By the time Gene managed to work his way back upstairs, Ray and the rest of the team had resumed their positions in the squad room and were pretending to look busy. No one seemed to notice as he walked purposefully back to his office and sat down.
Still not quite believing what he'd just done, he busied himself with the reports on his desk. They had five, and possibly seven, murdered women, all about 18-24 years of age, some blonde, some brunette. Shaz had mapped out the locations where the bodies had been found, and in the cases where they had the victim's identity she'd added their address to the map. They were definitely all in the same general area, but no other patterns jumped out at him. He wished Alex were there to create some logic out of the mess. It would at least help him get started.
She picked up the phone on the first ring. "Hello?" She sounded congested. And gorgeous.
"Miss you."
"That's sweet Gene." Alex coughed into the phone
"Today I miss your brain. We've got no suspects, nowhere to start, and the brass want me to make a statement to the press this afternoon. Have no idea what to tell them."
"You should talk to the press Gene. It looks as if we have a serial killer on the loose and they're going to get wind of it no matter what. Making people more alert, aware of the greater police presence, could save lives."
"You don' think that if we announce to this bastard that we're looking for him he'll go into hiding?"
"Possibly. But only for a short period of time. It does appear that the last few attacks were closer together, which means that he's not getting the same satisfaction form the attacks. He's needing to increase the frequency so even if he knows we're looking for him he won't be able to stop. The compulsion is too strong at this point." Gene waited while she coughed again.
"You don't sound better."
"I'm getting there. I was even thinking I might come in tomorrow, just for a while to see if I can work up a more detailed profile."
"If you think yer up to it." He'd love to have her back at her desk. Bugger it, he'd just love to have 'er.
"I am feeling a bit better. Stopping at Luigi's tonight?"
"Yeah, few drinks. I'll try not to wake you."
"See you later, Gene."
He hung up the phone, staring at it. Maybe she' be feeling better later.
"Guv" Ray invaded his thoughts. Just in time.
"Wot Ray."
"Jus' got word Charlie Barret's expecting a shipment of cocaine t'come in on a boat off the river, trying to slip it through to Regent's Canal to take delivery. Some time in the next 2-3 hours."
Gene got up. "Great Ray. If we can catch this bastard maybe we can put the press off this bloody serial killer one more day." He followed Ray out, grabbing Chris along the way.
--
An hour later Gene, Ray and Chris were sitting in the Quattro, all three smoking. Gene rolled down the window without thinking. Alex hated it when the car smelled like smoke.
He caught Ray staring at him. "Wot."
Ray shrank in his seat. "Nuthin' Guv." He looked out the window. After ten minutes of silence he finally spoke again. "Do you expect Inspector Drake back soon?"
"Tomorrow maybe" Gene mumbled absently. "She thinks this killer could 'ave victims going back six months or more. I could really use a full bloody profile." He rubbed his forehead. They needed to catch this bastard, and soon. He knew they wouldn't. He hoped they could prevent more murders.
"Shaz is lookin' at files, jus' like you asked. Told 'er we needed an update tomorrow morning."
Gene nodded, inhaling his cigarette.
"Guv?"
Gene looked around. He'd forgotten Chris was even in the back seat.
"Can I ask you somethin' Guv?"
"You just did Christopher." Gene turned back around.
"Oh. I mean something else."
Gene shifted in his seat. "What do you want to ask me?"
"Inspector Drake, Sir."
"What about Drake?"
"Is she hard to work with?"
Gene turned sharply. "She's a bloody pain in my arse! Of course she's hard to work with." Ray reached into the back seat and smacked Chris.
Chris ducked. "That's not what I mean. I mean, she's your, uh, she's your girlfriend. Is it hard to work with her, you know, since she's your girlfriend?"
"Oh bloody hell." Gene threw his fag end out the window.
"What's the matter Chris, Shaz not cooperatin' with you lately?" Ray laughed.
Chris looked at him, confusion on his face. "No. What? No!"
"Birds are good for only two things." Ray offered. "And they need t'be on their -" Gene's glare stopped him in mid-sentence. "Sorry Guv." Ray put a fresh cigarette in his mouth.
Gene stared back out the window. How could he be stuck in a car with these idiots? For three hours? He wished someone would start shooting at them. Maybe they'd hit him and put him out of his misery.
--
After 8:00 that night, Gene was pushing his way through the door to their flat. They'd sat there for hours, but the promised drug deal never materialized. Gene gave instructions for two unmarked cars to stay there until midnight and to call him if anything happened.
"Alex?" He removed his jacket and tie on his way to the bedroom and threw them on the bed. No Alex.
"I thought you were going to the bar?"
