Hello again! Did we all have a good Christmas? I'm terribly sorry for my lack of updates recently, and apologies that this chapter is rather short but i felt like a natural break would be wise here... I am also pleased to announce that the rest of the story has been planned out and just needs writing up so expect more frequent updates from now one :) now, enough of my rambling, have a good new year and happy reading! CE xxxxxxx

He breathed in, hard...and opened the door to his heart. He'd never done this before, he'd never planned to...Gene Hunt was no poofter but when it came to family he'd take a million bullets if it meant they were safe. He looked at her expectant face, hazel-green orbs wide with expectation, just as vulnerable as she was.

"You're still so beautiful..." He felt himself say, almost involuntarily. She smiled, a proper smile this time...did she still love him?

"Gene, flattery won't get you anywhere"

He sighed. He knew. She wasn't like that, never had been. He just wanted her to know that even when it seemed like the world was against her he would always be there to hold her hand, to keep her safe...except he couldn't tell her that, he wasn't good with words.

"I know Bolls, I know"

An awkward silence fell between the pair. She was waiting patiently. He sighed again and took his wallet out of his inside pocket

"Gene I don't want any-"

He held out his hand to stop her.

"I kept it Bolls, I know you thought I'd wrecked it, but I didn't, just wanted the others to think I did, I couldn't do it. It's our baby Bolls. Our little lad."

He showed her the scan photo, as clear as if it had been taken yesterday. He'd hidden it in the back of his wallet. The team still had to think he was the Manc lion who hated the woman who allegedly screwed him over, he didn't, he just never found the right time to tell her.

He handed her that scan photo.

"You see Bolls, since Sam died...I never... I promised myself that I'd never let anyone in again . So I panicked; I pushed the ex- wife away, Annie, Ray, Chris, and even ruddy Manchester. I didn't want to be hurt like that again. And then you came along and I just slipped. You were different to everyone else; you didn't want me because I has a good left hook, or because I was a copper, you saw me for me: The Gene Hunt that likes sleeping in; making lunch and walking in the park. I couldn't have been happier Bolls, really I couldn't. But then all that shit with the rumours happened and I...I don't know why I flipped...I should've known to ask you beforehand but I just panicked, I wanted to push again. You were there and I just lost it. I promise to God I'll never do it again, I just panicked."

She still hadn't said anything. She just looked down and twirled the scan photo around her fingers. He pulled another piece of paper from his wallet, it was his last resort but he'd been up most of the night writing it so he may as well put it to good use.

" I wrote some stuff down, promises like, I know it's gonna take you a while to start trusting me again. I'll be grateful if you let me back into your life...I'm gonna sound right poofty but desperate times call for desperate measures."

She cracked a smile then. She'd missed him, loathed him yes, but at times like this she really, truly missed him.

"Number one, tell her I'll be there for the birth, all the aftercare stuff; the hospital visits, doctors appointments, christenings. Two, tell her I'll get up for all the night feeds, I'll look after him when you're tired, and I'll look after you. I'll rub your feet, sing you songs, dance with you and he'll be the most loved little boy in the world. Three, tell her I've quit smoking, nd I don't even drink that much anymore. I've lost two stone in eight months...I want to be healthy and see my lad grow up. Our lad. I'm going for promotion, getting myself off the street so I'm not in danger anymore. I'll take him to football matches, teach him to ride a bike, read him bedtime stories, play games with him- whatever he wants to play. And I promise that nothing will ever hurt you again. Hell, I'm not even gonna step out of this door without your say so. It was never a one-night thing. Not with you 'Lex"

For a few moments, she was speechless. 'Lex. She only ever heard that when the first rays of sunlight fell through the blinds, signalling the arrival of a new day. his broad frame would turn to face her and a voice thick with sleep murmured her name, gathering her into his comforting embrace. For those few moments she was reminded of a time when she never felt safer, more loved or more wanted.

"Gene?"

"Yeah?"

"Stay."

So there you have it, happiness from now on I reckon guys, I think they deserve it :) Please let me know what you think xxxxx