Get yer hankies out,
It's not the most enlightening chapter - but it does get better!
Hope I haven't made Gene too much of a Jessie! Thanks to Ashgurl, for everything - and more.
Chapter 14.
It was two a.m., and Alex was still awake. There was too much going through her head for her to relax. She'd faced the reality of an aged Gene Hunt in her own time, her daughter was now in danger, and she had a case to solve on top of it all. She had called the station as soon as she found out Molly was missing, but they didn't take her seriously. They thought that she was probably with Evan, and it was nothing to worry about. Alex, being familiar with policing, knew better. If she was with Evan, the big question was, where was he? She hadn't seen or heard from him since he dropped Molly off to school. Did Layton have Molly? Which side was Evan on? Perhaps the more pressing question for her, and the one that scared her most, was, was this the life she wanted?
The only good thing Alex had discovered was that Gene Hunt was real, and so was Luigi. But Luigi had just confused her even more. The reality of 1981 – which she had previously believed she had conjured up - had lived on without her, and her colleagues had witnessed her funeral. They – he - would have had to watch her being lowered into the ground, to say a speech, to carry her coffin. So if this all went on, then she must have travelled back in time, and didn't assimilate Sam Tyler's fantasies afterall. She wasn't going crazy!
If only it could all change. Everything that happens in the past, affects the present. And everything in the present, affects the future. But in Alex's case, it was the other way around. If she could make it back, she would change the past, she could save herself and the pain she caused. Then she would have a future with Gene. They wouldn't have to suffer. He wouldn't have to suffer. Her conversation with Gene was something that she could not put to the back of her mind. One piece of information that stood out was the accident. Gene said that a man had shot him. A man that wasn't Arthur Layton. Who was it?, she wondered.
Heaving a sigh, she realized that there was no use trying to sleep. Molly was missing. Trying to wash away those thoughts, She got up out of bed and went into the kitchen to make coffee.
As she sat down, her mind conjured images of Gene Hunt. Instead of dismissing them, she picked up a pad of paper on the table, and began to draw the thoughts she was having. She pictured him in his office, accompanied by herself. She then found herself leaning over his desk as he walked up behind her. Alex really didn't know what was wrong with her mind. By the time she was finished, she looked upon her doodle and gave a smile. Her illustrations showed Gene Hunt pressed against Alex, thrusting into her. Her breasts spilled onto his desk, were she stood in nothing but fishnet stockings, suspenders and an extremely short dress while he held on to her hips. She was so distracted; she hadn't even heard the doorbell. Alex got up, got dressed in record timing, and headed for the door to go to the station, pocketing her doodle as she went. She couldn't rely on Evan to bring Molly back. He might have just taken her out for the day. He wasn't a bad man, was he? Just as she unlocked the door, a force from the other side pushed it open hard, thrusting Alex to the floor. She watched her world slip away as she fell and hit her head on the table, knocking her unconscious. As she fell, she just caught sight of the man that had opened it. It was Evan.
Alex was faced with what could only be a dream. She was outside where several people were seated; Gene, Ray, Chris, Shaz and several faces she recognised from her station. What struck Alex most was that they are all wearing black. Uniform, she wanted to convince herself, but she knew it was more than that. The only other explanation would be a funeral. Then Alex caught sight of the priest and it hit her. She was witnessing her own funeral. It was the fate she tried desperately to avoid, the defeat. The clown had won. It unnerved her to witness something like this, but the worst was yet to come.
Gene Hunt had risen to his feet and was standing beside her casket. Taking a deep breath, he began.
"Alex Drake," he said firmly. Then he stopped. It seemed he had trouble finding the words. He shook his head, and started again. "Bolly. I never thought I would see this day come. I certainly didn't think I would be making a speech, but here I am. You always said that you wanted to go home, to be rid of us, but I never listened. Was this what you meant? I always thought you were here to stay, with me, but I suppose I was wrong." Gene paused for a moment, his words had escaped him and his mouth went dry. Alex could see that tears were welling up in his eyes, eyes that were surrounded by dark shadows. He struggled to compose himself. "You once said that you couldn't die, and I believed you. You were invincible, Bolls. Nothing could stop you. You were a ruddy good copper – not that I would ever want to admit it. I used to picture you at 70, still driving me mad with your psychowhatsits. You would never give up. And that's why we loved you," he said. "Why I loved you," he added.
