I don't own Ashes to Ashes

Nor do I own the lyrics featured (Rod Stewart- You're In My Heart)

This is the last pre-written chapter (GAHH!) but since I've just finished TAoL, updates shouldn't be too far apart – at least I hope not.

Hope it's alright :-)

---

Alex's room was warm and airy when he arrived, and the moment he was there he collapsed into the chair, bitter resentment for his complete reliability upon her rising up within his chest, right alongside inevitable relief at the very sight of her. He placed the two items that he had brought with him on the floor, shrugging off his jacket and lying it over his chair before his hand found hers on top of the blanket, his heart hammering in his chest, throat dry and fingers trembling. His body was hunched as he leant forwards on his knees, eyes on her peacefully slumbering face, unable to comprehend why even when so many people wanted her to return, she remained so distantly far away.

He wanted to talk to her, to tell her about the wedding, the speech, the toast... He wanted to, but somehow the ability to speak evaded him, his tongue immoveable in his throat as he sat there. Without thinking, he reached for the large record player he had borrowed from her flat, moving the latest vase of flowers carefully onto the floor without looking at them and placing the record player in its stead. For a few moments, he stared at it, wondering if he was being stupid, ridiculous, juvenile... but he could still recall a conversation with Sam, about the paki in the coma, whose girlfriend had played him music as he slept – familiar music, he remembered Sam saying. Anything familiar at all – touch, voices, music... He picked up the record sleeve he had placed on the floor, removing the disc almost nervously before putting it in place and lowering the needle to its surface, waiting with trepidation, his spare hand over his mouth, eyes fixed on her face as the first notes played and Rod Stewart's voice filled the room, the words ringing true in his head as he entwined their fingers together once again. "I didn't know what day it was, when you walked into the room, I said hello unnoticed, you said goodbye too soon..."

The lyrics washed over him like a balm, filling him with familiar warmth and aching recognition, recalling, more vividly than ever, the sight of her that first evening in Luigi's, the brush off in the evidence room, the fact that she was so far away now... The complicated relationship he had had with Alex since day one had been completely, hauntingly echoed through this one song, and he found himself analysing it in a way that, were she to have done it, he would have labelled as 'psycho-bollucks'. He had never been a Rod Stewart fan, really, but having happened across a box of records which were covered only in a thin sheen of dust in the corner of the room, Gene had found himself playing, to his utter dismay, Alex's whole collection of music, passing some of it off as absolute bollucks, whilst other pieces he played for hours on end.

For some reason, this song had been played so often that he had wondered, several times, why the disc had not worn down to a thin and spindly layer of plastic. He had lain awake for the majority of a night the previous week, repeating the song over and over, a bottle of whiskey in one hand, a cigarette burning away in the other. He'd only stopped playing it when Luigi appeared at three in the morning, complaining that the music was too loud, and that the song hadn't changed for five hours. He'd sighed, removing the needle and sitting idly on the sofa, instead murmuring the words to himself, his voice toneless and unattractive, but the words still ringing true as they slid idly through his mind.

The song spoke, uncannily, of Gene's feelings for Alex – her manners, her fashion sense, her annoying habits – in Gene's opinion, 'habits' was a nice way of putting it, he himself would have described them as godforsaken rituals that she felt absolutely determined to go through, whether she had to kick him in the teeth to do it or not. Like putting on the seat belt, for example; even Sam, eventually, after much kicking and screaming and sighing and coercion, had consented to drive beltless; Alex, however, found it necessary to lecture him on statistics he was sure couldn't be real, about the number of passengers thrown through the front windscreen, compared to the number of drivers. Once, he'd offered that Ray sit in the front instead, only to have her glare at him, and make yet another comment about the fact his fags were going to cut down his sperm count, and if he had any desire to attract women in future, he should cut it down to three a day... He'd promptly smoked five more.

