A/N: Here's the last Chapter. I'll do all the summing up stuff at the end. You have to review since this is the end. My Ninja Goblins are prepared to do battle one last time.

Alex had not been allowed in the ambulance with Gene, sitting instead in the back of a police car, crying bitterly. She had totally ignored Trent as he was cuffed and dragged roughly away by Ray and Chris. Shaz had stood awkwardly next to Alex's shaking form, watching as the paramedics fitted Gene with an oxygen mask.

The car journey was numbing. All the time they had been searching for him and he had been not two miles away from the station. Now it was too late. She had been so close…

"He's not dead." the Doctor said, matter-of-factly looking up from his clipboard, "but he's not out of the woods yet…and as for his legs."

"Thank God!" Alex flopped back into her chair, relief flooding over her in wave after wave. It took her a while to register the second half of the sentence. Her eyes snapped back up to him, her words tumbling out of her mouth, "His legs? What about his legs?"

"Oh…you didn't know…well it seems DCI Hunt's legs have been quite severely damaged. He's had his kneecaps and ankles shattered, I'm afraid. Then it seems he's injured them further, a bone in his calf seems to have pierced his flesh, which will make them a lot more difficult to heal, especially as it seems he's sustained these injuries over a week ago."

"But…he'll walk again, right?"

"Well…I can't say at this stage, but it's a wonder he's still holding on, judging by the amount of blood he's lost. He's very determined. I'm sure if he's s got anything to do with it, he'll be in the marathon this time next year…but," he quickly corrected himself, "the next few hours are going to vital. In cases like these it could go either way." Alex nodded.

"Can I see him now?"

"Yeah. He's just in here DI Drake." he ushered her into the room he had just left. "He's very weak…all we can do now is hope he pulls through." He smiled sadly before quitting the room.

She turned to the figure on the bed. It struck her how small he looked. In the office, he was king, at every crime-scene he'd shown unwavering strength and dominance. Here he was just another patient. If Gene died, it would rock Alex's world, but that Doctor would go home, unaffected. To him, it was just a job. Seeing Gene like this, attached to a drip, both legs wrapped in plaster and strung up onto a harness, was the norm for him. How many patients had he treated? How many men had lay before him, broken and emasculated?

Alex sat beside him, listening to his shallow breathing. Despite the weakness of the sound, it reassured her infinitely just to know that there was enough life left in him to make such a noise. She took his hand. Her stomach lurched at its limpness. Drawing in her breath, she struggled as what to say. She knew only too well how patients, apparently dead to the world, could still hear those around them.

"I'm here Gene," She whispered, "See, who said anything about dying? You're as strong as you ever were. I have to say though, you do look a bit of an idiot with your legs in casts like that. Come on, love, wake up... please Gene. You'll wake up, won't you? You need to." Alex fell silent abruptly as Shaz entered the room.

The younger woman tip-toed over to her, placing a hand on Alex's shoulder, only to have it shrugged off. Alex could tell she had hurt Shaz, just by the change of atmosphere in the room, but did not care. In fact, she relished the thought that she might have inspired into Shaz one tenth of the hurt she was feeling now. Out of all of them, she had expected Shaz to stand by her.

"Ma'am?" Alex remained silent. Shaz seemed to recognise that she was being given the cold shoulder. She stood in awkward silence for a moment before speaking again, "Will you ever forgive us Ma'am?" Alex's further silence was enough to express her view. She kept her eyes fixed on Gene, relaxing only when she heard Shaz leave the room. A hastily stifled sniff told Alex that her intent to wound her had been successful. She continued to address Gene when she could be sure Shaz was out of earshot.

"I know I shouldn't have done that, Guv. But you weren't there. They wouldn't believe that Millie had really been with you. I ended up leaving. They all said you were dead."

The last word was spoken through a sob. The truth was, a part of Alex's mind couldn't shift the assumption that if CID hadn't doubted Millie then, somehow, they would have got to Gene sooner. Maybe he wouldn't be seconds away from death now. Alex heard another approach behind her. She turned round, more than prepared to give Shaz a piece of her mind for even daring to come back, but found herself cracking a weak smile as the visitor turned out to be Millie.

"I heard all that DI Drake…what you said to that lass."

