Oooo, sorry for the long delay with getting this chapter up – don't you just hate real life sometimes? Lol

Anyways, thanks as always to those who reviewed and I hope you all enjoy this next chapter!

"Thank-you", Alex told Shaz as her young friend helped her back into her hospital bed. After wheeling her out into the corridor and up to the nurses station, Alex had insisted she had to use the hospital phone for urgent police businesss. Not a complete lie, she thought to herself. A man's career and possibly his freedom depend on the call.

"No problem Ma'am, just happy to help." Alex thought Shaz looked visibly happier now that when she'd first come round.

"Shaz . . ." She paused. She didn't know what she wanted to say. When can I get out of here? Do I have any clothes here? Why am I back here again? Am I dead? When is Gene coming back? Have I scared him away forever? Is he even real?

She decided to start with an easy question. Poor Shaz looks confused enough. "Where are my clothes Shaz?"

Shaz swallowed. "Erm . . . well, the ones you had when . . . when you came in here have been taken away by forensics . . ."

Course they have.

"Shaz, I know it's a lot to ask and you've already done so much, I know, but do you think you could . . ." Alex didn't get the chance to finish her question, as Shaz practically leapt to her feet.

"Course Ma'am, no problem, I'll go by your flat tonight and bring you some clothes in the morning. Did the doctor's say when you can go home?"

Alex had managed to have a quick word with one of the nurses that were treating her after she'd used the phone before. "The nurse said she would check with the doctor but she thinks it'll be no longer than a couple of days."

One week later and Alex was only just getting out of the hospital. Chris and Shaz had come to pick her up, along with all the get well soon cards and tokens that had been sent or brought in to her over the last seven days. Shaz had dropped by every night after she finished at the office, even if she only stayed for half an hour, bringing her whatever she needed and keeping her up to date on the shenanigans of Fenchurch East.

Although Shaz mentioned 'the Guv', and how he was back where he belonged in the station after her phone call to the super the previous week with all the charges dropped, she never went further than that. And Alex never pushed.

"Come on then Ma'am let's get you into the car", Chris told her, supporting her weight as she slid into the passenger side of the patrol car.

"Does this count as valuable use of police sources?" Alex asked only half-joking.

"Guv wanted to make sure you got home ok", Chris replied, clearly not noticing the surprised look on her face or the slightl shrill tone in her voice as she asked "He did?"

"He's been asking about you all week Ma'am", Shaz piped up from the back seat. "We told him you were being discharged today and he sent us here to get you. Wanted us to get you settled at home before we go back to work." She decided not to tell Alex about the threats the Guv had issued along with these orders.

Maybe he does care after all. The fact he hadn't phoned, visited or even sent a message with one of the others over the last week had hurt Alex. Even Ray had been to see her. Ray! He must still be angry with me. So angry he doesn't want to see me, even after he shot me. She knew it had been an accident of course, had told the Super so, but a little apology or even an acknowledgement of her existence would've been appreciated. Forget it, you need to concentrate on getting better Alex.

"Mmmm . . . well? Shall we go Chris? I don't know about you two, but I have had quite enough of hospitals over the last week."

Alex poured herself another glass of water from the tap, before returning to the sofa and pulling the blanket up over her bent knees to her chin. Unable to drink on the medication she'd been issued, she was stuck with tap water. Brilliant. Just when I could do with a drink as well.

Shaz and Chris had kept true to their word, or Gene's orders anyway, helping her into the flat and making sure she was comfortable and had everything she needed before Alex practically had to throw them out of the door. "I'll be fine guys really. You go off and have a good night. I'll ring you in the morning to see what's going on and let you know I'm ok."

Now she was sat alone flicking through the channels on the TV trying her best to get some sort of sign that she was still alive in 2008. She wasn't having much luck though.

Come on Molls, where are you? Just give me something.

Her eyes were beginning to droop a little as she continued to flick unsuccessfully. The doctor had warned that her medication would make her sleepy and that she needed as much rest a spossible in her condition. She was just trying to muster up enough energy to get up, turn the TV off and go to bed when a knock at the door made her sit bolt upright. It had been so quiet she thought maybe she'd dreamt it in her dozing state until it came again much harder. Pushing the blanket to one side she got up a little wobbly and went to open the door.

Ok, I know there's no way Alex would be out of the hospital so soon after being shot and that she probably wouldn't be on her own but it's my story right, so I can do what I like?

Sorry to leave it on another cliffhanger but I'm already working on the next chapter so hopefully that'll be up soon and we can get into the more Galex-y stuff :) So please stick with the story and let me know what you think!