Preparations were well underway over the next couple of days, and Valley and Scherazade had settled in nicely into the group, getting on instantly with Chris, Ray, Freddy and Alex but seemingly avoiding the spiteful Lily and jealous Gene. Alex loved the company of them both, enjoying a harmless flirt with Valley and having sensible female company in the form of Scherazade. Alex kept right out of Lily's way, but she had taken to Ray so was no longer pining for Gene.
Gene himself however was noticing the flirtation between Alex and Valley and did not like it one bit. Things had been looking up with Alex as she no longer despised him and was almost back to being his Bolly, but he still didn't feel any romantic attraction from her side.
Gene knew he had to up his game to win Alex back, but so far nothing was working. Earlier that morning he had awoken at daybreak to collect the most beautiful flowers the jungle offered and placed them in Alex's morning glass, knowing she'd find them. It was the most nancy-boy thing Gene had ever recalled himself doing but desperate times called for desperate measures.
On the bright side, Alex had loved the flowers and was touched when she discovered them, her eyes sparkling and her smile brightening up the day. However, she seemed to think they were from her new admirer – none other than the warrior native Valley, who happily took the credit as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Gene's heart sank as he did not bother to correct her. Just as the Lily-sized wedge had attached itself to Raymondo, a new one in the form of Valley seemed to be squeezing between them.
Valley and Alex were collecting water from the lagoon for another day's supply when they finally were without the presence of Gene. Valley stared appreciatively at Alex's arse as she bent down to collect water, a look that did not go amiss by Chris and Scherazade, whom were up in the treehouse preparing lunch and overlooking the scene.
"Chris," Scherazade sighed as she expertly sliced the fruit, "Alex isn't in a relationship with anyone, is she?"
"No," Chris replied, "she kind o' had a fling with the Guv – Gene – but that sort o' fizzled. The Guv flirted with Lily or somethin', and Ma'am got a bit upset. Don't really know where they are now."
"Well Valley fancies her like mad," Scherazade sighed, "I'd watch out. He's got a bit of a reputation back in our village. Gets any woman he wants."
"The Boss is smart," Chris assured the young girl, "I reckon her and the Guv will get it back together. Ray and I even had bets that they were shagging."
Scherazade rolled her eyes. "All I'm saying is that you might want to watch out for her. I know Valley. I've known him since I can remember. He gets every girl…even the ones that say no."
Chris frowned. "What? How can he shag 'em if they say no?"
Scherazade stared at him in exasperation until Chris comprehended. "Oh…surely not? I mean…"
"We have different customs here," Scherazade explained, "the men are in charge. Valley thinks she's his. I…I just don't want him to hurt her. Ray and Lily are too busy swanning off together, Freddy's just a kid and Gene's sulking. So…keep an eye on her, yeah?"
Chris nodded. "Will do."
----
"Do you think you'll stay here, Alex?" Valley asked as the pair of them continued to collect water. "Even a rescue ship does come?"
Alex straightened up, smiling weakly. "No, Valley. I won't. As much as I've grown to love the place, there's so much I've had to do without. I need to get back. Not just to bloody England, but to Molly. To my world."
Valley frowned. "Right, whatever," he shrugged, "you won't miss me then?" he pouted.
"Of course I'll miss you," Alex grinned, "and Scherazade, and even little Freddy. Maybe not Lily, but hey, you can't like everyone."
Valley chuckled. "I like you though," he winked as Alex blushed.
"That's very flattering of you," she smiled, "and I did love the flowers."
"Flowers?" Valley repeated. "What flowers…oh! Yes. The flowers."
Alex frowned. "They weren't from you?"
Valley looked uncomfortable. "Well…I was going to get you flowers. I…they were there, so…"
"But they weren't from you?" Alex clarified.
Valley remained silent as Alex realised who those beautiful, thoughtful flowers were really from. She sprung to her feet and began to walk briskly towards the river leading to the ocean.
"Where are you going?" Valley called out indignantly.
"To see Gene!" Alex called back, spotting her Guv working on the bridge across the river. They were planning on building a mechanism so that it collapsed when they pulled the levee as the pirates walked across.
Alex walked across the bridge to find Gene waist-deep in the water sorting out what needed to be done. His face visibly brightened when he saw her coming.
"Lady Bolls," Gene grinned, "what do I owe this pleasure?"
Alex sat down on the bridge, swinging her legs over the side near Gene. "You never told me those flowers were from you," she smiled, getting straight to the point.
Gene stopped what he was doing and turned to look up at her. "Never really 'ad the chance, Bolls. Yer seemed ter think they were from lover boy and he wasn't very quick ter correct yer."
