So this was another 'starting at the beginning chapters.' Hope it's not to confusing! I can't believe there are so few episodes left to go.

Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing!!

--

Alex took a few minutes to recover. Had she really just turned down her best opportunity to return to Molly? To her life? To wake up in 2008? Alex shook her head and looked at the bar. Why did she do that?

"I do believe you promised me a drink, Drake."

Alex smiled to herself, glancing at Gene. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets as he leaned his backside against the bar.

"Was that 'im?" Gene pointed his chin towards the space recently vacated by Martin Summers. "Boris?"

"Um, yes. That was him."

"Bit old for you?"

"I don't know, maybe." Alex shrugged. "I didn't expect to see him here."

"Gave 'im the brush off, didya?"

She smiled. "Yes. Yes I suppose I did."

Gene stared at his boots for a moment, pouting. "Good" he sniffed, looking up at Alex. "I'll 'ave a scotch. Double."

–

Hours later Alex watched Ray stagger out of the restaurant, leaving only her and Gene at the bar. Gene had gone to the gents and she hadn't realized until that moment that he was still working on the same drink she'd bought him at the start of the evening.

"Excuse me" Luigi interrupted her thoughts, smiling at Alex. "You can stay if you like, but I would like to go to bed."

"Of course Luigi. Let me just settle up the bill."

"It's Ok. Mr. Hunt took care of it already."

Alex sighed. He always did that.

"You ready?" Gene appeared at her shoulder.

"For what?" Alex looked up at Gene. He looked nervous.

"To get out of 'ere. What'dya think I meant?"

She shook her shoulders as she slid off the bar stool. "Nothing. I didn't think anything." Alex heard his sharp intake of breath behind her as she walked towards the door.

"Come on. I'll walk you up." He followed her out onto the pavement.

"That's OK, Gene, you don't have to. I can manage -" She turned, the look on his face melting her insides. Of course. "OK."

–

"You can't be too careful Alex." Gene followed up the stairs. He knew she'd think he was looking at her arse. That's OK. He was. He idly wondered at what point in the evening he decided to follow her up the stairs.

"What do you mean"

"I just mean, I dunno" he sighed. "Strange men seem to follow you around. I'd hate for Boris to show up unexpected." They'd reached the landing outside her door.

"Yeah, well. I don't think he will. But thank you."

Alex turned and smiled at him. That smile he couldn't work out. The one that made his insides flip and confused the hell out of him. She thought he was a decent man. He wanted to kiss her, change her mind.

"Ok. Well." Thank god he had his coat over his arm. He didn't know what to do with his hands. "See you tomorrow then." She was getting closer. Why was she getting closer? He felt her breath hitch as he kissed her on the cheek, catching the corner of her mouth. Why did he do that? His face moved far enough away to see her eyes, but his body moved closer.

She breathed. "Gene..."

"Sorry, Alex." He started to pull away. "I didn't mean to..." What was he doing? Why couldn't he move? It took a second for him to realize his shirt was balled in her fist, that she wasn't letting go.

"You didn't mean to kiss me?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. The whisper that made all the blood rush to his groin.

"I did. Mean to." His nose was touching hers, they were still too close. He could see her lips parting and he licked his, his tongue a hair from her mouth. "I mean I shouldn't have. I'm sorry." She still hadn't let go of his shirt. He kissed her again, sucking her bottom lip between his.

Alex panted, her hand curving around his neck, into his hair. "Do you want to come in? For a drink?"

Was this really going to happen? "Yes." He growled. "Sod the drink."

Gene stood behind her as she fumbled with her keys, leaning over her, one hand on the door-frame and his face in her hair. He was hard, his breathing shallow. He wanted his hands on her. The biggest mistake he would ever make and he wasn't even drunk. What if she did want him?

Alex shut the door behind them as he threw his coat on the small kitchen table. Looking up at him through lowered lashes she took his hand, pulling him into her bedroom.

Her tongue was in his mouth, her hands pulling his head down to her. Gene pulled her shirt up, slid his fingers over her breasts, one under the thin lace, teasing her hard. He groaned into her mouth. Shrugging off his jacket Alex tore at the buttons on his shirt, her hands moving beneath the fabric, hot on his skin. He should go slower, take his time. She'd like that, right? She fumbled with his belt, slid down his zip, took him in hand. He threw his head back, gasping. Maybe not much slower.

Somehow he managed to peel off her jeans, removing her knickers in the same motion. She pulled her top over her head as he tugged off her bra. Gene stood for a moment, unbelieving. There she was, naked in front of him. His eyes swallowed her whole before pushing her to the bed, lying next to her. They kissed forever, tongues and teeth meeting as Alex stroked him, her thumb teasing his tip until he was blind, couldn't think. He needed to be inside her, he couldn't wait another moment. Rolling her onto her back he settled between her legs, pushing them wide with his thighs. He paused, hot, aching, again thinking he should slow down. Alex disagreed and wriggled her hips closer, wrapping her legs around him as she guided him deep inside her, Gene extended off the bed with both arms.

