I owe a huge debt of thanks to Wombledon for her invaluable help and advice with certain parts of this chapter. I hate writing about things that I don't have any experience of, and I really couldn't have done it without her. :-)

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Bye, Bolly. I'll see you later" Gene gave Alex a hurried kiss as he swept up his coat and keys, taking the kitchen stairs two at time in his haste to get to work.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Alex. Here's a card to show how much I care, Alex…… in my bloody dreams. This is Gene Hunt; not some soft, romantic sissy." Alex dumped her breakfast things in the dishwasher and grinned as she remembered Gene's very vocal opinions on Valentine's Day, and any other occasion designed to separate gullible idiots from their hard-earned cash.

Recalling the large amount of hard-earned cash that Chris had parted with last week, in Mr Pargetter's shop, she wondered what Gene would have to say about his DC getting engaged. A great deal, she decided, and none of complementary. Was it even a good idea to go to Luigi's this evening? No doubt, Luigi would have the whole restaurant decked out in Valentine's Day décor and of course, Luigi himself needed no encouragement to voice his opinions on the subject of romance. Alex hoped that Chris plucked up the courage to propose early in the evening, before Gene and Ray got too drunk.

It was a beautiful engagement ring, though; a deep blue sapphire flanked by two diamonds. Chris had been erring towards a copy of Princess Diana's engagement ring, but Alex had steered him away from that particular design. She hadn't known why, it just hadn't felt very "happy" when she looked at it. Frustratingly, like all her memories of the future since the clown had appeared to her at Christmas, her recollection of the Royal marriage was foggy, but she was fairly certain that "happily ever after" wasn't on the agenda.

"Best to go for something original, Chris. After all, you don't want to be reminded of someone else's marriage every time you look at it, do you?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Pulling the front door shut behind her, Alex set off for Angel tube station. She was at Scotland Yard today, as she had been for most of last week; more meetings, more proposed changes. She was helping to set out the new training programmes that the Met needed to implement in order to move forward; new interview techniques, new ways of dealing with victims, new ways of treating fellow officers. All of these needed addressing from a psychological point of view as well as practical one, and last Friday, she'd been offered a permanent role within the department.

The Chief Super had made it clear that when the training programmes were written and in place, she'd have the choice to return to a CID team, but it was a year's secondment and Alex was in two minds about the whole thing. A part of her knew that she should take the position they'd offered her. It was just what she needed; a new job, with her own team, safely behind a desk so that Gene wouldn't have palpitations every time he thought about what she was doing. However, the other part of her still wanted to be out there, making arrests, catching the bad guys

She knew that she needed to talk it over with Gene, but until she found out what was going on with his career, she didn't want to make any far-reaching decisions. He hadn't uttered a word complaint about her being away from CID and she knew this was because of the warning letter. In his mind, if she wasn't at Fenchurch East, then whoever had sent it would leave her alone.

His main cause of unhappiness was that she was spending time with "the Scotland Yard boys." He hadn't said anything directly, but he'd asked a great many leading questions about the project and the officers involved. Alex had indulged him, knowing that he was incredibly insecure about her working with men who were both younger than him, and far more her type. She'd tried to reassure him that none of them thought of her like that, and anyway, everyone knew she was living with him, but he'd just snorted with derision at her apparent naivety.

"Listen, Bolly. I used to think like they do, once upon a time, when I was younger and thought I was God's bloody gift. Makes no difference who you're with; they'll still try it on. I've heard some of the comments they used to come out with where you're concerned, before they all realised I'd kick the arse off them if they spoke that way about you. I happen to know that half the sodding officers in the Met would love to get up close and personal wi' you. It's not just me that finds that scrawny rump of yours incredibly sexy."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Chief Super's secretary interrupted Alex's last meeting of the morning, with a message for her.

