This is a shorter chapter than the rest, just a little filler. It was sort of inspired by a line in a song by The Killers – "It's the calm before another storm." Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy! xxxNTxxx

He had never taken directions from a lass before, but today was just one of those days. Gene had even let Charlie sit in the front, watching her point and direct him through the streets, sticking close to the river side. Chris had been given the task of pin pointing the black Alpha Romeo, just in case they needed to cop anyone there. Ray had been assigned to keeping watch for any trouble whilst the Guv's attention was lavished on Charlie's instructions.

"It's along here somewhere." She told him in a quiet voice, still not quite comfortable with deceiving her murderous boyfriend in that way. "I don't remember the exact place, cos I tried to block out the, err, memories. It was horrible."

"That's okay, love." Gene put his patient head on, knowing that snapping her head off would only prevent his chances of saving Alex. "Take your time, it's gotta be here somewhere any rate."

"It is. I'm sure. It's blue, sea-blue."

"Like a disguise?" Chris asked with hope, eyes drifting from their post.

"Disguise?" Ray snapped, his eyes also darting forward and then at his idiotic friend. "Chris, you're such a div!"

"Sorry, mate."

"You two girls, keep your eyes on the bloody prize!"

"Yes, Guv."

"Sorry, Guv."

But the silence that followed did not comfort Gene in any way – in fact he found it too provoking. He just felt he needed to shout even more to fill the echoes. So it was a good job for his faithful companions that Charlie decided to break it with a whisper before he had the chance to clear his throat.

"I'm so dead." She muttered to herself.

"Don't worry, love." Gene soothed. "You'll be fine with us."

"I somehow doubt that." She smirked a little. Gene liked the sort of people that tried to joke away their worries, it made them so much easier to get on with.

"So what's you're proper full name then?" He asked randomly, as if filling time and silence.

"Charlotte Grayson Waldricks." She smiled. "I hate my middle name."

"Yeah, me too." Gene uttered. "I mean mine, not yours. It's lovely."

"Thanks. Left here, I think… yeah, turn left into that dock."

The Quattro smoothly slid onto a wooden creek, a sort of old fashioned docking area; the feel of sea sides and holidays entered the atmosphere, making him smile slightly. "Is it that boat there?" He asked, pointing ahead.

"Yeah." Charlie sighed. "I didn't think we'd get here so quick. Alive."

"Well you're safe, okay?"

"Guv!"

"What is it Christopher?"

"Black Alpha Romeo… behind us, blocking us in."

"What?"

Ray turned round, gulped and nodded in his agreement with Chris. "Yeah. And Guv – trouble, just parked behind us, now getting out their poncy car."

Gene heaved a sigh and cut the engine, turning to Charlie with an exasperated look. "See? I have to work with these two pratts. Don't know the meaning of 'keep your eyes on the prize'." He forced the car door open heavily and got out with irritation, slamming the door shut once more so that Chris had to scoot out of the passenger side instead. The three of them walked round the Quattro and met at the back, stopping to fold their arms and arrange themselves into a protective wall. This notion was so involuntary now, just something that they did when danger was afoot.

The black Alpha Romeo had been occupied by four hefty blokes, who were now using the CID trick and blocking their car in a protective line of men. One of them had a nasty looking scar stretching across his right cheek, through his lips and apparently continuing into his mouth. Chris gulped as Scarman snarled at him with threatening eyes. The one stood beside him had his concentration purely on Ray, his eyes nothing but slits against his dark skin; he was bald and angry looking. Ray didn't budge. Another men, shorter and obviously lighter than the rest was staring into the Guv's eyes, although he didn't seem to have anything physically wrong with him. As for the mental side of things, who was to know? The last one was staring at the red Quattro behind Gene, a slight smile on his face.

"Oi, Smiler!" Gene called at him, momentarily annoyed by his interest in the car. "Take a bloody picture or piss off."

"Nah, you're alright." Smiler laughed. "I just want her."

"What?" Gene growled, turning towards where Charlie was now getting out of the car nervously. "What'd you want with her?"

"Sorry…" Charlie began in desperation.

"Don't apologise, love." Smiler showed his teeth this time, yellow and crooked. Almost like he'd been in too many fights that ended badly. "Just get over 'ere."

"Hang about," Ray unfolded his arms. "She in on it?"

"Bitch." Chris breathed.

"Calm down, lads." Gene uttered, although he looked as if he was about blow up himself.

"Tez, you go for the big 'un." Scarman's voice was as gritted as expected. "I've got this one."

Chris decided that widening his eyes and taking a step back in sudden fear was not the best thing to do – but that didn't stop him. Scarman laughed cruelly.

"If you think you're gonna get to my lads, then you've got another thing coming." Gene said, moving forward menacingly as Charlie made her way to Smiler. "Raymundo."
Ray stepped forward and forced an angry face against the bald, dark skinned man's chin. The man took the unexpected punch quite well, simply cracking his neck and grinning madly before diving at Ray with a snarl. For once in his life, Ray felt over-powered. They toppled into the Quattro, and then onto the floor, rolling and grunting in their struggle, spouting the occasional 'bastard'. Chris moved out of there where, jumping aside and landing in the stomach of Scarman. This guy did not smile. Chris turned in time to receive a nose-busting blow to the face.

His men in trouble, Gene felt a sudden outburst of rage as he let himself rip on Smiler.

All the while, the smaller man stood and watched, never once moving from his position beside his car.

Smiler was quite a strong man, but it wasn't long until Gene had him pinned against his car with a gun to his navel. And then, the strangest sensation rippled through Gene's arm, like a worm had buried itself in his skin and was now wriggling through his veins. It was too late for him to look at what was happening, feeling his body sag and eyes shut lightly.

"Guv!" Ray managed as he was propelled upwards by thick, booted feet.

"What's happening?" Chris lifted his heads from his position on the floor.

"They've got the Guv!"

Through moist eyes, Chris could see Gene being dragged across the wood creek, his head lolled forward. He was shoved into the back of the Alpha Romeo, Charlie afterwards, and then Smiler and the smaller man drove away with the two of them, away from the dock and the boat. Chris found the energy in his annoyance to kick his opponent aside for a while, getting himself up and then being knocked back to the ground.

Sorry for the shortness, I promise to make up for it somehow in the next chapter! This is a little rubbish, I know… sorry! xxxNTxxx