He sighed, glancing idly towards the door, where he had hung the long, ridiculous cardigan she sometimes wore, in the hope that, when she finally awoke, she wouldn't go home cold, however stupid she might appear in that getup... not that she couldn't pull it off, of course- the daft tart could pull off any outfit she threw on in the morning, even if she had both hands tied behind her back and rolled in wearing nothing but a sack... he was pretty sure she already knew how goddamned gorgeous she looked anyway, although if she didn't, it wasn't like he'd ever get the guts up to tell her. Not if he wanted her to take him seriously, anyway. He glanced at her hospital gown, at the wristbands on her arms, and he smirked slightly at the inevitability of it all; she still looked bloody gorgeous with a bloody tablecloth wrapped around her shoulders.

Gene sighed, standing up and settling himself on the mattress beside Alex, his hand drawing hers into his lap as his other traced down her cheek, rough fingers caressing the smooth skin, tingling at the contact, with heat and warmth as he tangled his index finger around a stray tendril of hair, the natural curl tightening as he wound it tenderly around his digit, smirking at the silken feel of it, listening to the guitar of the song increase in tempo, smiling as Rod repeated the chorus over and over, with such a lack of care that it was admirable. It wound to a stop, and Gene set it to play once more, drawing his hand from her face and simply cupping her own hand with both of his, rubbing heat into her cool skin as he spoke, his voice soft.

"Should've been there, Bols," he murmured, glancing at her face only once before returning to the fascinating sight of her fingers entwined around his own. "They're missin' yer... I mean... we're missin' yer... I'm missin' yer..." the emphasis of the word struck him, but there had never been a moment when he'd doubted it, though it still shocked him every time that he realized it anew. "Chris gave a speech, the daft twonk... only I- well... I kinda missed it, Bolly... after 'e started talkin' about yer it was like- like I shouldn' be there without you..." he blinked, gulping, squeezing her hand as though for reassurance before going on. "They all want yer to wake up, Alex... ain't just me who's a miserable git, ok? Made us drink bloody Bollinger in your honour, yer know?" he laughed to himself, turning her hand over and tracing the lines of her palm with the tips of his fingers, absently trailing across the veins of her wrist before drifting back down once more. "Didn't taste as good without yer posh gob in the background, though... should've been drinkin' it with you..."

The song continued on, and Gene sighed, continuing to trace patterns into her bare skin as he spoke again, his voice soft, almost nervous, despite the fact she was asleep, and there was nobody else nearby. "'ope yer don't mind me borrowin' yer stuff," he said softly, glancing at her face as though half expecting her to turn around and begin to yell at him for being so presumptuous. When she didn't, he rolled his eyes. "Well, if you're gunna keep snoozin' on like this, I need summat ter keep me sane..." He glanced at the clock, seeing that it was nearly seven, wishing he could stay, and yet feeling duty bound to go back and keep Annie company at the wedding, to make sure she wasn't feeling left out, lonely, apart from the rest of them... He sighed, keeping his eyes averted from Alex as he spoke again.

"Annie came down, love... think she'd 'ave wanted ter meet yer if I 'adn't buggered off like a twonk after that toast... She was talking about Sam- told 'er 'ow bloody stubborn and disobedient you two little buggers were, an' y'know what, Bols? She laughed at me." He chuckled, shaking his head and drawing a cigarette and lighter from his pocket with one hand, the other firmly entwined with hers as he sat there, lighting up in silence. "Cheeky cow, that one," he said, smirking. "Gorgeous, mind, but a cheeky bitch..." he squeezed her hand, smiling. "Sam did good there, I ain't gunna lie... but she ain't got a notch on you, Bolly... so 'ow about you wake up an' come back with me now, 'ey? Show me what I'm missin'?"

