Good morning constructs! Due to the unique way in which my subconscious works, it seems that I have managed to write and plan a story which, sadly, has a limited life-span. Yes, we have reached the penultimate chapter. Like the actual series, this fic will have 8 instalments; each as thrilling as the last – don't you worry, you may be on chapter 7, but I have got a whole lot more left to write! Twists and turns like you won't believe! So sit back, and enjoy the ride!
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Alex closed her eyes in shock as she felt a sharp pain in her lower back. Gasping, she clung tighter to Gene, waiting inevitably for the blood, or worse, the cold wave of death, to flood over her. When she felt nothing more, she blindly wondered if she had already gone numb, and was half-way to unconsciousness.
But then she heard the gargling gasp from above, and looked about in confusion. As she raised her head from his shoulder, she felt Gene do likewise, and suddenly, as if by magic, the pain in her back subsided. She quickly realised that her 'fatal injury' had been a little pre-empted – there was no bullet, just the shocked grip of Gene's fingers, digging into her back.
"Honestly!" she said in a harsh whisper, as she dug her fingers into his shoulders, "I thought I'd been shot!"
"Well you 'aven't," his voice too was low and harsh, "So can we please concentrate on the great murderin' bastard with the gun?"
She muttered something about "bruises" that was too low for Gene to hear.
Having been so distracted by Gene, Alex jumped when she heard the raspy voice of the gunman above them.
"I want you to turn around!"
She felt a shiver roll down her spine as she looked up at him. Gene too swivelled his head to face their attacker.
"That may 'ave been a warning shot, but believe me, I'm dead serious now." The man seemed to be toying with them, but Alex supposed he didn't really need to hurry – he had them where he wanted them; no-one was going to be saving them.
"TURN AROUND!" Alex jumped; his anger was as fluctuating as Gene's personality.
"What, so you can 'umiliate us as well – not bloody likely." Gene Hunt was in no mood to be bossed about – gun-wielding-maniac or not.
"Gene," Alex muttered, into his ear, "What are you playing at?"
"Look," he said low enough for only her to hear, "If we turn around, 'e'll shoot us; if we stay 'ere, 'e'll shoot us." She stared at him in confusion, but he carried on in hushed tones. "Listen to me, Bolls – I'm tryin' to save your life!"
"I'll give you ten seconds," the masked-man raised his pistol once more, "Last chance."
Knowing how little time he had, Gene made his mind up and leaned in closer to Alex.
"Right, Drake – when he shoots, there's a good chance he won't hit you-"
"Ten... nine..."The countdown had begun.
"- Given that you're be'ind me, so jus' play dead."
"... Eight... Seven..."
"Gene? That's your grand plan?"
"... Six... Five..."
"Best I can do, Bolly."
"... Four... Three..."
"But how're you getting out then?"
"... Two..."
He looked her straight in the eye and all at once she understood.
"... One..."
"Someone's gotta take the bullet, Bolls."
"Time's up!"
"NO! GENE"
He pressed his lips to hers once more; a gentle kiss.
BAAAAAAANNNNNNNGGGGG!!!
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Alex was unable to stop the tears from rolling down her face as she pressed her lips desperately to his, as though she were trying to force life back into him. She almost got the shock of her life when he grabbed her arm in a sudden, vice-like grip. She drew breath so suddenly that she began to feel a bit light-headed; indeed, she wondered if she was in some nightmarish dream.
"Gene?" She didn't dare hope for an answer, but she had to ask.
"Alex?"
"Oh god - GENE!" She tightened her grip around him and pulled him to her in a fierce hug. "I thought I'd lost you! And you were gonna-"
"Gerroffme," the mumbled reply came from her neck. Relaxing her grip a little, she allowed him to extract his head from where it was practically wedged against her cleavage, and get some air.
He looked up at her, and she noted the trace of a tear in the corner of one eye. "That's the repayment I get? I try and save yer life and you bloody suffocate me?" He grinned at her, and she returned it.
Her smile vanished when she saw the body in the open door-way. Turning to glance behind him, Gene swore and suddenly became serious.
"Shit, Bolly, what 'appened to that bloke? 'Oo got shot?"
No sooner had he spoken, when a tall, imposing figure strode into view. Walking over to the pair, he aimed a swift kick at the crumpled figure of the gunman, who grunted in pain.
"Scum"
Simultaneous grins split the faces of Gene and Alex.
"Ray-fuckin'-mondo!"
"God, Ray, are we glad to see you!"
The gruff voice of the DS answered.
"No thanks to you two! Leavin' me behind while you went gallivantin' off!"
"You what?" Gene was incredulous, "Look at that bandage – first class 'ero work, that is!"
"Did the job, I s'pose," Ray muttered, before allowing a smirk to spread across his features, "So I risk life 'n' limb t' save your sorry arses, only t' find you... otherwise engaged...?"
Gene and Alex exchanged a horrified glance.
"Me? No – with him?"
"Grant me an ounce of common-sense, Raymondo!"
"We-"
"I-"
Ray smirked again, and lit a cigarette, letting them squirm. Puffing out a cloud of smoke, he raised an eyebrow and glanced down at their bound wrists, tutting.
"Didn't 'ave you down as the bondage type, Guv – still, whatever floats yer boat..."
The rest of his words were drowned out by loud remarks of protest from his superiors.
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Back at the station, order appeared to have been restored. The DCI Gene Hunt sat on his desk; mug of tea in one hand, cigarette in the other, he finished debriefing his officers.
"So full marks to Tintin 'ere," he nodded in the direction of Chris, "for raisin' the alarm so promptly. 'N' 'ats off to Raymondo for bein' man enough to survive that minor injury, and savin' the bloody day." He nodded at Ray, who was busy trying to show off his bandaged torso to a pretty, young female officer.
"Bolly here, and my good self, did our best to distract the murderin' scum, by-"
"Lockin' yerselves in a cupboard?" Chris interrupted, exchanging a wicked grin with Ray.
"No, you div! By-"
"Gettin' all 'tied up' with DI Drake, Guv?" Ray quipped, causing Chris to snort and spray out his mouthful of tea.
"NO!" Gene Hunt was looking more hot and bothered by the minute, "We distracted the bleedin' imbecile by-"
"A combination of cognitive psychology and a detailed knowledge of criminal reasoning, whilst maintaining the full use of our faculties and available resources." Alex interrupted, rounding on the crowd of giggling officers.
"Precisely," Gene nodded with appreciation, and cracked a half-smile in her direction, which she subtly returned.
The sudden 'brrring-brrring' of the telephone, cut through the chattering room.
Picking it up, Alex held the piece to her ear, "Hello, DI Drake, speaking?"
Gene Hunt had been watching her, and when she put the receiver down, he instantly knew that there was something wrong. The look on her face said it all.
"What is it, Drake?"
She stared at him, open-mouthed.
"It's Tyler Connor – the gunman."
Gene walked over to her, his voice dangerously low.
"What about him?"
Looking him straight in the eyes, Alex cleared her throat, prepared for the worst.
"He got away."
"WHAT?" Gene Hunt exploded.
But Alex hadn't finished. Drawing a deep breath, she gripped the table for support, and whispered,
"...And they said... he's looking... for me..."
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Haha – cliffhangers right up till the end. Only one more chapter to go!
Savour the anticipation once more – and please do leave a review if you feel so inclined – I love hearing what you think!
