All of my heart

James was due back from Oxford early afternoon on Monday. That morning Gene and Alex went to the station together, entering CID side by side amidst plenty of confused and suspicious glances. Instead of sitting at her desk, Alex was guided straight into the lion's den, Gene's hand securely on her shoulder as they crossed the room. The team stared practically open-mouthed as the office door slammed shut behind their senior officers.

With none of the blinds drawn, Chris, Ray and Shaz had to be covert, spying on their DI and DCI. The boys peered round the side of a newspaper and magazine, while Shazza was pretending to do her hair with her back to the door, watching her colleagues in the reflection of her mirror.

"Are yer sure abou' this, love?" Gene asked Alex, the two of them stood facing each other in front of his desk, too preoccupied to realise they were being watched.

"Yeah. They need to know what's... been going on." She swallowed nervously, folding her arms across her chest and looking down at the floor between them.

"You wan' me ter do it?" Alex looked up again. She nodded.

"I just don't think I can..."

"Course love." Tears threatened to spill.

"It's just being back here... keep thinking about him, what he..."

Chris dropped the copy of the Mirror he was holding upside down and Shaz spun round in her chair as, behind the office door, Gene reached a hand out and caressed Alex's cheek with his thumb.

"Bloody hell!" Ray tore his eyes away to glance at his friends, checking they had witnessed the same thing. Their open mouths told him they were just as shocked.

"I knew somethin' was goin' on between them!" Chris announced excitedly.

"But what about DI Magson?" Shaz questioned. "She wouldn't go behind his back-"

"Magson's a twat. He's always eyeing up some tart or other even when the boss is just in the other room." Ray said, throwing his magazine aside.

"Do you think he ever cheated on her?" Shaz asked, concerned for her friend.

"Wouldn't be surprised, the bastard."

"And that time when that Simmons bloke took her, he acted like he didn't really care or anythin'! Until the Guv started worryin' about 'er and then he got all weird." Chris added.

"Maybe Ma'am told the Guv that Magson 'ad screwed some prozzie or somethin', maybe that's why they're all..." Ray trailed off as the three of them cast their attention back towards the office. All of their eyes widened at the sight; Gene had his arms around Alex's shoulders and her face was hidden against his neck.

"Blimey!" Chris exclaimed.

"And he's not even tryin' ter cop a feel of 'er arse neither!" Ray added while Shaz looked annoyed.

"Can't you two be a bit more sensitive?! I think she's crying. I wonder what Magson's done to make her so upset?"

Gene and Alex meanwhile, (totally oblivious to the discussion about them happening outside) broke apart, his hands on her shoulders. Alex wiped her eyes.

"Ready Bols?"

"Yeah. Just so glad you're here with me."

"Not goin' anywhere, love. Right, let's get this over with shall we?" She nodded as Gene led the way to the door, opening it and stepping out into the main office. Alex followed nervously, suddenly aware of everyone's eyes on them.

They had gone to see the super that morning as soon as they arrived and explained the situation. Well, Gene had explained and Alex had nodded and tried not to cry in front of their boss. Superintendant Brian Watson was shocked when Gene told him what James had done, and how long it had been going on. Alex sat in silence beside him, their hands clasped together under the desk. As Gene spoke about the occasions that James had hit her and when he had raped her, Alex did her best to tune his voice out; focusing instead on the sensation of his thumb stroking back and forth over her palm.

Brian stared down at his own interlocked fingers, his elbows up on the desk as Gene finished. Alex had noticed his knuckles getting whiter the more he heard.

"I'm so very sorry, Alex." He said at last, looking up at her with an expression not unlike a father to a daughter. "I can only begin to imagine how difficult these last few weeks must have been for you, and I appreciate your strength and courage for coming to me about this." Brian sighed deeply before continuing, his face grave.

"Now I don't think I have to tell you, either of you, that there's not a lot we can do. DI Magson has no record, no black marks against his file. The two of you were in a relationship, yes?" Alex nodded.

