A/N: Thank you so much for all the reviews! Sorry for the wait again, real life really is taking its toll! I hope to get the final few chapters up quicker. On the home stretch now! :( hope you enjoy the chapter! :D x
Chris and Shaz had booked a whole two weeks off work to go on their honeymoon, and Shaz was being treated to a blissful time away in Cornwall complete with spa vouchers and a sweet little cottage for accommodation. Alex was so excited for her friend, but now she had to go back to reality.
Only a couple of days after the wedding, Alex was spending the weekend in Leicester for the conference. At this conference, the officers and the divisions would be discussing crime prevention schemes, comparing crime rate figures and giving their opinions on the new proposed crime assessment scheme. Any Detective Inspectors, Sergeants or Constables that seriously impressed the board of Detective Superintendents would most certainly be on the way to a promotion.
Alex had discovered that Gene would also be travelling to Leicester for the conference too when he dropped her home after the wedding reception. She'd been ecstatic, as spending the weekend with only Waltham for company filled Alex with complete dread. With a brief kiss, Alex had said goodbye to Gene and closed the door that night. As much as the old feelings were bubbling back, she didn't want to wade in too deep. That happened last time, and Alex's heart ended up broken. But she couldn't help the tingle her body felt whenever she thought of Gene. The old emotions were definitely resurfacing.
"God, what is that man doing to me?" Alex muttered to herself as she got into bed. Alex hoped the feelings would die down, but they were even stronger when Gene popped round in the afternoon of the day before the conference to help Alex get her suitcase down the stairs and drive her over to Waltham's house. Much to Gene's disgust, his bastard rival DCI would be driving Alex to the conference and spending most of the time with her.
As Chris was on his honeymoon, he had had to pass up the amazing offer of being Gene's partner at the conference. Gene nodded, shaking Chris' hand as he understood and then asked Ray to come with him, something which the DI gratefully accepted. In a way, Gene was glad that Ray was now coming, even though he knew that he was no way ready for DCI having only made DI a year and a half ago due to Alex being shot. But having his beefy right-hand man in Leicester with him meant they could both keep their eyes on that slimy bastard Waltham and make sure he didn't try anything with Alex.
Gene sighed and kissed his son as Debbie the childminder carefully took him from Alex's arms. Alex didn't like the fact that Debbie was spending so much time with Zachary, but it was an arrangement that had to happen. As Debbie left to go back to her own flat with Zac, Alex chewed her lip.
"Hey, its all right, Bolls," Gene comforted her, rubbing her arm soothingly, "Zac loves yer. He knows you're 'is mum. He loves yer."
Alex nodded. "I know…I just…wish that my job was a bit more flexible, you know? This conference couldn't have come up at a more inconvenient time."
Gene pouted. "Hmm. Come on, Bolly, give me yer bleedin' suitcase then. We better get you over to DCI Dickhead's if we want ter get ter Leicester in time."
Alex grinned, shoving Gene playfully. "Be nice, Gene," she tutted. Gene winked at her, and then grabbed her suitcase. He struggled a bit, feigning a look of agony.
"Bloody 'ell, Bolls, what yer got in 'ere?" he asked in shock. "Yer only goin' for a weekend, woman! Not a bloody month."
Alex chuckled as she locked the flat up, standing back so Gene could step down the stairs first, her suitcase in his hands. "A woman has to be prepared, Gene," she grinned at him with a hint of flirtation.
Gene noticed this as he reached the bottom of the stairs, and he turned around to smirk at her. "Too right, Bolly," he pouted lustfully, "you got the condoms then, love?"
Alex burst out laughing, hitting him lightly on the arm. "In your dreams," she taunted him.
Gene winked at her, placing his arm around her waist as the other carried her suitcase. "Oh every night, Bolly," he teased Alex, "every night."
Alex giggled, her face brightening up instantly. She couldn't believe just how far she had come with Gene. They had been through so much together over the last year and she felt so grateful to be back at that stage of friendship and flirtation. Although Alex wasn't sure if she wanted to dive into a relationship with him again, she did know that she wanted Gene in hers and Zac's lives. As a good friend and Zac's dad.
Gene kissed Alex on the cheek when he dropped her off at Waltham's house, a feeling of unease spreading through his body as Waltham grabbed Alex's suitcase off Gene and put it in his car. With a wave of goodbye, Gene promised (much to Waltham's annoyance) to meet Alex in Leicester when they arrived later on today before the conference tomorrow morning. And with a slam of the Quattro door, Gene drove off to collect Ray, leaving Alex alone with her DCI.
