The outer door to the Railway Arms opened again but this time a pale, slim figure emerged from the bright silvery light of the interior back into the cold outside air. Never one to follow the path expected of her, Alex ran with increasing urgency into the darkening evening, dimly lit by streetlights. She looked around, seeking a familiar figure who should be in the street, scanning the road and pavements, alert for his presence. She wasn't able to see him at first and felt an growing feeling of dread and panic. Tears began to fall, and her pace increased, despite the unhelpful footwear. Nearing the corner, she halted, searching with overwhelming desperation, her gaze boring into every shadow, looking both ways, unsure of where he might be headed, but frantic to see his face again.

Finally, she thought she could see his tall frame walking sadly, some distance away, his coat billowing out behind him. His shoulders were set with determination, but there was an unhappiness that she could feel, despite not being able to see his expression.

"Gene!" she shouted in a tone of anguish. "Gene?"

He stopped and turned, and even from this distance she could pick out his furrowed brow, his confusion.

"Alex?" he responded, standing very still, unsure of what his eyes were seeing.

She began to close the distance, picking up some speed again, not thinking about anything but the thought of seeing him again, of being with him. She paused momentarily as she reached him, swallowing with unspent emotion that welled up, closing her throat, thinking desperately of what she might say. Failing to put her muddled thoughts into words, she reached up, putting her arms around his strong shoulders, pulling him into an unexpected but welcome embrace. Her face touched his neck, and she smelled his familiar smell, aftershave and smoke, masculine and reassuring in its familiarity. She nuzzled his rough, stubble laden skin with her lips and planted kiss after kiss greedily across his throat. His arms moved around her then, pulling her closer, both of them lost in the moment of blissful reunion.

Eventually, her need for physical contact met for the moment, she pulled away to meet his gaze and smiled, warmly and genuinely, fresh tears springing to her eyes. Gene also, stood and looked at her for a long while, and she returned his look in this twinkling introspection, words not necessary in this moment. Their lips met in a long kiss, not fleeting and sad this time, not saying goodbye, but gentle and exploring, the start of something new and beautiful. His hands came up to her face, holding it reverently, and she felt an unfulfilled thrill run right through her. How had she not realised how she felt about this man? Why had she said she did not find him attractive? She could be so stupid sometimes.

As they broke apart, breathless, pulses racing, and she decided she needed to explain something.

"I need you, Gene. I want you. I can't leave you."

It was a statement of fact, non-negotiable, and Gene knew her well enough to realise nothing he said would change her mind. His hands returned to her face, fingers stroking along her jawline, while he considered the implications of what she had said.

She leant towards him again, and kissed him again at length, moist and soft, full of longing and need. Why had she waited so long? His kiss was rough but delicious, and full of promise.

"God, you're beautiful," he breathed in her ear.

She smiled, taking his hand. "My place?" she asked smoothly.

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They reached her flat still kissing, but as the urgency built, the kisses became more desperate and intense. She could not prevent a groan that built in her throat as he paused to remove his coat and jacket, and she unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it off with his tie. She stroked his chest, running her hands up and down, needing to touch him, needing to feel his strength and solidness. He rippled with pleasure at her touch. She was determined that nothing and no one would get in their way. Gene was as full of need as she was and they fell into her bed, desire overwhelming them both.

"I really want you Gene," she said again, simply.

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They lay together, comfortable with each other and relaxed, their needs met for now and their hearts beating in echoes of each other. "How can I feel like this Gene?" she asked. "How can it be so good?"

He smiled at her, his naked torso wet with sweat, her arms wrapped around him. "It's just meant to be Bolly. We're great together, always have been," he reassured her, his fingers stroking her arms gently.

"Why d'you stay here Gene?" probed Alex. "You could go to the pub anytime you choose, couldn't you? Don't you deserve to?"

"I'm not sure Bols. I just know that someone has to help the coppers who come through here. Who else would? Can you imagine how you'd have felt, if it was just an empty landscape?"

"I think I needed you, Gene. And Ray and Chris. And Shaz. We all needed each other."

"Exactly."

Gene smiled and Alex's heart leapt to see him so happy. Her desire surged again, and she moved so she could reach his lips. Kissing him again, she felt her heart might explode with pleasure.

"So will you stay for a while Bols?" asked Gene, suddenly anxious.

"Yes, I'll stay with you Gene," she reassured him. "You know, I felt strange in the pub, like something essential to my life was missing. I had to come back to you. There was no choice. I think we belong together. I've lost Molly but I can't lose you too. I've fallen in love with you."

Gene looked surprised but happy. "Then I'd better make love to you again, Alex," he grinned, childlike in his worship of her.

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They walked into the office together on the Monday, holding hands. Gene made Alex coffee and kissed her on the lips without thinking about it, in full view of everyone. It was so refreshing to see.

There was a new stranger, shouting about his iPhone.

"What's an iPhone Bols?" asked Gene with a cynical smirk.

"It's a fancy cordless phone," explained Alex. "Let me speak to him."

"Hello, my name's Alex Drake. I'm a DI here. Who are you?"

"My name is DI Matthew Cottan, but most people call me Dot. I was shot in the line of duty. The last thing I remember was lying on the grass on a sunny day. Kate was talking to me, taking my dying declaration. I trying to tell her who my corrupt boss was. Where is Kate?"

"Well, Kate's not here Dot, but this is the guv, DCI Gene Hunt."

"Hang on, I know you…you're Lindsay Denton. Why are you telling me your name is Alex Drake?" said the man in a Blackpool accent. Alex just looked at him.

There was another raised voice in the corridor, this time a woman's London accent.

"I'm telling you, I'm PC Maneet Bindra." A figure came in, dressed in a police uniform that Alex recognised.

"What is she wearing trousers for?" asked Gene in confusion.

More shouting, before Maneet had even had a chance to greet them. A young policeman, with a dark glare. "Who're you?" he demanded in a Midlands accent. "I'm PC Ryan Pilkington," he added reluctantly, his words both aggressive and nervous in the same proportion.

He suddenly looked horrified, as another figure walked into the office. "John?" he whispered. "But you're…"

"I'm DS John Corbett," the newest arrival announced in a Liverpudlian accent. He looked at the others in equal confusion. "Where the hell am I?"

Gene smiled at Alex, taking her hand. "I'm not sure that anyone actually knew each other before," he commented. "This lot might be fun. I'll be in my office Bols!" He kissed her again, enjoying the new sensation of having her close.

"Hi Dot, Maneet, Ryan and John, come with me please," she asked with some sympathy for their confusion. The assembled in the interview room. As they glared at each other, Jim Keats entered.

"Daniel?" said Dot in confusion. "Can this day get any stranger?"

Keats glared at Alex, furious that she had returned and upset his attempt to isolate Gene. Furious there were more coppers in the office. He then froze, before his clothes changed and he returned as another policeman, pixelated at first. "I'm Daniel Waldron," he stated simply. He looked around him, confused.

"I think it did get stranger Dot," said Alex smiling at her new recruits. "Tea anyone?"