So here it is, the very last chapter. I can't believe it's been a year since I first started writing this story, nor did I think I'd ever actually get to finish it! A really big thank you to everyone who has reviewed throughout the story, it really meant so much to me, and it gave me the confidence to continue. I hope everyone will like the last chapter, and that you'll be satisfied with the ending I've given it.

Epilogue

Three months later

Two big double doors swung open, enabling three figures to enter and walk down the long, narrow corridor. A tall man, a much shorter brunette with bouncing curls, and a little boy with hair in the same colour. The two adults walked in silence and at a fast pace while the little boy skipped ahead of them. Eventually they stopped in front of a door, the woman taking the boy by the hand an motioning him to be calm. The man opened the door, and all three entered and made their way over to the other end of the room where a woman was lying in a bed, with a girl sitting in a chair next to her. A broad smile spread across Alex's face as she saw them approaching, and shifted into a more upright position to welcome her visitors.

"Annie, what a surprise! Did you come all the way from Manchester just for this?" Alex asked excitedly.

"Well it is a bit of a special occasion, isn't it?" Annie replied as she stepped forward to give Alex a hug. "After all, I'd never in a million years expected to see Gene Hunt becoming a father."

"Yeah alright Cartwright, that's enough. No need to spell out your disbelief every time we see you." Gene said in mock annoyance, pursing his lips into his trademark pout for emphasis.

"Speaking of which, where's the baby?" Annie asked as she looked around the room.

"The nurses needed to do a check up, but they should be back any minute now."

Alex had barely finished speaking when they door opened and one of the nurses wheeled a little cot into the room, containing a tiny infant who was sleeping soundly within its confines. The nurse took the baby out of the cot and placed it in Alex's arms, who was now sporting the biggest smile imaginable.

Being in a hospital and looking in on such a joyous event made Annie think back to that day three and a half years ago, when she'd been in pretty much the same position, though not as joyful and carefree as Alex was now.

"'ello flash knickers!" Gene entered the room holding a small teddy bear, which made him seem horribly out of place.

"Guv, you startled me! Didn't hear you come in."

He walked over to the bed and clumsily placed a kiss on her cheek. Annie couldn't help but smile as Gene nervously fiddled with the teddy bear in his hands.

"I er..brought this. Hope it's ok, I wasn't sure what to get..you know."

"It's perfect, thanks." She replied.

Annie realised it was very rare to see the Guv nervous like this. She could tell he felt terribly out of place, and didn't really know what to do with himself. So far he'd handled himself pretty well though, apart from the 'flash knickers' comment, but that was something she was used to.

Gene cleared his throat. "So this is him then?" He said, walking over to the other side to get a better look at the baby in the cot.

Annie nodded as she gazed proudly at her newborn son.

"A boy," Gene mumbled. "Didn't think that nancy-boy Tyler had it in him."

She chuckled slightly at his comment, but a pained sadness could be seen in her eyes.

"I'm sorry love, didn't mean to upset you."

"No, it's ok Guv. I know you didn't mean to."

"Can I?" He asked, gesturing at the baby.

Annie nodded. "Yes of course, go ahead."

Gene carefully lifted the little baby out of his cot and cradled him in his arms. At that moment the baby's eyes opened, and Gene was in for a bit of a shock. A pair of all too familiar eyes were looking up at him.

"Blimey, you might've inherited your mother's hair colour, but you sure your father's eyes."

"The resemblance is striking isn't it? Trust Sam to make sure he's not forgotten." Annie sighed.

"Have you eh..thought of a name for him yet?" Gene asked.

"Samuel James. I tried calling him Sam or Sammy yesterday, but I couldn't. It was just too painful. So he's going to be a Jamie instead. I thought the name suited him." Annie replied.

"I'm glad you didn't call him Sam, and Jamie's a nice name." Gene said.

"Thanks. Oh and one other thing," Annie continued. "I wanted to ask you to be his godfather."

"What, me?" Gene looked genuinely surprised. "Look I'm flattered an' all love, but I'm not sure I'm the right person for it. I'm not exactly a great role model for kids am I?"

"Oh come on Gene. You're his dad's best friend! I'm certain Sam would've wanted this."

Gene looked back down at the baby. "You know, your dad once told me I was an overweight, over the hill, nicotine stained, borderline alcoholic, homophobe, with a superiority complex and an unhealthy obsession with male bonding. And now your mum wants to make me your godfather. It's a strange world we live in, eh?" And then he added, whispering so nobody would hear: "but your uncle Gene will always be here when you need him."

Then he placed the baby carefully in Annie's arms. "Right, I'll best be off then love. There's a pint waiting in the Railway Arms with me name on it."

"Okay, thanks for coming. Don't stay away from Manchester too long Guv."

