Disclaimer I don't own New Tricks
Authors note This is my first New Tricks story, so I hope you like. Please give it a chance and enjoy.
A White Rose
Sometimes life has our roads already planned out for us; sometimes we may want one thing but get another. And sometimes, even if we don't realise it, where we are is where we are meant to be. And if we leave that place, then there is a loop back to it. There is a way made simply for us so we can get back. Because in the end, being happy is more important than anything. And the second time around can be just what we need. It can give us a new perspective; give us the courage to cross the lines for friends, family and love. And even if it doesn't seem like it at first, that place is our destiny because it is the place where we don't have to pretend to be someone else, where we can take a well earned deep breath and start again.
Sometimes, when we think that we need to flee we do, but not forever, just for a little while so that we can come back and appreciate what we have. So that we never once again will take it for granted.
She stood at the back, out of every one else's line of sight, this was a time for him, not for her return. She wasn't to take the limelight this time; instead it was all on him. She'd never to that, not to Jack. Not as they all gathered around his gravestone saying their goodbyes. He was to be cremated just like Mary, but her headstone had been moved so they could be together, and his ashes would be spread somewhere else. This was just a place to be in remembrance to him.
They would all head to the pub soon, and she was yet to decide whether she would join them. His old friends and co-workers, everyone. And then in a small group, there was Gerry, and Brian with Steve. Even though the Scotsman had never met the man, he felt it right to pay his respects. Then there was Strickland, stood slightly further back. Not wanting to intrude. Their new boss Sasha wasn't there, but then again there was no need for her to be.
Sandra wiped away the tears that were felling down onto the part of her cheeks not covered by the aviator sunglasses she was wearing. It felt like she was losing her father all over again, like she was back to being on her own. The blonde's hands were shaking, and the early summer's day seamed a lot chillier than the weather had previously forecasted. Then again she wasn't used to the British weather so much anymore.
It was six months since she had left now, and for the majority of that she managed to do as Gerry had advised and not look back. But then two months ago it all came to a head and all of a sudden she found herself wondering what she had done. When investigating a war crime which had taken place in Afghanistan she'd been taken hostage by a man suffering from severe PTSD. He'd been convinced that she was the enemy, and so for a little over a month she had been moved from place to place, beaten up and tortured for information she didn't have.
Finally though she had been rescued, and a month on her injuries were pretty much heeled. But losing Jack was close to being the final straw. She was all of a sudden terrified of being alone. Because after all what did she had now? She was back to being single, and had quit the war crimes division. Thankfully she had enough money to get her by for a while yet. But still, it was not where she wanted to be.
When she was sure they had all gone off, Gerry patting them both on the back she walked forward to the stone and leant down. People had placed various things down for him, from golf balls to a bottle of whiskey, but she simply placed a white rose and sighed. She'd known when he left that he wasn't telling her the whole story. But then again it wasn't any of her business, however when she had gotten the call, she regretfully had not been too surprised. So that was why she was here now. With her finger she slowly traced the indentations of the letters on the stone.
"I'm really going to miss you Jack." She said, choking up, before kissing two fingers and placing them on the cold stone and sighing. She owed him so much, he'd taught her so much, both on the job and not. He was the only one that had ever been for her the whole way. "Thank you Jack, for everything. I wish I could have been the person you wanted me to be." And with that she stood up and began to leave. And as she did, she decided that she would after all go to the pub. It was the place where most of their cases had been solved after all. It was where they had laughed and joked and fought. Back when they were a team.
She walked to the bar; after all she'd gotten a taxi to the ceremony because she didn't want to have to drive back. It wasn't far, and she thanked the fresh air to help her get composed. When she arrived, she was overwhelmed by memories. The river was at her back, and she remembered all the times she had stood out here. With all of them. With Gerry as he tried to quit smoking all them numerous times and with Brian and Jack. It seemed like such a long time ago now, a lifetime ago.
She walked forward, her black heels clip clopping along the solid floor. She'd dressed in black straight jeans and a black short sleeved blouse, but was glad for the Mac jacket that she pulled on in haste before she'd set about on her way. Her hair blew away from her face lightly, and before she entered she removed her sunglasses. Inside was full of mixed emotions. Some looked sad and reflective whilst other were laughing and joking about old times. She immediately saw them all, her boys – where were the latter. As Gerry told some old UCOS story from back in the beginning.
She walked over to the bar, and ended up standing next to Ester. "A dry white wine please." She requested, hoping not to get noticed, she still wasn't sure if she was going to join them all yet. But it was too late, she'd been found, and just as her wine was handed to her.
"Sandra!" Ester said, immediately hugging the younger woman. "Oh I knew you'd come. Are you going to join us? They're all sharing stories like the little boys they are." The smile on Esters face reassured Sandra, but she was still nervous. She'd barely spoken to any of them since the night she left, and she wasn't quite sure if they'd welcome her back.
"I'm not sure." Sandra stated, looking at the other woman with a wandering eye.
"Nonsense! Come on." And before the blonde knew it she was being smiled at by them all. She grabbed the only spare seat in-between Strickland and Gerry. She felt awkward at first, like she didn't belong. But no one mentioned or made reference to where she had been. And that was how it should be.
"Sandra you'll remember this," Gerry began, and all of a sudden it was like no time had passed. "When we first started up and we were down in the basement near enough there was the PC. Now he barely ever spoke and never introduced himself. I've no idea how long it was before we all found out he was there to help us." Gerry laughed.
"Clark." Brian stated, and they all smiled.
"Brian, d'you remember that day we stood there watching her come in. You were having an argument with some guy; we were all putting the pieces together of who he was." Brian just nodded and smiled.
"Did you get it right?" Questioned Steve.
"Yes we did." Brian said as he took a sip of his orange juice.
"Jack was proud when you told the guy to sling his hook." Gerry said, turning to look at Sandra, she smiled at him. Feeling like she really had had it all back in them days.
"I never knew that." She said, as she drank her some of her wine, listening as they all began to share even more stories. And slowly she began to feel like she was getting to know Jack all over again. They stayed like that for a long while, sharing stories, laughing and joking. But it began to get to the point where it was too much, so she stood up and said her goodbyes.
"I'll walk you out." Said Gerry, standing up and walking with her until they were leant against the wall just like they had so many times in the past. She looked at him, waiting for an explanation. "I hear that you've quit." He said, watching as he eyes scanned over the skyline at twilight.
"Yeah." She answered.
"How's the frog?" he asked her, and she just smirked, remembering the Frenchman that had gotten her to leave with him. She just looked at Gerry, and realised that he had never liked the man, and only been barely civil for the sake of Sandra.
"Long gone." She stated, and Sandra was pretty sure that she could see a flash of happiness cross over his face. Gerry was protective of her, they all were, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Good." He said, smiling at her. "I know you've been through hell Sandra, but it's good to see you." He smiled at her, leant across and softly kissed her cheek before heading back inside and passing Strickland as he went. Recently they'd become more civil to one another, but only because they both had a joint respect for Sandra.
She smiled at him, as he walked over. She smiled at him and was about to speak before he did. "I know you probably just want to get away from everyone, but there is a bottle of wine back at mine if you want some company." He said, Sandra was surprised, but she smiled at him, and decided that it sounded a lot better than spending the evening alone.
"That sounds good." She said, before walking away with her former boss.
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