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Repetitions of the Future	By : gallygaskins Category: 1 through F > Ashes to Ashes Views: 1463 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Ashes to Ashes and I do not earn any money from this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Chapter 16 – A bright white light.

Annie Tyler walked into CID closely followed by DI Alex Drake and WPC Sharon Granger; they had been in the ‘Ladies’ sorting our Annie’s costume and generally getting to know each other. They’d decided to have a bit of a girlie night before Annie had to go back to Manchester, “and it will give Gene some time with his godson,” Alex had said, feeling sure that he would love the opportunity to spend a night with the little lad.

“Bloody ‘ell, Cartwright … I mean Tyler,” Ray hollered, looking her up and down appreciatively, “make a better prossie than Drake did!”

Alex gave Ray her best withering look as Annie crossed her arms over her chest looking fearlessly at Ray, “nice to see there’s no change, DS Carling. Just a shame Sam isn’t here, he’d ‘ave given you what for. Mind you, I’ve still got a pretty good right ‘ook when it’s called for!”

Nothing had been missed by Gene as he sat quietly in his office watching his staff, Daniel in his lap drawing pictures in a notebook. “Think she’s got ya there, Ray! Right you lot ready?”

“Aye boss,” Chris shouted, “Me, Ray and Shaz will follow the taxi that Annie takes to the boat. Plenty of uniform already there and we’ve got back up from the other lads that on their way there now.”

“Good!”

“So what are we up to, Gene?” Alex asked, crossing the room to his office door.

“We’re babysitting!”

“Sorry?”

“Well, ‘oo else is gonna hold the baby? Annie ‘as been over and over this with Ray and Chris all afternoon!”

“And that doesn’t worry you because?”

“You’ve told me t’ give ‘em more responsibility!”

“Yeah, well look what happened the last time either of us did that!”

“I think it were you, Bolly!” It amused Gene to watch her squirm slightly, “game, set and match, I think! What do you think, Danny?” He asked the lad still sitting in his lap. Danny turned around and beamed at him. “See, even Danny agrees!”

“So, where exactly are we doing this then?”

“The car of course, don’t think I’d give ‘em too much responsibility do ya. Want this operation to work!” She laughed heartily, who would’ve thought that she could fall for a man that would think about babysitting his godson at a stakeout. “Besides, I’m sure Danny here wants t’ follow in ‘is dad’s footsteps, this will give ‘im the perfect insight!” Danny climbed down from his position as Gene got up from his seat, took his coat from the stand and put it on. He treaded over to where she stood, taking her into his embrace and kissing her, “this’ll be good for us too, see if we’re at all capable of lookin’ after a kid without fallin’ out o’er it!”

‘He really wants it doesn’t he,’ she thought, ‘me, a house, children, possibly marriage.’ Her insides churned, she knew she wanted to be with him but did she want all that too? It had been the second occasion that day he’d mentioned it seriously.

He’d taken hold of Danny’s hand and was starting to walk out when he realised she was missing. Stopping in his tracks he looked over his shoulder and eyed her suspiciously, her normal happy demeanour, of present, was clouded. “What’s up, Bols? Someat I’ve said?”

“No, no. I’m fine, really! Let’s go and get Markham!” She said strolling past them and making her way out of CID and to the car.

*************

The pier and the gangplank were brightly lit as Annie walked across to the barge. A bouncer took her hand as she crossed over onto the boat, thanking him she asked if Markham was about only to be told that he was running a bit late. “Are you Annie?” His broad east end accent tripping over his words taking in the beauty that was stood before him, she nodded. “In that case,” he took out a radio and began speaking in it, “’Arry, that bird’s ‘ere, you know, Markham’s girl, Annie!” He motioned to a seat on deck after finishing his conversation. “Do you wanna wait over there love, the boss’ll be up in a sec!”

Annie did as she was told and waited for Harry to show. Finally, a balding man with a very effeminate attitude walked out across the deck to her and put his hand in her face, “So you’re Annie, I’m so pleased to meet you at last, Edward has told me so much about you!”

“Really?” She asked, shaking his hand as she stood up.

“Yes, I think he’s really taken with you, if you know what I mean,” his eyebrows shooting up and down in a ‘nudge, nudge, wink, wink’ kind of a way. “You really are a sweet girl, what on earth are you doing with the likes of him?” He asked as the two walked back across the barge and into the door to the cabins.

“He impresses me!” Annie lied, “Everything about him is an enigma, exciting really. When I met him I thought – he’s the one, the one I want. I didn’t actually think he was that interested in me to be honest.” They were now stood in the ‘Captain’s Quarters’, she’d noticed as they’d crossed the threshold into the room.

