A/n: Ooh, you lucky people, two chapters in one night. And its finished too, said it was going to be a short little drabble unlike the epic I produced before but I hope you still enjoyed it too. Please read and review, many thanks to everyone that already has!

Disclaimer: Don't own anyone or anything, unfortunately, but hey ho!

Chapter 5

"So where the bloody 'ell is she?" Gene asked Ray, as soon as Ray walked through the door to Chris and Shaz's new home.

"She wanted to stay 'ome, what could I do? She were still in the same clothes she had on last night!" Ray confirmed.

"Shit!" Gene walked back into the living room and sat down in the armchair he had recently vacated. Their argument was still fresh in his mind but he hadn't meant to go completely over the top and stop her to want to come to Christmas dinner altogether, he'd only wanted enough for her to admit her feelings for him, not this. "So what did she say?"

"Well, she did admit t' me that the reason she put in for the transfer was 'cause she couldn't stand t' be near you if she couldn't be with you."

"Anything else?"

"Yeah, she said that you'd told 'er you couldn't be with 'er 'cause you'd feel inadequate in her presence and she were cryin' again at that point!"

"Crying again?" Shaz asked.

Ray turned to her and shrugged, "to be 'onest, didn't look like she'd 'ad much sleep at all last night, in fact, she said she'd wanted to stay 'ome 'cause she wanted to try an' get some sleep. Think she'd been cryin' most of the night!"

"Shit!" Gene exclaimed again, "I didn't mean t' do that t' her, just wanted t' give 'er enough to think 'bout!" He looked at Chris and Shaz in turn, "I think I may 'ave really bollocked this up?"

"It'll be alright!" Shaz returned, "just need a bit of damage limitation, if Chris and Ray can go and get her, say I'm a bit depressed 'cause she hasn't come and I've made a huge dinner and half the guests haven't bothered to turn up, we should be able to salvage something."

"Do you think it will work?" Gene asked, hopefully.

"With these two charmers?" Shaz remarked as she noticed Chris and Ray grinning from ear to ear. "Course it will!"

"Jesus Christ, I bet he never had as many guests on his bloody birthday as I'm getting today," Ray and Chris heard Alex shout as she came to her front door. "What the bloody hell are you two doing here? I thought I said I wasn't coming?"

"Shaz was really upset, ma'am!" Chris started.

"Never seen 'er like it to be honest, ma'am!" Ray continued.

"Oh," she sighed, "was she really upset?"

"Yeah, we snuck out to see if you'd change your mind, like, ma'am!" Chris said.

"Can you stop calling me ma'am, its Alex outside of the damn office and I'd not like to be reminded of that today if at all possible. You'll have to give me half an hour or so, you can come in and wait if you like!"

"Think we'll go knock up Luigi for a bit, need to take some drink back with us. And don't forget your overnight bag!" Ray exclaimed, "we'll meet you in the car!"

She nodded her acceptance and reluctantly found her way to the bathroom, quickly showering and then drying her hair. She padded into the bedroom and looked at the outfit she'd purchased for today, trying to decide if she should wear it or not. "Well I bloody bought it for today," she said, pulling on the underwear she had bought purposefully as well. The long dark grey twill pencil skirt skimmed her hips on its way down to her mid shin. She turned to look at the reflection of her back in the mirror and was happy with the evident central back slit that started just above her knees, and ended at the hem. She put on the soft angora batwing light grey sweater with its rolled neck and studied herself again as she applied her make up. She completed the look with a pair of long suede boots that finished above the knee which went over a pair of black stockings. She'd decided on a black lacy bra and pants with a matching garter belt forgetting at how awkward they could be to fasten. Thank god that hold ups were not long on their way to being created. She pulled out a black raincoat and teamed that with a new black leather handbag that she packed her overnight stuff into, along with her purse and her keys, just in case!

Finally she picked up the carrier bag that held her purchased presents and after closing her front door behind her, descended down the stairs to the waiting car.

"'E's gonna blow a gasket," Ray muttered as he watched Alex saunter over.

Chris had already got out of the car and was making it into the back seat as she came up to the open passenger door. "Thanks Chris," she said as she looked back at his grinning face. "Do I pass muster?"

"You look great, ma'am … Alex! And Shaz will be so pleased you changed your mind!"

"Just so long as we all know that it's her I've done this for. I'm sorry about earlier!"

"Don't worry; she'll be fine now you're gonna be there."

Ray put the car in gear and drove off, they were soon at the Skelton's and the three piled out, Chris leading up to the front door and opening it up for them to all pass through. Alex saw Shaz in the kitchen and went into her, putting the bottles that she had been handed by Chris down on the work surface. "Hi Shaz, sorry about earlier!"

"Don't worry, you're here now, that's all that matters!"

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Yes, open a bottle of wine, pour yourself a drink and go and sit in the lounge. There isn't much left and Chris can help me finish off!"

