Sorry to have been so cruel to them, hope this makes up for it a little bit. Enjoy.
Gene and Alex avoided each other all week, neither wanting to have to talk to the other. They spoke to each other only when they had to for work and even then it was barely more than two words at a time.
By Friday Alex had begun to find this lack contact helped her ignore the pain. It had hurt at first, not speaking to him. But she began to find this detached communication with Gene also brought with it a sense of numbness. She was by no means getting over him, far from it, she wasn't sure whether she ever would, but blocking her emotions was a welcome escape from the soul-crushing heartache.
Gene on the other hand was finding it had the opposite effect on him. He hated this new distant relationship he had with Alex, they had both always thrived on passion and this indifference was killing him. He was even beginning to miss their arguments, he had secretly always loved Alex when she was angry and at least that required an emotion of some sort. Even when they hadn't been together their relationship had been full of fire, they sparked off each other, which is part of what made them work so well as a team. Now there was nothing, just a hollow professional mask, on both their parts.
'Tea for you Ma'am.' Said Shaz with a bright smile as she placed a mug on Alex's desk.
'Thanks Shaz.' Alex replied with a smile of her own as the WPC went to get on with her work.
The smile hadn't reached Alex's eyes and Shaz had noticed at once. Alex's numbness was affecting her more than she realised, and it wasn't just when she was around Gene. Shaz could no longer see the look of intense sadness in her DI's eyes, which she could still see from time to time in DCI Hunt's. This had pleased Shaz at first, but the sadness had been replaced by a vacant look that displayed no emotion at all, and this worried her.
Gene sat with his feet propped up on his desk with a whiskey in his hand, unconsciously watching Alex as she worked. He thought that if Luigi had been right about Alex having been upset on Friday then she certainly wasn't now. Since Tuesday she had resumed her usual routine of sitting in Luigi's in the evenings and seemed to be the epitome of composure at work. Of course, now she sat with Shaz in the evenings rather than him and he noticed that she had drank a lot less that week as well.
Gene suddenly realised that he had been staring at his DI for some time and abruptly looked away. He looked back at the forensics report from Evie Wood's clothing from the night she was raped, and frowned. They had found no traces of anything useful at all on her clothing and so didn't help them with their investigation one bit. He desperately needed Alex's thoughts on this case but they were barely speaking to each other and she had told him everything she could think of when they had finished interviewing Evie over a week ago.
It had been a slow week in CID, they had no new leads on the rapist, no clues at all as to who it may be. There hadn't been another rape but Alex was still certain that there would be, it was only a matter of time. DI Gordon and DC Harris were also still struggling to find Ricky Ball and said that their team back in Nottingham were having no luck either.
Their lack of progress meant that Mitch and Tom were spending an increasing amount of time in the station, much to Gene's distaste. Alex, however, found she liked it, although more for Tom's company than for Mitch's. She liked Mitch but she found his continuous flirting with her tiresome, he had eased off a little initially when he had found out about her relationship with the Guv but bounced back in full swing when he, and the rest of CID, eventually worked out that she and DCI Hunt were no longer on speaking terms.
Tom's company on the other hand, she found refreshing. He had been so shy and nervous at first, but Alex had gradually got him to relax and she found he was a very bright lad. He was hugely intelligent, sweet and even funny, albeit in a slightly nerdy way, but Alex found him endearing. It was clear that he worshipped Mitch, but when he was left on his own he was lot more confident and a lot more willing to put his own opinions forward. He had some very interesting input on several of the current CID investigations and had some brilliantly logical insight into his own case about the drug crimes. Alex was pleased with the fact that DI Gordon seemed to respect his DC and over-looked his nervousness, although she wished he would give Tom some more responsibility once in a while.
Around four 'o' clock, Alex received a phone call from a worried Mrs. Wood, asking if she would come and talk to Evie.
'She's been so withdrawn since the incident, won't talk to me or my husband and has hardly come out of her room. We've tried talking to her but she just brushes us off saying that she's fine. She's usually such a bubbly girl and now she won't speak to her friends, hasn't been out of the house since her interview. I know it's not your job to get involved, but she said after the interview how kind you were and I just wondered if you could come and have a chat with her.'
'She's been through quite an ordeal and it's perfectly natural for her to have shut herself away. Have you considered taking her to a counsellor, get some professional help?'
'She wouldn't want to talk to a shrink, refusing to admit there's anything wrong. We're just so worried about her.'
