China Girl

(An Ashes to Ashes Fic)

So, here's the next chapter and I hope it's not too confusing and that you at least understand it a bit. I'm not really expecting people to understand it fully, because you're not meant to...but as long as you enjoy reading it and if you have an questions just PM me :D

Chapter 13 –

Truth

'Just before Alex was shot, I received a phone call from Arthur Layton. He didn't say it was him, but I knew…I'd remember that voice anywhere…cold, dark, threatening…' he paused for a second, glancing at Peter to confirm that he was still listening, before continuing with his story, trembling involuntarily at the memories which had haunted him for so long now.

'…Layton is the connection between the two worlds, because he was the one who killed Alex's parents…he was the one that started everything…and I always knew that one day she'd have to go back to Gene Hunt's world…because that's where she'd always belonged…She didn't belong here…here doesn't even exist really and that's why I could never destroy Layton and destroy the connection between the two worlds…not until the time was right…'

'I…I don't understand…'

'…because of the sheer trauma of Alex's parents dying when she was such a young age, and in such tragic circumstances…her mind created another world for her to live out her life without her parents, until she was ready to move back to the world where she belonged, except she could only return as an adult… when the time was right…

…I know it's complicated…insane even…but that's it…we're living inside Alex's Drake's mind…and as soon as I destroy Arthur Layton…or Molly and Sam return to 1982 then this world will disappear…because you and me and everyone here…we're just imaginary constructs…

'So…so lets speak 'hypothetically' and say that what you're telling me is true…'

Evan rolled his eyes, but decided not to comment at this moment.

'…then when Alex was shot she went back to 1982, which you say is where she 'belongs'; so why did she come back to this world again?' And what about Molly? Where does she fit into all of this?'

'Alex came back because of Molly. Molly was a construct, just like the two of us; although because she was Alex's child, she had the choice of going to live in the other world with her mum…'

'…So she knew?'

'No neither Molly nor Alex knows anything about the reason for the connection between the worlds. Of course, Alex knows there are two worlds, but she doesn't know why, and as far as I'm concerned that's the way it's going to stay.'

'But I'm Molly's father!'

'…You say that now, when it suits you Peter…but you never gave a damn about her before did you? It's best this way…'

For a moment Peter almost looked as though he was going to punch Evan, but gradually the anger bubbled away, as he thought about the truth and reality behind Evan's words. He hadn't cared about Molly; he hadn't been there for her when he should have been. He hadn't been there for her, when Alex obviously had, and therefore Evan had made the right choice, sending her to live with her Mum in 1982.

'I cut the brakes because it was the only way to end all of this…

…Arthur Layton was fleeing the country. And before you ask, I can't tell you how I knew…but he was…and I made sure I knew what vehicle he was using to travel, what route he was taking and what time… So then when our car crashed into the lorry that he was travelling in…all of this would be over…Molly would be back with Alex…and the connection between the two worlds would be broken for good…

…only it didn't quite work out that way…obviously Molly died in this world, but because Arthur and I are still alive, she hasn't made it back to 1982 yet…and she's stuck between the two worlds with Sam Tyler…'

'Sam Tyler? But isn't that the name Alex asked you about, when she first woke up at the hospital, she asked you to get her his file, didn't she?'

Evan nodded 'He started out as a construct…but because the connection between the two worlds was open…when he was involved in a car crash which resulted in him being in a coma for several months…he went back to Gene Hunt's world…where he eventually decided to stay...'

'So…So how many…'time travellers' are there exactly?'

'Who knows? There could just be Alex, Sam and Molly…but there could be many, many more…'

**

'Annie this is…'

'Alex. I know who she is Gene, she's all you've talked about since I arrived in London' Annie said, smirking knowingly as both Gene and Alex blushed slightly at her comment.

She almost laughed out loud, as it was the first time that she'd ever seen Gene Hunt even remotely embarrassed. If only Sam could have been here to see this!

'Anyway Alex…' she smiled, having finally succeeded in her attempt to stop herself from laughing '…how are you feeling now?'

'I'm good thanks Annie. I'm just glad to be back home really…' she said, taking a seat on the zebra-print sofa, while indicating for Annie to do the same.

'Home?' Gene asked, remembering all the times she'd claimed that her life here was only temporary, and of course with what he now knew about the future, he wondered whether or not she'd finally decided to stay here, after all.

'Yeah…Home' Alex smiled reassuringly, watching the rare hint of emotion flash in his eyes, before it was quickly replaced by his usual blank expression, and Alex knew that she had a lot of explaining to do, if she ever wanted her life here to work.

Please Review and I promise some 'Galex' soon ;)