Disclaimer: New tricks belongs to the BBC, I'm just playing.

Authors note; This little story has been plaguing me for a while, it's stopping me from concentrating on Twelve days, so I have finally given in to it.

The Lady Loves

She had never felt so miserable. She hadn't eaten anything substantial for three days, had only had water to drink, she hurt all over from the punishments inflicted on her by her caretakers. DSI Sandra Pullman was not used to feeling like this, she was usually in control of any situation she found herself in, on the odd occasion things got out of hand she would adapt, regain the reins. But at this moment she was totally at the mercy of those who held her captive, unable to change the situation she was trapped in. Had she known how bad it would be she would never have volunteered for this.

She knew that it would all be over in four days, that they would be coming to get her and the other captives out of this hell hole, her Robert would be leading the charge, coming to rescue her. The thought of him waiting for her was all that was keeping her going. She just had to hold out until then, she decided to use the shower, the water was cold, but maybe it would help her stay alert.

DAC Robert Strickland paced up and down the pavement, he checked his watch. Trust the man to be late on an evening as foul as this. The rain was running down the back of his neck and soaking through his jacket. He looked around again, the park was empty save a lone cat rummaging through a bin.

"C'mon, where the hell are you?" He muttered to himself.

"Oh dear Robert, talking to yourself? That's not a good sign." Came the clipped dry voice he had been waiting for.

"It's only bad if you get a reply." Robert countered, turning to face the man he had been waiting in the rain to meet. "You're late."

"I've been here a while, just making sure we are alone." Stephen Fisher shrugged.

"Did you run a check on him?" Robert asked, pointing to the cat.

"Oh he's alright, he's one of mine." Stephen joked. "Now why have you called me out on a filty night like this?"

" I need your help. Sandra is in trouble, I need to get to her. I can't go through the usual channels. I need you to back me up."

"Why should I help?"

"Because after the mealstrom debacle, you owe me."

"True. Ok what do you need?"

It was nearly the nine the next evening before everything was in place. The moon was full which wasn't ideal but at least it meant they didn't need lights, Stephen guided the little inflatable boat to the base of the cliff. They moored up and pulled the boat up onto the tiny beach.

"Are you sure you have the tides right, I don't fancy swimming home." Stephen looked up at the cliff.

"Brian did the research, it's sound. There is a path up, I'll be back in a few hours."

"Be careful Robert, we're on our own here, if things go pear shaped there is no back up."

"I know. Just be here when I get back." He lifted a large rucksack from the boat, and made his way up the beach, dressed in black combats and with a black beany on he was barely visible against the dark rocks. After a long climb he reached the top of the cliff. He could see the outline of buidings in the darkness, he approached the fence bordering the property, it was lower on this side, only about five feet, as the beach was only accessable by boat. He ducked down behind a gorse bush as a lone guard wandered past, the glowing tip of a cigarette clearly visible. He waited until the man had dissappeared around the other side of the buildings and pulled his tablet from inside his jacket, it was wrapped in a waterproof wallet. He unzipped it and switched it on, the screen instantly showed the map of the site which had once been a Butlins style holiday camp, until it had closed in the eighties. The chalets were spread over a distance, but thanks to Brian, Jack and Gerry, he had the complete layout of the site, all the out buildings, the main complex and surrounding grounds. The camp had been bought about ten years earlier in a private sale, and turned into a fortress, but this side was light on security due to the cliff. He also had the position of the chalet where Sandra would be marked on the map. He knew he couldn't take her out of here tonight, that would ruin things, but he could make sure she was alright, and had the supplies needed to make it to Friday, when he could come and get her.

He had remembered when she had told him she was coming in to this place, she had felt a duty to the other women here, and he hadn't been able to change her mind. After she had gone, he had researched the complex and been dismayed at what he had found out, no-one should have to endure what his love was going through, which is why he couldn't wait, he had to help her.

He put the tablet back in it's case and zipped it back inside his jacket. He knew the guards only walked this way every hour, so he threw the bag over the fence and then pulled himself over, the training he had received at sandhurst kicking in. He ran from shadow to shadow until he got to the right chalet, he picked the lock on the door and crept inside, shutting the door behind him. He didn't dare use a light, but he didn't need one, the moonlight illuminated the sparse room. There was no-one in the room, his gut twisted as he realised she must be enduring one of the numerous tortures inflicted in this place. Two sets of bunk beds sat against the wall, and a basic table and four chairs were the only furniture he could see. His eyes caught something stuck to the wall on one of the lower bunks, he smiled as he saw the picture she had insisted on bringing. Esther had taken it a few weeks before. They had cleared a case and gone to Brian's for dinner to celebrate, because it was a beautiful sunny day they had eaten in the garden, they had ended up sitting on a picnic blanket, relaxed and happy, everybody enjoying the afternoon. Esther had brought the camera out and been snapping away, and had told them to smile, Sandra had stolen a quick kiss before turning to the camera, catching him offguard. When Esther had given them the picture a few days later, she told them it was one of her favourites, it showed Sandra, smiling brightly into the camera, while he was smiling at her. It was now Sandra's favourite picture and she carried it everywhere, It had replaced the picture of her father which she carried with her warrant card.

