Hey everyone! Thanks for all the reviews and favourites etc. This chapter is slightly longer than normal, but I'm afraid it's another filler and I'm not completely happy with it. Anyway, let me know what you think. I have some great ideas for the next few chapters, so please keep reading and reviewing. Thanks again for all the support so far. xx

It had been a week and a half since Alex had almost slept with Alastair, and CID were getting restless. Although, Alex felt as though she was making progress by meeting all of Alastair's business associates and being promoted to being his "assistant", it wasn't moving fast enough for the team. She was yet to have been directly involved in any of his larger deals and Ray was getting pushed further and further out of Stoke's circle. It wasn't that Ray was bad at being undercover, he was just inexperienced, and Stoke was very slippery...

So, with Ray still on doorman duties and Alex climbing the career ladder at the club, it was getting more and more difficult for them to consult each other without arousing suspicion. Ray suggested that Luigi's would be a suitable place to discuss matters, but Alex was doubtful, considering how much they were now keeping from Gene. So, every night, they would walk to a small park nearby and fill each other in on the day's events. Ray rarely had any information relating to Stoke, but this night was different.

Alex wrapped her coat tighter around herself, feeling the harsh wind bitterly due to the skimpy outfits Alastair had bought and made her wear in the office. The park was always completely empty this late at night; not even the underage teens were willing to brave tonight's cold weather. She looked up from the floor as she walked to see that Ray had already arrived to sit on their usual bench, and he looked very anxious.

"Hey, Ray. You got some news?"

"Yeah," Ray grinned with almost childish excitement. "One of the doorman let slip about a deal that's going down in two days time. Looks like a massive shipment is coming in later this week and Stoke wanted to buy a sample of whatever it is first."

"Yeah, he did mention something about an order today actually. I was going to tell you don't worry!" she added, seeing Ray getting agitated. "There's something different about this shipment, but I can't put my finger on it."

"You're right, there is something different. Stoke never goes to these meetings, he always sends one of the doormen, and rarely meets the shipments in. For this one, he is going, and apparently he wants to take near enough the whole of the security team, the ones he trusts anyway..."

"Well, that's you out."

"Not necessarily..." Alex looked puzzled. "Everyone I've spoke to doesn't want to be involved, even his really loyal henchmen don't want to get their hands dirty this time. It's a long shot, but he may not have a choice."

"They wouldn't defy him, surely?"

"It's a really possibility. You didn't see how scared they were."

"What do you think it is? It can't just be drugs..."

"Exactly, I was thinking guns..."

"But would that scare them like that?"

"We'll have to follow him to the meet and see what the sample is."

"Or, convince him to take me along..."

"You're not going if I'm not, that's the deal, remember?"

Alex sighed more forcefully than she meant to. "I'll try tomorrow to get us both along. I'll tell him you want to make up for your little faux pas..."

"Oh, yeah... 'Sorry, sir, for interrupting you having sex with my DI, so can I tag along to the secret meeting?"

Alex rolled her eyes. "What choice to do we have?"

***

"Right, sounds juicy, we'll get a surveillance team down there with you an' all."

"But, Gov...!"

Alex and Ray had went straight to Luigi's the next night after working at the club – Alex feigned migraines and Ray had swapped shifts to finish early – to let Gene know the plan. Surprisingly, Alastair had accepted Ray's apology and welcomed Alex's company on the meet, and so they knew the time and place. However, they dreaded Gene's presence.

"I want to see this for myself!"

"But you do realise that you won't be able to do anything, you'll have to wait at least until the actual shipment comes in, don't you?" Alex interjected.

"Yes, but it's extra protection. We have no idea who he's buying from; they could be right nutters..."

"Regardless, if you jump in, that's our whole cover blown."

"I swear to you, I'll contain myself, Bollinger-knickers. I'm coming, and that's that. Now get me a pint in, Raymondo, you've missed far too much drinking time already."

Alex went to follow Ray to the bar but was beckoned back by a rather concerned looking DCI Hunt. "Stoke, he hasn't... you know, tried anything else has he?"

"No, he hasn't." Alex smiled meekly, which was met by a glare from Gene, suggesting he didn't believe her. "Okay, a few kisses..."

Gene was almost speechless. Almost. "You what?" he barked, prompting the bar to silence.

"Will you calm down," Alex said back through gritted teeth, "it's a necessary evil. It'll all be over soon, and it's helping the case."

Gene dropped the subject as Ray returned with drinks, and it looked set to be a usual night at Luigi's. But, tension between Alex and Gene mixed with alcohol was never a good concoction, and Gene soon brought the subject up again.

"You know, I hate women who use their bodies to get what they want," Gene slurred over the table. "I mean, women who can flirt with guys to get their own way... they're just cheap sluts."

Shaz and Chris laughed at the Gov, but Ray knew who Gene was really talking to.

"How can they look at themselves in the mirror? Knowing what a filthy slut they are..."

"Are you quite finished?" Alex piped up. "Good, because you know who I can't stand? Washed-up, old, divorced men who haven't gotten any since the last ice age spewing righteous judgment on those of us who aren't afraid of having a bit of fun!"

Luigi's went silent and the CID team looked on in horror. Gene and Alex were the only two people standing – although they swayed slightly on the spot – and they both looked on the verge of hitting the other.

"Dropping your knickers in the name of the law is still dropping your knickers, luv. I thought you were better than that, Drake, but obviously everyone has their price, even you."

Alex grabbed her coat, shaking with rage and unable to speak to defend herself, and stormed upstairs to her flat. Gene, still staring at the door, downed the rest of his pint, grabbed his own coat and headed to leave.

"Gov!" Ray leapt up and followed him to the doorway. "She hasn't slept with him, and you know she wouldn't. She's in a very difficult situation and she's doing the best she can." Ray couldn't believe the words had come out of his mouth.

Gene sighed. "I know, but I'm not happy about this."

"Obviously not..."

"The sooner she's out of there, the better. For all of us."