Thanks to everyone for the reviews!! They are much appreciated.

--

Alex stepped out of the shower, wrapping her dressing gown around her. Waking up had shaken her. She'd had more dreams, and she knew now it was Gene in them. She'd known all along it was him, who else could it be, but she hadn't wanted to admit it. Then this morning she woke up tangled in his arms, one long leg thrown across hers. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck and the pulsing between her legs. It was some time before she could bring herself to crawl out from under him, he was warm, and now that she was used to it she enjoyed his smell. It was starting to feel familiar. When she finally did get up, she ran directly into the shower.

She couldn't pretend any longer that it hadn't happened, that is wasn't true. That she'd felt something for him before. He clearly had feelings for her, loved her even. Why go through this charade if he didn't? Gene wouldn't . He was still the Gene Hunt she remembered, but different somehow. Different towards her.

He'd been so nice last night. So…open. Well, if he could be patient, she could try harder. Be more open too. But she couldn't make him wait forever. She owed him that if she cared for him at all.

"Mornin' Alex" he was standing in the kitchen with his back to the doorway, making tea.

"Oh! I didn't hear you get up."

"You were in the shower."

She had grabbed yesterday's post on her way to the kitchen and now she set it down on the table before taking a seat. Gene set a mug in front of her as he sat down.

"So, um. How're you feeling' this mornin'?"

"OK. Better, thanks."

"Not dizzy?"

"No. I'm OK."

He cleared his throat. "We can take it slower, you know, if you want."

Alex let herself reach for his hand, tangling two fingers with his. "Thank you. But I think we should take it however it comes naturally, OK?"

He nodded and they ate in silence for a while, Alex making idle comments about the few letters, sorting it into stacks of things to do or things to toss in the rubbish.

"Oh, look. Ray's wedding invitation."

Gene looked up, grunting noncommittally.

"It looks like they're getting married in Salisbury. End of November. The 24th."

Gene choked on his tea. "Wot?"

Alex looked up. "Are you OK?"

"'Course I bleedin' am. He's getting married where?"

"Salisbury. It might be nice. I haven't been since I was a little girl." She went back to reading the invitation. "The wedding is on Saturday the 24th. With a dinner and reception to follow."

"You 'ave been Alex."

"Hmm?" She looked up at him.

"We stopped for the night on the way back from Cornwall. You 'ave been. We 'ad dinner at the racecourse. I won a pile o' cash." That I spent ill advisedly on a bloody engagement ring. "We got pissed an' shagged a lot."

"Oh." She lowered her eyes. "Well, then, maybe I'll remember something when we're there. It was recent. It's always possible things could start to come back to me if we revisit some places I've been."

Gene was silent. He didn't want to go to Salisbury for Ray's wedding. Idle tosser.

--

Before leaving for work Gene had suggested that she shouldn't wait up for him. If he was going to spend all day Saturday shopping with her he intended to get completely arseholed with the team tonight so he'd be in a proper frame of mind the next morning. Then he'd stolen a kiss and left.

Planning a quiet evening, Alex ate a light dinner and curled up on the sofa for a night of bad eighties television. She'd had a lot of excitement recently and was looking forward to the silence when the phone rang.

"You dressed?" It was Gene.

"What are you suggesting?" She teased.

Gene was silent for a beat. "Tell me you're not joking an' I'll be right 'ome."

"Sorry Gene. I was." She thought she was. She could hear his disappointed sigh. "Why did you call?"

"Right. Some of the team were wondering if you'd like to join us downstairs tonight for a bit. They're looking forward to 'aving you back on Monday. Thought you might want to get the welcome back's over tonight."

Alex considered for a moment. "I suppose I could come down for a little while. Might be good for me. No drinking though."

"Right. One drink. See you there." Gene hung up the phone.

--

The evening was pleasant and Alex was glad she went. Catching up with everyone before she went back to work on Monday had been a good idea. It would make showing up on Monday morning that much easier, even if she couldn't remember anything that had happened in the past eleven months. She'd even got to meet Ray's fiancé again. Cazzie had gone on about the wedding, clearly very excited. Apparently her family had lived in Salisbury, and the whole lot of them were delighted to be going back for the wedding. Alex promised to book her room soon, before the hotel filled up.

