Disclaimer:I don't own A2A. And I'm not profiting from this little fic of mine!
A/N: Hello everyone, can I first and foremost profusely apologise for the lateness of this chapter. Basically, my mother banned me from my laptop for the last 5 days because apparently I was spending far too much time on the internet. . . which is probably true, but that's not important! So, instead of typing happily away, I've been doing timelines and charts and other school summer work. Ugh. Anyway, Tommy's been tapping his foot impatiently in the corner of my mind, and my sister's at the hospital with my mum. . . so I've just about had time to finish of the chapter and check it through- any errors are my own!
Anyway, I should be back to regular service soon, also, hello to the Smut Pitters who I miss severely. :(
Chapter 10: The Countdown
Gene woke up the following morning, taking him a second to realise where he was; he felt his heart jump a hurdle when he remembered whose bed he was in, and who was wrapped in his arms. He gathered her closer, the sensation of her smooth skin touching his from top to toe made his skin prickle. He ducked his head, kissing her shoulder tenderly as she murmured contently in her sleep, shuffling further towards him with her arm slung possessively over his waist. Gene took the time to study her face, something he wouldn't have been able to indulge in is she was awake; the elegant line of her jaw, the soft, delicate lips, the perfectly arched eyebrows. He bent his head down again, pressing a feather light kiss to each of her eyelids, "Gene. . ." she sighed sleepily, as she nuzzled herself into the crook of his neck, her breath warm against his throat. He loved the golden glow of her skin, bathing in the sunrise permeating through the blinds, Gene feeling his breath hitch seeing her so vulnerable as she peacefully slept.
He suddenly felt her eyelashes flutter against the skin of his neck, and he smiled; "I didn't tell you you could open your eyes yet."
He could feel her grinning, letting out a short laugh, "Sorry, can I open my eyes now Gene?"
"Keep them shut for one more minute."
"Why?"
"You'll see." he said, smirking, as he gently pulled her shoulders up so she was in a sitting position. He clambered out of bed and plucked something out of his jacket pocket, returning to sit behind her.
She suddenly felt the delicate trickle of a chain around her neck, the coolness of whatever was on it lying squarely between her breasts, she felt his long fingers dancing under her hair as he did up the clasp, gently pressing a kiss at the join.
"You can open them now." he whispered into her ear.
She let her eyes take in the morning light, blinking deliberately a few times before she let her sight fall down to whatever she was now wearing.
Her breath caught in her throat when she saw a beautiful gold chain, and sparkling on the end of it, a single gold rose with what she could only imagine was a tiny ruby on it. She picked it up gently in between her fingers, unable to say anything.
"Do you like it?" he asked, his head by her shoulder as he lazily, but comfortingly rubbed her arms.
"I. . ." she said, swallowing as she felt tears prick her eyes, "I love it, Gene."
"Happy Birthday Bolls." he whispered, kissing under her ear and wrapping his arms around her front protectively.
"Thank you Gene." she smiled, turning her head to meet his, indulging in the new feel of his lips dancing against hers, their tongues sliding together like they'd been together their whole life.
"I've had it for ages, you know. . ." he murmured, whilst he kissed her, "Never really been an opportunity to give it to you. . .well, maybe our first date. . ."
She stopped the kiss abruptly, momentarily shocked, "You've had this necklace since before our first date?"
"Yes. . ." he said sincerely, his breath still hot and fast against her lips, separated by mere millimetres, "Within a couple of weeks of you arriving. . ." he murmured, dropping a kiss to her collar bone, " . . . I knew I had to make you mine. . ."
She felt her breath quicken again, the intoxicating mixture of Gene and the feelings that had been burning for so long rising to the surface. . . she never realised Gene would have this much depth, ever.
He lowered her gently onto the mattress, kneeling over her as he left a trail of wet kisses on her neck, her fingers wrapped into his maple coloured hair, ". . . I bought it before our first date. . .hoped to give it to you. . ." he murmured as his lips moved down her chest, kissing the rose that lay there along the way, ". . .it's been waiting well over a year now. . .waiting for its chance. . ."
She felt breathless, her chest heaving under his attentions, "Why a rose?" she managed to whisper, as his lips left tiny kisses on her hip bone.
". ..because it's everything you are to me. . .perfection. . ." he whispered huskily, kissing her again.
". . .a new beginning. . ." pressing a kiss to her stomach, her body releasing an involuntary shiver.
". . .fascination. . ." he murmured, moving further south.
". . .desire. . ." his voice suddenly deeper.
She clutched blindly onto the sheets, overcome with feelings and sensations that had never been unearthed in her before. She could hear her laboured breathing booming in her ears, struggling to hear his final whisper.
