Hey guys! This story is coming to an end (this is the second to last chapter). Hopefully I will get it finished before 2011 but we'll see . Thanks for all your reviews/favourites/alerts. Really appreciate it.

Now, as promised, here is the date.

Chapter 8

The short, sharp knock on the door startled Alex as she was applying the last of her makeup. Putting her lip gloss down, she looked at her watch - 5.25. She was impressed; Gene was early. She opened the door to find him leaning casually against the doorframe. He was wearing jeans and a black shirt that he'd left open at the collar allowing her to see his trademark gold necklace glinting in the light.

"Yer ready Bolls?" he asked.

"Not quite. Come on in," she told him, stepping back to let him pass.

"I knew it; women can never be ready on time," he smirked triumphantly. Alex pointed to the clock on the wall,

"Technically you're early," she informed him.

"Five minutes; what exactly can yer do in five minutes?" he asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" she replied flirtatiously as she rushed upstairs.

"Most definitely!" he assured with an appreciative glance at her rear as she disappeared out of view at the top of the stairs. She reappeared seconds later, her feet clad in the shiny red heels.

"Ready now," she declared joining him in the hallway. He took his time looking her up and down, taking in her in. God she was gorgeous! Alex blushed under his obvious gaze, "see something you like Mr Hunt?"

"What can I say Bolls, I 'ave an appreciation o' gorgeous wimmin," he teased. "Come on, let's get out o' 'ere."


Conversation flowed easily between them as Gene drove them to the pub. They chatted about what they had done earlier in the day. Alex recalled how she had enjoyed a lazy morning with Molly before dropping her off at her Dad's and Gene told her how he'd washed his car before settling down in front of the TV for the football to watch City thrash Chelsea. The topic of conversation may not have seemed the most interesting to most people but the occupants of the car were enthralled with each other's tales.

When they arrived at their destination, Alex was pleasantly surprised. She'd wondered if Gene's idea of a country pub consisted of a draughty building next to a couple of fields, but she was wrong. The Outgate Inn was an old 18th Century building that looked to have kept many of its original features and was actually quite elegant in an understated way.

Gene led her into the pub; placing his hand on the small of her back to guide her. They were shown to a table in the far corner, not too dissimilar to the one they'd frequented in Luigi's. The pub was quite busy, but the tables were spaced quite far apart so it afforded them a little bit of privacy. The menu consisted of a large variety of 'home cooked food' that was 'freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients.' Their waiter approached them and seemed to take an instant liking to Alex; something that did not go unnoticed by Gene. He found it difficult to control his jealousy as the young man's eyes repeatedly fell to Alex's chest as he took their order. Once he'd finished and was out of earshot Alex, who had been watching Gene's reactions with interest, turned to Gene,

"Something the matter Gene?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"'Ow can yer sit there an' let 'im ogle yer like that. 'E couldn't 'ave bin any more obvious if 'e'd tried."

"Well it's no worse than what you used to do," Alex pointed out.

"That were different," he informed her. "Perk o' the job Bolly; no point 'avin a female DI if yer couldn't have a look every now an' then."

"Besides," continued Alex, "why shouldn't I enjoy the attention? I am single after all." At that moment, Gene understood completely what Molly had meant in the hospital. If he didn't make a move soon, she would find someone else and then what would he do. He'd already lost her once; could he really go through that again? The only question was how did he broach the subject?

As it turned out, it was Alex who gave him the way in. They were just finishing off their main courses when she place her knife and fork down and looked at him,

"If I hadn't pre-empted you yesterday, would you have actually asked me to dinner tonight?"

"O' course! I were just tryin' ter decide 'ow best ter go about it!" Alex gave him a sceptical look. "I were!" he protested, "If yer 'adn't bin so impatient yer'd 'ave found out wouldn't yer? Far ter nosy fer yer own good; spoilin' the surprise!"

"Oh, I don't know. I'd say that what I overheard was still quite surprising," she teased.

"Just 'ow much did yer actually 'ear?"

"Enough," she told him with a smirk.

"Come on Bolls. Did no one ever tell yer it ain't nice ter tease. At least give me an 'int!"

"All of it." Gene paled at her response,

"What?" he choked out.

"I heard it all. I was just about to come in the room when I heard Molly ask you if you loved me."

"But yer though yer'd listen in anyway, an' then let me make a complete twonk o' meself?" He didn't mean to snap at her, but his pride had been dented and it was his natural reaction.

"You've not made a fool of yourself Gene," Alex tried to assure.

"Oh no? Come off it Bolls! What kind o' a chance 'as an old bugger like me got wi' a posh bird like you?" He looked down then, suddenly finding his half finished plate of gammon extremely interesting. Alex, completely unfazed by his reaction, reached over and placed her hand atop his.

"Gene!" she pleaded quietly and he raised his head. "You know that I would never intentionally hurt you. I'm here because I want to be, not because I'm trying to make a fool of you."

"What exactly are yer sayin'?" Alex shook her head; he really could be dense at times.

"I'm saying that I love you Gene Hunt. God help me, but I do."

"Quite right an' all?" he told her, trying to disguise his relief.

"You know," continued Alex, "despite overhearing your conversation with Molls-"

"Earwiggin' yer mean?" he interrupted. Alex glared at him and continued on regardless,

"Despite that, I still don't know exactly how you feel about me."

"What are yer on about woman?" he asked.

"Well when Molly asked you, you didn't actually give her an answer," she pointed out.

"Well I'm 'ere aren't I?"

"Yes, I suppose you are." Alex tried not to let her disappointment show through; after all she'd never expected that Gene Hunt would be the lovey-dovey type.

"Flamin' 'ell!" muttered Gene, sensing Alex's frustration. "I bloody well love yer. Even if yer are the the most infuriatin' woman I've ever met. Wanted yer since the first time I laid eyes on yer an' all." His eyes dropped to the table in embarrassment. Alex touched her hand to his,

"Gene?" He raised his head,

"What?"

"Shall we skip dessert," she asked seductively. Gene's eyes lit up,

"Waiter! Can we 'ave the bill please?

A/N: One more to go!