Chapter 5 – Sleepless Again

It was 3 days before Alex was deemed well enough to go home. Gene had tried to leave her flat tidy, but she still noticed traces of his residence.

"You might have got rid of your cigarette butts" she grumbled as she settled herself on the sofa.

"Sorry, princess. I'll be more careful next time" he teased her.

"I could get used to being a princess" she giggled. "Come here."

He sat down next to her, pulling her into his arms.

"So, what happens now?" Alex mused.

"Now" Gene replied, "I have to face the music. Get banged up with the rest of the scum."

"Don't say that!" Alex protested. "You're not going to get arrested and you're certainly not scum. It was an accident."

"Still, they're gonna come down on me like a ton o' bricks. You gonna be ok?"

"I won't let that happen. You'll be fine. We'll be fine." She particularly emphasized the last part.


Alex rolled over to look at the clock – 2am. In 5 hours she had to get up for work and she hadn't slept a wink. She got out of bed and slipped her dressing gown on.

"Gene?" she whispered as she walked into the lounge. "Are you awake?"

"Can't sleep either, Bols?" came the reply from the sofa. "Come here. Let's talk."

She switched on the light and went to sit beside Gene. He pulled her onto his lap and kissed the top of her head.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" he asked her.

"I'm worried. About what's going to happen tomorrow." She started to cry softly.

Gene's arms tightened around her as he reassured her "I'll be fine. Don't worry about the Gene Genie."

"It's ok to be scared, you know" she murmured back. "You don't have to pretend."

"I'm scared shitless, Alex" he muttered. "But if you tell anyone, I will have to kill you."

She giggled weakly, taking Gene's hand and squeezing it gently. "It will be ok, though, won't it?" she asked him.

"I don't know, darling. I just don't know" he sighed. "I'm in a mess."

Alex snuggled up to his chest, and they sat quietly for a few minutes, lost in thought.

Alex broke the silence. "Come to bed with me, Gene" she murmured.

"Don't you think it's a bit soon, Alex?" he replied, silently hoping that she didn't think so.

"Not like that!" she laughed. "I just need you with me."

She stood up, retaining his hand in hers. "Please" she whispered.

"Okay" he murmured and kissed her hand.

She led him to the bedroom, releasing his hand when they reached the end of the bed. They slipped under the covers and Gene slid his arms round her waist.

"I love you, Gene" she murmured.

"I love you too, Alex" he whispered into her ear, before dropping a gentle kiss on her neck.

Alex drifted off to sleep listening to Gene's breathing.