Gene sat at Luigi's bar, sipping his beer slowly as the music played in the background. He felt satisfied as the case was now closed, his hunch had been proven correct and he was back from leave. Although he was still annoyed by what Alex had done, he was taking it in his stride. She had had her reasons, and despite whatever he shouted at her, he respected her.
"Bolly, you want another of those?" he asked, gesturing to her empty wine glass.
"Okay," she agreed. "Thanks. Although I should probably be buying you a drink to say well done on the case. And sorry. I am sorry, you know."
He smiled ruefully. "I know you are. But don't do that again."
"God no, never," exclaimed Alex with feeling, as tears sprung to her eyes. She felt disloyal after what she had done to discredit Gene, but had felt she had no choice. Gene saw the tears, but instead of making a scathing comment, he wiped them away tenderly.
"I am proud of you for doing the right thing, Alex. And I'm ashamed of myself," he said in a rare moment of self reflection.
Chris and Ray were leaving to visit Shaz, who was still in hospital. "See you, guv," they both said as they left. The bar was empty, with only a few diners remaining, scattered at tables. As Alex took a long sip of her Chardonnay, she recognised a song she liked and took Gene's hand in hers.
"Sorry again Gene," she repeated, still holding it gently.
"All right, all right, it's all forgotten," he reminded her.
"Dance with me?" she asked quietly. They moved to the music, separately at first, but Alex soon moved closer and rested her head on Gene's chest. He felt good, solid and he smelled of the familiar blend of smoke and after shave. "Mmm, you smell good," she remarked, almost to herself.
He took his jacket off and hung it on the back of a chair nearby, and loosened his tie. Alex folded her arms around his strong physique again, this time tighter, and looked up at him closely. His eyes were a bright blue like a tropical sea, and they twinkled with amusement at her. She ran her fingers across his cheek, following the line of his jaw.
"I've never worked with someone I fancied before," he told her. "It's bloody difficult." She smiled. She always enjoyed how honest he was. No-one in her life spoke to her directly like him, and despite trying to find it irritating, she secretly relished this quality in a man. They swayed comfortably together as the slow song played on.
"Gene?" she asked.
"Yes?"
"Are you seeing anyone?"
"I'm not, Bolly, no."
"How long were you married for?"
"Nearly nine years, Bolly. She finally had enough of me."
"So we're both single then?" Alex checked. "And I've only had two glasses of wine, and you're amazingly just on your second beer." Alex smiled at her mental checklist that she had spoken aloud. Gene looked puzzled as if he didn't know where she was going with this.
"And I find you very attractive Gene," she added. "I like that you're a good man, and a good copper. And…yes, I fancy you too."
Gene looked closely at her as she pulled away to finish her wine. Placing the glass down, she took his jacket and then his hand and led him up the stairs to her flat. He followed, unresisting, but with an unreadable expression on his face.
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Once in the flat, she closed the door slowly behind him, and leaned on it. She put his jacket on a hook and kicked her shoes off. She met Gene's eyes and held his gaze for a long while.
"Are you sure about this Alex?" Gene finally asked.
"I am," Alex confirmed, smiling happily. She stepped closer to him and began to unbutton his shirt and tie. She took it off and smiled at his vest, removing that too, before stepping again into his comforting hold. He stroked her hair tenderly and kissed her gently at first, but soon hard and full of longing. Their tongues met and she tasted beer and smoke. She slipped her top and necklace off over her head and they paused, enjoying the moment which was long overdue.
"God, I've wanted to do this ever since I saw you dressed as a prozzie," confessed Gene.
"Just kiss me you mean?" Alex teased.
Gene replied, his voice thick with desire. "Not just kiss you, Bols. Come to bed."
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Alex was up early, full of hope and feeling elated. She made two teas and returned to bed, finding Gene's shirt and slipping into it, feeling comfort in his familiar smell. She sat gently on the bed, watching his sleeping form, surprised at the complexity of the emotions she felt for him, this proud and beautiful man.
"Are you staring at me?" he asked, his eyes opening with a brief blink, before sitting up.
"Yes," she admitted.
"I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing," he replied, slipping the tea she had offered, and watching her. She caught his hand in hers and held it.
"I'm not ashamed of what we did Gene," said Alex gently.
