Disclaimer: All Characters taken from the BBC series 'Ashes to Ashes' and as such do not belong to me, these are the property of Kudos Production and the BBC.

So here's the Epilogue for you! Thanks to Emzi.x for helping me out with this one, i really am rubbish at english lol Cheers to all those who have taken the time to read this story, despite the lack of Gene/Alex action and an even bigger thank you to all those who took even more time, to leave a review for me. I hope this last bit doesn't disapoint! ;)

It had just gone 3, and already Gene was in Luigi's, pint in hand. No one else was there yet, even Luigi himself only popped his head in to check things once in a while. There weren't nearly enough customers to warrant him standing out front constantly. Gene was miserable at the thought of it and took a gulp of his beer.

It had been 5 months since Alex's departure. She'd said something funny about going off around London, saying there was only so much her brain could create. He'd supposed she was off on one of her loony rants, and had left her to it. And then she'd gone, handing in her notice and saying goodbye. Gene cringed at the thought of it.

He'd seen her saying her farewells and stayed firmly put in his office while everyone else had said bye. Gene hated goodbyes, and had fixed his eyes on the paper in front of him. He'd seen Alex glance in his direction, but he didn't look up; it would only make things harder. She'd gone then, tears in her eyes and out of his life.

The rest of the team had headed off at 6, but he'd poured himself a drink and remained in his office. He didn't want to risk bumping into her at Luigi's, she may not have finished packing yet, but he knew from Shaz she was due to catch the 8 o'clock train. He'd hang around here with his whiskey until then, just to be safe.

He'd sat there at his desk, dark thoughts looming in his mind. Lonely thoughts, thoughts of Alex. He'd been so busy thinking of her, he hadn't seen her walk through the corridor to C.I.D, didn't see her stroll past her recently packed up desk. The first he'd known of it was when she'd closed his office door behind her, giving him a hurt look.

"Why aren't you at Luigi's?"

"Things t' do Boll's, yer know I am D.C.I round 'ere in case yer 'adn't noticed!"

"More important than… I could see you were busy earlier, didn't want to disturb you, but I thought you might at least of come to Luigi's to see me off. Are you that glad to be rid of me Gene?"

He heard the warning tone in her voice, saw her lean on his desk and knew that an argument was brewing. He didn't want to leave things on a bad note.

"It's nowt personal Drake, I'm a busy man."

"Busy sipping whiskey? You could have done that at Luigi's! Instead, you make me walk the streets back here!"

Gene got to his feet, leaning over the desk at her.

"I didn't want yer t' come lookin' fer me! I 'ate all that soppy goodbye bollocks!"

Alex face softened and he feared she'd seen through his angry words.

"Well, I can't leave without saying goodbye, so…"

Alex shrugged as if she didn't know what to say, instead she walked around the desk to him and wrapped her arms about his neck, resting her face on his chest. Gene tried not to hold his breath, and relaxed his arms over her, refusing to give into the impulse to pull her close.

"I'll miss you Gene, god only knows why!"

Alex straightened up laughing, and wiped a tear from her eye.

"Goodbye Gene."

"Bye Bolls."

She smiled and left his office. He stared after her, wanting to follow her, to stop her, to kiss her and tell her not to leave him. He didn't. He stood and watched her leave, refusing to drop his gaze when she looked back at him through the glass, the tears visible on her face. He'd stood for a long time after she'd gone, lost in thought.

Eventually he'd sat down at his desk. He'd opened his drawer and pulled out some old loose leaves he'd ripped from his note pad. He leafed through the many pictures he'd drawn since she'd come in to his life and let out a sigh, full of regret.

He'd thought it for the best. His whole life over the past 7 years had consisted of not letting anyone get too close and not allowing himself to care for anyone. It was for her own good. He'd made himself stay put and not chase her, because it would keep her safe. He'd done the right thing by Alex more times than he cared to remember and he'd pushed his regret aside for her sake.

Gene took another sip of his drink and shook his head. What an idiot. He'd destroyed his life, he'd blamed others, allowed his friends to blame others but when it came down to it, he'd screwed it up.

He'd allowed Emily, the woman he'd loved to walk away from him. She'd walked away and wound up dead by suicide. He'd let her go, he'd let her refuse to care for him and she'd still wound up dead. He'd blamed Emily for walking away from him, but he had let her. If he'd have stopped her, maybe things could have been different.

