A blurred mass of colour blinded her as she tentatively opened her eyes, not knowing what to expect. 1984 or 2008? From just staring at the white ceiling and nothing else she struggled to determine her location. Turning her head slightly to look around a dull ache ran through her and she let out a small whimper of pain. A shadow dropped to her side within seconds as she settled back into a more comfortable position.
"You shouldn' be movin' Alex." 1984. She'd recognise the sound of Gene Hunt anywhere but was still surprised slightly at his use of her real name.
"What happened?" She murmured as she felt his hand brush a strand out of her face. He didn't say anything just looked at her, a look of relief in his eyes. She didn't press the matter, just relaxed into his hand and closed her eyes.
"You sleep. We'll catch this bastard." He told her softly, stroking her cheek gently until her breath evened out and she was asleep. He left and headed into the bedroom, taking a soft yellow blanket from the chair in the corner and bringing it through covered her with it. Despite the drama of that afternoon she slept peacefully.
The minute he had headed back inside with her he'd headed straight through the building and back to the Quattro. Instructing Shaz to make sure both his and Alex's belongings got brought back he sat Alex in the passenger seat, strapped her in (ignoring the fact seatbelts were totally pointless in his opinion) and shut the door, moving quickly round and into the drivers. Driving as fast as ever with glances towards Alex's unconscious body every so often it didn't take him long to get her back to the flat and upstairs. Then it was just a case of waiting for her to wake.
Closing the door behind him Gene stopped for a moment. He was torn. Work alongside his team to track down the psycho stalking bastard or look after Alex? Coming up with the decision that Ray, Chris and Shaz wouldn't be back for a while as they had to sort everything out down at the hotel and then come back he returned to the flat and took to pouring himself a drink and sitting beside her slumbered form.
Back at the hotel panic had ensued after Shaz had returned from talking to the Guv. She was shaking slightly at the drama and began looking wildly around for Chris. Eventually she saw him and Ray come round the corner, out of breath and looking slightly disappointed.
"How's Ma'am?" Was their first question as they bent double trying to catch their breaths.
"Guv's taken her home. Did you get 'im?" Shaz asked nervously.
"No. Bastard slipped away. Got the gun though, wrapped it in this." Ray brought out the bundle having used his cravat as a carrier in order to not mix fingerprints.
"See what forensics can get." He finished. Remarkably the amount of alcohol Ray had managed to drink today had been ignored the minute the bullet was heard and he was acting sober and smarter than normal.
"Brill. S'pose we better inform the commissioner." Shaz sighed, the man was a nightmare to talk to with his sexist views and terrible attitude.
"Done." Ray announced and Shaz couldn't contain the look of astonishment.
"Wow Ray. You've done everything!" She beamed at him.
"It's when it's one of ya own. Makes you think faster. We better get all the stuff and head back to CID. Got a case to solve." He returned her smile. They separated, informing the group of worried guests what was going on and how the reception was over and everyone was to head home.
After a couple of hours Alex woke to see her Guv stood having a cigarette by the window, his back to her. She smiled slightly, glad he stayed, not wanting to wake to an empty flat. She watched him in silence, noticing each small action, the way that half way through the cigarette he switched hands, running the newly free hand through his hair before resting it by his side. How the glint of now early moonlight sparkled off him, making his steely eyes look like watery pools with impossible depths and making his hair shine. The outline of his suit against the natural light reminded her of the heroes in so many fairy stories, how the prince would always save the day.
'Gene Hunt her knight in shining armour? Puh-lease.' Alex silently scolded herself as she watched him stub out the cigarette and turn back, noticing she was awake.
"Getting a good look Bolls?" He asked and she smiled gently. He returned to the chair he'd placed by her side, and lightly stroked her hair.
"How are ya feelin'?" He asked.
"Better. I didn't expect you to stay." She replied lazily, enjoying the warmth of his fingers in her hair.
"Had to make sure you were alrigh' didn't I? Can' have ya moanin' at me tomorrow abou' bein' left alone." He replied taking his hand away and leaning back on the chair, watching her. She shifted up slightly to look at him properly.
"Thank you. You didn't have to though." He didn't respond, just nodded slightly, a small, rare smile of his lips.
"Any news from Ray or the others?" She brought up the new conversation, the one that had been playing on both minds for the past five minutes without comment.