"Right Drake," Waltham said briskly, slamming their suitcases into the boot, "anything you need before we hit the road, sweetheart? It's about a two hour journey to the hotel in Leicester where the conference is being held."
Alex shook her head. "Nope. I'm all set."
Waltham nodded. "Excellent. In you get. I'll run the schedule by you when we're on the road."
Alex pulled her seatbelt across herself in the passenger seat as Waltham reversed out of his drive and sped down the streets, ready to drive on the main roads of London and get on the motorway towards Leicester.
As soon as they had got onto the motorway, Waltham stole a look at Alex, smiling at her, before reaching out and stroking her thigh. Alex froze a little bit, but then swallowed and tactfully crossed her legs to shake off his touch.
"This evening and tonight is just about meeting the Supers and making that initial impression," Waltham began to explain, "you know, talking to them at the hotel bars and things. Make sure you wear something short. And show your tits off."
Alex looked taken aback. "Excuse me?"
Waltham rolled his eyes. "Darl', it's a for sure easy way to get noticed and remembered. Flirt. Tease. Then tomorrow in the conference, they'll hang off your every word."
"I'm sure that's not the way it's meant to go," Alex protested, "you're supposed to get noticed and remembered by making good points and proving your division's worth. Owning the floor at the conference, you said. Not acting like a tart."
Waltham chuckled. "I'm just saying we should use the fact you're gorgeous to our advantage," he continued, overtaking a slow driver on the motorway as Alex sighed, looking out the window, "you can bet all the DCIs will have male junior officers with them. And if there are any women, they'll be the beefy, ugly type. There won't be any stunners like you."
Alex let the compliments wash over her, determined not to respond. Waltham was getting slimier by the day, and Alex had to fight the vomit as his hand returned to her thigh and began to stroke seductively again. Snaking his hand upwards, Waltham was going too far, so Alex knew she had to say something.
"Sir," Alex croaked, shuffling away, "can you…not touch me please," she added quietly.
Waltham stiffened, and then replaced the disappointment and embarrassment with frustration and spitefulness. "For God's sake, you're a prude bitch today, aren't you?" he spat, whipping his hand away and placing it back on the wheel.
"Not wanting to be touched up doesn't make someone a prude bitch," Alex shot back, not caring that this man was her superior officer and could have her fired.
Waltham glared at her. Then, a smirk tugged on his lips and he laughed. "You're a feisty one, aren't you, Drake?" he winked. "I like that."
Alex sighed in disgust. The sooner this weekend was over and she could go back to her beautiful son, the better. She was just thankful that Gene and Ray were in Leicester with her too, so she didn't have to spend two days with only Bill Waltham for company.
The two hours in the car passed relatively quickly, and before they knew it, they were checking in at the grand hotel about early evening time. Waltham chivalrously took Alex's suitcase as well as his own and put them down on the floor by the reception desk, Alex following close behind him.
"Checking in, sir?" the smiley receptionist asked.
"Yes," Waltham nodded as Alex appeared at his side, "Bill Waltham and Alexandra Drake."
The receptionist went through some of her files and then found the correct one. Comparing booking details, she then presented them with a key.
"Room 101," the receptionist smiled at them, handing over the key to Waltham, "enjoy your stay."
"Thank you," Waltham grinned as Alex looked aghast.
"Wait! Sir! Stop!" Alex spluttered as her DCI began to walk away. "Sir…one room? We're sharing a room? Why didn't you book two?"
Waltham rolled his eyes. "Drake, our department is not made of money. It's cheaper."
"Gene and Ray have got single rooms!" Alex protested.
"Well like it or lump it, sweetheart, but you are in with me," Waltham said sickeningly, "relax, Drake. It'll probably be a twin room anyway. I don't see the fuss."
Alex bit her tongue to prevent herself from saying anything else. She did not want to share a room with Waltham. No way. Especially not after that episode in the car.
It was a poky little room as well, with a small bathroom on the left as soon as you walked in and then a huge double bed dominating the space in the centre of the main room. A wardrobe was backed against the wall and a dressing table with a mirror and a small TV was placed opposite the bed.
Alex swallowed as Waltham dumped their suitcases by the bed. Not only was she sharing a room with her DCI, but she was now also sharing a bed with him. And there was no sofa to fob him off onto either.