"Sorry to interrupt, Ma'am. There's a delivery for you and the instructions are quite clear that you have to be given them straight away." She waited until Alex had nodded her permission, before re-appearing with two dozen roses of the deepest red Alex had ever seen, tied up with silver ribbons. She took the card from the envelope, trying to contain both her grin and her blushes.

"It would seem I'm that sort of bloke after all.

You have my heart already.

Here's the flowers.

Love, always

G x"

So he hadn't forgotten. It would also appear that DCI Gene Hunt, for this one day only, had joined the ranks of gullible idiots. Alex smiled to herself as she realised the significance of Gene sending them to her at work; the message it sent was abundantly clear to any other man who may be interested in her. "Sod off, mate, she's mine".

When her meetings finished, late that afternoon, Alex took a taxi back to Islington, refusing to negotiate the tube during the rush hour, whilst clutching a large bouquet of flowers. She went home first, intending to change before joining the others at Luigi's. To her surprise, she found Tom sitting despondently on the doorstep.

"Tom? You looking for me, or Gene?"

"Both. I need to talk to you about something. I don't know what to do."

"Well, I'm meeting Gene at Luigi's. Come with me, or don't you feel like going out tonight?"

Tom shrugged. "Haven't got much choice, Lexi. The house is still a mess. I've no heating, electricity or hot water so it's not exactly "home, sweet home" at the moment."

Alex felt a stab of guilt. Shed been so caught up in her own life, that she'd forgotten that Tom was technically homeless.

"Right. Come in while I change, and you can decide what you want to do. Make yourself useful and put these in some water," she told him, handing over the roses. "Help yourself to a drink. You look like you could do with one."

Upstairs in her bedroom, Alex hung up her dark grey suit and slipped on her jeans and a soft, red V-necked jumper. She released her hair from the clip that held it in a knot at the back of her head, letting it fall round her face in soft curls. A quick slick of lipstick and some perfume, and she was ready. When she got downstairs, Tom was watching television in the kitchen, a bottle of red wine open on the table beside him.

"Hope you don't mind me drinking your wine" he smiled. "I'm not in the mood for Gene's whisky, and a cuppa just doesn't quite hit the spot."

He looked exhausted with dark shadows under his eyes. Alex felt a pang of sadness for him. It was Valentine's Day and Tom had no one to celebrate it with. No one to tell him they loved him. She reached in the dresser draw and took out a set of spare keys.

"Here." She told him. "Put these in your pocket. You'll need them to get back in."

He frowned at her in puzzlement.

"You can stay here, with us, until you sort the house out." She watched him start to protest. "No, Gene won't mind, and even if he did, tough. Now, I really have to go, although I'm getting the impression that you'd really rather just stay here on your own with the wine."

Tom nodded wearily. "I would, really. Is that OK? You don't need me hanging around like a gooseberry, tonight of all nights. I'll talk to you and Gene another time" He smiled at her. "Thanks, Lexi. It shouldn't take too long to get the house sorted. Luke Ellis is doing a fantastic job of the repairs."

"Really? Peter's brother?" Alex feigned ignorance. "What's he like?"

"Not you type," he told her with a wry grin

Alex laughed. "Your type, then? Blond?"

"Yes, that's it. Blond." He gave a tired smile. "Off you go, gorgeous girl. You'll be late meeting Gene."

"Damn! Right, you can tell me more when I get home. Have a good evening."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Luigi's was packed, and Alex had to fight her way past half the station staff to reach their usual table. There was something about Mondays that made everyone crave alcohol. She slung her jacket over the back of a chair and went to join Gene. He was leaning against the bar, his eyes narrowed lazily as he watched her approach. His hand snaked out and wrapped itself around her waist as she reached him, pulling her tight to his chest. He looked down his nose at her with his beautiful silver/blue eyes, his lips pushed forward into a questioning pout.

"Well?" he growled.

"Well, what?" she teased.

"You know bloody well what!" His eyes narrowed further and his pout deepened, but she knew he wasn't really angry with her. "Did you get them?"