It wasn't long before she said her goodbyes, though, and Gene followed her to the door, grabbing her fingers as she was about to leave.

"Hmm?" She turned to face him, his back to the room.

"Please, Alex," he whispered in her ear. "Kiss me goodnight."

For a second she didn't understand, then she noticed half the room watching them. Of course. She slid a hand to his cheek, tilting her head and kissing him gently. Not too long, but long enough. "Try not to wake you up" he murmured as she broke away.

Alex smiled. "But you will anyway." She kissed him again, this time on the cheek, and left.

--

When she woke on Saturday morning Alex couldn't decide if she were relieved or disappointed that Gene hadn't wrapped himself around her in the night like he had the night before. Once she rolled over and looked at him, though, she decided it was probably for the best. He'd managed not to wake her when he came in at God knows what hour, but in his drunken state he seemed to have forgotten other formalities and lay on his stomach, stripped to his boxers.

"Enjoyin' the view?"

Alex jumped. She hadn't realized he was awake. "Um, sorry."

"Don't be sorry" he mumbled into his pillow, eyes still closed. He shifted a little and Alex slid out of the bed.

"Think I'll go make some breakfast." She heard his low chuckle as she ran out of the bedroom. She couldn't believe he'd caught her staring at him.

On her way to the kitchen her eye landed on a large box sitting on the dining room table. She stopped and picked up the card sitting on top. It had her name on it.

"Go ahead. Open it." Gene stood behind her. He'd managed his dressing gown.

Alex turned back to the card. It was Gene's long script. "One less thing to buy."

Her curiosity piqued, she quickly lifted the lid to the box, pulling a white leather jacket from inside.

"My jacket? How? You told me you shot a hole in it."

"I did." He took a step closer, resting his hand on her lower back. '"Wasn't a doddle finding another one. Took me flamin' weeks. Been sittin' in my office all this time. Felt like a right prannock after I bought it. Didn't even know if you'd want it. I just…"

"Gene." She leaned back against him, putting her head on his shoulder and letting him slip his hands around her waist. "Of course I love it. It's very sweet." He pulled her tighter before letting her go.

"Nah. Hopin' t'do a little less shoppin'" he grumbled as he walked to the kitchen.

"I am not twisting your arm, Gene!" She followed after him. "You offered." She stopped when she saw the small smile on his face. "You're impossible."

"'Bout time you noticed."

--

They managed to get themselves out of the flat a couple of hours later and as promised, Gene spent most of the time dozing in the Quattro as Alex popped in and out of an assortment of shops. By mid afternoon she'd had her fill and opened the door, waking Gene from his light slumber as she pushed bags into the back seat.

"Could put 'em in the boot if you want." He grumbled, starting the engine.

"It's fine. There aren't too many."

"Mmm. Says you." He glanced in the back seat. "What did you bloody buy?"

"Oh, I don't know. A warmer coat, a few pairs of jeans. Some knickers."

"Oh yeah?" He looked at her with renewed interest.

"Yes. It appears that all I have are tiny lace ones in a variety of different colours. I picked up a few more practical pairs." She raised one eyebrow in his direction.

"That's disappointing" he mumbled under his breath.

Once they arrived home Alex deposited her bundles on the floor by the dining table, and Gene promptly perched on the sofa to watch the football results. Within ten minutes he'd fallen asleep with one arm under his head and his feet hanging over the edge.

Alex busied herself in the bedroom putting away her new things and piling up clothes that needed cleaning. Gene's suits needed to be dry cleaned, and she sorely needed to work out what she'd be wearing now that she was back to work. Just the usual, she supposed. At least she had a few new tops.

By the time she finished it was after six and she was surprised to find Gene still snoring on the sofa. She laughed. She supposed he had had a rough day. The least she could do was make him dinner. Preferably something he would eat. Deciding spaghetti would be easy, and Gene would eat it without complaining, she popped out for some mince.

She had almost finished cooking when Gene appeared in the kitchen, stretching his arms over his head and looking for all the world like a big blonde bear. He hadn't bothered to shave in the morning and she had to admit he was adorably scruffy.

"Did you have a nice nap?" One side of her mouth turned up at him.

"Lovely." He yawned. "What've you got up to?"

"Made you some dinner." She smiled. "Thank you for driving me around all day."

He could think of other ways she could thank him. "Somethin' I'll eat?" he sniffed.