Nothing. His chest heaved as he breathed softly, exhaling a cloud of smoke as his fingers danced up her arm and down again. "I'll show you the Gene Genie dance moves, 'ow about that?" Still nothing... he wasn't surprised; of all possible incentives to come back, Gene's dancing wasn't one of them. Instead he lifted her hand to his face, resting his cheek against the cool flesh of her palm, breathing deeply as he gazed down at her. "Yeah," he murmured, "I don't blame yer – can't dance fer beans..." He turned his face, pressing his lips to the fluttering pulse at her wrist, closing his eyes for a brief moment as the sign that she was still in there and alive beat against his lips. For a few moments, he treasured it, and then pulled away, carefully extricating his hand from hers and placing it back down on the bed beside her.

"Wish you'd been there, Bolly Knickers," he murmured, tentatively stroking a stray lock of hair away from her eyes. "Yer wouldn' get a chance to sit on that peachy arse of yours all night," he smirked, thumbing her cheek lightly before whispering to her, his voice gentle. "Get some sleep, Bolly... I'll be 'ere when yer wake up." He pulled back with one final, wistful caress of her cheek, and then flipped the needle from the record, sliding the disc back into its sleeve and placing the player itself onto the wicker chair before replacing the vase on the table. It was only on doing so that he noticed the card attached to the flower stems, and after a moment's hesitation, he picked it up, opening it with a quick glance at Alex's sleeping form. As he read, he smiled with amusement, nodding his head in approval.

Ma'am, it read, we're very sorry you won't be there for our wedding, but you'll be in our thoughts and hearts all day. We'll come and visit as soon as we're back from the honeymoon! Feel better soon- the Guv's in a right grump without you! All our love, Mr & Mrs C. Skelton x

With a roll of the eyes, he set it back on the bedside table, so that it would be instantly visible the very moment she woke up. After collecting up the record player and the record itself, Gene left, casting only one glance back towards the sleeping figure as he went.

---

The music was playing when Gene got back, the main lights off, replaced instead by disco lighting and glitter balls that could not have been more out of place in the extravagantly decorated Hotel. Chris and Shaz were dancing enthusiastically in the middle of the room, laughing and flirting happily, arms wrapped around one another as they moved without any sign of co-ordination whatsoever. Gene smirked, glancing across at Ray, who was wrapped in a close embrace with the girl from Luigi's, whose name he was yet to pick up on, though it had sounded mildly exotic through Gene's intoxicated haze the previous evening. Annie was stood talking to Viv, whose arm was still around his girlfriend, although she looked to be less than involved in the conversation. Gene walked over, placing a hand on Annie's arm as he smiled at Viv in gratitude.

"Alright Guv?" He asked worriedly, his eyebrows creasing with concern. Gene nodded, gulping slightly as he did so.

"Fine, Skipper- just needed a smoke..."

Viv sent him a knowing look, and then nodded, turning to Annie with a large grin. "Nice meeting you, Annie," he said, before tugging his girlfriend away to dance, his hand straying down over her rear as he pulled her against him. Annie turned to Gene, her smile genuine, though there was a sincere undercurrent of concern as she raised her eyebrow at him.

"Alright, Cartwright, it wasn't just a smoke," he conceded, pulling another cigarette out and lighting up. "But I did 'ave a fag while I was gone!"

"How was she?" Annie asked knowingly, sinking into a nearby chair and indicating that Gene should join her. He ground his teeth, and then did so, shrugging his shoulders as he lowered himself into the seat.

"Same as ever, love. Sleepin', not a hint of a snore, an' about as responsive as old Liberachi's dick when he's-"

"You've used that before," Annie interrupted teasingly, grinning playfully as she reached for her drink and took a small sip of the red liquid in her glass. Gene glowered at her, motioning for a tired looking waiter and ordering a large whiskey before he bothered to turn back to Annie, knowing that when he did her eyes would be expectant and inquisitive; he wasn't wrong, but he was bitterly disappointed by the whole thing.

"Come on, Cartwright, what am I meant to say? She ain't flippin' over an' doin' cartwheels in there y'know?" He grabbed a bottle from the table in front of him, pouring himself a generous glass of red wine and downing a good half of it before he spoke another word, his jaw tight and the vein in his jaw pulsating visibly.

