Author's Note: Yes, believe it or not, I'm back. The last year or so has been a very rough one for me and my writing has suffered greatly. Not only have I lost track of my muse, I've lost track of so many here, and I'm very sorry about that. I ask your forgiveness.

I do hope that this chapter is enjoyed. As a reminder, this story is the third part of a trilogy which began with my stories "Aftershock" and "Repercussions." So if you're new to this, you might want to read those stories first, since events there are referred to in "Face the Strange." This trilogy is AU after the second series of Ashes to Ashes. So nothing in series three and the finale is referred to here.

My gratitude goes out to Katie Duggan's Niece for her continual support and encouragement.

Face the Strange

Chapter 9

Here We Are Indeed

The sand was warm beneath her bare feet. That surprised her. After all the sun had set long ago. But the warmth was still there. A full moon hung in the sky, so close that Annie thought a boat ride could take her to it. The only sounds were a soft breeze in the palm trees and the gentle rush of the ebbing tide.

Annie walked along the shoreline, wondering where he was. Whenever she felt most alone, when she longed for Sam, she found her way here. This was the place she and Sam had talked about. That one day they would retire to somewhere warm. They'd have a house on the beach and take walks in the moonlight.

"Hello, Annie."

Sam stood there smiling at her. That wonderful, gentle smile that always got to her. He walked toward her. They were still for a moment. Then Annie took the last step that separated them. She put her arms around her husband and felt him pull her close. It was his touch. She could smell his cologne and feel a slight stubble of whiskers as his cheek brushed hers.

"Sam," she whispered, almost afraid to say his name aloud.

He stroked her hair and rocked her gently. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"The same thing that's always wrong. You're not with me," Annie replied. Her throat tightened. "Why aren't you with me? You said you'd stay forever."

She could hear the heartbreak in Sam's voice as he spoke. "I wanted to. God knows, I wanted to," he said. "We were on borrowed time. I guess I always knew it, but I kept hoping – "

Annie looked at him. "It's not fair!" she cried. "Everyone else is happy! Chris. Ray. They're happy."

"Yes," he nodded. "And there was a time they envied us and our happiness. You know, there are people who live their entire lives without knowing what we've known."

"I don't care! I just want you back!"

Sam cupped her face and brushed away her tears. "I'm sorry, Annie. I wish I could be with you. But…" His voice trailed off.

Somehow, Annie knew what was coming. When she'd begun these journeys, the sun was high in the sky. But over the years, the sun had sunk lower. On the last trip, she and Sam sat in the waning light of the day, hardly speaking.

And now it was night.

Fresh tears came to her eyes. "I'm not coming back here again, am I?" she asked, searching Sam's face for the truth. "I'm not going to see you again."

He shook his head. "No. You aren't."

Annie pushed back, stepping away. "Why?" she asked, her voice a combination of heartache and anger. "Why did you have to come into my life? Why did you have to love me? And make me love you? If you knew you wouldn't stay…" A sob escaped her. "Why?"

Sam met her eyes, then looked away. Annie knew that expression. He was hiding something. "Why?" she repeated.

For a moment he remained silent. Then he returned his gaze to her. "Sometimes…" he began slowly. "It's just…" His voice trailed off. She waited him out. Finally he said, "It's not about us, Annie. That we found each other at all is a miracle in itself. But that's only one of the reasons I was there. I know that now."

He held out his hand, but Annie took another step back. "No. You tell me what you mean."

"I mean there's something else. Someone else. Who needed me here."

Crossing her arms, Annie asked, "Who? Who would make you give up on us?"

"It wasn't my choice." There was no mistaking the sadness and resolution in Sam's voice. He walked over to her. A part of Annie wanted to turn away; but the longing for his touch, just one last touch, was too much. She met him, welcoming his arms around her and holding him close in return, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," Sam whispered. "I'm so sorry."

They stood in the moonlight, holding onto each other. "Who?" Annie asked again.

"Someone who needed our help. Everyone's help."

Annie raised her head. "Everyone? You? Me? No. It's Gene, isn't it? It always comes down to him, doesn't it?"

