New Starts
Disclaimer: New Tricks is the sole property of the BBC. I'm free if they want me!
Set after the end of series ten.
Rating T...+... ish
This has been sat on my computer for a while, I thought I had better get it out there before the new series starts and blows this out of the water.
/
"Evening Sir."
Robert Strickland turned at the familiar voice which had called out to him, he smiled at the man approaching from the other side of the car park.
"Evening Gerry." He looked around, "On your own tonight?"
"Yeah, Billy-no-mates tonight. Steve's going to try and sort things out with his son and Dan's taking Holly to this jazz thing."
"What about Sasha, how's she doing?" Robert knew how hard it was to recover from the kind of divorce Sasha was going through. He saw a worried look pass across the features of the older man.
"Do you have time for a pint?" Gerry asked. Robert nodded and smiled.
"I think I can find a gap in my imaginary social life." Gerry laughed.
"Yeah, I know how that feels. I must be losing my touch."
The two men wandered around the corner to the little pub which had been a regular haunt for them for years. Gerry sighed as they approached.
"I ain't been in here since the Guv'nor left." He muttered, He saw the dark look which crossed his bosses face. Gerry knew that the DAC had carried a torch for his former boss for years, as had he, but they had both had to watch her walk away to a new, exciting life with the war crimes unit, and Max the frog. He knew she was happy, and she had kept in regular touch with him, and Brian and Esther. They spoke over the phone at least once a week and had promised a reunion dinner if she found herself in London.
"How's Sandra getting on?" Robert asked, trying to keep his tone light, but Gerry could tell there was something up.
"Fine, she's really enjoying the new challenge. Hasn't she told you that herself?" The DAC shook his head.
"No, I've not heard from her. I've sent her a couple of texts, and I called her once, but she never got back to me. Too busy I expect."
Gerry frowned. It was unlike Sandra to ignore a phone call.
"Nah, she wouldn't just blank you. I'll ask her next time we talk." He saw a look of guilt cross the other man's face.
"No, don't worry about it. I don't want her to feel she has to talk to me if she doesn't want to."
"No, you were her friend. It's not like her to just not get in touch. There is probably a very good reason." Gerry watched the younger man for a minute. "How are you doing?" He asked. Robert looked at him as Gerry pushed the door of the pub open and held it for him.
"How do you mean?"
"Can we drop the boss/employee stuff for the moment?"
"Of course. I thought we already had.
"Just checking." He grinned. "Look , I know you always had a 'thing' for Sandra. It can't be easy, now that she's with the frog." Robert laughed softly.
"That 'frog' is a friend of mine, remember. Anyway, Sandra and I had our 'thing'. It was brief and passionate, and I wouldn't change a thing. But in the end it was a difficult position for us both, we ended it and stayed friends. I'm glad she's happy." Gerry looked at him in surprise.
"You and Sandra?" Robert nodded. "When?"
"Just after the case with Spingles circus. It started when I went to apologise for my behaviour. It only lasted a couple of weeks." He shrugged. "As I said, I'm glad she's happy." Gerry patted the man on the shoulder softly.
"I know what you mean." He bought two pints and they made their way to a table. "So your in the game again." He winked, indicating the two women standing at the bar. Robert laughed.
"I'm not very good at 'the game'. The moment I try to talk to a woman in a non-professional setting, I turn into a tongue tied teenager. I think it's a table for one from now on."
"You're only fifty one! Don't chuck in the towel yet mate." Gerry argued.
"So what's the problem with Sasha?" Robert asked, changing the subject. Gerry shrugged.
"It's just general stuff. She was knocked for six by Ned the knob cheating on her, she seems to have lost a bit of that spunk she came to UCOS with. It's not something I can pinpoint, I just think she needs to find her confidence again." Gerry tried to explain. Robert nodded.
"Been there, got the shirt. You start to wonder what you could have done differently. It's hard to stop believing that it wasn't your fault." He sighed. "If I can help in any way, just let me know."
"You could transfer Hancock to the outer Hebrides." Gerry suggested. Robert grinned.
"Already on it."
/
"Gerry! Not another fag break!" Sasha observed crossly as Gerry re-entered the office. The cockney rolled his eyes.
"No. I was just fetching the witness records you asked me to get." He countered. Sasha stopped in her tracks.
"Oh. Alright." She returned her attention to the white board. She huffed and went back to her office, slamming the door.
"What's got her knickers in a twist?" Gerry asked, his ego still stinging from the unjust telling off. The other two occupants of the office came out of hiding from behind their computer monitors.
"I dunno, but we've all had the treatment." Steve replied.
"What! Even the boy scout over there?" Gerry grinned playfully, nodding at Danny. Steve laughed.
"Yep."
"Something's eating at her. Dan observed. "Someone should talk to her."Gerry stopped laughing as both men looked at him.
"Why me?" He squeaked.
"You are the most senior UCOS employee, therefore you command the most respect." Steve explained with a grin. Danny smiled.
"Bollocks! You're just chicken." Gerry countered as he approached Sandra's office, 'no, Sasha's' he reminded himself, though he knew that he would always think of it as Sandra's space. He knocked.
