Hey guys, just wanted to say thank you for all your support and of course your reviews.

I know its February and it's taken this long to finish for a christmas fic but ah well it is snowing after all hahaS

So I hope you enjoy the rest of the story and please let me know what you think.

Tilly x x x

The BBC and Kudos own these characters and I own nothing though if you they would like to give me them as a belated christmas present I am certainly not complaining :)

Chapter 4

"Er, Bolly?" He called uncertainly after her and watched for what seemed like an age as she stopped and turned slowly.

"Gene if you're going to tell me not to bother coming back again. Don't bother. I get the picture."She was starting to walk again when he ran, catching up to her, grabbing her hand and spinning her around.

"Please Bolls. I was wrong; I shouldn't 'ave said about Molly that was below the belt. Tell me about this little trip 'ere? What does it mean?" He pulled her to him, their bodies against each other, one hand on her hip and the other running through her hair. She bit her lip looking towards one of the empty desks before looking back to his eyes, a small smile tugging the corners of her mouth.

"Well, I am only here temporarily. One night Gene, that's all. To make all your Christmas wishes come true." She said seriously, her wide hazel eyes glittering with tears that where threatening to fall, yet she still had that small sweet smile upon her face.

"One night?" Those two words took more effort to force out of his mouth and when they were spoken they came out quiet and scratchy. His hand lifted to her cheek stroking the soft skin as he took in each feature of her heavenly face. He flicked from looking at her eyes that so often changed colour depending on her mood and right now they where a deep hazel and brown giving away her desire. His gaze then flicked to her mouth and he watched how her teeth let her lip free causing them to look full and red. "We had better make the most of it then hadn't we inspector?"

He leaned down feeling her warm soft lips touch his and revelled in the feel of her being back in his arms. The kiss was gentle, soft and explorative as they reacquainted each other but as he felt her fingers pull the back of his hair, he kissed her much more firmly. Quickly things heated up as both their desires, needs and sexual frustration at having had to deny each other for so long finally erupt and they found themselves in a hot frenzy to try to rid each other of their clothes, to be as close to each other as they ever could be both physically and emotionally after being so alone since that night he sent her away. He pushed her backwards, his hands back in her hair and on her hip guiding her as they crossed the room. The top of the table met the top of Alex's legs and she pulled away as she hopped onto it. Gene came close to her again one hand either side of her body placed firmly on the table, leaning so close to her. Alex looked up into his eyes. They were dark silver glittering dangerously of mischief and desire at her and she felt a tightening in the pit of her stomach that sent shocks of lust throughout her body. She grabbed him and brought their lips together in a bruising kiss, her hands fumbling with buttons and other items of clothing. She gasped as she felt his hands touch her bare skin on her waist and run up her ribs and up to her breasts. They were a whirlwind of lust and passion desperate to be together, as one being as they touched, tasted and encouraged each other to climax.

After they reached their goal they were laid down on the carpet behind her desk now basking in their glory, feeling fully sated, relaxed and... happy. For the first time in months Gene Hunt and Alex Drake both felt happiness fulfil them. They lay curled up against one another; Gene had one arm protectively wrapped around her waist and she had her head resting on his chest, she fiddled idly with his gold chain. She brought her hand down to his chest gently and pushed back so that she could look up to see his face. He gazed down at her a small satisfied smile playing on his lips and she smiled back. Alex hadn't wanted to break the silence, didn't want to smash their bliss into tiny pieces but she felt like she needed to say what was on her mind. She stroked his skin on his chest before resting her palm flat against him, she stared at it mesmerised.

"It's still beating" She whispered in awe. "I heard it too, when I was resting,"

Gene still didn't say anything he continued watching her, a quiet sadness in his eyes.

"So beautiful and calming and safe." She carried on before giggling suddenly. Gene frowned at her clearly puzzled.

"What are you laughing about Bolly?" He asked nuzzling her soft brown hair and inhaling the scent of her and her shampoo.

"It's beating faster!" She exclaimed quietly thrilled at the small wonder. She expected him to shoot back a sarcastic remark about what they had just been doing but instead she was surprised when he answered quietly, so quietly it was almost to himself and Alex though curled up to him had to strain to her him.

"Of course it's beating faster, you silly mare, you're here." His answer was so strong and definite that tears sprung to Alex's eyes. She thought of how much she had lost in her life or what was her life, she thought of how she had lost Molly, lost him but what caught her off guard and overwhelmed her so much in that moment was how much she truly felt loved.