Waltham grinned at her, not sensing her uneasiness.
"No time to unpack now," he decided, "many of the DCIs are having drinks in the bar right now. Some of the Supers might be down there already, and you can bet that arseholes like Hunt will already be sucking up."
Alex's blood boiled. "Gene doesn't have to suck up to people to get good results, sir," she said poisonously. Waltham cocked an eyebrow, but then chose to ignore her comment. Instead, he looked her up and down.
Alex fidgeted self-consciously. She was wearing a tight, short black skirt with the classic black heels and a sleeveless, ruffled white blouse. It showed a little bit of cleavage, but nothing too much.
"It's a good job you look good," Waltham remarked, "it means you won't have to waste our time getting changed and I know what you women are like. No, hitch your skirt up a bit and lean forwards and you'll have the Supers eating out the palm of your hand. C'mon, Drake. Let's go to the bar."
Alex stalked out after him, disgusted by his attitude. Gene may have had a flirt with her and joked about her looks, but he never used her appearance to his advantage. Waltham, on the other hand, seemed to be doing just that.
Down at the bar, Alex found it pointless trying to chat up any Detective Superintendents. They were the old, crabby type and she didn't like the idea of flirting shamelessly in order to get a promotion. No, they were going to prove themselves fair and square. They would prove their division's worth in the conference and participate well with their opinions in the discussions of crime prevention. Alex wasn't going to act like a common tart just to earn her and Waltham brownie points.
Alex spent most of the evening drinking with Ray and Gene. Waltham noticed this, and Alex didn't fail to see the fury in his eyes. Ignoring it, Alex shuffled slightly so that she was closer to Gene at their table and Ray in the seat opposite them blocked Waltham from view.
"It's too bad the only decent bird in 'ere is you," Ray whined as Alex smirked at him, "I mean, there's only four women. DS What's-her-face is about fifty, DC Adams has a face like a pig and that other one looks like a man. You're the only looker in 'ere."
"Hey, hands off," Gene warned Ray, knocking back a swig of beer as he observed the action in the bar. "Bollykecks is off limits."
"Says who?" Ray teased him, winking at Alex as she giggled.
"Says me, and if you disagree with that, I'll smash yer face in," Gene shot back, half-serious and half-joking.
Alex chuckled as Gene squeezed her hand. He then released it, noticing someone stalking towards their table.
"Hey up, DCI Dickhead's arrived," Gene sneered.
Waltham glared at him, and then focussed his attention on Alex. "Drake," he spat, "I asked you to talk to the Supers. Are these two pillocks the Supers?"
Alex swallowed. "No sir, but I really don't see the point. And I don't want to be labelled as the tart who had to flirt with her superiors to get somewhere in life. I'm sorry, but I'll make an impression on them in the conference tomorrow. Just in the right way."
"Wait," Gene said angrily, "you're getting her ter flash her tits at those old bastards? That's low, Waltham, even for you."
Waltham said nothing. He looked furious. "Fine," he spat out, ignoring Gene's comment and storming off. He grabbed a pint from the bar and knocked it back, wiping his mouth sloppily with an aura of annoyance clearly surrounding him.
Alex sighed. She was really conflicting with Waltham's working methods lately and actually wished she could transfer back to Fenchurch East. But she knew their local Supers would not allow it. Especially after how the department suffered during the time when Gene and Alex were in a relationship.
Alex suddenly had a pang of hurt. She had Gene by her side, but it wasn't enough. She missed her son. Her baby Zachary. She missed Molly too, but Alex had accepted that fate long ago. She knew she was stuck here. Molly was safe. With Evan. And the 80s didn't seem so bad now that Alex had her young baby. Weekends and her days off had been magical with her son. And now, due to this stupid conference, one of those times had been snatched from her.
Alex could sense Waltham was not in a good mood with her when they got ready for bed that night. The conference was being held in the morning, but they had to overcome the obstacle of being in bed together before they could even think about that.
After Waltham had showered grumpily, Alex was in the bathroom, showering and washing as Waltham got changed into his pyjamas. Hearing the water run, Waltham tentatively got off the bed, licking his lips. He walked over to the bathroom door and grasped the handle. Damn. It was locked.
Tutting, Waltham stalked back to the bed. He had been hoping to catch a glimpse of Drake's heavenly body in the shower. No such luck. She had brains, that one.
