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Chapter 14 - Lifeline
"Can't this thing go any faster?" Alex said, as she pounded the innocent dashboard of the patrol car in frustration.
"Sorry ma'am. I'm going as fast as I can."
"Well go faster – and put the fucking siren on!"
The siren squealed into life and Alex closed her eyes briefly to steady her lethally frayed nerves. It wasn't the young PC's fault and she would apologise to him later, but right now all she needed to do was get to Gene.
"Do you know what happened? To DCI Hunt I mean?"
"Just what the Skip told me; DCI Hunt was shot while trying to talk somebody down – Shaz said you should be called and that's when I was sent to come and get you."
Alex simply nodded, mute with worry and anxiety. How could this happen? Logically she knew that there was always a chance – policing was a dangerous job and he had the scars to prove it. But why now? Was she going to lose him when they had only just found each other? Tears threatened as she bit her lip. No, I wont let that happen, I just won't. What would she do without him? She might as well just curl up and die.
"Not far now ma'am."
"Which hospital?"
"St Mary's."
Alex shook her head in disbelief. "And the ironies keep coming."
"Sorry ma'am?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all." Well at least she would be on familiar territory when she got there – and she knew the hospital staff, how hard they had worked to save her life. Gene would be in the best possible hands.
As the patrol car pulled up outside the A&E department of St Mary's, Alex barely let the car come to a halt before she was off and running, brushing past bystanders and doctors and nurses alike in her haste to find Gene. Ignoring the angry stares and muttered oaths she barged to the front of the queue at Reception.
"You'll have to go to the back Miss – there is a queue you know!" The ruffled receptionist stated.
Impatiently Alex fumbled for her warrant card and flashed it. "DCI Hunt where is he?
"Do you know what's wrong with him?"
"He's been shot. Now will you stop asking inane questions and tell me where he is?"
"…and you can take that and stick it where the sun doesn't shine you moaning, medical Mary!"
"Gene!" Alex's head immediately turned in the direction of the familiar voice. Thank God.
"And you can take that with you an' all!"
Alex had barely reached the source of angry, frustrated voice when a tray of medical instruments was upended and sent clattering to the floor. As a young, white-coated intern ran from the cubicle, Ray and Chris came running up.
"What the hell happened?" Alex asked.
"I dunno," Chris said, "one minute it were all going as nice as pie and the next…"
"Ray?"
Ray was ashen faced and trembling, shaking his head as he replied. "My fault, I should 'ave seen it coming, should 'ave stopped it…"
"What do you mean?"
"Bolly!" Gene's voice interrupted loudly, "is that you?"
Alex moved closer to Ray. "We'll continue this conversation later Sergeant Carling. Now piss off and get a cup of tea or something."
"Bolly!"
"I'm here, I'm here," she said, as she brushed aside the screen.
"And about bloody time too."
"Oh Gene," she sighed, as she finally caught sight of him. "What have they been doing to you?"
"Friggin' using me for friggin' target practice that's what!"
Alex allowed herself a slight smile as she moved towards the bed. He was sat bolt upright on the bed, jacket and shirt removed and with a substantial amount of strapping around his torso - but at least he was alive. She quickly closed the distance between them, carefully seating herself beside him on the bed and taking his face into her hands. She kissed him tenderly, tears rolling freely down her cheeks and splashing onto his bare chest.
"'ere," he said when they finally broke apart, "I'm the one whose been shot. No need for tears."
"I thought I'd lost you."
He kissed her again and gently wiped away the tears with his thumbs. "No chance. Take more than some university educated twat with a grudge to get rid of me."
"Peter Adams?"
Gene nodded as he lit up a cigarette, "The very same. Bastard." He didn't resist as Alex held his other hand tightly.
"What happened?"
Gene took a long drag before speaking. "We got a call to say Adams had been spotted 'anging round near his brother's flat near Covent Garden. We got there, he started waving a gun around and then ran off down towards Great Queen Street."
"Isn't that near Freemason's Lodge?"
"Yeah. Anyway, I though I 'ad him Bols, I mean he looked like he was gonna give 'imself up."
"And then?"
"Next thing I know I've been pumped with more lead than a flaming grouse on the Glorious Twelfth."
Alex squeezed his hand sympathetically. "And Adams?"