“That’s how it starts, love, with him! I don’t honestly know how he gets away with it. His little act of indifference is his way of pulling you in, I’m telling you, if he didn’t want you then you wouldn’t be stood in this cabin, he’d have let you sit with the other girls waiting for his friends. Anyway, he’s asked me to make sure you’re comfortable, can I get you a drink whilst you’re waiting?” He helped her remove her coat, revealing the skimpy outfit she wore beneath. He gave her an admiring look, she was a veritable beauty. “Shame I’m gay!”

Annie laughed at his comment, “I’ll have a cosmopolitan, thank you.” And with a flourish he was gone. She inspected the room, its large space heavily furnished with expensive items and luxurious fabrics. On her left was an area that had been laid out for entertainment, the brocaded bench seating was heavily cushioned, the table was set for two, side by side. To her right was an area that looked like an office, she’d check there when she knew she’d have a little time to herself.

Her eyes continued their study of the room and she noticed a covered archway, fine taffetas and sheer organza’s provided curtaining to a dimly lit area beyond. Unsure of whether she wanted to find out what was beyond or not, she crossed the room and lifted up one side allowing her access. A huge bed dominated the room, she’d never seen one so big, and not even the one that Sam and she had shared on their first night of wedded bliss had been as large as the one she now stood in front of. And the luxury continued, swags of brightly coloured satins covered the ceiling apart from an area just over the bed, she instinctively knew it was a mirror before she even looked up to confirm it. The thought sickened her, even though her nights of passion with Sam had been so much more than what she’d either imagined or experienced before with her previous boyfriends, that still wouldn’t have been on her to do list. Sam had encouraged an adventurous streak within her, she’d blossomed under his tuition, and they’d loved each other wholeheartedly. “Bit kinky!” She breathed out.

The dim light had transpired to be candles, about 50 she guessed. Their golden glow shimmering casting a rich atmosphere over the furnishings. The bed was laid with satin sheets, pillows and cushions, in as many different shades of red and pink that she could imagine. Very exotic and very passionate, “have to remember to tell the Guv’ ‘bout this, maybe when the boat is impounded he and Alex …” She trailed off, she didn’t really want to imagine what Gene and Alex would get up to in that bed, they’d probably enjoy the mirror too.

She heard her name being called from the other room and was surprised to find Edward Markham holding her drink for her instead of Harry. “Hi,” she sauntered over, taking her drink from him and sipping some of the contents. “I was just taking a look, ‘ope you didn’t mind?” She looked down coyly, raising her eyes to meet his face.

Markham was overwhelmed, he’d only ever imagined her to be as beautiful as she was, he’d seen her dressed up before, but not like this. He gulped, drinking her in. Even though it was December he was surprised to see that she wore nothing on her legs, the silky smooth skin of those particular appendages reaching up under the cream skirt of the dress she was wearing, which began just above her knee. The skirt fitted over her bottom and flat stomach reaching up to her waist where a flourish of gathered fabric hung over her shoulders and down her cleavage almost like she was wearing a throw. The wide neckline sat on top of her shoulders like a gaping grin whilst the weight of the fabric sank down allowing just the hint of her bosom to be on show. He looked to her face her lips were full, expectant he hoped, the deep red pouting and taunting him on. Her cheeks were flushed slightly and her eyes were golden, he lingered for a moment trying to ascertain what was going on behind them but couldn’t fathom anything. Her usual simple ‘Princess Di’ cut was pulled back from her face with a headband that matched her dress; a wispy fringe had been pulled forward framing her face, what he’d give to run his hands though it.

“Edward?” She questioned, having had enough of his gawking assault of her. She knew she was undercover but there would still only be one man that she would have allowed to do that to her.

“I’m sorry; it’s just that I don’t think I’ve seen such a beauty before. If only the girls in London were as lovely as you, I think I might have to move, where are you from again?”

“Manchester!”

“Bit to inland for my current business activities!”

“What you talking about, there’s the Manchester shipping canal. You’d easily be able to get boats up and down that.”

Suspicion racked through him as he carefully watched her, “what do you know about my business, Annie?”

“Edward, you import things don’t you? All I’m saying is don’t rule it out as an option. You bring your cargo into London via the Thames; you can do the same up there. And the cost of living is cheaper.”

Satisfied with her answer, he stepped closer to her. “Oh, I see. Are you homesick, Annie?”

“No, why?”

He was now almost touching her, “it’s just that, well, I feel sure that if you just said the word I’d be very happy to take you up there and set up home with you. How do you think I would fit in?”

“Apart from your accent, you’d fit in well!” She agreed, shivering at the prospect of the close proximity he now had to her.

“Did you like what you saw?” He asked, his voice almost a growl.

“What?”

“In the bedroom, did you like it?”

“Yeah, it were ok! Not sure about the mirror though!”

“Ah yes, my Annie,” he salivated, placing his hands on her shoulders where the fabric of her dress met her skin. “Wasn’t quite sure what you’d make of that!”