Alex quickly got dressed into her black night dress, putting her silk knickers on underneath. Stepping out of the bathroom and seeing Waltham sprawled out across the bed and on top of the covers, Alex felt quite uncomfortable. She noticed Waltham staring at her bare legs and just wanted to get under the sheets and away from his prying eyes. Why oh why did she always come across the pervy guys?
"Which side of the bed do you want, sweetheart?" Waltham simpered, reeking of an overpowering aftershave.
"Whichever," Alex replied, "this side will do," she added, slipping into the right side of the bed. She shuffled right to the end, pulling the covers over herself and turning her back on Waltham. "Night, sir."
Waltham turned the light off, settling down on his side of the bed. "Night, Drake. Impress them tomorrow. I'm counting you on."
"Yes sir," Alex mumbled into her pillow, begging herself to just fall asleep and not prolong this agony.
Suddenly, Alex's body froze as she felt a hand pat her shoulder.
"Good girl," Waltham purred patronisingly, dangerously close to her. His breath tickled her ear and Alex couldn't help but twitch involuntarily under his touch. Waltham then moved his hand upwards, stroking Alex's hair. Alex shrugged him off.
"Night, sir," she repeated insistently. Waltham settled down to sleep, seemingly getting the message. Alex breathed out. Closing her eyes, she begged sleep to claim her.
Eventually, Alex did manage to drift off. However, she was awoken countless times by Waltham's body pressing against hers. She had a strong suspicion that he was faking being asleep so that he could take advantage, as one time Alex awoke Waltham was spooning her and the next he had his leg hooked over her. Alex tactfully pushed him off each time and just waited for the morning. And no matter how much she tried to push the thoughts out of her mind, Alex couldn't help but wish it was Gene who was lying there next to her.
-xx-
"…No, I have to say I completely disagree," Alex said bravely, "informants are not a waste of time and a reason for the increase of crime rate. If an informant tells and blows the investigation, that is a direct link back to the potential of the officers and the department. Clearly, the officers do not demand trust and authority. They don't call the shots, which they should. They let the informants walk all over them, and therefore they let the criminals walk all over them, which is why the crime rate is increasing. It's not the informants. It's the detectives."
The Superintendents began to mutter in agreement, raising their eyebrows at this beautiful young woman who had spoken the most sense this entire morning at the conference. The other DCIs stared at her in amazement and jealousy. Waltham grinned smugly, stroking Alex's leg as she tactfully moved it away. Gene winked at her from his seat across the room, beaming with pride.
Alex cleared her throat to continue. "At Fenchurch West of London's Metropolitan Police, and Fenchurch East I can also speak for," Alex further explained, shooting a little look at Gene and Ray, "we have a strong, tight relationship with our few informants. There's trust. But there's authority. Using informants with these two factors has enabled us to decrease our crime rate by thirty-seven per cent a year if we go by our figures from 1983. We have been able to stop crimes from happening or going too far, thereby preventing them."
"Can you give us an example of this from your division, DI Drake?" one of the cranky Detective Superintendents piped up. Alex flashed him a Hollywood smile, charming the socks off the man as he cracked a small grin.
"Certainly. From my time with Fenchurch West, in the early weeks of December we were able to prevent a murder due to using an informant. We knew the location and the time and got to the woman before the murderer. We ensured our dealings with our informant were small and secretive as to not endanger their lives," Alex explained, feeling at ease with all the eyes on her at last, "and in the summer last year, when I was stationed at Fenchurch East, using an informant allowed us to stop a man selling drugs in a strip club and enabled us to arrest him to prevent that crime going any further. We went undercover, and the operation was wrapped up quickly."
Gene looked down, a sick sensation filling his stomach. Alex was talking about that case. That case. The one that ended with him in bed with Diana. The one that lost him Alex.
"So I can confirm that on behalf of Fenchurch," Alex concluded, "that we have the authority and trust to run informants and prevent crime. It's a huge part of the way we work and certainly not a waste. Other divisions may not have a DCI that has earned or demands respect, but we certainly do."
Applause rang out through the conference as Alex blushed red, overwhelmed. Waltham was clapping the loudest, staring round and nodding at everyone smugly, showing Alex off as his officer. Alex found Gene's eyes in the sea of faces, and smiled weakly. That last sentence was aimed at him. Not Waltham. She was talking about Gene Hunt, the one man that always had been, and always would be, her Guv.
Alex managed to snatch a quick hug off Gene as everyone in the conference began to file out an hour later. Waltham was shaking the hands of the Superintendents, all of them looking towards Alex and beaming. Waltham was smug and thrilled. Alex had made a huge impression.
