A helping hand

Gene's police career hangs in the balance. Alex has a new love interest.

Gene sat waiting in the reception area waiting room of the solicitors. His new solicitor was running late which made him feel a bit impatient waiting. "Excuse me love how late will he be". She looked up her glasses tilted slightly. "Not too long Mr Hunt".

Alex finally was able to leave hospital. As she packed her clothes ready, one of the male nurses, Simon helped her . A small object dropped out of her suitcase as they both bent down to pick up nearly banging heads. He shot up quickly "oh sorry Miss Drake my fault" he nervously looked at her.

She laughed "that's ok". "So you off home now and will your boyfriend be picking you up" he asked, he wanted to ask her out but felt nervous and blushed shyly at Alex . "You mean Mr Hunt no he's not my boyfriend he's a colleague of mine from work".

He felt relieved, "I hope you don't mind me asking but how about we go for drinks later this week". He wrote down his phone number before any of the other nurses saw him chatting her up.

"I call you sometime then", he walked with her to the entrance "my name's Shaun by the way". She smiled back at him waving as the taxi pulled up and she had got in.

A familiar face approached Gene, Evan White. "Oh bloody hell" Gene thought his eyes telling the story of his shock at Evan being his new solicitor. "Ah Mr Hunt we meet again come this way". directing him to his office. "I've been told about what happened, I know this involves Alex but am willing to help". Gene knew he had been jealous of Evan when he first met him and when he had occasionally went for meals with Alex.

A couple of days as he prepared to face his senior officers at the London Met in Central London, scared that he will lose his job and his friends. He saw Alex talking to Chris, Ray and Shaz down the corridor, Evan put an arm across him "afraid you can't speak to her before the case goes up in front of the board". Gene felt annoyed he had only wanted to check to see if she was alright.

As they were called in to the room. Four of the senior officers watched Gene sitting down in his chair wearing his dark jacket, white shirt, pink tie and dark trousers , he had never felt so nervous before like this. "Mr Hunt you know why you are here" he stood to answer "yes". Alex looked over at him feeling sorry for him. He sat forward in his chair, hands clutched tightly.

The senior officers explained that even though "Miss Drake has agreed to speak out about the events of the day of the incident" they would decide whether he will decide on his policing career. They accepted that it was an accident."

Evan stood up at the round table "My client Mr Hunt has said on numerous occasions that he regrets what happened on the day of the incident but maintains that this was not planned, the words he said in the police station the night before he now regrets. He cares about Miss Drake very much and respects her as a loyal colleague" .

Alex lifted her hand up can I say something. "Good ahead Miss Drake".

"I know what he said might make some of you think he meant what he said. I don't blame him, our argument was a disagreement about something he heard me say on tape about him. We argued yes but I know deep down he is one of the best copper's at heart. He came down here to London to teach the scum and criminals a lesson about crime.

" He wouldn't harm any of us at Fenchurch East especially me I've learnt so much about him since I first came to Fenchurch East. I know he wouldn't hurt me . What happened on that day was an accident Jenette she had me at gunpoint demanding her money. When DCI Hunt told her she had been lied to by Martin Summers . I can confirm that she did fire her weapon at first then Gene fired his.

" If you're looking for someone to blame its me really for standing in the middle of it all"

Her speech surprised everyone in the room even Gene who felt like giving her a big hug. As they carried on the investigation it had felt like a long day. "We'll reconsider anything that has been mentioned today and decide on your policing career Mr Hunt tomorrow morning"

Chris came over to talk Gene, putting a hand on his arm "Alright Guv we've come to support you we know it was an accident".

"Raymondo must still think I'm lying bastard then" looking over to see where he was, "he must have gone outside for a smoke".

"Don't worry he'll come round Guv".

Alex met Ray outside "you know you're gonna have to talk him sometime Ray". He puffed on his fag breathing in the fresh air. Turning to face her leaning against the wall "I know Drake, I had no idea what you two had argued about I just assumed he meant what he said".

