Thanks so much for all the reviews and to anyone that has added this fic to their favourites, it really means a lot to me.

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Chapter 3

"Don't be stupid, they were working."

"No, it was more than that. He even kissed her." Ray and Chris had wasted no time in filling Shaz in on the evening's events and, although sceptical at first, she began to believe them when the senior officers in question came hurrying through CID and straight into Gene's office; the love bite strategically covered by an upturned collar.

"Ah, it's sort of romantic don't you think?" Shaz mused as she watched Alex quickly pull the blinds shut.

"No it ain't." Ray coughed. "They've had a quick fumble in the gents, not exactly classy is it!"

"Well no, but it's been so obvious these past few months."

"What has?" Chris asked.

"They're in love." Shaz smiled to herself, it may not have been obvious to the men of CID but she had seen it; the odd look here and there, the concern when a suspect got a little too close to Alex and the jealously when Gene flirted with a victim's wife. Shaz nodded slightly, yes, it had taken them a long time but perhaps they had finally realised just how much they cared for one another.

"With themselves, maybe." Ray interrupted Shaz's thoughts. "But there is no way the Guv is in love, especially with Drake."

"I don't expect you to believe me but you'll see." With that Shaz left Ray and Chris to it and disappeared out of CID to file away some evidence.

Alex was stood in front of Gene's desk, one hand on a stack of paperwork and the other pulling her jacket aside, revealing the mark on her neck that was beginning to turn purple. There was a look of annoyance on her face as she prodded the skin with her index finger.

"Can you see this Gene? I hope you like it." Alex said sarcastically.

"If you pull that top of yours a bit lower I'll definitely be able to see something I like." Gene smirked, lighting up a cigarette and leaning back in his chair. Alex's only reply was a disgruntled groan as she hit the desk lightly and stood up straight, folding her arms across her chest.

"You are so infuriating! You do realise the news of us shagging on the job will be all round the station by now?" Alex had to fight the urge to scream at Gene but she didn't want to add fuel to the fire by berating her DCI in front of half the station.

"But we didn' shag each other so they've got nowt to gossip about."

"Yes but that..."

"Bolly!" Gene cut in. "Will you stop acting like such a woman and go and make me a cup o' tea." Alex stared at him in disbelief then pushed the pile of papers in Gene's direction before storming out of the office. Gene could only chuckle as the files flew into his lap and his office door slammed shut.

By the time Alex eventually made it to Luigi's she was exhausted. She'd spent the rest of the day trying to hide from Gene as well as having to deal with the many comments about the delightfully huge mark on her neck. At one point she even began to think it might have been better if she and Gene were seeing each other; at least that way there would be a highlight at the end of the day after all the ridiculing. That thought, however, was quickly wiped from her mind when she reminded herself that this was Gene she was talking about; who the hell would want to do anything remotely romantic with him? Could Gene Hunt even do romance?

Alex sat alone at the bar, a large glass of red wine cradled in one hand with the bottle in the other. Luigi wandered over to her and sighed.

"Signorina Drake, what is the matter? And what has happened to your neck?"

"Oh Luigi, if you weren't so kind I would slap you." Luigi stepped back slightly looking both confused and shocked at Alex's words. "It's nothing, but every person I've walked past today has pointed it out to me."

"Oh, I'm very sorry Signorina. I did not mean to upset you."

"No you didn't Luigi and I'm the one who should be apologising. I didn't mean to snap at you; wrong time, wrong place." Alex sighed.

"Si, si." Luigi nodded then disappeared into the back of the restaurant leaving Alex alone again.

The silence didn't last long as the rest of CID stumbled into the restaurant. Alex didn't dare look over to them in the hope that they wouldn't notice her. It didn't work, Gene was slumped next to her in seconds and he had taken the wine bottle off her before she even got chance to turn around.

"Untwist ya knickers Bolly, you can't still be annoyed at me?"

"Annoyed? I'm a bit more than annoyed Gene! I've had every person at the station making comments about us."

"D'ya want me to sort them out?" Gene joked. Alex glared at him but the glint in her eye showed him that she wasn't annoyed. "Seriously Bols, let them gossip. There will be a new story by next week." There was a hint of a smile on Gene's face as he topped up Alex's glass and ordered another bottle.

Hours later and Alex announced that she was going to bed before she either passed out or was sick, or both. The journey up the stairs was a mission and by the time she reached the front door her head was spinning and she swore loudly as her face collided with the wall whilst she attempted to put her key in the lock. Sighing in frustration she contemplated kicking the door in but she was spared the trouble as Gene tripped up the stairs; apparently there to 'rescue her', as he put it.

He was no more successful than Alex was and ended up blaming the key for the problems. Alex collapsed against the door laughing and Gene quickly wrapped his arm around her waist to stop her from falling over. That was when they both fell silent. Alex's gaze flicked between his lips and eyes and before they knew it they were kissing. Gene pinned Alex against her door as their tongues fought for dominance and he reached over her shoulder, finally managing to place the key in the lock.

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Hope you liked it, let me know what you thought :)

Lxx