Disclaimer : Still not mine
Repercussions
Gene had wanted to commit murder. Every cell in his body screamed at him to pulverise Arthur Layton. It was natural he wanted to protect his wife and friends he mused, especially from scum like Layton. He glared as Sam pulled Layton away from the office. The scrawny man still laughing as Ray appeared as if from no where to help Sam remove him. Gene closed his eyes briefly as he fought the urge to punch the scrawny man who was clearly insane. As he returned his gaze to Alex and Viv who were still trying to resuscitate Danny. Even Gene could see it was futile. But then he'd thought that when Sharon had been stabbed a few years before. Only Alex had refused to give up on the girl. He shook his head at the memory. His Bolly didn't give up easily.
"Medics are on the way. Viv, you go and find them. Tell them where we are" His voice was low, softer than usual as he locked eyes with the desk sergeant. Viv glared. He was not leaving his nephew. Gene glared as moments later two paramedics appeared pulling Alex away so they could assess and treat Danny.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Where are they?" Sharon was worried sick. It had been almost an hour since she had returned to the prison with Ray. The April sunshine was now turning to dusk as she was beginning to seriously question her choice to join CID.
"I dunno" Ray sighed. He had helped Sam get Layton across to the police van. He was being taken to another prison as they stood there waiting for the paramedics to bring their patient out of the prison. Ray really wished he hadn't stopped smoking. The prison riot had been brought under control fairly quickly; a number of inmates had minor injuries. So far there had been no fatalities. Sharon folded her arms over her denim jacket.
"I'm going to ring Phyllis, let her know what's happening" She tried to sound strong but Ray knew the baby of the team was as worried as he was.
"Yeah you do that. See how many stitches Chris needed in that bloody great nose of his" He shook his head and smiled. He was glad Annie had taken him to A&E to get sorted out. Sam had gone to deal with Keats who was still causing problems.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thirty minutes later Ray was still stood leaning against his boss' beloved red Austin Martin. There had been no sign of any movement from inside the prison. Ray had decided he'd give it another two minutes then he would radio the Guv. It was then he spotted the two paramedics bring a body bag on a stretcher out of the open prison doors. He felt the blood rush from his face. He had no idea who was being carried to the ambulance in the body bag, he felt sick at the thought it was one of his team, one of his friends. Sharon gasped as Ray rested a hand on her arm. He knew if he looked at her his eyes would mirror the fear and pain in hers.
It was then she smiled as she spotted Viv walk behind the paramedics. He seemed to be a daze as Ray ran towards him.
"Viv!" He clapped the other man on the arm "You ok? What happened?" Viv stared in to space as Ray spoke.
"He was only trying to put things right. To make amends" Viv's voice was heavy with tears as Ray continued to feel confused. It was the sound of Gene's voice that clarified things for him.
"Raymundo, what the 'ell you still doing 'ere?" The fight seemed to have left him. He watched as Ray stood open mouthed.
"Well good job you still are" He had one arm around Alex who seemed quieter than usual. Ray was worried, physically she looked ok but there was something about her that suggested something had changed.
"Yeah Guv" Ray looked from Gene to Alex.
"Sharon luv, get Viv 'ome for me." Sharon nodded as Viv let himself be led away from the ambulance as the paramedic closed the back doors.
"Ray, you get on to Sam at the other prison. Tell him to add murder to Layton's charge sheet. The boy may have been a bit of an 'andful but he died a bloody hero today." He looked at Viv as he spoke.
"Danny?" Ray sighed as Sharon held a hand over her mouth.
"Yeah now c'mon. Me and Bolls are going back to the nick" He led Alex away to the car as Ray and Sharon set about doing the jobs Gene had asked them to.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Gene had to return to Fenchurch East Police Station. What he really wanted to do was take Alex home or to the hospital. She'd been so quiet that he was certain more had gone on in that office than he had been told. But then a young man had died in her arms. He supposed that would make even the toughest person a little introspective.
"You ok?" He spoke so quietly he was sure only Alex could hear him.
"Umm" She nodded as she leant against her desk. Gene walked to his office. He had to deal with a few little bits of paperwork before he could leave for the night. Alex stayed in the outer office, she couldn't help but wonder if she had done something different would Danny still be alive? She rested her head on her hands as she fought the urge to cry. She was completely unaware that Gene was watching her through the window of his office. His heart breaking as hers seemed to shatter in front of him. Gene couldn't stand to watch her any longer. If Keats was so determined to get his precious paperwork he could come and get it himself. He logged the computer off before walking out of the office towards Alex.
"Bolls?" He was stood directly in front of her, but she didn't seem to notice
"He was 22" She was staring at some indeterminate point on Chris' desk. Gene sighed as he moved to stand directly in front of her.
"Yeah I know. Died a bloody hero as far as I'm concerned. I had an email from Viv. He's not coming back." Gene sighed again. It wasn't often the Manc Lion didn't know what to do. This was one of those rare occasions.
"I see" Alex finally glanced up at him.
"I'll give him a few days, go round before the funeral see if I can get him to think again" He touched Alex's upper arms as she pushed herself from the desk. She glared at her hands. She was mere inches away from Gene.
"I can still see the blood. On my hands. I can still see Danny's blood" Gene frowned. There was nothing on her hands. Gene clasped them both in his own considerably larger ones.
"Alex, don't do this" His voice was a low murmur as he spoke. He was pleased that the rest of the team had gone home. He had even been pleased to see Mia when she had collected Ray earlier.
"I close my eyes and I see the blood" Alex closed her eyes trying to hide the tears as Gene pulled her in to his arms.
"It's ok now, its ok" He kissed the top of her head as she cried quietly. Gene brought her hand to his lips, kissed the palm and replaced it on his chest.
"Gene" Alex finally spoke.
"Yeah Bolls?" Gene pulled back slightly as Alex looked up at him.
"Viv wont come back. If I were him I don't think I could" Gene nodded as she spoke. He hoped she was wrong. If anyone was to leave he prayed it would be Keats. That man he wouldn't miss. As if thinking about him had caused him to appear Keats walked in to CID. Alex immediately pulled back from Gene.
"Ah, Gene" Keats walked up to where he was stood with Alex. She glared as she wiped a tear away from her eyes. Gene pulled himself up to his full height, emphasing how much taller he was than Keats.
"Jimbo, even for you the level of annoyance has just reached a new record" Gene was exhausted he didn't need Keats appearing now.
"How are you Alex?" Keats ignored Gene. Alex remained silent. She didn't trust herself to answer. Leaning back on her desk she narrowed her eyes at the DCI.
"What do you want Keats?" Gene stepped a little closer to the smaller man.
"Layton" Gene glared "Won't stand trial for murdering Danny Smith just yet"
"Oh and why is that Jimbo? Christ on a bike, tell me you haven't lost him?" Gene wanted to throttle Keats. But that was the normal response Keats caused. The darkened CID room made the whole exchange look a little more menacing than usual.
"No, he's in hospital. His mental health is in question" Keats smirked. Alex had finally had enough. She'd profiled Layton herself. They had always known he was a sociopath. Pushing herself up from her desk she took Gene's hand.
"If you don't mind Jim. This can wait, my husband and I are going home" Gene smiled as she spoke.
"You heard the lady Jimbo" Gene squeezed Alex's hand before leading her out of the room.
authors note: Thanks for all the reviews. Hope you like the ending. May write more ashes/LOM fic in the near future. Let me know what you think x