"Yes. Now could you be helpful and set the table? We might as well just eat in here."

He set the table, and they ate, Gene teasing her playfully about all the stuff she'd bought. He loved it though, it was almost normal. There wasn't quite the same level of argument in their conversation, but he'd wanted to be careful, didn't want her to have any unnecessary stress or excitement until the doctor had said it was OK. He wondered whether it was OK yet. Besides, regular disagreements would return once they were working together all the time again. Of that he was sure.

And he wanted her to like him. To know that he wasn't the same bastard he thought she hated. That she thought she hated. He was still a bastard, just a different kind. He smiled at the thought.

"What?" She'd noticed his small grin.

"What? Oh. Nothing. Just thinking. You seem a lot better. That's all."

"Oh. Yeah, well, I do feel much better. I still have those weird feelings, like there's someone behind me all the time, but they're easier to deal with. And they're not quite as intense as they used to be."

Gene frowned. "Is that good or bad? I thought they meant you were remembering things."

"Good I think. I am remembering some things. Feelings, small moments." She shrugged. I'm deciding to think positive." She smiled, picking up the empty plates and cutlery and putting them in the sink. "Ugh. Tomorrow. I'd love a cup of tea. What about you?"

"Think I would prefer a drink. You don't want to join me?"

She thought about it. "I think not tonight. Do you mind?"

Gene shook his head. "Maybe I'll drink your share" he smirked and wandered out of the kitchen.

When she finished making tea and pouring Gene's drink she joined him on the sofa. He'd changed into his pyjamas and an old shirt and turned on the telly. Doctor Zhivago was on and was reaching to change the channel when Alex stopped him.

"I love that movie Gene, Do you mind if we watch it?"

He grumbled a little but said ok. Halfway through his drink he decided he didn't mind so much. He'd been thoroughly distracted by the smell of Alex's hair as she leaned back against him.

After half an hour Gene shifted on the sofa, moving his arm around her shoulder as he kissed the top of her head. He didn't see her close her eyes as she pressed closer, her hand moving over his thigh. "Alex" his voice was husky in her ear.

As she turned to face him his mouth descended on hers gently, tasting sweetly of whisky. She kissed him back, her hand cupping his cheek, holding him to her. Eagerly she parted her lips as his tongue slid into her mouth, coaxing her further, tongues dueling. Alex breathed him in, his scent, the taste of him, so familiar. She wanted more, wanted to remember.

As his hand moved over her shoulder, as it cupped her breast through the thin fabric of her top, he knew it wouldn't be enough. He wanted her now. Tonight.

"Alex" he mumbled against her lips. "Please."

She pulled away slightly "Gene, I – I'm not sure, not sure if I should." She looked down at her lap.

He kissed her ear, her throat. "I don't want to wait any longer. I want you. Tonight." He recaptured her mouth for a second. "Please say yes."

She pressed her mouth to his, kissing him again, eyes closed. "OK."

--

Gene followed Alex to the bedroom, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn't sure he'd wanted her this badly the first time. In the bedroom he pulled his shirt over his head before slipping his hand to her waist, spinning her around so he could kiss her again, guiding her gently onto the bed as he did. He kissed across her jaw, below her ear, his lips, his tongue tracing a trail down her collarbone. With one hand he unbuttoned her top, sliding the strap of her bra over her shoulder. Terrified to touch her but unable to stop, his fingertips grazed over one hard nipple, the palm of his hand cupping the soft flesh beneath it. Opening her top he kissed lower, between her breasts before covering first one, then the other with wet kisses, his tongue working gently over the hard points as Alex gasped and arched her back, pushing them further into his eager mouth.

She wanted to scream, cry out, beg for more as his hips ground into hers, as she felt his hard length forcing itself against her. She stopped herself, quietly moaning and gasping as he worked his way lower. As she realized what he was doing, her hands instinctively reached for his hair, disappointingly too short to tangle in. Unhooking her jeans and tugging the zip he pulled them lower, dropping them on the floor as he let warm kisses lead the way to his target.

He kissed her stomach, the inside of her thigh, sucked gently at the tender crease where her leg met her hip. Gene held back a groan as his tongue found her clit, swirling, dipping, licking relentlessly as she gave in to his attentions, slowly moving against his mouth, encouraging him further. He wouldn't last long, he knew, and took his time with her, working her slowly until her quiet moans let him know she was close.