"Just got ter nip to the bogs, Bolls," Gene informed her, holding Alex tightly as she chuckled. "All sorted with DCI Twathead for me ter take yer home?"
Alex smiled. "It's fine," she nodded, "I told him you'd be taking me home this morning."
Gene nodded back. "Ray's in the bar. I'll go meet him there and then you come and get us when you're finished in 'ere with these twats. No doubt they'll want ter speak to yer. See you in a bit, sweetheart."
Alex smiled, closing her eyes in bliss as Gene kissed her on the cheek. With a wave, Gene too filed out of the conference room. It was now only Alex, Waltham and the Supers left.
"I must say, I was extremely impressed with your case today, DI Drake," one of the Supers nodded at her, "you have great potential."
"Thank you, sir," Alex smiled.
Waltham looked extremely self-satisfied. "Just proves I know how to train my officers," he insisted as Alex frowned slightly. Waltham had nothing to do with it.
The Supers began to file out, chatting animatedly and glancing back at Alex. Closing the door behind them, this just left Alex and Waltham.
Alex smiled weakly at her DCI. "Let's go then, sir. I said I'd meet Gene in the bar so we could get on the road –"
"One second, Alex," Waltham burst out, grabbing her arm. Alex looked down at his grasp, and then into his eyes.
"Yes?" she asked.
Waltham released his grip and then sat down on one chairs. "Sit down a minute. I just want to talk to you."
Alex sighed quietly, seating herself on the chair slightly opposite Waltham. He then scraped his closer to hers so that he was very close to her and their knees were touching. Alex tried to shuffle, but there wasn't anywhere to move subtly.
"You've really impressed me today," Waltham declared, "you proved yourself. You showed me just why I chose you."
"Thank you," Alex said gratefully.
"I'm very impressed," Waltham repeated, laying a possessive hand on her thigh and squeezing, "very impressed."
Alex swallowed awkwardly, trying to give a genuine smile. But then, within a blink of an eye, Waltham had leapt off his seat and grabbed Alex's face with his hands, forcing his lips on hers.
Alex whimpered in shock and then began to struggle in protest. She tried desperately to shove him off her and then squeaked when his hand found her breast and squeezed roughly. This was all wrong. Alex didn't want this. She didn't want this at all.
But just as Alex worried that this was never going to end and he was never going to stop, the door opened suddenly. Waltham pulled away from Alex and they both gazed at the door, Alex's lips sore and her face flushed.
DC Adams, the woman that Ray claimed had a face like a pig, was standing at the door, looking extremely uncomfortable. Beside her was her DCI.
"Sorry," DC Adams stuttered, "sorry…"
They both made to leave, the DCI smirking. "So that's how she's a DI…sleeping with the boss…tart…"
The door slammed, leaving Waltham and Alex alone again, and she leapt to her feet in disgust. Small whimpers were still escaping her lips and tears were threatening to fall. Alex stared at Waltham with disbelief in her eyes as he glared at her.
"Get out, Drake," he spat.
Alex gasped. "What? You force yourself on me and now you're acting like its my fault we were caught?"
Waltham sneered at her, collecting his things. "You've been asking for it, love," Waltham snarled, "all tight skirts and low-cut tops…you can't pretend you didn't want it."
Alex wiped a tear, swallowing determinedly. "I didn't want it, you bastard. I didn't. Y-you…you forced me…"
"This was such a mistake," Waltham growled, "I should've never wasted this conference on you. You may have given a good speech today, sweetheart, but my other officers could have done it just as well."
Alex gasped, horrified. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "So you…you…"
Waltham smirked at her. "I only gave you the opportunity to come to the conference because I wanted you," he revealed nastily as another tear slid down Alex's face, "I knew all along I would be taking you with me. I didn't even need to examine anyone. I knew you'd be accompanying me, because I wanted to have you. But I should have realised what a frigid bitch you are. This weekend was wasted with you. I can see now that my efforts will get me nowhere."
"You bastard," Alex sniffed, "you bastard."
"Have a nice trip home, sweetie," Waltham grinned maliciously, "you should be proud. You really earned this, Alex. Well done you."
And with that, Waltham stalked out and slammed the door. Alex was frozen to the spot, her heart hammering. She felt sick.
And then, the tears were coming hot and fast. She collapsed on the floor, hugging her knees and sobbing her heart out.