Sorry about the lengthy delay between chapters - real life has been taking up too much time.

Thanks for reading!!

--

Gene stifled a groan as he sat in his chair and pulled a sandwich out of a paper bag. Shaz had gone out for lunch and Alex had apparently instructed her to bring something back for him. Maybe it would work out, maybe she'd fall for him again.

He watched her through his office window as he took a bite. He'd desperately wanted to shag her again last night, as he promised, but even when he woke up with her naked body curled around him in the early morning hours he knew he couldn't. He was just in too much pain.

It didn't stop him from enjoying what he could, though. It had been the first time she'd spent the entire night naked, the first time they both had, since she'd come home from the hospital. And she wanted him. He'd felt it and he wouldn't have stopped her for anything, but he was paying for it today. Pulling open the skinny top drawer of his desk he pulled out his small bottle of painkillers and popped two into his mouth.

--

Even without her memories intact Alex knew he'd never ask for help. He might be a different man to the one she remembered, but he was still Gene Hunt. Too proud, never weak. She wondered to herself how he'd manage being out on the streets today. He could barely move last night.

She did let herself feel a bit guilty about that. She probably shouldn't have given in, but her need for him had been overwhelming. Those few minutes when she thought he might have been injured, or worse, were the most frightening she remembered experiencing. At least since Molly had been a baby. She'd been sick with a fever for three days and her husband had been out of the country for work.

Molly. There was something about Molly she should remember….

"Hey Boss. Here's the report from last night's blag." Ray set a folder on the desk in front of Alex, chewing gum loudly as he did. The suspect that had hit Gene with the getaway car had managed to elude them. Gene hadn't been happy about that.

Alex glanced through the report. "Is there any evidence linking these suspects to the string of robberies?"

"Well, we've got one witness that puts a car matching the getaway vehicle in the area of the first job a coupla weeks ago."

"No physical evidence? Prints, clothing fibres? Other witnesses? Anything?"

Ray shook his head.

"Have they given us any information we can use, Ray?"

"Not yet. But I don' think the Guv asked them any questions 'bout the robberies yet."

"What do you mean?" She looked up at Ray.

"Guv wants the other blagger, Boss." He chewed his gum vigorously.

"Well of course, but we need to get something from them on the robberies or none of them will go to prison." Alex shook her head.

Ray shrugged. "Have t'speak t'the Guv on that Boss."

Gene had promised that after a week on the desk he'd let her back into the interview room with him and had instead done the interview that morning with Ray. Ray knew exactly what they had. He wasn't telling her because Gene had told him not to.

"Well do we even know if there are more members of this gang? The robberies won't necessarily stop just because we have two suspects in custody."

"I dunno. You'll 'ave to ask the Guv." He turned and sat at his desk, shuffling papers as Alex stared at the back of his head.

Alex went back to the report. There wasn't much in it. Maybe there was enough to hold the suspects for a day or two, but not more. What was he doing?

Picking up the file, Alex got up from her desk and knocked on Gene's door, pushing through after receiving a gruff invitation to enter.

"Gene, what is this?" She held out the file.

He shrugged as he took the file from her hand, dropping it on his desk without opening it. "Dunno" he mumbled, swallowing his last bite. "Thanks for the sandwich. Was bloody starving."

"You're welcome." She crossed her arms aggressively. "Gene, you haven't got enough to hold those men on suspicion for more than a day or two. Didn't you get anything from the interview this morning?"

Gene looked up at her with raised eyebrows, clearly deciding how much to share. When he said nothing Alex started again.

"Gene, I'm back on the job, and I'm still your DI. Don't you want my opinion?"

Taking a breath, Gene stood up, pushing on the desk for support. Shit his leg hurt. "I'll tell you when I want your opinion Drake. You've been back on the job exactly one day. We've been chasing these bastards for the past three weeks and neither of those half-wits we have in custody is masterminding anything. I want their bloody boss." He wasn't exactly barking at her, but it was clear that was all he was going to say on the subject. He moved slowly past her and out of his office.

Turning around, Alex frowned at his back, watching him push through the double doors and out into the corridor. Hiding in the gent's, she thought to herself. Coward.

Clearly he wanted to use their suspects to get to whoever hit him, whether it was their boss or not. She knew him that well. Probably not the worst idea, Alex thought, and maybe they'd get lucky and get a bit more out of it. But if they didn't have any evidence it wasn't going to help them put any of them away. She hoped putting them away was what Gene had planned.

--

"You've been gone so long I'd forgotten what a bloody pain in my arse you could be."

It was only three days after he'd been hit by the car, but Alex had to practically trot to keep up with Gene as he walked down the corridor towards the lift.

