Okay, I'm really sorry this has taken me ages to update but I've been so busy recently! Anyway, here is the next chapter. Thanks for everyone that has read and reviewed this, it really means a lot to me so please keep the comments coming.

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Chapter 8

The realisation soon hit and Alex stood there, her mouth hanging open. If she had stopped to think about it, she knew Gene wasn't one to take advantage of her whilst she was passed out and from the little memory she had, Gene had been knocking them back just as quickly as she had been.

"Oh." Alex mumbled, shifting uncomfortably on the spot and pushing her hands further into her back pockets. "You have to admit it looked a bit suspicious."

"Well no. I didn't expect you to lose ya memory for starters, Bolly. Should have know ya can't handle ya drink. Now go and do some work whilst I try and explain the actions of my fruitcake DI to those wankers in there." A ghost of a smile washed across Gene's face as he closed the door to the office.

...

Alex was sat in Gene's office later that day discussing the latest cases, the embarrassment of the earlier situation no longer a problem.

"Right, well I'll send Chris and Ray to talk to the wife whilst we go and have a chat with the dead body." Alex nodded absentmindedly, chewing on the end of a pen as she stared out of the window. "Earth to Lady B! Stop fantasising and concentrate." Gene waved a hand in front of Alex's face and she shook her head slightly.

"What, yes, dead body."

"Care to share, Bolly." Gene raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

"Would you... do you fancy go for a meal tonight? You know, to make up for you birthday disaster."

"Is this your way of saying sorry?"

"I suppose." Alex muttered, pulling her jacket on and standing up.

"As long as you don't end up with your head in the toilet again then it's a deal." Alex smiled sarcastically and opened the office door.

...

She wasn't ready when Gene knocked at the door that evening. Gene sighed heavily as she disappeared into her room to do her makeup, he should have known by now that Alex was never ready on time, especially if the occasion involved a posh restaurant and the opportunity to meet some Thatcherite wanker. The minutes passed by and Gene contemplated leaving a few times but when Alex emerged, in a black dress that showed a lot of cleavage and leg, he decided the wait had been worth it.

They'd chosen a restaurant a few streets away and as they stepped into the small building, a waiter appeared and showed them to their table that was situated by the window. The restaurant was not busy and they didn't have to wait long to be served.

"Well Bols, if this evening ends with an invitation for coffee it will definitely make up for last night." Gene said.

"The only 'coffee' you will be getting will be in a mug." Alex waggled her fingers as she said coffee then returned to her starter.

"You can be very annoying at times. I reckon I should get some kind of award for putting up with you."

"Just remember whose paying for dinner, Gene." Gene silently admitted defeat and carried on eating his meal.

...

The rest of the evening passed quickly and by the time they were ready to leave the rain was hammering against the window. They huddled under an umbrella as they left the restaurant; Gene wrapped one arm around Alex's waist in an attempt to keep her out of the rain. The walk back to Luigi's was surprisingly peaceful; the rain had cleared the streets giving both Gene and Alex the chance to drop their act and enjoy each other's company. Luigi's was also deserted by the time they arrived.

"Oh, I've got your present upstairs." Alex said, reaching out a hand to stop Gene leaving. "Give me a minute and I'll go and get it."

"You didn' have t' get me anything Bols."

"I know. It's nothing big." Alex hurried up the stairs, leaving Gene waiting by the door. After a few minutes Alex still hadn't returned so Gene followed her up the stairs and into the flat.

"I don't have all night Bolly. What the hell are you doin' up 'ere?"

"Sorry. I couldn't remember where I'd put it." Alex appeared from her bedroom with a small box in her hands. "Here you go. Like I said it's only small."

Gene took the box from Alex's hand and slowly opened it. In it was a glass ashtray with a lion printed on the bottom of it. It wasn't particularly spectacular but it was the only birthday present he'd received in years and for the first time in months he smiled; not the usual smile where the sides of his mouth twitched but a proper grin.

"I thought you hated it when I smoked." Gene eventually said.

"I do but I'm never going to get you to stop, am I?" Gene nodded in reply.

"No Bols, you are not." They fell into a comfortable silence, looking at each other. Placing the box on the kitchen table Gene stepped forward, closing the gap between him and his DI. "Thank you." Gene whispered before lowering his lips to hers.

It was gentle at first but as they carried on Alex slipped her hand under Gene's shirt and pushed him up against the kitchen table.

"Stop." Alex said, pulling away slightly so she could speak. Gene resisted the urge to roll his eyes as, yet again; she'd turned him on then decided it wasn't a good idea. He was pleasantly surprised and somewhat shocked when she took hold of his hand and began to lead him towards her bedroom. She stopped in the doorway and turned back to Gene, assaulting his lips again.

"You sure?" It was Gene's turn to pull away and speak. Alex toyed with a button on his shirt before pulling him into the room and kicking the door shut behind them.

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:) Lxx