"Dead."
"Dead? You didn't …."
"No I bloody well didn't – but thanks for your support by the way!" he fumed.
"Gene I didn't mean…I mean, no-one would have blamed you. He did shoot you after all."
"Anyway, I didn't get a chance. Armed response arrived out of no-where and finished him off. Although, come to think of it, I do seem to remember them arriving beforehand."
"Doesn't matter now. What matters now is that you're safe – and alive." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
"Hmm. So I'm forgiven then – for earlier?"
"Lets just say that a bullet has a way of re-establishing priorities - we were both at fault."
"Good. Now when can I get out of 'ere?"
"Have you seen the doctor?"
"Yeah she patched me up and then had to go off somewhere. Sent some little twerp to see me instead."
"They all have to learn Gene."
"Yeah well, they don't get to practice with me – I am not a bloody pincushion." He winced as he changed position on the bed. "I need some whisky."
"You can't have alcohol with painkillers."
"I 'avent 'ad any painkillers. I just wanna go 'ome Alex."
Alex shook her head in disbelief. "I'm going to find the doctor. Don't move."
"Ha bleedin' ha! Very funny."
Alex left Gene cursing and muttering and went in search of someone who could tell her what was happening. Eventually she was directed to the nurse's station where a petite woman in a doctor's white coat was scribbling notes onto a patient's file.
"Excuse me?"
"Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for someone who can tell me about DCI Hunt's injuries."
"That would me be. I'm the senior house office on duty, Doctor Sengupta." She shook Alex's hand. "And you are?"
"Detective Inspector Drake. Alex."
"Ah. A colleague of the irate gentleman with the gunshot wound."
"Errr, yes a colleague. A close colleague."
Dr Sengupta smiled. "I understand. What would you like to know?"
"I suppose mainly when he can go home?"
"DCI Hunt is a very stubborn man. He has refused pain medication but until we can stabilise his condition then I'm very much afraid he will have to stay with us – at least overnight."
"I see. And if I can persuade him to take the painkillers?"
"Then its possible he may only have to stay and be monitored for a couple of hours longer. We just need to have the medication take effect and for Mr Hunt to remain calm in order to monitor his vital signs. Once we are sure that he is stable and that he has sufficient care at home, then it may be possible to release him."
Alex nodded. "Well he does have someone to look after him at home."
Dr Sengupta smiled. "I thought as much. Well, if you can persuade him to agree to the pain medication then I will come and administer the drugs myself and then check on him in a couple of hours. You are welcome to stay with him of course."
"Thank you, that's very helpful. Can I ask about the gunshot wound?"
"A relatively straightforward injury I have to say – your DCI Hunt is a very lucky man. Either the gunman was a very good shot – or a very bad one. My guess would be a good one."
"What do you mean?"
"The bullet came from behind, entered the fleshy area at the waist, just below the ribs and then exited at the front. Precisely placed to hit no vital organs or arteries."
"Wait a minute. You said he was shot from behind? Are you sure?"
"But of course. You should know Inspector that exit and entry wounds are very different."
"Yes, its just…" Alex's mind was racing with the implications of Dr Sengupta's report. "Never mind, it's nothing. Could you let me have a copy of your medical report doctor?"
"For the investigation? Yes of course. And you will persuade Mr Hunt to take the medication?"
"I will. And thank you Dr Sengupta you've been most helpful."
"My pleasure. I'm only sorry I could be of no assistance to the other young man involved."
"What other young man?"
Dr Sengupta consulted her notes. "Peter Adams? He was dead on arrival I'm afraid."
"I see. Cause of death?"
"He died instantly from a gunshot wound to the head – penetrating injuries to the head are almost inevitably fatal you see?"
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Once Alex had explained the alternatives to Gene, he finally agreed to take the medication; Doctor Sengupta was also as good as her word and personally hooked him up to the drip containing the much needed pain relief, finally leaving them alone together.
"You are a stubborn man Gene Hunt," she said affectionately.
"Yeah, but you knew that Bols," he said drowsily. He glanced over at Alex and frowned. "You alright love? You're looking a bit peaky."
"Just something the doctor said – not about you though," she added hastily. "How's the pain?"
"What pain?"
