*Crawls out of deep, dark hole* Well this has taken awhile hasn't it?? I'm so so so sorry it's taken this long!! School has just been...inbloodysane and I have only now just caught up!! :O
So anyway...huge thankies goes to Novindalf again for making this chapter sooo much better than it was :P
On with the show!
Falling.
That was her first conscious thought.
She was falling.
Down and down she fell.
Further and further away.
Away from what? The thought suddenly struck Alex's mind. Away from Gene? Or away from Molly?
The ground rushed to meet her, and there was a great roaring noise, growing louder and louder.
Alex did the only thing should could think of.
She screamed.
Gene sat downstairs nursing a glass of house rubbish. Luigi's, by this time, was rather empty; everyone had left, or rather stumbled out, muttering goodnights and goodbyes. Tonight was a sombre affair, the lack of progress in the case was affecting everyone and they seemed to drown it in drink. More so than usual.
Gene looked into his own glass. Half empty, he thought, always the optimist. He looked around the deserted restaurant, empty apart from himself and the owner, who was cleaning up. It seemed that Luigi was also managing to move in time to the soft, atmospheric Italian music that, when the restaurant was full, was barely audible.
Now, it was just annoying.
"Oi, Luigi, turn down that Italian rubbish or at least get it in English!" he called, highly irritated.
"No, no, no, Signor Hunt - it is beautiful music, no? It is for love!" The Italian man bustled over to the radio and turned it up, humming along.
Love? Gene thought. Why is everyone so blimmin' obsessed wi' it? Gene Hunt did not do love. He was too occupied with keeping the streets free of scum to even think about love. Or so he kept telling himself.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. This whole thinking about love and feelings was...different. Lust, sure, but love?
He briefly looked down at the empty chair beside him. He just couldn't get her out of his head. Her whole personality had changed after the Prices had died; they hardly argued anymore and, although Gene would rather stick his head in a pile of manure than listen to what she had to say, lately he had found himself longing for some sort of argument. He loved the way she would stand on the balls of her feet when she got riled because she knew she was right.
But the woman who had sat next to him tonight wasn't the Alex that had given him a sharp left hook the day he insulted her, and the brief kiss days earlier confused him even more. But whatever his feelings towards Alex Drake, for the sake of their team, Gene decided right there and then to keep their relationship strictly professional.
"You see, Signor Hunt, you need to…" So wrapped in his own thoughts, Gene had gone into auto-pilot, nodding every so often so that Luigi actually thought he was paying attention.
As Luigi continued talking, Gene gulped down the rest of his drink and hastily stood up. "Yes, Luigi I'll be sure ter do that." He grabbed his coat and began to walk out.
Luigi watched Gene leave and rolled his eyes. Englishmen. Useless.
Gene had just made it to the bottom of the stairs, reaching for his car keys when he heard a piercing scream.
His heart leaped when he realised it was Alex.
Cold. She was so cold.
Was she dead? Really this time? Or would she find herself in another time? She prayed it wasn't the latter. As much as it pained her, Alex was starting to enjoy life in the 80's. Sure, she missed her daughter and there were days when it hurt like hell, but there was something about this... this place, this madding place, that made her want to stay forever.
And that man. That madding man. The man who…
"Bolly?" Someone was shaking her. "Bolly?"
"Mmm?" Alex blinked several times in succession and the world refocused. She saw Gene standing over her, a look of concern etched on his face. "Gene?"
When he saw she was alright, the concern left his face and was replaced by a look of humour at the fact she was on the floor again. "Bloomin' 'eck you dozy mare! What is with you an' lyin' on yer back?" He held out his hand to help her stand up.
Alex slid her elbows backwards so she was sitting up, "Oh Gene, your concern is most touching." She grabbed his hand and he pulled her up so fast she flew into him. "Oof…oh…sorry," she said, taking a large step back, hoping she wasn't blushing.
"S'right Bolls," Gene replied. Why he was suddenly lost for words as soon as she was in close contact with him?
There was an awkward silence, both very aware of the other person and how close they were. Gene opened his mouth and was about to speak when Alex spotted something on the floor, just under the coffee table. It looked smooth and shiny and totally out of place.