"Well, I hope not, because I'm planning to do it all over again," he said smiling.
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The shower in Alex's flat made the room steamy and Gene hummed as he rubbed shampoo into his hair. It was a fruity smell, not his usual brand at all. He smiled as he thought of talk in the office. Ray and Chris probably thought they were sleeping together already. The curtain moved to reveal a naked Alex, who joined him in the shower without embarrassment. She drew him close, slowly closing her eyes to enjoy the hot water on her face. He stroked her hair, and marvelled at how amazing she was, this clever, gorgeous and contradictory woman. The sex had been brilliant, better than he had ever imagined; Alex was thoughtful yet uninhibited. Despite what some thought, Gene was not promiscuous and had not strayed from his wife during their years together.
Alex spread butter on the hot toast, before cutting it into triangles. She took a bite, her happiness evident on her face. Gene, hair still damp from the shower and towel around his waist, came into the kitchen, and took the piece from her hand. She grabbed him playfully as he ate the toast, and it ended in a kiss that threatened to take them back to bed.
"We need to get to work," she reminded them, panting.
"Spoilsport," teased Gene, smiling.
"I love to see you smile, Gene," said Alex, gently running her hand through his hair.
Gene gave her a long look. He felt strongly for her, but had never told her the true extent of his feelings. "I'm not good at saying how I feel Bolly," he started. "I've loved working with you, but you also drive me up the wall. But I'm really proud of you. As a police officer, I mean. As your boss."
Tears sprung to Alex's eyes again. "Thank you," she said smiling through the tears.
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They held hands on the way into the office but parted ways on arrival. No one batted an eyelid, such was the already complex nature of their existing relationship. Later that morning, Gene made coffee for Alex, which was not a common place event. He pulled a chair up to her desk, sitting close, their legs touching.
"Thanks, guv," she smiled, realising the extent of the gesture immediately.
"Shall we go for a drive after you've finished that?" he asked quietly, "I can't concentrate or look at you without wanting to kiss your lips."
They walked to the Quattro in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Gene drove them for a while, before pulling in in a quiet leafy lane.
"How are we going to do this Bols?" he asked. "I'm falling for you. How do you feel? Could you love me?"
Alex's answer was a long, gentle kiss. "I already love you," she stated simply as she pulled away.
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In Luigi's that evening, they told Chris and Ray. Neither was even faintly surprised, but they both sniggered without malice. "We always though you were already shagging boss," said Ray. "Who wouldn't want a bit of that?"
"Raymondo, I'll have you know that's your senior officer you are speaking of," said Gene, but his eyes sparkled even more brightly.
"I can't wait to tell Shaz," laughed Chris. "She will be over the moon!"
They left together, punching each other playfully, to visit Shaz again. She was due to leave hospital at the end of the week.
"Well, Bols, its just you and me again," said Gene, stating the obvious. He smiled and then laughed at himself. "My cheeks are hurting, I'm smiling so much today!"
From the bar, Luigi looked on indulgently. Pouring another glass of Chardonnay, he walked over to the couple, sitting together, Gene's arm draped gently over Alex's shoulder. "For you senorina," he smiled. "About time too."
"Thanks Luigi," said Alex, smiling too.
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As they walked upstairs to Alex's flat, she spoke suddenly, without thinking. "You should bring a change of clothes Gene, it'll save you going home to change before work."
"Will this be a regular thing then?" he asked, almost shyly.
"Well, I hope so," said Alex, slightly puzzled.
"Are you sure you can put up with me?" asked Gene, still feeling insecure.
Alex's answer was again a kiss. She spoke the language well. As she broke away, she took both of Gene's hands and pulled him through her door, giggling.
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"Alex?" Gene asked, later on. "Where's your daughter?"
Alex looked sad. "I don't see her as often as I'd like to Gene. She is so beautiful and funny. You'd love her, she's very naughty."
"I'd love to meet her. If she's anything like you, she'll be a fantastic child."
"Thanks," said Alex, smiling sadly.
She slept soundly that night, for the first time in a long time. Lying with her head on Gene's chest, she felt safe and secure. Her heart felt like it might burst, and it seemed Gene felt the same. Despite the uncertainty of the last months, she finally felt she was in the right place. With Gene.
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