Alex forced herself to smile, even though she was still reeling from the doctor's pronouncement. Almost inevitably fatal. While she had more or less accepted that she was either dead or dying, it was quite another thing altogether to have it pronounced.
"You sure this is just pain stuff?" Gene said, breaking into her gloomy thoughts.
"There might be a little something in it to relax you – do you mind?"
Gene yawned and closed his eyes. "Nope, don't mind at all."
Alex smiled - genuinely this time - as she made herself comfortable in the chair next to his bed. Gene could still not be persuaded to stay overnight and so they had moved him into one of the side-wards in A&E, to monitor his condition for the next couple of hours; if he remained stable then he would be released into Alex's care.
"Ma'am?"
"Chris – you still here?"
"Yes but…."
Alex silenced him with a glance as she put one finger to her lips, and pointing at the now sleeping form in the bed. They silently crept away, leaving Gene to sleep. Outside Ray was also waiting.
"How is he ma'am," Chris asked.
"Very lucky apparently – it could have been a lot worse." She stared at Ray. "Anything you'd like to tell me about this evening's events sergeant?"
"It wasn't what you think…"
"Oh? And how do you know what do I think? On second thoughts I don't want to hear it – not tonight at least. I want your full report on my desk first thing tomorrow – is that clear?"
"First thing? But it's midnight already?"
"Like I give a shit! First thing. Now sod off the pair of you."
Alex spun on her heel and returned to Gene's side. She slumped wearily into the chair as she tried to brush away her now inevitable conclusions; someone had shot Gene tonight – and that someone wasn't Peter Adams, who now lay dead with a bullet to the head, unable to testify one way or the other.
"You're beginning to sound more like me than I do."
"You're supposed to be asleep," she chided.
"Heard you tearin' Carling off a strip," he slurred, his eyes still closed, "whassup?"
"Nothing," she stroked his arm soothingly, "I'll tell you tomorrow."
"Hmph."
He said nothing for a few moments and Alex was convinced that he had fallen back to sleep, until he suddenly gasped and jerked awake.
"You okay?"
"'m fine, stop fussing woman…just a dream." Another moment silence. "Alex?"
"What?"
Eyes still closed, he licked his lips in concentration as he tried to form the words. "Won't leave me alone here will you?" he whispered slowly.
Alex moved closer, an amused frown forming. "Alone? No I won't leave you alone. Why?"
Gene sighed and Alex watched as he battled with sleep. "Dreams…nightmares," he finally mumbled. "…in a hospital bed…can't move…can't leave…." His voice tailed off and this time he really was asleep.
Alex stood up and sat on the bed watching the sleeping lion – her sleeping lion. She brushed away his tousled hair as a wave of tenderness washed over her. "I won't let that happen – I wont let anything bad happen to you." She placed a gossamer light kiss on his forehead and then settled in the chair to wait.
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It was almost 3.00 am by the time they stumbled from the taxi and through the front door of the house that Alex was beginning to think of as home. They were both so exhausted that they could barely stand, let alone make it up the stairs to bed. Somehow they managed to stagger upstairs where Gene immediately collapsed onto their bed, still fully clothed.
"Impossible man," Alex muttered, as she struggled to divest Gene of his remaining clothing.
"I 'eard that," he mumbled, as she unbuttoned his shirt, pulling and tugging it from his trousers, before unbuckling his belt. "Well don't stop there!" he said, as Alex paused.
"You have got to be kidding! You can't possibly be…." Alex's eyes widened as she pulled Gene's trousers past his hips, to reveal the telltale bulge beneath his boxers.
"Whas wrong?" Gene slurred, "'s only natural. Don't suppose you fancy…"
"Trust me my love, you are in no fit state, whatever certain parts of your antomy are telling you – and I will not be responsible for putting you back in hospital. I've only just got back into shagging condition myself."
"Yeah," a beatific smile appeared on Gene's face.
"Good, lets get you into bed and then we can both get some much needed sleep."
Gene didn't protest further as Alex manhandled him until he was beneath the covers, before quickly stripping off and joining him, only to discover that he was already fast asleep. She cuddled up to him carefully, and closed her eyes.