"Hmmhn." came the noncommittal response.

"I know they didn't believe us, Alex, but that's no reason to bear them a grudge."

"But they-!"

"But nothing." Millie interrupted her, "What good will arguments do? Not good for him, are they? His team means everything to him. Don't tear that apart. That was his reason for living."

"What do you mean, was?" said Alex, puzzled.

"Well when I first met him, it was his only reason, but now he's got a new reason to pull through, Alex. A far better reason than his work."

"What's that?" Alex had absolutely no idea as to her meaning, causing the older woman to shake her head, incredulously.

"Don't be stupid girl," Millie smiled good naturedly. Considering the subject closed, she changed the subject, "Any change?"

"No," admitted Alex, "nothing. I just keep talking to him, don't I, Guv? I've not shut up since we got here."

"Quite right too." chuckled Mille, "That'll keep you going, Gene. It's not nice to talk and not be talked back to though Gene. Ain't polite. You've got a lovely young lady talking to you, and you don't even have the decency to smile at her. That's very rude. You never stopped going on about her before, and now you won't even pay her the time of day." Alex stayed quiet, though her interest was peaked. He had talked about her? What had he said? Wrapped up in her reflections, she barely heard Millie chatting to Gene over the next few minutes until she said: "Well that's me Gene. You're keeping me from my tea…just get better eh? Bye love." she turned to Alex, "I'll be in tomorrow. Look after him."

"Will do." smiled Alex, giving Millie a small wave as she hobbled out of the room.

"Ma'am?" Shaz's voice came from the door again, Alex bristled, though contained her anger, remembering Millie's words.

"You don't have to talk to us Ma'am," said a new voice, Chris's, "but I reckon we got a right to see him." she nodded without turning round. They began to shuffle towards Gene positioning themselves around the foot of the bed, slightly removed from Alex. She glanced at them, not quite able to look at them, but feeling a duty towards the Team nevertheless.

"Talk to him," she said, quietly, "He'll hear you." There was a blaring silence before Ray spoke.

"We've arrested Freddy and Brickster, Guv. Millie said there were two other blokes involved…lo and behold, Trent's old gang happen to be in town.…" after a brief pause, he continued: "Just get better, eh Guv? We're shit wi'out you."

"He's right, Guv," picked up Chris, "We need you back at the station."

"We gave up on you Guv." said Shaz, half glancing at Alex, "but that's done now, and there ain't nothing we can do to change that…don't you give up on us."

They stood in a silent vigil, Alex battling with her two conflicting feelings. She was so angry with them, but Shaz was right, there was nothing anyone could do about what had happened. Should she let bygones be bygones? It all depended on whether Gene made it through the next crucial hours…but then again, could she really, in all good faith lead Shaz, Ray and Chris to believe that his death was their fault? No. The only one at fault was Trent.

After half an hour, the team looked ready to leave. Alex stood up, almost inconspicuously, speaking in a low voice.

"Shaz?"

Shaz looked over at Alex, her face full of trepidation, preparing for the torrent of abuse she was likely to get. It was a great shock to her, therefore, when Alex crosses the room in two strides and enveloped her in her arms. Braking apart, Alex smiled reassuringly at her friend and turned to nod at Ray and Chris in turn. She knew now that, whatever happened, Ray, Chris, Shaz and Alex would always be together. What hadn't broke them only made them stronger as a team and mismatched unit of friends.

Now she had made peace with them, Alex felt a sizable weight lift from her mind. At least now she could concentrate fully on what was really important: the man lying inert before her.

Visiting time had ended three hours ago, and Alex had no intention of leaving. She sat on the floor by Gene's bed, allowing it to shield her from the view of any passing medical staff. The hospital was almost scarily quiet at night. Only the beeping monitor and Gene's ragged breathing broke through the silence. Alex leant against the bedside cabinet, making sure her legs did not disturb the many monitor wires twisting and intertwining with one another on the floor.

She found herself straining to hear any irregular sounds, any indication of somebody entering the room. She knew it was stupid to sit here, hiding like a child, just for the sake of being near him, but really- what else could she do? She'd never forgive herself if she weren't with him when he awoke…nor would she let him die alone. He had to have somebody there with him, someone to hold his hand whatever the eventuality. She knew it was irrational, and sooner or later she would be found out, but try as she might, she couldn't tear herself away.