"I afraid, Alex, all its going to come down to is your word against his." Brian held up a hand to silence Gene who had opened his mouth to protest. "Now, we can arrest him, charge him, but you've been to enough trials to know how it will play out from there. He'll get one of his Oxford graduate lawyer friends to defend him, and it will be your name that gets dragged through the mud Alex. I wish it wasn't the case but we all know that's the truth of the matter."

Gene glanced at Alex, waiting for her to dissolve into tears. But she seemed calm and understanding; she had already resigned herself to this possibility.

"Can't we do somethin'? I can-" The super interrupted him.

"You know as well as I do that it would take a helluva lot of evidence to make the case stick. I know this isn't what you want to hear but considering your track record Gene, a testimony would do little to help Alex."

"It's okay." Alex spoke up at last. She already knew that the chances of successfully charging James with anything were fairly slim; he had been careful, leaving bruises only where she already had them – bruises she had acquired as a result of work, ones that everyone at the office knew about and that the ambulance staff could verify. Also, Alex had left it nearly three weeks before telling anyone, meaning for all the times in the flat, there was no one to back her up; Brian was right, it was just her word against his.

Despite them both being DIs, she was the woman. James' lawyer could spin it anyway he wanted, claim that she was making it all up because she was jealous or bitter. She wasn't surprised by the super's words; this was nineteen-eighty-bloody-two! She would just have to deal with it. As long as he didn't hurt anyone else like he had her, then Alex could try her best to move on from the situation.

"Well we can't jus' let the bastard get away with it!"

"Don't worry Gene, he won't. If Alex is prepared to make a formal complaint against him, I can have DI Magson demoted." Brian looked over at Alex, who nodded in agreement.

"Is that all? I don't want 'im anywhere near this station!"

"No Gene, that's not all. There is something else I can do as well, to make sure that man doesn't come near Alex again, and he won't get the chance to hurt anyone else. Good friend of mine – DCI Phil Montgomery – has just moved down to the south coast, bit of a change of pace, he's not getting any younger you know, but still sharp as anything. Anyway, he's a good man. I'll explain the situation and get him to keep an eye on Magson; he won't let him step a toe out of line. I think that's the best solution I can offer, considering the circumstances, if you're happy with that Alex?"

"Yes, thank you Sir."

"Good. I'll get onto it straight away then." Gene and Alex stood up to leave. Brian also got to his feet. "Gene, I'd like a quick word; if you don't mind Alex?"

Alex waited outside the office as the superintendent spoke to Gene. The Guv was a little surprised, thinking Brian would want to talk to Alex alone, not him.

"It must have taken a great deal of courage for Alex to come here this morning."

"Yes Sir." Gene agreed.

"Gene... did Alex confide in you about this?" He hesitated slightly, thinking. Well she hadn't exactly told him, it had been more like Gene managing to get the truth out of her, but he didn't want to tell the super that. Gene didn't want Brian thinking that Alex wasn't strong enough to deal with this; he would hate for her to have more forced time off because of him, she'd had enough already these last few months.

"Yes Sir, she did." Brian nodded, obviously satisfied.

"Good. I'm glad she trusts you enough to talk to you about things." Gene stood there, hands in his pockets, not really sure where this was going. Brian surveyed him over the desk. "So I take it that I can count on you to look out for Alex then Gene?"

"Of course Sir."

"Good." He said again. "Right now we've got that sorted." The super gestured towards the door. Gene, taking the hint, let Alex back in once more. They stood together as Brian looked between them.

"I just want to reiterate how very sorry I am Alex, and how ashamed of one of our own. But rest assured this will be dealt with, and you can go back to focusing on your work without having to worry."

"Ta Sir." Gene shook Brian's hand, and then Alex did the same, smiling at their boss.

"Now, what about the rest of your team? I think they should be told, I can always-"

"I'll sort it Sir." Gene spoke up.

"Very well, I'd better get on the phone to Phil, get the ball rolling."

