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Recurring Nightmares

"What the hell do you think you were doing in there?" Alex' cut glass accent was at full volume as the trio reached the Squad room. Gene raised his eyebrows as she slammed the door to the office open. The rest of the team were used to the heated exchanges between Alex and Gene, not even Annie batted an eyelid.

"Interviewing a suspect. What did it bloody look like?" Gene yelled as Ray skulked back to his desk as Sam crossed the room to talk to him.

"What did it look like? What did it look like?" Alex yelled "Gene Hunt it looked like you were about to kill the man! Hasn't this department been through enough already?" She glared at him, determined that she was not going to back down. The rest of the room was silent as they watched the exchange between the DCI and DI. Even Sam kept out of this argument. He was much more concerned about the phone call Annie had taken moments before. When it became clear both his friends were at an impasse he cleared his throat.

"Frankie Hughes called" Sam spoke quietly.

"Yeah I 'eard" Gene kept his eyes on his wife as he spoke Bloody 'ell she's gorgeous when she's pissed off with me he thought as Alex narrowed her eyes.

"Oh," Sam pushed on regardless. "So you know what he said then"

"No I bloody well don't"

"Sam" Annie bit her bottom lip as the doors to the Squad Room opened to reveal Chris and Sharon were back. Ray walked over to the young DC and hugged her as Chris smiled slightly.

"What did 'e say? Ma'am?" Sharon asked as Gene felt the anger dissipate from him.

Alex closed her eyes, relieved that Sharon was back but unsure if she was able to say what Frankie Hughes had said with Sharon in the room. She glanced at Gene and then Sam before deciding she had no choice.

"He said it isn't the last we heard of him. That he wasn't that bothered about his brother" She sighed "After all it was Keats paying his wages" Alex heard both Sharon and Annie gasp. Ray swore loudly as Phyllis crossed herself.

"Jim Keats playing up again?" Gene turned to Alex who nodded.

"Right" He bellowed so that he had the full attention of his team. "Jimbo is no longer a serving police officer. Last I 'eard he was on bail for murder and all that crap he put us through. Now if Keats is behind all this I want 'im stopped."

"Yes Guv" A quiet chorus emerged from the team. Annie couldn't believe Jim Keats had come back to haunt them, and was using the brother of a man they had arrested to do so. In a way it made Jim Keats more dangerous than ever but it also meant that Frankie Hughes was going to have no reason to back off. It gave him more incentive to go after the team. Gene watched as each member of CID took in the news. He closed his eyes for a moment aware that the rest of the team would be looking to him for answers. He just wasn't sure he was had any. For the first time in a long time he was pleased that Sam seemed to be taking control of the situation.

"You 'eard the Guv" He stood as the rest of the team nodded "Jim Keats is no longer a serving member of the Met. We treat him like any other criminal that has breached bail conditions. Annie can you go through everything we have on Frankie Hughes and Jim Keats? See if there is a link. Viv, talk to the bail people. Who is supposed to be watching him? Is he on tag? I need to know. Sharon, you and Chris go through the files too. Ray, with me"

"Where are we off to?" Ray grabbed his jacket as Chris stood up. Sam nodded that the younger man could join them.

"Find Keats"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gene walked back in to his office as Sam continued to hand out orders to the rest of the team. His eyes settled on the calendar in the corner of the room, just left of his precious dart board. December 9th 2010. Not long till Christmas, you always did 'ave good timing you short arse twerp Gene cursed Keats knowing he would never hear him. He hadn't noticed the Squad Room gradually empty as Alex crossed the room to his office and walked in.

"Bolls" He glanced up at her.

"Gene" Alex sighed as she closed the door behind her.

"Can I 'elp you luv?" She could tell he was still angry with her for shouting at him. She really didn't care.

"Yes. You can tell me what is going on"

"Wish I knew luv, wish I knew" Gene sighed as he shoved his hands in his pockets. Alex walked over to him as he met her eyes.

"This isn't like last time" She rested her hands on Gene's shoulders as he sighed. "It isn't"

"Ow do you work that one out Bolls?" His Manchester accent more prominent now he was tired.

"Because it is different. He knows now" She smiled as she felt Gene's hands wrap themselves around her waist. She knew she still had a few baby pounds to loose but Gene had never mentioned it. He had always kept telling her he fancied her like mad. She sighed as he kissed her.

"What does he know?" Gene whispered in her ear.

"That nothing he says or does can keep us apart. That whatever he does we will stop him" Gene smiled slightly glad that Alex at least seemed to have faith in them, in him. He just hoped she was right.

A/N More soon?