"Oh, the flowers. Were they from you then?"

"Alex!"

"Yes, I got them. They're beautiful. Thank you."

"You bloody tease!" He slapped her lightly on the bottom and she laughed, wriggling against him.

"Don't do that, Bolly" he growled in her ear. "It's having an effect on certain bits of me and it's a long walk to the Gents from here."

She turned her head towards him, her mouth brushing his briefly, in an instant, Gene was kissing her, one hand reaching up to cup her face with his fingers, his tongue tracing the line of her lips, pushing softly into her mouth. His kiss was loving and surprisingly gentle; full of passion, yet tender at the same time, and Alex shuddered with the force of her reaction to him, sliding her arms round his neck, grateful for his hand in the small of her back that kept her body pressed against his. He pulled away slowly, holding her gaze, his eyes dark with emotion. "Happy Valentines Day, Alex," he murmured.

Alex smiled back at him, taking his face in her hands and dropping small, soft kisses onto his mouth. She became aware of someone watching her, and glanced across the bar to see Luigi gazing at them with a delighted smile on his face. A good few of the Station staff were staring as well; it wasn't often that they saw two of their senior officers engaging in a very public display of affection. Alex giggled, hiding her face in Gene's jacket, feeling his laughter rumbling in his chest.

"Bolly?" he whispered. "Get your head out from under my arm. You'll want to see this bit."

He moved sideways so that she could get a good view, his arm still wrapped possessively round her waist. Chris was hovering nervously by his table, waiting for Shaz to come back from the bar, his hand clutching at something in his jacket pocket.

Alex watched in anticipation as Shaz, unaware of what was about to happen, walked carefully back across the room, concentrating on nothing else but the drinks she was carrying. When she'd put them safely on the table, she sat down, looking up at Chris in confusion as he continued to stand by her chair. The confusion quickly turned to disbelief as he dropped to one knee by her side. The conversation in the room ceased abruptly as people noticed what was happening.

He took her hand and although she was too far away to hear what he said, Alex saw Chris pull the ring box from his pocket and hand it to Shaz, who sat utterly still, staring at him in open-mouthed astonishment. She opened the box slowly, with trembling hands and Alex saw her nod and fling her arms round Chris's neck. A huge cheer broke out, and as everyone hurried to congratulate them, Gene lent forward over the bar and spoke acerbically to the little Italian, who was standing behind it, dabbing at his eyes with a bar cloth.

"When you've quite finished crying like a girl, Luigi, I'd like to order a drink, please."

"You have no heart for romance, Mr Hunt. None at all." Luigi shook his head sadly. "Now, what would you like to drink?"

"Oh, it's not for me, Luigi. I thought the happy couple might like a bottle of champagne, but if you say I've no idea about romance then maybe I should get you to send over two pints and packet of pork scratchings instead." Gene grinned at him, pleased to have caught him out for once.

"You tease me, Mr Hunt." Lugi wagged a finger at Gene. "For that, I make you buy my most expensive bottle."

"What! You are joking? Those two wouldn't know the difference between Champagne and Asti Spumante!"

"Then, I open another bottle for them. The expensive one can be for you and Senorigna Drake. A woman as lovely as her should be drinking the best champagne on a night like tonight!"

Alex giggled again as Gene bridled at the suggestion. "Bloody Hell, Luigi! No wonder you can afford to close this place for three weeks holiday every year! You must be raking it in wi' lines like that. You sure you don't sell second-hand cars as a side line."

Luigi just shrugged and laughed, catching Alex's eye."I just speak the truth, Mr Hunt. Alex is beautiful…. you love her… she loves you…you should drink champagne to celebrate your love."

"Yes, well, thank you, but I can think of much better ways of celebrating our love than you bankrupting me. Just send a bottle over to Chris and Shaz, and then go and try your nonsense on some other impressionable twat!"

Alex fixed him with a stern look as he turned back to her and he had the grace to look slightly shamefaced.