"I know, Guv," she sighed. "No sign of improvement, then?"

Gene shook his head, taking another gulp and watching without interest as Ray walked past, making a lewd face at him as he was led from the room by his brunette companion. Annie smiled, before looking back at Gene with sympathy in her gaze; he hated it. "Look, Cartwright, jus' 'cause I'm bothered she's dozin' all day don't make me a poofter, alright?"

She smirked, "Yes, Guv."

"An' I don' want yer tellin' old Phyllis I'm a soft sissy, or I'll get 'er offerin' to warm up me bed again, an' it was bad enough havin' to deal with that conversation once, let alone-"

"It's fine, Guv," she smiled, shaking her head. "Phyllis married the postman, anyway."

Gene laughed at that – or at least, a snort of amusement left his throat, and for a few moments he was grinning to himself and shaking his head in utter bewilderment. "Dirty cow! Knew she was 'aving it off with 'im an' all!"

"Oh no, that was the milkman," Annie smiled, pleased to see him smiling and reverting back to his old self, even if it was a more lewd and sexist version than this new, reformed Gene, who, were it not for the depressed outlook, might well have been amicable.

He chuckled, shaking his head, "Poor sod. She'll be onto the butcher next, or are yer gunna tell me she sunk her claws in there already?"

Annie shook her head, smiling. "No, the butcher's safe for now."

Gene smirked, "What a minx, 'ey?" He laughed, pouring himself another drink and feeling, for the first time, somewhat relaxed. "Litton's still as bent as a nine-bob note though, right?"

Annie laughed whole heartedly, swirling her own drink and shaking her head. "Apparently not- he married a journalist at the Manchester Herald."

"Bloody traitor," Gene muttered, growling his disgust. "Puttin' cops and journo's together's like having peas with yer 'oops! Shouldn' be surprised though – he always was a piece of bastarding scum. She'll dump 'im in a year."

Annie rolled her eyes, folding a serviette neatly in her lap as Gene considered her latest scrap of gossip, wondering briefly if she was pulling his leg before he was tapped on the shoulder, and found himself looking up into Chris's eyes, his smile almost hesitant and nervous as he shoved his hands into his pockets, glancing over to Shaz, who was being ambushed by various cousins and seemed unable to dislocate herself from their grasps. Without thinking, Gene stood up, stretching out a hand and clapping Chris on the shoulder when he took it in his.

"Well done Christopher," he mumbled, the words feeling strange in his mouth as he too risked a glance across at Shaz, who was looking at Chris like she was in dear need of help. When Gene glanced at her new husband, though, he saw that Chris seemed too dumbfounded by the sight of her to realize what she was doing. With a roll of the eyes, he clouted the DC round the back of the head, watching as his hair fell slightly out of place and he began to blink in confusion, as though he were just waking up from a deep sleep.

"Soz, Guv," he muttered, rubbing the back of his head with his hand, making a small grimace before he looked down at his black, freshly polished and shining leather shoes. "An' 'bout earlier, like, we didn' want yer to leave, just got-"

"It's fine," Gene murmured, glancing at him only briefly before averting his eyes, though his words fell on deaf ears as Chris continued to ramble, speaking without real consequence as Gene's eyebrows knitted themselves together in a frown.

"- ran out o' things to say. It were like- it weren't- well- I dunno... An' we did want 'er 'ere, Guv, honest, we did, we sent some flowers, like, an' told 'er to wake up, an' we're gunna-"

"I know," Gene replied, meeting the DC's confused gaze with steadiness in his eyes. Chris blinked, frowned, and then narrowed his eyes.

"How'd yer-?"