"Thank you Sir." Alex said as Gene opened the door for her and followed her out of the office.

They paused just outside. Gene called back to the super.

"Sorry Sir, you didn't say – where exactly will Magson be transferred to?"

Brian was sat back at his desk, head down as he dialled DCI Montgomery's number. He answered without looking up.

"Bognor."

As the office door closed behind them, Gene and Alex exchanged a look and laughed.

"Serves the bastard right." Gene remarked, putting his arm around her shoulders and guiding her back downstairs, glad the first challenge was done and also happy to see Alex smiling.

Ten minutes later and they were both standing in the centre of CID, the rest of the team waiting expectantly.

Alex stood at Gene's side, her arms wrapped around herself, her heart beating a little faster than usual.

"Right you lot, listen up. I've got something serious ter tell yer so I don't want any interruptions or smartarse comments, got it?"

"Yes Guv." The room answered, the atmosphere tense as everyone stopped fidgeting and messing around.

"Good. Well what I've got ter say isn't nice at all, an' DI-" Gene corrected himself quickly. "And Alex is showin' an enormous amount of courage jus' by bein' 'ere today." Alex looked at the floor; Shaz glanced worriedly over at her friend.

"I believe you all deserve ter know exactly what's been goin' on the last few weeks. For this department to run smoothly and efficiently, we all need ter trust each other, and ter be honest an' ter look out fer each other. Unfortunately someone 'as been doin' the exact opposite. DI James Magson is a bastard. He's a violent, sick, twisted scumbag who no longer works 'ere. We've all seen a portion of what he's like; but Alex 'as been at the receivin' end of the very worst the bastard was capable of."

Shaz's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes threatening to fill with tears.

"As of this mornin', he 'as been demoted an' will be transferred away from 'ere, but due to 'im bein' a copper with a clean record an' very little evidence against 'im, it's unlikely that he'll get sent down fer anythin'. The super 'as arranged fer 'im ter move ter tha' dump Bognor where DCI Phil Monty will be keepin' 'im on the tightest of leashes so the sicko can't hurt anyone else."

Ray was still cracking his knuckles threateningly as the Guv finished, and Shaz looked about to cry. A shocked silence still heavy over the room, the young WPC got up and ran over to her boss. She hugged her tightly, apologizing for being such a bad friend for not noticing what was going on.

"I'm the one who should 'ave noticed Shazza." Gene told her as she released Alex. "But I didn't... bloody useless."

"It's not your fault." Alex said, looking at first Shaz then Gene. "I should have told someone sooner." Chris pulled his fiancé against him, putting his arm around her waist as Alex faced the Guv.

Feeling tears starting in her eyes, Alex took a deep breath, knowing she had to be completely honest.

"I should have told you, Gene. I was just so scared. I thought you wouldn't care, you'd push me away or you'd think I deserved it or it was my fault or-"

"Ssh shush hey love, don't cry." Gene folded his arms around her. "Of course I care sweetheart, and what happened was not your fault, okay? Not your fault at all. Mustn't think tha'. It'll be okay Bols, I've got yer, you're okay now." Alex sobbed into his neck as she tried not to cry; his hands rubbed her back and stroked her hair comfortingly. Neither of them cared that CID were watching. They were focused totally on each other.

After a few seconds Alex wiped her eyes and stepped back from Gene's embrace.

"Just wait til that bastard gets back here, and then I'll kick the shit out of him." Ray spoke up. Chris nodded.

"Yeah an' I'll help."

Everyone turned as Shaz cleared her throat.

"Yeah, me too." Alex smiled weakly; she was touched by how protective they were all being, but it was Gene who responded first.

"Much as I'd love ter let Shazza tear tha' bastard's spleen out through 'is mouth, we can't do anything ter the scumbag. The super's sorting this out the right way, don't wanna risk him complainin' an' stickin' around 'ere instead of bein' sent ter rot in bloody Bognor. Besides, that'd just bring us down ter 'is scummy level; he's such a girl it wouldn't be right." They all laughed, even Alex a little, although she was also surprised at how mature and restrained Gene was being about all this. Maybe some of her had rubbed off on him, she thought, proudly.