"I did, but the party broke up early." Gene turned to see Alex standing in the doorway in a towel. He groaned involuntarily and stepped toward her, kissing her on the cheek. "You look better" he whispered his mouth lingering on her cheek.
"Mmmm" she moved closer, resting her head on his chest. "You smell good."
"You smell better" he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her damp hair. Gene was suddenly very happy he'd come home early. Tipping her chin up, he kissed her gently, tracing her lips with his tongue. "You taste better" he murmured, capturing her mouth again as she pressed herself closer, her arms wrapping around his waist.
Gene felt her tense, breaking their kiss as she fell into a fit of coughing. He sighed. "Maybe not."
"It's ok" she croaked, unable to stop as she doubled over.
"Alex. You can't breathe." He put a hand on her back, steadying her as she sat on the bed. "Tell you wot. I haven't eaten. Have Luigi send up some food. We can have dinner." He leaned down and kissed her on the top of the head. "I'm having a bath."
--
Once in the bath Gene quickly soaped up, hoping to avoid taking matters into his own hand yet again. Not that he had a problem with it generally, he'd certainly done it enough in his life. But he couldn't help thinking he shouldn't. It's not as if Alex wasn't willing, she just wasn't feeling well. She was very willing. In fact, Gene thought she'd have sex with him tonight if he asked, even though she couldn't breathe. Christ she'd felt good, pressed up against him. It was like he hadn't touched her in days. He hadn't touched her in days. Not like that.
Before he knew what he was doing, or could stop, his hand was moving slowly up and down his stiff cock. Leaning his head back he lifted one leg over the side of the bath, groaning as he reached between for his balls with his other hand. He could stop. He thought about stopping. Just for an instant. Then he didn't think about stopping, gripping harder as his hand slid over his shaft, squeezed, his thumb roughly rubbing his head. He thought about Alex, only her, as he stroked faster, squeezing stroking, squeezing until he gasped, coming in a rush.
Gene lay in the bath, breathing hard. Everyone does it. Alex probably does it, even. Oh, god, don't think about that. You'll never get out of the bath. It's normal.
So why did he feel guilty?
--
"You took your time?" Alex had dinner set out on the dining table and had poured wine for Gene She didn't feel quite up to wine yet.
"Bath. You know. Easy to doze off." He sniffed, kissing her on the cheek. "Wot's for dinner?"
"I don't know. The usual I imagine. I just asked him to send up dinner for two."
"Didn't realize we had a usual."
As Gene discussed the various cases she'd missed since she'd been ill, she became more determined to make it into work the next day. It was obvious Gene wanted her in, and she imagined he'd have been less patient with any of the other team members.
"So how are you feelin'?"
"Much much better, really. Lingering cough aside, I feel good. And I really need to get back to work. Been much too long now."
"Agreed. Squad room's much less interesting to look at without you in it." He stood, clearing the table before settling on the sofa with a glass of whisky and turning on the television.
Alex pouted and sat next to him. "You know, Gene, I really am feeling much better." She rested her chin on his shoulder, tickling his ear with her nose. "I've missed you."
"Missed you too." He grunted, shifting awkwardly as Alex slipped her hand on his leg. She pulled it away. "Is everything alright?"
"Wot? Yeah, of course. Everythin's fine. Jus' you know, don't want you to rush it." He leaned forward rescuing his packet of cigarettes from the coffee table and lighting one.
"Well that's certainly not going to help my cough." She looked at him frowning.
"Oh. Sorry. After dinner, you know, and the drink." He glanced at the table, looking a bit lost. "Must've wanted a smoke."
Alex laughed in spite of him. "Of course. I really should turn in anyway. Get some rest before tomorrow." She patted him on the knee, kissing him as she stood up. "You take your time."
--
Gene took a deep drag off his cigarette, exhaling slowly. What was wrong with him? He wanted her, badly. He felt a bit guilty about taking matters into his own hands, but enough to pass on her offer? He leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. As his first marriage disintegrated he'd found himself tossing off with increasing frequency. From there it didn't take much for him to move on to other women. But he wasn't leaving Alex. Far from it.
He turned off the TV and went into the bedroom, listening to Alex's snores as he pulled his shirt over his head and dropped his pyjama bottoms to the floor. She looked comfortable for the first time in days, and the color had returned to her cheeks, flushed in her sleep. Crawling in beside her, he slipped a hand over her belly, pulling her close for the first time in days. If she'd been awake she'd have had no doubt of his desire for her. Breathing in her hair he hardened, fully erect as he moved closer, tighter against her.
He could wake her. He was almost certain she'd want him to. He wanted to. Now that she was lying in his arms he wanted to badly. But she didn't wake as his hand cupped her breast, traced circles around her taut nipple. He wouldn't. She probably still needed her sleep. Otherwise she'd have woken up when he got into bed. Rolling onto his back, he reached for his cock under the sheet.