"All I'm saying Gene is I think you'll get more out of them if you bring them back in for questioning."

"And I 'eard you the first fifteen times. I don't believe I asked your opinion on this." They'd reached the lift and he punched the call button. "We've got a tail on 'em. And I do not owe you an explanation, but if we pull them back in now then they'll know we're watching them and call off whatever they have planned next. I'm not 'avin' that." The doors to the lift opened and Gene stepped through. "See you after my meeting." She scowled back at his smirk as the doors closed in front of her.

Gene exhaled and leaned against the back of the lift, trying to ignore the dull ache he still felt in his ribcage. He felt better, but far from a hundred percent. He didn't want Alex to know, though. They hadn't shagged since the night he came home from the hospital, but she slept curled up next to him, and she didn't seem to mind where he put his hands. He did wish she'd go back to sleeping naked. Or at least without her knickers.

--

"Ray" Alex pushed through the doors back into the squad room. "Where are we on the tail of those two robbery suspects?"

Ray shifted at his desk. Alex wasn't sure he hadn't been asleep.

"Still on 'em Boss. Looks like they've been casing a receiving warehouse over by the docks." Ray lit a cigarette.

"What's the warehouse receiving? I thought this group only went after money?"

"Still working that out." He exhaled smoke in Alex's direction.

She waved it away with a cough. Why did she find it charming when Gene did it? "Do we have anything else?"

"No. But we've got our eyes on 'em. If something goes down we'll be around."

"How can you be sure Ray?" She ignored his eyeroll. "We need to work on a backup plan just in case this doesn't pan out."

Ray shook his head. "I think the Guv has a backup plan. Maybe we should discuss it with him first."

"Discuss what with him? What nonsense are you up to now Bolly." Gene appeared behind her, looking over her shoulder. Alex shuddered involuntarily. His scent overwhelmed her for a moment before she could push it out.

Ray looked at Alex.

"Alright." She turned to face him, trying not to seem defiant. "I thought Ray and I should work out a backup plan to pick up our suspects if this surveillance doesn't turn anything up. Maybe go over the evidence again to see if we had enough to bring them in. We don't want to lose them, Gene, if this doesn't turn out to be anything."

"You did." Gene pursed his lips. Alex nodded. "Drake, a word in my office please. Now." His face was unreadable.

"Gene, if you have something to say about the case I'm sure you can say it here." Alex held his gaze.

Gene's eyes glittered dangerously. "Fine. 'Ave it your way." He took a deep breath. "DI Drake, you appear to be under the impression that I don't know my arse from my elbow. I 'ave been in this game a sight longer than you, love. I do not intend to lose our suspects. My officers will stick to them like shit to a shovel. Then they will lead us to the little toerag who knocked seven bells out of me." He bared his teeth in irritation. "Now keep your knickers on and let those of us who know what we're doing get on with the job."

With that he turned and walked into his office. This time Alex followed him.

"You didn't have to do that in front of the entire team." She failed not to sound angry.

"I asked you to step into my office. Where we could have discussed it in private. But you insisted on the public performance."

"You could have given me a little support instead of shutting me down."

He scowled up at her. "Why? I have a plan and we're working on it. I don' think we need an alternate at the moment. We've got plenty of other crime for you to be solving."

--

"And we 'ave 'ad this discussion before Alex, even though you won't remember it." Gene downed his second whisky, putting the empty glass on the bar for a refill.

"Well, that's hardly fair. I don't remember much." He'd ignored her suggestions on the robbery case all week and she was losing her patience with him. Why did he have to bring up her memory loss all the time? Not to mention how dismissive he'd been that afternoon. She did remember how to do her job.

"Don't I bloody know it" he murmured.

"Nothing wrong with my ears, Gene."

He looked away sharply before he could get himself into more trouble. Things had been going so well.

"And I don't know how you can expect us to maintain any kind of personal relationship if that's how you're going to speak to me while we're at work."

He had both hands on the bar, not looking at her. "Maybe next you'll suggest that we shouldn't work together." He said it half-heartedly. He'd had this argument with her before. She just hadn't had it with him.

"Maybe we shouldn't. Although I doubt this relationship would last long if we weren't forced to spend every bloody minute together" she hissed. Grabbing her jacket off the back off her chair she stormed out of the restaurant. Gene didn't even turn around.

This was the shit he didn't want to do again. Argue about who was in charge and when. He wasn't sure he had the strength to go through it all a second time. And his Alex – his Alex would expect him to chase her up the stairs, shag 'er brains out until they were both too spent to do anything but agree. His Alex. He reckoned it was about bloody time he found out.

