Sorry this took so long just had a lot to deal with these last few weeks.

Chapter 3

"DCI Hunt I feel we need to step into your office." Superintendent Richardson said heading for the door with Gene following silently.

By this point Dean had been led away by Viv and left the rest of CID dumbstruck. Alex moved to her desk knowing if she didn't sit down soon her legs would give way in shock.

He wouldn't do something like that. He could but he wouldn't. Would he? No Alex don't be silly of course he wouldn't.

Raised voices could be heard from Gene's office then the door was opened and the new Super emerged.

"DCI Hunt has been suspended effective immediately pending an investigation. DI Drake you will be in charge until this is all over."

"What? But Gene... I.. eer... mean DCI Hunt wouldn't do something like that!" Alex stood from her desk in protest.

"DCI Hunt please collect you things you have one hour to leave or you will be escorted out." The Super replied coldly, ignoring Alex's protest before leaving CID and leaving Gene alone with his team.

"Guv?"

"Don't Chris; I don't have time for this now." Gene said as he turned back to his office slamming the door behind him.

Chris turned to Alex

"Ma'am what's going on?" Chris asked totally confused and bewildered by the event which has just taken place in CID.

"I don't know Chris but I'll sort it and it'll all be fine, don't panic" With that Alex turned and walked to Gene's office. She opened the door cautiously and stepped in, closing it behind her.

Alex entered the room to find Gene stood at the window looking out over his kingdom, watching the rain trickle down the glass. He had a cigarette in one hand and an open bottle of scotch in the other.

"Guv?" Alex said at almost a whisper that at first she wasn't even sure he had heard her until he turned to face her. She saw something in his face she hadn't seen in a long time, hurt and disappointment.

"Guv?" She said again, this time a little louder. "Guv, what happened?"

"You heard. I've been suspended and you're taking over." He responded with sorrow and self-pity heavy in his voice.

"Did you do it?" Alex asked plainly and to the point walking towards him.

"They say I did so what difference does it make. No-one seems to care whether I did or not."

"I care; I care whether you did it." Alex said quiet shocked at how he seemed to have given up. He had lost all his manc lion fight. He had truly been hurt by what had happened. "So did you?"

"Of course I didn't. I can't believe you had to ask."

"I'm sorry I just had to know for sure. If you didn't do it then you have nothing to fear and this will soon be sorted." Alex said trying to be positive. "Wont it?"

"I don't know. The Super says this is a new time for policing and these sorts of things will be taken seriously. He said he had to do this to prove to the public that all the trouble with Super Mac is over."

"So you're just going to give up? But you didn't do it."

"What else can I do?"

"Fight! We can fight and prove they were wrong."

"In case you have forgotten I have been suspended. I can't do anything."

"I can"

"NO!" he said forcefully. "I don't want you getting involved in all this."

"Gene please. I want to help you." Alex said walking towards him.

"I don't know about all this Alex."

"Luigis tonight?" Alex said with a smile know better than to continue on that subject.

"Yeh I could do with a drink."

"Well I might even get you one depending on how I feel."

"I better got going Bolls before they send someone to get me and you'll be wanting to move your stuff in here being the new DCI and all." He said going to his filling cabinet to get his other bottle of scotch.

"No of course I am not moving in here. This is your office and it will be here exactly as you leave it when you get back. When this is all sorted" She said walking towards his desk to try and make an attempt to organise all the papers that lay on his desk. "Well it may be a little tidier" She said with a grin.

"Cheeky mare." He grabbed his coat from the stand by the door and headed for the door. He took a deep breath, composed himself and walked out ready to face his team. He turned to find Alex stood by his side. This comforted him a little; she was with him all the way.

"Right." He bellowed as CID turned to face him. "As you already know I have been suspended and DI Drake is in charge. I want you to do as she says and give her the respect she deserves. I don't want any crap from any of you. Understand?"

"Yes Guv." Chorused through the room. Alex smiled at Gene standing there standing up for her like that. He truly respected her.

"Right now mush, you lot have got work to do." With that he left CID and Alex followed. She caught up to him at the steps leading out of the station. He turned at the sounds of her running towards him.

"Gene... thanks you... for that... back there."

"It's fine."

After a long and awkward pause Alex turned to walk back into the station.

"I better go Guv. See you in Luigis tonight?"

"Yeh"

With that Alex left for CID and Gene got in the Quattro watching her leave.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it. Please review.

Steph x