"Well I wasn' exactly sat outside singin' 'hallelujah' to meself, was I, you daft twonk?" Exasperated, Gene reached for his wine, downing it swiftly as the waiter approached with the large tumbler of whiskey in his hand. "Same again," Gene muttered, ignoring Annie's roll of the eyes and Chris' deliberate turning of the head, and adding, with a shrug in Annie's general direction, "twice." The waiter simply nodded, although his eyebrows flew noticeably a few inches higher up his forehead as he turned away, a spectacle that would have further increased had he turned round once again and seen Gene downing the drink in one large gulp, before reverting back to the bottle of red that he had very nearly finished, and looking at Chris as the younger man blinked, frowning slightly.

"Yer went to see 'er then, Guv?" He asked, confused.

"Yes," Gene replied, drinking deeply and avoiding eye contact, catching sight of a white flash of fabric at the corner of his eye, certain in a moment who had joined their company, and lifting his head to nod briefly at Shaz, before returning to his drink.

"How was she?" Shaz asked, and Gene assumed that she had heard the tail end of the conversation and put two and two together – a feat, he considered, that perhaps she could pass on to Chris in the process of their living together.

He gulped, placing his glass back down and avoiding any of their faces as he shrugged, rubbing his hand against his nose before he spoke, sniffing slightly. "Fine," he said softly, "normal... the same, really..." He sighed, glancing at Shaz and noting the look of sorrowful dejection in her eyes. "Sorry, love," he murmured, watching as Chris slid an arm around her waist and tugged her into his arms, one hand stroking through her hair, his lips pressed tenderly and lovingly to her forehead. "I know yer wanted 'er here."

Shaz smiled, swiping at her tearful eyes and shaking her head. "It's fine, Guv... I know I don't miss her as much as you do..." She looked down, and Gene could only nod, voice failing him for several minutes.

"Yeah..." he managed finally, "maybe..." The waiter reappeared, pushing a glass of whiskey into his hand with impeccable timing, and placing the other on the table in front of him. Gene downed it in one, swiftly slamming the glass back down and glancing at Shaz awkwardly. "C'mon then Gra- Skelton," he muttered, offering his hand. "If I can't dance with Bolly, I best 'ave one with you."

Shaz stared, Chris blanched, and Annie pealed with tipsy laughter that turned all three of their heads towards her and made her blush beet red in the dim light. "I'll 'ave you know, Cartwright, the Gene Genie moves like a dream!"

Annie continued to giggle, covering her mouth as splutters of amusement left her throat. Gene rolled his eyes, glancing at Chris apologetically. "Right, Christopher, shove off an' let me take the lady fer a spin, would yer?"

Blushing, Shaz placed her hand in Gene's with a grin in Chris' direction, pausing only to cup his cheek and press her lips to his for a sweet, tender moment, where Gene felt decidedly awkward, and Annie remained demonstrably pissed. After a seconds thought, he heaved Annie up by the elbow, smirking as she stumbled into the table. "Come on Cartwright, you better come an' all – can't 'ave yer fallin' on yer face now, can we?"

After a moment of shrieking protest, in which her face went bright red and she shook her head from side to side hurriedly, Annie sighed, allowing Gene to steer her by the elbow around the table. "You too, Christopher – might look a bit questionable if I start gropin' yer Missus."

Chris smiled, grabbing Shaz's outstretched hand and joining the string of four people as they were led to the dance floor by a happier Gene than any of them had seen in months.

----

It ended up as something of a mess, with Ray and his companion – whose name, it transpired, was Isabella, and who apparently came from Italy – joining in after only a minute, resulting in a large tangle of limbs, to the point that it became difficult to tell whose arms were whose, unless they all took the time to glance down at their back. Gene was vaguely aware of Annie's head squished awkwardly under his armpit, and Ray's large perm bouncing around all over the shop as he attempted to entice the rest of the group into leaping up and down to the beat. Chris and Shaz were somehow pushed into the middle, and the rest of them circled them so tightly that they were all gasping for breath from a combination of laughter and suffocation.

