CID began to pile in as nine o'clock came and went. Ray was sitting at Alex's desk, finding much amusement with her swizzle-y chair and spinning round and round as fast as he could. Chris watched in complete and utter shock, drooling crisps out of his mouth.
"Chris, that is revolting," Alex snapped, "and DI Drake do you really think that is the type of thing you normally do? Especially when you're ill and supposed to be being quiet and not doing much."
"Wha'? Oh. Yeah," Ray realised, stopping abruptly. Too abruptly in fact; landing on the floor.
"You drunk, Bolls?" Gene frowned, staring at Ray incredulously as Alex closed her eyes in angst.
"Er, no," Ray coughed, standing up and adjusting the ridiculous leather jacket Drake insisted he wore. Gene smirked and Alex's eyes widened as Ray began to take the jacket off…
"No!" she burst out. "Ray – Alex – Ma'am – ARGH! You! Put the jacket back on!"
Gene looked completely confused. "Become a fashion guru 'ave we now, Raymondo?"
"Oh shut up," Alex muttered. Ray draped Alex's leather jacket on the back of her chair and stood facing the Guv nervously. Gene's eyes were drawn to the generous cleavage now on display thanks to Ray's clothes choice.
"Bleedin' ell, Bolls, yer gonna give 'alf of CID an 'eart attack!" he whistled, not lifting his gaze.
"Guv," Alex piped up, "her eyes are a little higher than where you're looking if you don't mind."
Gene turned to face Alex, absolutely dumbfounded. "Who the bloody 'ell do you think you are, 'er bloody father? What's gotten into you today?"
"Nothing, I just think your sexist attitudes ought to be recognised a little bit more!" Alex barked before she could stop herself.
"Right, that's it!" Ray snapped, grabbing Alex forcefully by the arm and marching her out of the room.
"Yeah, you tell 'im, DI Drake!" Chris laughed. Gene couldn't believe what he was seeing. Bolly marching Ray out of the doors and him putting up with it.
"Shaz, get me a brew!" Gene ordered. "Stronger than me usual!"
-------------------------
Finally, Ray reached an empty interviewing room down the hall and pushed Alex inside, closing the door behind him.
"I thought you said my macho reputation was safe?! 'Don't worry, Ray, I'm the psychologist, I'm trained to understand human behaviour, of course I can pull this off!'…yeah, nice one, Ma'am! You're really doing well!" Ray fumed.
"Well if you hadn't worn this revealing blouse I wouldn't have the Guv's eyes leering all over my boobs and I wouldn't have to stand up for myself as you!" Alex fought back, even confusing herself.
"Oh give over, Drake, you loved it really," Ray sneered.
"Excuse me?"
"Bet deep down you want a bit o' fun in the sack wi' the Guv, otherwise you wouldn't 'ave such a problem wi' Skyler, would yer?"
Turning the tables, Alex grabbed Ray by the stupid collar of that stupid blouse and spun them round, pressing him against the wall.
"You are far too lippy, Detective Sergeant," Alex hissed, "you may have the pleasure of being in my body but I am still your superior officer, so watch your mouth!"
Suddenly, the interview room door banged open to reveal the strong bulk of DCI Gene Hunt. As the light flooded into the naturally dark room, his mouth dropped to find what appeared to be Ray Carling manhandling Alex Drake up against the wall.
"Well don't let me interrupt," he spat maliciously, "always had you down as the kinky sort, Drake, liking it rough, but if you two don't mind, I 'ave Skyler in me office wi' more information on these Jackson bastards!"
"Yes Guv," Alex and Ray mumbled, following Gene back, giving each other dirty looks.
"Right," Gene announced as the three of them got back to the office, "DI Drake, my office. Skyler's got names for us about the bastards that we didn't manage to arrest from the bomb attack at Rothmore House the other day. DS Carling, try to at least look like you're doin' somethin' productive. Now mush!"
Alex sat down at Ray's desk reluctantly, keeping an eye on the Guv's office. Sure enough, through the glass she spotted a young woman with long, elbow-length blonde curls, stockings, high-heels and a shorter than short dress to challenge Alex's when she first arrived in 1981. Alex nodded to Ray, who looked as if he would rather jump off Tower Bridge than follow the Guv into the office and attempt to spout psychiatry crap.
"After you, Drake," Gene said sharply. Ray acknowledged the blunt use of Alex's surname – catching them in the interview room together must have had more of an effect on him than he liked to let on…
Entering the room, Ray spotted Skyler perched happily on the edge of the Guv's table.
Drake's spot, Ray noted, oh-ho she will not be happy…
And sure enough, Ray looked through the glass to see Alex staring angrily at Skyler, threatening to snap Chris' favourite pencil. She was fidgeting and crossing her legs daintily. In his opinion, Alex was making him look like he had a raging hard one. Ray caught her eye and sent her a warning glare. Alex retaliated by pulling an unattractive face. Ray made to lift the blouse he was wearing up, and then Alex co-operated, uncrossing her legs and pulling a magazine out. Turning back to the Guv and Skyler, Ray was satisfied.
However, this whole little episode was watched by Chris, whom was now turning his head from Alex to Ray with an open mouth.
"Just get back to work, Chris," Alex sighed.
"Erm, you all right, mate?" Chris frowned, still looking stunned. "Somethin' funny's going on wi' you and DI Drake, like. Mate…"
"What, Chris?" Alex said crisply, looking up.
"Are yer…you know…"
"Speak English, Chris, I haven't got all day."
"Are you screwin' DI Drake?"
Alex's eyes widened in horror. "I most certainly am not! No way, no way would Ray – I – ever be lucky enough to sleep with such an independent, intelligent, professional and attractive woman. No. Never. Now shut up and do some work."
The corners of Chris' mouth twitched. Ray never spoke like that about anyone.
Chris turned to Shaz. "He's screwin' her."