A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I was away this week. I hope you enjoy this next chapter and thank you for all the reviews :D x

Alex tried to hold back a grimace when Waltham kissed her full on the lips as the clock stroked midnight. Cheers and shouts of 'Happy New Year' were filling the bar as Big Ben signalled the start of 1984. The first of January 1984.

It had been nearly three months since Alex had left Fenchurch East, and that time had been spent working with her new team at Fenchurch West under the instructions of DCI Bill Waltham. Having made a close friend in DC James Farmer and plucked up the courage to assert her authority, things weren't nearly as daunting now. She worked well with Waltham, although hated his obvious feelings for her. DC Hughes and DS Vickers were less easy to get along with. The two misogynistic blokes didn't seem to like her at all, and Vickers had very nearly taken advantage of Alex at the Christmas Party before James heroically stepped in. But things were looking up as Alex saw the New Year in at a pub with her new team. She missed Ray, Chris and Shaz massively but still kept in close contact with them all. Shaz had gone shopping with Alex for things many a times and Ray and Chris had often popped round to the flat to see her. So things were brightening up in Alex's life of chaos lately.

However, Alex was getting on for six months pregnant with Gene Hunt's child and had an obvious baby bump growing, something which she felt incredibly protective and proud over. She only wished the father felt the same.

Alex had not heard a word from Gene Hunt since the day she transferred. Not one word. Nothing. Not to ask how she was getting on at her new job or with their child, or to ask if she was okay financially getting everything for the baby, whether she was tired and needed a break or even how the scans were going. Alex only had about four months to go before they would both be parents, and Alex was starting to worry that the next time she would see Gene would be when they were arranging custody agreements when she had a small baby in her arms.

Alex sighed as she tried to push the thoughts of Gene Hunt out of her head. She had more pressing things to worry about, like the fact that Waltham was trying to force his tongue inside her mouth.

"Sir…no…" Alex protested as the hubbub and celebrations carried on around them. "You're my superior. We can't."

Waltham raised an eyebrow, slightly drunk. "Didn't seem to stop you with Hunt, sweetheart."

Alex sighed as she placed her glass of water on the bar. She longed for the days of Luigi's and wine, but being pregnant meant she hadn't touched a drink since the summer and she knew that she had to move on now, with this team. But that didn't mean she had to fall into the same trap.

"I made that mistake before," Alex smiled weakly, patting her bump, "I'm pregnant, Gu-…sir. I don't want the extra stress of a new relationship and certainly not with a fellow officer."

Waltham sighed. "All right. Point taken, Drake. One more kiss for the New Year? It's not everyday it becomes 1984."

Alex wrinkled her nose as Waltham's lips were on hers again, his hand firmly behind her head and the other wrapped around her back. Alex felt extremely uncomfortable under her senior officer's unwanted touch, and wiped her mouth discreetly as she went to sit at a table with DC James Farmer. He grinned as she approached him. Out of work, the pair were so close that Alex had finally convinced him to stop calling her Ma'am and they told each other practically everything. Alex had felt so much more at ease over these past couple of months due to James. Sitting down next to him, the music was blaring loudly and the pair of them found themselves having to really project their voices to be heard when they were only about half a metre away from each other.

"You okay, Alex?" James asked her, shuffling closer to his female colleague.

Alex nodded. "Yeah. I…I think I'm going to go home in a sec. I'm getting a bit tired…"

James got up instantly. "I'll drive you."

Alex looked up at him. "No, you don't have to! I don't want to spoil your night. Have a few more drinks."

"Nah, not my scene. Watching my colleagues get pissed as hell when none of them really like me? No thanks."

Alex squeezed his hand tightly as James led her out and they got in the car together. It felt lovely to have someone looking out for her like this. A friend. Not a man that was doting on her simply because he wanted to get in her knickers.

It was a short drive to Luigi's, and Alex could hear the raunchy behaviour of CID before they even went in.

"Oh God," Alex chuckled, "that's my old team. You can hear them out here."

James laughed. "Did you want to go and say hello?" he offered. Alex shook her head.

