A/N: Sorry for the delay! Had some problems with my laptop so I've got my old, slow one back simply to update lol! Thank you for all the reviews on the previous chapter and I hope you enjoy this next instalment :D love Roxannaaaax

Hastily rubbing her eyes to remove all evidence that she had been crying, Alex made her way out of the secluded booth and decided to get back to their undercover operation, which unfortunately involved acting like a prostitute and acting like she wanted to be there.

Alex was hurt by Gene's words and also quite disappointed about his excessive drinking on the job. It wasn't professional, and he wasn't even in sight now. He was probably curled up in a corner somewhere absolutely smashed out of his face or lulling at the bar, wasted. It wasn't right. Alex was his pregnant girlfriend, so he should have been looking out for her even if he did want to abort their mission. Alex was undercover and putting herself in a vulnerable situation, something that Gene should be concerned about. Getting pissed and throwing abuse at her wasn't part of the job description – as her DCI or her partner.

The loud blaring music was getting quite ridiculous, Alex noticed as she sashayed her way back to some punters. But just then, her stomach flipped. A hopeful grin appeared on her face and her heart lifting, Alex had spotted Chris, Poirot and Terry speaking to Quasim Laghari. They were playing their parts well as they pretended to be interested in the conversation before he revealed the goods. It was only a matter of minutes before he was nicked and the operation was over.

As Alex scanned the club in search for Gene and Ray, she suddenly felt a hand squeeze her bum lecherously. Jumping, Alex whipped around. A six foot thug was leering down at her, in his late thirties and complete with multiple tattoos and golden, rotten teeth.

"Now you," he slurred drunkenly, "are the fittest prozzie in 'ere. How much do ya charge for ya services, gorgeous?"

Alex grimaced, trying to get this slimy bloke's hand off her arse. "I'm new, actually," she said primly, "not doing that sort of thing tonight. Go and find one of the regulars."

"Ooh, posh one," the bloke leered, drawing Alex close to him as she tried to struggle, "I've got to 'ave you. Come on, back rooms. Fifty quid, yeah? Sixty if I get a blowjob too."

Alex was starting to panic now. "No," she said firmly, wriggling away, "I don't do that sort of thing."

But he wasn't having any of it. The man began to push her backwards harshly, violently dragging and pulling her where he wanted them to go.

"No!" Alex protested, her pleading cries drowned by the blaring music. Her hopes of someone overhearing her discomfort and lack of consent rapidly faded. The bloke had dragged her over to the corner of the club where they were out of the way. It was dark and everyone else in the club wasn't paying attention, especially to what appeared to be a slutty-dressed prostitute and an overly eager client.

"GENE!" Alex yelled desperately as the bloke forced her into the corner. "GENE! GENE!"

She couldn't see him anywhere. He wasn't coming. Gene was pissed, angry with her…and wasn't coming when she needed him. The DCs were dealing with Laghari, and Ray was probably getting his jollies with that busty blonde stripper. Alex tried to push against the bloke, but he was too strong.

"GENE!" Alex screamed, only to be silenced when a furious fist came hurtling towards her face. The lecherous bloke had back-handed her across the cheek violently, causing Alex to whimper in terror as she felt her face immediately bruise.

"You're a fucking prozzie, ain't ya?" he boomed. "So start acting like it! On ya knees."

"No! Please! I…I don't want…"

"KNEES, BITCH!"

Alex let out a strangled cry as tears once again stained her beautiful face. The bloke dug his fingers harshly into her shoulders and forced her down to the floor, her face level with his crotch.

Grabbing her by the hair, the man pushed Alex's face into his jean-clad crotch, stifling moans as he rubbed her against his manhood. Alex's muffled protests came out in whimpering cries as she fought for breath. The commotion buzzed around them and Alex couldn't believe that no-one was realising that something very wrong was happening. Even Gene didn't notice. He didn't even care.

Alex tried desperately to push against this man's legs but that just encouraged him to begin unbuckling his belt. Alex jammed her eyes shut, telling herself this wasn't real, but then the claustrophobic pressure of the man pressed up against her was whipped away. Cries of pain were heard and Alex opened her eyes to see Ray grab the man furiously, punching him in the stomach and kneeing him in the crown jewels he was just about to release. Throwing him in disgust behind him to some back-up officers, Ray dove towards the floor and enveloped Alex in his arms, her tears soaking his shirt.