Alex frowned. "He's not my 'lover boy', Gene," she sighed, "he doesn't come close. Anyway, I just wanted to say…thank you. They were…they were lovely."
Gene gave a slight smile. "I thought you could do wi' bein' treated a bit…a bit special, yer know. After everything's that's happened and Lily gettin' a load of attention…didn't want yer thinking you'd been forgotten, Bolls."
Alex's mouth opened slightly in disbelief. Who would have thought – Gene Hunt, an old romantic.
"Thank you," Alex said softly. There was a pause as they looked into each other's eyes. Gene nodded.
"Right then, Bolly, now yer 'ere yer might as well make yerself useful," Gene smirked, hoisting himself out of the water and handing her one of the rifles they had collected from the ship, "this beauty needs a good ol' polishing. Can't be shooting nancy-boy pirates with it lookin' like that."
Alex chuckled. "Yes Guv," she mock-saluted, using her dress to polish the gun effectively, "do you know how to shoot one of these things? I mean, they're hardly like the ones you used back in London."
Gene snorted, standing up on the bridge. "Of course the Gene Genie knows how to use a big boy's gun, Bolly. Only poofs like that Valley wouldn't 'ave a clue."
Alex rolled her eyes at Gene's jealous dig at Valley, but then she bit her lip with a mischievous grin on her face. Getting to her feet, still holding to gun in front of her, Alex turned to Gene.
"Gene, why don't you teach me how to shoot?" Alex asked sweetly, batting her eyelashes.
Gene raised his eyebrows, trying to work out her motives.
"It might be important if there's a battle," Alex said innocently, her eyes wide. Gene sighed and stalked over to stand beside her, causing Alex's million-dollar smile to beam across her face.
"All right then, Bollyknickers," Gene began, "first, yer put this bit hard into yer left shoulder…no, not too tight, you'll hurt yerself…now…"
Gene adjusted the gun awkwardly, trying as hard as he could without physically touching Alex. The beginnings of a sexy little smile were tugging on Alex's lips as she held the gun weakly, seemingly confused as of what to do.
"Now you hold the trigger just here, with yer right hand," Gene explained.
"Like this?" Alex checked, grabbing the gun in the extremely wrong position.
"No, more like…oh sod it," Gene muttered, and before Alex could move, Gene was positioned behind her completely enveloping her in his arms, his breath hot on her neck.
"This 'and goes here," Gene showed her, moving her hand tenderly for her, "and this one here…" Gene gently brushed Alex's left breast with the gun as he positioned it hard into her shoulder, and Alex could have sworn she saw Gene blush.
"I hope yer don't mind," Gene smiled weakly, his lips inches from hers.
"Why do you think I wanted you to teach me?" Alex said softly, her eyes never leaving his.
Gene took a sharp intake of breath as he took the gun from her and then slowly dropped it on the floor, taking Alex in his arms. She turned to face him, one hand resting on his heart as the other caressed the back of his neck. Gene held Alex's waist possessively and his other hand sloped down to feel her bum. Their eyes met in a haze of lust, passion and wanting and just as their lips were about to meet –
"AAALEX!"
Alex and Gene jumped apart just in time to see Valley emerge from the jungle, jogging lightly across the bridge to meet them.
"Alex my love, I wish to give you a gift," Valley announced, "the flowers of my people, picked from the Harannia Gardens in my village. Our most sacred flowers."
Valley then brought one of his hands out from behind his back and handed Alex the most beautiful selection of flowers she had ever seen. As much as she hated to admit it, they outshone Gene's.
"Oh Valley, they're beautiful," Alex beamed as Gene snarled, "thank you so much."
"I said I would get you flowers," Valley grinned smugly.
"Thought you were supposed to be collecting water?" Gene cut in.
"And I thought you were supposed to be working on the bridge?" Valley shot back.
"He was teaching me how to shoot," Alex interjected, standing between the two men, "I asked him to."
There was an awkward silence as Alex threaded the flowers through her hair effectively whilst Gene and Valley eyed each other up threateningly. However, the tension was suddenly broken by Freddy's shrill voice cutting through the air.
"Gene! Can you come here a minute? I want to show you something!"
Gene sighed and glanced at Alex and Valley before storming off. Alex made to go after him, but Valley held out his arm to stop her.
"If you want to learn how to shoot, Alex, I'd be happy to help you," he winked at her, picking up the gun.
Alex took it from him and adjusted its positioning into her shoulder. "I think I have the general idea."
And with a squint, Alex aimed at a tiny pebble about ten feet away from them. With a shot, the pebble exploded into dust as Alex thrust the gun back into a gob-smacked Valley's arms before running after Gene.