And here he was again, guided by foolish memories. Gene cared for Alex, and he couldn't deny it. She'd had a worse affect on him than Emily ever had, and he'd pushed it away refusing to come to terms with the cold truth; the possibility that he could love Alex.

He'd let Alex walk away from him, just as he'd let Emily do, and now he regretted it. Regretted every time he'd supposedly done the right thing. Alex obviously hadn't been grateful for his show of gentlemanly conduct of several occasions, so was it really the right thing to have done? It certainly went against everything he'd wanted, body and mind. And now Gene really thought about it, it probably went against everything Alex had wanted too.

She'd reacted to his kiss, kissed him back and touched his skin with flaming hands. Gene felt lost, a total idiot stuck in a world where he was sure he didn't really belong. In dream, he'd done what he'd wanted to do with Alex, to Alex and from Alex but he denied himself in the waking world.

This dream Alex had been coming to him more and more in the waking world, he'd see her sitting in the corner of his office looking at him with those sexy heavily lidded eyes. She'd sat on the bonnet of his Quattro flashing him a bit of leg in those sexy suspenders. The very thought of her had driven him crazy, he was sure of it.

5 months and she was still in his head. He supposed she'd be there a lot longer; Emily has haunted his dreams for a lot of years.

And there she was again, stood in the doorway of Luigi's giving him a curious look. Gene sighed and rubbed his eyes, tired of seeing what he couldn't have, what he couldn't even see anymore.

He had his dinner from Luigi and soon the boys had joined him, keeping him up to speed on the latest developments at the station which this time turned out to be:

"Chris got a right bollocking from Shaz guv, it was bloody brilliant."

Shaz grinned, glad of the boys praise for a change and Gene took himself off to the bar, back to them all, already tired with his company. He heard the buzz of everyone around him, felt the draught of the door opening and closing again and wanted nothing more than to go home.

"Gene?"

Oh sweet Jesus. Gene's head whipped round like a spring to face that voice. And there she was. She smiled and slid on to the stool next to him. Gene rubbed his eyes as she poured herself a drink. He reached out and put a hand on her jean clad thigh. She slapped his hand away and he nearly fell off the stool.

"Steady on Bolls!"

He steadied himself on the stool once more and let his face crack into a grin. Alex smiled too.

"So you meant it then? That I could come back any time I wanted, and you'd be here waiting."

"I don't say things I don't mean, yer should know that by now Bolly."

Gene could feel his heart racing; he still didn't quite believe that his D.I was back at his side, he refused to believe he could be lucky enough to get a second chance. Luigi came over to dote on Alex and he took the opportunity to take a look at her.

She'd lost weight, but not too much. Gene thought she'd looked perfect anyway and longed to pull that pert little arse up against him. He'd had so many thoughts over the past few months. Fantasies about what he would do if she showed up here again. He'd thought about roughly pulling her to him without a word and showing her how much she meant to him in the roughest possible way.

He'd thought about dropping to his knees in front of her and begging her to stay, but he'd felt a little reluctant about that one. He may now realise that he'd been a little foolish in his thinking for most of his life, but he wasn't about to dangle his joy department in the jaws of a crocodile.

Now it had come down to it though, now she was actually here, he was at a loss for what to do. Fairly content just to have her sit at his side again, for now at least. Gene caught the significant look Luigi threw his way before he walked off and he inwardly smiled.

"'Ow long do we 'ave the pleasure of yer company this time then Boll's?"

"I don't really know. I thought I'd see how well my reappearance went first."

Gene allowed one side of his mouth to tilt upwards.

"Well, I reckon Shaz is dyin' t' come over 'n say 'ello."

Alex turned on her stool to look at Shaz and all of C.I.D grinned. Chris shouted.

"It is 'er an all! Ma'am!"

Various other cat calls made Alex slide of the stool and go over to them to say hello. Gene watched for a moment, and a smile crept on to his face without his knowledge. Luigi poked his arm.

"The signorina has come back to you Mr Hunt."

"Don't worry Luigi, I won't be lettin' 'er walk off again with out a fight."

"Glad to hear it signor, glad to hear it."

Luigi seemed to melt away, as was his talent, when Alex came back to Gene.

"This is where yer belong yer know Boll's. Down 'ere with us, mouthin' off

at anyone 'oo will listen, flutterin' yer eyelashes in my direction, and gettin' pissed outta yer pretty lil 'ead."