". . .love. . ."
******
After a slight delay in bed, Alex managed to wriggle her way out of Gene's embrace, much to his disappointment. Though arguably piped down a little when he saw her prance naked round the room, before slipping on her robe that had fallen off the back of the door as they'd charged their way through last night. She grinned at the thought of it.
Just as she passed the phone in her living room, it rang shrilly through the room. She sighed heavily- phone calls at this time of the morning never went well. Stalker, weirdo, criminal. . . The list went on; she would've hoped it'd be Gene- if he hadn't been lying naked in her bed a few feet away.
"Hello?" she said tentatively.
"Hello, is this D.I. Drake I'm speaking to? I'm Doctor Corday from the hospital."
She sighed in relief, no creepy calls this morning, "Yes it is, is this about Tommy's operation?"
"Yes," he said, sighing sadly "We have a slot for a week today at about 2pm. He's going to need proper stitches on both his knees and his forehead too. I've been trying to get him in the last couple of weeks, but we've had a few issues regarding Tommy's situation?"
"Situation?"
Doctor Corday let out a long sigh, "Because he hasn't got any official guardian since his father's been in jail, it's been difficult sorting out a lot of the administration, especially regarding issues like permission for anaesthetic. I've spoken to a few people higher up at the hospital though, and they've allowed it. I told them his wounds would get infected if left to their own devices, which seemed to prompt them a bit."
"Is that true?" Alex asked
"Not in his current state is it strictly true. But within a few months if he was unlucky, maybe."
"Thank you Doctor, what time do we need to be there?"
"If you could arrive at the hospital a couple of hours in advance that would be perfect, as we need to get his dosage of anaesthetic ready and couple of admin. bits done too."
"Ok then, we'll see you next week."
"Good bye Inspector."
She scribbled a note on the fridge, Tommy's Op at 12pm, as she passed through her kitchen, surprised to find a letter and a parcel on her doormat- she picked them up and placed them on the table warily, unsure if she was going to receive another "gift" like the bloodied bullet, believing that it would be likely with the absence of a phone call She took a breath as she sat down, carefully opening the envelope, feeling herself smile gratefully when she recognised the handwriting.
Dear Alex,
I bloody hope this and the parcel gets to you on time- happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day, and that you get everything you ever wished for.
When you wrote to me about Tommy, it really hit me, I can't believe some of things people put their children through. If you'd come to me and told me this before I had Jennifer, it would've saddened me, but now as a mum, the pain of knowing of a hurting child is a lot more real. Maybe one day I'll get to meet him?
I'm glad Gene's behaving himself, helping you look after the boy. Do you remember when I said that he wasn't put on this planet to be a father? Well, maybe I was wrong. You'd never think it, but maybe that's what he wants more in the world than anything else- a family. I know he had a difficult childhood, so I'd always assumed he tried to keep as far away from that side of life as possible, but maybe it's the complete opposite. Maybe, if you're spending this much time together, you should tell him how you feel?
Anyway, as promised, here's a picture of me and Jennifer, she's such a beautiful little girl.
Love,
Jackie xxx
Alex gently slid the photo of them onto the table, smiling at Jackie's proud expression as she held in her arms a gorgeous baby, with stunning mocha skin and vivid green eyes like her mother. The two of them were smiling, Jennifer's thumb hanging out of a gummy grin as Jackie's eyes held a brightness that only a new mother could know.
"What have you got there?" she heard a gruff voice speak behind her, his hands placing themselves gently on her shoulders.
She didn't turn round, smirking when he undoubtedly saw the photo she was holding, "Jackie?!" he exclaimed, the obvious disgust and shock merging in his voice.
"Yes, we've been writing to each other for a while now." she said, turning round in her chair.
He made a face to show he wasn't impressed, "That woman's more trouble than she's worth." he mumbled as he started to make some coffee.
She rolled her eyes in amusement, but not taking her eyes off a freshly showered Gene as he moved about the kitchen. She couldn't help but smile to herself, adoring the fact he was walking around her flat with such ease like he'd been living here for months. She swivelled back round, as she carefully started to unwrap her present.
"Oh wow!" she said, as the white patent leather suddenly came into view.
Gene couldn't help but glance over his shoulder, "I hope you'll be wearing those today Bolls." he grinned.
She turned round again to meet his smile, "You bet." she said, waving a pair of white kitten heels in her hand.
*****
The two of them arrived in CID the following morning, Alex greeted by many "happy birthdays!" as Gene slunk off to his office. He couldn't admit he wasn't surprised when he saw somebody else had claimed his chair.
