At work, things between them were painfully civil, workmanlike. Just like two indifferent colleagues exchanging pleasantries. Alex kept her promise. He was allowed to see Molly whenever he wanted. Normally this meant stopping by two or three nights a week and generally involved asking Molly how her Maths test had gone or watching 'The A Team' with her or playing an impromptu game of 'Scrabble' (which, naturally, she always won.) He made a point of spending every Saturday with Molly too, spoiling her to death by taking her to the park or the zoo in the morning and then watching the horse racing together in the afternoon.

Though Alex loved seeing Molly so happy, she couldn't help but feel jealous, uncomfortable and downright lonely. Whenever Gene showed up, she would make her excuses and leave, retreating to her room to watch the second TV she'd bought or to read.

On Wednesday, Gene was watching Alex from his office, as usual. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. Things were awkward between them and he hated it, they were too polite, strained. What was she doing now? Infuriating woman, she was handing out shiny, pink envelopes to various members of CID. Maddening fruitcake! What now? Shit, she was coming his way. Gene quickly pretending to be filling out paperwork. As usual, she barged in without knocking.

Silently, she proffered one of the shiny, pink envelopes in his direction.

"What's this?"

"Molly's birthday, Saturday. The dinner at Luigi's. You hadn't forgotten, had you?"

"Course not! Got a huge surprise planned for her." He winked.

Alex's face fell. "You're taking her all day Saturday?"

"No. Just the morning." He was conscious that Alex needed to spend time with her on her birthday too.

"Okay... just don't spoil her too much."

888888

Alex was furious. Livid. Molly, was in equal parts, delighted.

"You know how much I hate them and this flat just isn't big enough!" she hissed through clenched teeth, being sure to keep her voice low, not wanting to upset Molly.

"Oh, come on! The girl deserves a break."

"A break didn't have to involve a six-week-old kitten!"

"Look..." Gene paused to light a cigarette. "She's been through a lot: her father abandoning her, the car accident, us..." he trailed off. "She's a good girl and she's trying. Just let her keep it. Please."

It suddenly occurred to him this was the first fight they'd had since his return and it felt... normal. Natural. More like old times.

"Besides," he pouted. "You can't resist it when the Gene-Genie says 'please.'"

She shoved him, the first time they'd touched since he'd left. You could practically see the sparks of electricity that still flickered there. Bastard. He was right and he knew it.

Molly came into the kitchen, cradling her precious tortoiseshell kitten to her. Alex still thought it looked like a gremlin but figured she might be able to live with it if it made Molly happy... as long as she didn't have to clean up after it.

"Alright, Molls?" Gene asked her brightly. "How's my birthday girl?"

"Depends." She turned to her Mum, anxious. "Can I keep her?"

"Yes," Alex told her and Molly grinned. It was the first time Alex had seen her really smile since her and Gene had split up.

"What are you calling her?" Gene asked.

"Bella." Molly smiled again.

"It's very cute," Alex said, not meaning it and thinking of that god-awful 'Twilight' book Molly had made her read.

"Cool. I'll leave you two alone." Molly carefully carried the cat back into the living room.

Alex sighed. "You could have bought her a bloody Walkman, that was on the list too."

8888888

They'd all managed to squeeze around a corner table in 'Luigi's,' the restaurant surprisingly busy. Molly had sandwiched herself between Gene and Alex and Ray was perched awkwardly on a bar stool on the end.

Gene had warned Ray and Chris that if they told lewd jokes, swore, or generally looked as though they weren't enjoying themselves, he'd skin them alive come Monday morning. They were also to bring presents from the list and act like Prince Charmings.

In reality, Ray had surprised Alex. He was very protective of Molly; especially since the car accident and he'd bought her a lovely rose gold bracelet (which was currently fastened around her wrist) and written her a heartfelt birthday card (with Shaz's help.)

The food was lovely, the conversation flowed freely and as the evening wore on, Alex found herself becoming more and more enchanted by Gene. He was the perfect gentleman, attentive, funny, charismatic, telling Molly stories about Manchester and chatting to her about upcoming horse racing. Molly and Gene had even persuaded Alex that they all needed to go to Glorious Goodwood in the summer holidays, all three of them together. Alex's affection towards Gene didn't wane the entire evening, even when she went to check on Bella and she'd found the cat hanging from her curtain pole.

The other patrons had long since left and Molly had persuaded Luigi to put on her favourite 'Spandau Ballet' tape. She jigged around the dance floor with Shaz and DC Terry, laughing hysterically.

