A/N: So sorry for the wait! I'm moving out :( Well guys, here's the penultimate chapter :O :( only one more after this! Thank you so much for the amazing response to my previous chapter. I really hope you enjoy this one :D x
Alex's mind went into overdrive as that man began to prise open her bedroom window. She had to defend herself; she had to protect Zac. Thinking fast, Alex lunged forwards and slammed her window down on her caller's fingers, causing him to shriek out in pain.
This was when Alex gasped; realisation bubbling in her stomach angrily. As the man let out a string of swearwords, the obvious began to dawn on her.
That voice. Those cruel, hurtful words. The knowledge he had that she couldn't comprehend.
"Fucking bitch!" the man hollered as he wrenched the window open determinedly and climbed into the room. "You will have me!"
Alex darted a fearful look at her son in his cot, but then realised that her caller was not after him. Alex backed off, her back hitting the wardrobe with anger and fear in her eyes. The man advanced on her.
It was Waltham.
"I told you you'd have me!" Waltham roared dangerously with an almost monstrous look in his eye.
Alex panicked, and in defence she brought her knee up swiftly, catching Waltham in the crotch as he howled with pain.
"Oh I don't think so!" Alex fought back. "You perverted bastard! You sick creep, who the hell do you think you are?"
Alex landed a furious kick to Waltham's stomach as she leapt over him, running for her baby. Now that her stalker had a name, an identity, and one that she knew…Alex wasn't as frightened. The fear of the unknown had vanished – this was Bill Waltham, her former DCI. She could handle this messed-up creep.
But Alex wasn't prepared for him to grab her feet as she ran. With a scream, Alex toppled to the floor. She fought desperately as Waltham climbed on top of her, a furious and manic glare in his eyes.
"Oh how I've wanted you, Alex Drake," Waltham sneered as he began to claw at her nightdress, "and all the times you've said no…well you may have said no now, but I'm going to have you anyway!"
"GET OFF ME!" Alex screamed. She slapped at Waltham blindly, wriggling beneath him. She fought desperately as the images of that night with the drunks began to flash back into her mind…that time where Oliver Sarouche had sexually assaulted her on his bed…the unwanted touch, the sick feeling in her stomach and the fear seeping through her veins as the men all took what they wanted…
Alex wasn't going to let this happen again. Not when she had her son to fight for. Gene. She had Gene. She had rebuilt her life since that trauma, and it was not going to be shattered.
Especially by Bill Waltham.
Alex fought harder than she ever had before, forcing all the strength through her blood and bones and pushed violently against Waltham. Scrambling beneath him as he tried to lift her nightdress up, Alex wriggled her legs with brutal determination and finally brought a leg up high enough to once again kick him where it hurt.
This time was much more forceful as Waltham's shriek of pain pierced the air, resulting in him rolling off her in absolute agony and Zac erupting with scared cries. Alex leapt to her feet, breathing heavy and heart pounding. Scrambling towards Zac with a slight limp where the bastard had grabbed her ankle, Alex grabbed her son from his cot and bounded out of the bedroom, heart leaping in terror as Waltham's ear-splitting scream of fury assaulted the air.
Alex knew that she wouldn't have time to phone anyone before Waltham got back up again so she just raced for the door. Alex shoved Zac into his coat and pulled on some shoes for herself before scrabbling for the door, panicking in fear as she heard Waltham begin to charge towards her.
However, Alex let out a blissful cry of relief as she bashed straight into Ray, Chris, Terry, Poirot and Bammo on the landing.
"Oh my God!" Alex cried, the overwhelming realisation that she was safe hitting her hard as tears began to leak.
"Alex!" Ray burst out, enveloping his former colleague and her son into his strong, protective arms.
Alex whimpered in relief. Of course. She lived in a flat above a restaurant that was filled with coppers at night. It was only twelve o'clock, and her friends from Fenchurch were still enjoying their Saturday night drinks. They were saved.
"Alex, what's happened?" Ray demanded as the DCs looked around in bewilderment.
"In there!" Alex stuttered, hugging Ray tightly as she snuggled her baby into the safe embrace. "It's Waltham, it's Waltham…he tried to…oh please get him!"
Alex shrieked as Waltham pelted out of her flat door, but Ray dragged her backwards to safety and Chris, Bammo, Terry and Poirot lunged forwards, capturing the enraged DCI in their arms as he hollered in complete and utter fury.