Sidestepping the question, Sam replied, "You need to forgive him, Annie."

"He's the reason you died!"

"No. He's not the reason." Leaning his forehead against hers, Sam continued. "You've got to move on. Gene has to move on. Forgive him, Annie."

"I can't," she insisted.

"You're using your anger to hang on to me. It's time to let go."

"No!" Annie cried. But somewhere inside, she understood.

Sam tilted her head back and kissed her softly. "Yes."

Annie opened her eyes, momentarily confused by her surroundings. Of course. London. Hotel room. Conference.

Then the dream came rushing back to her.

She lay there a bit longer. Normally, she liked that dream. It was almost as though Sam was back with her. And even after waking, the sensation of Sam's arms around her remained, comforting and warm.

This time it was different.

This time - not for the first time - she wondered if it really was a dream.

The first rays of dawn dimly lit the room. Getting out of bed, Annie went to the window and opened the drapes. There wasn't much to see. The Greater Manchester Police didn't spend a lot of money on a hotel room for a Detective Sergeant, even if that DS was a woman who worked hard. This room just looked over another building and the street below.

Sometimes Annie thought about moving to London. It would mean a fresh start. Or maybe returning to university and continuing her studies in psychology. But she had chosen to remain in Manchester, clinging to a life that wasn't really there anymore.

When she was a girl, she had often heard her grandmother say that she missed her husband. Yet Annie knew that her grandfather had died years earlier, long before Annie was even born. As a child, she didn't really understand how her granny would continue to grieve for so long.

Now Annie did understand.

Oh, she would go about her daily life, and truth be told, sometimes she didn't even think about Sam. Then something would trigger a memory – a song, a whiff of cologne, a soft breeze on her cheek - and the grief would come rushing back.

And then Annie knew what her granny meant.

Fresh tears slipped down her face. Hot angry tears, mixed with those of sadness. Sam had come into her life. From the future he said. He had loved her. He had made her love him. He made her happy. She made him happy.

And then he was gone.

But where? Was he really dead? Or had he returned to that place he claimed to be from?

What did it matter? Sam was no longer there.

And he wanted Annie to move on. Whatever that meant. New home? New career? Even a new man? She wasn't certain.

But she knew where she had to start.

##########

Gene had thought that the second day of the conference couldn't be any worse than the first. He was wrong. It was simply another round of all that the Met was doing wrong and how all would change. Even though the proceedings were to end at noon and against all consideration of appeasing Jeffers and backing up Jones, Gene left mid-morning.

On the way out, he heard footsteps hurrying behind him. He knew before turning around who it would be.

Shaz caught up with him. "Guv. Are you leaving?"

"I don't need to stay longer," Gene replied. "You can go, if you want."

"Well, it's just that…" Shaz glanced back over her shoulder. "I'd like to stay. I'm getting to know some of the other women and – "

That was Shaz. Eye on the future. "Right. It'll be good for you to hang about."

"Thanks, Guv," she replied, a smile on her face. "And when I'm done here, I'll go help with the inventory from the pawn shop."

Gene shook his head. "You go home. Take care of yourself and the wee one. The men can handle it." He started to turn back around, but Shaz's voice stopped him.

"Guv? You haven't seen Annie this morning, have you?"

He looked back at Shaz. "She's not sitting with you?" he asked.

"No. Haven't seen her at all."

"Well, maybe she decided to go back to Manchester. Everything she needs to know we got yesterday."

"I suppose. Just thought she'd say goodbye." Shaz shrugged. "See you Monday, Guv."

"Right."

Exiting the building, Gene reached for a cigarette. After searching through various pockets, he remembered that he no longer carried them. Sometimes the old habits just came back. And right now, he really craved the burn of the smoke.

So Annie was gone. No more chance of confrontations and recriminations. Gene wasn't certain if he was relieved or not.

##########

The last person Superintendent Dennis Wilkins wanted to see that afternoon was Ben Owen. Not when there he was trying to get an invitation to join other superintendents for a late lunch. Never hurt to keep in with the powers that be. But as Wilkins exited the conference, there was Owen, shifting from one foot to the other and anxiously searching the crowd for the Superintendent.