"No. I saw the ones I care about over Christmas. The WPC, Shaz, went shopping with me to buy for the baby. I went over to Ray's on Christmas Day for a drink and then Chris and Shaz joined us later. Viv popped round on Boxing Day with a present for my baby. I don't want to run into any of the others."

James nodded understandingly. "Let's get you in then, sweet," he smiled at her, guiding her up the stairs to her flat. Opening the door and turning the lights on, Alex asked James in for a drink to which he happily accepted. Settling down on the sofa together, James swallowed. He had seen something that night, and wanted to check if his friend was okay.

"Alex?"

"Yes James?"

"Did the Guv hit on you again tonight?"

Alex looked down, embarrassed. James picked up on this.

"You can report him, you know," he assured her, placing his hand on top of hers, "sexual harassment. I'll back you up."

"Oh no," Alex said worriedly, "no…I couldn't. After all, he's not really doing anything. Just flirting. And…"

"He touches your leg a lot," James reminded her, "and has his hand too low when his arm is around your waist. I notice. It's inappropriate. And if he just tried to kiss you forcefully, that too is overstepping the mark."

Alex smiled at James' protective nature over her. "It's fine," she reassured him, squeezing his hand, "a harmless flirt. He never goes too far and when I tell him to stop, he stops. Its annoying, but I can deal with it."

James sighed, defeated. He smiled warmly at her. "Must be a pain in the arse being as gorgeous as you are," he grinned shyly at her.

Alex let out a sunny laugh, throwing her head back and touching his shoulder lightly. "Oh James, you make me laugh. I'm almost six months pregnant. I'm getting close to the beached whale look so I'm at the opposite end of gorgeous."

"No way," James scoffed, "you're radiant. Glowing. When you first arrived I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I had a right schoolboy crush on you. You've got everything, Alex. Great legs. Beautiful face. Funny personality. Brains. Huge, enchanting eyes. A Hollywood smile…"

Alex was blushing madly. "Oh stop it, you," she giggled, "it's all the drink going to your head."

James smiled. "It's not. You're amazing, Alex, so don't let any blokes take advantage of that, or make you feel anything less than a million dollars. As I said, you've got everything," he grinned at her, then winked, "and not to mention a fantastic pair of tits and a great arse."

Alex burst out laughing. "You cheeky sod!" she joked with him, thumping him affectionately as she relaxed in James' arms, cosily entangled in the corner. "You know, it really is lovely having a friend like you here. I felt so alone transferring. And even though all you looked at for the first few weeks were my boobs, its nice to have a male friend that doesn't just think about getting me into bed. I've never really been close to a man that doesn't have sexual feelings for me."

James squeezed her. "What about at Fenchurch East? You said you had a great team. The blokes must have been your friends."

Alex swallowed. "They were. I was friends with them all. Chris and Viv were great, but I couldn't really tell them anything personal. Not like I can with you. And Ray…well, he became a really good friend but he did fancy me. Tried to kiss me and feel me up on multiple occasions. And…my Guv…well…" Alex patted her stomach awkwardly. "I guess that speaks for itself. Was only interested in getting me in bed, and then he buggers off."

"I'm sure that's not the case," James said naively.

Alex snorted. "Oh believe me, it is. I haven't heard a word from that man since I transferred. Not even over Christmas."

James looked at Alex then. She looked so sad, her eyes downcast and her mouth set in a straight line. Hugging her, James could only imagine the heartache she must have been through. Alex had told James part of the story, and he felt so privileged to have a friend like her, especially as in the office she was his senior officer, his DI. James had never met the notorious DCI Gene Hunt, but he must have been a bloody idiot to let a woman like Alex go. What Gene did to cause the break-up Alex wouldn't tell him, but all he knew was it must have been something really bad to make Alex want to bring up their baby alone. To make her avoid Luigi's in fear of running into him.

But in actual fact, Alex would not have run into him at all. Alex expected Gene to be getting absolutely smashed out of his face with the other detectives at the bar, slobbering over a slutty blonde wearing a short skirt, anything on his mind but the fact he was going to be a father in four months and four days. When in actual fact, Gene was at home. He was in the living room of the house he used to share with Alex consuming a respectable amount of alcohol with his two kids sitting in the arm chairs opposite.