Alex did as she was bid and took her large glass of red into the living room, she started when she saw that Gene was sat quietly, studying a book. He looked up at her when he realised she was there and nodded his 'good day' to her, shutting the book and positioning on the table to the side of the chair. She saw that the door was closing behind her and that the others had obviously meant that the two of them should talk.

She took a seat at the set up table and turned to take him in; uncharacteristically he was wearing jeans with what looked like an old comfortable bottle green jumper and a pair of trainers. She believed she'd never seen him look so relaxed and hoped that it would last, at least for the day. "I didn't see your car?"

"Ray picked me up!"

"Um, are you … er … are you ok?"

He nodded, "you?"

She nodded back, "yes, thank you. Gene, I'm sorry … about last night!"

"Shh," he motioned, "it's forgotten. Don't want t' go over bad ground, not today especially!"

She remembered her presents and reached into the carrier bag she had bought in with her. "Here," she said as she passed him his present, "Happy Christmas! Hope you like it!"

He opened up the package, ripping at the paper like an excited four year old. She'd wrapped the tie around the packaging for the bottle of whisky that she had bought him. "Maybe we can crack this open later," he gestured, waving the whisky around, "this tie is nice too! Just the kind of thing I'd wear. Thank you, Alex!"

"My pleasure," she smiled, happy with the knowledge he liked his presents. He handed her an envelope. "What's this?"

"One of your presents! Open it!"

Alex opened the corner of the well sealed down envelope, and once it was started she was able to glide her finger along the crease and tear open the remainder of the envelope. She opened up the piece of paper that had been inside and instantly recognised her handwriting. She read the signature at the bottom of the page, tears filling up and threatening to overflow. "Is this a joke?" She whispered.

"I thought it was what you wanted!" He said, confused by her reaction to her signed transfer request.

"Wanted?" She shouted, "wanted you stupid man, wanted?" She stood and stomped from the room ending by the front door, struggling to get her coat off one of the coat hooks that it was hung over.

"Alex?" Gene asked, as he and then the other three followed her out into the hallway, "tell me what you do want then?" He shouted back, calming slightly before carrying on, "'cause I sure as 'ell don't know anymore!"

She stopped tugging at her coat, letting herself relax, finally realising that she was leaning her body against the length of his coat as it hung next to hers. "What I want?" She sobbed, her voice hardly audible, "I want you!"

"Sorry?" It had been faint but he'd heard her, "what did you say?"

She turned and looked him straight in the eye, "I want … you!" She breathed out.

He crossed the distance to her, closing his arms around her and taking her into his embrace, his lips were on her neck as he breathed in the smell of peaches, the perfume she wore on special occasions, and the present he yet had to give her. He finally felt her calm down and pulled away from her allowing himself to look fully into the depths of her eyes and find there what he'd longed for for so long. "You really want me?" He asked.

She nodded, sniffing her nose, "I love you, Gene!"

He looked up, "I'm not a religious man but I'm thankin' what ever god there is up there for deliverin'," he looked back at her, "you t' me!" He watched her face break into one of her bright smiles, her eyes dancing with his remark and her own happiness. Alex?" He watched the curls bounce as she nodded her head, "do you see where we are?" He looked up and her eyes followed his gaze. They were stood underneath a sprig of mistletoe. "Shall we?"

She looked back to him, "be rude not to!" His arms tightened around her waist as he brought his head to hers, finally closing the gap and taking her mouth with his, tentatively at first and then plundering onwards with more fervour as their kissed increased in intensity.

"About bloody time t'!" Ray exclaimed as both Chris and Shaz cheered and clapped from their viewpoint, the couple reluctantly pulling apart as they realised where they were. Alex pulled herself out of Gene's embrace and walked back to the request that had fluttered to the floor when she had tried to get her coat of its hook. "Shaz, where's the bin?" She asked never breaking her eye contact with Gene, before going into the kitchen to where one was indicated.

"Bols, what are you doin'?" Gene asked.

"Something I should have done when the Super asked me to." Standing over the bin she tore the paper in half several times before placing the bits in the bin.

"What about that excitin' new career at Scotland Yard?"

"I have everything I need where I am, I love my job, and I certainly don't want to give it up to sit behind a desk at HQ. I love working with you guys," she said to everyone, before crossing the room to Gene and placing her hand on his cheek, "I know we can be professional about this Gene, things will have to change but we all trust one another, where else would you find that!"

He moved his head slightly to kiss the palm of her hand as he had done the night that had started this whole thing off. She smiled, "what was my other present, then! Hope it's not going to be a shock like that one was!" She looked back to the bin.

He pulled her with him as he went back into the living room, he handed her a packet that he'd put on some shelves, out of sight. "Open it!"

