Disclaimer not mine. Is anyone still reading this? If so thank you very much it means the world to me. Hope you enjoy.

Drive

Gene drove through the West London streets like a man possessed. All he could think about was getting to the disused shop where they believed Sharon was being held. Sam hung on to the back seat of the red Audi for dear life as Alex remained quiet in the passenger seat. Not for the first time Sam wondered exactly how Gene had so far avoided loosing his licence for speeding.

"Guv" Sam started as Gene took a corner at breakneck speed.

Gene ignored him as Alex took in a deep breath. She knew Gene would never knowingly put his team or her in danger but sometimes his driving made her feel slightly uneasy. She knew he was only trying to get to Sharon.

"Guv!" Sam tried again, frustrated that his boss and best friend seemed to be ignoring him.

"What is it Nancy?" Gene snapped.

"Callaghan Road."

"What about it?" Gene stepped on the accelerator as Alex half turned in her seat to look at Sam.

"Sam?" She asked.

"There are three shops there that are disused. Annie just text me the name of the one which is most likely to be the one we need" He explained as Gene swore as he swerved the car to avoid a cyclist. Alex sighed as she turned back to the road. Gene ignored the death glare she shot him as he swore at the unfortunate cyclist.

"Well which one is it?" Gene barked as Sam checked his phone.

"The middle one. Next to the Chinese takeaway - Sunset Gardens" Sam answered. He was used to Gene's temper. He knew it was only because he was worried about Sharon. Alex unclipped her seatbelt as Gene brought the car to a halt outside the Sunset Gardens.

"It's the Bridal Shop" Alex stared out of the car window.

"Yeah looks like" Sam answered.

"Eh?" Gene had his hand on the handle of the car door, ready to go.

"When I was looking for a wedding dress, Annie and Sharon suggested this place. We came here looking for a dress" She shook her head. Now another memory would be sullied by something awful. Her memory of her wedding to Gene wasn't perfect, she remembered bits and bobs but since Layton had shot her in the head, sending her in to a 1980s dream filled coma she had trouble remembering events that had happened before the gun had gone off. If it wasn't for the gold band on her finger or the photograph in her living room she would have believed the wedding was merely a dream. She looked up at the deserted shop and prayed that her friend was inside unharmed. All she really wanted to do was get Sharon back in one piece and get home to her girls. She glanced at Gene, knowing he felt the same.

"Come on then" Sam decided as he opened the car door as Gene and Alex glanced at each other before following him. Gene stared at the apparently abandoned building as he thought about what to do next. Alex glanced at the grocery shop next door and the skip parked a few doors away.

"Right Bolls" Gene clapped his hands together as she walked up to him.

"Call for back up. Ray is on his way" She watched as Gene raised an eyebrow. She had known Gene for almost five years and been married for almost two of those, she had only ever known him call for back up. That had been the day Layton had shot her. Now she was terrified they would need CO19 again.

"Sam, you stay here, Bolls get on to Ray - see where the 'ell he is" Gene ordered them as Alex nodded once. She knew Gene asking her to call Ray was the closest they would get to asking for backup.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ray drove through the busy streets with Chris beside him. He knew Gene would be unhappy with him for bringing Chris with him but there was no way that the young DC was going to be left behind. Ray sighed. He would have been in the same state if Mia was missing. He smiled slightly as he thought of the murder squad detective. He couldn't wait for her to get back from her course.

"Ray" Chris spoke quietly.

"Yes mate?" Ray turned the corner that would lead them to Callaghan Road.

"She is going to be alright isn't she? Shaz I mean" Chris sounded terrified. Ray sighed as he thought about his answer. He wanted to lie and tell him that of course Sharon would be ok but a brief look at his young friend and he knew he couldn't lie.

"We'll find her mate" He sighed as he pushed the accelerator to the floor.

Sharon was annoyed. She wanted to go home. She wanted to have a drink with Phyllis and get Chris to walk her home, holding her hand and making her laugh. She slapped the locked door with the palm of her hand as she leant against it. She closed her eyes and fought the tears as she thought she was dreaming. Closing her eyes she listened intently. Nah I'm going mad. That aint the Guv I can hear. Grainger you are going dolally girl. She thumped the wood again in temper as she realised she was still on her own.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Frankie Hughes sat in his old Ford Fiesta as he watched Gene and the others look at his ex girlfriend's shop. He smiled sadly as he thought about how upset she had been when the shop had closed. Bloody recession! Like the bleedin 80s all over again. He glared as he watched Alex call someone on her mobile. Well at least I can get some use out of the old place. Eh up, 'ere come the cavalry! He almost laughed as he saw Ray park his car next to Gene's Audi. Time to have a word with the DCI I think. He smiled as he pulled his own mobile phone from his jean pocket. Gene answered on the second ring.

"What!" Gene barked in to the phone as he tried the lock on the shop door.

"Now now Mr Hunt" Hughes laughed down the phone.

"Where's Grainger? You piece of scum, what 'av you done wiv er?" He turned to see the colour drain from Chris' face as he and Ray joined them.

"Guv" Chris spoke quietly. Gene turned away from him as Alex looked sympathetically at the young man. She narrowed her eyes as she looked across the road.

"Ray" She stayed still but continued to look at the small car across the road.

"Yeah Boss?" Ray followed her eye line.

"That Vauxhall nova, K reg. It wasn't here when we arrived. Did you notice it?" She had a very funny feeling about this. Ray shook his head.

"No Alex can't say I noticed it" Ray watched as she smiled slightly.

"How about you and Chris go around the back, see if we can get in that way?" She knew Gene was about to explode and would do if he knew what she was thinking. The November air chilling her to her bones.

"Yeah, c'mon Chris" He shot Alex a confused look as he wondered what their DI was thinking this time. Gene slammed the phone shut as he turned to see her walk straight towards the small car.

"Bolly!" He yelled as she ignored him. Her heart was pounding in her chest as the engine of the car she approached started. She watched as the small car sped past her. Gene called her name again as she turned to him with her hands on her hips.

"Got it" She smiled before walking back to her husband.

"Bolls!" Gene yelled "Get yer scrawny arse over 'ere" She marched back to him.

"That was Hughes watching us. I am certain of it" She pulled her phone out of her pocket and asked Phyllis to run a PNC check on the car. Gene nodded once and grunted as Sam returned.

"She's in there. I am certain of it Guv" He looked at Ray.

"Right, are we going to get her or are we going to ponce about out 'ere all night?" Gene walked to the skip and pulled out a piece of wood. Sam raised his eyebrows as Gene proceeded to smash the shop window.

"Guv!" Sam yelled as Alex stepped back to get out of the way. Gene continued to smash the window.

"What now Ethel? You want to go and get a bleedin' warrant? Aint got time for the niceties" he smashed the window before leaning in and unclipping the lock on the door. Swearing profusely as he cut his hand on the glass he was stunned in to silence as they heard a woman scream.

author's note. Who was screaming? Is it worth continuing with my story? Please let me know x