Gene threw twenty quid on the bar and turned around to leave, hearing Luigi call after him.

"I'll put the rest on your tab!"

--

Gene reached the top floor in time to see Alex walk through their door. Hurrying, he pushed in after her.

Turning on her heal she went on the attack. "Did you chase me up here to continue that ridiculous argument?"

Gene shook his head and said nothing, pulling her to him with one hand as he covered her mouth with his. Struggling, Alex pushed him away.

"It doesn't work like that, Gene. You can't just shag and make everything better." Defiant eyes looked into his.

He pulled her tighter as he pushed her against the wall, his full body length pressed against hers. Putting his lips close to her ear, he whispered "We'll 'ave to see about that won't we."

Alex wriggled as she felt Gene's fingertips on her thighs, pulling up the skirt of her dress as he kissed a trail from her ear to her shoulder. He meant to do it here in the hall, she realized, and she felt heat pooling between her legs at the thought. Alex bit her lip. She hadn't seen this side of him, not that she remembered. But she'd thought about it. Dreamed about it. Did she like it before? She had no idea. It still wouldn't make him right. She'd have to remember to tell him after.

"Alex" he growled, he squeezed at her breast through the uncooperative fabric of her dress, cursing the splint he still wore on two fingers. He'd hiked her dress high around her waist and the other hand swiftly worked its way into her knickers. He'd managed to trap her arms above his so she couldn't touch him below the waist, she could just hang on. "You'll 'ave t'tell me t'stop."

She gasped as he found her clit, teasing as she parted her legs slightly at the pressure. He slipped two fingers inside and her head fell back against the wall, her hips thrusting forward in response. "Won't make you right, Gene" she managed a throaty whisper as his fingers teased her gently.

"Doesn't have to" he kissed her, his tongue pushing forcefully into her mouth. Alex hung on to his shoulders as she felt him unfasten his trousers, crying helplessly when she felt the loss of his fingers from her core. When Gene hooked one arm under her leg and lifted she placed her pointy boot against the opposite wall for leverage, crying out his name as he entered her hard and deep.

"What about that? Will that make me right?" He groaned and thrust again, deeper into her.

"No," she mouthed the words, barely making a sound.

Ignoring the shooting pain in his wrist Gene thrust again, harder, and again as she writhed against the wall.

"'Ow 'bout that."

"Stop talking and fuck me Gene."

Past knowing or caring if she'd come he drove into her, grunting with each thrust as she begged him to go on. When he finally exploded inside her he was blind to all but one thought. His Alex.

Gene grimaced as he slid out of her, releasing her leg so she could stand on her own. Pulling her tight, he rested his forehead on her shoulder, holding up his entire body. "Come on Alex" he murmured as his lips grazed her neck. "Just getting started."

Alex clung to his neck as he pulled up his trousers, kissing her gently on the mouth as he did. He slipped an arm around her waist, steadying her as they walked to the bedroom.

"Dress." He tugged, and pulled it over her head as she threw her arms up in the air. She watched him look at her before she turned and crawled onto the bed still wearing her bra, stockings suspenders and boots, her knickers forgotten somewhere in the hall.

Stripping off his clothes Gene followed her, and sat with his back against the headboard, reaching around her waist and pulling her onto his lap. With her straddling him Gene ran his hands over her legs, cursing the bandage on his fingers and the pain in his wrist. It'd all be worth it. He played with her suspenders but left them on as he moved his hands over her waist, to the soft weight of her breasts. He traced the lacy black fabric with his fingers as she gasped and shifted on his lap. He'd be hard again soon enough, he thought. Might as well take his time.

Her hands resting lightly on his shoulders, Gene looked up into Alex's face, into her eyes half closed.

"Touch me, Gene" she whispered, her mouth hung open, her tongue curling out.

"Plan to" he took her kiss as his hands smoothed over her back, unhooking her bra and pulling it slowly off. Cupping one breast in his hand he pushed her back slightly so he could see the hard pink tips reaching for him, begging him for relief. "Gene, please." She arched her back slightly as one finger traced a line from her collarbone, over the hollow of her neck, across her soft flesh. Alex jerked towards him as his fingertips teased her taut nipples.

"You don' remember Alex" he said softly, "But I love yer tits."

"Oh god" she whimpered as the tip of his tongue finally reached her straining flesh. She shuddered as his mouth slowly covered her, as he gently sucked on each swollen point. Her hips rubbed against him, searching for the needed friction as she drew close to bursting. Sensing her need but wanting to prolong it Gene pulled her tight against him with one arm as he sought to control her pleasure. He wanted to feel her loss of control, her flooding over him. He was almost ready.