He pulled the light cover back on the bed and stashed the bag up in the darkest corner by the thin pillow, then he pulled an envelope out of his pocket and put it on the pillow along with his hat which he took off before covering both back up with the flimsy blanket. He checked the way was clear before leaving the chalet, and sprinted back to the fence, dodging in and out of the shadows, he could move faster now he didn't have the bag. He got to the fence and hauled himself over, and made his way back down the cliff path back to the boat. Stephen saw him coming and pushed the boat back to the water and hopped in and got the engine started ready. Robert sprinted across the beach, through the surf and jumped into the boat.

"Go!" he said.

"Did anybody see you?"

"No-one. We're clear, now I just have to wait." The boat was skipping through the waves along the coast now. Robert blinked as a flash went off. He scowled as Stephen who had just taken a picture on his phone.

"For Sandra." Stephen said, and they made good their escape, mission accomplished.

Sandra made her way wearily back to her room, the three other women with her equally drained and miserable. She opened the door and switched on the light.

"The door wasn't locked, one of the women said."

"I probably forgot to lock it." Another said, "I'm so hungry and tired I can barely remember my name."

"You are Diane, remember, I am Sarah, that is Sandra and that is Kate." Said the other, trying to lighten the mood, "And it's not like there is anything to steal anyway."

Sandra pulled the curtains across the window, and flopped down on her bunk.

"Oww! What the hell!" She exclaimed, sitting back up, she pulled back the cover, revealing the bag. The others gathered round as she opened it and looked inside. "OH MY GOD! I love him so much." She stated as she pulled the bottle of dry white wine from the bag, followed by a jar of coffee and some milk and sugar, paper cups, bar of whole nut chocolate, digestive biscuits, a bag of Bombay mix and a box of chocolates. A large box of chocolate fingers, and a tub of Betty Crocker's vanilla buttercream icing to dip them in followed, a large number of sachets of instant hot chocolate, and instant soups, a small camping stove and pan and right in the bottom in a plastic box, four fresh cream chocolate eclaires. The four women looked at the contents of the bag, like they were seeing a mirage, when they had agreed to go to a health farm for a friends fiftieth birthday they hadn't realised it was a commune type of set up where they had to detox and go back to nature, no mobile phones or money allowed, they had eaten nothing but vegetation since coming here, and the only drink on offer was a strange seaweed tea, they had all opted for water since trying it once. They had spent days doing advanced yoga type exercise which basically had them tying themselves in all sorts of knots, and meditating on the exposed cliff for hours on end. Who knew that standing motionless on an exposed cliff for four hours wearing little more than a sheet could be so exhausting, that's what they had been doing since the evening meal, which had been a sort of nettle and berry salad. Hours of walking in a circle this afternoon evidently cleared the mind of unneccessary thoughts, it really just gave you sore feet. Their friend Hillary seemed to be loving it and was sharing a room with three other people who had frequented this place before. Hillary had begged them to come, she had found such a peaceful haven she had told them, a place where she could let go of her inhibitions and be free. Naked aerobics on the beach had been a little too free for Sandra's liking. But the four friends had stuck it out.

"This is amazing! Sarah said, I have never been so glad to see coffee in my life."

"Where has it come from? Is it some kind of test?" The ever suspicious Kate asked.

"Robert." Was all Sandra said, opening the wine and pouring four cups. She offered around the eclaires and indecated to the photo.

"You mean your fella broke into the camp to bring you all this?" Diane asked, wide eyed. "Does he have any single friends?"

Sandra laughed, "One, but I wouldn't inflict Stephen on you. Thinking about it, I'm not sure he doesn't bat for the other team, I'll have to ask."

"There's a note here, and this." Sarah held up the hat. Sandra took it, and opened the envelope, as she unfolded the note a small shiny object fell into her lap she picked it up and found herself holding a beautiful gold ring with a single diamond mounted on it. Her friends all gasped, she looked at the note, on it was two simple words, 'Marry me?' She felt her eyes fill up, and slipped the ring onto her finger as her friends suddenly came to life, hugging her and telling her how beautiful it was. She couldn't wait until Friday, to tell him yes.

Robert stood in the shower, washing away the aches which had been the result of his nightly expedition, he was happy though that Sandra would be alright until he could pick her up on Friday. When he had read the brochure on the 'Happy Life natural health spa' he had known that she would suffer, Sandra liked her home comforts too much, and at least she would have some cafine now. He hoped she would say yes to his unorthadox proposal, but knew no matter what, he would be glad she was coming home to him. He wrapped the towel around his middle and went back to his bedroon, he heard a beep come from Sandra's bedside table, her phone was showing a message from Stephen. He opened it, knowing she wouldn't mind, they had no secrets. A picture appeared of him perched on the back of the boat, all in black looking very Bondish, underneath was a caption. Robert couldn't help but smile. It read, "All because the lady loves milk tray."