He shouldn't have noticed it then.... he was laughing for what felt for the first time in forever, and he wasn't even so pissed that he was slurring yet. He was just happy – genuinely happy, for a few wonderful moments as he and Ray teased Chris about the wedding night, and the girls giggled together at something Shaz had whispered deviously to Bella and Annie.

He shouldn't have noticed- he should have simply enjoyed it...

But he did notice.

He noticed the second he looked down into Annie's face, and saw, beneath all the laughter, the bitter regret and mourning that seemed permanently resident behind her deceptively bright brown eyes. He knew - he knew the moment Ray's arm snuck around Bella's waist, and the second Chris tugged Shaz into his chest to whisper something that had her laughing for several moments - that something was missing.

Annie's eyes, bright with laughter moments before, seemed dulled and hardened as she drew away, smiling awkwardly up at Gene before pulling herself back, letting his arm fall from her shoulders as she walked unsteadily back towards the table; he wasn't sure in that moment if she was weak with grief or simply hammered. Her absence made his own part in the group huddle seem even less significant, and as Ray winked across at him and lewdly ran his hand down Bella's back, only to have it slapped playfully away, Gene felt very significantly alone, apart from the rest of the group as Chris led Shaz away for their own private dance, the song slowing down and numerous couples taking their places twined around one another and swaying drunkenly to the music.

With a sigh, he turned away, feeling for the first time the incredible loneliness that widowers and singletons must feel every time they attended a party of any sort. He'd never really noticed it before- the last time he'd attended a wedding, he'd taken the Missus, and had thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing because it was the one time he didn't have to try for sex – something about weddings had always made her burst into joyous tears and drag him home by his tie, and the combination of that promise, alongside the fact that he spent the day laughing at Sam's side, teasing Annie about the mess she had gotten herself into now, had led him to ignore the people who sat on the sidelines as the music faded into gentle rhythms that were only fit for two. He'd always had someone with him- even if there wasn't the same connection between he and his wife as there was with the other couples – now he didn't.

He could have asked Annie – it might have been considered the decent thing to do, given that she was alone as well, but he knew she'd brush him off, knew that she'd pulled away from the group for a reason; nobody else was Sam.

Nobody ever would be.

And the truth of the matter was, as appalling as it was to that part of him that had never wanted to fall so intricately for one person, he didn't want it to be anyone but Alex anymore. A year ago, perhaps, he could have settled for a friend, or a one night stand, or a woman he'd never expect to see again... But not now.

He returned to the table, picking up his drink from next to Annie and downing the amber liquid before his bottom touched the chair. He didn't say anything, simply looking at her with concern in his gaze, waiting for her to speak first above the gentle hum of the music, ignoring the ridiculous lighting and the swaying couples before them as he sat there, looking at the makeup that had streaked down her face, and at the black lines of mascara making trails to her chin as her tears fell thick and fast, dripping onto her clasped hands like the first spots of rain on the floor.

She was silent, but for the gentle sob that left her mouth now and then, and Gene did nothing except wait, watching her, silent and companionable as he let her cry, refusing to interrupt, to bare out the grief he had known she would have to rid herself of the moment he had heard she would be attending. He didn't tell her it would be ok, and he didn't wrap her in his arms and rock her gently; he was the Guv- Gene Hunt. He wasn't her Sam; nobody but Sam could make her feel better, and the bitter fact of the matter was, he was too far away to make a difference. He had never tried to be Sam for her – he was a friend, a companion, a colleague, but he knew she couldn't be consolidated by just anyone.

He knew the feeling. Uncannily so, in fact - after having spent those several minutes in the CID huddle that had given him more companionship than he had managed in months, he knew that it wasn't random arms around his back that he needed; it was Alex's. It was all well and good enjoying a laugh, teasing and chuckling as he joined in with friendly banter, but the entangled arms had made him feel no skip of the heart or flip of the stomach. He hadn't had to breather deeper, nor close his eyes to control his thoughts and his body; he had simply stood there, wishing, more than anything, that they were Alex.