"Morning Guv." Gene said, trying to suppress a grin.
"Morning Hunt." Tommy grinned back, leaning into the chair confidently, "Send me up a drink!" he said, waving an empty scotch glass.
Gene tried to set his face into one of sincerity, before taking the glass from his hands, "Shaz!" he bellowed as she rushed over, "What Guv?" Shaz asked, her brow crinkling in amusement at Tommy in the Guv's chair.
"Get the Guv here a drink!" he said, gesturing towards Tommy then thrusting the glass towards her, as she scuttled off to the kitchen to wash it out and fill it with milk.
"Here you go. . ." she said as she returned, passing it to Gene, which then found its way into a smaller pair of hands.
Tommy took a large swig of the milk, before placing it down on the table in a rather Guv like manner. Gene couldn't help but smirk at the new white moustache Tommy had now acquired.
"What have we received this morning then Guv?" Gene asked, perching by the computer which he could only describe as one of Alex's spots.
"Well, we received some intelligence yesterday afternoon about a big shipment coming in the next week or so." Tommy said, adopting his best grow up voice.
"A shipment? Really?" Gene replied, smirking.
"Yes. Really." Tommy replied simply, his voice suddenly truthful again, his eyes locked onto Gene's, blue on blue, in complete seriousness.
Tommy nodded, Gene not sure if he was confirming it to himself or for his benefit, the boy jumped down from the chair, moving to stand by the glass door, his fingers wrapped around the handle, "Chris was talking to Shaz about it. . ." he said, glancing out of the door as he saw Chris and Ray make a move towards the office.
Tommy turned round, lifting his eyebrows in a "told you so" look, before grinning and skipping off to see Alex.
"Guv?" Chris asked tentatively, as he poked his head round the door.
Gene beckoned them in as he moved round to his chair, "Anything come up?"
"Yeah." Chris said, chewing his gum more rapidly, "We went down to the pub yesterday afternoon, and there were a bunch of workers there. . ."
"We managed to get chatting to them Guv," Ray chipped in "Said we were builders working on a site a few streets away. . . and guess what?"
"What?" Gene said, predicting what he was going to here.
"Apparently there's a big shipment coming in- none of them have no idea what it is, or when it is, or who even is running the whole bloody thing. One of them dropped Layton's name though, said he'd just come out of nowhere shortly before Carl got jailed."
Gene couldn't help but smile to himself, Tommy was one step ahead, of course- even before his own DC and DS. Chris and Ray, however, thought that that smile was for them, and both walked back out of his office teamed with their own smug smiles.
*****"Happy birthday Alex!" Tommy cried joyfully as he galloped round her desk and enveloped her in a big hug.
"Thanks Tommy! Hey, how was the film yesterday?"
"Fab!" Tommy said, wiggling his fingers slowly in the air as he mimed the little alien. "E.T. phhonnnnneee hommmmmmeee!"
Alex laughed before Tommy suddenly opened one of her lower desk drawers and pulled out a card from underneath same papers, "I made this for you!" he grinned, his hands clasped behind his back innocently one she'd removed the card from his hand.
"Oh Tommy, it's lovely. . ." she smiled tearily, admiring the picture of her and Gene pushing Tommy on the swing at the playground, with "Happy Birthday!" scrawled across the top in red crayon.
"I even spelt birthday right!" he grinned, "I kept your spelling with me!" he said proudly, tapping his pocket.
Alex leant over slightly to engulf him in another huge hug, swallowing back the tears and painful reminders of her own daughter, and the cards she used to labour over for hours sitting at the kitchen table for her birthday.
What you doing their Molls?
Can't say Mum! It's a secret!
"Don't be sad on your birthday." Tommy whispered, hearing her stifle a teary sniff over his shoulder.
"No, I won't be." she said, pulling away and quickly rubbing her eyes before anyone noticed, "Just reminded me of my little girl that's all."
"I'm sorry." Tommy whispered, his eyes shining a genuine sorrow, before his eyes fell to the floor.
"No, don't be sorry Tommy. . .this is one of the nicest things someone's ever done for me." she replied, tilting his chin up to see his eyes, "Things to do with her are no problem of yours."
He nodded steadily, giving her another hug and running off to talk to Ray and Chris.
*****
The day passed with relative ease, paperwork passing through hands and being filed away, as Gene sat solo in his office, considering the news of the shipment. He needed to speak to Alex.
He looked up from his glass of scotch that was shifting beneath his fingers, to see her already looking back at him, a secretive smile gracing her face. One he knew was only meant for him. He felt his heart somersault.
He tried to stop himself from grinning to himself like a soppy old fool, fixing a pout on his face and gesturing her towards his office with his head.
