China Girl

(An Ashes to Ashes Fic)

Hey :) This is probably a shorter chapter than the others, but as it's such a miserable day today, i'm aiming to have another chapter up sometime tonight. Please review, as I would love to know what you think, good or bad :)

Chapter 5 –

Where have all the good times gone?

She looked up suddenly, and as her eyes fell upon the figure standing in the gap between the two curtains, she honestly couldn't remember a time in her life when she'd ever felt more relieved.

'Gene' she whispered, as he smiled at her. She could tell from his expression that he was nervous about seeing her after the 'accident', and so she smiled back, trying to put as many unsaid thoughts into that one smile, so that she could reassure him and so that he would know that all was forgiven.

And from the look in his piercing blue eyes, she knew that he understood. She knew that they still had that connection.

Although, only moments later their transfixed gaze was broken by a subtle cough from Ray, and she turned to see the three of them sharing uncomfortable glances.

'Erm, well we'll just wait outside ma'am, you know; so you two can talk…' Shaz mumbled to Alex as she stood up and hurriedly made her towards the gap in the curtains, where Gene was currently stood.

'Yeah see you soon Ma'am' Chris told her, smiling briefly before following Shaz, as Gene moved out of the way to let them pass.

Ray waited until Chris & Shaz had disappeared down the corridor before turning to Alex; momentarily letting it slip his mind that Gene was still standing there. He didn't want to see like a 'poof' in front of the 'Manc Lion', but he felt that he needed to say something to Alex. Just so that she knew, how much he really respected her.

'Erm Drake…Ma'am I mean…I just wanted to say that, well when you first joined the team…well as you know I didn't particularly like you that much; I guess I just didn't wanna accept that I had a bird as me boss…but anyway what I wanted t'say is that well I realise now just how important you are to t'team…and well like I said to the Guv; you might be a pain in the arse but well you're our pain in the arse…and well I hope you're get better again soon, coz we need you…' he trailed off, embarrassed at this sudden show of affection towards his boss in front of the Guv, and hurried out of the room before anyone had a chance to speak.

Alex stared after him in shock. Of all the team, she'd never have imagined Ray to say anything as kind as that to her. She didn't even think that he liked her.

She felt a tear glide slowly down her pale face and used her sleeve to wipe it away.

'Eh don't cry Bolls; I need you t'be strong…'

'Sorry…It's just…'

'I know…'

She watched as he moved to sit on the end of the bed, exactly as Peter Drake had, back in 2008. A whole lifetime away now.

'Listen Bolls…y'do remember the accident don't you? You erm…you remember what happened?...Who shot ya?'

'Gene I know…'

'Bolls listen…'

'No Gene you listen! I forgive you…I know it was an accident and I know you would never do anything like that on purpose because I know you. And I don't want you feeling guilty about what happened, because it's over now. We can move on…forget everything that happened that day, because I've had to give up a lot, leave behind someone I really care about to be sitting here right now…and I'm not going to loose you too…'