Sorry about the long delay. After the break from this for my exams took a while to get back into it and had a lot to deal with since exams finishing. Anyway if you haven't already please re-read Chapter 8 as I have slightly changed the ending of it. It doesn't affect the story much but may make this chapter clearer.

Chapter 9

Alex didn't know how long she had stayed curled up on the floor crying for but she was stopped by a sharp knocking at the door. She decided it was best to ignore it but it wouldn't stop.

"Open up. Police"

She stayed curled up. She knew who it was but she had no energy to move and was into much of a state for him to see her.

"Bolls I know your there."

The banging stopped and she could hear his footsteps going back down to Luigis. She let out a sigh she didn't realise she had been holding and began to cry again. She was once again alone but her crying was loud enough she didn't hear the footsteps returning, the key turning in the lock or the figure entering the kitchen. He saw her curled against the counter with a half empty bottle in her hand. He could hear no noise but could see she was crying form her shaking body. He knelt in front of her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Alex."

She looked up to find Gene crouched in front of her.

"Gene how did you know?"

"Know what?" Gene said rather confused.

"I needed you. You told me that you went where you were needed and I needed you and you came." Alex rambled.

"Oh… I just came to see if you wanted to go for a drink but it looks like you have already started." Alex couldn't help but laugh.

"I don't feel like Luigis. Can we just stay here?" she asked pointing to the open bottle.

"Well actually I have something to tell you and the team but I can tell them later."

"What? What is it?" Alex became nervous, the look on his face showed it wasn't something good.

"Well." Gene took a sharp breath. "I have been offered a transfer. In Scotland. They said after everything that has happened, it would be best and you can take over here." Gene paused and waited for her response but it never came. He looked up to find a crying Alex curled back in a ball. "Alex."

"But you can't go. I need you. I can't lose you." She sobbed. "I love you." She mumbled into her arm so he couldn't quite hear her. He didn't push her on what she had said. He wrapped his arms around her and shifted to sit next to her. She snuggled into his chest and cried, just as she had held Dean earlier that day.

"It's ok. I'm not going anywhere. You won't lose me." He whispered rubbing the small of her back. As he was doing this his hand brushed against the letter she received in CID. He pulled it from her pocket and unfolded it. Alex snapped her head up to see him reading the letter.

"Gene please no. It's not what you think"

"Where did you get this from?" He said shrugging her off and standing up.

"Gene it doesn't matter." She said standing up with him.

"Yes it does Alex." He snapped walking away from her. He couldn't even bring himself to look at her. He felt himself kick something. He looked down to see another piece of paper. He picked it up and read it.

"You were playing me for a fool. Making out you care whilst all this time you were planning ways of bringing me down." He shouted.

"No you have to believe I'm on your side. I'm trying to prove you are innocent. I'm not with him. I don't even know who sent it. They left it at CID then another here. I found it when I got in from Deans."

"Then why didn't you tell me? You hid it from me. How am I meant to believe you if you lie to me?"

"Please believe me I was going to tell you when I knew who they were from. I didn't wan to worry you. I needed to find who they were and fix it. I can't keep getting you to fix it." Tears began to roll down her cheeks once more. Gene stepped towards her and cupped her face, wiping the tears from her face.

"Shhhh its ok. I'm sorry. I just thought the worst. You can get me to fix it. That's what I am here for. To help."

"I am trying to help you Gene. I need you back. It's not the same without you. I miss you"

"Knew you would." Gene said with a smug grin on his face

"Course I miss you. Got no-one else to argue with and wind up otherwise have I?"

"Come on, let's get a drink." Gene took his hands from her face and the moment was gone. He headed for the door expecting her to follow. "Come on."

Alex looked down at herself. She was still in her work clothes. Her hair was everywhere from being curled in a ball and her makeup was probably all down her face from crying. She couldn't go out like that.

"Two minutes. I just need to change. You go down. I will meet you there." She turned and went into her bedroom. She grabbed her tight jeans and red satin blouse. She tamed her hair and removed and reapplied her makeup. She left her bedroom to find Gene sat at her kitchen table staring into space waiting.

"I thought you were going downstairs."

"I am woman, give me a break. If you are going to nag me all night I am going to leave you here and have a drink by myself." Gene said quickly getting up and heading for the door. Alex following quickly in step.

Thanks. Hope I am not too long on the next chapter but away next week so if it is not up before I should get a bit written on the journeys there and back. Please review. They mean a lot to me and I do pay attention and try to fix and criticism given.

Steph xx