She quickly strode towards his office, weaving in out of the members of CID floating around Ray's desk as he avidly described the assets his date had last night, the eyes of each man widening as Ray's hands generously moulded the air.
Alex rolled her eyes as she shut the door of Gene's office, perching on his desk, arm resting on the computer.
"What's up?"
"Ray and Chris went to the Silver Swan yesterday afternoon."
"And?" Alex questioned expectantly.
"Apparently there's a shipment of something coming in. Something big. None of the port workers seem to know what it is though, but one of them mentioned Layton."
Alex sighed in frustration, looking out of the office door as she rapidly tapped a pencil against the desk, "How is Layton running this by himself then? Surely he couldn't just go in there and tell them all they're under his command?"
"I don't know. If anything, we just need to find out when it is so we can nick them there and then."
"We can't just go in their guns blazing Gene! It's a public workplace!"
"How do you suppose we're going to find out about this damn thing anyway then?"
"Well, we could question Carl again. . .though the shipment itself could well be something Layton's planned since he's been away. Or maybe we could get Chris and Ray back to the Swan?"
"Hmmm." Gene murmured as he stared down into his glass once more, "Or maybe. . . we should get Ray and Chris to go do some watching down by the dock- see if Layton's actually there."
"It's well worth a try- hopefully that'll help us work out how he's running this thing. Plus we need to get the man in who mentioned Layton."
Gene nodded his agreement, before standing up and drinking the final content of golden liquid, "Tomorrow Bolls, right now, it's time for you to slink off and get into your clothing. Or knowing you, get into your distinct lack of clothing." he smirked.
"And don't you know it Mr Hunt?" she said, leaning over the desk and risking a chaste kiss on the lips, unseen by any of CID. . .bar Shaz and the ever observant young boy.
Gene followed her out of his office, one eye following her out of the door as she took Tommy's hand and they wandered off together, the other looking critically at his men who were still, both sadly and predictably, still talking about the size of some woman's breasts who was unfortunate enough to have Ray's attentions last night.
"Right you lot! Bloody shift out of here before I have to personally kick you up the arse myself- you've all been bloody useless all day, so you better be in Luigi's at 8 sharpish! I will not appreciate anyone late to the Lady Bolls' gathering tonight!" Gene shouted.
They all slunk off with rather sheepish looks on their face, Ray avoiding Gene's less than impressed stare as he lit up on the way out of CID.
******
"Bath's ready Tommy! You've got 15 minutes play time before I come in their to rinse your hair." Alex said as she left the bathroom, only to see Tommy run past her dressed in his blue stripy dressing gown.
Alex plonked herself heavily down onto the sofa, flicking on the TV. She had an hour or so to spare before she had to get ready, why not relax?
She turned the channel to four, only to hear the familiar theme of Countdown, smiling at the 80s colours and transitions of the opening credits, the numbers and lettering popping up randomly on the black background.
"Hello! Hello! Good evening everyone, and welcome to tonight's Countdown. On the show this evening, we have contestants John Greshams and James Hart-"
Poor Richard, she thought morbidly as she fiddled with the sleeve of her shirt, I know how it all ends for you. . .
"-vowel. . . consonant. . . consonant-"
Shame I don't know what's going to happen to me. . . at least then I'd know what to do.
"-and the time starts now-"
What am I doing here? Am I meant to be here?
"8 letters? What have you got?"
"Everyone."
"Everyone? As in- everyone's working to keep you alive, Alex?"
Alex's eyes flew open at the sound of her name, Richard Whiteley sitting there looking straight at her, she quickly shoved herself off the sofa in front of the TV screen, her breathing increasing.
"What? Am I dying? What's happening to me?" she cried at the screen.
"Times running out for you Alex." he spoke simply, pointing up at the clock, the second hand ticking wildly as the countdown theme started buzzing in her head, muffled but excruciatingly loud.
Her hands flew up to her ears as she the noise became almost unbearable, shutting her eyes so tight a single tear was squeezed from them.
"Time's running out. . . 4. . ." Richard spoke, shrugging his arms disappointedly, as he looked down at his pen.
Alex reached out for the TV desperately, one hand just about supporting her weight on the floor, she stretched a finger out, only for the screen to disappear black.
She blinked heavily, her sight disorientated from her now splitting headache, then she heard it, the steady beat of the heart monitor beeping in time with the flashing number on the screen.
A single number, glaring in all its green and yellow Countdown luminosity-
4
A/N: Thanks everyone for sticking around! Hope you enjoyed the chapter. As always, reviews are wonderful. Thank you! :)