It took Annie several minutes, and when she did finally speak, there was no hiding the definite quaver of her voice, or the sniffle of her nose as she swiped at her tears with frustration. "I'm sorry, Guv," she whispered, "I'm being silly."

"Don't be daft," Gene said, shifting closer and resting his hand on her chair, any further words failing him as he glanced towards the dance floor, then back again, seeing her sigh with sadness and shake her head.

"I just miss him, that's all- I should be used to it by now..." she looked around almost desperately, and Gene sighed, shrugging his shoulders and averting his gaze to the floor.

"I miss 'im an' all, Annie," he murmured, keeping his eyes fixed on a fallen piece of cutlery, ignoring the fact that, out of the corner of his eye, he could see her staring at him in perplexed shock. He sighed, glancing back at her and meeting her eyes. "No need to look so surprised, love; just 'cause I'm a bloke doesn't mean I can't miss the daft bugger!"

"I know but- you said it." She kept staring, and he chewed awkwardly on his lip.

"Yeah," he murmured eventually, nodding. "Well... it ain't like anybody else is gunna hear, is it?"

Annie smiled sadly, shaking her head. "No, Guv... course not." She waited for him to say something, and when he didn't, she touched his shoulder gently. "She's changed you, y'know?" She murmured.

Gene nodded, slowly, not bothering to try and deny it; what was the point. "Yeah, Annie love," he murmured, "I know she 'as." He took another sip of his drink, swallowing hard.

"For the better, I think," Annie told him softly, drawing her hand away. "Sam always said you just needed a good woman to get you in line... I'm glad you found one."

"She ain't mine though, is she?" Gene murmured, gulping as he tapped half-heartedly on the table. "She's just a good woman... she's not mine."

Annie reached for his hand, squeezing softly as she spoke. "I think she's more yours than you think," she told him, smiling warmly. "You don't invite men up to your flat on a regular basis if you're 'just friends'." She gave him a knowing look, whilst Gene stared at her in utter surprise, before glancing at her watch. "I should really go... my taxi's coming in twenty minutes." She stood up, swaying slightly; Gene caught her, rolling his eyes as she stumbled.

"Never could handle yer drink Cartwright," he muttered. "Come on, love; let's get you outside."

---

Having congratulated Chris and Shaz once more, and giving both Ray and Chris large, emotional hugs that both men appeared bemused by, Annie allowed Gene to lead her outside, sitting down next to him on a low wall as they waited for her taxi.

"You will tell her, won't you?" Annie asked after a few moments silence, watching as Gene smoked slowly and sedately at her side. His hand stilled slightly as he glanced at her.

"Tell 'er what, love?" He asked, exhaling from the side of his mouth.

Annie was about to answer, when suddenly the taxi arrived, and she blushed, shaking her head. "This is me," she stood up, smiling as Gene joined her and walked her to the car. At the door, he leant down and brushed his lips softly to her cheek.

"Take care," he murmured, choosing not to pose any further question as she gathered her skirts around her. "An' keep in touch."

She smiled. "Yes, Guv," she said, nodding and returning the small kiss with a blush. "You too."

"It's Gene," he corrected her, watching as she got in the car, closing the door behind her and frowning as she lowered the window, nodding and smiling up at him.

"Yes, Gene," she smiled. After a second of silence, she added, in a soft, quiet whisper, "Sam always said that you couldn't say 'I love you' enough – and he was right... he told me every day, and I still wish I could hear it again."

Gene nodded, unable to say anything, nor do anything but smile weakly at her. She rolled her eyes, smiling warmly, and then leaning forward to talk to the driver. He didn't hear what she said, but then she turned back to him, her eyes shining. "Bye, Gene," she whispered.

He nodded. "Bye Annie, love."

----

Hope you liked it!

Mage of the Heart