"She's happier you know," Molly told Gene, as they were playing 'Mousetrap' one night. Molly had run Alex a bath and told her to relax: after all, Gene was here to entertain her.

"Who is?" Gene tried to act nonchalant; his green mouse was getting dangerously close to getting trapped.

"Mum, of course." Molly precariously balanced the plastic cage on top of the pole. "She's eating again, it's great."

He couldn't help the half-smile. He already knew. Last Friday he'd taken her out for fish 'n' chips and they'd eaten them snuggled up on a bench in Hyde Park. They were still dating while Molly was at netball practice on a Friday night. It might be slow, but it was working. They were doing it properly this time around, like Alex said, 'without alcohol to confuse them.' They'd just been out for long walks and hot chocolates and although Gene felt like a right poof he loved dating her. He just knew he had to be careful to arrange their dates where no-one they knew could bump into them; he couldn't have the criminal fraternity of London thinking he'd gone soft, after all.

"What are you doing Saturday night?" Molly asked.

"Nothing. Why?"

Molly looked down, coming across slightly awkward and guilty. "It's just... it's fireworks night. The netball team are going to Leicester to play Beaumont Leys. We're going to be away and... Mum's afraid of fireworks. Did you know her parents were killed in a car bomb?"

Gene shook his head, just once. It sure explained a lot.

"You're getting on better, right?" Molly continued. "Do you think you could look after her for me? I hate to ask, I tried to get out of it but Grace got really mad at me and told me I was selfish..."

"You're not selfish, Molls. Far from it. You've got your own life, it's not fair that you're worrying about your Mum all the time. Course I'll keep an eye on her."

888888

"Molly's going away tomorrow night," Alex said, her head against Gene's chest. It was exactly their thirteenth date and they'd gone to watch the sunset in the park. Gene hadn't even complained that it was cold, he just liked being with her. "I was wondering if you wanted to come over, stay."

He exhaled, relieved. It would save him showing up, like Molly had asked, possibly unwanted on the doorstep and trying to think of an excuse why he was there. "You sure? Like a sleepover?"

She grinned. "Like a sleepover."

He kissed her. "Nothing has to happen." He hated that things still felt so awkward between them sometimes.

"Well... I want it to."

"Really?"

"Yes, really." She took a deep breath. "I love you, Gene." It was the first time she'd told him since they'd started their regular Friday nights together. "I want to be with you."

His heart fluttered and he cursed it. "I love you too."

888888

Gene arrived at exactly four p.m. on the Saturday. Alex had wanted to make very sure Molly was gone and Gene had promised Molly he'd check on Alex long before dark.

He knocked three times and waited, clutching the flowers and chocolates he'd bought for her. Peonies again. He really couldn't have been more surprised when Alex opened the door wearing nothing but her silky black nightshirt and looking wild-eyed. She dragged him inside, kissing him like she'd never kissed him before, pushing him onto the sofa and sitting on his lap. At first, he allowed himself to get lost in her kisses but then realised that he tasted vodka mixed with her toothpaste and he pulled away.

"Not that I don't appreciate it but have you been drinking?"

Her pupils with dilated. "Maybe." She kissed him again. "Need to show you... want you... prove I'm not a 'fri...'"

"Hey." He silenced her by pressing a finger to her lips. Closing his eyes, he rested his forehead against hers. "Is this what this is about? Because I *don't* think that. I was angry, okay?" He lifted her off his lap so they were sat side-by-side and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Picking up the half-empty bottle of vodka from besides the sofa, he asked, "How about a coffee, Bolls?"

She nodded, feeling embarrassed and a bit more sober. Looking outside, she shivered. It was getting dark.

Gene made them both a coffee, his head spinning. He was on his way back to the lounge and once he'd set the two cups on the table an explosion and a crackle lit up the sky. Before he knew it, Alex was in his arms whimpering and squeezing him so tight he thought he might burst.

"Bolly?" He drew back and looked into her terrified eyes. "It's alright." Still with her wrapped in his arms, he pulled the curtains and put the TV on. "See? All better." Then he took her back to the sofa, laying her down with him and murmuring soothing words. "Sleep it off, Bolly." He sighed, cupping his hands over her ears when she cried, the bangs of the fireworks in the sky frightening her. She knew she shouldn't be scared, that she had nothing to be scared of but she couldn't help it.