Alex pushed herself up onto her elbow and Gene held her waist tighter, suddenly afraid that she might leave. Why shouldn't she? She had to go back to the pub anyway and he just acted like the biggest Nancy around. "You're here" Could he have sounded more of a puff if he tried? He turned his head away from her, his pout evident now on his lips as he thought about how much of his feelings he had given away to her.

Alex looked up to him, her eyes sparkling with joy but she grew concerned when she saw how he had turned away from her. Did he mean what he had said then? Her own heart skipped a beat and not only did she notice that her own heart was beating faster but hers was in fear. No, No, No. The mantra of that word rung in her head, Please don't do this to me Gene.

She studied him closer, looked at his eyes and breathed a small sigh of relief as she saw his eyes were actually screwed up and his cheeks held a dark blush. Not the pink flush that covered her own body but a dark shade, almost as if he was embarrassed. And that pout, God how she loved it and hated it all at the same time and that was when she realised she hadn't answered him. Shit. She knew how he was, her uncomplicated complicated man. Her Guv. Her Gene Genie. Her Manc Lion. She knew that all of these faces of him had only ever showed her one thing – don't show anybody your true feelings- and that was the opposite of what he had just done wasn't it. She had had a glimpse at Gene Hunt. The real man. The man who had feelings, the man she loved. And now she was about to ruin it by not assuring him that it was okay to give in every once in a while. Alex reached up and cupped his cheek, turned his face towards hers and kissed him.

"I love you," She said with sincerity. A simple statement which apparently had the desired effect as his eyes snapped open in shock. She giggled again and smoothed his hair back into place. It was in that moment watching her do that, that he knew that she meant it.

Sod it. He thought, If I'm gunna look like a Jessie might as well do it properly. He opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out. His brow furrowed and she placed another chaste kiss upon his lips.

"I know," She said, there was no malice or disappointment in her voice, just love.

"I know you know but I want you to know that I know I know." He grinned as she chuckled against him.

"I know you know that I know you kno-" He placed a finger against her lips to quieten her and took a breath.

"I love you Alex." No sooner had the words came out had her mouth crashed onto his. This time lust hadn't overridden them and they took time in bringing each other to release, each calling the others names. When they had reached release, they held onto each other for as long as they could, no words where needed but they had light conversations which soon turned back to a peaceful silence until Alex glanced at the wall clock. She froze, her whole body stiffening. Gene held her tighter, kissing her collarbone.

"What is it Bolls?" He whispered suddenly scared as she buried her face into his neck.

"The time Gene, I have an hour." She mumbled against him and he felt a dampness against his skin. He lifted her face so he could see her and traced finger under her eyes and across her cheeks wiping away her tears.

"Come on we best get dressed, don't want to give Nelson a heart attack do you?" He untangled himself and reached for their scattered clothes. He pulled on his boxers and his trousers as Alex stared at him. He looked at her and sighed coming back to her and squatting to her shortened height as you would a small child.

"Alex, come on love, you know you have to go. I don't want you to leave either you know." He fell backwards onto his bum as she clung to his neck. Huge sobs racking her body. He had frozen for a couple of seconds through awkwardness before he pulled her onto his knee and rubbed her back soothingly as he whispered words of encouragement and love into her ear. After fifteen minutes her sobs had subsided into tiny hiccups and she pulled away kissing him before standing and locating her clothes herself. They finished dressing in silence until she looked self-consciously over her shoulder at him.

"I'm sorry for you know That." She nodded to the where they had been.

"You mean you regret it?" He asked curtly and though he hated to admit it his voice cracked on the last word. Her eyes widened as she realised how he had taken what she had said.

"No! I mean I apologise for you know my little, er, outburst." She cringed as she remembered and this time he chuckled at her, he came over and wrapped his arms around her now clothed body.

"You know I prefer you without all this on" She smiled against his collar.

"I had a feeling you might think that."

"Come on Bolls, let's have drink I think we deserve it don't you." He led her into his office and poured them both some scotch. He handed the glass to her and she nodded her thanks.

"Thirty five minutes left." She said numbly as she took a gulp of the amber liquid, wincing slightly as the fire hit the back of her throat. Gene looked at the clock and sure enough it was twenty five minutes past two.

"Well you're a barrel of laughs aren't you after you've 'ad a good shag." He grumbled more aware of the impending time.

"Do you have to be so crude?" She hissed the weight of the night resting heavily on their shoulders.