"Sorry, Alex. Did you actually want some champagne?"

She said nothing, letting him squirm under the intensity of her disapproving stare. She had to bite the inside of her cheeks not to laugh, but she wasn't going to let Gene know that.

"I'll get you some if you like," he offered. "I'm sure Luigi's got a bottle of Bolly stashed behind the bar somewhere."

Alex shook her head, letting him see her smile. "No, no. You save your money, Gene. To tell you the truth, I prefer Veuve Clicquot, anyway." She leaned forward, kissing him gently, her tongue flickering teasingly against his. She heard him growl, deep in his chest, and his hands slid round the cheeks of her arse. She twisted away from him, laughing.

"You can stay here, with your pint of beer and be grumpy, but I'm going to congratulate Chris and Shaz."

Alex made her way across the room to their table and Shaz, seeing her approach, made room for her to sit down.

"Thank you ever so much Ma'am, for helping Chris choose this. I love it! It's beautiful!" She held out her left hand for Alex to see and as she did so, the rest of the secretaries returned in a giggly rush.

"Look Shaz! Champagne! Someone's bought you champagne! You lucky girl!"

Shaz turned to Alex questioningly and Alex shook her head, instead nodding over at Gene. Shaz smiled her shy smile in his direction and lifted up her glass in a gesture of thanks.

Alex saw Gene nod in reply before he turned away to talk to Ray. From the set of their shoulders, and their cynical expressions, they were more than likely discussing the folly of asking a bird to marry you. Alex let herself be drawn into the conversation, as the girls pulled up more chairs and began to talk "weddings". Shortly afterwards, Chris beat a hasty retreat to join the lads at their table, scared away by the discussions of dresses and what colour the bridesmaids should wear.

A long while later she was aware of Luigi setting a glass down by her elbow. It wasn't her usual wine glass, but a champagne flute instead.

"For you Alex, because you are so beautiful; the most beautiful woman in the room," he murmured, a shy smile on his face.

Alex blushed. "Luigi! You shouldn't have…really. I didn't mind about Gene not buying me champagne."

Luigi's smile deepened. "Ah, but he did Seniorigna. I'm just the messenger. Those are his words, not mine."

Alex's eyes widened in surprise and she looked over to where Gene was still leaning against the bar, watching her, one long leg crossed over the other. Ray had joined the other lads in order to tease Chris, and Gene was the only person in the room who was on his own. In all the noise and hilarity, he was an oasis of intense stillness and Alex realised that she was the sole focus of his gaze. Feeling her breathing quicken, she excused herself from the conversation, and walked slowly back across the room to him, keeping her eyes fixed on his.

She stopped inches from him, feeling the heat from his body, her fingers trembling with electricity as she slipped her hand under the lapel of his jacket to rest over his racing heart. For a long moment, they stared at each other; just as they'd done well over eighteen months ago on the day she'd first arrived. His mouth curved into a slow, smile and Alex suddenly felt dizzy with the strength of her love for him.

"Had enough of talking about weddings, then?" he asked her, closing the gap between their bodies by the simple means of manoeuvring her up against the bar and leaning in close. His mouth was by her ear, and she shivered as his hot breath whispered over her skin.

"Yup." Alex closed her eyes in delight, as Gene's tongue flickered softly against her ear lobe.

"You sure? You looked pretty happy over there…all soft and girly…I don't often see you like that, Alex. It's nice. You look beautiful." She felt his teeth graze her skin and his body pushed against hers, sending the shivers down into the pit of her stomach.

"Thank you for the champagne," she whispered, dreamily, hypnotised by his low throaty growl and the over-whelming nearness of him. Gene had a raw physicality about him that she found impossible to resist, even in the middle of a restaurant, surrounded by her colleagues.