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It was much, much later when Alex finally woke to find the space in the bed next to her empty. Bleary eyed she peered at the bedside clock to discover it was almost 8.30. She was not unduly worried; although she was faintly surprised that Gene had managed to leave the bed without waking her. She lay for a moment longer, yawning and stretching and planning the day ahead. Although Gene was in no fit state to go into work today, there were several things demanding her attention, not the least of which was finding out exactly what happened last night in Great Queen Street – quite apart from the ongoing murder investigation. With a huge sigh she pushed back the bedclothes and staggered into the bathroom, before shrugging on one of Gene's old shirts and padding quietly downstairs.
Even before she had reached the bottom of the stairs, she could hear the faint sound of music coming through the open door of the lounge; she had discovered that Gene had quite an eclectic taste in music, being the possessor of both jazz and country and western records, along with early rock and roll and some easy-listening staples such as Perry Como and Roger Whittaker. However his music of choice this morning was the distinctive smoky sound of Dusty Springfield. Alex peered through the open door to see Gene comfortably settled on the sofa, eyes closed and long fingers wrapped around a glass of whisky as he listened;
…the way you make me feel
The moment I am close to you.
Makes today seem so unreal
Somehow I can't believe its true.
Tomorrow will you still be here?
Tomorrow will come but I fear
That what is happening to me
Is only a dream…
She moved quietly over the carpeted floor, until she was stood directly behind Gene, placing a soft kiss on his forehead. "Morning."
Gene's eyes shot open but then he relaxed again as Alex wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed the side of his head. "Morning love," he growled, his voice still husky with sleep, "didn't wake you did I?"
"No, although I was surprised to find you up at all, given what happened last night."
"Pain killers wore off a bit – didn't want to wake you."
"And did you take any…painkillers that is?"
Gene waggled the glass. "Got me own brand of painkiller – seems to be doing trick."
"So I see." Alex decided not to labour the point. "But you're not going into to work?"
"Well I…err"
"Gene," she said warningly.
"Alex, I 'ave to go in. Things don't come to a halt just 'cos I've been shot."
"No they don't and that's why you have a whole team of people and a very talented DI."
"Oh yeah – her. A right picky pain in the arse. Quite good at 'er job though."
She gave him a playful slap. "Quite good!"
He grabbed her hand and placed a kiss in her palm. "Alright – very good. I'm just not good at taking time off."
"I've noticed that." Alex thought for a moment. "What if I can persuade you? Just one day off to let yourself start to heal?"
"One day? What do I have to do?"
"Just lie back and think of England." She took the glass from his hand and placed it on the side table.
Gene's eyes widened in surprise, but he soon relaxed as Alex's fingers began to knead the still tense muscles at his neck and shoulders. The music came to a halt and the only sound in the room was the deeply contented sighs from Gene as he relaxed under her ministrations.
"Just relax and try empty your mind...let everything go. Feel good?"
A satisfied grunt was the only reply as he gave himself up into her power. He was mesmerized by her touch, his imagination filling with images of what he wanted to do to her – if only he had the energy. Meanwhile, she massaged his temples, lingering lightly over the pressure points, pressing into the curves of his eyebrows, before sweeping down the sides of his face and back to his neck.
She paused - just long enough for disappointment to register on Gene's face – that wasn't it surely? But he was wrong. She kissed the top of his head as her hands wandered over his shoulders and underneath the loose bathrobe he wore. She slid her hands inside, stroking his bare chest, exploring him.
Gene tensed with need, his heart slamming against his chest. He didn't dare speak or open his eyes for fear that she would stop – or even worse – that this was all a dream. He felt her push the robe aside further until his chest and stomach were fully exposed. The coolness of the early morning air grazed his skin, goosebumps appearing as he shivered under her touch. As she reached over his shoulders, he felt her face against his neck, her lips resting for a frustratingly brief second on his bare skin. Her hands continued to glide over his chest and down his bandage covered belly, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.
Anticipation swept through him. Touch me. Fuck…please, just touch me now. He held his breath and gripped the arm of the sofa. He knew he'd never wanted anyone so badly – and that he never would again. He felt her nip at his ear lobe and then he let out a moan of relief and sprawled his thighs wider as her hand moved further under his bathrobe, stroking him slowly.
"Oh Gene," she murmured approvingly, as she grasped his rigid shaft and caressed him base to tip and back again.
