Chapter 10

They arrived in Luigis and after a little waver from Gene about whether or not to just drag her up stairs again. Alex insisted they went over and joined Ray and the rest of the group for at least one night this week.

"Alright mam!" Shouted Shaz"Guv, do ya want to sit down?" There were 2 seats available at the table where Ray, Shaz, Chriss and Viv were sat.

"No ta Shazza, gona go sit on the big boys table." Gene walked Alex towards the booth in the corner where they had had breakfast the previous day. Shaz smiled at them rolling her eyes and returned to conversation with the boys.

"You going to behave this time Bolls don't look like Luigi hasn't put that screen up. " He sat opposite her leaning forwards. He could stare at her all night tonight. After earlier and what they had said to each other in the locker room he just didn't want to be anywhere but at her side. Soft twat, he thought, turning into a puff.

Alex giggled and looked down into her glass of wine as she leaned across her side.

"I'll keep my hands to myself for the time being Gene if you do."

"I'll try my best ... not promising mind."

-

They spent most of the evening enjoying each other's company, chatting about Wagstaff and his brother, about Sam and his time in Manchester. What Gene felt comfortable talking about anyway. He had attempted to try and talk to Alex about Molly at one point but saw in her eyes she wasn't ready yet. He didn't bother asking about the Prices again, if she didn't want to talk about Molly then she wasn't going to want to talk about them.

"Will you look at them two." Gene nodded over to Chris and Shaz who where rubbing their noses together and smiling at each other gormlessly.

"I think its sweet, Chris is so lucky Shaz is going to be an excellent DI one day." She looked up from her glass when Gene snorted. "What she is, I know you don't like the idea of women being in charge Gene but she really is better than you give her credit for."

"I know what you mean Bolly, your right Shazza is good at her job it's just..." She knew that look. He wanted to say something sweet but didn't know where to find the courage from.

"Just what?" she put her hand over his on the table.

"She would never be as good as you. You're a bloody amazing copper Bolls. You're always there; keep me on the straight and narrow." He looked up at her. She had that expression on her face again. The same one as she had earlier when he went to tell Wagstaff about his brother. Pride. He knew she loved him. He never wanted her to leave now. She was right as well, Chris was lucky to have Shaz .Suddenly Genes expression became all serious. He knew what he wanted now.

"Erm, Sorry Bolls I'll be back in a bit got to erm ...." With that Gene dashed off out of Luigis leaving Alex speechless in their booth.

-

It had been 30 minutes now and Alex was still none the wiser, he must have forgotten something important at the office. She ignored the fact he had abandoned her and not told her what he was up to and went over to talk to Shaz who was watching Ray and Chris arm wrestle. Boys.

She looked at the clock again and sighed. He better be back soon.

-

Mean while across town a red car pulled up outside a small antiques shop on Savile road. The place was closed but that didn't seem to stop the man from the car banging constantly on the door till the light was turned on by the owner and he was let in.

"Sorry didn't mean to bother you pal I just needed to pick something up ... the item I brought in last month. Have you still got it?"

"Yes, yes I believe I do just let me go and check." The man disappeared into the back and left the customer in the shop to browse round.

"Here it is! do you want it gift wrapped sir ?"

"No, no it's fine as it is. Thanks glad you didn't sell it turns out I needed it after all." He turned and left.

Getting back into his car he couldn't help but smile. Bloody hell you great big poof.

-

Alex had to admit although she was having a pleasant evening talking to Shaz about her wedding plans and talking about her future in the police she did miss Gene. She had gone before plenty of times in the past year without seeing him, sometimes for days at a time but now she felt like she didn't want to be more than 5 minutes away from him.

As she glanced worryingly at the clock again he walked back through the door. She instantly felt better. She noted however he had a determined stern face. Whatever it was he had just gone to do he look convincing about it? He strode over to Alex and pulled her up to her feet mid conversation with Shaz. The whole table stopped talking and look at him.

"Gene what are you doing?...." Alex had a bemused look on her face.

Then in one fell swoop Gene fell to one knee.

"Gene what are you... everyone's looking" Alex whispered down at him.

"Sod em, Shaz by the looks of it already knows" They both turned to look at Shaz who just shrugged her shoulders and smiled at them. Gene turned back to face Alex." And unless Ray and Chris are in need of a trip on the sunshine bus they know too."

Alex turned to Ray who was smiling smugly. He held out one hand towards Chris who, looking all defeated, was handing him a tenner.

She snapped her attention back to Gene.

"Bolls, I need you here for good. No more talk about going home. This, here, this stinking dive in London with me is your home. I ..." He looked around suddenly feeling like a bit of a twat but carried on."I love you. Have from the moment I clapped eyes on ya. The past few days have been fucking amazing. Wagstaff and his little bullet firing friend made me realise it."

Alex got down on her knees so she was facing him. Not thinking that pulling him up would be better for them both in her confusion.

"Gene you don't have to do this just to get me to stay." She put one hand on his face. "I'm not going anywhere now anyway."

"Bolly I'd be doing this any way." He cleared his throat.

"I love you Bollinger Knickers. Marry me, that's an order."

He removed a small black velvet box from his pocket and presented it to Alex. A silver diamond clustered ring lay inside. Sparkly and bright just like Alex. It had been his mothers and when she died had left it to him. Months ago he had decided he had no use for an engagement ring again and took it to an antiques shop to be valued. He never banked on Alex Drake.

Alex pulled Gene up to standing with her and looked into his eyes.

"Roger that Guv!" She placed both her hands back on his face and crying with happiness she kissed him.

The silence from the crowd now erupted into cheers and appluse. Alex was sure she could here Shaz crying ... and for a second thought Ray was too.

He pulled back from her and took the ring out of the box placing it on her finger.

"Bloody hell bolls you not supposed to cry." He had a stupid smirk on his face but Alex could only see love in his eyes.

"God I love you Gene Hunt you Manc Bastard you." She pulled him back for another kiss. Gene was right sod em if they wanted to stare they could but neither of them cared now. "Think we should go upstairs Gene." She whispered into his ear.

They both turned and headed for the stairs ignoring everyone's stares as they did.

"GO ON GUV! WAYHAY!!" He winked at her and turned round to the crowd.

"OI you lot! I expect you all at work in the morning but in the mean time as it's such a fandabidozy night have a drink on me" He threw a few notes at Luigi behind the counter." Now you dirty minded gits if you don't mind I'm taking my fiancé here to bed!"

He turned back to her and wrapped an arm round her waist.

"Shall we then Bolly Kegs ?"He nuzzled into her neck.

"Mmm and then some Gene. Looking forward to the wedding night already." He led her upstairs and towards their future.

She knew then that she had made the right choice in turning back last week. If she had got to stay in 1982 things really were looking good. She waved by to the rest of the team as she followed him up stairs, for the briefest of moments seeing Molly in the corner smiling at her "Blow them out Molls, I'm not coming." Molly waved at her and smiling blew out her candles.

(A/N: Well that's the end of the story though don't panic!! as people do seem to like the story I've got an epilogue and maybe ...maybe another story to carry on. If they are getting married wouldn't be right not to write you guys one! )