The despair in the woman's voice broke through some of Alex's defences and she conceded. 'Of course, I'll come over this afternoon if you like. I'm not promising I'll be able to help, but I'll try talking to her at least.'
'Thank you so much inspector, I know you must be busy. This means a lot, really.'
'No problem Mrs Wood. I'll be over as soon as I can.'
Alex put the phone down and grabbed her jacket off the back of the chair. Gene noticed his DI about to leave and got up.
'Drake. Where yer goin'?'
'Mrs. Wood just called and asked if I would go and see Evie.'
'Righ'. She got new information 'bout the case?'
'Don't think so Guv, her parents are just worried about her.'
Gene felt as if he were playing a ridiculous game of who could be the most nonchalant. This was the most they had spoken in days and it was still only as little as was sufficient.
'Er…OK. Do yer need a lift?' He asked out of politeness more than actually wanting to take her, he really hoped she'd decline his offer.
Alex panicked at the thought of having to be alone in a car with him. 'No thanks Guv. They only live five minutes away, I'll walk.'
It was closer to fifteen minutes walk but it was hardly a hike and she could do with the fresh air. She arrived outside a small, pretty, semi-detached house and rang the door bell. Alex was met by the same woman that had picked Evie up after the interview last week, she was small and a little round with a smiling friendly face.
'Mrs. Wood? I'm DI Drake.'
'Thanks for coming, and please call me Angela.' She greeted with a smile. 'I'll just tell Evie you're here, go into the sitting room and make yourself comfortable.'
Alex went into the room that Mrs. Wood had indicated and took a seat on an old, comfortable sofa. The room wasn't very big, but was cosy and instantly had the feeling of home. It reminded Alex a little of her ex-mother-in-law's living room and the thought spooked her a little. She hadn't thought about her ex-husband for a long time and the memories all came flooding back as she sat in the old-fashioned room.
Alex was snapped out her reverie when Evie entered the room. She looked even more stunning without the red-rimmed eyes from when Alex had seen her last, but there was a vacant expression on her face that still inhibited all the girl's beauty from showing through.
'Good afternoon DI Drake.' Evie greeted in a flat voice. 'I'm sorry you've had a wasted trip, my mum's being over-sensitive.'
'Call me Alex, Evie. I'm sure it's not a wasted trip, your mum's just worried about you. I was just making sure you were OK.'
'I'm fine.'
'Really? Your mum says that you won't talk to her, or anyone for that matter.'
'I'm fine.' She said a little more defiantly this time. 'Is it so bad that I don't want to talk about what happened? Why can't she just leave me alone?'
'She's concerned about you Evie, so am I. You don't have to talk about what happened if you don't want to, just don't shut them out all together.'
'Why should I listen to you? You don't understand what it's like. I can't deal with this, it makes me feel sick every time I think about it. Every time I close my eyes he's there, doing it again. Do you have any idea what that's like?' Evie shouted, close to tears.
'I know this isn't easy. But it will get better eventually Evie.'
'What the fuck do you know?! Why do you even care, it's got nothing to do with you!'
'You're right, it has got nothing to do with me. But if you won't talk to me then at least talk to your mum, she cares and she really wants to help you through this.'
A dark look came over the young girl's face. 'No-one can help me.'
'They can, Evie, if you let them. I'll leave you now but you can call me any time you want to talk, about anything at all, OK?'
Evie said nothing, she just stared at the fire with the vacant expression back on her face. Alex got up and left the sitting room and found Angela sitting at the bottom of the stairs wiping her eyes.
'Thank you for trying Inspector.' She said in a shaky voice. 'I really thought she might listen to you. Sorry for wasting your time.'
'You haven't wasted my time, honestly. She just needs time to adjust. Call me if you have any more worries, OK?'
Angela nodded and Alex let herself out. Alex walked quickly back to the station, her mind reeling. She couldn't deal with all this, couldn't bear to see it happen again. She knew she shouldn't have gone today, knew it would bring back too many painful memories but she couldn't ignore a mother's desperate plea.
She needed to pull herself together before she faced going into CID so she headed to the evidence room. Closing the door, she rested her head against the wall, breathing deeply. She desperately wished for the numbness of the previous few days to return, but it wouldn't come and she couldn't stop the memories flooding her mind.
'Bolls?'
