They arrived at the hospital and stood outside gazing up at the top floor. Brian counted 14.
"I hope they have lifts." Gerry commented, trying to lighten the mood. They walked through to the reception. The hospital looked like any hospital you would find in the UK. Apart from one thing. They all spoke French.
Sandra turned to the other two, clueless. She dropped French to study law studies and wasn't, for once, afraid to admit she was stuck. But only because they needed to find Jack.
Gerry stepped forward to the desk, remembering little French from when he took cookery classes with a French teacher. He remembered how Jack had spoken fluent French. No wonder he moved here. It was just as busy as London, surprisingly considering the population difference. But it all felt so much more friendly. Maybe that was because he wasn't aware of the crime rates over here. That and there was a slight difference in the weather, but any positive change was better than none.
" Salut. Parlez vous anglais?" He said, struggling with a few words, praying he had pronounced it correctly.
"Non." The young receptionist answered.
Sandra, sensing this was the moment she needed to give the helpless man behind the desk some direction in their enquiries, showed her badge. She kept it with her at all times.
"Jack Halford." She said, slowly, hoping he would comprehend. It had been so long since she had said his name. She missed him.
He nodded, seeming to recognise the name. The man typed Jack's name into the computer. He turned the computer around, visible to all three of them. In the top box of the patient decription it showed a picture of Jack. His UCOS identification badge picture. Brian knew that they required an item of identification or a relative to confirm who they were.
Sandra nodded, unable to speak for fear that her the tears swelling in her eyes would fall. She was too strong to do that in front of her team. What was left of them, anyway.
The man showed them down a long corridor. Brian hated hospitals. They were all so clinic. Well, they would be. Being hospitals. They continued down the corridor and turned left into a small ward. A sign on the door labelled it as 'Les patients internationaux' International Patients.
They curved in and out of corridors until the nurse stopped. In front of them, was a familiar face. Despite being in the environment he was in, he looked fairly happy, completing a crossword at his own pace.
He looked up and his face fell. Sandra couldn't tell whether it was disbelief, shock, anger or what. All she knew is that they needed to be there for him. She rushed over to his side and hugged him, careful to be fragile with the aging man. Sandra could not believe this was the same man in which she was nicking criminals with nearly a year ago. So much had happened.
"Sandra! Gerry! Brian!" He exclaimed, not quite believing they were infront of him. In all honesty, he needed them there with him. He knew this battle would be tough, but he thought he would do it on his own, make it easier for the others. But he couldn't. Everyone needed someone atleast once in their life. And this was that time for Jack. "What are you doing here?!" He asked, as if it wasn't obvious.
Sandra took a deep breath, she was so close to crying and she knew that wouldn't help anyone.
"Brian told us." Sandra admitted, squeezing his hand.
"Oh." Jack replied after taking a deep breath of his own at this very emotional time, looking at Brian with his deep, caring eyes, who had witnessed so much in his lifetime, in a thanking way, which Brian seemed to understand as he acknowledged it was a smile back.
"Mate, Im so sorry." Gerry said, breaking the silence, as nobody could think of anything to say.
"Well, what's happened has happened hasn't it? So, what's occurring at UCOS?" Jack asked, moving on the time.
Sandra didn't have the heart to tell him Strickland was looking for a replacement for him so steered away from the subject.
"Not much really, cleared up a case or 2. Bit boring to be honest." She said trying to hold back the tears.
Gerry looked at Brian as Gerry got up.
"Well, I'm going to get a coffee. Brian?" He asked, as if a signal to give Sandra and Jack some time together.
Brian agreed, got up and moved away with Gerry.
As they went, Jack looked at Sandra. He had known this girl since she was 14. Sandra had been like the daughter he never had.
Sandra looked at Jack. He meant the world to her and he had helped her so much, right from the start. Mentally, Career-wise and taught her many valuable lessons.
"Sandra." He started. He was grateful for the time he had alone with her. Probably the last. "I've known you since you were 14. And you haven't changed! You were always so strong and so... solitary. You have always stuck up for yourself. And I don't want that to change. But I do know one thing, one thing you are too afraid to admit to yourself. I know you like Gerry and I know he likes you. Just don't wait until it's too late Sandra. You will regret it. I love you."
She was taken back by what he had said. Then she thought it through. She did like Gerry. The sarcasm from the start had developed into an emotional feeling much stronger. She couldn't think straight. "I love you too Jack. Thank you for all you have helped me through." She managed to say, sure that the protective barrier she had built up would soon come crashing down, with a food of tears softening the defences as she sat there.
Hope it's ok! Probably won't be able to update until tomorrow or Thursday now! Reviews welcome! :D