Chapter 7

--o0o--

Two days later Alex limped into the squad room with one foot in an elastic bandage and a lump the size of a dragon's egg on the back of her head.

Ray acknowledged her appearance with a curt nod whilst Christ, who'd been on the receiving end of more than one tongue-lashing from the Guv, flashed her a shy, conspiratorial smile. Grateful to be accepted back, Alex shot a nervous glance towards Hunt's office. The door was closed and the blinds were down but the faint sounds of movement within showed that he was in residence.

"So," she asked brightly, "what are we working on at the moment?"

Chris bounced over like an eager puppy and began filling her in on the last two days' cases, Ray adding laconic asides and providing snippets of information that Chris left out.

"There's the case file from those two kids on your desk." Chris finished. "The Guv wants you to read them over – see if you can see anything we've missed about why they were there and what happened. For the reports. The Super's been all over him like a rash about this one – gunshots, officers in hospital . . ." His voice trailed away.

"But it wasn't Gene's – the Guv's – fault." Alex objected.

"He doesn't see it like that," stated Chris, "and neither does the Super."

Alex nodded miserably and settled down to pore over the files left on her desk, glancing up every now and again at the blank windows of Hunt's office, half of her willing him to make an appearance, half of her never wanting to have to face him again.

The door remained firmly closed until lunchtime when it was suddenly flung open.

"Gentlemen. It's Friday dinnertime. End of the shift. Now, who wants the honour of buying me the first pint of the weekend?"

Scooping up Ray and Chris with a look, he sailed past Alex's desk and left, the double doors banging behind him.

Ray had his jacket on and was gone in a flash, trailing as ever in Hunt's wake, but Chris lingered at Alex's desk.

"You coming Ma'am?"

"Not today thanks Chris. It's a bit early for me. I think I'll just go straight home.

"I'll walk you." Offered Chris. "It's on the way."

Alex laughed at his old-fashioned politeness and tucked her arm through his.

"Tell me Chris, how have you managed to stay so sweet working with those two?"

Chris blushed and shuffled his feet.

"Come on," he said, "the Guv doesn't like people lollygagging about when they're supposed to be buying him drinks." And he pulled her out of the door with him.

--o0o--

When they arrived at Luigi's Gene and Ray were already wrapping themselves around a couple of steaks, a pint each standing at their elbows. Chris threw a questioning look at Alex who nodded, smiled and pushed him towards the other two.

She turned and was about to walk out of the door when a loud voice assaulted her ears.

"Oy, Bolly! Where d'you think you're going?"

"Home." She replied simply.

"No you're bloody well not. After the shit you've caused this week, the least you can do is buy us a pint."

Gene pushed out the chair opposite him with his foot and pointed at it.

"Sit yer arse down."

Relief flooded her as she realised she was forgiven albeit for the (rather expensive) price of getting the boys drunk. She plonked herself in her allotted seat and signalled to Luigi for more beers. He hurried them over and also put a bottle of wine and a glass in front of her, muttering "Prego" as he moved away to serve other customers.

A couple of hours later found Ray, Gene and Alex doubled up with laughter as Chris mimed Alex's fall, complete with arm waving and squeaks of shock as he threw himself to the ground.

Gene turned to look at her.

"Jesus Bolly, you scared the shit out of me." His tone was light but she could see that he was deadly serious.

"I'm sorry." She said again, wondering how many more times she would have to apologise to him, "But it was an accident."

"Yeah, well," he grudgingly admitted, "accidents 'appen I s'pose. I mean, look at shit-for-brains there." He gestured towards Chris who had just missed his mouth with his pint and was forlornly mopping at his shirt with a tablecloth,"'is 'ole life 'as been one long accident."

His sudden, rare smile lit his face and Alex smiled back, feeling a warmth creep through her as he caught her eyes. The gaze lasted just a second too long before he cleared his throat and looked away.

"Right." He shouted, rubbing his hands together. "Whose round is it?"

"Yours." Chorused Ray and Chris and Gene humphed good naturedly as he left his seat and made is way to the bar, steadying Chris who was wobbling his way over the gents and leaving Ray and Alex alone at the table.

Ray shifted uncomfortably on his seat and then looked her directly in the eye.

"Don't play with 'im Ma'am." He said

Alex started in surprise.

"What? What do you mean?"

"Just what I said. Don't play with 'im. The Guv doesn't play games – not like you're playing. Take 'im or leave 'im alone."

Ray's gaze never wandered as she took a large gulp of wine to steady her nerves before answering.

"I really don't know what you mean Sergeant. I'm not playing any games, certainly not with Him."

Ray looked steadily at her.

"Yeah, you are an' you know it. You've got 'im spinnin' arse over tit 'til he don't know which way is up. You're messin' with 'is 'ed an' we need 'im focussed. Can't do the job right if the Gov's not firin' on all cylinders. Dangerous. " He nodded sagely at her.

"So, like I said, take 'im or leave 'im alone. Nuff said." With that he turned his attention back to his pint leaving Alex's head whirling.

Was she playing games? She hadn't thought she was. They'd had one night together and could have had more if he hadn't called it off. He'd finished it, not her. He'd decided that they couldn't work together and sleep together, not her. She'd been willing to give it a go.

Suddenly, all the pieces fell into place.

Yes. She'd been willing to 'give it a go' but he hadn't, he couldn't.

His intense loyalty and passionate nature would never let him do anything half heartedly. He was a man of absolutes. When he gave himself, in work, in friendship, it was total, no reservations, no holding back any part of himself.

And if he gave himself in love . . . . . .?

Alex, with a flash of insight, realised exactly what sort of fire she was playing with and by the time Gene came back from the bar, she was gone.

--o0o--