It had captured her attention. She turned away from Gene, who quickly shut his mouth, wondering what on earth was happening. Alex cautiously bent down and picked it up. It was a heart-shaped locket, cool to the touch. Alex heard a voice, far away and echoing.
"Well I know you know that I love you, so I'm going to give you this."
It can't be. Slowly turning the locket over, Alex briefly closed her eyes, took a deep and opened it. There, nestled inside the casing, was a picture of a broadly grinning Molly. How can this be?
It was then Alex realised Gene was still there, watching the scene unfold before him. She scrambled for an explanation. "I…this…it's from…" She trailed off lamely.
Gene raised an eyebrow. "From a boyfriend? Didn't expect yer ter be the sentimental type."
"No!" Alex practically shouted. "I…it's from my daughter."
"Alright, calm down Shouty Knickers - the last thing we want is yer keeling over again!"
Alex managed a brief smile and slowly sat down at the couch, staring at the picture. This was very unexpected. She was convinced this was all in her head and this neither confirmed nor denied the fact. It did, however, give her a sense of closure; she was here to stay, forever it seemed, but there would always be a gentle reminder, at the hollow of her throat, of the child she had loved and lost.
"Alex?" Gene said gently, aware of how emotionally fragile she was right now. He didn't know what was in the locket, but he had a strong suspicion it was of her daughter, the one she never spoke about and changed the subject when she was asked.
Alex barely noticed him and continued looking the locket. "This…cannot possibly be here! Why is it here?!" she said loudly, angry and confused at the same time. This should not be here! She was not supposed to be here!
Gene looked utterly lost. "Bolls…maybe you should…"
Alex cut him off, caught up in a tirade of emotions. "No! It doesn't belong here! I don't belong here!"
Gene tried again. "Bolly?" He moved towards the couch and sat beside her. He draped his arm around her shoulders, noting how cold she was.
Alex initially froze at his touch, but when she realised who it was Gene felt her relax, and she leant her head on his shoulder, grateful for the warmth.
"Oh Gene…I…." Words failed her. How could she explain her situation? And even if she could, how would he react?
Instead of even trying to come up with some explanation, Alex decided to change the subject completely. She tucked the locket into her top and smiled up at Gene. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Saving me.
While Gene tried to think of some reply, Alex nestled closer to him and closed her eyes. Within minutes her breathing was even and Gene knew she was asleep.
Gene gently lay her down on the couch and stood up to leave. "S'what I do, Bolly." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. She smiled in her sleep and rolled over. "It's what I do."
Alex awoke suddenly, an image of Molly flashing before her eyes. She sat up quickly, and for a moment had no idea where she was. Drinking in her surroundings she realised she had fallen asleep on the couch. She placed a hand to her throat and felt the locket. I'm sorry, Molly. But I think I'm here to stay.
Then she remembered falling asleep on Gene. She raised a hand to her forehead. She hoped she hadn't dreamed that part.
Alex was confused; part of her wanted to stay with Gene, but the other part desperately wanted to rip apart this world to get back to Molly. Sighing, she got up off the couch and decided the best thing to do now was head for the shower.
"Morning Boss…er Ma'am," Chris said, carrying an armful of files, as Alex walked into CID.
"Morning," she mumbled, the locket around her neck playing heavily on her mind. "What's going on here?" Holding open the door for Chris to pass, she looked around, and most of the desks in CID were…clean. "What happened to all the case files?"
"Guv's orders. Nothing new in this case so he said ter wait until somethin' else crops up," Chris replied, spilling a few of the files on the floor as he made his way down the corridor. "Bum conkers!" he exclaimed. Clearly someone had been picking up something other than near-Neanderthal policing techniques from Gene Hunt.
Leaving Chris to his own devices, Alex marched straight into Gene's office, without knocking.
"Yes. What can I do you for?" Gene said, barely looking up.
"The case files. Why are you making Chris put them away?"
Gene sighed and looked up, "Because he needs the exercise. He's like an overexcited 'ampster in a big wheel, tryin' ter reach the peanuts that some bastard's dangling in from of 'im."
Alex smirked at the thought of a Chris-looking rodent. "But there may still be psychological clues within the previous three murders. If you just let me look over them one more time I could…"
"Bolly, listen. We 'ave no leads. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero."
