A/N

Sorry it's been a while since updating, had a touch of writers block, back on it again now though, another ground work chapter, back to proper plot in the next chapter! And we'll be meeting Sheila finally! Thanks everyone who's read already & thanks to Vintage1983 who had a flick through for me. Please R&R



"So then" Alex slurred to Ray, before emptying yet another glass of wine, "You going to fill me in?"

Ray smirked, "Fill you in Ma'am? I know you've 'ad a bit to drink but-"

"Of for god's sake, will you grow up, tell me what happened in Gene's interview; and I'm not that pissed" she quickly added.

"Just goin' ter get another pint, will 'fill yer in' when I get back" he said wiggling his eyebrows before wandering over to the bar.

She sat playing with the stem of her wine glass, it felt strange sitting here like this with Ray, huddled around a table, separate from the others, even thought they were discussing Gene she felt she was being a traitor, don't be so bloody ridiculous, you're only sitting at a table with Ray, but here laid the problem, it wasn't just any table, it was hers and Gene's table.

"There yer go Ma'am" said Ray interrupting her thoughts and plonking another bottle of house rubbish in front of her.

"Anyone would think you were trying to get me pissed DS Carling" she said raising an eyebrow

"Wouldn't make a difference though, yer still wouldn't shag me, you've only got eyes for one northern bastard and it int me" Ray laughed at Alex's shocked expression, "What?" he said innocently, "its obvious ter everyone, even me, that you want ter shag the Gu-"

"Thank you Ray" she said trying to keep her voice steady, "I believe you were about to tell me what happened in Ge.. the Guvs interview" she stuttered, why don't you just wear a bloody neon sign advertising the fact you want him, she thought.

"He said pretty much the same as what you told me. Richards wouldn't let 'im finish answerin' one question before askin' another. Made the Guv out to be a right bastard"

"Have you got hold of Tina yet?"

"Yeah goin' ter see 'er tomorrow, taking DS Poirot-"

"Not Richards? I'd have thought he'd want to ensure he got the 'right' answers to his questions"

"No, 'e said he 'ad stuff he needed to do or summert, goin' ter Tina's local station to do the interview".

"Good, you better make sure you get the 'right' answers then"

Ray looked shocked, "What bend the rules? Thought you were whiter than white, evidence an' all that bollocks"

"Yes Ray, bend the rules, even I agree to it sometimes, especially when it's someone I...." she stopped herself, someone I what? Care for? Like? Want to shag? Love?

"Someone you what Ma'am?" he said grinning, he knew it, I wish Chris was 'ere for this, "You mean someone you're friends with? Or someone you'd like to sha..."

"Whose she shaggin'?" sniffed Gene.

They had been so caught up in their conversation, they hadn't noticed Gene walk in, Alex stared at him, couldn't help herself, his pout, his broad shoulders, the way his hair flopped across his forehead, his steely blue eyes...

"She was just goin' ter tell me 'ow much she wanted to-"

"Have another drink" she cut in.

"Don't like the one you've got Bolls?" Gene asked looking at the barely touched bottle of wine sitting on the table, "Right Raymondo, I think you've kept my seat warm for long enough, mine's a pint". Ray quickly vacated the seat and went to the bar.

"So then Bolls, who is it?" said Gene, settling in the chair opposite her.

"Who's what?"

"Yer new fella?"

"For your information Gene, there is no 'fella' and even if there was it wouldn't be any of your business" she spat, why did he have to infuriate her? Would this be what they'd be like if they were together? Constantly arguing, screaming at each other? She sighed, the problem was, that's what she liked about him.

Gene cleared his throat, "'Ow's it goin' with DCI nobhead?" he asked, wanting to change the subject, at least she's said there was no new fella, so who was she talking about?

"Bloody marvellous, Ray's told me about what happened with DCI 'nobhead'"

"Yeah could've gone better, complete balls up, didn't 'it 'im though, wanted to"

"Well that makes two of us" she said giving him a half smile.

"Oi, Raymondo, where's that drink? Some of us are dyin' of thirst" he shouted across Luigi's.

"Sorry Guv" said Ray putting a pint with a whiskey chaser down on the table.

"Ta" said Gene knocking back the whiskey.

"I think you'll find it's called a 'chaser' for..."

"I don't need lectures from a bloody woman, even an attractive bloody woman, on 'ow to drink" Both Ray and Alex were staring at him.

Did he just call me attractive? In front of Ray? She looked at Ray, who was making no attempt to cover the smirk that had spread across his face.

Shit! Thought Gene as he realised what he'd just said, "What yer waitin' for Raymondo? A bloody tip?" he snapped at Ray.

"No Guv" replied Ray trying to suppress a laugh.

"Right then, bugger off" he turned his attention back to Alex, who was still staring at him, "What?" he asked her.

"N..nothing" she stuttered, one compliment and she was a quivering wreck, "I've missed this, us... er... you know, discussing cases"

"You sayin' you miss me Bolls?" he said giving her one of his rare smiles.

"No... er... well..." she picked up her wine glass and emptied its contents before refilling it to the brim.

"Bloody 'ell Bolls, slow down, I aint goin' ter carry you up the bloody stairs" he said watching her take another swig of wine.

"M'fine" she slurred, sloshing her wine over the side of the glass.

"C'mon Bolls" he said as he took her wine glass of her, he stood up and pulled her to her feet.

"Don't wanna go" she said trying in vain to bat him away.

"You have two options Bolls, you either get up and let me take you to yer flat, or I'll bloody well carry you"

"Fine" she sniffed as she got to her feet. Gene took her arm and led her to the door, "What do you think you're doing?"

"As much as I'd like to stay and finish my drink, I don't want ter let you fall on yer arse down the stairs"

"I'm fi-"she said before tripping.

"See Bolls, told yer pissed as an alcoholic in a wine tasting contest"

"Anythin' else you need Bolly?" he said as he deposited her on the sofa.

"You not staying?" she mumbled, her eyes already closed. Gene picked up the blue blanket and covered her, as he had done many times before.

"Think you need to sleep it off love"

"Mmm fine"

"Night Bolls" he said as he turned and walked to the door, he took a last look back at her before he left her flat, "Silly tart" he muttered.


TBC

Bit of a short one I know, but I've already got the next one half written, so shouldn't be as long updating.