"Christ Drake, it's always you, ain't it?" he muttered into her hair, stroking her back soothingly as Alex sobbed into his shoulder. "Bloody hell. You okay? He didn't…he didn't hurt yer…touch yer…"

Alex pulled back, tears still flowing as she gazed into Ray's eyes. "No," she whispered, "no, I'm fine. A b-bit sh-shaken up, b-but I'm fine."

Ray stroked her arm, caressing her cheek gently. "I'm sorry," he croaked, "Alex…I'm sorry. You'll be okay. Just…just remember, that if anything goes wrong…or…or things aren't okay, you've always got us. Me, Chris, Shaz, Viv…we're all here for yer."

Alex frowned, touched by Ray's words but confused entirely by the motive. If anything went wrong?

"Ray, where's Gene?" Alex whimpered, clutching his hand suddenly as he helped her to her feet. "I need him. I want Gene w-with m-m-me, Ray!"

Ray felt sick. It should be the Guv here. Saving Alex. Comforting her. Promising to always be there for her. But where was he? The bastard.

Ray swallowed. He hadn't had time to stop Gene leaving as he had to call the back-up officers once Laghari had started chatting to Chris. Back-up and the DCs were now arresting Laghari as he had tried to sell Chris, Poirot and Terry the illegal drugs. The operation was over, and that's why Ray had come to find Alex. Gene was long gone, and something told Ray that Alex didn't need to know where her partner had slunk off to.

One person that did know full well where he had gone was of course the scheming bitch that was Diana Hunt.

She supported Gene home, taking full advantage of their bodies being pressed up together. She kissed his cheek, her heart lifting as he made a growl of approval.

"Do that again, Bolls," Gene muttered as they staggered through London, getting closer to their houses. Diana's blood boiled.

"Not her," she sneered, "it's Diana. Your little slut is waving her bits and bobs around in the strip club."

"Undercover," Gene slurred, toppling over slightly as Diana steadied him, their figures illuminated in the street lights, "Bolls is undercover. Duh. Sexy. Sexy. Sexiest prozzie in there. And she ain't even a prozzie."

Diana rolled her eyes as they approached Gene's house. Looking back quickly at hers, she saw all the lights were out. Tiffany and Kieran were thankfully in bed.

"Keys, Gene baby?" Diana simpered.

"Back pocket," he grinned at her devilishly, "you get them."

Diana laughed, stroking Gene's cheek. "Naughty boy," she cooed, dipping her hand into the back pocket of Gene's trousers and giving his bum a firm squeeze before retrieving the keys.

"Dirty cow," Gene chuckled drunkenly, his hand slipping up to squeeze her breast, "come and show me just how dirty…"

Diana's legs nearly buckled on the spot. She wasted no time hauling Gene into his house and battling for dominance as their mouths claimed each other's, racing up the stairs.

The lights blinded them as they tumbled into the bedroom, clothes being ripped off their bodies. Diana moaned into Gene's mouth as she pulled him down onto the bed on top of her, wrapping her legs around Gene's back. Both naked, Diana kissed Gene full on the mouth as his hands explored her body.

It happened then. Diana gasped as she got what she had wanted. It didn't seem to matter to her that all the way through their encounter Gene was grunting 'Bolly' under his breath. He was with her. Diana Hunt. In Alex Drake's bed.

-xx-

"Ray, where the hell is he? I needed him. I…I needed him and he…he wasn't there. Gene doesn't leave me to get attacked just for nothing. He doesn't abandon operations, especially just as we catch the bastard. Where is he?"

They were all standing outside the Soho strip club at around midnight. Quasim Laghari was protesting loudly as Chris, Poirot and Terry hauled him into the police car, back-up standing by in case things got out of hand. Terry had taken the drugs from Laghari that he had on his person and sealed them up, presenting them for evidence.

Ray was taking care of Alex. He had given her his jacket to drape over her shivering, half-naked form. He felt awful lying to her or not telling her the whole truth, but there was no way he could break the news to her. Ray couldn't tell Alex that her partner, the Guv, had abandoned her and the operation to go and shag his ex-wife. It would utterly break Alex. Ray didn't know if she could take anymore.

"He was ill," Ray said vaguely, "too much drink. He…erm…got escorted home." Well, that wasn't a complete lie.

Alex narrowed her eyes. "By who?" she demanded. "Gene can hold his drink. Although pissed, he wouldn't leave me with those lecherous bastards. He already had to save me once tonight and he wouldn't leave me on my own for it to possibly happen again. Not if I needed him."

