Right, I'm back and I'm back for a while. Got no more exams for a week or so, so it's all gravey baby. =] Let's get on with some Ashes shall we? Btw I have absolutely no idea where this story is going… I make it up as I go along! So if I start to waver and the story turns rubbish, let me know. Hehe =]

Oh… and the last few paragraphs that are written in italics… they are meant to be Gene having a flashback and anything in normal text during then are his thoughts =]

He was rushing, walking too fast, knocking into innocent by-passers and not even stopping to say sorry, but as soon as he turned the corner and saw her, he slowed. It was a shock to his system to see her like that. All wired up; heart monitor bleeping annoyingly, yet keeping his fears at bay by letting him know she was still alive. Just.

He stood at the end of her bed for a while, not moving, just taking in her appearance. Even though she was looking terrible, she still managed to look amazing. It awed him more than he ever thought possible.

'Excuse me? Are you ok?' A passing nurse asked. 'You can sit down if you like, luv.' She indicated with her hand to the chair next to the bed. 'I just need to do her obs, and then I'll be out of your hair, okay? She briefly looked at his face, and felt sorry for the man.

Gene took up the offer on sitting, but whilst moving he never once looked up from her pale face. He gazed longingly at her face, and gently picked up her cold hand and held it whilst softly rubbing soothing circles with his thumb.

'Wife?' Gene looked up, shocked by this comment and the assumption that Alex was his wife. Jeez, I wouldn't mind it though... Alex Hunt. He smiled inwardly at the thought. Bit fast though... haven't even gotten round to the first kiss yet, there always seems to be something stopping it from happening. He sighed, disappointed by this thought.

'No. No, not at all,' Gene sighed again, which indicated to the nurse he wished it were so. 'She's just my DI.' There was an awkward silence for a few minutes whilst the nurse took Alex's temperature and completed the rest of her obs.

'She wants you too, there is no questioning the matter,' the nurse suddenly burst out with before scribbling something on her charts and turning to walk off. Gene, confused by her remark, queried her on it.

'What? But... how do you know?'

The nursed grinned, and pointed towards the heart monitor. 'Her heart rate changed when you held her hand, she's awake enough to register your there.' She walked off leaving Gene with his thoughts.

This information made his heart do little flips. It was stupid, she already told him how she felt, but there was a moment before, when she left Luigi's that he felt as if she was playing with him, his heart sunk and he'd felt terrible. But then he'd heard the gunshot and hadn't had time to dwell on his feelings any longer.

Gene's eyes lowered from her beautiful face for the first time since he'd arrived to see the bandaged up bullet wound just above her heart.

She stroked his face to soothe him. 'I'll be back in a minute,' she told him as she attempted to slide of the stool and walk away, but his reflexes were too quick. He grabbed hold of her sleeve and she spun on the spot to face him.

'Why? Where are ya going?' He queried with a saddened look on his face.

'I can't say. I just need to go. I'll be back soon I promise.' Alex smiled softly at him and blew him a kiss before turning and walking towards the door.

He watched her leave and felt his heart sink. She just upped and left? No kiss? Not even a real reason for leaving? Was she toying with me? Do I mean nothing to her but just a game? He hated feeling like this, and hated thinking these terrible things. I'm sure there is a completely rational reason for her suddenly leaving. I should probably follow her and make sure she is ok.

He downed the rest of his beer and slammed the glass down on the table. He grabbed his suit jacket and was just shrugging it on when his heart stopped beating for a few moments and pure terror ran through his body.

*bang*

The scream that was noticeably from DI Drake rang through the pub harshly. The bar was still in shock, the only movement was Gene running to the exit. As he did so he vaguely heard Shaz telling him to be careful. He took the steps two at a time; he had to get to her as soon as he could.

Once he reached the top he saw his Bolly laying on the ground clutching her heart and saw the blood flowing freely onto the pavement. He was by her side in an instant and pulled her into a hug, supporting her body and quickly assessing the wound. Oh no. Oh God no. Please. Don't let her die. Don't let her die! I don't know what I would do without her.

He called out to Chris to call an ambulance and for Ray to find the 'arsehole that would dare shoot my DI'. The two did as they were told and Gene once again returned his attention to Bolly. He planted a kiss on her hair and whispered in her ear, 'you'll be fine. You'll be okay. I promise.'

He just hoped that was a promise he was able to keep.