Under Pressure

Chapter One

A/N: Reviews and criticisms are appreciated (preferably constructive though!)

This is my first fanfic and the first two chapters were not been beta'd but beyond there they have by the lovely Kimi!!

I have roughly aimed for it to be based sometime after episode 8 of A2A.

Disclaimer: I am not Kudos. I do not own any of the Ashes to Ashes or Life on Mars (however much it pains me to have to say that) Any of my own characters and plot lines I do!

25/05/2008: Some minor edits to Chapters 1 & 2

In studies made of those who have awoken from a 'vegetative state of coma' many have recalled what could be deemed as the stuff of nightmares. The very fact that whilst others wrote these patients off in life; condemning them to being beyond recovery, they lay there waiting, listening and hoping. Simply unable to respond to the pleas and tears of their loved ones yet fully able to hear and understand what was said to them. Often hearing their very fates discussed, without being able to have their say.

Alex, during her studies in Psychology, had come across several pieces of work by a Dr Ramnani, of the Royal Holloway University. One piece of work highlighted and suggested that many similar victims "might be quite capable of decision-making and have a rich and complex internal life".

And this was the approach Alex had first taken when sent the information on Sam Tyler. She surmised, admittedly before perhaps reading all the facts, that he had created a world in which his mind could heal but when he awoke from his coma the lines between reality and fantasy had blurred too much for him to cope.

Towards the end of his file Alex had discovered a short note written by Sam, to who it was addressed, was unclear but Sam had poured out his heart and soul. It was the last paragraph that struck Alex most;

"More than enough times for any man, I knew I was on the cusp of death – after a while I became numb to the idea. It is only now – torn between a time I know and a place I miss, that I felt I have a choice. I have decided to live, I never doubted I would fully recover but what is the point of recovering when you are needed somewhere else? This may not make sense to you but to me - I can finally see clearly."

It had been the final note found before Sam had jumped to his death.

Alex had tried not to dwell on how Sam Tyler had chosen his 'fantasy world' over the real one; and in doing so broke his mothers heart and left a torrent of unanswered questions. She had even contacted one of her old lecturers to see whether he could provide an insight into why Sam had made the choices he had. After a lengthy discussion her lecturer had simply quoted John Donne; 'death comes to us all, and makes us all equal when it does.'

Alex didn't grasp the true meaning of the quote until she had witnessed her parents dying once again before her eyes. Only in watching the car burn so very brightly did she realise how she had no control over what happened to her in 1981. She couldn't make it stop anymore than the next person… instead she had to bide her time and see what was truly waiting for her at the end of her journey.

Yet one question still lingered quietly in the recesses of her mind… was death going to claim Alex?

The Quattro came to a screeching halt outside the police station; DI Alex Drake stepped out of the car, her permed hair catching in the wind blowing across her face before she could control it again. It had only just stopped raining and as Alex attempted to delicately step over one rather large puddle, she was splashed by DCI Gene Hunt who strode past her. He barely even bothered to wait for her at the door which he had, for a change, held open for her.

He was in a foul mood, all because of the meeting with the Superintendent that he had earlier that morning. Originally the plan had been for Alex to interview the family of their latest kidnap victim, a Miss Isabelle Hayler, alone whilst Gene had his meeting. But the Superintendent had informed Hunt that he was to assist DI Drake and deal with this crime personally at all levels, as it was of the utmost importance.

Especially as Isabelle was the daughter of a rather important member of parliament.

Now Alex had to deal with the joy that was DCI Gene-miserable-as-sin-Hunt for the rest of her day.

Rather than simply accepting the rather chivalrous gesture made by Gene, Alex took the opportunity to stop face to face to him. A gentle smile graced her lips as she taunted him with her 'I'm intelligent and doesn't that just piss you off' tone of voice.

"Well perhaps," her index finger prodded him in the centre of his chest. "You…should learn that true knowledge exists in knowing that you…" The manicured finger prodding into his chest once again, "Know nothing."

"Thanks for that bloody interesting fact there Bolly knickers. Next time you can soddin' well walk back across half of London in the bloody pourin' rain. Now shall we get on and do some real police work or are you going to continue to whine like a child." He glared at her before stomping (though he would deny this) off.

They strode through the winding plain corridors, their paces matched as they headed for the office. They entered the team room together the doors banging loudly against the wall. WPC Sharon Granger aka Shaz glanced up from her desk; her impish innocent looks could hardly conceal the knowing look she gave Alex. However Alex ignored it, glancing away and trying to pretend she didn't know what it exactly implied.

