This is kind of a last chapter, just a little something to tie everything together - sort of. It needed closure. Thank you to all those who stuck through this fic! I didn't think so many would enjoy xxx
Days passed.
Gene recovered rather too well, quickly escaping from the horror of the hospital and retrieving his post at the station, greeted by hordes of excited people who had missed his presence. Chris had pestered and pestered him, explaining his reasons for certain actions he'd decided upon, but Gene hadn't really been listening to his ramblings. It didn't matter now, did it? He was back. Ray had thrown a small 'party' that consisted of alcohol consuming amongst other 'manly' activities. Shaz had congratulated his return, promising never to unleash secrets from his office ever again. To her, it seemed like the whole thing had sprouted from then, but of course it hadn't. Everyone except Ray seemed to have a reason why it was there fault. Not that it could ever actually be Gene's fault – oh no, he was too good for that. But at least he was back, in charge and better than ever. In fact, everyone picked up the current mood he was in, and it was a good mood, but very different from usual. And no wonder, he was back in his territory, where he belonged. His office, which had been left untouched even by the cleaners, was awaiting him on his first day back. It was the first thing he did – sat at his chair and cracked open a bottle of whiskey, apparently not sharing. Got completely hammered that night in Luigi's. Bottle after bottle of not-so expensive wine, gulping down like it was only water. The others made their own celebrations whilst he sat in his usual corner, staring into the eyes of his usual companion.
Alex was the one person who's made his recovery so… well, fast. It was after her visit that he suddenly became perfectly fit for work. It wasn't so much what she had said to him – although that was amazing and would forever be stored in his short memory bank – but what she had done. Because of this, she didn't need to say or do any more once he was back in his comfort zone. Nah, everything was sorted now, done. Lesley Bourne got his sentence. Attempted murder on a police officer, not just that, a DCI. Well, he wouldn't be seeing his mates down the pub for a long time, that was for sure.
*****
Weeks passed.
"Well I dunno 'bout you ugly lads," Ray smirked, almost dancing into the office. "But I'm gonna be very busy tonight, I tell yer!"
"Why, what's going on, like?" Chris frowned.
"Me an' this bird from the bookies yesterday, she asked me to go for a 'coffee'." He smiled as he sat down, nodding with pride.
"Very nice, Ray." Alex beamed, walking towards the white board to pin up some horrific images. "I told you, didn't I?"
As Ray began to explain in detail about his new fancy (using explicit words and creating images with his hands), Alex finished writing names on the white board and began a walk towards Gene's office. She needed to do something. She thrust open his doors, her entrance causing him to sit up straighter in his chair and clear his throat.
"What you want?" He asked, voice gruff.
"Just a little something." She sighed, closing the door gently behind her. They didn't see Chris and Shaz all watching in anticipation through the glass. "So… I wondered if I could tempt you with something."
"Hmm?"
"You see, everything is significant as I'm sure I've bored you with over the past few months. And I've been doing some thinking, and I know I've been slightly… well, not all there." She got closer. "But I have, as I said, been doing something thinking."
"Do want to untwist your knickers and get to the point?" he offered, leaning across the desk with a pout on his face.
"Alright!" She stopped. "Right, I just wanted to say that I, err, I've made a decision and I'm not sure if I should go through with it or not. I've said my goodbyes. Molly seems forever away, and that's exactly what you wanted."
"Forever…" Gene remembered his moment of weakness in that hospital, when the word had slipped out. "Yeah, alright, but can't you just go visit or something?"
"That's exactly the point." Alex mused. "Okay so here's my options. I can spend the rest of my time here miserable and hope against hope that I will one day return home, or I can make the most of it."
"You don't half talk rubbish, you know that?"
"This is me, making the most of it."
"Should send you to the loony bin."
"I'm giving in."
"That's great."
"Oh, trust me. It is."
At that moment, Alex leant across his desk and met his face, not giving him time to prepare as she planted her lips onto his. Just a second. A tease. A taste of what could possibly be in his future.
"If giving in is this good," Gene whispered. "I might as well quit me bloody job."
Soon enough, Alex was sat on his knees and she kissed away her problem, holding it's cheek with of her hands whilst the other wound around it's shoulders, playing with it's hair. The problem tasted good. So good. And soon the significance of life became all too clear. But she would not forget about her daughter. She was DI Alex Drake. She could handle two problems at once.
THE END x