Sliding her down his lap he moved her hand to his slowly growing erection. Gently, he guided her mouth to him and she took him eagerly, sucking, licking tasting as he grew harder. Gene groaned as she showed no sign of stopping, sucking him wickedly, endlessly, until his flesh was finally stretched to the limit. Needing her heat he pulled her back to him, entering her quickly, thrusting deep. "Is that better Alex? Is that good" He guided her over him as they moved slowly together. "Yes" she whispered, nodding violently. "Yes!" Alex screamed clinging to his shoulders as her orgasm shook her hard.

He held her for a minute before rolling her to her back and plunging deep inside. He watched her rock with aftershocks as he slowly built up his own rhythm, felt his own climax approaching again. He watched as she arched her back, as she clawed at his chest, as she sobbed gently, begging him to go on and on. Finally, drenched with sweat and too exhausted to continue he erupted, firing again and again until he was spent, collapsing into her arms. Alex fell asleep gradually, Gene murmuring into her ear, breathing on her neck.

--

Alex woke early. They were both working a rare Saturday and needed to be up. She pulled her pyjama top around her and took her boots off before padding quietly to the kitchen. She might as well let Gene sleep as late as she could. He'd certainly earned it.

She tried not to smile as she made tea. Any doubts she might have had before certainly seemed to disappear last night. She'd wanted him the minute he came through the door, the minute he looked at her. She still didn't remember, but she knew. They'd just have to work out the rest of it.

"Mornin'."

Alex jumped as she turned to place the tea on the small table. He'd thrown on his dressing gown but had made little attempt to tie it shut. Reflexively she grabbed the front of her top. She hadn't buttoned it either.

"I didn't hear you." With some difficulty she tore her eyes away from his and went back to the breakfast. She felt him stand close behind her before his hands curved around her waist.

"Distracted, probably." Pushing her hair aside he kissed her neck lightly. Alex found herself leaning back against him.

Mmmmmm. "We do have to work today Gene." She stepped aside and turned back to the table, setting down a plate of buttered toast.

"Yeah, they'll wait fer us t'show up before they do anything stupid." He kissed her again, pulling her hips back against him. She could feel his growing erection against her bare arse.

"Gene" she sighed, leaning her head back against his shoulder as he cupped both breasts in his hands. Alex moaned as his thumb gently flicked her taut nipples, as he rubbed against her arse. She snaked one hand backwards around his neck. "Is this what it's like all the time?"

"Yes." He said hoarsely. "Never bloody enough, is it?" He chuckled in her ear. Gently he pushed on her back as he swung her hips toward him, and Alex instinctively leaned over the table. Oh yes, she thought.

Gene watched his hands smooth over her back, over her arse. He wanted to take her, make her his, again, and nudged her knees apart with one leg. Sliding his fingers inside he found her wet and eager as she pushed back against him. She'd be fast. He groaned and positioned himself, raising her hips slightly as he drove into her high and hard. "Harder" she breathed and he plunged into her with short fast strokes, Alex gripping the table so hard it shook with them. "Don't stop" she lay her head on the table, "more, please, I'm so close now." Alex cried out with each thrust until he could feel her clench and spill over him. He pulled her tight against him as he fought to maintain his own control.

Slowly he pulled out, still hard, aching. He reached a finger into her wet, pulsing core before gently parting her cheeks and sliding that finger into her arsehole, making sure she was ready. Needing his cock inside her he entered slowly, not stopping until he'd pushed in to the hilt. "Alex" his raspy growl echoed in the silence. He could barely stand it. He wanted to come so badly, so hard. "Take me, Gene. Please. Don't stop." "Can't stop" he gasped, thrusting once, twice, again and again until she screamed his name and he lost himself to her a final time.

--

"Gene?" They'd curled up on the sofa, tea and toast forgotten in the kitchen. Alex's head lay on his chest. She couldn't believe how her desire for him had exploded overnight. Everything they did, every feeling, every touch, familiar yet surprising at the same time. She couldn't get enough. Didn't want it to stop.

He'd been dozing off, but he grunted, pulling her closer. This was what he'd been waiting for. He couldn't believe they had to work. Stupid bloody criminal bastards.

"I remembered things." She traced circles on his bare stomach with her finger.

"Wot?" He opened his eyes, shifting so he could look at her. "What things?"

"Not specifics, really. Feelings, images. You're much clearer now, in the memories."

Gene swallowed. This was good. Progress. "That's good, then? Remembering? Then this isn't so weird for you?" His eyes searched hers. Please remember.

"No." She smiled. A big, real smile. It felt right. "Not weird. Right." She lay her head back on his chest. "It feels right."