It wouldn't take long, he hadn't been that close to her in days. He could smell her, her soap, whatever she used in her hair. He'd never imagined a grapefruit could turn him on this much. He stroked slowly as he contemplated waking her, pulling her on top of him, moving inside her. Stifling a moan, he rolled to his side, away from Alex, so close to coming he couldn't stop now. His hand moved faster up and down his shaft, his thumb teasing over the head of his cock until he screwed his eyes tightly shut. (Oh god) He wanted to stop (he didn't) he could wake her (Tomorrow. Tomorrow would be fine.) She'd understand. (If she even knew. Oh god faster.)
Unngghhh! Shit! He cursed as he came onto the sheets, breathing hard as his eyes shot open.
Gene waited a few minutes before rolling over onto his back. Alex's ragged breathing was still steady, dead to the world. His eyes rolled toward the ceiling. Thank god.
--
When he woke the next morning, Alex was already dressed for work. "You almost look well." He kissed her on the cheek as she handed him a mug of coffee. She'd tied her hair up and had thrown a loose black jumper on over her jeans. She looked gorgeous.
"I wanted to get an early start, go over the case. Do you want me to wait for you?" She put her own mug in the sink.
"No, you don' 'ave t'wait for me. I'll have a bath an' be right over."
--
"Find our drug deal yet Ray?" Gene bellowed as he walked through the doors to the squad room. Alex was standing behind her desk writing on her whiteboard. She'd listed all the possible victims names with their details in rows next to them. They'd already pulled the information together, but he knew it helped her work out the profile.
"Sorry Guv" Ray turned back to his desk, mumbling. "It was a good tip."
"And you, Bollyknickers?" Alex turned, one side of her face turning up in a grin. He never called her that anymore.
"Working on it. Give me another hour with the materials and I'll walk everyone through what I've come up with." She turned, her face serious. "Gene. We need to get very lucky in order to find this killer and keep anyone else from dying."
He took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "Yeah."
An hour later the team had gathered in the squad room in front of Alex's chart.
"We've got seven, possibly nine victims if we go back to January." She stopped to let the chorus of shits, fucks, and bloody hells die down. "However, that's only if we look at rape victims who have been murdered as well. If we look for rape victims who were not murdered, but who fit the other criteria – age, location, general appearance, there are an additional four possible victims. In three of those four the attacker was interrupted mid-attack, before he could kill his victim, and in each of those three cases the victims gave statements in which they said they were convinced they would have been killed if the attack had not been interrupted."
"What convinced them?" Ray asked.
"They each said the attacker told them repeatedly that he would kill them when he was finished."
Alex put the three new files on top of the stack of victims.
"Is no one else goin' to ask?" Gene looked around the room. "Fine. I'll do it. Who interrupted the other attacks?"
"Strangers. Each of the attacks took place in an alley or a deserted tube station. Someone interrupted the attacks, but the attacker managed to get away. And he wore a mask over his face – only his eyes were visible."
"So bloody useless then." He grunted.
Alex nodded. "Unfortunately. Also, and I hate to say it, but there are strong indicators that we are looking for two attackers." Another chorus of groans and curses erupted from the group. "Sorry. Now, I've worked up information sheets on what we know, what we don't know, and what we should be looking for. Shaz is preparing copies and each of you will have one before the end of the day.
"We need to get the word out to the public on how to protect themselves and we need to catch these killers. They will certainly try again. Any questions?"
There were a few, and Alex answered them before the group broke up, Gene giving some last minute instructions.
"Unfortunately, there's nothing much we can do at the moment, is there?" He asked her when they were sitting in his office half an hour later.
"Very little. When is your meeting with the press?"
"In about an hour. Care to help me work out what to say to them?" He grinned mirthlessly.
"Of course."
--
"Well that was bloody brutal." Alex took Gene's arm as they walked towards Luigi's.
He sniffed. "I've been through worse." But not bloody often.
Once inside, they ordered drinks at the bar. "Just orange juice for me" Alex protested as Gene tried to order her a drink. "And minus the vodka. Giving myself another day to get to 100 percent."
After a couple of hours catching up with the team, Alex was ready to go home.
"I'll be up in a bit" Gene kissed her on the cheek, out of sight of the group.
"Don't take too long." She squeezed his hand. "And feel free to wake me up if I happen to fall asleep" she whispered in his ear.
--
It wasn't long before Gene untangled himself, taking the stairs two at a time to their flat.
