While the muse is still being kind, here's another little offering.
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Chapter 13
Alex was dreaming. The clear blue of the summer sky seen through a car window … chasing after an errant red balloon … the world suddenly dissolving in noise and overwhelming terror … and then a Colossus of a man with a mane of blond hair and dazzling blue eyes striding out of nowhere to come to her rescue. As he hoisted her up into the safety of his arms she clung to him and hid her face in his shoulder, finding herself surrounded by his unique masculine scent.
Whimpering in her sleep she snuggled in even closer, breathing in essence of Gene, comforting and familiar. To her it had always meant protection, trust, reassurance, but now as his arm tightened around her another word hovered on her lips. Love.
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"So how are you?"
Sam's eyes were full of concern. They were sitting in the canteen together sharing some lunch, and it was the first chance they'd had for a private chat in days. Alex sighed heavily and gave him a weak smile.
"Alright, I think. Considering everything that's happened, anyway."
He nodded sympathetically.
"It has been a bit full on, hasn't it? As if arriving here out of the blue wasn't enough to handle, huh?"
She chuckled wryly.
"Losing my memory. Travelling in time, or potentially existing in a parallel universe. Meeting the love of my life and discovering he has a deranged stalker. Average kind of a week, really."
Sam grinned, shaking his head ruefully.
"Well, when you put it like that …" He sobered suddenly. "And is he really?"
Alex felt the colour rising in her face.
"I think he just might be. It's all happened so quickly I'm almost afraid to believe it, though. I don't usually rush into relationships but somehow it just feels right being with Gene, you know?"
Sam nodded in understanding.
"I think I fell for Annie almost from the start, but I didn't want to admit it to myself because I was so desperate to get back home. And then when I did … well, you know the rest."
Alex smiled at him.
"If it means anything, I think you did the right thing. It's obvious the two of you are made for each other and you seem really settled here now."
Sam grinned.
"Strange, isn't it? I hated it at first but now I wouldn't be anywhere else, mostly because of Annie, but I've come to think a lot of the Guv too. And you've got me to thank for civilising him, by the way."
The grin widened and Alex giggled.
"I don't doubt it. And I've come to think a lot of him too. Underneath that gruff northern exterior beats a heart of gold."
She toyed with her coffee cup and Sam waited, knowing there was more.
"Is it … a very long list, Sam?"
She looked up at him from under her fringe and he reached forwards to squeeze her hand reassuringly.
"Surprisingly short. And not one of them he's invited to stay in his spare room."
He smirked and she rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Have you two been talking? That's exactly what he said."
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Gene bought himself a large whiskey and slouched down in his chair, his nose buried in The Sporting Life. He'd had his regular Wednesday lunchtime meeting with his snout, gleaned some useful information about an ongoing case, and he reckoned he could afford to put his feet up for half an hour or so. The pub was quiet, just a couple of blokes playing darts in the corner and one old codger propping up the bar, and he sighed contentedly as he scanned the racing pages.
"Hello, Guv."
He stiffened, screwing his face up briefly before slowly lowering the paper.
"WPC Ross. Ter what do I owe the pleasure?"
She'd already made herself comfortable opposite him, and she shrugged as she gave him a flirtatious smile.
"Oh, I just thought I might find you here. I've missed you, Gene."
He had to admit she wasn't bad looking, tall and curvaceous with dark hair and dark eyes, but there was always an air of something resembling desperation about her that made most men want to run a mile. He found himself eyeing the door and wondering how to extricate himself from the situation with the least amount of stress to both parties.
"Hmmm. Well, I must be getting' back ter work …"
He downed the rest of his drink, grimacing as it hit the back of his throat, clenching his jaw as she reached out to cover his hand with hers.
"I thought we had something good going on, Gene."
There was nothing for it, he'd just have to be brutally honest: she'd left him no choice.
"Look, luv, I'm sorry if yer somehow got the wrong idea, but it was just the scratchin' of an itch, yer know? I'm seein' somebody else now, and it's serious."
She snorted derisively.
"So I gather. It'll never last, she's not right for you."
He stood, looking down at her with something approaching sympathy.
"Actually, I think she might just be the best thing that's ever 'appened ter me. I'm sorry if I've hurt yer feelings, luv, it wasn't intentional. Now, if yer'll excuse me, I've got scum ter catch."
He began to realise something wasn't right halfway across the car park when his legs seemed to be developing a mind of their own. Blinking to try and clear his vision, he scrabbled around in his jacket pocket and grasped his warrant card, dropping it surreptitiously to the ground just as he started to lose his balance and a supportive arm went round him.