But he did, Ray thought, that's exactly what the bastard did.

Ray's thoughts were broken as Chris approached them, a huge grin on his face. "Got Laghari arrested Ray, Ma'am," he announced, "bein' taken to the station. He 'as ter mull the night over in the cell before an interrogation tomorrow. Poirot and Terry 'ave taken one car to get home, so there's two left for us."

"You take one and get home, Chris," Alex smiled softly at him, "I'm waiting for Gene. He might still be here."

Chris nodded as he walked off to get in one of the two cars. Ray rolled his eyes. "Drake, he's gone. And…wait, you haven't got keys ter yer house, 'ave yer?"

Alex swallowed. "No. But…but if Gene's there, he'll let me in. I just…I j-just c-c-can't understand why he'd l-l-leave me!"

"Come 'ere," Ray muttered, pulling her into his embrace. Alex sobbed lightly, completely crushed.

"I made him angry," Alex cried, "we…we had an argument b-before he l-left. But…but…"

"He's a fucking bastard."

"Ray, he's your DCI –"

"I mean it. He's a complete arse."

Alex pulled back, her heart pounding. "Why? What's he done? Ray…do you know something?"

Ray remained silent. Alex began to realise that he knew more than he was letting on.

"I'm using this last car," Alex decided, striding towards it, "get a lift with back-up, Ray. I'm going home. I'll bang on the door all night if Gene doesn't let me in."

"No! Drake!" Ray shouted desperately, grabbing her arm. "No…don't go home. Erm…because if he's not there, you'll be left in the street all night dressed like a tart. It's not safe…erm…I…er…come back to mine."

Alex stared at him. "What?"

"Come back to mine. Please. Don't go home."

"If this is a weird ploy to finish what you tried to start at the Police Ball a few months ago –"

"No it's not. Drake, I'm serious. Don't go home."

Alex stared at him worriedly. "Why?" she whispered. "What am I going to find when I'm there?"

Ray froze awkwardly, still silent. He chewed his lip, desperate not to let Alex go home. Not to find Diana in bed with Gene.

Alex stuck her chin out defiantly and then turned on her heel to approach the car. Not having a clue what to do, Ray's reactions just spiralled off their own accord. Grabbing Alex forcefully, she cried out as he spun her round and shoved her against the wall, trapping her with his body as his lips crushed onto hers.

Ray was in complete shock as he kissed Alex. Shit. Hands digging into her hips, Ray assaulted Alex's lips with his own until he realised the unacceptable lengths he was going to in order to prevent Alex from witnessing Gene's cheating. When Alex began to moan in protest, pushing against him, Ray had the decency to stop.

Alex gasped for breath as Ray drew back, and then she full on slapped him around the face. Chest heaving, Alex was appalled.

"WHAT THE HELL?" she screamed at him, arms flailing wildly. "How dare you? I am in a relationship with your bloody DCI, Carling! That's twice now you've forced yourself on me! No wonder you don't want me to go home! Gene's cleared off so you see that as an excuse to finally get me in your bed! Well you can actually piss off!"

Ray massaged his cheek, wincing. Shit. He should have known that wouldn't have gone down well. Now he just looked like a desperate, lecherous bastard. Well, at least he fit in with all the other punters now.

"Piss off, Ray!" Alex glared at him. "You bastard! I'm going home. Here's me thinking something had happened with Gene…and all you wanted was me for a shag…"

"Now hold on just one minute!" Ray fought back, hurt at being portrayed like this when he only wanted to protect her.

"NO! PISS OFF HOME!" Alex screamed. Ray's jaw tightened as he stared Alex out.

"Fine," he muttered, "stupid bitch…"

"Oh, I'm a bitch because I wouldn't sleep with you?" Alex spat at him as Ray stalked over to the last car, swinging the door open and getting in the driver's seat. "Sounds about right."

Ray snarled at her as he began to start the car. Just then, Alex gasped, a horrible feeling bubbling away in her stomach. Gene had gone. Chris had gone. Back-up and Laghari had gone. Terry and Poirot had gone. Ray was taking the last car and she had no wires or radios to contact anyone.

"No, no wait!" Alex cried out desperately, running in front of the car and banging on the bonnet. Ray screeched to a halt, seething.

"What, Drake?" he burst out angrily. "Yer told me ter piss off, remember? Ungrateful bitch."