Alex jumped at the sound of Gene's voice. She had forgotten to check whether there was anyone in the evidence room before she had entered it. She didn't look round, left her head resting against the wall and closed her eyes, pretending he wasn't there. 'I can't deal with this now.' Her defences were down and she didn't have the strength she needed to handle Gene right now.
Gene started worry when she didn't acknowledge his presence. He knew he should stay impassive, it was none of his concern any more. But she seemed so unhappy that he could feel his resolve breaking.
'Alex, are you all righ'?' His tone was still gruff but the concern in his voice was evident.
Gene was close behind her now, she could sense his presence and feel his breath in her hair. The renewed use of her first name nearly had Alex reduced to a sobbing mess. She couldn't remember the last time he had called her that, not since he had ended things between them anyway.
'I'm fine.' She eventually said in a small voice, now not knowing whether she wanted him to go away or not.
'Bolly, you are evidently not fine. What's wrong?' he reached for her arm and turned her round to face him. She was closer than he expected and this caught him off guard a little, his breathing hitched. Her face was full of unhappiness and her eyes were so incredibly sad.
Alex caught the look of concern on his face and the worried, uncertain look in his eyes. It was the most emotion she had seen from him in over a week and she momentarily dropped her guard. She buried her face in his shoulder and put her arms round his neck. The need for comfort outweighing the need to distance herself from him. She allowed herself to revel in the feeling of him and realised how much she had missed being like this with him.
Surprised at the sudden contact with Alex he let out a sharp breath. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a tight hug. He could smell her perfume and her shampoo, could feel the warmth of her body against his and it made him happier than he had been in weeks. Gene was totally confused by Alex's sudden affection but sensed she needed comforting and his natural protective instinct told him to hold her tight and push her worries away.
Reluctantly Gene eventually pulled away, wanting to know who had upset his Alex so much. 'His Alex? Christ. Not anymore.' He thought bitterly. He looked into her eyes and saw them shining with unshed tears, he felt a surge of over-whelming love for her hit him square in the chest and knew that the indifference couldn't last any longer.
'Alex. What happened? Who's upset you?'
Alex shook her head. 'Nothing. No-one.'
'Alex, please. Let me in.'
She could see the pleading in his eyes and for a second allowed herself to believe that he really cared about her before she remembered that he didn't. She tried to push him away.
'Please Gene. I can't do this.'
'Bolls. Please trust me. Why are yer so upset?'
'Oh. Why the hell do you care, Gene? You've barely said two words to me this week!'
She had expected him to fight back. She was looking to cause an argument, something to steer the conversation away from her.
'Of course I care Alex.' He said quietly, not looking at her.
She so wanted to believe him. 'Really, Gene, do you?'
'Yes. How could you think otherwise?' Gene was frustrated now.
'What? You broke up with me remember? You didn't seem to care much then!' Alex stated, her voice raised again.
'Yer didn't seem too bothered 'bout it either as I recall! Didn't even try ter fight it.'
'Didn't seem much point, you'd already made your mind up.' She muttered. 'Why did you do it, Gene? You didn't even give me a reason.'
'Thought it was best. It would have 'appened at some point anyway.' He said, still staring at his feet.
'What sort of answer is that? Why would it have happened anyway?'
'Yer outta my league Bolls, too good for the likes of me. Yer would 'ave got bored and swanned off with someone like DI Gordon.'
'Shouldn't I have been the one to decide that?' she said more softly. 'And I would never have gone off with Mitch, he's not my type.'
'Oh, so what is yer type then?'
'Oh, I don't know. A tall, blonde, gorgeous northerner.' Alex saw a smile tug at the corners of his mouth but he still wouldn't look at her. She put a hand on his cheek and said softly. 'Gene. Look at me. You are more than good enough for me, for anyone, you should never doubt that.'
Gene could see the truth and the love in her eyes and he thought his heart was going to burst.
'I love you Alex.' He said in a deadly serious voice. As soon as he said it he wished he hadn't, he was incredibly aware of how vulnerable he had just made himself and Alex's prolonged silence wasn't helping.
This admission from Gene knocked her sideways and she was rendered completely speechless. 'Did Gene just say he loved me?' Her brain was having trouble processing this information, as it dawned her that he was telling the truth she could have died with happiness.
'I love you too Gene.' She said quietly. She watched the utter disbelief flash across his face, astonished at what she had just told him. After a second his face split into the smile that she loved so much and she felt as if she was finally complete.
