China Girl

(An Ashes to Ashes Fic)

Hi again everyone :D Did you all see Dean Andrews on Calender News tonight? He was talking about A2A S3 and about a 10 mile run that he is taking part in soon. Anyway; here's the next chapter of China Girl, which I hope you enjoy & please review, so that I know what you all think :D

Chapter 15 –

There Is a Happy Land

'Mum?'

'Mummy?'

'Mum, Uncle Sam says I'll be able to see you soon. He says I can come and live with you mum…Mum…mum…mummy…'

Alex awoke with a start, Molly's distinctive voice still ringing in her head, playing over and over again as though it were on constant repeat.

She moved Gene's arm, which had been slung protectively around her waist, and attempted to get out of bed without waking him, as a quick glance at the clock told her it was only 5 Am, and she was pretty certain he would not appreciate being woken at this time.

**

Turning the kettle on, Alex attempted to make sense of the dream. Molly had said that she was coming to live with her soon; did that mean that she had achieved the mission that Sam had set her and that Annie finally believed her? And if she did, then Alex was pretty certain it had something to do with the phone call last night and therefore she needed to talk to Annie, in order to understand any of this.

'Alex?'

At the sound of her name being called she turned around to see Gene walking towards her.

'I'm sorry Gene; I didn't mean to wake you…Its only early…you should go back to bed for a bit…'

'Not until you tell me what's going on Alex…'

'What do you mean?' she asked, genuinely having no idea what he was talking about.

'Why's there a kids uniform in your wardrobe?'

'A what?'

'A school uniform. I went to get one 'o them shirts out o' ya wardrobe, coz I knew ya probably still 'ad 'em. And there it was…I mean why didn't you tell me if your daughters coming to live with 'ya?'

'She's not…I mean she…she…well she might be…oh I don't know…I don't know anything anymore…' she said, struggling to keep her voice steady as tears began flowing rapidly down her face, and Gene put his arms around her and held her while she cried into his shoulder.

**

It was around 8 Am and Ray was on his way to CID; he was slightly earlier this morning as Chris had phoned him last night to tell him that they were hopefully expecting the return of both Gene Hunt and Alex Drake today.

He had been slightly shocked to hear that Alex was back so soon, but also fairly pleased as even he had to admit that CID had not been the same without her and Gene. He'd even missed their constant bickering and occasional flirting; but more than anything he just wanted everything to return to normal; or at least how it used to be!

However, as he approached the entrance to CID, he saw a woman sitting on the stairs outside the double doors.

She looked up as she heard his approach and he gaped in shock at the sudden appearance of someone who he had not seen for a very long time. Annie Tyler.

'Annie?'

'Oh 'iya Ray' she sniffed, evidently trying to hide the fact that she had been crying 'Long time, no see eh?'

'Yeah. 'Bin 'bout a year 'ant it?'

She shrugged, but smiled slightly as he sat down next to her on the stairs.

'Still its good 'ter see 'ya…'

'Yeah you too…' she said, as fresh tears swam in her eyes once again, and Ray moved so that he could put an arm around her.

'What's wrong love?' he asked, genuinely concerned for this woman, whom over the years, he had grown to respect and care about greatly.

'You wouldn't believe me if I told you…'

'Try me…'

**

CID had been eagerly anticipating the return of Alex and Gene all morning, so that when the double doors finally swung open at around ten past nine and the two of them stepped into the main part of CID somewhat cautiously, after their extended 'leave', they were certainly not expecting the whole of CID to stand up in a huge round of applause, cheering and wolf-whistles, to show their unconditional respect to their two senior officers.

They waited for a few moments, still slightly shocked at their welcoming, before Gene raised his hands slightly and CID fell into silence once again, as he strode into office, closely followed by Alex.

She watched as he moved the papers around that were stacked on his desk so that they were slightly untidier, before he flung himself into his chair, removing his hip-flask from his coat pocket and taking a large gulp, already making himself at home once again.

She thought back to last night and the way Annie had just ran out of the flat after answering the phone call and was just about to voice her concern to Gene when there was a knock at the office door and Chris walked in looking slightly flustered.

'Ma'am, Guv…'

'What is it Chris?'

'We've just had a call from someone who was walking their dog, says they've seen a little girl wondering around on her own, by the Thames…

…She had a suitcase with her but when they tried to ask her where she was going…she just said she was looking for her mum…'

Dun...Dun...Dun...

Anyway, please review - I always love to know what you think ;)

And I will try to update this & my other two fics asap :D

Fran

xx