"Luigi's a very persuasive man. Trust me to end up wi' a bird wi' expensive tastes. Have you any idea how much he charges for a bottle of that bloody Clicquot stuff?" His hands slid round to cup the cheeks of her arse, mercifully hidden from full view by his body. "Still, he's right, we should be celebrating tonight." Alex let out a small whimper of pleasure, as one hand slipped down to brush the sensitive area where her thigh met the curve of her bottom. She heard him chuckle, gruffly.

"Alex?" he whispered, hoarsely. "Let's go home."

"Great idea." she murmured in reply, before realising abruptly, why it wasn't actually a great idea at all. "Ah….there's a problem there…. We've got a guest staying with us… sorry." She saw Gene frown and hurried to explain. "I thought you wouldn't mind if I let Tom stay at ours for a while. He's seems really down at the moment and he needs taking care of."

"And what about me, Bolly! I need taking care of right this bloody minute!" He pouted at her, his plans thwarted.

"I'm so sorry! We could go somewhere else." She tipped her head to one side, grinning roguishly, as an idea occurred to her.

"No way, Bolly! I'm not shagging you at the station again! I've way too much to lose these days… and I'm not renting a room by the hour in some scuzzy hotel." He sighed in frustration. "Christ! This is like being a lad again…. all full of lust and nowhere to go....… and before you suggest it, I am not doing it in the car. I'm far too old for that sort of malarkey."

"I wasn't thinking of any of those places." Alex kissed him on the lips, and turned round to lean over the bar. She beckoned to Luigi and whispered in his ear. He gave them both a very cheeky look before going to the cash register. From underneath the cash tray he took out a set of keys, handing them to Alex with a wink.

"Just leave them behind the bar on your way out."

Gene was grinning too, as she turned round to face him again. "They what I think they are?"

She nodded wickedly. "Come on. No one will guess."

She went to move away from him and he grabbed her wrist, holding her still. "Can you get my coat, Bolly? It's on the chair over by Ray. I wouldn't ask, but its best I stay here for a minute or two."

Alex raised her eyebrows in mock-surprise as she looked down at him. "Good job it's a long coat, Gene; hides a multitude of sins."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Climbing hurriedly up the stairs, Alex heard him growl. "Christ, I love your arse, Bolly. 'Specially in those jeans. How quickly can you take them off?"

As she struggled to get the key in the lock, she could feel him behind her, the length of his body pressing against her, his teeth on her neck. "Hurry up, Alex" he whispered, "Or I'm gonna have to fuck you out here on the landing." Her shaking fingers managed to turn the key, just as he started to unzip her jeans.

They stumbled through the door and Gene towed her over to the sofa, dumping the glasses and champagne down on the coffee table. "Sit down" he told her, his voice tight and clipped with desire, pushing her down onto the cushions and dragging off her jumper and bra. He let out a groan at the sight of her bare breasts, bending his head to suck at them with rough urgency, before kneeling in front of her. He pulled off her boots with frantic, shaking hands and removed her jeans with one swift tug.

"Fucking Hell, Alex!"

She laughed at the surprise in his voice. She wasn't wearing any knickers and his questing fingers had sunk straight into her wet, heated flesh. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this to you on this bloody sofa," she heard him mutter just before he hooked her legs over his shoulders and plunged his tongue deep inside her. "Ohhhh! Oh God! Gene!" Alex screamed, her hands clutching at his hair as she urged her hips up to meet his hot, frenzied mouth. She felt his teeth graze her clit, his tongue lapping hungrily at her flesh as she flung her head back, oblivious to anything but the heat of his mouth on her. She moaned in torment as he teased her, his tongue flickering, making her throb and ache for more, as he brought her swiftly and expertly to the edge of her climax, his hands gripping her hips to keep her still as he licked and sucked at her.

"Jesus, Alex….you taste so good" he gasped, dragging his mouth from her and moving swiftly up her body, his tongue swirling round her breast, flicking across one, achingly hard, nipple. As his mouth met hers, wet with her juices, she felt his fingers pushing into her, working her hard in a maddening rhythm that keep her just a heartbeat away from exploding with ecstasy. "Oh, God, Gene…please…need you now.."

