Alex lowered herself a little in Sam's arms. A guilty expression crossed her face. "Ah." She glanced at Ray who was watching them looking a little confused. She quickly leaned closer to Sam and whispered in his ear. "I was shot. Long story. Tell you later." And she pulled him into another hug she buried her head in his shoulder. She felt at peace here with Sam to help her.

"Oh come on." Drawled a voice that caused all three of them to jump in surprise, Sam spun Alex quickly so that they stood side by side. Ray moved on Alex's other side and she smiled stiffly at him. "Did you really think it would be that easy to get Sam Tyler back? We didn't hold him for three whole years just so you can come back and take him." The voice had a harsh Irish accent; it was a woman's voice. Alex recognised it.

"Jeanette?" Alex asked her voice full of anger. She shook with fear and rage. Sam placed his hand on her shoulder comforting her. She leant against him and he put his whole arm around her. Ray reached into his jacket and pulled out a spare gun. He handed it to Sam who took it calmly. "Can you shoot?" Alex asked. She and Sam had been trained how to use modern weapons not these ancient things.

"You should see my PlayStation scores." He smirked. Ray looked at him confused. Sam had said that once before, he was about to say something when Alex smiled and gave a chuckle. He was happy with anything that could make his DI smile, especially since the accident.

"Oh, see you got rid of that Neanderthal you were hanging round with." Jeanette stepped out of the shadows. She was followed by two tough-looking men. She smiled at Alex who didn't return the favour. Jeanette scowled. "Between you and me, he wasn't worth your time. " She laughed at Alex's face, which was contorted with anger. Ray and Sam moved closer to Alex protectively. Alex touched her side and Jeanette's eyes sparkled. "Oh does it still hurt?" Her voice had a sickeningly fake concern laced into it. "Does it still hurt that mean Mr Hunt shot you?" She spat the word Hunt in Alex's face. "Does it hurt, like how he killed my Boris?" Alex cracked up, she couldn't help it. She began to laugh her head off. Jeanette looked ready to tear her heart out with her own hands.

"He-never-told-you-his-real-name?" Alex laughed. "You were in love with Boris Johnson? OH this is great." Alex continued to chuckle. Jeanette had been in love with Martin Summers (the older one that is) and she hadn't even known his name. "Sorry Jeanette. His name was Martin Summers. And he was in love with me." This startled several people. Jeanette's face twisted in rage. Sam looked at Alex confused. And Ray's mouth dropped.

"Never." Jeanette hissed. "He loved me, I did everything for him. I even seduced that copper of yours." Alex's eyes hardened.

"Really? Did you know that that night you spent with Gene, Martin, Boris whatever you call him was with me. He was in my room. He talked to me. Do you know that Martin, who supposedly loved you, stalked me for months? He called me at anytime when he needed someone to talk to. He left me roses for months. He even kidnapped me once and drugged me. He was the only one who knew where I was from. He was the only man who could understand me. And I was the only one who knew the truth about Martin. "Sam looked at Alex realisation dawning on his face. Ray just looked confused and Jeanette? She looked murderous.

"He was like us?" Sam asked her quickly. She nodded. He whistled through his teeth. "Wow, I never knew."

Jeanette continued to glare at Alex. "He never loved you." She screamed at Alex. She stamped her foot like an angry child. Alex only smirked at her. This increased her temper. Ray was sizing up Jeanette's body guards. They were almost twice as big as him. However, they were slow and thick from the look of it. He suspected that he and Sam could probably handle them. "Right!" Jeanette yelled, her calm completely gone. "Kill her!" She ordered. Sam stepped in front of Alex protectively. Ray stood side by side with Sam for the first time in three years. The two guards lumbered forward and then yelped in shock simultaneously and then clutched their feet. Alex laughed as did Ray, Sam just looked confused.

The two guards fell over behind them stood one clearly astonished young man with fair hair and an intelligent looking girl. "Sam!" Chris ran forwards and stared in complete shock at his old Boss. "Boss- Ma'am said so, I could hardly believe it. The girl rolled her eyes at the four senior officers and cuffed Jeanette with more force than necessary. She smiled at Sam.

"I'm Shaz." She introduced herself to Sam. "Chris's fia-"The word died in her throat. "Friend," she caught herself "Chris's friend. She shook Sam's hand and ignored Alex's stare.

"Hate to point this out. But we have less than a day to get to London. Or we are without jobs." Alex put in and received glares from everyone. Yet they nodded in agreement. "Sam, do you have any injuries that need urgent attention? And can someone get Manchester police down here. Take her away, and tell them we need DC Cartwright here. "Sam's eyes light up at the name of his wife. He shook his head at Alex's question. Jeanette kicked Alex in the stomach as she walked over to lead her out. Alex screamed at the pain that flared through her recently healed wound.

Ray wasted no time in forcing Jeanette to the ground, and sitting on top of her until uniform turned up. Sam hurried to Alex's side and then withdrew at the site of blood. "I'm fine it's just where Gene shot me."

"WHAT?" Sam yelled causing everyone to jump. And Alex laid a hand on his arm to tell him that everything was ok.

"He shot me. Calm down. It was an accident. Sam you were there for me when Pete left I need your help now". Sam nodded. He bent down and helped Alex to her feet. He looked at her curiously he knew that she wasn't telling him something. And he also had noticed that her expression had softened when she spoke Gene's name. Thinking of that gave Sam an idea. But this wasn't the time to say it.

The siren of a police car could be heard coming closer. A lone figure walked into the warehouse. The radio in her hand dropped to the floor with a load clatter. "SAM!" Annie Tyler screamed as she flung her arms around her husband.

One Day Later

London

Gene Hunt stormed out of his office. It was noon. Their time was up. "Right," he announced to his team stunning them after his two day silence and open hostility. 'Who wants a promotion?"

Then from the doorway a group of people chorused "Replacing us already?"

A/N What do you think? There will be a bit more of an explanation in the next chapter. REVIEW PLEASE.