Feeling Alex's eyes on him, smiling as though she could see right into him, the Guv addressed the team again.

"Right you lot, now everyone knows the situation, I want you all ter get back ter work. DI Maggot is expected back 'ere in a couple of hours; we'll deal with him then. Until that time its business as usual, got it?"

"Yes Guv." Everyone chorused, more obediently than normal as they were all still a bit shaken by the news about Magson and DI Drake.

Viv was under orders from the Guv to radio in as soon as Magson arrived outside, just to give them all a heads up. The next couple of hours passed slowly. CID all felt the tense atmosphere as they tried to focus on paperwork. Alex was attempting to concentrate on the report she was reading but was all too aware of Shaz, Chris and Ray's frequent glances over at her to take in much of what it said. The familiar knot in her stomach was tightening as the clock ticked steadily onwards. She would be glad when this was over although she was beginning to doubt whether she would have the strength to face James again. A quick look in the direction of Gene's open office door served to reassure her momentarily; this time she wouldn't be alone.

Eventually Alex had managed to ignore the nervous feeling inside her and was absorbed in the casefile she was going over. The sudden crackle of the radio on Shaz's desk made her jump.

"He's just pulled up outside, Guv. I've got someone sending him down the road to park. Be about 2 minutes." The room fell silent as Viv's voice echoed from the device. Gene left the glass of scotch on his desk and strode out into the main office as Chris picked up the radio.

"Ta Skip." He responded, before sitting back on his chair, exchanging an uncertain look with Shaz. Alex perched on the edge of her desk staring blankly at the report in her hand while Gene prowled around the room.

When the doors opened everyone looked up. James Magson strolled in, tossed his coat over the back of the nearest chair and headed straight towards Alex. The file slipped from her fingers onto the desk as she moved backwards away from him, Gene's hand on her shoulder, pulling her closer. James stared, confused as Gene pulled Alex behind him. He was so focused on his girlfriend and their boss that James was unaware that Ray, Chris and a couple of the other lads had gotten to their feet.

James stared at Alex disbelievingly.

"What's going on?" He asked. "Last time I looked Alex was with me, not you Sir."

"Yeah well, not anymore." Gene answered, staring Magson down. "You're being demoted ter DS an' transferred away from 'ere, effective immediately."

"What? Why?" James spat.

"Because you're a disgustin' sick bastard who's not welcome 'ere a second longer." The Guv replied. Ray stepped away from his desk and thrust the cardboard box containing the contents of his desk roughly into James' chest, shoving him towards the door. His temper flaring up rapidly, James slammed the box down on the nearest desk – Alex's – and swore loudly, venting his anger.

"Say something Alex! Don't just stand there, tell them! You want me to stay, don't you?!" Alex remained silent.

"She doesn't want you 'ere any more than I do." Gene told him, his look one of utter disgust.

James reached out a hand towards her but Gene reacted first, grabbing his arm, twisting painfully.

"Not very nice is it? You see 'ow it feels now?" He asked. His voice was dangerously low. "If you ever lay a finger on her again I swear ter God I will kill you. You'll wish you never transferred down 'ere, you'll be sorry you ever stepped foot in my kingdom you scumbag." The Guv released him and James crashed into the double doors, but he recovered quickly as Gene continued.

"Now get the hell out of my station unless you want me ter drag you out!"

"For God's sake, Alex! What the hell is this about?!" James yelled at her. Chris and Ray were positioned on either side of James, intent on dragging him backwards if he reached for Alex again. Gene had one hand behind him, holding onto Alex's arm. She touched his shoulder and he looked back at her. Her nod indicating that it was okay, he reluctantly stepped aside and Alex moved past him to face James.

Magson smiled smugly in Gene's direction, reaching out to touch her arm. The Guv stiffened, getting ready to punch the bastard if he tried anything. Alex pulled her arm out of his grip, looking disgusted.