Kieran and Tiffany had gone over to their dad's to celebrate the New Year as their mum had gone to bed early with a hangover from the previous night. Gene was enjoying the evening with his teenaged children, but his heart was aching for his ex-girlfriend. The woman whom he hadn't seen for months. The woman who he still loved and was carrying his child.

They'd all just watched Big Ben chime on the telly and Gene had let Kieran have a beer and allowed Tiffany to have a few sips of wine. Tiffany could tell her dad was feeling glum. He should be spending this night with Alex. But even she and Kieran didn't know what had happened between their parents all those months ago to break up their dad and his new girlfriend.

"So Dad," Tiffany broke the silence, "um…got anyone else lined up to spend the New Year with?"

Gene frowned at his daughter's nerve. "Yer what?"

Tiffany sighed. "Dad, you've been so miserable for months now. Yer need someone to make yer happy. Like you were with Mum before your divorce. Like you were with Alex."

Gene froze. He really didn't need this right now. "Just drop it, Tiff. I'm past it, sweetheart."

Kieran frowned. "Yer never did tell us why Alex cleared off," he realised, causing Gene to stiffen in his seat, "did you dump her? Must be somethin' in the air wi' birds at the moment. Everyone's getting sick of them. I just dumped Leanne."

"You idiot, I loved her!" Tiffany gasped as Gene rolled his eyes. "When did you dump her?"

"Yesterday," Kieran grinned smugly, "wanted ter chuck her about a week before Christmas, but I wanted my present. Then she went away, and I wanted ter do it face-to-face."

"Arsehole!" Tiffany spat at him as Gene put his head in his hands.

"You two, shut it!" he ordered. "Kieran, yer need ter have more respect for women, lad. Taking 'em for granted or betraying 'em gets you nowhere."

"Is that what happened with Alex?" Tiffany asked in interest. "Come on, Dad. You loved her. You're going to have a baby, for God's sake! I want ter be able ter see me 'alf-brother or sister without feeling awkward around your ex. Was it her or you? Who buggered it up?"

"Shut it, both o' yer," Gene warned them, getting angry, "I don't need this. I don't want this. Not tonight. Its New Year's Eve, for pissin' sake."

"Exactly. And Alex should be here."

"Tiffany, shut yer trap. Bolls and I 'ave been apart for about five months. I haven't seen the woman for that long either. It's over. The only time I'll be seein' her is to see my kid. That's final."

Kieran nodded, excusing himself to get another beer, to which Gene rolled his eyes but didn't stop his sixteen-year-old son. Tiffany swallowed, getting up from her armchair and joining her dad on the sofa, relaxing in Gene's embrace.

"I can tell you still love Alex, Dad," she said quietly, "I can see it in yer eyes."

Gene snorted lightly. "Bloody women."

Tiffany cuddled up to him. "Its been five months, Dad, and you ain't moved on. Go ter her. Try and make things right. You're having a kid. You love her. And she probably still loves you."

"I highly doubt that, sweetheart."

"I'll bet yer fifty quid!" Tiffany said eagerly. "Yer both stubborn as hell. Come on, Dad. I can't stand seeing you miserable. Yer meant to be tough."

"I am bloody tough!" Gene defended himself. "The criminals of London shake in their ruddy boots when I go anywhere near 'em."

Tiffany snuggled up to her dad as he played with her long blonde hair. "I just think Alex is special, Dad," she mumbled, "that's all."

Gene sighed. "So do I, Tiff. So do I."

-xx-

Unfortunately, despite Tiffany's wise words, Gene Hunt was a man of pride. He did not back down easily and left it yet another month before he braved it enough to initiate contact with Alex. In fact, he left it until the fourteenth of February. Valentine's Day.

Gene felt like an utter prat as he waited outside Fenchurch West in the Quattro. He had a huge bouquet of flowers for Alex, but none containing roses due to Operation Rose in 1982. He also had a big box of chocolates consisting of Alex's favourites due to a tip-off from Ray that Alex was craving them a lot lately due to being around seven months pregnant. The baby was due in two months and a few weeks, and Gene realised that it was about time that he started acting like a father. And this involved getting the woman he loved back. He didn't usually do any of this sissy, nancy-boy, lovey-dovey bollocks but if it was for Alex, then it was worth it.