Gene had been talking to Ray and Chris until he noticed Alex was sitting alone. Taking his chance, he decided to join her. He filled up her empty wine glass and she smiled.

"I shouldn't, I'll have a headache in the morning as it is."

"Never stopped you before, Bolls."

She stilled, stunned. He hadn't used her nickname since they'd gone their separate ways.

"That was before."

He nodded, understanding. They'd both changed a lot since Molly had arrived. Even Gene had cut back on his drinking and smoking.

"Are you still mad about the cat?" he asked. "Because if you are, I can take it back to my place."

"No, it's fine. It's already shredded my curtains but it's okay."

The music changed. 'True.' Alex closed her eyes. So predictable. Typical Molly. She watched Ray ask Molly if she wanted to dance. She giggled and was attempting to teach him how to waltz.

"Fancy a dance?" Gene asked, feeling nervous. Had he misread the situation? What if she didn't want to?

She nodded and smiled, surprising even herself. "I'd like to."

He took her hand and led her to the tiny, makeshift dance floor. Self-conscious at first, he put his arm around her waist and they soon swayed steadily together. Alex didn't fail to notice Molly grinning at them.

Gene was pleased they were getting along again, if only for Molly's sake for now. Of course he wanted to get back together; in spite of everything, he was still madly in love with her.

"Bolly, I..."

"Guv, switch me," Ray interrupted. "This waltz thing, it's too bloody complicated."

Gene sighed in frustration and let go of Alex without a word. Bloody Ray, it wasn't as if Molly had asked him to foxtrot, now *that* looked hard. He burned with jealousy, seeing Ray wrap his arms around Alex. Granted, Ray wasn't about to try anything but he hated seeing her with someone else. What if she got another boyfriend? Of course she would, she was so bloody gorgeous, lots of men must be queuing up to go out with her. He couldn't deal with it, he needed to talk to her, being without her was driving him crazy...

He looked at his watch. "Christ, it's two o'clock!" he said, loud enough for Alex to hear. He knew she was strict about Molly's bedtime, birthday or no birthday.

She leapt away from Ray like he was on fire.

"Molly, why didn't you tell me it was so late? We have to check on the cat, it's probably destroyed the flat!"

She mobilised Molly into gathering her presents and say 'thank you' to everyone. Alex sent her on ahead with Ray, handfuls of gifts in both their arms. Alex began to collect both her and Molly's coats along with a large 'Twister' board, that had, rather inexplicably, been opened and played already.

"Here, let me help you with that," Gene offered.

She smiled a 'Thank you,' said goodnight to Luigi and told him she'd settle the bill in the morning.

Gene followed her up the steps. Once they'd reached the front door, Gene handed her the game mat.

"Gene-"

"Bolly-"

They both spoke at once and together found themselves laughing nervously.

"Go ahead," he said.

She took a deep breath. "I was just wondering... well, Molly has this thing on Friday after school, she won't be back until about seven, so... did you maybe- if you want to- go for a drink?"

His heart soared.

"I can't promise anything," she digressed. "I..."

He silenced her with a kiss. Taking her face in his hands, he kissed the tiny bump on the side of her nose. He'd always called it 'his' bump. There were exactly three tiny freckles there.

"Alex, you talk too much, I've told you that." He kissed the little bump again but worried when he felt her draw back.

"I don't want anyone to know. Not yet, especially not Molly. Until we've figured out if we can do this... us... I just want it to be us two."

"You also think too much." His face was suddenly serious, uncomfortable about talking so openly with her. "I'll wait for you, Bolly. You have my word. Even if it's only just dating."

Alex laughed, emboldened by the wine. "Are you saying you'd forego sex, Gene Hunt?"

"For you? Until you're ready? Until this is all worked out? Yes."

She saw the sincerity in his eyes. She believed him.

Suddenly, Ray burst out of the flat, his timing impeccable, as ever.

"Ma'am, you wanna see what that bastard cat's done to your coffee table! Ruined it is! How can something that small have taken a whole leg off it? There's splinters everywhere." He put his hand up, displaying three deep scratches. "Look what it did to me! Anyway, you ready to go, Guv?" Gene had made it clear to Ray that he would be the designated driver for the evening.

Gene simply nodded. They said their 'goodnights' and when she was sure Ray wasn't looking, Alex blew Gene a kiss. He caught it.