I do not own New Tricks. BBC television and Wall to Wall own all. No copyright infringement intended nor should be inferred.

Into the Woods

Sandra sat staring at the paperwork on her desk glad that Millicent - Faye she corrected herself had been given back to her family. The case had been complicated from the start as the professor had provided them with the means of identifying the young woman but the man guilty of causing her death was dead. What was still bugging her was Gerry's reactions to going to the woods. Sighing she looked out over the office. Brian was pulling his coat on as Jack waved his goodbyes. One person was missing. Smiling sadly she had an idea where he was.

Xxxxxxx

Gerry stared at the bottom of his pint glass. He had no intention of going back to work until Monday. The Millicent case was closed. Another family had an explanation - closure he thought the Americans would call it. Huffing, whatever it was he knew Faye's parents could finally rest knowing that their daughter was at peace.

"Gerry."

"Guv." He didn't move as she sat at the bar next to him. The barman approached as Gerry made a show of staring at his drink.

"Orange juice please."

"Orange juice?"

"I'm driving." She explained. The barman returned with the glass of juice as Gerry finally looked up. "Yesterday. In the woods. What happened?"

"Nuffin."

"Nothing? Really?"

"Nah. I told you it was nothing." Gerry drank the last of his pint ignoring the group of young men laughing and joking in the corner of the pub. He felt sick. It wasn't like him to show weakness and he knew Brian and Jack would be dining out on it for a while.

"You said it was a phobia." Gerry closed his eyes. "Since you were a child."

"Look, Sandra." He turned to her. "I made myself look a right plank. No need to keep going on about it." He huffed. Sandra rested a hand on his arm as he huffed.

"No you didn't. Everyone is scared of something. It's natural." She smiled slightly. "Spiders, heights, water, anything really."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Sandra smiled slightly.

"Difference to getting the heeby-jeebies about something and having a proper phobia. My old mum was scared of snakes. Daft really, not like she was gonna find one in Epping!" He shook his head remembering the elderly woman he adored.

"Phobias don't have to be rational. It is what it is." She sipped her orange juice.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"So what is Sandra Pullman afraid of? What's your phobia?" Sandra immediately snapped her head towards him.

"This isn't about me, Gerry."

"Nah. It never is."

"Tell you what. You tell me what happened when you were a boy to make you so scared of forests and I'll tell you what frightens me most." She watched him raise an eyebrow.

"You'll think I'm an idiot."

"Nothing new there then."

"You're not giving up on this."

"No, we needed you at the crime scene today. Gerry an event that happened when you were what? 9? Is affecting your work. It can't go on." Gerry ran his hand over his face.

"Ok, ok. Just don't laugh."

"Why would I laugh?"

"And don't think I'm making it up because I'm not. I was ten. Ten year olds don't make stuff like this up." His voice broke slightly as he spoke. Sandra stared at him.

"Why would I think that?" Her voice softened. "Gerry?"

"Because my dad did. I was nine years old an me old man laughed and said I ad a screw loose. Never mentioned it again. Never told anyone else. Never saw the point if e didn't believe me."

"Gerry. You can talk to me. I'll believe you." She watched the fear in his eyes dissipate a little. "I promise not to laugh or anything like that." He sighed.

"I was nine. It was the school holidays." He paused. "Sandra, you don't need to hear this."

"No but you need to say it." She grabbed her handbag. "Come back to mine. We can talk there." He nodded before following her out of the bar.

Xxxxxx

A/n one more chapter. Please review