"You were so determined, and nothing would get in your way. Nothing, except that bullet. If it meant that you lived, I would have taken it in a heartbeat, Bolly. Nothing was too big for you to handle, but you never did conquer the Gene Genie." He exhaled deeply. "I never told you how I felt, Bolly. That's something I will always regret. We never got our chance at happiness, Bolly. Before you came along, I wouldn't have believed that happiness was possible for me. You were the light to my soul, my reason for getting up in the morning. You were everything to me. I can't face a world without you Alex, so to me, you will always live on. Standing here without you just doesn't feel the same. I'm nothing without you. You may have drawn your last breath here on earth, but you will always be here," he said, raising a hand to his heart. "Goodbye Alex."
Gene Hunt was spent, drained of all his energy as his head hung from his shoulders as if the world had come crashing down around him. He sat down in his seat, his head buried in his hands. Shaz had handed him her handkerchief, but no amount of cotton could absorb the amount of tears and emotions that were streaming from his eyes.
Next, was Ray's turn.
"I was never really good at these things, but you would have known what to do. You always knew what was best, and you brought out the best in all of us. Well, most of us. I think we can all agree that Chris was a lost cause," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "You may have been a bird, but you were a copper, too. I thought all a woman was good for was washing and ironing and a bit of 'how's your father', but you certainly proved me wrong. I never thought a woman could do a man's job, but you managed. You did a better job than half the blokes I know. I didn't always agree with your psychiatry, but it got the job done. So, I want to thank you ma'am. You showed us the way. And that way is forward. So, I shall lead on to Luigi's and buy a bottle of Bolly in your honour. Cheers." Ray went back over to his seat and put his arm around his boss.
Alex didn't know how much of this she could take. Never had she realised the big impact that she had made. Alex didn't know that they cared. She thought they couldn't care less. How badly mistaken she was. If she knew the amount of despair and grief she would cause, then maybe she would still be there. She wouldn't have taunted Layton, she would still be alive. She felt a great pang of guilt when she realised the devastation she had caused. She had been selfish; there was no doubt about it. She had looked after herself throughout her life in 1981. All she cared about was getting home, and about leaving them. Never had she thought about what they had wanted or about how they had felt. Just as she thought the speeches were over, Shaz stood and made her way to the front of the crowd.
"Ma'am, I will keep this short. Mainly because Chris needs a wee and Ray really needs a drink. But like Ray, I just want to say thanks. Since you arrived, you have done nothing but good deeds. You even saved my life at one point, I only wish I could have done the same for you. You were my guardian angel, ma'am. You were always watching over me. Wherever you are now, I hope you still keep an eye on us all. There is no telling what the boys will get up to, now that you're gone. They won't listen to us women. And they certainly won't listen to a WPC. They think all that I am good for is bringing them tea and pink wafers. So, don't give up on us, not yet. We still need you, even if you can't physically be with us. You will always be in our hearts. I will never forget what you taught us - what you taught me. For that, I am thankful. See you in the next life Ma'am, I mean Alex." Shaz was the only one that didn't manage to hold it together. She broke down into tears and had to be escorted back to her seat by Chris. Alex really felt sorry for Shaz. She shouldn't have to cope with something like this.
The priest rose from his seat and grabbed a handful of earth and sprinkled it over Alex's casket and spoke the prayer:
"In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God, our sister, Alexandra Drake; and we commit her body to the ground; earth to earth; ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless her and keep her, the Lord make her face to shine upon her and be gracious unto her and give her peace. Amen."
Her team watched as her body was lowered into the ground, her final resting place. Slowly, each of them walked away until only Gene Hunt was left. He stared at her coffin; his hands in his pockets and his head hanging from his shoulders, hoping for some kind of movement.
"See you in the next life, Alex. Maybe we'll meet again. If we do, promise me one thing. Promise you'll say hello. I can't do this without you, Alex. Please, just let me know you hear me," Gene's words brought tears streaming down her cheeks and onto her nightshirt. Just as the tears were absorbed into the material, it started to rain.
"That's more like it, Bolly," he muttered, and then he walked away with the face of a man that had lost everything.
"Alex?" said a familiar voice. But the person that spoke it was nowhere to be found. It was as though the voice was in her head. It sounded like a distant echo.
"Alex?" There it was again. This time, it was louder. Slowly, the grass and the sky were disappearing and the cream walls of her house were beginning to emerge. Opening her eyes, she found a concerned looking Evan in the armchair opposite her.
"Alex? Are you ok? I came in because there was no answer and found you lying over there." Was this man for real? Why isn't Molly with him? Maybe Layton did kidnap her.
