Disclaimer : See previous

The Call

"Guv, Alex is on the phone" Annie took in the glare Keats shot her way as Gene nodded once before following her.

"Excuse me Jimbo. I have more important people to talk to" Gene spat over his shoulder as he walked towards the mobile unit that was serving as a communication room. He stepped inside the large surveillance van as he realised Chris had managed to get the CCTV footage from inside the prison rerouted through to them. He could see Alex. He sent up a silent prayer of thanks that she at least looked ok. Annie pressed the button to put the call on to speaker phone.

"Alex" Gene spoke in to the phone as he briefly closed his eyes. From that moment on his gaze was trained solely on the CCTV footage in front of him.

"My name is Detective Inspector Alexandra Hunt. I am an officer of the Metropolitan Police Service, stationed at Fenchurch East Police Station. This is a prepared statement that I am being asked to read." She paused as she fought to keep her voice steady. Layton sat directly in front of her as she screwed the piece of paper in her hands in to a small ball.

"Go ahead Alex" Gene tried to hide the nerves in his voice.

"No" Alex shook her head as Layton stood up "I wont be a party to this." Layton stared at her in disbelief.

"Read it" he pointed the gun directly at her "Read what I told you to read". Layton was genuinely shocked by the disobedience.

"I said no. I will not read it. I'm sick of this. You said you are going to kill me anyway, so why should I read it? Last time you shot me I ended up in a coma. Well people in comas seem to be able to dream. I know I did. Even in those dreams I was with Gene. Different time, but we were still together. You don't get to separate us. Even in my subconscious we're strong. Too strong for the likes of scum like you and Keats to break up. I dreamt of all my friends, the people I love. Not once were you there. Even though you put me in the coma you mean that little to me." Alex was on her feet merely inches from Layton. Gene could see the whole exchange on the CCTV in front of him.

"READ IT!!" Layton screamed in her face as the gun waved dangerously in the air.

"No. You are going to kill me anyway. Why should I?" Alex knew she sounded a lot stronger than she felt. She held his gaze breathing heavily knowing that Gene and the rest of the team could see and hear everything that was being said. It seemed that thought occurred to Layton too as he raised his gun and shot the CCTV camera in the office.

Xxxxxxxxxx

The gunshot reverberated around the small surveillance van as Gene stormed out the room. The shock was palpable. Annie stared after him as Chris began pressing buttons.

"Gene!" Sam yelled as he walked after his friend and boss.

"That scum bag is going to kill her Sam" He stormed towards the prison entrance as Sam was finally able to catch up with him.

"Calm down. You are no good to her or Viv in this state" Sam knew Gene had lost past the point where he could see reason.

"Calm down? Now, tell me Ethel. Would you calm down if it were your Annie in there? No thought not so don't give me all that psychobollocks." He leant towards Sam menacingly.

"Danny Smith is Viv James' nephew. I think if we find young Danny we may find our Viv. To do that I need to be in there looking." Gene watched as realisation dawned on Sam.

"No Gene. You said it yourself Viv is a good copper" Sam didn't like where Gene was heading with this.

"Yeah and he's a good uncle." Gene ran a hand over his eyes. "Look that gun got in there somehow. I don't want to think about it but I need to get both of them out." Sam nodded as Gene looked past him. Annie was talking to an officer from CO19 while Keats walked passed her towards them.

"Oh for the love of God, keep that twerp away from me today Sam." He glared at Keats as the smaller man approached them. The late afternoon sun casting shadows around the prison yard. The gloom seemed to match Gene's mood.

"CO 19 want to storm in there" Gene continued to glare as Sam made a point of standing in front of Gene.

"Jim, do us all a favour eh?" Sam spread his hands in a bid to placate the DCI. "Just let us do our jobs without the extra aggro. Keep this unhealthy obsession you have for destroying Fenchurch CID until another day" Sam watched as Gene glared at both men.

"Now, Gentlemen. If you are quite finished" Gene clapped his hands together "I believe it's rude to keep a lady waiting" Sam smirked, knowing Gene was going to do exactly what he wanted without any encouragement from him.

"Right, Sam tell CO19 to get their bloody arses in gear and get in there" Gene walked through the open side door to the prison as the noise and heat hit him. Sam, Annie and Chris were seconds behind him leaving a bewildered Keats stood on the pavement.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Viv woke to find himself staring at the ceiling. The acrid smell of smoke hit him as he pushed himself up in to a sitting position. He coughed as he realised the smoke was nearer than could be healthy. The visibility was low as he stumbled out in to the main body of the prison.

"Uncle Viv" Danny was running across to him through the socialisation area of the prison. "You ok?" The younger man could see the blood stains on his t shirt. Viv winced as he nodded.

"I will be. Danny, what have you done?" He stared at the young boy. He'd known Danny all his life but right now he looked and felt like a stranger.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Uncle Viv" Viv watched as the young boy fought the tears back. He held his ribs as another coughing fit over took him.

"You should be sorry. You getting in trouble nearly broke our Treena's heart. Now this" Viv shook his head.

"I can't deal with this now boy" Viv pushed himself away from the wall. "I have to get to my friends. Ray and Alex are in here. You know Alex? The copper that stood up for you at the trial" He glared at Danny as the young boy fought to make himself heard over the noise.

"Yeah. Look. I think Ray got out. Alex well, she's the only woman in here isn't she? Well I heard a woman's voice from the govener's office. We could try there." Danny pulled his uncle's arms ready to lead the way. To put himself in danger to help his uncle's friend.

author's note - more soon thanks for the reviews