Here is the next chapter, galex to start with (as requested by sash queen of the jungle) then some plot towards the end. Enjoy! :)

Alex was already changed into her pyjamas, slumped on the floor flicking through the TV channels. There was no point in going to Luigi's, everyone was at the pub. She sighed and turned the TV off. She hated the fact that she had to wait all week only to see him for a few hours. It just wasn't enough! When she was at work she'd find herself staring at his empty office wondering what he was doing as that moment, imagining him in his overalls covered in oil and sweat with a look of firm concentration on his face. Then she'd have to rush to the toilets to wash her face and calm herself down.

On a night like this, she'd take herself back to the previous Wednesday night.

She'd spent ages getting her look perfect and it paid off when she walked into the pub; all of the guys turned to look in her direction but she ignored them and continued to walk over to the bar, where she sat down on a stool and ordered a drink. A couple of guys had approached her, all cocksure and full of arrogance, so she'd dismissed them and they'd walked back to their friends claiming she was a lesbian, just loud enough for her to hear.

The door to the pub opened and caught her eye; she hid a smile as she saw who walked through the door and watched as he sat himself down in the usual booth and lit a cigarette. She gawped at the fact that the bartender then poured a scotch and took it over to him. He'd dominated the whole pub without even saying a word!

She resisted the urge to jump of her stool and run over to him; instead she waited and made herself finish her drink, all the while repeatedly thinking do not look at him! Do not look at him! Finally, she got up off the barstool and walked towards him, swaying her hips as much as was physically possible. She sat straight down as soon as she reached him, mainly out of habit, and started to watch him. She watched him order her to move, she watched him with amusement as he looked up to tell her to piss off and then she watched as her stomach was doing flips, when he realised who he was talking to and suddenly tried to backtrack his words. They spent the first half hour updating each other on what was going on in CID and if there were any changes in the undercover operation. But for the rest of the night, they slipped back into their usual routine and nobody dared to disturb them. The guys from earlier watched on with jealousy not quite understanding what the older bloke had that they didn't. The bartender only went over to their table to replenish their drinks and even then, he made himself invisible. They were wrapped up in their own little bubble until the early hours of the morning when they were polity asked to leave. She was going to get a taxi, but Gene almost ordered her to get in the car. She was about to protest, telling him that he should be joining her in a taxi because he was way over the limit. But he got into the car and revved the engine before she could speak so she gave up and got in.

A passing patrol car with the siren blaring brought her back from her thoughts so she got up off the floor and walked to her bedroom, hoping that the thoughts of Wednesday night would influence her dreams.

Meanwhile, Vicky had been sat in the pub for half an hour, Shaz had just gone to the toilet and she'd taken the opportunity to scan the faces of the people within the room. She caught Ste's attention and he sent her a dazzling smile, she couldn't return it however. She was being watched. Sat at the opposite end of the bar to Ste, Gene and Chris, was him. She didn't even need to look at his face to know. He'd sat in the exact same spot last week and just stared at her with an evil grin on his face all night. Just like he was doing now. He sent a shiver down her spine every time she caught him in the corner of her eye. There was something about him that was familiar but she just couldn't remember.

Oh thank god Shaz is out of the toilet!

She waited till Shaz got nearer, but she couldn't wait any longer. She got up and strode across towards her but stopped abruptly. He was in front of her now, malicious grin still in place. She backed up away from him but he followed. She was starting to panic now. She could see Shaz over his shoulder, stood still and watching the scene unfold with a look of sheer panic on her face. Vicky looked around for Gene, for Ste, for anyone who could get her out of this crazed loon's sights. She felt a strong hand on her arm and started to cower away until she heard him speak.

'Oi! What have I told you?'

She looked up confused, to see Gene protectively stood by her side holding her arm. The man scuttled off back to his barstool with Gene watching him all the way. When he was safely out of view Gene turned to face Vicky and inspected her.

'Come on, we're leaving.' He said as he placed his hand on her back to guide her out of the pub whilst giving Ste, Shaz and Chris a meaningful look, which they all seemed to understand.

Gene unlocked the front door and allowed Vicky to walk in before him. She turned around when he cleared his throat.

'It's only 9, it's still early so I'm err goin to get some food, you want something?'

'Yes please.'

He nodded and walked away into the darkening streets, lighting a cigarette as he went.

Vicky watched him leave then closed the door. She then went and sat down on the sofa to wait for him. That was until she fell asleep half an hour later.

She woke up the next morning due to a severe cramp in her neck. She stormed upstairs wondering why Gene had left her there all night. She knocked on his bedroom door, not wanting to catch him in a state of undress, and when she received no answer she walked in. Gene wasn't there and if the fact that his bed was made was anything to go by, he hadn't been back all night.