When she eventually fell asleep it was restless. She fretted feverishly in his arms, crying out for Molly, seemingly afraid she'd lost her again. But Gene was there, reminding her Molly wasn't lost, she would be home soon.

Eventually, when Gene decided the fireworks had stopped he resolved to put her to bed.

"Come on sleepy-knickers," he whispered into her hair.

She moaned in disapproval as he picked her up and laid her in bed, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Sweet dreams, Bolly."

She opened one eye. "You're not staying?"

"Course I am. I'll be on the sofa. All night. 'The Wild Bunch' is on in a second."

"Stay," she said. "Put the TV on in here."

"You're sure?" His heart was hammering a bit in his chest. He really hadn't expected anything tonight. Baby steps...

She nodded and he switched on the TV before settling in the bed with her, her curled tightly around him.

"I'm sorry," she slurred.

"No need to be sorry."

"There was supposed to be sex."

"Sshhh... 'The Wild Bunch' is on. It doesn't matter."

"Then I got drunk."

"Bolly, be quiet."

So she was.

When she awoke, hours later, the TV was flickering at a low volume and Gene was dozing, cradling her body against his protectively. Shrugging away the beginnings of a headache, she pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. After all, the fireworks had stopped and she'd slept off her drunkenness, there were no barriers anymore.

His eyes fluttered open and he grinned.

"Hi," she whispered in the dark.

"Hi." He pulled her closer and she kissed him again, deeper this time. And then there were no words: just him and her reconnecting with the TV shimmering softly, soothingly in the background...

888888

Alex awoke with a start the next morning when she heard the front door slam.

"Hi, Mum," she heard Molly call, and then, with what Alex imagined was a triumphant smirk, "Hi, Dad."

"Shit!" Alex thumped Gene in the chest. "What time is it? Gene?" She shook him awake. "The alarm was set; you were supposed to be gone by nine!"

Gene wiped his eyes blearily. "Sh'up, Bolly, it's ten past nine."

She leaned over him and looked at the alarm clock on his side of the bed. "It's after eleven and Molly's home." She sighed, frustrated and upset. She didn't want Molly to find out about them this way.

Gene suddenly looked sheepish. "The alarm did go off and I was getting up but... you looked all peaceful and stuff. I just wanted ten more minutes with you, I'm sorry, I'll talk to Molls."

Alex sighed again, shrugging on her dressing gown. She couldn't stay mad at him. "It's okay, I'll go." Taking a deep breath, Alex found Molly sitting on the sofa, calmly reading 'The Observer.'

"Hi." Molly smiled.

"Hi." Alex sat beside her and starting playing with her daughter's hair. "How was Leicester? I missed you."

"We won." Molly shrugged. "Bet you didn't miss me too much. You two are supposed to be detectives. Dad left his boots in here and the tie I bought him for his birthday is here." She picked it up from the back of the sofa. "Very un-subtle."

Alex blushed and asked, "Are you mad?"

"Why would I be mad? I think it's *great.* My Mum and Dad are back together again." She grinned.

"We're taking it slow," Alex warned her. "He's not moving in or anything."

Not yet, I'll wear you down."

Alex enveloped her in a crushing hug. "I'm so lucky to have you."

"It's okay. I'm here. Gene's here. You're okay."

It was then the bedroom door opened and Gene stood there, now fully dressed and looking uncomfortable.

"Hi, Dad!" Molly grinned and ran over to him, hugging him tight.

"Hi, Molly Dolly." He looked over at Alex nervously. "We okay?"

She nodded and gave him a little, shaky smile. "We're okay."

Molly hauled Gene by the hand back over to the sofa, sitting between him and Alex. She was beyond happy to have her family back together.

"How 'bout some bacon, Bolly?" he asked. "Let Molly tell me about Leeds. You win, love?"

"Course! Except I went to Leicester, not Leeds." Then, barely pausing for breath, she began describing the match in great detail. Alex got up to make tea and switch the grill on. She watched the two of them and smiled. It felt like this, her family, was meant to be... even if Gene had brought an evil cat into their lives who was currently sitting on the kitchen worktop where she knew she shouldn't be.

"Mum?" Molly's voice snapped her out of her reverie. "Dad can stay, right? For dinner."

Alex nodded. "He definitely can."