"It's alright, Guv. I've got you …"
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"Where is everybody?"
Alex looked around her as she and Sam made their way through the department to Gene's office.
"Ray and Chris went to interview Sally and Wendy, and all the others are still on their lunch break."
Alex raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"Sally and Wendy?"
Sam ran a hand through his hair.
"Erm, two of the names off the Guv's list. Sorry."
"Don't be. And I think its about time I saw this list, don't you?"
She looked at Sam expectantly and he nodded, reaching into a drawer before passing it over to her.
"Great. A barmaid and a croupier. Well, that's drinking and gambling sorted, what's the third one, a prostitute?"
Sam winced, then noticed she was trying to hide a smile.
"Funny. And I'm glad you're taking it so well."
She shrugged.
"You were right, it isn't a very long list. And they're in the past, nothing to do with Gene and me."
Sam leaned forwards and clasped his hands together.
"Exactly. I've never seen him so happy before, Alex. He's well and truly smitten, as if you need telling."
She gave him a shy smile.
"It's nice to hear, though. I'd hate to end up as one of these."
Holding the list up, she scanned it again.
"So. Who's Lily, then?"
"DC on secondment from the Met. Don't think she's in the frame, I rang her and she hasn't seen the Guv for weeks, didn't even know about you. And she sounded genuinely pleased for him."
Alex nodded, thoughtfully.
"What about the last one, then?"
Sam grimaced.
"The Albatross? She's a whole different matter."
"Why The Albatross?"
"Before I tell you, it had nothing to do with me, OK?"
He held his hands up placatingly, and she nodded.
"Go on."
He sighed.
"Apparently it's because she's a big bird and she's possessive, hangs round your neck like a lead weight."
Alex crossed her arms.
"Ouch."
"I know. She is a bit … strange, though."
Alex scanned the list again.
"WPC Kylie Ross. I'm sure I've heard that name before. Think, Alex."
Suddenly she was fighting for air, staring into space as another vision hit her. A different buff file … the photograph of a dark haired woman with sad eyes … a newspaper cutting. Staggering backwards, she flopped down into a chair and covered her face and Sam was at her feet in seconds, one hand on her arm.
"Alex? Are you alright?"
She nodded slowly, her eyes large in her face.
"I think she's from the future too, Sam, I've seen her picture in a file. And besides which, what woman in the 1950's would've named her daughter Kylie?"
He stood and leant against the desk, deep in thought.
"She said her mother was Australian, I didn't really think anything of it."
"Long dark hair, brown eyes? Early twenties?"
He blinked at her.
"That's her. What does this mean, Alex?"
"It means she was born in the eighties. And there's more, Sam. The newspaper cutting showed the picture of a senior male officer and the headline mentioned the words 'date rape drug'."
Sam's mouth fell open.
"Jesus. You mean like rohypnol?"
Alex nodded.
"Or something similar anyway."
"Oh God, I've just remembered something the Guv said."
"What? Tell me."
Her eyes searched his desperately.
"She bought him a whiskey, he drank it out of politeness and then he couldn't remember anything else until the following morning. But its 1974, Alex. Way too early for rohypnol, surely?"
She stood and began to pace the room.
"It's a benzodiazepine and they've been around in various forms for years."
Pausing, she stared at him white-faced.
"Where's Gene, Sam?"
"He goes to meet an informant in the pub most Wednesday lunchtimes. Why?"
She clutched his arm.
"Because it's him she's after, don't you see?"
He patted her hand.
"Don't worry, the Guv can look after himself."
She shook her head.
"He didn't manage it very well last time, did he?"
There was a knock on the door, and Ray's face appeared round it.
"Not much ter report, boss. They both seemed fond of the Guv, but not fond enough ter send him threatenin' letters."
Alex turned to him.
"Do you know where the Guv goes on a Wednesday lunchtime, Ray?"
Ray grinned.
"Why, you tryin' ter keep tabs on him, luv?"
"Its important. Trust me."
He shrugged.
"Red Lion. Should be back by now, though."
"Is it common knowledge round the station?"
Ray looked puzzled.
"Yeah, I 'spose so."
Just then the phone on Gene's desk rang, and Sam picked it up.
"Phyllis? Shit, you're joking … right … we're on it."
He replaced the receiver in the cradle.
"The landlord of the Red Lion just rang. DCI Hunt's warrant card was found in the car park a few minutes ago. Ray, get Chris. The Guv's in trouble …"
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Many thanks to everyone who's stuck with this one, especially those who've been kind enough to leave a review. It really does help to get some feedback. :)