Ta muchly for all the kind reviews so far – 'tis very much appreciated. You've earned yourselves another chapter.

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Chapter 5

When her eyelids eventually fluttered open again she felt the underlying tension in his body, an alertness that betrayed his conscious state, and she sat up slowly, running a hand through her hair.

"Oh God. I'm sorry, Gene, I didn't mean to fall asleep on you. Why didn't you wake me?"

They moved swiftly apart, tucking in clothing and doing up buttons, unwilling to meet one another's eyes.

"Yer were flaked out, luv. I didn't want ter disturb yer."

"What time is it?"

He checked his watch.

"Just after six. Let's try and get a few more hours shut-eye, shall we?"

As she climbed into the spare bed and drifted off, there was a little smile tugging at her lips.

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"So. What do you normally do on a Sunday, Gene?"

He shrugged, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"Dunno, really. Decent fry-up followed by pub with the Sunday paper, I 'spose."

She grinned, pouring herself another cup of tea.

"That figures. Mind if I tag along with you? Maybe you can show me around Manchester a bit afterwards? It's a nice day, we could find a park and have a walk, get some fresh air."

He raised an ironic eyebrow at her.

"Yer really aren't from round here, are yer? Let's just say this city's not exactly a tourist destination, luv. And fresh air's at a bit of a premium."

"Well how about a tour of some of the significant places from your childhood? I'd like to see where you grew up, went to school …"

She saw his shoulders tense, and his expression became suddenly guarded. Clearly she'd hit a raw nerve.

"The street where we lived was demolished a while back, and good riddance to it. Haven't been near the place in years."

His unseeing gaze was fixed on the table and she shivered as the day felt suddenly colder. Change the subject, Alex.

"Did someone mention breakfast? I'm starving."

He visibly relaxed, sitting back in his chair and stubbing out his ciggie.

"Yer'll need ter be, luv. Still, yer could do with some meat on yer bones. A bloke likes somethin' ter get hold of, yer know."

She snorted, breathing a sigh of relief as she went off to get dressed.

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"It's no good, I can't eat another mouthful …"

Gene grinned at her, polishing off the last of his huge fry-up.

"Lightweight."

They were sitting in a greasy spoon café surrounded by formica and the smell of chip fat, and she was enjoying every minute of it.

"Don't know where you put it all, Gene. I swear the button's about to fly off my trousers any second."

He waggled his eyebrows at her.

"I'm a big man, luv, yer said so yerself. 'Sides which, when yer in the force yer never know when yer'll get ter eat again, so yer take yer chances when yer can. Did yer enjoy it?"

"Best breakfast I've had in ages."

She leaned across the table conspiratorially, wrinkling her nose up.

"Tell 'em not to bother with the black pudding next time, though."

He chuckled, shaking his head.

"Soft southern jessie …"

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They spent a couple of hours in a nearby pub with the Sunday paper, and Alex tried a half of bitter for the first time in her life. Gene watched her with interest as she sniffed it and then took a sip, swirling it around in her mouth.

"It's not a bloody wine tasting, luv. No hints of saddle soap or barrow loads of ugly fruit, just get it down yer neck."

She spluttered, clutching her chest, and then grinned at him, her eyes dancing with amusement.

"You do have a lovely turn of phrase sometimes."

He smirked, realising she looked relaxed and happy for the first time since he'd met her. Something swelled in his chest at the sight of her glowing face, and he glanced away for a second, the trademark pout firmly back in place. Careful, Genie boy, or she'll have you wrapped around her little finger before you can say Bollinger Knickers. He thought back to the previous night and the feel of her luscious body wrapped around his, and all the blood rushed south.

"Same again?"

She downed half the glass, and shrugged.

"What the hell, why not? Think I could develop a taste for it, actually."

He realised he'd probably met his perfect woman and the thought scared him witless. Good job she wasn't a copper, or he'd be completely lost …

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What on earth had she done to him? The Gene Genie was not in the habit of spending his Sunday afternoon taking exercise, least of all in a park. Still, he had to admit it was quite pleasant: the sun was actually shining for a change, a group of excited kids were kicking a ball around, and Alex was strolling next to him looking a million dollars and seemingly enjoying herself. Still, he had to keep the image up.

"So. Tell me again why yer dragged me away from the pub?"

She laughed, linking her arm with his, and he tried not to puff his chest out. The best looking bird for miles around, and she was smiling up at him as though she was genuinely enjoying his company.

"Because it's a lovely afternoon and it'll do you good, Gene. You don't look after yourself properly, you need seriously taking in hand."

As the wicked grin spread over his face she realised what she'd said, pressing a finger to his lips to block the wise-crack that was undoubtedly on the tip of his tongue. Time seemed to stand still as their eyes met, hazel green staring into piercing blue, and then the world faded round her as she was assaulted by a series of visions.
The sound of a siren … concerned voices trying to reassure her … a hospital trolley … machines beeping … white coated staff with masks.

"It's no good, we're losing her …"

The machines beeped for a final time and then flatlined. She cried out and buried her face in his chest, her hands clutching desperately at his shoulders as her legs threatened to give way.

"Hang on, luv, it's OK. Yer'll be fine …"

He lifted her as though she weighed no more than a feather and carried her over to a nearby bench, her face hidden in his neck as he rocked her on his lap, one hand holding her tightly against him as the other stroked soothingly up an down her back.

"Oh God. Gene …"

Her voice sounded anguished to her ears, and he pulled her in even closer.

"Shhh, luv. I've got yer."

Taking comfort from the warmth of his body and his reassuring tones, she gradually stopped shaking and her breathing began to return to something approaching normal. She sat back, her lip quivering.

"I'm sorry, Gene."

"What 'appened, luv?"

His eyes were full of concern and she swallowed and bit her lip, trying to keep the tears at bay.

"I … don't really know. Some kind of a flash back, I think. I was in hospital. It sounded like I was dying …"

A tear glistened on her lower lashes and he wiped it away gently with his thumb.

"Well obviously yer didn't, luv. Because yer still here plaguing the life out of me, aren't yer?"

She attempted a weak smile but failed miserably, her voice wobbly.

"I heard them say they were losing me, Gene."

"Well more fool them, Bols. The Gene Genie's not so careless."

Her fingers moved to caress his cheek and suddenly their faces seemed very close, his warm breath mingling with hers. His eyes dropped to her mouth and before she knew what was happening she'd leaned in to press her lips against his. She caught her breath, shocked at the brazenness of her actions, but he didn't pull away, pausing for a heartbeat before he returned the kiss, his tongue gently seeking entry. She opened to him with a sigh and they explored one another's mouths slowly, sensually, her fingers tangling in his hair as his hand gently squeezed her thigh.

After what seemed like an eternity, he broke the kiss and looked down into her flushed face, his eyes gleaming.

"Bloody hell, Alex. Time to go home before we're arrested fer lewd behaviour in public. God knows, I'd never live that one down …

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Somehow I think they may be in for an interesting evening …