"You could at least pretend to be 'appy, you don't have to wallow away all the time y'know." He shot back.

"Well that's rich coming from you. Anyway I am dreadfully sorry to show that I care that I can't stay with you because heaven forbid any sign of feeling from you. So you told me that you love me it doesn't mean that makes you gay or soft." She shouted at him slamming her tumbler on his desk. He smirked briefly before looking down at his shoes his face turning serious again.

"Remind you of old times Bols? All this arguin' and shoutin'?" She turned away from him her arms folded across her chest and a pout upon her lips.

"Thing is Alex, I don't want to remember that you have to go, I want us to enjoy this time together. Bolls? Bolly?" He asked as he looked at her but she had changed. He looked closely at her, her arms weren't folded anymore they were hugging her and her mouth, her lips were trembling. He looked at her eyes and saw the large tears rolling down her cheeks and splashing onto her chest. He came over to her hugged her tightly kissing her dozens of times.

"I'm sorry Alex. I'm so sorry." He said again.

"Do you think it's easy for me Gene? Having to go back there without you? I am so scared of leaving you here alone. I will never know when you will walk through the doors. If you walk through the doors. What if Keats gets to you first? I won't be able to help you, you'll have no one. I want you to stay with me, where you'll be safe and I will be safe." She spoke softly to the dead night.

"I can't Alex. You know that." He said.

"I know." She whispered looking to the floor again.

Gene looked up to the clock twenty five minutes left. Shit. He couldn't leave her broken hearted and worried. He kissed her lips and turned around searching the floor until his eyes fell upon the envelope by the waste bin. He walked away from her and noticed how she whimpered inaudibly at his lack of presence. He picked up the packet and came back to her. He held out her hand and tipped the contents into it. Alex looked at the box her eyes glittering dangerously again as she looked at it afraid to open the contents in case she was wrong.

"Bloody hell Bolls, if you cry anymore I might have to invest in a boat and I don't think some poncy white sailor suit will suit me."

She looked at him considering. "Oh, well, I don't know Guv..." She said trailing off a small smile on her lips at the thought.

He frowned at her thinking but stroked her cheek "That's my girl."

Her smile widened at his comment lighting up the room and whilst he enjoyed seeing her smile he grew uncomfortable at the thought that he could have caused it.

"You gunna open it then?" he asked curiously nodding towards the box and she nodded.

She gingerly lifted the case and looked inside her eyes widened and she threw herself at Gene causing him to stumble backwards.

"You have really got to stop doin' that Bollykeks," He said into her ear as she started planting kisses over his face. "Merry Christmas Alex."

"Thank.. you... so.. much.. I thought.. I had.. lost this.. forever" She said in between the kisses.

"You like it then?" He asked chuckling lightly.

"You know I do," She said lightly hitting his arms. "Where did you get it? The jewellers? And when did you get it? It couldn't have been now-"

He cut her off by raising his hand. "Bloody 'ell I'd almost forgotten how much you liked to talk." He laughed at her glare before carrying on "I got it fixed, me an' Ray found it back at that warehouse but the chain had snapped somehow so I took it to the jewellers to get a new one put on. I was gunna give it t'ya for your birthday but then I shot you and well you know the rest. There never felt like a right time after that."

He looked at the ground still feeling guilty over everything that had happened and was surprised to hear her timid voice. "Did I ever tell you Mr. Hunt how much I love you?"

"You've mentioned it once or twice but who doesn't love the Gene Genie charm," he shrugged smiling at her laugh.

"Oh shut up," She said pressing her lips to his before asking him if he would put it on her which he did.

Eventually the time passed by and he walked her out to the pub, they stood outside five minutes to spare. They looked up at its imposing presence.

"I don't want to go Gene." She begged as she stayed in the crook of his arm holding to the lapels of his coat as if he was her lifeline. His hand was on her arse keeping her close, the other on her face.

"You have to."He croaked barely able to form a sentence.

"I know." She said again, they both knew what they had to do but it didn't mean that they wanted to. "Before I go there are two things I want you to remember."

He nodded finding a lump form in his throat.

"Number 1- I love you, I always have and I always will love you." He nodded his eyes glassy as he blinked away his own tears.

"Number two" She whispered pleading with her large doe eyes. "Remember me."

"Always."

He couldn't help the tears that escaped his eyes as she kissed him one final time. She left his embrace and walked over to the doors. She looked over her shoulder towards him as she shook lightly from her sobs and took him in for one last time before entering the doors of the Railway Arms.