Gene walked out the entrance as he shook Evan's hand watching Evan walking down the bottom of the road carrying his briefcase. "Ray say something will ya I feel like blowin me brains out if you remain like this" Standing in between Ray and Alex.

"I'll leave you boys to sort out your differences" . Gene put a hand for a cigarette, Ray eventually gave in getting one out of the packet. "Bugger I could do with a big Cuban cigar to ease the stress from me head" Ray chuckled. Gene had noticed as they made up giving Ray a pat on the back.

Later in Luigi's Gene was busy drinking at the bar while talking to Luigi. Alex was in her flat getting ready to go on her date with Simon. He was in his early thirties, with a Yorkshire accent. She thought she looked good in her long red dress. Making her way down the stairs and in to the restaurant where Simon had agreed to meet her. She greeted him giving him a peck of the cheek. Gene felt a pang of jealous.

Even though they had the conclusion of investigation to sort out in front of the senior offices at the London Met tomorrow morning , he couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Luigi this is Simon he's my date for the evening".

"And how did you two meet" Luigi asked while he was cleaning a dirty glass cup with a tea towel. "We met in the hospital he's nurse there" Luigi smiled at them both and turning to Gene and giving him a disapproving look like he was trying to say "Mr Hunt you should have acted sooner on your feelings for her".

Gene turned his head way and listened in to what Ray was talking about, saying he was gonna ask "Shaz's friend Paula out on a date when he got the chance"

Simon had stayed the night with Alex, making her breakfast. "I hope you don't mind Alex I've done you scrambled egg on toast". She looked impressed, her hair looked messy. "Can I use your shower if that's ok" as he took his shirt off, revealing a six pack and closed the door. Alex couldn't help but grin to herself.

As she got ready to go to the Met. Simon gave her lift in his sports car. "Gonna be ok today then" he asked not taking his eyes off the road. She realised he was more of a careful driver than Gene. He dropped her off outside the main entrance "I'll meet ya later than gorgeous" he pulled the car window up as Alex waved him off as he drove off.

Gene had been listening to the conversation very closely but didn't say anything to her as she greeted him.

He waited with Evan in the waiting room "Mr Hunt can you please enter the main investigation room please. Stepping forward he felt his heart pounding as he prepared to hear what they had decided.

He sat down Evan sitting next to him. The officer sitting in the middle spoke first looking down out what they had written. "Mr Hunt it is very clear that you are respected by all of your colleagues at Fenchurch East and that you have many years of policing behind you. But what you done putting your colleague's life in danger was not so respectful". Gene was worried by that comment.

"You had your mind distracted by another woman and ignore the fact that DI Drake needed your help" thinking back to his childhood Jesus he felt like he was being told off by his dad who had been a very strict father.

"However we are dropping all of the allegations made against you but we are warning you if something like this happens again you will have no your policing career will be finished"

He jumped punching the air. Evan shook his hand "you're a very lucky man" Gene felt like laughing at his comment. Ray, Chris and Shaz congratulated him. He saw Alex standing behind the three of them as he reached her ,she leant in to hug him "I'm happy for you Gene" she smiled.

" Although I've had to put with listening to your boring and annoying Psychiatry views" she mimed "no its Psychology Gene" he didn't notice," you're a bloody great DI Thank you Bolly for saving my career" hugging her again. "Yeah alright Gene" Alex laughed pulling a face as she noticed his eyes wandered from her lips to the top of her chest .

"They've said I'll have to pay for damages to my office at the police station but can start back at work tomorrow". He felt so happy.

"Thank you Evan helping him". They shook hands "No problem Alex, oh little Alex has started at a new school she's really loving it there" he felt proud.

"That's nice" she thought

Even though Gene's police career has been saved There is still a lot more to come in this fanfic . Some jealously from Gene as Alex and Simon's relationship hots up.