She fumbled at his zip, pushing down his trousers and boxers, and reached for him, feeling him hard and ready in her hand, her fingers moving down teasingly to stroke his balls. He groaned into her mouth, grabbing her round the waist and twisting round until she sat astride him. She dipped her head, pulling at his tie, his shirt buttons, her mouth at his throat, her tongue licking the hollow at the base of his neck.

His breathing was ragged, his voice hoarse. "I want you, Alex…….fuck me….hard…..ride me…" he rasped, lifting her up and onto him, his cock thrusting fiercely inside her. She sucked in her breath sharply at the sensation, biting at her bottom lip, her body shuddering with lust as she felt every inch of him pushing into her.

She ground her hips against him and pulled his head to her breast. "Bite" she demanded, and he did so, his teeth closing sharply on her tender flesh. She screamed again and begin to move, bucking her hips hard as he thrust up into her.

"Jesus Christ!" Gene hissed through his teeth, his head back, eyes closed. "Harder…...don't stop....more Alex.." She increased her pace, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she felt herself begin to tighten around him. He grunted with every movement that she made, his hands gripping her waist, and she knew that he was close to coming; she could feel the shivers running through him. He bit at her breast again, his tongue flicking hard over her already hypersensitive flesh. Alex exploded in a rush of sensation, her body convulsing against his, feeling him pulse and spill into her with a wordless shout of pleasure.

He held her tightly, rocking her gently. "Alex…. Alex…. my Alex" he whispered, his body trembling with aftershocks. "God, I love you so much." He raised his face to hers and she lent her forehead on his, staring deep into his eyes, her hands cupping his face gently.

"Well, that's not fair,"she murmured "It's bloody freezing in here and I'm completely naked while you still have nearly all your clothes on. How did that happen?"

She felt him shrug. "Don't know, Bolly. I'm just lucky, I suppose." He ran a hand down her spine, making her arch her back, as he feathered light kisses over her neck and breasts. "I like the fact it's cold in here," he laughed, his tongue teasing the stiff peaks of her nipples.

When she'd recovered sufficiently and could make her legs move again, Alex pulled her clothes back on and rejoined Gene on the sofa, sitting with her legs across his lap, her shoulder nestled into the crook of his arm, his coat pulled up over her for warmth.

He'd watched her as she dressed, a lazy half smile on his lips and when she'd finally sat down again, he topped up their glasses, clinking his gently against hers.

"So? Why the champagne? What are we celebrating? Please don't tell me just because it's Valentine's Day; I won't believe it. You have your moments, Mr Hunt, but you're not that soppy." She looked up at him, stroking the hollow of his throat with her fingers. "Would it have anything to do with those meetings in Birmingham?"

He nodded slowly, his eyes half closed. "Yes, it would be something to do wi' those meetings, but it was also because you really were the most beautiful woman in the room."

His mouth curved into a contented smile against her lips as she kissed him.

"Birmingham was a job interview, wasn't it? The Super said something about you impressing the panel, last week and I didn't have a bloody clue what he was talking about." He fingers stilled as a thought occurred to her. "You're not being transferred up there, are you?"

"No, I'm not going to Birmingham." He sighed as her fingers began their soft, slow circling once more. "I am moving jobs, though… and offices. I'm being moved over to be part of the CDS. They've got rid of lots dead wood in the last few months and they need a new team."

Alex froze, fear clashing horribly with anger as she realised what he was telling her. Anger won and she exploded with frightened rage. Gene hurriedly removed her glass from her hand as she waved it furiously in front of him.