Alex pulled at the sellotape before carefully taking off the gift paper, knowing that her precision was winding him up. She turned the unwrapped box over and looked at the name on the front, "how did you know?" How could he have got the name of the scent she used? He'd never asked and she wasn't aware of anyone rifling through her stuff in the bathroom.

"Strangely, I'm a detective. I was able t' describe the scent t' the sales girl in the perfumery where I bought it and she suggested that that was the one!"

"Come on, you got Shaz to take a peek in my bathroom or something?" She looked to Shaz, who was shaking her head. She looked back at Gene, "you really did this on your own?" He nodded. "Amazing!"

"I know I am, and I'll show you just 'ow much later on!" He grinned, motioning with his eyebrows. "But I think it's time for dinner first, is that right Shaz?"

"Yes, Guv'!"

"It's Gene, out of the office, as we all are!"

Shaz nodded. "Yes, Gene! Dinner is about to be served!"

Christmas Day had eventually turned into quite an event, Shaz had entertained and kept the food and drink flowing all afternoon and evening until every single one of them had complained of being too full. Presents had been exchanged and everyone had had a great time. They'd watched the Queen's speech and some of the evening's tele-visual entertainment, before switching it off and turning to some games like charades.

The festivities came to an end around 9 o'clock, after everything had been cleaned up and Shaz had actually mentioned that she was tired. Ray, Gene and Alex thanked Chris and Shaz for their hospitality and said their goodbyes. Ray then took Gene and Alex home, amused by the fact that they'd acted like a couple of teenagers and both climbed into the back seat to be able to sit together. The odd chaste kiss was not unnoticed by the DS but he kept quiet only mentioning when they had arrived at Gene's house, a surprisingly large semi in a quiet suburban street. They waved Ray off before Gene pulled Alex close and walked her up the path to the front door. She stepped into the hall and immediately felt safe in the surroundings, everything was totally Gene but it felt like home.

His arms came around her waist as he nuzzled his mouth against her neck, "are you happy, Alex?"

"Very, are you?"

"Yeah! I 'ave a confession t' make though an' an apology!"

She turned in his arms, "why, what have you done Mr Hunt?"

"The argument we 'ad last night, I kind of went over the top with it! Wanted to see 'ow you'd react to what I said t' you! Sorry!"

"Oh?"

"It were wrong of me, but I didn't know 'ow else to get the desired reaction from you!"

"Did you lie to me?"

"No!"

"Not even about your wife leaving you for another woman!"

"No, that were true, but I weren't as cut up about it as perhaps I should've been. Sam's and me brother's deaths were the two things that really affected me. An' I will admit that I am slightly scared of 'avin' another relationship but I 'ave a feelin' that you are goin' to be very good for me!"

"You better believe it, now are you ready for your last present?"

"Me last present? Thought you'd given me everythin', the whisky and the tie!"

Alex closed her eyes briefly, were men always so stupid when they were being offered everything to them on a plate. "Not quite, still one thing left to unwrap!" She smiled.

"An' what's that then?" He teased, hoping that what her eyes were telling him was what she actually meant, his hands now on the bare skin of her back.

"Call yourself a detective," her voice hoarse from his touch, "me; I'm your last present!"

"Hoped you would be," he remarked, gently assaulting her with his mouth and helping her out of her pullover and skirt before lifting her scantily clothed body into his arms and carrying her up the stairs to his bedroom. "Alex?" He asked, as he laid her on the bed quickly removing her boots and his own clothing. She raked her eyes over his naked form as he positioned himself next to her on the bed; she had to admit he was ruggedly handsome.

"Yes?" She asked, sighing as he traced his fingers firstly over her stomach and then over her breasts allowing them to react to his touch.

"Was it always your intention t' be me present? I mean," he smiled at her, "were you thinkin' of me when you bought this underwear, along with the red set you bought as well."

She tried sitting up, but he barred her with his hands on her shoulders, "I knew you'd been following me?"

"I could make this difficult for you if you're not prepared t' answer me questions. We're both police officers and know the rules accordingly, Ms Drake!"

She attempted to struggle out of his grasp but he had her placed firmly, she wasn't getting out of this easily. "Yes, I was thinking of you!"

"Only me?"

"Yes, only you!"

"Good, an' what are your intentions when you 'ave finally 'ad your wicked way with me tonight."

"To love you forever, Gene Hunt, and to continue showing you just how much. I never want to be parted from you, I love you!"

"So, does that mean I'm gonna see the other set you bought then?"

"Play your cards right, I'll wear them on New Years Eve for you!"

"That's a week away!"

"And what a week we're gonna have," it was Alex's turn to wiggle her eyebrows, "now are you going to make love to me or continue asking me futile questions?"

"I'm yours, Alex, forever. I love you! Now is there anythin' in particular you'd like me to do or do you think we should just go with the flow!"

"Gene?"

"Mmm!"

"Shut up and kiss me already!"

FIN