It was just coming up to nine o'clock in the morning and Gene was waiting for Alex to arrive. He wondered what she would look like when his baby would be obviously showing. Of course, she would still look beautiful. She always did.

Gene's heart hammered when he spotted her getting out of a car across the road from him. The fact that Alex didn't own a car hadn't seemed to hit him as he was just focussing on the beautiful love of his life that he foolishly lost all those months ago. Gene felt an instant wash of pride and love hit him when he caught sight of her baby bump. A smile cracked on his face. How she still managed to have gorgeous legs, good tits and a pert backside when she was seven months pregnant, Gene would never know. She was glowing.

Gene was just about to get out of the car and retrieve the flowers and chocolates from the boot when he saw it. His heart stopped and he felt sick, as if someone had just plunged a knife into his stomach. A man had got out of the other side of the car and was guiding Alex into the station. She was laughing at something he was saying; a look of complete comfort and ease on her happy face. The man was a bit younger than her, and loads younger than him. He had a boyish charm with dark hair and no facial stubble. He was only a little taller than Alex and rested his arm protectively around her waist. Gene felt broken.

Alex had moved on. She had found someone new. Someone younger. Someone better looking. Someone who was going to look after her. And probably his baby.

Gene was too late. The light-bulb suddenly switched on as he remembered who Alex's new bloke was. He had never met him, but he had seen his picture in the Met's record books. Although only a DC, James Farmer was sure to offer Alex a lot more than he ever could. Feeling thoroughly deflated and sad, Gene looked away from Alex and DC Farmer and put the Quattro in gear, driving back to Fenchurch East without a backwards glance.

-xx-

"So Ma'am, how did you make DS?"

Alex frowned at Tom Vickers as they sat in the station. They were all writing the reports on the murder investigation they had just solved, and everyone was becoming very bored. Waltham was locked up in his office and WPC Bayfield was off sick, leaving the other male detectives and Alex with all the boring work.

"How did I make DS?" Alex repeated as James looked up protectively, ready to step in if his friend and colleague overstepped the mark again.

DC Martin Hughes sniggered as his DS smirked at Alex. "Yeah," Vickers grunted, "I mean, you shagged Hunt to make DI. So who did you shag to make DS? And come to think of it, before that, who did you suck off to get out of uniform and make DC?"

The men roared with laughter as Alex's cheeks flushed in humiliation and anger. "For your information, DS Vickers," Alex spat at him, emphasising his rank, "I was already a DI before I joined Fenchurch East, so having a relationship with DCI Hunt proved to have no effect on my career. And just because you probably have to resort to sexual favours or bribery to climb the career ladder doesn't mean everyone else does. I earned my detective status fair and square, thank you very much."

Everyone jeered as Vickers' face burned with embarrassment. James winked at Alex across the room, boosting her confidence. Alex could handle Vickers; he was just a worse version of the 1981 Ray. Hughes was no problem either, he was just a grumpy bastard that seemed to hate women. Alex often found herself longing for her Fenchurch East team, but James always brightened her mood and reminded her that she had a purpose here. In her four months of working with Fenchurch West, Alex really had made a difference.

As Vickers was muttering to Hughes about how they only had to put up with Alex for another two months before she went on maternity leave in mid April, Waltham slammed his door open, strolling into the office with a broad smile on his cocky face.

"Listen up," Waltham announced, "something good's just come up, something very good. Something that could earn one of you a promotion or put you in good stead towards one."

The room chatted away eagerly as everyone sat up a little straighter, Hughes and Vickers especially. Waltham looked around, finally making eye contact with Alex and then winking. She smiled weakly back, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"At the end of May, there will be a conference," Waltham explained, "a conference with the Detective Chief Superintendents of the police across the country and the Detective Superintendents. Invited are a select proportion of DCIs and one of their other officers, DI, DS or DC. I have been selected as one of the chosen DCIs to attend the conference about the crime rate and what we're doing to stop it and how figures are changing, as part of the new crime assessment scheme. If any officers seriously impress the Supers, it has been said that they will be put forward for a promotion."