"Nothin' much. Shaz radioed in sayin' they didn't find a lot go' the gun though. Get some forensics, migh' help us track the bastard. On their way 'ome now." he explained all that he knew, pouring himself a small scotch, holding up to offer her some. She shook her head and shifted herself to sit more upright in the chair.
"Didn't anyone see him?" Alex asked, nervousness that she'd tried so hard to cover up shining through.
"If they did they didn' speak up. Now we've go' a crazy, bleedin' psycho stalker who isn't afraid to stick a bullet through someone's head." Alex shuddered at his response, remembering the déjà vu of the moment that afternoon, and a time just a few years ago, in the future…she didn't know anymore.
Again the two of them sat in comfortable silence, catching quick glances over at one another, then moving their gazes to not catch each other. The room seemed to go all hazy eventually, when both his steely blue eyes trapped her soft chocolate ones, in a metaphorical embrace. The moment however, was snatched away from the rapping at the door.
"I'll get it." Alex began to stand before being gently pushed back onto the sofa.
"You're mean' ta be restin', I'll get it." Gene replied, rising from the seat and heading over to the door. Opening it he was greeted by two bags of luggage and the sound of retreating footsteps. 'Chris.' thought the Guv, immediately working this out after hearing the sound of a tripping and an oof, from the owner.
"Idiot." He muttered, bringing the suitcases through and closing the door.
"Blimey Bolls what did you bring the wardrobe?" He asked as he heaved it into the room and dropped it on the floor.
"It's not that bad." She said, remembering the previous night and herself, floundering through the wardrobe and drawers, looking for her dress and a change of clothes for the next day.
"Whatever. How you managed to get tha' to CID and into the boo' of the car is beyond me." He stated, downing the rest of his drink.
"Must just be stronger than you Guv. What do you say to that?" She asked, a teasing smile on her face.
"Bollocks." He said confidently in reply.
"Really? You can't lift a bag five steps? Is that why Shaz brings you, your tea? The mug just too hard to carry from the kitchen to your office?" She asked, enjoying the teasing.
"Bolly. I managed to carry you. Now if that ain't heavy I dunno what is." He responded, matching her smile. She feigned horror at the comment.
"Well! Here's me thinking you've actually acted nicely tonight Gene and you go and repay me by saying I'm heavier than a suitcase." She pretended to gasp in disappointment at him.
"Shows I'm strong enough though. If I can carry you I can carry anything. Apart from your bloody suitcase." He responded.
"Your just weak." She leaned forward slightly, looking up at him.
"Well your obviously feelin' a lot better. If I'm weak how can I do this?" With that he lifted her from the sofa and threw her up in the air a little, before she landed back in arms with a small squeal.
"That's cheating. I'm in trauma here Guv. You shouldn't take advantage of your colleagues." She hit him playfully on the chest.
"Takin' advantage? I think that was you turnin' up in a dress that looks like something you wash the dishes with." He commented, throwing her gently back onto the sofa with another squeal and a small 'poof' from the sofa cushions.
"In your dreams." She shuffled on the sofa to get comfy again.
"I'll let you know." He finished, budging her and sitting on the sofa. Involuntarily she rested back against him instead of moving herself, her head resting on his chest. His arm wrapped around her, his fingers returning to the warmth of his hair.
After about ten minutes of sitting comfortably in silence he spoke again.
"I should really go Bolly. Let you get some sleep."
"I'm comfy. You're stuffs all here. Can't you stay here tonight?" She asked sleepily, Gene left to guess whether or not she was being serious.
"Really Bolls?" He asked but was met with the deep breaths of his now sleeping D.I. Leaning forward he gently kissed her forehead.
"Nigh' Bolls."
Thought I'd treat you all to some Galex as well as continuing the drama :) I hope it's appreciated!
Also...some news for you...next chapter...it's revealed! I can tell its going to be a relief for everyone, I've read the reviews :) This revelation also sets the scene for the big storyline at the end! Hope you're all excited about that :D
Now that's all to be said, please read & review and I'll post the next chapter ASAP. We've nearly finished as well :( My first story is nearly over, only about 3 or 4 chapters left, maybe 5 depends how short and cliffhanger-ey i make the next chapters! x