Alex folded her arms. "So we're just going sit here until another girl is ritualistically slaughtered? Well I don't know about you, but I'm not going to let that happen…Guv." She turned on her heels and stalked out. That man…
Alex sat down at her desk and looked at her half written notes about the killer's psychological profile. It wasn't much; just a few theories and some key words.
Cold. Calculating. Attacks one woman on the same day once a year. Symbolically wounds victims. Grace?
Here she had underlined Grace three times. It seemed whoever the killer was had it out for Grace. Maybe they were a friend of Kyle's? She pushed back her chair and walked over to Shaz's desk.
"Shaz, could you do me a favour?"
Shaz looked up from her typing and smiled up at Alex. "Of course Ma'am."
"Can you see if you can find anything about Kyle's friends? Maybe something about anyone from the Seven Gang that knew him really well?"
Shaz nodded eagerly. "Sure thing Ma'am." She stood up, made it halfway to the door and turned back to Alex. "Oh by the way, I like the necklace."
Alex's hand immediately went up to her throat again. "Er…thanks Shaz."
It was at that moment Gene came striding out of his office. "Right. One of me low life snouts 'ave decided ter come forward with some much needed info! Lady Bolls,you're coming wi' me."
Alex grabbed her jacket and had to jog to catch up with Gene. I should really invest in some flats, she thought.
"Mr Harkins!" Gene yelled, walking towards a group of shady looking men, causing one of them to throw down his cigarette and walk quickly away. "Oi!" As Gene ran to catch up with him, Alex did her best to shield herself from the barrage of wolf-whistles and suggestive gestures. Bloody give them a left hook if they try anything more…
She turned a corner and found Gene pinning Mr Harkins up against a wall. Jimmy Harkins had been a dealer, working with several gangs before being arrested. Now he worked as one of Gene's snouts, providing information about the drugs scene, and in return Gene didn't beat him up too badly.
"Now Mr Harkins, are yer going to tell me what I want ter know? Or am I gonna 'ave to beat yer up in front of the lady?" Gene said, as he grabbed the man's collar.
Mr Harkins looked like he was going to cry and piss his pants at the same time. "I dunno Mr Hunt…I mean…I saw…well he…" he burbled.
Alex could see Gene's temper reaching boiling point. She decided this was the right time to step in, pulling Gene's arm away from Jimmy. "Why don't we let Mr Harkins go, Guv?" Gene snapped his head around, then realised what she was trying to do. He reluctantly let go and Jimmy rubbed his throat.
"I…well I was walking the night that girl go murdered," he began.
"Hannah James?" Alex asked.
Jimmy shrugged and continued. "Anyway I walked past that house where the raid was all that time ago."
"21 Gordon Street?" Gene gave Alex a look that clearly said "Shut it".
Again Jimmy shrugged. "And this bloke pushes past me and goes into the house. But before he does I see he's holding something…a…knife I think. And I know who he is…"
"Who?" Alex couldn't help but ask another question. If Harkins could give them a positive I.D on a potential suspect, then this case might not go unsolved.
"That officer. His brother worked for the Sevens."
"David Roberts," Gene said decisively, clapping his gloved hands together and making his way towards the Quattro.
Alex barely had her legs in the car before Gene screeched off. She had never seen him drive so determinedly. Instead, she concentrated on trying to strap herself, which was proving very difficult.
"Guv, we won't be able to solve this case if we die on the way," she remarked pointedly.
"Bastard won't get away with this, Bolls. We'll get him," Gene muttered said, expertly throwing the car around a corner.
"Don't we always?"
As Alex and Gene burst into reception, Viv called them over.
"Brett Matthew is here to see you. He said it's urgent. Turned up about two minutes ago."
Alex and Gene exchanged a look. What on earth was Brett doing here? And where was Grace?
They walked quickly to CID. Upon them opening the door, Brett sprung up from a seat Shaz had given him to sit on, and raced towards the pair of them.
"It's Grace!" he said, panting crazily as if he had been running.
Alex's heart dropped. If something had happened to her…
"What? Spit it out boy!" Gene barked impatiently.
"He…he's taken her and Maddy!"
"Who?" Alex asked, fearing the worst.
"Kyle's brother," he near-sobbed. "David."
The end is near!
-VerdeTerra xxx