Chapter 3

So she waited outside. She wasn't going to go back upstairs to wait for him. The childish side of her took over and she decided she would wait right there outside the door. How dare Mac just boot her out like that? Ok, he was her super and ok she didn't have to be rooted next to Gene all the time ...well, but still HOW DARE HE!

She could see a guy with a brief case and a toad like look on his face heading up the corridor. It had been about half an hour and it was the first person she had seen. He walked up to Super Macs door looked Alex up and down with a snare and knocked.

Alex stood to attention as she heard the door handle being turned.

"Thank you Gene I shall see you tomorrow evening then... DI Drake, I hope you were not eaves dropping? Ah Rugby, come in." Mac extended his arm and the man now known as Mr Rugby stretched out his. Mac grasped the mans forearm instead of shaking his hand. She knew that hand shake. Mac was obviously in the masons, great.

Gene left his office and looked up at Alex.

"Thought I said I would see you upstairs Bolly?" His hands were in his pockets. He looked like a naughty school boy who had come home to his parents and was unsure whether or not they had found out he had done something bad.

"Well you know me Gene not one for following orders, did you see that?" Alex had taken no notice of what Gene had just said. Her eyes still transfixed on Macs arm as he closed the door.

"See what Bolls?"

"How he shook that guys hand! You know what that means don't you?"

"He likes him? He was welcoming him in? Go on Bolls up you go." He gestured to the stairs.

"You know what it means Gene!" She started to walk towards the stairs with him. "He is in the masons! They are connected everywhere! It properly means.... Gene, Mac is properly corrupt."

She put her hand on his arm and turned him round.

"Gene that's not what he keeps talking to you about is it?"

He looked up at her and took in a deep breath. Gene raised his hand and cupped her cheek.

"Bolly how many times do I have to say it today? Trust me."

They stared at each other for a few more seconds; Alex raised her hand to cover Genes.

"I'd trust you more if you told me... but ok." She kissed his hand next to her lips and walked towards the stairs.

-

"Guv, we just had the call from the morgue, said they have taken Irvine's body in and the Coroners not gona be able to do the autopsy till the morning." Ray span round as soon as Gene and Alex entered the office. Ray had a strange eager look on his face. He was waiting what the guv would say. Alex knew why. If there was nothing more to do, if the autopsy results would not be back until tomorrow afternoon... Luigi's called.

"Thank you Raymondo, I take it Mr Irvine's partner is in my office still?"

"Yes Guv" Nodded Ray enthusiastically.

"Good then while were talking to him, why don't you and Chris go brake the news to Irvine's Mrs." Gene smiled and then winked at Alex. She had to stifle a giggle. Obviously Gene had noticed Rays drinking wants as well.

Down trodden and frown firmly set, Ray nodded and he and Chris left muttering something about fancying a pint.

Gene and Alex headed to his office they could see Kevin Hales Sat Patiently in Gene's office. Chewing his nails he looked up from the chair opposite Gene's desk as they entered.

"Mr Hunt, I'm Kevin Hales, PC Irvine's partner...I ...I ... what happened?" Alex could see he had been crying and that his eyes were still a little puffed up. He was looking all around the room. She noted although she could see he was upset, he looked agitated as well.

"PC Hales I'm sorry you have lost your mate but you have to know we can't tell you shit yet. Now the autopsy is tomorrow why don't you come back in a few days...."

"IN A FEW DAYS! ..." Kevin was on the verge of crying again. He took a deep breath."I'm sorry DCI Hunt it's just you know."

"I know mate, now go on let us get on yeah?"

Kevin Hales nodded and turned to walk out of the office.

"Well that was interesting... what do you think about him then Bolly? Seemed a bit uptight."

"He has just lost his best mate, but I know what you mean. He wasn't looking at us you know. There's something that guys not telling us."

"Well that also can wait for tomorrow." Gene stood up and grabbed his coat and then Alex's hand."Like Ray suggested nothing more to do. Its drink time."

Alex laughing followed him out. Ray wasn't going to be happy when he found out Gene had sent him to do the bad deed when he himself was going over to the pub. All well, at least Mac couldn't get to them over the road. Maybe Gene would let something slip about what they were talking about.

-

Ray and Chris joined them an hour or so later. Ray looked out of place, obviously the wife had not taken the news well and he really didn't want to be the one to tell her.

He plonked himself down next to Viv and drank his pint.

"Oh cheer up Ray" Said Gene who was sat next to Alex, his arm draped over the back of her chair. "It could have been worse she could have thrown herself at you."

"Mam, did you have chance to look at any of those magazines?" Shaz asked Alex eagerly.