It was fairly obvious to (herself as well as) the team the sexual tension that had built between herself and Hunt. At first she had just simply despised him and his arrogant ways, but over the last few months she had softened and learned that his gruff exterior hid a… well as Caroline Price had put it, a pussy cat.

"Right then you lot!" Hunt was stood in the doorway to his office, the Manc Lion surveying his pride, "Drake and I have interviewed the mother of Miss Hayler. Apparently Daddy gave her some rather special pieces of jewellery for her to wear for this party. DI Drake here has suggested that it might not simply be a jewellery theft gone wrong. Now Miss Hayler is not only the daughter of an MP, making this a rather public affair, her godfather is our Superintendent so we 'ave to drop all 'n solve the crime. Preferably returning the precious toffee nosed princess, gems included, to her family."

Ray grinned at Chris both chuckling at the way Gene slandered the Superintendent and had also said 'drop all'. Alex smiled to herself reminded briefly of the Hyenas from the Lion King movie that Molly so loved to watch. The thought gripped her for a moment, she could feel the tears begin to well but thankfully Gene spoke again breaking her train of thought.

"WPC Granger! Stop making eyes at lover boy over there 'n get me a list of our top jewellery thieves 'n their accomplices. Carling 'n Skelton I want you to go back to the scene of the crime 'n interview anyone 'n everyone who might 'ave seen, 'eard or even bloody imagined somethin'. The rest of you can see if any other crimes match up and who the bloody hell has a grudge against Mr Hayler. My arse is on the line here so I'm holdin' all of you responsible… got it?!"

There were no opportunities to disagree with Gene Hunt; it was either his way or the 'have the crap kicked out of you' way. Understandably people, when faced with these rather limited options, tended to side with Hunt.

The door to his office slammed shut and Alex let out the breath she didn't realise she had been holding, settling herself at her desk she glanced over the interview notes she made. She had a feeling that this crime wasn't isolated, and hoped to take this rare moment of 'peace' to see if she could match up and make the connections.

"Drake!…My office!…Now!"

Clearly Hunt had other plans for her.

"Will you walk into my parlour said the spider to the fly. 'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy." Drake muttered under her breath as she entered the hazy smoke filled office. Shaz smiled up at Alex breifly as she passed her desk; they both knew what their DCI could be like but usually it was Alex who bore the brunt of his mood swings. Shaz had often commented to Chris how much she admired Alex, Chris on the other hands had muttered something about her 'not being bad for a bird' which had earnt him a rather lonely night in his own bed.

"Shut the door" Gene's tone gave nothing away, but Alex had learnt that this was often the way with him. It took sometimes just some gentle persuasion to get him to reveal his feelings on a case; whereas other times the whole team knew exactly how he felt from the range of profanities and expletives that echoed around the office.

Alex turned and gently closed the door taking the moment to prepare herself for whatever rant he had planned next. Turning on the heel of her white stiletto boots, she smiled at Hunt hoping that she would be able to influence his mood… as highly unlikely that would actually be though.

Stood before his desk she crossed her arms across her chest, a little bit defensive in her posture.

"Well then Bols, what did you make of our Mrs Hayler?"

"She was nice and friendly, perhaps a little nervous but that could just be the media frenzy and stress of the situation putting her on edge. I get the feeling that Mr Hayler is the dominant character in the household."

Sensing that there was something more to this question Alex took a moment to study Hunts' face. She perched on the edge of his desk, leaning against the computer screen that was really only there for decorative purposes…and pong.

"I think that… we may have a few options as to why Miss Hayler was taken."

Alex waited for a comment but Hunt only took another long drag on his cigarette and nodded.

"It could be…as said before a bungled jewellery theft, or maybe a revenge kidnapping. Considering that only eight hours have past and the family has not received any phone calls or ransom notes I am wondering whether this was actually planned. What we really need is a better idea of what kind of person was Miss Hayler, perhaps she mixed in the wrong crowds, or has simply run off."

Alex watched the smoke rise lazily from between his lips before he blew it out in one long breath.

"Or… this could be a set up. Considering that Mr Hayler wishes to run for candidate for Prime Minster there is a small possibility that this could be a staged kidnapping, a way of winning votes and the publics' sympathy."

Hunt reclined back in his chair, the top button of his shirt undone and his tie loosened off. He finally made eye contact, one eye brow raised nonchalantly.

"So it's either a kidnapping, a theft gone wrong, her running off or a set up?"

"Yes."

"Right! Well I'll just call the Superintendent now 'n pack my things up for early retirement! Thank you very bloody much! "

Alex rolled her eyes she rested her chin on her hands that were placed on the top of the computer screen.