"You want to know what this is about?!" She asked him. "This is what it's about!" The team watched in shock as Alex lifted the left side of her shirt up to reveal the dark bruising across her lower ribs. "And this!" She pulled her collar away, showing the mark on her neck. "And this!" She drew up her sleeve, exposing the bruise on her arm. "And this!" Finally, Alex wetted her first two fingers and wiped away the makeup on her cheek, revealing more bruising beneath her eye.

Everyone was horrified by what they saw. The Guv had said Magson had been taking out his anger on her but they had had no idea of the extent of what he had done.

"You're a disgusting, pathetic, sick bastard and I never want to see you again."

"But you're nothing without me sweetheart!" James fired back. "You're nothing, Alex! Who would want you? You were lucky to have me gorgeous, now you've got no-one. It won't be long before you're begging me to take you back; you'll miss me, you know you will. I can see it in your eyes, Alex, you want it really-"

Shaz gasped out loud as Alex's palm collided sharply with his cheek. James spat blood onto the floor and looked up at her once more, smiling creepily.

"I'm the only one who understands you Alex. You need me." She looked even more sickened, shaking her head as she stepped back towards Gene.

"That's where you're wrong." Alex said as Gene put a hand securely on her shoulder, the other hand running up and down her arm by her side, pulling her flush against him. "I don't need you."

She stared him down; at last James grabbed his coat and box and left. At a look from Ray, Jimmy and Poirot followed Magson out, just to make sure he didn't come back.

As soon as the doors swung shut behind him, Alex turned in Gene's arms and buried her face in his neck. Gene held her tightly, whispering to her, not caring that the whole of CID was, again, watching them.

"That was so brave." He told her as he stroked her hair. "So proud of you." Alex sobbed, her hands slipping round his neck, but she only shed a few tears. After a moment she emerged, her fingers gripping the front of his shirt. Gene held firmly onto her waist with one hand, securing her to him. He raised the other and gently grazed his knuckles over her skin, his thumb stroking the bruise now visible beneath her right eye, his touch soothing, healing.

Pulling her hips harder against his, Gene was lost in her.

"Alex-" The word – so soft and affectionate – was cut off as Alex pressed her fingers to his lips.

"Gene..." A smile tugged at her mouth as she made a point of looking to her left and right; reminding him that they were anything but alone. Gene felt the colour rise in his face, but the sense of embarrassment was quelled by the promise in Alex's eyes.

"Alright get back ter work you lot." He told them quickly, leading her by the hand into the office so they could have some privacy.

The door shut behind them and Gene turned to face her. Alex was perched on the edge of his desk, looking suddenly nervous. He stood in front of her, waiting, unsure now what exactly he had been about to say. Alex saved him the trouble.

"Do you think we can start again? Don't think I can live without you, Gene."

Gene felt his heart breaking as he looked at her. Gathering Alex in his arms he held her tightly.

"That's all I want, Alex." She pulled back and they stood there looking at each other, her hands around his neck, his round her waist, their bodies pressed together.

It only took a micro-second before her lips crashed onto his.

Out in the main office everyone cheered and whistled as Gene and Alex kissed. They soon broke apart. Gene ripped open the door, barked at them to "bloody get back ter work" before slamming it shut and pulling all the blinds closed in record time.

As soon as this was done he enveloped Alex in his arms again and kissed her passionately, something he had wanted to do for months... no, since the first time he had laid eyes on her. Alex was beautiful and perfect, and Gene knew he didn't want to spend a single day without her. He also knew that they would have to take it slow, but Gene was prepared to wait until Alex was totally ready before they took this any further.

However as her body moulded into his (as much as was possible while they were both fully clothed) Gene could feel her heart beating out of her chest, her fingers tangling in his hair, her lips soft and sweet and it was in that moment that he finally had the courage to bare his soul as she had hers.

"Alex..." He whispered. "I love you..." She didn't hesitate.

"Love you too, Gene. With all of my heart."