She smiled weakly, his whole body was suggesting something she’d been expecting but not until much later on. “Edward, we’re supposed to be hosting a party aren’t we?”

“Ever the business woman, of course. We’ll eat first though!” He slid his hands over her shoulders and down her arms, bending in to kiss her on her neck; she cringed inwardly, watching his retreating back as he walked out of the room. “God, he’s hideous,” she whispered, picking up her drink and swallowing the contents. At least he hadn’t kissed her on the mouth that really would’ve been too much for her. “Wish you were here, Sam!” She took a seat and began to think about him, a tear slowly finding its way down her cheek. “Why did you have to leave me … us? I love you, wherever you are!”

*************

Silence surrounded everyone that had listened to Annie’s heartfelt plea including those that sat in the Quattro. Alex looked back to the sleeping child as he wriggled on the back seat, unaware of anything that was going on before turning her attention back to Gene. It was as if he was somewhere else, she’d thought as she watched him continue to stare gloomily at the same spot on the windscreen, pursing his lips and obviously thinking about his friend. “You loved him, didn’t you?”

He looked over to her, flashing her one of his quick smiles before his demeanour morphed back to the pursed lips. “Yeah, I did, ‘e were one of the very best friends a man could ‘ave, eventually anyhow.” He reached for her, his hand stroking her cheek as she lent in to feel his touch. “I only ever dreamed of havin’ what ‘e an’ Annie had, perhaps that were why ‘e went back, realised ‘e couldn’t live without ‘er.

“We tried, me and the missus, but it were too late. I loved ‘er at the start in me own way, could ne’er get over why such a beautiful young woman would want to be wit’ me. But she did, she saw through the bullshit and saw me for what I were, what I am. Like you! I still can’t understand what you want wit’ me, why you want this craggy, miserable, excuse for a man with a failed marriage an’ a string of misdemeanour’s t’ ‘is name.” She smiled at him, “But I know this, if I’d ‘ave gone to 2007 and met you there, like you an’ Sam came to us, I’d find a way of stayin’ there just t’ be near you if now’t else. Because I know what it were they ‘ad now, some people go through life ne’er experiencing what they ‘ad, but I ‘ave. We’re meant t’ be together Alex, I don’t know why or how an’ I don’t much care, you were sent here for a reason, like Sam were an’ I’m buggered if I’m gonna let you go.”

Alex lent toward him, raising herself in her seat and finding the most comfortable route she could to get to him. In those last few moments of listening to his heartfelt words she’d realised that this was exactly where she was meant to be. Yes, she had Molly in 2007, her adorable, loving, carefree daughter who reminded her so much of herself at that age, but she was 12, well 13 actually if she was going to be correct about it. A teenager and very soon to become a woman. She was already everything that Alex had inspired her to be and she had a clear picture of what she wanted out of life and how she was going to get it, Alex had taught her well. And with Evan’s influence she knew that Molly would be ok even if she would never be there to see her grow up, follow in Alex’s or Evan’s footsteps, maybe marry and have children of her own. Alex had done it alone; she knew Molly was equipped to deal with that too.

But here was a man that had opened up to her, told her his world would never be the same without her, told her that he had finally experienced something that he’d only ever been able to dream about even with his wife. And deep down, she realised that she too would never experience this again, that this was perhaps the reason she was actually here. Fate had dealt her a good hand, she’d been touched by the Gene Genie as a child and with a little intervention she had been touched by him again in more ways than she would care to think about at that precise moment. Maybe he was her guardian angel or maybe she was actually his, saving him from a life full of isolation and misery; he was a good man, impenetrable and mysterious at times, but good and finally, he was hers. Her second chance as well as his, to be able to find happiness with a partner was one thing, to be able to find your soul mate was quite another.

She pulled him to her, carefully tugging on his loose tie to bring him ever closer, “you won’t have to,” she whispered, taking his head within her hands and kissing him.

************

Ray was listening intently to the radio, trying to make out what Annie was saying over the unrelenting chatter that was coming from Chris and Shaz in the back seat. “Will you two shut up? I can’t hear what Annie’s saying! What were them bloody code words again, Chris?”

“Clanger’s on angel dust!”

“Shit, she’s bloody said that three times now, they’ll think she’s ‘ad some herself, come on.” He quickly got out of the car, talking on the radio, “Every team listen up, code word’s been said, we’re green for bloody go!”

The force stepped up a gear, uniformed and detective officers running over the gangplank to the boat, other’s waiting on dry land for stragglers that made for an easy escape. A pretty smooth operation ensued considering they were late!

***************

The occupants of the Audi were amazed, “Annie’s bloody said those word’s five times now what the bloody ‘ell does Ray think ‘e’s doing?” Gene shouted getting out of the car and trying to attract some attention as he didn’t seem to be able to get through on the radio.