"What!" Came the sharp reply. Gerry took a breath and crossed himself theatrically. He opened the door and entered, shutting it behind him.
"There goes a brave man." Danny quipped.
"Or a stupid one." Steve countered.
"Or both!" They both said together.
/
"You got a minute Guv?" Gerry asked, standing in front of the desk. Sasha nodded. "We..That is...Me and the boys were wondering if everything's alright?"
"Fine, everything is fine. Why would you think otherwise?" She snapped, looking back at the paperwork on her desk. Gerry smiled to himself, he'd been divorced three times and he'd worked for Sandra for ten, he never backed down.
"Well...Mummy bears porridge must have gone cold, cause she's huffing and puffing like a true grizzly. That and the fact that the light fittings in the office are still rattling from the door slamming, it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out that something has got your goat." Sasha looked at him like he had grown two heads for a second before closing her eyes and resting her forehead on her arms on her desk.
"Have I really been that bad?" He heard her muffled reply. Gerry laughed softly.
"Nothing that a pint or two after work won't fix." He re-assured her. "So what is it? The divorce?" She shook her head.
"No. Well not directly." She sighed, realising that she owed him an explanation for her foul mood. "I have a wedding to go to this weekend. It's Ned's niece. We've always been really close, Lauren's parents, Ned's sister and her husband split up when Lauren was twelve, she stayed with us a lot during that time. Lauren's the same age as Alex..."
"Your son."
"Yes. Maddie and Lauren are more like sisters than cousins. Maddie is a bridesmaid, and I was really looking forward to going..But I'm not sure if I can..."
"Why?"
"Ned's going. Lauren phoned and warned me that he's taking Jasmine."
"Jasmine?"
"The brunette with the big tits who obviously has much more to offer than me." She clarified bitterly.
"Ahh." Gerry nodded. Sasha shrugged.
"Ned is her uncle, by blood. I'm just an ex-in-law. He's got more right to be there than me, but like I said, we're so close. Lauren begged me to come. She has totally re-arranged the seating so that I won't have to be anywhere near Ned, but it's the first time I'll have seen his family since the divorce..."
"You said Maddie is bridesmaid. Is your Son going?"
"Yes, but I don't want them to have to take sides...It would be easier for everyone if I just call her and tell her I can't come..."
"Don't you dare!" The force in Gerry's voice made her jump. "Here's what you're going to do. You are going to get yourself made up so that you are even more stunning than usual, then you are going to go and hold your head high. You've done nothing wrong."
"I don't think I can." She admitted in a small voice.
"Yes you can. Why don't you find someone to go with you? Give Ned something to think about. Someone who looks fab in a tux."
"Like you?"
"Nah, they'll think you've brought your Dad!" Gerry grinned, making her smile. "No, I've got someone in mind."
"Who?"
"He's tall, dark, handsome, looks great in a formal suit, has a flashy car and knows exactly what you're going through because he's been there himself." Gerry finished, smiling. She shook her head in confusion. "Strickers!" Gerry exclaimed, smugly. Sasha rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, right. You had me there for a second..."
"No, I'm serious. He's perfect, and as a bonus, it'll really wind Ned up."
"He'd never agree to it."
"Oh yes he will. You leave it to me." He winked at her and left the office, leaving her feeling a little bit shell shocked.
"What the hell have I let myself in for?" She asked herself.
/
In the outer office, Steve and Dan looked up as Gerry emerged and shut Sasha's door. They both stared at him, silently waiting. He looked up.
"What?"
"Well?" Dan asked, exasperated. "Is she okay?"
"Not yet, but she will be. I've got to see a man about a dog. Won't be long." He told them cryptically. They watched as he left. Dan turned to Steve.
"Well, what do you think?" He asked. The Scot thought for a second before replying.
"Well he wasn't walking or talking funny, so she obviously didn't hurt him too much." He pointed out. Dan nodded.
"I wonder where the dog fits in?" Steve just stared at him.
"Sometimes you're a bit weird you know."
"Yeah, I know." Dan replied with a smile.
/
Gerry knocked lightly on the polished wooden door of Strickland's office. He heard the reply of 'come in' and pushed the door open.
"Wow, this is nice!" He observed. He hadn't been in the bosses office since the man had been moved from his small cramped office upstairs to one of the large offices in the main hall. The younger man smiled.
"Does this mean I've made it?" He questioned with a twinkle in his eye. Gerry laughed.
"Who did you have to kill?" He joked.
The two men had been on much better terms recently. When Sandra had left, she had spoken to them both, asking them to look out for the others and each other. Robert leaned back in his seat, indicating for Gerry to make himself comfortable.
"What can I do for you." He asked. Gerry looked slightly nervous.
"You remember how we talked in the pub the other evening, about how Sasha is struggling?" He asked. Robert nodded. "Well, she's got a problem which you might be able to help her with."
"Oh."
"You see..." Gerry explained about the wedding and outlined his idea to the slightly bewildered man opposite. "So, she just needs an arm to lean on, someone to help her over this first hurdle." Robert nodded.