They looked into each other's eyes for a long moment, just gazing at each other, before Gene slowly started to close the gap between them. He moved one of the hands that were still at her waist up to cup her face as the other one pulled her tightly to him. As Gene's lips descended on hers both their eyelids fluttered closed and Alex wound her fingers in his hair. Their kiss was sweet and tender at first as their mouths re-explored each other, but it became more passionate as the flame re-ignited in the both of them.
It was long while before they broke apart, gasping for air. Alex put a hand on his chest and rested her head on his shoulder as she felt his heartbeat slow.
'I've missed you Gene. This last week has been hell.' She breathed into his neck.
'Tell me 'bout it, thought I was goin' ter go insane.'
They stood that way for a long time, both simply enjoying being with the other again after a week of torture. Until Gene suddenly remembered the reason for this reconciliation.
'Alex?' she lifted her head off his shoulder to look at him. 'What happened this afternoon? Why were you so upset? Did something happen with Evie?'
At the mention of Evie's name Alex cracked and the tears started to stream down her cheeks. All the emotions she'd kept hidden for so long came flooding out.
Gene held her to him and kissed her hair. 'Shhh. It's all right Bolls.'
Eventually Alex sniffed and wiped her eyes. 'Sorry. It's just so awful to see her like that Gene, she's losing the plot.'
'I know it's hard love. But yer seem ter be takin' this all rather personally.'
'Just brings back memories, that's all.' She said quietly.
'About what? What happened Alex? Let me in Bolls, you can trust me.'
'I know I can Gene.' She took a deep breath. 'I lived with my godfather when I was growing up; he had a niece that was a few years older than me. Maggie. She spent a lot of time at ours and we were very close, almost like sisters really.'
Talking about Maggie again for the first time in years brought a lump to her throat and Alex wasn't sure whether she could continue. She dropped her eyes from Gene's, staring instead at his tie, trying her best not to cry.
'Bolly?' Gene prompted softly. When she didn't look up he hooked a finger under her chin and raised her head slightly so he could see her face. 'What happened Bolls?'
Alex took a steadying breath and bit her bottom lip to stop it from quivering. After a minute she seemed to compose herself.
'Well, I must have been about fifteen and she was eighteen. She had been coming over to see me after a date when she was raped.' Alex said quietly, her voice still trembling a little. 'She had seemed OK at first, upset and messed up, but still relatively all right, like Evie.' A shadow crossed Alex's face as she continued. 'Then she became really withdrawn, wouldn't talk to anyone, not even to me.'
Gene could see she was clearly upset by this and that she must have been very close to Maggie. He also knew that it would do her good to get it off her chest, after having carried it around for so long.
Alex sniffed and a tear trickled down her cheek. 'She kept saying I couldn't understand, that no-one understood what she was going through.'
Alex closed her eyes for a second, remembering the pain and the tears those arguments had caused. She had so wanted to help Maggie and had felt completely powerless at the time, watching her best friend slowly destroy herself.
When Alex continued it was in a detached tone, as if she were trying not to think about what she was saying. 'Eventually she fell into a bad crowd and ended up overdosing on heroine about six months later.'
'God Alex. I had no idea.' The sympathy and concern in Gene's expression overwhelmed her and the tears started to roll down her face again. He pulled her to him and let her cry into his shoulder until she had pulled herself together.
'How were you to know?' she said when she had stopped crying, her voice still wavering dangerously. 'I hadn't thought about it in ages and then this case happens. I can see the same thing happening to Evie as it did to Maggie and there's nothing I can do to stop it. I was fine until this afternoon when Evie said "No-one can help me". It was the last thing Maggie ever said to me.' She pushed that thought to the back of her mind and continued with a new-found determination. 'We have to get this guy Gene, I have to, I can't let this ruin anyone else's life. No-one deserves that kind of unhappiness.'
'We'll find him Bolls, I promise.' Gene kissed her tears away and stroked her cheek with his hand. 'You sure yer OK ter deal with this investigation, Alex? If it's too difficult yer only have ter say…'
'I'm fine Gene, honestly. It just caught me off guard today.' She pressed a lingering kiss to his lips and then pulled away with a smile on her face, thanking God that she hadn't worn much make-up that day. 'Come on, Guv. We've got work to do.'
Gene smiled back at her and followed Alex out of the evidence room, refusing to let go of her hand.
Hope you liked it. Let me know what you think.