Alex sniffed, biting her lip. "It's just…as Gene's gone…I…I…I don't have…no-one can…"

She looked down, determined not to let Ray see her upset. Looking at his female officer, shivering and vulnerable, Ray's heart went out to her. No-one was here to take her home. She'd been left on her own.

"Hey," Ray said softly, "get in, Drake. I'll take yer home, love."

Alex smiled weakly, running round to the other side and getting into the warmth of the car. Ray was sweating as he drove to Drake and the Guv's place. Maybe…maybe Diana had left. Or maybe she'd taken Gene into her house. Maybe Alex wouldn't have to witness the horror of Gene's betrayal, even if the man was pissed as a penguin.

The drive was silent as Alex's heart pounded, unexplained nerves bubbling in her stomach. As Ray pulled up, he swallowed awkwardly.

"I'll wait for a couple o' minutes," Ray decided, "to make sure yer in safe."

Alex nodded. "Thanks Ray," she smiled genuinely. Shrugging off his jacket, Alex hopped out of the car in her skimpy attire, shivering as she jogged towards the door. Ray's heart was hammering, and then he felt sick as Alex opened the door easily with no key. She turned round to face him, her face a picture of confusion. Ray's stomach churned. The door was unlocked. That meant Gene and Diana were in there and hadn't locked it because they were occupied with…other things.

Lights were on and some noises could be heard from upstairs. Alex's heart pounded. Closing the door, she walked slowly up the stairs to the source of noise, anger, hurt and curiosity flowing through her veins. She could hear Gene, something which Alex didn't know if it made her more or less afraid.

Approaching their bedroom, Alex felt like she was going to throw up. Gene was in there.

With a woman.

"Uuuh…uuhh…Gene…oh! OH!"

Gasping, Alex burst into the room as Gene let out a guttural moan.

Alex screamed. The pair in her bed leapt up, horrified. Diana Hunt lay underneath Gene, whose face was a picture of embarrassment and confusion. She smirked.

"Join in, sweetie?" Diana taunted her.

Alex was frozen to the spot as Gene lifted himself off Diana, shock etched on his face.

"Bolly…" he whispered.

"YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" Alex screeched, wailing like a banshee as tears flooded her face. She covered her mouth with her hands, shaking. "Y-y-you bastard! I…you…her…you bastard, you utter bastard!"

"Bolls!" Gene gasped, falling off the bed drunkenly as Diana cackled.

Alex had had enough. She pelted out of the room, Gene's shouts drowned out by her gut-wrenching sobs. Stumbling down the stairs and tripping at the end, Alex's heart felt like it was breaking. It was as if the world had stopped still and someone had taken all of the oxygen away. She was suffocating and her lungs felt like they were about to explode. Her mind was dizzy, with blurred images of Gene and Diana in bed assaulting her mind. Alex's heart felt as if someone had torn it out and put it in a blender, then retrieving it to stamp on it.

Swinging the front door open, tears streaming down her face and sobs echoing through the neighbourhood, Alex ran. She ran down the drive, not caring where she was running to, until she collapsed in Ray's arms.

"Alex…Alex, I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry…I couldn't stop 'im…shh, don't cry…"

Alex clung to him, the man who had once hated her, and sobbed all her emotions out into Ray Carling's shoulder.

"I needed him," Alex wept, "that man…he was going to…oh my God…I needed him, Ray, and where was he? Shagging his ex-wife! The bastard…bastard…"

"Shh," Ray soothed her, wrapping his arms fully around his skimpily dressed colleague, "it's all right…"

"No it's not all right!" Alex wailed, sobbing uncontrollably. "It's not all right! I'm pregnant, Ray…we're going to have a baby…and it l-looks like I'll b-be d-d-doing it on m-my own ag-g-gain!"

Ray took a sharp intake of breath. Shit. Drake was pregnant? He held her even tighter as Alex sobbed into his shirt. His heart shattered as he heard his female DI weep. The Guv had failed her. He had never failed anyone before, and now the person he had let down was the one that meant more to him than anything and needed him desperately. Ray dropped a small, innocent, comforting kiss on the top of Alex's head.

Pregnant. She was pregnant. And her partner had just cheated on her.

A/N2: Hope you like it - I had to write this chapter with none of my story-planning notes as they are all stuck on my broken laptop! Luckily I was a clever person and emailed myself the actual story before it died, so I saved it (: let me know what you think of the chapter! :D x