Hello everyone! Had a long break from writing anything and I can't wait to start this fanfic! May be a bit rusty, so bear with me. This is just an introduction but please review with your thoughts and ideas, as they are much appreciated.

"Alastair Stoke," Alex began, "is the owner of 'Reflux' club, but is better known as one of the prominent drug dealers in Fenchurch. He has been dealing for almost 6 years now but he has never been brought to justice. Can anyone tell me why?"

" 'Cause he's a slippery dealer bastard," added DS Carling, rather unhelpfully and drawing a murmur of agreement from the team, as well as a snort from DCI Hunt.

Alex sighed. "No. It's because he uses only female mules to do his dirty work, and is most likely being sexually of physically violent towards them." She despaired at the blank faces staring back at her. She sighed again. "It's easier to intimidate women and so none of his 'colleagues' so far that we've spoken to have been willing to testify against him. They were all terrified of him."

DI Drake continued recapping the case for the CID team. His most recent 'colleague' had been arrested for possession and had admitted dealing. She, like the others before her, had refused to give Stoke's name and therefore was sentenced for possession and dealing. It was widely believed that the girl had tried to leave Stoke and he had set her up, not before assaulting her (evidence was found to suggest a sexual assault had taken place but, unsurprisingly, she didn't want to prosecute.).

"And so, Stoke is looking for a new mule." Alex finished with an upwards inflection, which she silently cursed herself for. Gene would know exactly what she was about to suggest.

"Bolly, if you dare suggest another undercover operation…"

Alex could tell he was angry; otherwise he would have finished that sentence with some classic Hunt wit. "But think about it, it's the perfect way to get some real evidence on Stoke!"

There was a silence while both Alex and Gene composed themselves. "In my office, Drake."

Alex exhaled angrily and after walking into his office, slammed the door shut behind her. "Look, Gov, I…"

"No. You look here, Bolls. I will not put any of my officers with Stoke. I don't even know how you can suggest it, knowing what he's like…Going in there wouldn't be brave or heroic, Bolly, it would be stupid. Bloody mental stupid."

"It's the only way to do it, Gov, and you know it. We'll never get him if we don't. Where's the instinctive, impulsive Manc. Lion that we know? The one that would do anything to bring these bastards down."

There was a long silence whilst Gene decided whether to feel flattered or ashamed at Alex's comments. He ran his hand down his chin, the way Gene did when he was thinking about something important.

"I'm giving you one chance, Alex." Her face lit up, knowing she had won. "You come up with a plan of action, and we'll get you in there."

"Thanks, Gov. You won't regret this, I promise."

"You better make sure I don't."

"Okay, everyone, listen up." The team soon gathered around Alex again; the second time she had briefed them in the space of three hours. "The plan is simple: I head down to 'Reflux' and get some gear. I ask if he has any vacancies in the club and, hopefully he will suggest something much bigger than waitressing. I work undercover and bring all the information and evidence I can find back here until we nail him."

"It's a bit of a long shot though, isn't it?" Chris piped up. "What if he says there are no vacancies? Or he just gives you a job in the bar?"

"Good question, Chris. I'm going to spin him a story; I need money quickly, I'm in debt, etc. In other words, I'll act desperate and – STOP SNIGGERING CARLING! – if I get a job in the bar, I'll just have to work hard for a promotion."

Gene then stepped forward. "Now, DI Drake could potentially be in a lot of danger. We have agreed that, if she gets in and things start getting heavy, DS Carling, you will be sent in as a door man for the club."

Ray gave a nod, trying to suppress the surging sense of pride at being picked as door man. "No problem, Gov."

"Right!" Gene yelled. "The sooner we get Bolly-kegs here to get some gear from Stoke, the sooner we get to Luigi's tonight. Raymondo, Skelton; you're coming with me. Come on, mush!"

Ray and Chris leapt up from their seats, ready to fire up the Quattro.