Waltham looked around the room at his officers, whom were all itching to prove themselves. "This is a huge career opportunity, and over the next few months I'll be assessing who has earned the right to accompany me and who will make this department look the best, therefore possibly earning themselves a promotion. I want to impress the force. I'm not taking a nobody who won't speak up and own the floor. I want someone with initiative who's going to impress the Supers. Someone with purpose and confidence and a positive, responsible attitude. Don't let me down."

"Yes Guv," everyone murmured, contrasting to Alex's 'sir'. She always got stared at when she broke the trend. But she couldn't help it. As much as she despised the man at the moment, in her heart there was only one Guv. Gene Hunt.

James came over to her as Waltham left the room and everyone chatted eagerly. "So what do you think?" James asked her. "You going to go for it?"

Alex wrinkled her nose. "I'm not aiming for it, no. It would be amazing, but I have my baby to think about. Promotions and conferences and travelling might be a bit much, especially if my child is born by then and I'm supposed to be on maternity leave. You should definitely go for it though. You'd make an amazing DS, James. A lot better than Vickers anyway."

James chuckled. "He's always been a bastard. We used to have a different WPC, but she quit because he made her cry everyday with his sexist jibes."

Alex gasped. "What a bastard!"

James nodded. "I know. Waltham ignored it though. The WPC got transferred to Plymouth and we got Bayfield. Vickers laid off her though as he didn't want the same thing happening again. So you're getting it."

"Lucky me," Alex muttered. James walked back to his desk as Waltham exited his office again, strolling towards the double doors.

"Sir!" Alex called out, wincing slightly as she felt the baby kick. A surge of pride went through her, but she had to focus on her question. "Will Fenchurch East be at the conference?"

Waltham frowned. "Not that I know of. Why?"

Alex shuffled. "No reason. No reason at all."

Waltham stalked out, his hatred for Gene Hunt growing. That northern dinosaur probably was going to be at the conference. He just hoped to God he wasn't.

Gene himself couldn't really care less about it. He hated stuffy conferences with a load of stuck-up twats that thought they were great, but he thought it would be a good opportunity for his team. Although a div at times, Gene had decided to take Chris to the conference without a need to observe everyone. It was about time the young DC had a shot at making DS, especially if he was getting married to Shaz soon. The lad could really do with the extra money on his salary.

A scary thought passed through Gene's mind as he thought about the timing of the conference. In theory, Alex would have had their baby by then. He would be a dad. And that was scarier than any old career-changing conference.

The months weren't slowing down though. Time continued, as did the world around them.

The time was really ticking on as Fenchurch West strode to impress their Guv. Before they knew it, it was Alex's last day with the team as she was booked on maternity leave for a fair while. It was the ninth of April and Alex was pretty tired. Her bump was huge and her back was hurting, proving that her energy was finally going. She had about four weeks left of her pregnancy and the excited nerves were starting to build up. However, James was out on a case with Vickers and Hughes which meant that DCI Waltham was going to be doing the honours of taking her home in a few minutes rather than her best friend. But Alex could handle that, especially as James, Shaz, Chris and Ray had all promised to come and visit her every day or so. Gene hadn't got in contact, even after prompting from Shaz, but Alex didn't really expect anything different.

Collecting her stuff, Alex felt a stabbing pain in her stomach. Gasping, Alex doubled over on her desk. Her heart hammered. Trying to stand up, Alex felt the pain again. No. It was too early. No.

"Sir," Alex whimpered, "SIR!"

Waltham charged out of his office as Alex moaned, sweat appearing on her forehead.

"Alex? Alex, what's wrong?" Waltham asked, perplexed as Alex groaned. He put his arms around her and tried to comfort her, but Alex just moaned some more, clearly in pain. Alex suddenly let out a gasp as a popping sensation filled her stomach. Then, there was an intermittent trickle of warm fluid.

"Sir!" Alex cried, slumping forwards in panic. "Y-you have to get me to the hospital! M-my waters have just broken!"