"Yes, I'm fine. When you opened the door, I was right behind it. I must of fell and banged my head."
"Well, that's good then. I just came round because the headmistress from Molly's school called. She said that Molly was there all along. When Mrs Hodgson asked where she'd been, she said she was hiding from a clown. She's at Lucy's house now having a sleepover. I know its two o'clock but I tried calling you but you weren't answering." A sigh of relief swept over Alex, but there was something else in her gut telling her something wasn't right. Evan wouldn't lie to me. Would he? A clown?
"Evan, there's been something I've been meaning to ask you. It's about a long time ago, when my parents died," she said, watching Evans body language as he digested her words. He was edgy and took a great gulp as he prepared for what Alex was about to say.
"Fire away," he said, questioning her motives for asking.
"Its about a man," she said, pausing for effect, wondering how to phrase her question "If I was to say Gene Hunt, what would you think?" Alex curiosity had gotten the better of her.
"I'd tell you I don't know who he is. A friend of yours?" he asked, still unsure of where she was going with her line of questioning.
"Not exactly. What about Arthur Layton?" Alex was treading on dangerous ground, as she noticed sweat forming on his brow.
"I would say, 'lets not talk about this right now Alex. It's late and I have errands to run in the morning." He didn't say no.
"But, it's Saturday tomorrow Evan. You don't work on a Saturday," she said, somewhat confused.
"Oh, it's not work. I need to go see a friend. He's having a few problems and I think I can help him out," Evan said, not giving much away.
"Who? Anybody I know?" Alex's persistence was starting to get on his nerves.
"You might have met him once or twice, actually. I really must be going, Alex. Bye" he said, practically running to the door.
Right now, all Alex wanted to do was sleep, but the truth of the matter was, Evan was keeping something from her. She had Evan's word that Molly was safe and she was too tired to question him or his motives again. He didn't say he knew Layton, but he didn't say that he didn't. Alex was confused. He said his goodbyes and left her in peace where she dozed in her armchair.
--
Alex awoke with a start and a burst of sheer determination, an element she thought she was severely lacking in 2008. She had a plan of action and wanted to put it in motion; pick Molly up from Lucy's, go to the station, find Layton and arrest him. Then question Evan. She needed to know, once and for all. To add to her plan, she also had a case to solve - while doing all of this. Alex tried to think of a way that would get her back to 1981, so she could spare the pain she caused. She also planned to take Molly with her, but how?
--
It was eleven o'clock when Alex arrived at Lucy's house. She straightened her clothes and rang the doorbell. One minute later, an elderly man answered the door.
"Hi, I'm here to pick up Molly."
"Who?"
"Molly, my daughter. She's a friend of Lucy's," Alex said. She figured that his memory was failing, given his age.
"I'm sorry miss, but there is no Lucy that lives here," he said, attempting to close the door, but Alex stopped him by putting her hand in the way.
"Molly. Twelve years old. About this height," she said, trying to demonstrate with her hand.
"No one has been at this doorstep since the milkman yesterday."
"Oh sorry. My mistake. Must have got the wrong house. Bye" she said, heading back over to her car. As she sat there, her plan was beginning to suffer. The truth was, Evan was lying. So the question was, why? He had never lied to her before. She must have just got the address wrong. Still not one hundred per cent sure, she put the keys in the ignition and headed for the station.
Once she arrived, she sat by her desk and turned the computer on. Instead of investigating the Blitz Club break-in, she took out a large file she had typed up on Arthur Layton. Before she had chance to indulge in her work, she paid a visit to her DCI.
"Hello, DI Drake. Take a seat," he said, gesturing to a chair opposite his own. "What can I do for you?" he asked, surprisingly cheerily, considering it was Saturday.
"Well, I have already mentioned about my daughter, sir. I know you think its nothing to worry about, but I'm not so sure. I haven't seen her since yesterday morning. Evan lied to me about taking her to school and her sleeping out. Can I request that a few officers help me find her? And can you assign the break-in on Sycamore Road to someone else? I have to find her, sir." Alex said, pleading with him.
"Well, I'm not sure that's a good idea DI Drake. Evan's trustworthy, I am sure she's fine."
"But what if she's not? I need to find her, sir. Now am I going to do this with or without your help?" Alex asked, hoping her forthcoming ness would achieve something.
"Okay, I will get our new DI on the break-in, and you and me will go and find your daughter. Sound like a plan?"
"Perfect, I'll get my coat," she said, leaving his office.
