Fairy Tale Of Fenchurch Chapter 3

It was the withdrawal of warmth that woke Alex up. The sofa squeaked as Gene hesitantly shifted off it. He opened the door in the same way and his footsteps could be heard on the staircase. Alex couldn't believe that she had done that with Gene, she had wanted it for so long, but always saw it as an impossible feat. The happiness was consumed by the sadness. She was now torn in two. Molly or Gene? She knew it was wrong to pick Gene over her own flesh and blood, but she didn't know how long she had been in this coma in the real world. Molly could have been a grown adult by now, and no longer need her as much. She pushed that prominent decision to the back of her mind, and focused on what she was going to do here. She could go back to Gene and Sam's station, and talk to any officers who worked with them. She knew that perhaps their old pub would be a good place to go as well, if they went there anywhere as much as this lot visit Luigi's, the bartender would have a lot to say. Alex's head snapped to the door, which had gone. In its place was darkness. She stood, the duvet falling elegantly to the floor, and walked up to the edge of the door. A wind whistled in her ears. Stars again, Alex's mouth dropped in awe. Her lips became dry and her breaths heavier. She put her foot over the frame of the door, and the gust of wind picked up and threw her off her feet. She went flying across the room, her back slammed into the hard wall, and she slid down the wall to the floor. It was then she heard the frantic footsteps and the slamming of a door.

'Bolly! Bolly, what happened?'

Gene leaned down beside her. Alex opened her eyes and looked over at the door. It was closed. Gene was half dressed, his trousers on, but his shirt was half done up. He was clearly worried, it was etched all over his face. Alex stood up and attempted to walk, but her legs were like jelly and Gene had to catch her. He lifted her off her feet, like he did when he first brought her into CID, and laid her on the sofa.

'Alex, What happened?'

She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She tried again, but it was like a silent scream. Alex was scared. Gene felt her forehead and muttered 'water'. He left the room, and returned within seconds with a glass of cold water. She took it from his hands and finished the glass. He took the glass from her trembling hands and laid it on the table beside him.

'Talk to me Bolly. Say it. I need to hear it'

'I…I think I… I think I love you.' It came out soft and brittle. She clung to him, she didn't need to hear it from him. She knew it.

Gene showed no emotion on his face as Alex clung to him. He wrapped his arms around her aswell, and as he did so, the weirdest thing happened. Gene could hear the sounds of clinking glass and music being played, he could have sworn it was a Bowie song, the loud voice of Nelson spoke a few words, but Gene did not pick them up. Only once the light returned did he notice that it had been dark. Alex loosened her grip and Gene kissed her softly on the lips. They both stood, and turned as the door opened to reveal Shaz, Chris and Ray. Although Gene and Alex were not touching, they seemed to sense something had happened. Gene walked past them shouting; 'What are you waiting for? Get in the Car!'

They arrived at a small building, a sign overhead stating it was The Railway Arms. It was clearly not open, but there was an open space of green opposite. The all tumbled out of the car and Ray was the first to open his mouth.

'I miss this place, We had some good memories in here Guv.'

Chris answered him. ' I wonder if he still has that TV that Sam brought in back in '73.'

Gene interrupted this due to the confused expression on Shaz's face. 'That's if Nelson is still here. Right, a kick about then a quick drink before Bolly knickers here digs deeper into my territory.'

The boys all followed Gene over to the bit of green and a football was produced. Gene shredded his coat and joined in with the game. Shaz walked up to Alex. She looked striking today, her hair had a healthy shine and dramatic eye makeup emphasised the deep colour of them. Alex smiled as she approached her, but it was Shaz who was first to initiate the conversation.

'Morning Ma'am. You know you said you saw stars?'

'Yes. Have you been seeing more of them?' Alex inquired.

'Well, Ray and Chris have both seen them too, and when we were walking back from Luigi's, all three of us saw them again. I thought I was going mad, but we all can't be, can we?'

'I hope not Shaz. Let's hope things are a bit clearer after this trip.'

Shaz smiled and held onto Alex's arm.

'You always say about leaving. Don't. You have too many people here who would miss you ma'am. We need to stick together.'

Alex gave her a grim smile and returned to watch the game, Chris was picking himself up from the floor and looked up as the heavens opened and rain began to fall. Chris ran back over to Shaz and Alex and Ray and Gene walked back towards the car. Chris turned to look at the pub.

'It hasn't changed one bit. A lot of memories in there.'

Chris tapped the window and looked inside. He couldn't see anything so he walked up to the door and twisted the handle. It clicked and opened a little. He turned his head and shouted behind him to the Guv.

'Look at this, It's open Guv!'

Gene and Ray came over to him, their hair and shoulders sprinkled with raindrops. Gene pushed past him and rested his hand on the door, he applied some pressure and it swung open. They all followed him into the bar, it was pitch black but Ray shut the door behind them all. A light flickered on and lit up the room. Several small tables and chairs were dotted around the room and a bar ran the length of one wall. Bottles and glasses littered the area behind the bar. A television was on the bar top also. It was a warm, cosy place, that she could see Gene, Ray and Chris settle into a few years ago.

'Best pint of bitter in Manchester' Gene announced as he sat at one of the stools at the bar.

'Hasn't changed has it. Just reminds me of Sam. He always took a shine to the bartender too.' Ray inputted.

'Nelson. I think we have all heard his voice recently.' Chris added quietly. Gene snapped his head round. He remembered back in the house when he had heard that voice, It was obvious now that he needed to come here. But why? What did Gene Hunt need to gain from coming here? He walked into one of the rooms of the main area of the pub. Alex followed him.

'I bet they were at it last night' Ray said under his breath but Shaz heard him and shot him a look.

'What?'

Alex went into the room on the left, whereas Gene entered the one on the right. Alex's room looked like the inside of a filling cabinet. Piles of paper, and receipts. All typed and organised into neat piles. Alex flicked through some of them but found nothing of interest. She dropped to her knees and peered under a desk. There was a small box, the size of a pencil case, with a lock on it. Alex pulled at it but it didn't budge. She lifted it up and peered underneath it. Stuck to the bottom was a piece of paper with the words scribbled in pencil.

'Got a new DI up in London I hear? Not as good as me I hope! Couldn't resist coming back to the old boozer? I left you a little something. I'm sure the great Hunt could open this one.'

She turned it back over and looked at it. A hand clasped over her shoulder, she gasped but turned to see the one person she needed to see.

'Did Sam give you a key before he left?'

'What's going on Bols?'

She handed him the box. He turned it twice in his hand and read the message. He rummaged around in his pocket and produced a key which looked to fit the lock.

'Sam left me with just this Key. Said that I would know when to use it.'

He fitted the key into the lock and turned it. It clicked and the lock fell open. Alex moved closer to Gene to see what he was about to reveal. He lifted the lid and let it fall back on itself. He picked up the contents of the Box. A single picture and sheet of lined paper with Sam's writing on it. Gene and Alex both looked at each other. Fear in their eyes and Gene pulled her closer once again. He would protect her.