RL with DCI Gene Hunt

[out_of_my_time]

'You're buying me a drink.'  DCI Hunt had told him curtly.  'Tomorrow.'

Sam hadn't bothered to ask why; it wasn't as if it was important enough to needle the man about, anyway, and certainly he'd find out when he bought the Guv his drink anyway.  Like as not it was some stupid attempt to get him out of the station so he wouldn't 'get in the way' of

Comments

[manc_sheriff]

'I am.' Gene waves towards the two empty glasses and noticeable lack of coins on the bar. He knocks back the rest of the beer and slides the third glass near its mates. 'Your round,' he says, and returns Sam's grin with one of his own -- slightly sharper -- smiles.

It's not long since he's been here, a few hours maybe since leaving CID and stopping off for a quick meal with Gladys. Not that it was actually with her, as she dropped the plate in front of him before retreating to the bedroom, but that's nothing new. She figured out even before he did that he was married to the job, which Gene respects her for. She always did have a sound head on her shoulders. He supposes she would need one, to put up with him for so long. It's fine, for what it is, marriage, and Gene has enough beer in him to appreciate that right now

[out_of_my_time]

Ah. Marvellous. Just like the Guv; get right down to business without bothering to ask any questions first. Not that he would have expected anything else, really

[manc_sheriff]

The brew tastes better than the first three, if only because he didn't have to do any slamming the bar and gently remind Nelson that he'd get his fair as soon as Sam arrived with his purse. Gene watches the exchange between them, both curious and a little envious of the way Sam relates to him. Nelson's a good bloke for a foreigner and Gene understands the bond between barkeep and drinker, but he's also seen Sam going off on him with one of his addled-brained ideas, the ones that makes Gene wonder what's really the story behind Sam's transfer.

Gene swallows and glances over at Sam when Sam looks at him. He turns back to the line of taps at the back of the bar until Sam says something.

'Well, it weren't to have you stare at me like some great poof. I'm not that charming, Tyler.' He takes another large swig and wipes his mouth on the back of his hand. 'Thought you could do with a little spirit. 'Gene nods towards the rack of bottles. 'And you forgot the chaser.'

[out_of_my_time]

The poof jibe is not even worth responding to, so Sam just watches Gene levelly when he jerks his head back towards the bottles lining the wall. An insult and an evasion already, and he's not been here five minutes. He can only imagine what the rest of the night's going to be like.

'I said I'd buy you a drink, Guv, and I've just bought you four. You can use your own coin if you want anything more.'

Not the best way to get on the man's good side, all things considered, but Sam can't quite bring himself to care. The beer's good, but it's not enough to soothe the tension at the base of his skull; he's loathe to think of himself on any of the same terms as Gene Hunt in that regard, but a scotch or three might be just the thing tonight. He takes another long draw at his pint.

'Still didn't answer me question, y'know.'