Alex beamed and Gene felt warm on the inside. A smile like that would weaken a lesser man.

"I know."

Gene raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Look's like we finally agree on somethin' Drake."

"I'll drink to that."

She lifted her glass and he did like wise, chinking it against hers.

"Cheers."

Gene even found the strength to sit and talk to Chris for a little while that night, but still he'd been drinking due to celebration and felt a little merry. Alex was just as bad, and he grinned to himself.

"Where yer stayin' Boll's?"

Alex's eyes widened and she clapped her hand to her mouth.

"Shit! I hadn't even thought about it! I'll have to find a hotel!"

Alex stumbled off to the corridor where the pay phone was. Gene followed her, watching her flick through the phone book for a moment before clearing his throat and making his presence known.

"Yer know, yer could always get yer 'ead down at mine if yer want."

He hated himself for dropping his gaze, he needed to be brave. He lifted his head to meet her eyes, but continued to stumble his speech through nerves.

"I mean, I've got a spare room n yer welcome t'… t' kip there if yer want. I mean if yer'd rather go t' a swanky hotel, then er…"

He trailed off, knowing he was blabbing, but she smiled and he felt hope flood him.

"Yeah, that'd be nice. Thanks."

Gene nodded and went back to the bar, forgetting to wait for her. She was still smiling though when she sat down next to him.

"Would you mind if we went sooner rather than later? I'm a little tired, you know how travelling is."

Gene nodded. Tired or not, he was going to show her tonight one way another what he wanted from her. What he needed. They finished their drinks, said their goodnights to the team, earning a smarmy comment from Ray and headed out to the Quattro. They drove in silence for the first few moments. Gene was trying to concentrate on the road and her thigh at the same time. Talking would only complicate things further. But soon enough questions filled his head.

"So, did yer find what yer were lookin' fer on yer travels?"

"I found myself."

"What made yer come back?"

Alex smiled at his attempt at humour.

"I missed everyone."

"Everyone?"

"Well maybe not Poirot but…"

Alex laughed and he chuckled lightly as he pulled the car to a halt outside his place. They both got out of the car and started up the path.

"Well it's not the Ritz Bolls!"

It certainly wasn't. It looked all the more grim in the darkness, but it had a roof, heating and plenty of whiskey, so it was home. Gene let them inside, closing the door behind them. He fumbled for the light switch in the darkness and his hand found something soft and pliant. He heard Alex make a small sound and he realised he had unintentionally groped Alex in the dark. He snatched his hand away and cursed under his breath.

When he felt her reach for him he held his breath. He felt Alex step closer, could almost see her in the darkness. With a frustrated growl he bent his head, his lips finding her neck. He felt her move her head to the side, unspoken consent. His hands found hers in the dark, and he pushed her back against the wall, pinning her arms at head height as his lips went crashing down on hers.

He felt her squeeze his hands when he caught her bottom lip between his teeth and tugged gently. A growl escaped him and he pressed his lips to hers for a moment, talking to her between kisses.

"I've thought. Of nothin'. Except this. This moment. Since. The first time. I saw yer."

"Oh Gene."

He slipped his tongue inside her mouth, releasing her hands to cup her face. Her hands fell to his waistband, and she tugged him closer as she responded to his kiss, plunging her tongue deep inside his mouth. He moved one hand to her waist pulling at her blouse, while the other hand stroked the sensitive flesh at her neck. Her hands slipped up his chest and over his shoulders, pushing his jacket to the floor and starting on his tie.

Pulling her towards the stairs, he slipped the jacket from her shoulders and unbuttoned her blouse, slipping a hand inside to cup her breast. He dipped his head stroking along the edge of her bra with his tongue. He felt her push against him, longing for more contact. As he made quick work of her bra, she threw his tie to the floor and tugged his shirt over his head. Her hands were shaking too much for buttons and it turned Gene on all the more. Alex halted her fumbling hands on his belt when he felt her suck her nipple into his mouth, grazing his teeth over them causing involuntary shudders.

Gene loved being in control, he'd felt her hands slip from his waist, helpless to whatever he wanted. He continued his tongue work, dropping his hands to her waist and making light work of her jeans, pushing them down to her knees and slipping his hands over her bum, he squeezed and manipulated the flesh before pulling her up against him.