"You asked me for my opinion DCI Hunt. I gave you my honest opinion."

"Yes 'n for your information Bolly, what it is exactly worth currently is…jack shit!"

"Thanks Gene."

"Any time Bols! A chance to wipe that look of superiority of your bloody face is a welcome one. Now hopefully someone will turn up a lead but until then we 'ave got to get a sense of aim. I 'ave the Superintendent breathing down the back of my neck 'n I want him gone sharpish. So Bolly, get that prim 'n proper brain of yours workin', you're going to a party."

"Party?"

Raising one eyebrow Alex met Hunts' steady gaze.

"Yeah… you know the type that you 'n your little friends would have when you were studyin' for your degree in psycho-babble."

She sighed softly and rose from her place on the desk, pacing back and forth in front of his desk.

"Why me? ... Wait don't bother answering that. I'll go but let me make this as clear as possible from the start. You are not making me dress up as a tart or prostitute."

"Course not Bols. You do that perfectly well without my help!" Gene smiled at Alex, his eyes lit with a subdued but poorly hidden amusement.

Under normal circumstances Alex would have snapped back at Hunt with some sarcastic remark, but she really could not be bothered. Alex felt drained and tired; she could feel the tension of a headache building in the base of her neck, slowly working its way up to tingle at the back of her eyes.

"When is the party?"

"Friday night 'n Drake stop bloody pacing like that as you're wearin' a 'ole in the carpet!"

Alex stopped and glared at Hunt one hand resting on her hip, the other placed along the side of her neck rubbing back and forth trying to ease some of the tension. The action caused her off the shoulder top to lower and rise revealing a little more of the top of her red lacy bra to Gene. He had noticed this but said nothing, just sat there silently watching.

Alex glanced down at her top wondering if she had dropped some of the incredibly choclately and creamy éclair she had eaten whilst at the Haylers' household. They had insisted on serving tea to both Gene and her whilst they interviewed Mrs Hayler, and after gazing at the cakes for about twenty minutes she had finally given into temptation. She had also argued with herself that she was only being polite considering that Gene had inhaled about three cakes already and seemed to be eyeing up a fourth.

Gene on the other hand had stopped reaching for the fourth cake as he tried not to gawp at Drake as she ate the éclair. The cream and chocolate coating covered her fingers, which she had simply licked off unaware of the affect she was having, whilst he had attempted to continue to conduct the interview. If it had been just the two of them, Gene had pondered over the fact that he would have probably had coated her in the cream and taken great pleasure in licking it all off himself.

"Something on my shirt DCI?" She sighed glancing down for a moment before looking back up to study his features, "Or are you simply just enjoying gazing at my chest?"

Genes' eyes met hers and he smiled standing up from his chair and wandering round to face her, his hands in his pockets. He leaned in closer to Alex, his gaze flickering down to the hint of bra and back up to Alex's eyes.

"No nothin' on your chest Bols…or else I would have offered to 'elp take it off."

"Oh," She smiled at him in a saccharinely way; her teeth gritted to ensure the forced smile remained, "and I would only let that happen in your wildest dreams Hunt."

"Wouldn't you like t' know what I dream about Bolly."

Alex, despite currently feeling as if she really despised the man, could feel herself being drawn into him; as if his presence was like a magnet or she was a moth to a flame. Alex couldn't tell if she wanted to simply slap him or kiss him right then.

The phone rang at this point shaking them both from the moment. Gene reached across his deck picked up the phone ear piece, his gaze breaking from Alex for the briefest of moments.

"DCI Hunt… Right Raymundo and what else is she saying… fan-bloody-tastic bring her in!"

Alex took the opportunity to step back and take a deep breathe calming herself. Stepping towards the door Alex paused for a moment when Hunt clicked his fingers loudly to get her attention.

"Brew, ta."

He nodded before continuing his conversation with Ray. Alex calmly pushed open the door took one step out into the main office before looking back over her shoulder.

"Gene, we women have always had superiority… as much as it may pain you to know that, so I can hardly help myself from asserting that fact once in a while. By the way I'm off to get a new outfit for Friday nights party. You know how long us women take to pick the right outfit so I'll need all the time I can get in the next two days to make sure I have everything." She smiled. "I'll drop the bill by later. "

And with that Alex sauntered out of the office, not bothering to close the office door and purposely walking past the tea station and out of the main office into the hallway, allowing Hunt a perfect view of her pert arse in those ridiculously tight jeans before the doors swung shut.

Gene raised an eyebrow, hung up the phone and took another long drag from his cigarette, the smoke rose up adding to the haze in the office.