"YOU BITCH! YOU SCHEMING BITCH!" Waltham roared as he fought in the arms of the DCs. Ray backed off some more, never letting Alex and Zac go from his embrace.
"Bloody 'ell," Ray whispered in complete shock as Alex shivered against him, still trying to calm the cries of her frightened little boy.
"DCI Bill Waltham, you're nicked," Chris spat as Waltham seethed with rage.
"Get 'im to the station!" Ray ordered Chris and the others. "Put 'im in the cells, the crazy bastard! I'm phoning the Guv. Bloody hell…"
Alex's heart rate had still not calmed as Chris and his fellow DCs forced Waltham down the stairs and out of Luigi's. Alex whimpered, burying her son's head in her chest as his cries softened. His little fists reached upwards, grabbing at Alex's bobbed dark hair. A tear dropped from her eyes as Ray approached her once more in an enveloping hug.
"Christ," he muttered as Alex shook with tears in his arms, "Alex…what the bloody hell was that about?"
Alex wiped her eyes hastily. "Take me to Gene's," she begged in a whisper, "please, Ray…I need him."
Ray nodded. "Get a coat, love. We'll be there in ten minutes."
-xx-
"That sick, perverted, loopy, filthy piece of bastard scum!" Gene seethed, standing up in complete rage. "I should've known…bloody hell, I should've picked up on it…that messed-up sicko!"
Alex cradled her sleeping son in her arms as she sat on Gene's sofa. Ray had dropped her off there in the safety of the Guv and insisted Gene stayed with her as he went to join Chris and the others with the arrest of DCI Bill Waltham. Gene didn't protest. There was plenty of time to beat up that bastard Waltham, but right now he was needed with his Bolly and his son.
"I'm the one that should have noticed," Alex mumbled sadly, "for God's sake, I'm the bloody psychologist…and I don't even recognise signs like this."
"Yer weren't to know, sweetheart," Gene soothed her, putting a comforting arm around Alex as he pulled her and their son into his arms.
"But I should have realised!" Alex burst out. "Waltham hinted that he knew about my pregnancy last year in the bloody DIY store…remember? I thought it was just a dig…but then I got the phone call. Taunting me about my baby. And…we asked Waltham to trace the number, didn't we? He practically begged for the job!"
"And he never found anything," Gene said quietly, the obvious dawning on him, "shit…convenient, wasn't it? Because he was the one that bloody did it!"
Alex sighed. "He was jealous for months that I was pregnant with your baby. He tried it on at least once a day. And then…only a couple of weeks or so after I'd had Zac he phoned again. It was nasty, threatening…and jealous. God, I should have recognised that voice!"
"It's all right," Gene comforted her, "it's all right."
"It was terrifying," Alex whispered, "tonight. When he called me. I don't know what possessed him. I know he fancied me, but I never thought he'd go that far. He'd just been transferred for harassment. Why would he do that? He's just destroyed his career."
"I don't know," Gene muttered, "crazy bastard…"
"Still, I'm so glad Zac's all right," Alex sighed, "that's all I was worried about. I had to make sure my baby was okay."
Alex and Gene remained silent as they stared at the little two-month-old bundle of joy asleep in Alex's arms. His pout was firmly set on his lips. So delicate, so defining…so Gene.
"Gene," Alex said quietly, "what happens now?"
Gene looked at her, running his fingers through his sandy hair. "Well Bolls," he sighed, "DCI Dickhead is getting put away, I'll tell yer that. Harassment, breaking and entering, the assault of a police officer and for just generally bein' a class A wanker. Ray and the others were witnesses. You've got a bruise…and as much as I'm livid about that, it'll be good evidence for the court. And…well, that's that. Yer free of yer stalker. Got a new DCI starting on Monday anyway. Zac's fine and won't remember a thing about this night when he's older. You're okay. And you've always got me if yer need me."
Alex stared at Gene, her eyes brimming with tears. Finally, a small smile crept on her face as she leant delicately across her son to give Gene a gentle, tender kiss on the lips.
What could have been a beautiful moment was brutally interrupted by an insistent knock on the door. Gene frowned, getting to his feet. It was the early hours of the morning, so who the hell would be knocking?
Swinging the door open, Gene's jaw dropped as Tiffany and Kieran pounded in.
"How DARE that bastard threaten my brother!" Tiffany gasped indignantly, brushing past Gene and running over to the sofa. "Oh God, Alex are you okay? What about Zac? He's my brother, the vile creep!"
