else would I want there?"

He looked up meeting her eyes and smiled. As their glasses were now empty he filled them back up so the bottle was now empty. "We best be off after this" he said.

"Yeah"

Just as Gene pulled the Quattro up just outside Luigi's, Gene turned to Alex after turning the engine off. "You wan' me walk you up?"

"Okay" she said quitely with a small smile playing on her lips.

When they got to the top of the stairs Alex turned around to Gene before unlocking her door.

"Thank you Gene, for tonight, for these" she guestured to the envelope.

"No problem Bolls, had a good night"

"Me too" she smiled.

They were now both smiling at each other and staring into each others eyes feeling like awkward teenagers on their first dates. She wondered who would break the silence first, she wanted to but didn't know what else to say.

"Good night Bolly"

"Good night Gene" she leant forward and briefly kissed him on the cheek before shyly turning away, unlocking her door and stepping inside. Once inside, she smiled to herself then got ready for bed. It was still only Sunday tomorrow so had a whole more week to wait until their trip, she felt really happy and couldn't wait but wouldn't let Gene see that. 'It was just a coincidence that Chris and Shaz are going away the same weekend, nothing else. Gene is a last resort' she kept trying to tell herself but couldn't believe it, not really.

TBC.