Barely suppressing a growl of impatience, Wilkins moved to meet the DC. "I hope this is important. I'm on my way to lunch with the Assistant Commissioner," he growled.

Owen smirked in that way that never failed to irritate Wilkins. Glancing around first, Owen leaned in, and whispered, "I think I found a way to get to Hunt."

"And what would that be?" asked Wilkins. Owen's leads usually went nowhere; but since Wilkins had given the DC the task of looking of Gene Hunt's weaknesses, the Superintendent was willing to listen.

"One of Hunt's snouts. A kid from up north. Name's Colin McInnerny. He's young, new to Hunt. I think maybe we can use him."

For once, this lead held some promise. Men like Hunt often took advantage of their informants. Treated them badly, almost as badly as they did criminals. If there was a chance to turn one of them against DCI Gene Hunt…

"Fine," Wilkins said aloud. "Keep an eye on him. Let me know next time he sees Hunt." He was about to leave, then added, "In fact, find out all you can about young Colin. I'd want to know more about him than his own mother."

##########

Annie spent the morning wandering about London. It wasn't her first visit to the city – but she knew it would be her last.

She tried to decide what she would miss most. The museums, probably. She liked art and history. But there were just fun things to do. Annie wandered through shops and looked into windows. She found her way over to Buckingham Palace and watched the changing of the guard. She met up with two Canadian women, mother and daughter, on tour and chatted with them for a bit.

One of the things Annie wished was there was the Ferris wheel. The one Sam has told her about. The Eye of London. She wanted to go up high and look out over the city. Just once. It would almost be like flying, she thought. Sam had talked of a trip to London when they were older, to show her all the sights that he remembered. From the future.

But that would never happen. And Annie knew she had to accept it – and be absolutely certain of it - once and for all.

Her hotel room was booked for one more night and she had plans. A quick trip back there to change – and one last place to visit for the evening.

##########

Luigi's was quiet for a change. Gene had expected to see the team there, but it looked as though the day had left them ready to just go home. Not that he could blame them. Paperwork could do that.

"Signor Hunt," Luigi greeted him. "So good to see you. But where are the others?"

"Not here!" Gene shot back. "My company not pleasing enough to you?"

A little smile went across the Italian's face, letting Gene know that the grousing wasn't taken as an insult. Just a part of Gene's usual behavior that Luigi probably found reassuring. "Of course. Your usual table is available. Please." Luigi led him over to the corner, where Gene made himself at home.

"Spaghetti Bolognese?" Luigi asked. "And some nice wine?"

"Nice wine, yes," Gene answered. "But – uh – what's that dish you used to make for Drake?"

"Veal!" The restaurant owner grinned. "I'm happy to see you are wanting to try something new! Yes, Signorina Drake loved my mamma's recipe. I make it special for special customers. I will bring you some and a good wine to enjoy with it." Luigi hurried away.

Looking around the restaurant, Gene saw some of the usual customers, a few new ones. All in pairs. He was the only person sitting alone.

He should be used to it. After all, before Alex entered his life, Gene spent many nights alone. He'd put on a brave face, claiming that he wasn't lonely.

But Alex, on that first night, sussed it out. She knew another lonely soul when she met one. And together, they'd learned that that didn't have to be. They'd found companionship – and more.

And now, with her gone, he'd have to learn all over again how to be lonely.

Luigi returned with red wine, pouring a large glass for Gene. "You know what I like, Luigi," Gene said in thanks.

A feminine voice came from nearby. "Could you bring another glass, please?"

Gene looked up to see Annie walking toward him. Luigi placed a hand on the extra chair at the table, then stopped, glancing at Gene for confirmation. At Gene's nod, Luigi pulled out the chair, inviting his new customer to sit. Even so, it was now Annie who seemed hesitant. Motioning toward the chair, Gene simply said, "Please."

Annie sat down and Luigi hurried to get another glass.

"Well," said Annie. "Here we are."

"Here we are indeed," Gene replied.

TBC…