"What in the blazes –" Gene muttered as Kieran too stormed past him, settling down on the other side of Alex and demanding to see his brother. Alex couldn't help but grin at the situation and the look of pure confusion on Gene's face.
"He's fine," Alex smiled to Kieran and Tiffany, "he's asleep, bless him…but no harm came to him. I made sure of that."
"You're okay, aren't you?" Kieran checked worriedly. Alex nodded, touched by his concern.
"I'm fine, thank you," she said softly.
"Er, excuse me!" Gene said loudly, still with his hand clasped on the handle of the open door. "But how the bloody hell did you two find out about this? It's stupid o'clock in the pissin' morning! Raymondo been telling the entire neighbourhood or something?"
Tiffany smirked, and then pointed a finger outside the door. Gene turned, and his blood ran cold as he saw who was still standing on the porch.
It was his ex-wife. Diana Hunt.
"Gene," she said weakly, "can I…come in?"
Gene let her in reluctantly, closing the door behind her. Alex's face paled when she saw Diana, and then she looked down, busying herself with brushing away imaginary stray strands of Zac's hair.
Kieran and Tiffany remained either side of Alex and their brother, tension soaking the air. Gene sat down in one of the armchairs, nodding at Diana to take the other. She sat down awkwardly.
"I…I couldn't believe what I heard," Diana said slowly, "I was in the pub. Luigi's. Having a drink wi' my new fella but keeping away from your lot, mind. I really didn't think Bill would sink this low. I'm sorry. I really am."
Gene frowned and Alex looked up in confusion.
"Yer sorry?" Gene queried. "What the 'ell for?"
Diana swallowed. "I…when I moved down ter London with the kids last year…I met Bill, and…he was my boyfriend for a bit."
"WHAT?" Alex and Gene shrieked in shock. They looked at each other, aghast.
"I didn't think it would get this out o' hand," Diana insisted, carrying on with a sad look in her eye, "but…but I saw yer buy a pregnancy test, Alex. Last summer. And I was so angry. So fucking angry. The thought o' you carrying my Gene's child…so I told Bill. I knew he knew of yer both, bein' a copper an' all. I got him ter taunt yer a bit. Tease yer about a baby that may or not 'ave even been there."
"The DIY store," Gene rumbled in realisation. Alex breathed heavily.
"Then…he asked for your number," Diana continued, fiddling with her blouse uncomfortably, "he said he just wanted to play a prank. A harmless joke. I didn't think he'd make yer cry. It wasn't funny anymore after he scared yer."
"Too bloody right!" Gene spat angrily. Kieran and Tiffany were frozen in shock. They knew that their mother had dated DCI Bill Waltham, but they had no idea to the extent his nasty antics went.
"I got roped into goin' ter that strip club with him," Diana continued, "yer know…that night. But I finished with him there, as all 'e was doing was eyeing up Alex. I told 'im it was over. He didn't seem to care, said he wanted Alex anyway."
"Bastard," Gene growled as Alex stared at Diana in shock.
"That's why I did what I did," Diana said sadly, "I know it ain't no excuse…but I was fucking tired of always bein' second best. Losing out to her."
Alex's blood prickled as Diana sent a snarl her way. She didn't care if a million of Diana's lovers fancied her. Nothing gave her the right to do what she did that night. To destroy Alex and Gene's relationship.
"I lost contact with him after that," Diana sighed, "but I knew he was probably still doing things. He was so jealous. He told me that he's liked yer for a long time, Alex. And…these names don't mean anything ter me but…Oliver Sarouche? Rick Gordon?"
Alex's blood ran cold. "What – what about them?"
Diana bit her lip. "Apparently they were two of 'is best mates," she revealed as Gene drew in a sharp breath, "they told 'im lots about you. How good you looked. And about your, erm, skills –"
"Yes thank you, we get the point," Gene spat defensively. Diana glared at him.
"Well of course you'd know all about those skills, wouldn't you?" she sneered at him as Alex blushed. She swallowed awkwardly.
Diana turned back to her. "Waltham always wanted yer. He was jealous of Rick and Oliver, and then became jealous of Gene. But I swear, if I'd 'ave known that bastard was capable of doing the things his mates did ter yer then I would 'ave said something. If I knew he'd have the fury inside 'im ter break into yer flat, I would 'ave let yer know. I'm sorry."