Alex was galvanised back into action by the feel of him, ready, against her stomach. Gene felt himself pushed back onto the stairs, Alex found it easier to dispose of his trousers while he sat and she leant back on her haunches to look at him.

Gene didn't think he'd look all that amazing, hair slightly ruffled from Alex's touch, his shirt half open with trousers and boxers now absent. His arousal was as plain as day, and he hoped that would be his saving grace rather than a passion killer.

When Alex pulled his legs apart and slid her mouth over him, he thought maybe his look had been acceptable to her. He inhaled sharply at the sensation she caused, holding his breath and tensing the top half of his body.

"Bloody 'ell…"

She giggled against him and continued to suck on his tip, her hand moving to massage the rest of his length. She teased and licked, sucked and flicked until he could take no more.

He pulled her away by her shoulders and reversed their position. Moving them a little higher on the stairs, he slipped her knickers off taking his time while running his hands over her bottom as he lowered her into sitting position. His mouth found hers, tongue met tongue and he slid his hand along her smooth flat stomach, moving lower and resting his hand between her legs.

He flicked his finger against her causing her to buck and moan into his mouth. He kissed down her body, never stopping the movement at her centre. His tongue replaced his hands, upping the pace and making her writhe.

"Please Gene, can't take no more."

He slipped a finger inside her mouth, he felt her suck and grinned wickedly against her, before slipping his wet finger inside her. Her quick breathing, the way she moved under him made Gene giddy with desire. He slipped another finger inside her, pumping in and out of her in a fast and steady rhythm.

"Ohhh. Oh, oh god! Oh god! Gene! I'm going to- I'm gonna, ohhhhh!"

He felt her warmth flood against his fingers and kissed her triumphantly. When her hands began to wander over him again, he moved out of her reach and lifted her to her feet.

"Dunno about you Boll's, but these bloody stairs are doin' me back."

She kissed him in reply, moving slowly backwards up the stairs. How they made it to the bedroom he never knew, but his breath caught when she lay back on the bed waiting for him.

He'd always thought she was gorgeous, but the real sight of her was something else. The way she lay on his bed, not a stitch of clothing, bold as brass in the dim lamppost light made him twitch. She smiled lazily and patted the bed, he needed no second invitation. His lips found her skin and he kissed and licked up her stomach. His mouth lingered a little longer on her breast, causing her to moan out in frustration and desire.

"Oh Gene, please!"

His mouth found hers and he nudged her legs apart with his knee, settling himself within her legs. He broke the kiss and watched her face as he entered her. She moaned and her eyes were dark with desire. He sped up, and she caught his rhythm moving her hips in time with his, taking him deeper inside her.

"Oh, oh Gene, god, my god, oh."

He felt the release was coming close as she locked her ankles around his arse and pulled him in tighter. He let out a groan and thrust hard into her, felt her walls clamp down around him as they found nirvana as one.

He collapsed his weight onto her, breathing hard. He felt more relaxed than he had in a very long time, laying atop her like that. Hot clammy bodies touching, each as spent as the other.

"Sweet'eart yer are worth every bit of 'eartbreak I've ever been through."

"Gene that was… a surprise."

Gene let out a laugh in her ear before rolling off of her and pulling her to him, one arm around her shoulders, chin resting on her head.

"Do yer like surprises Bolly?"

"I like yours, in fact, you'll have to surprise me more often."

"Plannin' on 'angin' about then are yer?"

"Well I did say I would see how my reappearance went."

"Well?"

"I think a big part of it went down rather well."

Gene smiled and squeezed her a little tighter for a second.

"Well that saves me a bit'a 'assle then."

"Hassle?"

Gene nodded, his face turning solemn.

"There's no way I'm lettin' yer walk away from me twice Bolls. I shouldn't 'ave let yer go the first time, but I learned the 'ard way and now I've got yer, I'm never lettin' go again. I'll keep yer safe."

Alex smiled and kissed his bare chest.

"I'm not going anywhere in a hurry Gene, and I should really think about getting my old position back… do you think shagging the boss will help?"

Gene had grinned and flipped up on to his front, holding his weight above her.

"Yer've got a bit of work t' do before yer can be D.I"

"How much work?"

"Shut it WPC Drake, 'n get t' work."

Well there you are. All ends tied up, and you got what you wanted in the end didn't you? You smut thirsy lot you! Hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as i have writing it! Cheers for all reviews, and i'll try some more writing soon! Take care all! LSQ x