"It's a good idea, but why me? I'm sure there are better looking, younger men who would be happy to help." He queried. Gerry shook his head.
"No. You know what she's going through. Anyway, don't sell yourself short. I've seen women eyeing you up when you go to those formal functions. No, it has to be you, it has to be someone that Ned can't intimidate." Gerry argued his case like a lawyer at a summing up. Rob nodded.
"I can't believe he'd be so inconsiderate. To take his mistress to a family function, especially when he knows Sasha will be there."
"Maybe he's doing it on purpose. Something of a statement, 'I'm not ashamed!' That sort of thing."
"Possibly. Kaye got very twisted after the divorce." He thought for a moment. "Tell Sasha I'm at her disposal. Tell her to let me know when and where to pick her up." He gave Gerry a determined look. Gerry grinned.
"Thanks. She really needs this."
"Tell her to let me know what I should wear." Rob added as Gerry stood. Gerry nodded and left the office, heading back to the UCOS domain. Sasha was stood with Steve and Dan when he got back. He flashed her his cheeky grin.
"All sorted. Just let him know when, where and what to wear. He'll pick you up." Gerry confirmed. Sasha stared at him in surprise.
"Really! He agreed?"
"I told you he would, so stop worrying." He winked. Sasha flashed him a warm smile.
"Thanks it means a lot."
Dan and Steve just looked at each other in confusion, Gerry laughed.
"I'll explain later over a pint."
/
It was a bright and sunny Saturday morning when Sash found herself standing in front of her full length mirror, grimacing at her reflection. When she had chosen the sleek, form fitting teal blue dress, she had been certain it was perfect, now she wasn't so sure. The backless top showed her well defined shoulder blades off perfectly, the front had a plunging neckline which showcased her breasts, a simple gold necklace with a pearl drop hung just above her cleavage, the strapless push up bra doing it's job perfectly. The single strap ran around the back of her neck, slightly hidden by her hair which she had decided to wear down. The dress hugged her tightly at the waist, then fell in waves down to her knees, swishing slightly as she moved. The high heeled cream shoes, clutch bag and hat complimented the outfit perfectly, and she added a cream silk wrap to the mix, just in case it got chilly. She wasn't happy though, something felt wrong, she just couldn't pin point it.
She jumped slightly as the doorbell rang, glancing at the clock she couldn't believe the time had gone so quickly. She jogged to the front door as quickly as her heels would let her, opening it with an apology on her lips which died as she laid eyes on the man waiting for her.
She had had many dealings with her boss since starting at UCOS six months before, and there was no denying that he was a charming and attractive man, which coupled with his warm and friendly manner (which Gerry had assured her was a relatively new phenomenon) had appealed to her on a more than professional level.
But today, today was something else. He had had his hair cut shorter, which despite the flecks of grey running through it made him look years younger. He was wearing a dark blue/grey suit and crisp white shirt which was complimented by the teal tie which matched her dress perfectly. He smiled shyly.
"Is this alright?" He asked, slightly concerned at her silent reaction to him. She nodded slowly.
"You look amazing." She said before she could think, then blushed. He smiled gently.
"I picked these up on the way." He presented her with two cream rose buttonholes, she smiled up at him nervously.
"Thank you Sir, they are beautiful."
"Sasha, this really won't convince anyone if you keep on calling me Sir. Please, it's Rob. If that's too big a leap, then Robert." She laughed softly.
"I'll try."
"Sasha, I really must say, you look absolutely stunning." He told her, she grimaced at him.
"Really? I don't know, something's not right." She shook her head. He stepped into her lobby, closing the door softly. He spotted the large mirror on the wall and turned her gently to face it, he stood behind her, his hands resting on the bare skin of her shoulders, her eyes widened momentarily at the contact, but she relaxed when she saw the kind look on his features reflected in the mirror.
"You are beautiful Sasha. I know you don't feel it. You wonder why you couldn't be enough for him, is there something wrong you can't see." He whispered in her ear. Her eyes widened, he had hit the nail square on the head. "You wonder if she has something you don't." She nodded softly. He smiled, a gentle smile.
"Sasha, I've stood in front of the same mirror, I've been where you are now. I spent many hours wondering what he had that I didn't."
"When did it get better?" She asked in a small voice.
"It didn't, I still think it sometimes. The only thing that gets better with time is that you slowly realise that the only thing you did wrong was to put your trust in somebody who didn't deserve it. Ned is the one who is at fault, you need to hold your head high and believe in yourself, because, trust me, he's the one who has lost out."
Sasha felt a lump in her throat, she closed her eyes, fighting back tears as he slowly turned her to face him. She opened them again as she felt his touch as he pinned the rose on the front of her dress, her breath caught slightly as his hand accidently brushed her breast. He blushed.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I..."
"It's okay. Really." She gave him a bright smile, her doubt's about the day ahead starting to evaporate.
"Umm. Shall we?" He held out his arm, she looped hers through it and nodded.
"Absolutely."
/
Author's note: Next chapter...The wedding!