"Central Drugs Squad! Bloody Hell, Gene! What on earth were you thinking! It's too dangerous! For God's sake.....you say you're worried about me being out there with another team, but it works both ways you know!" She felt her eyes start to fill with tears and blinked them away ferociously. "I bet you've never once thought about how much I worry about you, have you? You just go ahead and do exactly as you want with no regard for my feelings! Is this why you wouldn't tell me what was……"

He cut her off with a fierce kiss, his mouth crashing down on hers. She struggled to continue speaking for a split second before surrendering totally to him, her senses spinning as he tangled his hands into her hair and held her tightly. He kissed her into trembling submission before he broke away from her, breathing heavily.

"Jesus Christ, woman! If you'd just shut up for five bloody seconds, then I can finish what I was trying to tell you!" he growled, his eyes burning into hers.

Alex went to speak and he put his hand over her mouth.

"No! Not another bloody word! I do know how much you worry about me, and I don't take that for granted, Alex. Not for one single second. Is that clear?" His gaze was intense, his face utterly serious.

She nodded and he took his hand away.

"Right." He took a deep breath. "Lets start again, shall we? I'm moving to the Drugs Squad but I won't actually be out on the streets chasing any of the bastard druggie scum; my team will be doing that for me. I'll be safe behind a desk, Alex. I'm being promoted. They're making me Superintendent."

He watched her face anxiously for her reaction. Alex couldn't say anything; she just stared at him in shock.

"Well?" he snapped, crossly. "Say something for God's sake! A minute ago, I couldn't shut you up for love nor money!" The anxiety in his expression deepened. "Tell me I've made the right decision, Alex....please."

She smiled shakily, wrapping her arms round his neck and burying her face in his shoulder, unable to take in what he'd just told her.

"I'm sorry I shouted at you," she whispered, "That's fantastic! Well done." She lifted her head, her eyes shining with tears. "I don't know why I'm crying," she laughed, "I'm so, so proud of you."

He smiled down at her indulgently, brushing her tears away with his thumbs. "So you bloody should be! A year ago I was hanging on by my fingernails and now I'm good enough for promotion."

Alex shifted back slightly from him, tipping her head up to see his face properly.

"So what made you change your mind? I thought you'd turned promotion down twice already?"

Gene sighed heavily and closed his eyes. "You've definitely been talking to our Super, haven't you. Yes, I turned it down when I was with GMP, but this time it was different. It's not as though I've had much choice in the matter, anyway. Times are changing and I have to change with them.

I was given two options; go for the position in CDS, or stay where I was and prepare to collect my pension in eighteen months to two years. It was made quite clear that I'm not the sort of copper that they want dealing with the general public on a daily basis. I'm too old-school, too unpredictable. I don't fit into their shiny new vision of the future of the Met. Having said that, they also made it clear that they didn't want to lose my experience or my knowledge so they're shifting me to head up an Area Drug Squad. I'm still catching scum, I'm just not upsetting so many people while I'm about it."

He opened one eye and grinned. "Anyway, now I know you're alright with it, I'm OK with it too, really. There's lots of positives; my job's secure… I get a pay rise…. no more weekend shifts… and best of all, I'm two ranks above you now, Bolly. You really do have to do as I say. Insubordination, an' all that."

He laughed as she slapped him lightly on the chest. "I only have to do what you say during working hours, Gene. At home, I can be as insubordinate as I like."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

They finished their champagne, exchanging soft, slow kisses between sips, before inevitably, one thing led to another, and Alex found herself naked once more, spiralling up into ecstasy as Gene moved slowly over her and in her, murmuring her name, his face buried her neck as he came deep inside her.

They lay quietly on the sofa, still entwined, listening to the thudding of their hearts and the muffled thump of the music from downstairs. Alex glanced reluctantly at her watch, and stroked Gene's shoulder, smiling as he stretched contentedly and pulled her tighter against him. "Gene?"

"Mmmm?" He opened his eyes, and blinked at her sleepily. "What?"

"We should be going soon. Not only is it freezing in here, Tom needed to talk to us both about something. He didn't say what, but I have a feeling it's important."