They had all known that this day would come. Robert was in prison serving a sentence for murder and although Keats had not been found, it was unlikely that he would show his face again. It was inevitable that it should happen, and yet it still came as a shock.

Gene strode into CID, pulling on his coat. He stood for a moment, surveying his team, waiting for their attention to focus on him, their Guv. When all eyes were on him, he announced just one word, the one they had both longed for and feared: "Pub."

A look of panic suddenly filled Ray's face and he stood up so violently that he knocked his chair over. "No, not yet. You can't."

Gene eloquently raised an eyebrow. "What's the matter with you, Raymondo? Turned poofy?"

"I believe they prefer to be called homosexuals," Alex chipped in primly.

"I'll call 'em whatever they want, as long as they stay the 'ell away from my trousers," Gene shot back. "Come on Ray, first round's on me."

Calmer, Ray looked down and huffed with resigned displeasure through his nose. Shaking his head, he took a last drag on the embers of his cigarette before crushing it out in one of the ashtrays Alex had installed on all of the smokers' desks after realising she would never get them to take their nicotine fix outside in the fresh air. "Most expensive pint they've got?" he enquired, raising his head.

"Good man." Avoiding the question, Gene turned and strode from the room, confident that he would be followed.

Outside, the evening had brought out the stars. They hung over the heads of the police officers, too big and too bright. Ahead, Shaz and Chris held hands, heads together in giggling conversation like teenagers on their first date, whilst Ray lamented what having a girlfriend had done to his best friend. They made Alex feel like crying, although from pride or loss she wasn't sure. The evening was cold and she drew her coat closer around herself, subconsciously leaning in towards Gene for warmth and comfort.

They bypassed Luigi's, their feet leading them instinctively towards their destination. And suddenly there it was, looming up where it should never have been – the Railway Arms. Shaz gave a little cry as she recognised it, turning towards Gene with her eyes shining.

"Thank you, Guv. I'll never forget you," she promised, going up on tiptoes to throw her arms around the older man's neck in a fierce hug, her lips briefly brushing his cheek. Then she took Chris's hand in hers and ran with him towards the door of the Railway arms, which opened invitingly for them as they approached.

"See you in a minute, Guv," Chris called over his shoulder, having time to wave before he disappeared into the warm glow of the pub.

Ray stood for a moment, his face set. Then, he raised his hand and snapped off a sharp salute, before turning and walking away without a word.

Alex and Gene were alone again, facing eternity. Knowing that she too had to go, Alex turned imploring eyes up to the Guv. "You don't have to stay behind this time." Tears filled her eyes and trembled on her lashes as Gene shook his head. "But there's nothing here for you anymore, you're free," she protested. "You found out who murdered you, brought him to justice. You've done so much, helped so many people; please help yourself now."

He was looking over her shoulder. Blinking tears out of her eyes, she turned to see what had caught his attention. There were two figures standing in the doorway, watching them. Sam Tyler she recognised from his photograph when she had worked on his case just before she died, and the woman he had his arm around could only be Annie. They were both smiling. Sam raised his free hand and waved.

Alex turned back to Gene with new hope. "See? It's your time to go. You've been so happy the past few days, I've never seen you so at peace. Surely you realise that you have to move on sometime. After all, you can't say here forever." Anxious not to lose him again, wanting him to have the peace that he deserved, she took his face gently between her hands.

"Forever's not so long."

"No…" Alex's face crumpled into tears. "No, you can't."

"They're waiting for you, Alex."

Defiantly, she shook her head. "No, they're waiting for you and I won't go without you."

He paused and then bent his head down towards her, taking her mouth in a rough, yet infinitely tender kiss. Fiercely, she kissed back, surprised when it was finished all too soon. Gently, he wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded towards the Railway Arms. "Off with you woman, I can take care of myself."

"I… I love…" Alex bit off what she was about to say, letting go of Gene and stepping back. "I'll have a drink waiting for you."

"Nothing with umbrellas in, mind," Gene warned.

"No, heaven forbid you should let go of your manly pride for even a second," Alex sniffled, attempting a watery smile through her tears. Taking control of herself, she turned and began walking towards the Railway Arms, but was called back by Gene shouting her name. She turned to look back at him.

"Alex? I love you too."

Those words, the ones she had always secretly longed to hear, filled her with the courage and happiness to take the final steps into the pub. She was enfolded into the arms of its inhabitants and the door closed behind her with an air of finality.

Standing alone out in the street, Gene wondered if he should go after all. Perhaps his work here really was done. He had found his peace. But then, carried on the wind, he thought he heard a voice calling his name. He thought of his brother, of the lives that he had been unable to save and knew that he had made the right decision. He belonged here. There would always only be one Gene Hunt and his team needed him.