Alex was still half in and half out of the car when she called Gene back, “what are we going to do about Danny?” She questioned.

Gene sprinted back, the little boy now sitting in the driver’s seat. “Danny, do you think you’ll be ok on your own for 5 minutes, we’ve got t’ see if your mummy’s alright.” His little head bobbed up and down, whilst Gene ran a knowing eye over the car, the handbrake was on, the car was in gear and the keys were in his pocket, if Danny did touch anything he’d be ok. He tapped the lad on the shoulder and smiled at him before he closed the door.

“Do you think it’s wise to leave him on his own, in the car?” Alex asked, as she closed her door and walked around to where Gene was now stood.

“E’ll be fine; smart like both ‘is parent’s. Trust me!” She nodded as they turned and headed for the boat, realising by now that at least Ray had got his act together and officers were doing their jobs.

Gene had sprinted on ahead, trying to ascertain the situation and realising she wasn’t even a step or so behind him he turned around shouting, “Come on, Bolly!” as he did so.

She’d stopped about 12 feet away from him, unable to focus on the job in hand. She could feel herself begin to sway as feelings of nausea overcame her body. She’d experienced it before in 1981 but never to this extent and she wondered what was going on. Maybe she was pregnant but then she’d never had morning sickness like this with Molly; that had been entirely different. She felt a nagging pain from within her temple, she felt cold and shivered in spite of herself, her breathing slowed and became laboured, her balance gave way and she fell, first to her knees, able to finally focus on the man running toward before her view was blocked as she fell onto her front. She’d gone down as if she’d just been knocked out by a boxer.

Gene got to her as quickly as he could, pulling her body over so that she now lay on her back, what was she playing at? He lent over her face, pushing her hair away and focusing on whether she was actually breathing or not. She wasn’t. “What the ‘ell is goin’ on?” He peeled her jacket back before ripping open her shirt instinctively finding the spot to start massaging her heart and mentally counting as he began pumping on her chest. Nothing, he looked at his watch, 10:46 pm, he had to make sure she was breathing again by 10:52 pm or he would lose her forever.

He pushed at her chin, sliding her head back and pinching her nose. Making sure that her airway was clear he breathed twice making sure her chest expanded as he filled her lungs to capacity. Nothing. He went back to the chest. “Come on, Bols, You really don’t want to leave me here on me own, I know you don’t!” Two more breaths, more massaging, he was getting desperate. “Stop panicking,” he told himself.

Vaguely aware that he now had company he carried on regardless. Annie knelt across from him, he remembered she’d had first aid training and as he came to the end of his two breaths she took over CPR. Ray leant over and patted Gene on the shoulder, “Come on boss!”

“Leave me, Ray, I need to do this, I need to get ‘er back.”

“Let Chris, then. ‘E knows what ‘e’s doing an’ wit’ Annie doin’ CPR, Alex will be ok; they’ll get ‘er back.” Gene nodded, getting up from his spot and allowing Chris to take over, he looked at his watch, if they didn’t get her back within the next 2 minutes he knew she’d be dead and taken from him. Ray walked him a couple of paces away from her lying form. “She’s gonna be fine, she’s tough that one!”

Gene looked Ray squarely in the eye. “You didn’t see the way she went down! How the ‘ell do you know?” He pointed his finger into Ray’s chest, shouting at him.

“I don’t, Guv’!”

“Then don’t tell me she’s gonna be ok!” Anger took over; he lashed out at his friend pushing him back out of the way. He paced around like a caged animal waiting to pounce, wanting to take his aggression out on something, anything. A couple of bins stood at the edge of the car park, he picked one up not caring if there was anything in it and throwing it against the wall, he kicked another over, tears beginning to trail a way down his face. He was spent, he looked again at his watch, 10:54 pm, she’d be gone by now. He lent his back against the wall, sobbing, his head in his hands. He stood there for what seemed liked an hour wanting to look up to see if she was alive but knowing that she was still lying there in the position he had left her in. He looked to the black starless sky and bellowed, “Why?”

*******************

A sensation awoke Alex, the familiarity of falling seemed too real to comprehend but she was definitely doing it. Suddenly, her feet lightly touched down on solid ground and she realised that she was in a doctor’s waiting room in her black nightie. There was one chair so she took it, looking around the room she noticed that there was a receptionists window and two doors, one she assumed to be the doctor’s surgery and the other the way in.

“Is that you, Alex Drake?” A man’s voice said as she became aware of someone sitting behind the window.

She looked up her eye’s still getting used to the bright light and dimly aware that she knew the owner of the voice that was speaking to her. “Yes,” she answered. “Do I know you?”

“Kind of, I’m Sam, Sam Tyler!”
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Repetitions of the Future