Disclaimer. I do not own New Tricks.

The Morning After.

The sunlight streamed through the curtains as Sandra screwed her eyes shut. She didn't want to get up, the thought of facing Gerry and the others was just too much. She wanted the last ten days to vanish from her memory. She knew there was no way that was going to happen. After crying in Gerry's arms she wondered if she could face him again. But then the smell of coffee brewing and the unmistakable sounds of Chris Evans on the radio as Gerry sang along made her smile. Gerry was Gerry. A mate. That was all. Mates cried in front of each other all the time. It was ok. Wasn't it? She shook herself mentally before throwing the duvet off and leaving Gerry's spare bedroom in search of breakfast.

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Jack sighed heavily as he walked into the UCOS office. For once he was relieved he was the first one there that morning. It gave him a chance to speak to Pushkar. He wanted to interview Sally and he knew the only way that was going to happen was if a serving police officer was there. He thought Emily and Clarky were too biased, it had to be Pushkar. The young DS had links to both the current CID staff and the UCOS team. He was the only one of the three officers that attached themselves to UCOS at various times that had the ability to appear unbiased. He also hoped the fact that he was alone in the office meant the others had been able to get some rest. Sighing heavily he turned as the doors opened and allowed Robert Strickland to enter the office.

"Jack."

"Good morning."

"Sandra?"

"Not in yet. Just me I'm afraid." Jack just couldn't fully trust his supierior officer. It seemed to him DAC Strickland was a little too wet behind the ears. He watched as the younger man nodded.

"Ah." Strickland paused. "I was just concerned that's all. Last night Gerry and Sandra seemed a little overwrought."

"Well yes sir. It's been a difficult time for us all. What with Sandra being abducted and an attempt made on her life." Jack watched as the other man's eyes widened in shock.

"What? When?"

"Being abducted Sir. I would say that counts as an attempt on her life. As does the fact the people we arrested for it admit they were hired by a serving police officer." Jack raised himself up to his full height.

"Those are pretty serious allegations Jack." Strickland folded his arms as Sandra and Gerry walked in with Brian just a few steps behind.

"Yeah, but they are true aint they?" Gerry interrupted.

"Exactly. So what now? Sir you said we could handle the case but I can't remain objective on this one. I've tried but I can't." Her eyes flickered to Gerry and then the floor before settling on her boss. For a moment Jack was reminded of the grieving and terrified 14 year old he had seen years earlier when her father had killed himself. Only in those days she hadn't known that.

"What are you saying Sandra?You can't leave!" Brian was beginning to panic.

"I am not leaving. It's just too close Brian. That's all." She smiled slightly as Brian began to calm down.

"Ok. Well what now?"

"Now. I am going to my office to get on with my paperwork. You are going to nail the bitch that tried to have me killed." Sandra felt her lip curl in a half smile as Gerry met her eye.

"We need a serving police officer. None of us are actually allowed to arrest anyone." Brian rather unhelpfully pointed out.

"True." Sandra nodded. Strickland cleared his throat. "But you have the Guv here, Emily, Clarky and Pushkar to help. You don't need me." She stepped back as Strickland was about to speak.

"Sandra." Jack smiled as she picked up her mug.

"Yeah, for starters you are our Guv." Gerry ignored Strickland.

"I know that. You better not forget it either." She smirked. "Now can we please interview Sally and see what the hell she thinks she is playing at. I want to go home. Gerry's bed is beginning to wreak havoc with my back." Sandra walked towards her office leaving the four men dumbfounded in her wake.

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Across London DS Sally Morris forced a brush through her short brown hair. It was going to be a good day. It was the day Sandra Pullman got what she deserved.

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A/N Just a filler chapter, more soon. Now I am back on line :D