"Shall we?" he said, gesturing with his hand towards the door. With a nod of her head, they both stepped out the squad room. On the way out, DCI Reid stopped at the front desk.
"Paul, make sure that when DI Carling arrives, he is informed of the case I have assigned him. His old branch said he was lazy but its nearly twelve o'clock. Tell him I want a word when I get back too." Did he just say Carling?
"Right away, Boss. Oh, no need. Here he is now," Paul said, nodding to the man that was just seconds away from bumping into DCI Reid. It couldn't be could it? But Alex couldn't be sure because he had his head down and couldn't see his face.
"Watch it!" DCI Reid said, looking shocked at his new DI.
"Huh? Oh, sorry. My eyesight's going, sir," he said, focussing on the man in front of him.
"Well maybe you should consider retirement. How old are you?" Reid asked, growing more annoyed. Alex still couldn't see his face because he now had his back to her.
"Another year and I'll be out of your hair. A year was too much of a wait at Fenchurch East, that's why I was transferred here. Not long left." Fenchurch East?
"Well on your way, and don't be late again! I've left a case on your new desk."
"Right away, Guv," he said, turning to leave. "Excuse me," the man said, turning around to face Alex.
RAY! Alex's insides were screaming but she was lost for words. First Luigi, then Gene, and now Ray! She couldn't believe her luck. How the hell did he make DI? DI Ray Carling had the most puzzled look on his face. Only he blamed it on the heavy drinking he had done the night previous. He merely shook his head and barged past. Was that who I think it was? Nah, don't be stupid, he kept telling himself. But once he sat behind his desk, all became clear. Opposite his desk, was another with the nameplate Detective Inspector Drake. But DI Drake died, it can't be her. It just can't be.
--
"Now, should we take your car? Or mine?" DCI Reid asked, trying to shake Alex of the baffled expression on her face.
"Oh, sorry. Yours." She said, shaking her head, willing the confusion to disappear. Once they sat down in the car, he asked, "Right, where to? School?"
"Sure, away we go," she said, pointing forward through the car window. And sure enough, they were off down the road. Just as Alex began to relax that they were moving forward, they began to slow down.
"What are you doing?" she asked, confused at the man sitting beside her.
"The lights are on amber," he said.
"So?" she asked, still confused.
"Amber means stop," he said, confused at his DI not understanding the system.
"Nope, red means stop. Amber means put your foot down or it'll change red. We're police officers, now step on it," she said. Without realising, she had adapted to Gene's philosophy, she wasn't even wearing her seatbelt. She had become reckless like Gene. Reid merely looked at her.
"Well, I wouldn't like to think you were driving with me passenger," he said, ignoring her request. But for once, Alex missed Gene's driving. Never did she think she would hear herself think that. Alex missed more than just his driving.
Once they arrived at the school, they set up a meeting with the headmistress. She escorted them into her office and they began their chat.
"Hello, Inspectors. Is this about Molly?" she asked, concerned looking at Alex.
"Yes, it is," Alex said, "Was she at school yesterday?" Alex asked. She had too many questions and not nearly enough answers.
"Didn't that man explain?" She said, looking puzzled, "the charming looking fellow came up to school and I told him it was just a misunderstanding. I found her in the school field crying. She kept mumbling 'he's coming to get me mum. I don't like clowns'. I spoke to him about getting her help. She seems a troubled child Ms. Drake and he agreed with me," Mrs. Hodgson said, throwing a concerned look at Alex. He was telling the truth.
"Did you see her leave? Did Evan pick her up?" Alex asked, eager to know she was safe.
"Oh yes, waved goodbye personally. Evan told me that a psychiatrist was going to pick her up and 'talk' to her," she said, happy that she was getting help.
"A psychiatrist? She's doing fine." Alex said, annoyed that Evan had made a decision about her daughter without her consent.
"Yes. But some of the other mothers didn't agree. The said he didn't look like a psychiatrist. But what are they supposed to look like? It's not like they have uniforms," she said, merely amused at the other mothers concerns.
"What did this man look like, Mrs. Hodgson?" Reid asked, eager to be a part of the conversation.
"Well, I didn't really get a good look. About five foot nine? Long-ish hair, a bit skinny looking." She had just described most men in London. It could have been Layton, but couldn't be certain. They could be trawling around London all day. "Oh, and he had a scar on his cheek, about three inches." Bingo! Whether that was a good thing or not, Alex didn't know. But if Molly was with Layton, at least she knew where to look.
Well?