Silence hung in the air as the information buzzed around everyone's brains like angry bees.
It all made so much sense to Alex. The mish-mashed puzzle had finally been connected. It was horrible, daunting and at the same time annoying that it had not been worked out sooner – but there it was. And maybe, just maybe now it could all be laid to rest.
Diana left the house still very much an enemy to Alex, but it was only when she unexpectedly turned up in the court room a week later to give evidence that the woman finally began to redeem herself. With a witness statement confirming the threatening phone calls, Alex's bruise from Waltham's attack, the paperwork from the report of sexual harassment and the witness statements from Ray, Chris, Terry, Poirot and Bammo, DCI Bill Waltham was stripped of his rank and jailed for six years.
It felt like a weight had been lifted off Alex's shoulders as she relaxed in Gene's embrace after they had won the trial. She nodded in Diana's direction as Gene's ex-wife left the room, and was then bombarded with hugs and kisses from Shaz, Ray, Chris and DC James Farmer. Finally, Alex turned round to face the one man she really wanted to be hugged and kissed by.
"Come on, Bolls," Gene smiled, "let's get you home."
'Home' Alex thought would have been her flat above Luigi's, but Gene pulled up in the drive of his house – the one they used to share together. And funnily enough, it didn't feel unnatural. It felt…right.
"Debs is inside with Zac," Gene explained, "we can 'ave a cuppa or something and then I'll drop the two o' you off home."
Alex ached with sadness. Home had never really felt like home without Gene. It was this house, with those memories and those experiences that had made her feel like she belonged. Happy times, like when Gene and Alex were painting their front door bright red and they decided to splash each other with the paints. Sad times, when Alex had been called by Waltham for the first time and Gene had come in to comfort her. Angry times, when Alex had been dropped home by Ray after a dangerous undercover operation to find Gene in bed with Diana. And loving times, the best times of her life when Gene and Alex just lay in bed, passionately making love, cuddling, kissing and embracing each other like they wouldn't dream of letting the other go.
A lone tear slid down Alex's cheek as these memories came gushing back to her. Gene saw Debbie out thankfully as he put Zac in his cot for an afternoon nap and then closed the door on the world, stopping suddenly in shock as he saw Alex sitting sadly on the sofa.
"Bolly?" Gene asked tentatively, approaching her. "Alex, what's wrong?"
Alex shook her head, wiping the tear fiercely. "It's nothing. I'm just being silly."
Gene sat down next to her, both their bodies tingling as their knees touched. "Yer not silly, Bolls," Gene said softly, "come on. What is it?"
Alex gazed up at him. "I miss you, Gene."
Gene froze. "What? Bolls…I see yer nearly everyday…"
"No," Alex interrupted, "I miss you. I miss this. I miss us. I miss waking up every morning feeling secure in this house. I miss tottering down the stairs to make you some breakfast. I miss looking out into our green garden and seeing the street stretched out in front of us. I miss waking up in that bed, our bed, and waking up in your arms. I miss waking up every morning and just feeling safe, because you're there, you're with me. I miss it, Gene. I…I thought I could fight it, I could cope, and I was coping until you did exactly what you do best."
Gene was stunned, itching closer to Alex on the sofa. "And what's that, Bolls?"
Alex smiled weakly. "You charmed me, Gene. You charmed me once again. You charmed yourself back into my life and caused me to fall in love with you all over again."
Gene's heart soared. Those words…without sounding like a poof, Gene had dreamt of hearing those words for months. It had been a slow process, winning Alex back. Since they started flirting again after Zac was born, it had been two months of trying to deny the feelings that were bubbling back. Gene's hand caressed Alex's, squeezing lightly.
"Alex," he said softly, softer than Alex had ever heard him before, "I never, ever stopped loving yer. Never. I've been in love with you for a long time, Lady B. I cocked it up and…yet yer still want ter know me. Our son needs 'is parents, and you respected that. You let me back into your life. Yer the most amazing woman I 'ave ever met, Bolly. And that's the truth."
Alex couldn't take it anymore. Leaning forward, she claimed Gene's lips forcefully with her own, stroking his cheek tenderly as he wove his hands into her hair.
Their tongues danced and battled for dominance, but at the same time they were equally submissive. Suppressed groans filtered through the air as Gene and Alex proved once again just how deep their love ran.
Neither of them knew where it was going to go from here. But they both knew that they would be embarking on the journey together.