"I'll try not to. Bye Annie."

"So, what do you think?" Alex asked, snapping Annie out of her daydream.

"She's beautiful Alex. Has she got a name yet?" Annie asked.

Alex nodded, still smiling. "We've decided to name her Emma. It was actually Molly who suggested the name, and we both loved it," Alex said, stretching out her left arm and drawing her eldest daughter in for a hug.

"That's a beautiful name," Annie said. "She looks like an Emma."

Everyone fell silent for a moment as they just gazed at the tiny baby, who slept on peacefully and was unaware of all the attention she had attracted.

"I think we'd best be off now" Annie said, making an end to the silence.

Alex looked up in surprise. "So soon? But you only just got here."

"I'll be in town for a few more days, so I'll come back to visit you later. But you're obviously still tired, and you need to rest and be with your family for now. Trust me," Annie smiled.

"I suppose you're right, but promise you'll come over once I'm out of hospital," Alex said.

"I promise." She took her son's hand in hers. "Say goodbye now Jamie."

The little boy waved shyly at Alex and Molly, and Gene kneeled down in front of him to pull him into a hug. Then they turned and left the room, allowing the new family some quiet and much deserved alone time.

Alex couldn't quite believe how good life could be. She looked at both her daughters and at Gene, and realised she couldn't remember a time when she felt happier than she did now.

Her kidnap by Layla three months earlier had been terrifying, and nearly fatal for both her and the baby, but it had also been the reality-check that she so desperately needed. It finally made her see that she wasn't superwoman, and that she didn't constantly need to prove herself in her predominantly male work environment. Just the thought that something could've happened to her and the baby, and the consequences this would've had on her family sent shivers down her spine. This was why she had agreed to desk duty with immediate effect until she went on leave. Gene had ordered it, and she hadn't even felt the need to argue about it with him.

However, she had still been actively involved with all the cases, doing what she did best. Analysing, profiling, and even interviewing suspects. She didn't really feel left out at all, and the knowledge that she wouldn't be in any danger did give her some much needed peace of mind.

In the meantime Layla had remained imprisoned for an unknown amount of time. They had gathered more than enough evidence to make a strong case, and there was no doubt that she would be found guilty of the murder of her sister, and the kidnap and attempted murder of Alex. Only unfortunately the case had got delayed by the diplomatic crisis that it had ensued. Saudi-Arabia had ordered the extradition of Layla, while the British state wanted to keep her over here because she had committed a crime on British soil. Alex didn't know what she'd rather see happening. She knew that Layla would certainly be put to death if she returned to Saudi-Arabia. Of course she was against death penalty, but part of her almost felt as though the girl deserved it. If she went to prison in Britain she'd get life, and because she wasn't in a good mental state she would never be released again. The thought that this girl would never return to society, whichever way the diplomatic battle would go, was a very comforting thought.

Aziz, Layla and Rana's brother, was cleared from all charges. He was released and returned home a few days later. He was devastated to find out that his own sister was behind the murder of the woman he loved, and was pretty much inconsolable. At the same time he feared his return home, because the family wouldn't exactly welcome him with open arms after the adultery he had committed with his sister. Rana's body was brought back home as well, though she wouldn't be buried near the rest of the family because she had brought such shame upon them. Two adulterers and a murderer all in the same family had certainly tainted their good name for the foreseeable future, if not for good.

Nour had left the country almost immediately as well, feeling ashamed and betrayed by recent events. He wanted to have nothing more to do with his late wife's family.

It had been an intense couple of months, with one of the most shocking cases they'd ever had to deal with. But it had also had a positive outcome, in more ways than one. Gene and Molly had gradually become much closer, which filled Alex with intense happiness. For the first time in her life Molly experienced what it was like to have a father figure in her life, and the young girl had really thrived, both in school and at home. Then there was Gene and Alex's engagement. They hadn't set a date yet, but it would probably take place towards the end of the year. And of course there was the best bit of all: Emma. Their beautiful, perfect baby girl. She had no notion of anything as she slept soundly in her mother's arms, but over the past few months she had been the reason that brought this family together. Sure they had moved into Gene's flat last year, but that was because they needed the extra bedroom after Molly had joined them. But Alex's unexpected pregnancy made them look for a house that they could buy, and had pretty much put their relationship in the fast lane. Gene hadn't proposed to Alex because it was "the right thing to do", but if it hadn't been for the baby he had probably waited another year or so.

When Alex first arrived in the 80s nearly three years ago she had hated it. She couldn't wait to get back to her own time. But she no longer cared about the 21st century. Everyone that mattered to her was right here with her in the hospital room. She didn't need anyone else. Her life was complete.

fin

So, one last review for old times' sake? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for reading!