She jumped violently as the high-heels of a Ward Sister clip-clopped into the room. She began to make the usual checks, and with a jolt of horror, Alex realised that she would soon be walking around to the other side of the bed to check the monitor, only to find a fully grown woman sat where she would need to stand.

Panic nearly consumed Alex; she knew that flashing her Warrant Card would have no effect. She'd have to move, quickly and quietly. She had but seconds.

Moving her body smoothly across the polished floor, being careful to make as little noise as possible, Alex lowered herself until she lay flat. She began to shimmy to her left, seeking refuge under Gene's bed. Once the operation was completed, all she could do was lie completely still, praying that she wouldn't be discovered. Alex found herself holding her breath as she saw the woman's shoes, only inches from her face, stop. Had she heard something?

Apparently, she decided to throw it off, and continued to make the necessary checks. The monitor beeped once or twice, which was undoubtedly a good sign, as the shoes moved away again after a couple of minutes. Alex waited until the shoes had clopped out of the door and the sound had receded sufficiently as the woman walked down the corridor, before exhaling in sheer relief.

"Bloody hell, Gene. That was close."

"And exactly how long have you been under my bed, Bolly-keks?" came the gruff voice. Quiet, but strong.

"Gene, is that you?"

"No, it's Prince Philip." scrambling out from under the bed, Alex stood up straight, no longer caring whether or not she was seen. Gene's eyes were worn and sunken, but still held that ever-present sparkle, the lust for his life and his work that was quintessentially Gene Hunt.

"Guv…"

" ello, Bolls." he held out a hand to her, which she took gratefully.

"I thought I'd lost you," He just smiled up at her, holding her affectionate gaze, "told you, you weren't going to die."

"And yet again, you were right." she giggled, "Look Bolls, you an' me need to talk, and frankly there's no time like the present." she looked at him expectantly, still holding his hand and gently caressing it with her thumb. He swallowed nervously before continuing. "When you're locked in a dark room for that long, Alex, one of the many perks is that you get a lot of time to think. And I did think…about you. Well…about me and you to be exact." Alex felt herself blushing, she opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off as he held up his free hand to silence her. "Now before you shout me down, at least give me time to explain. I mean, if you don't want to then…no problem, just say, doesn't matter-"

"Spit it out will you!"

"Fine!" He took a deep breath, "To tell you the truth Bolly, I meant everything I said today. I bloody love you. Now…I was thinking maybe we have a go at things. Have a go at me and you." he avoided her gaze for a couple of seconds. Alex found his embarrassment endearing. It was remarkable how different this coy man looked from the one she had grown to love, and yet this new man was no less attractive. His features, which she had so often seen screwed up in malice as he practiced police brutality on a detainee, had softened significantly. Now he looked almost vulnerable.

"So you're asking me out, basically?"

"Yeah…if you want to…I mean, if you're-"

"Of course I want to, you idiot!"

The grin spread across his face as he pulled her towards him, taking her into his arms as best he could with the casts on his legs and the aching wound in his chest. Her hair tickling his face, he spoke softly into her ear.

"How about we go away somewhere? Just me and you."

"Sounds nice," she said, snuggling into him. "Where do you have in mind?"

"Oh, I dunno," he said, playfulness lacing every syllable, "maybe Devon?"

The End.

A/N: Haha! As if I could kill off Gene! Right, now down to my last Authorial Note! :( First of all, I can't believe the response to this fic. I never thought I'd break the 100 review mark. It's been totally phenomenal. I'd just like to say a few Thank You's, firstly to everyone who's put me on Author or story alert, all the faithful reviewers and everyone who's stuck with me from the begining. This started off as a one-shot. Look at it now! I'd also like to give a special mention to SephyRose611, who's been a great friend and guide throughout. I'm very sorry about boring you daily with my umming and ahhing about evil things I can do next.

Of course, there's a sequel in the pipe-lines (though I wouldn't expect to see it until late October, (due to half term!) so please include in your reviews if you'd be interested in reading it. Well if you are, I shall not say goodbye to The Start of Defeat, only Au revoir.

Thank You all.

-QOTR