"Alex?" He stepped into the bedroom, finding her asleep in her black silk pyjama top and blazing red knickers. Taking a deep breath he stripped off his clothes, leaving his shirt and boxers on. He stood looking at her, contemplating for a minute before walking out to the living room and turning on the tv before sitting heavily on the sofa. Stretching out, he listened to the late news, closing his eyes as his hand slipped under the elastic around his waist, lightly stroking his firm erection.
Just wake her up. She told you to wake her up. She's probably dying for you to wake her up. He stroked faster. Don't waste another one. He groaned as he gripped his shaft tighter.
--
Alex woke and realized Gene hadn't come to bed. Sitting up she noticed his clothes on the chair in the corner. Assuming he'd opted for a nightcap or some telly she wandered into the living room.
Oops! She stifled a laugh as she turned the corner. He obviously hadn't heard her come into the room and she took a quick step backward. She didn't want to interrupt, but she had to admit watching was turning her on. It was hard to catch Gene off-guard, and he couldn't possibly be more off-guard than this, could he. Or more vulnerable. Part of her wanted to stand there, watch him, fall more in love with him. But she couldn't stop herself.
"Would you like some help?" She offered quietly.
"What the f -!" he quickly grabbed a blanket and pulled it over himself, sitting up. "What are you - ? I thought you were - ? Bloody hell!" He turned his head away, unable to hide his obvious embarrassment at being caught be her.
"Gene! You shouldn't be embarrassed! I have seen you masturbate before, you know." She wasn't laughing, but she couldn't hide a small smile. It was sweet.
"That is not the same. We were both...Jesus!" He reached forcefully for his cigarettes, but Alex snatched them before he could light one.
"I'm sorry Gene. I was missing you, wondered why you hadn't come to bed. I can see now you had other - "
"Alex!"
"It's perfectly normal Gene. Everyone does it. You really shouldn't be embarrassed." It was very hard not to giggle. "I could help, you know."
"Thanks, but the moment's bloody gone." He scowled, but the look of horror on his face at being caught was unmistakable. "Let's just go to bed." He stood up and stomped to the bedroom.
Alex did laugh now, standing up to follow him.
"You know Gene, I do it too." He was lying on his back, staring petulantly at the ceiling with his fingers hooked behind his head. He'd left his boxers on and Alex made a point of stripping off her pyjamas and dropping her knickers on the floor before getting naked into bed next to him.
"You do what."
She lay on her side, head propped up on her elbow so she could look at him. "Engage in occasional self-pleasure. Just this evening in fact." She hadn't actually, she'd been too tired. He didn't need to know that. She wanted him now.
"You did." It was a statement, but she heard a tinge of interest in his voice as he tried to stay grumpy.
"Yes. I was thinking about how much I'd missed your touch this week. How I missed your smell." She traced circles over his chest, kissing him on the shoulder.
"Tell me more Alex." It was almost an order. "What else did you miss."
Alex bit her lip. "Your mouth, your lips, your tongue on my breast. They way you taste." Moving slightly, she ran her tongue over his nipple as she reached lower, stroking him through the fabric of his boxers. He was hard, and a small groan escaped when she touched him. Straddling his legs, she tugged at his boxers, Gene lifting his hips to help her along.
"I missed your fingers on my clit Gene" she whispered into his ear. "I missed them inside me. I missed your stiff cock filling me deeper than I could ever do myself." Her breasts grazed his chest, her nipples pointed and hard against him. She ran her tongue over his slightly parted lips, pulling back when he tried to kiss her.
It got the reaction she wanted as he wrapped his arms around her, rolling her to her back and rising above her on all fours.
"Do it" he ordered. "Show me."
Alex grinned, her hand slinking down between them, between her legs as she wrapped them around his back. Shuddering as she touched her clit, she found her own core quickly, rising to meet her own thrusting fingers, her free hand stroking him rhythmically.
Alex kissed his chest, bit his chin. "Oh god Gene, I'm so wet. It feels so good, thinking about your cock, forcing me open, so hard, so stiff, again and again deeper and deeper. Thinking about you coming inside me. I'm so close Gene, oh god. Do you want me to finish? Please let me."
"No" he growled. "Let me." Alex cried out as he entered, the sensation tearing at every nerve ending in her body. Wrapping her legs tighter around him, her fingernails dug into his back as he thrust deep into her, pulled out slowly, over and over until, sobbing in ecstasy, begging for more, her body shook against him, draining the last off her strength. Finally, eyes locked onto hers, he exploded inside her, collapsing into her arms with a groan as he finished.
When he could move, he rolled over, his arms wrapped around her as he pulled her closer, burying his face in her neck, in her hair, in her scent.
"Gene?" She ran her fingers over his arms.
"Hmmm?"
"I missed that."
Behind her he chuckled into her hair as one hand slid between her legs, teasing her again. "Give me half an hour we can do it again."