Alex felt helpless under his onslaught. He knew exactly where to touch her, his tongue, his mouth, his hands bringing her to near blinding completion. Images flashed in her mind, images of what he was doing to her. Her hands tangled tightly in the sheets as his tongue thrust gently inside her over and over until she spilled over him with deep gasping moans.

Groaning from the effort, Gene lifted himself, kissing back up her body until he captured her mouth, kissing her deeply. "Alex," he growled, breaking apart, moving to her neck, kissing her ear. "I can stop. If you're not sure. I can stop now." He couldn't look in her eyes, afraid of what he'd see. Not ready for her uncertainty.

Alex ran her hands over his back. He still wore his pyjama bottoms, and she slid her hands under the elastic and over his arse as he rubbed against her, only fabric keeping them apart. "Gene, please don't" pushing him gently, one hand gripped his length, hot and hard, as the other pushed the pyjamas down around his knees. "Please don't stop." She murmured, stroking him firmly, Christ, Gene thought, a few more like that and he'd come in her hand. Guiding him to her entry, she watched them come together.

Alex closed her eyes, throwing her head back as he pushed slowly inside her. Using her feet to push his pyjamas further down around his ankles, she curved her hips towards him, taking him deeper. She felt him shake, the effort to hold back almost too much. Finally, groaning, he pulled out slowly, entering her again with a long deep stroke that filled her completely. Rhythmically he thrust inside her and she felt as if she would split in two, urging him on with nails in his back, her lips against his flesh. Alex felt the heat pulsing from her center, spreading to her fingertips as Gene moved faster, harder, unable to control his own climax any longer. Panting, gasping, moaning, they came together, Gene pushing off the bed, deep into her with a final desperate thrust.

--

Alex lay underneath him, her hands resting gently on his waist. She didn't want him to move, ever. She wanted to lie there forever, drenched in his smell, his sweat, his warmth. It was as safe as she'd felt in weeks and she didn't want to lose it. Was she falling in love with him?

After a few minutes, her leg began to tingle, and she wriggled it a little. Gene instantly rolled off of her, and a bit too far away. Neither of them had spoken.

Gene hadn't wanted to move, but wasn't sure what to do and when she moved her leg he thought she wanted him off. So he moved. As he glanced over Alex had quickly pulled the sheet up nearly to her chin. He sighed and looked at the ceiling.

"So, um, is it, uh, always like that?" Alex finally spoke, her voice quiet. She looked at the ceiling too.

Gene cleared his throat. "Depends." He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and pulled his pyjamas back on. "Did you like it?" He reached for the cigarettes on the side table and lit one, blowing smoke slowly at the ceiling before settling back in the bed, his back against the headboard.

Liked it, yes. Very much. Can we do it again? "Yeah, yes. It was good, yes. Um, good."

Gene took a deep breath. "Then yes. Always." What he wanted to say is that it was never the same. And it was always fantastic. And could she please be in love with him again? Because she wasn't. He knew that now. And it hadn't mattered to him before, but now, for some reason he did not understand it mattered now. Alex could explain it. If he could ask her.

"Do you always smoke, after?" She remembered the sex. Now. But not the smoking after.

He shook his head, exhaling at the ceiling again. "No."

They were silent again.

"So why are you? Smoking, I mean."

He waited a long time before answering. "Bloody terrified."

She nodded and Gene turned his head, watching her bite her lip. He wanted to do it for her.

Alex turned to him, but he spoke again before she could say anything.

"You don't love me." He stabbed the end of his cigarette out in the ashtray.

Her stomach balled into a knot. "You don't know that. You can't. I don't know it yet, Gene" Her voice was quiet and she moved closer to him. "What I feel is very complicated right now, and very confusing."

Moving closer still, the sheet fell from her and Gene noticed her shirt was still open. Unwillingly his eyes moved to her breasts. "I don't know what to do. How long to wait."

She wanted to answer him. Ask him to wait for however long it took. Instead she took his hand. "Maybe we should talk about this tomorrow?"

He looked at her, considering before nodding. "OK."

Alex turned off her light, and Gene moved away to do the same. As he did she slid over on the bed, putting one arm around his chest as he finally lay down.