"Yes Shaz I did in fact..." Alex had thought about a few things while she waited outside Macs office. She had indulged herself in a small amount of girly speculation about her wedding. She had looked through one of Shazs magazines as well .Shaz had been so eager about it Alex knew she would need her help. "...Can I have a quiet word?" She and Shaz stood up.

"Where you two off to?" Enquired Gene.

"Toilet, you know us ladies can only go in pairs."

They stood near the bar as Alex began to talk.

"Shaz I know it's a bit soon but, I was just wondering. Would you be my chief Bridesmaid?" Anxiously Alex looked up at Shaz. She looked stunned, her mouth a gape. "Shaz?"

"OH MY GOD!!!" Shaz jumped off her Chair and flung her arms around Alex."I'd love to mam!"

They returned to a stunned table. "What was that all about Bolly?" Gene whispered in Alex's ear.

"Oh nothing, trust me Gene" She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Minx" He finished off his pint and went to fetch another round.

Everyone seemed to be in good spirits. They had all had a few drinks, had a meal and were now in full song! Luigi was doing his normal headless chicken routine around the members of CID. Alex watched Luigi for a few minutes. That poor, poor man, he had to put up with them every night. He had though, Alex thought always been there for them. When she needed to talk to someone about work, Molly or getting home she always came to Luigi's and talked to him about her problems. He was in many ways a father figure to her... A father.

"Gene?" She questioned, looking up at him from his shoulder she rested her head on.

"Yes Bolls?"

"What do you think about Luigi?"

"Well he aint really my type, bit too short and plump. I'm sure the moustache would get in the way as well."

"Not like that" Laughing she pushed herself up to sitting "I mean... well my father can't give me away." Gene looked at her, she could see he was about to ask why not. Alex raised a hand and shook her head. She wasn't ready to tell him about her Parents just yet. "What about Luigi? I'm taking it your asking Ray to be best man and while I love Chris to bits well you know."

"Not really thought about it Bolly thought maybe we would go more than a day without settling plans, but yeah I suppose I'll ask Ray."

"Do you think I should go ask him then?"

"Bolly, this is going to be your show luv. I'm just happy you said yes! Means I get to bug ya forever. Bet you didn't think about that did ya?" He smiled down at her. Capturing her lips lightly, slightly forgetting his surroundings. She broke away from him and squeezed his hand. As she turned and got up to leave she noticed there show of affection hadn't gone unnoticed. A table of eyes were staring at the pair.

"Oi you lot get used to it or fuck off!" Gene winked at Alex and nodded towards Luigi. She mouthed 'Thank you 'at him and went to talk to Luigi.

"Luigi I ..."

"Ah singorina Drake, Glad you and Mr Hunt look so happy. Congratulations by the way. I hope you two are very very happy!"

"Thank you Luigi, I was wondering can I have a word?"

"Why of course! How can I help you?"

"Well it's just you know me and Gene are ...getting married" Why she blushed as she said it she would never know, but she was getting nervous about asking Luigi. "Well I have a question for you."

"Yes, yes?" He was listening intently now, drying a glass absent mindly.

"Well it's just my parents... they won't be there I won't have my dad to give me away. So I was wondering... would you give me away Luigi?"

SMASH

"MAMMA MIA! YES YES OH HOW WONDERFULL! YOU BEAUTIFUL LADY! THANK YOU THANKS YOU!"

Luigi had dropped the glass he was drying and was now repeatedly kissing each of her cheeks in turn. The rest of the CID table had stood up in shock at the smash and was now watching. Luigi grabbed Alex's hand and led her back to the table sat her back down to Gene.

"Everyone! Miss Drake has asked me to give her away! The drinks are on me!"

"WAYHAY!!!"A huge cheer erupted and a massive storm for the bar occurred.

"One at a time! One at a time!" Luigi ran as fast as he could back to the bar.

"Take it he said yes then."Gene said as she snuggled back up to him.

"He sure did, you don't mind do you?"

"What that he gives you away? No, as long as I get to be the bloke marrying ya I couldn't give a toss. Now..." He started to kiss her neck. She smiled and put her head back slightly to give him better access."... We getting out of her so we can practice that wedding night stuff again."

"Sounds like a plan Guv." She grabbed his hand and passing the crowed of CID awaiting the promise of free drinks dragged her fiancé upstairs.

Super Mac was nothing to worry about for the rest of the evening, like Hales the autopsy and the rest of the case he could wait for tomorrow. Tonight she wanted Gene Hunt and Gene Hunt only.

(See I know I ended the last chapter evil but things seem to be working out ...well for now. Mwha ha ha! Smut to follow my friends they are heading upstairs after all! Keep reviewing guys!"