He couldn't speak, couldn't think straight – he just moaned with pleasure, lifting his hips, desperate for more. Alex obliged willingly, pushing the bathrobe aside completely, and began to stroke, lightly at first but then more firmly, building into an inexorable rhythm. Even though his eyes were still closed, he could tell she was watching – and learning. Learning exactly what turned him on and gave him the greatest pleasure.
He turned his head towards hers, suddenly needing to make contact, to show how much he needed her. He kissed her greedily as she gripped him, her hand endlessly stroking him to fever pitch as he plundered her mouth with his tongue. Then her hand stopped and she ended the kiss. He opened his eyes in confusion, wondering what he had possibly done wrong. She couldn't stop now – could she?
She wasn't. With relief he saw her walk around to the front of him. Their eyes met and he stared at her with a combination of doubt and desire. She held his gaze, her beautiful face reflecting his own desire, her hazel eyes shining with longing. Still holding his gaze she laid her hands on his thighs, before lowering herself and kneeling between his legs. He waited, hardly daring to breath; watching as she unbuttoned the shirt she was wearing, seductively peeling it from her body, and revealing her perfect tits just for him.
"Oh Christ," he finally muttered. "I really am gonna come now."
She smiled wickedly. "Not yet – the best is yet to come."
Like some ancient pagan worshipper, she ran her hands up his bare chest, kissing as she went. She raked her nails lightly over his skin and flicked his nipples with her tongue while, lower she cupped and stroked his rigid cock.
"So good Alex…so good."
Just as he thought it couldn't get any better than this, she started to kiss her way back down his stomach, towards his groin, tentatively taking the head of his erection into her warm, wet mouth. He dropped his head back against the sofa with an ecstatic groan and caressed her soft silky hair. She sucked him off lovingly, her firm hands stroking him vigorously, cupping his balls as her mouth encased him.
He opened his eyes and watched her as she worked, brushing her cheek tenderly with his knuckle in grateful lust. He tried to remember why he had denied himself this pleasure with Alex for so long – and failed. After several more minutes of sheer heaven, she glanced up at him with a wicked smile, the stuff of schoolboy fantasy, running the tip of her tongue up the full length of him. She caught his eye with her knowing, sexy smile and then bent her head again, swirling her tongue around the sensitive tip of his erection.
"Fuck!"
All he wanted to do was drag her onto his lap and let her ride him right here on the sofa. He needed to come and come hard, and preferably inside Alex, although he knew that the recent gunshot wound probably wouldn't hold up to such vigorous exercise just yet. He moaned with frustrated longing as she stayed on her knees, raking him with her nails. Suddenly, he reached down and dragged her up to him, kissing her with an almost savage passion.
He heard her moan with pleasure under his kiss. How many times had he wanted to kiss her this way? And almost from the first time that he had seen her. With Alex he knew he could let go, let it all go and she would accept him willingly. Eventually she stopped him and pushed him back against the soft sofa.
"Wanna fuck you Alex – I need you," he whispered.
She shook her head, almost reluctantly. "Just enjoy."
He had no time to protest as she went down on him again, opening her mouth wider to take him into her throat, almost choking on the size of him. She eased off slightly, sucking at him enthusiastically with unmistakable intent. He closed his eyes and surrendered to the inevitable. He was so close to the edge that it didn't take long. His moans and groans of ecstasy filled the room as Alex brought him to orgasm, his hips arching as he cried her name, spilling into her mouth and watching as she swallowed.
"God Alex…that was fuckin' incredible – but you didn't 've to you know."
"I know," Alex said as she casually stood up, sat carefully in his lap, and sipped on his whisky. "But I wanted to. And it made you feel better didn't it?
"Better?" Gene shook his head slightly in amazement and then kissed her tenderly on the lips, tasting himself and whisky on her lips. What a woman. "Dunno about better – think I might need a lie down now."
Alex laughed and jumped up from his lap, retrieving the abandoned shirt and taking him by the hand. "Come on then – I happen to know where there's a nice comfortable bed."
Gene allowed himself to be led upstairs without resistance.
Lyrics quoted in this chapter are from I Close my Eyes, and Count to Ten, sung by Dusty Springfield and written by Clive Westlake