A/N: Apologies for leaving you on a cliff hanger for so long. I was planning on updating last weekend, but then I got snowed under with work. So I thought I'd do it on my day off on Wednesday but sadly my Nan passed away so I've been dealing with other things.
Hope you enjoy – please do let me know what you think. It only takes a couple of seconds and I could really use reviews to make me smile.
Not much of this story left now. One, maybe two more chapters to go.
Chapter 9
Leaving Terry, Bammo and the other members of the department to round up the rest of the corrupt officer, Chris and Ray ran towards the sound of the shot. They arrived at the ruins to see Gene bent over a body, blood pooling on the floor.
"Is this 'im?" Gene asked and it was only then that they noticed Alex knelt at the other side of the man. She had been obscured by Gene's larger frame.
"Yes," she replied, nodding.
"Who is it?" Ray enquired, walking over.
"He's an ex copper," she answered dismissively.
"Aye, an' 'e's bin stalkin' Drake fer weeks."
"Bloody 'ell you really do attract the nutters, don't you Ma'am," remarked Chris.
"I'm just a sick DI. I messed up. I'm sorry," Summers croaked.
"Are yer?" Gene asked, his face softening a little.
"Yeah. I'm scared."
"D'yer remember? Young copper. Ready to put the world to rights. Spick and span, very proud. You remember that?" Gene asked.
"Y-yes," replied Summers obviously struggling with the pain.
"'Old onto that thought. It's a good 'un," Gene told him. Summers smiled as his eyes slipped closed and he passed away. Alex stood up, looking to the sky.
"Okay Bolls?" Gene checked, standing up as well. She nodded at him and gave him a small smile. "Good. Means I can bollock yer for disobeying a direct order. I told yer to stay away. You were suspended! What the bloody 'ell did yer think yer were doin'?"
"I told you I'm quite capable of looking after myself!"
"Oh yeh. Fine job yer made of it just now. I 'ad ter come to yer rescue again Bolly, an' it ain't really somethin' I enjoy."
"Rubbish. You get off on it. Makes you feel like a big macho man."
Gene approached her, his look unreadable. "Stop analysin' me woman and listen ter me for once will yer!" he whispered harshly , leaning in so as not to be heard by Ray and Chris. "As much as you are a pain in my delightful derriere, I do not want to see you on some mortuary slab. Not now. Well, not ever actually, but especially not now. Not when somethin's 'appenin' between us. I know yer a police officer an' I know it's part o' the job, but I can't 'elp but want ter protect yer. I know it's wrong. I'll work on it, yeh?" Alex was moved by Gene's little speech, not because of the words he'd used, but because he had dropped his macho facade just for a moment and had given her an insight into his true feelings. He was back on form very quickly though, adding, "I just want to keep yer out o' trouble for now; at least until I know 'ow it feels to 'ave yer bouncin' up an' down on top o' me. Comprende?"
Alex swallowed, his words having a serious effect on her, "Y-yes Guv," she stuttered.
Gene smirked; he'd almost had her speechless then. "Chris! Call an ambulance for 'im," he ordered, indicating Summers.
"Bit late now isn't it?" Chris asked.
"Well we can't just leave 'im there can we? So, unless yer plannin' on carryin' 'im to the morgue yerself I suggest yer get on that radio!" Gene remarked sarcastically.
Ray just shook his head, "You really are a div, Chris."
"Raymundo, Bolly. Wi' me. Let's go and sort out these scumbag bastards once and for all!"
They arrived back at the station about an hour later, hauling fourteen corrupt officers into reception.
"Book this lot, Viv," Gene instructed.
"What charge, Guv?"
"Bein' a bunch o' shit eatin' sewer worms!" he replied as he walked towards the office, Alex hot on his heels.
"Does this mean I'm not suspended anymore?" she asked hopefully.
"Don't push it!" he warned.
"Oh come on, it's not like you had any real reason! That'll go on my file y'know. That'll have consequences for my future career!"
Gene stopped and turned to face her. "Good, might bloody stop yer making DCI! Blimey, that's all we'd need!" She gave him a look akin to that a dog gives it owner when it wants something. Sighing, he reached into his back pocket and handed over her warrant card.
"Thank you," she said smugly.
"I meant what I said, Bolly. No more side investigations. We work together on everything from now on."
"Yes Guv."
"Unbreakable us Bolly. Un-bloody-breakable."
Shaz, back from her dress fitting, came up behind them. "Ma'am, there's someone in the interview room asking for you."
"Who is it Shaz?"
"Dunno Ma'am. Won't give a name."
"This better not be another nutter after you Bolly; I've 'ad enough o' them to last a lifetime."
"Uniform brought her in. She was wandering the high street when they were clearing it after the fire. Said she didn't know where she lived and wouldn't give a name. Just asked them if they knew you."
"Can't someone else deal wi' it Shaz? We're a little bit busy tryin' to nail a few bent bastards at the moment!"
"Sorry Guv, but now she knows Ma'am works here she won't talk to anyone else. She seems like a lovely girl. Only young."
Something suddenly seemed to click with Alex, "How young?" she asked.
"I'd say about thirteen-ish. Fourteen at the most. I made her a tea and got her some biscuits," Shaz explained, but Alex wasn't listening, she was already half way to the interview room, Gene shouting after her.
"Bolly! Come back 'ere!"