"Gene, I want...."

He nodded, began to thrust, slowly, his own flesh near bursting. Gene watched her eyes, wide at first, then fluttering closed as he moved inside her, against her. Lowering himself to her he nibbled her lip, her chin, her neck, his tongue sliding into her mouth. Alex cried out, murmured his name, begged him for more. So much better than he'd imagined. He whispered into her neck, things he never thought he'd say, promises he knew he couldn't keep. He'd do everything for her, if she wanted. He thrust harder, lost the rhythm, came in a flood with Alex clinging to him, her arms around his back.

For a long moment Gene lay still, not sure what to do next. Should he leave? That's what he would normally do. Get the hell out. No love, I won't call you again. But he would, this time. Shifting a little he moved to his side, pulled Alex closer, both arms around her.

"That was unexpected." He searched her face for some sign that it was OK. That she wanted him to be here.

She smiled. "My turn to apologize, then."

Gene raised his eyebrows. "No need to apologize. Not to me. " He paused, panicking. "Unless of course you're sorry we did it."

"No." She shook her head. "Not sorry."

Gene turned his eyes to the ceiling, a thoughtful pout forming on his face. He wanted a fag – it would hold off the panic, he was sure.

"Be right back." Alex wriggled out of his embrace, and he watched as she pulled his shirt off the floor and shrugged it around her, padding out of the room with her arse just visible below the shirttails. With some effort he sat up, swallowing hard and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed so he could reach his jacket and retrieve his fags. He was lighting one when Alex came back into the room and he brightened considerably when he saw she was carrying two glasses and a bottle of whisky.

"Thanks" he took the glass she offered, swallowing a mouthful before setting it on the bedside table. Now what?

Alex sat on the bed, crossing her legs under her. His gaze was starting to make her uncomfortable. Didn't he want this? Maybe he wanted to leave.

"Um, you don't have to stay, ah, if you don't want." She looked away. Please stay.

He frowned. "You're wearin' my shirt." He sniffed. "You'd have to take it off for me to go anywhere. And honestly Bolls, if you take it off we'll be right back where we started." Ask me to stay.

She smiled. "And if I don't take it off?"

Gene exhaled the last of his cigarette and deposited the fag end in the empty whisky glass before moving to sit up on the bed, his back against the headboard. With a pout he pulled Alex onto his lap until she was straddling his thighs. She couldn't help glancing down.

Gene chuckled. "Plenty of time for that Alex." He pulled her face close, kissing her gently. "If you want." He kissed her harder, his hands moved lower, undoing the buttons on his shirt. She sighed into his mouth as his fingers trailed over her belly, over her ribcage, as his hands cupped her breasts. Alex moaned as Gene grew hard beneath her, shifting her weight to get closer, but Gene held her firmly away with one hand, tugging gently on her bottom lip with his teeth.

He grunted as his mouth trailed over her shoulder, kissed across the curve of her breast, pulled a taut nipple into his mouth. Alex arched her back, pushing closer as she tangled her hands in his hair, holding on. Gene took his time, moving between each breast until Alex cried and shook with need. "Oh god Gene! More." She bucked against him as he reached between her legs, slid two fingers inside her, thrusting slowly, pushing her further. He flicked his thumb once over her clit and she came, crying his name, her nails digging into his shoulders.

He held her as she settled, shifting under her, moving her over him. "Want a ride, Alex?" he growled. She gasped as she sunk onto him, as he filled her. Oh god, he was so hard. Gene leaned back, putting all of his weight on his arms as he propped himself up. He wanted to watch her as she moved over him, fucking him. "Whenever you're ready."

Her eyes locked onto his. They were dark, watching her. She started slowly, rising and falling, her hips working over him, taking him deep, bringing him closer. Gene grunted as she moved, as she rode him, a lusty half smile on his face. He was challenging her. Make me come.

She moved his hands over his body, in his hair as she pulled him into a kiss. She could taste the sweat, his raw desire. She could sense he was close, but she was closer. He groaned as she slowed, working the rhythm to her own body, gasping as she spiraled over the edge, as she cried out his name.

Alex was still shaking when she felt one long arm snake around her, heard him grunt. She watched his eyes lose focus, his head fall back, mouth half open, panting. "Oh god, Alex, oh god." He held her tight as he fired off inside her.

Falling to the bed together, Gene wrapped her in his arms. "Promise me something" he murmured.

"Anything, Gene."

"You'll give me a chance." He kissed her neck, her hair. He couldn't see her smile.