I'm not usually a Sandra/Strickland fan but I thought of this little story whilst watching Sandra's last episode. Just a bit of late night rambling. I don't own any of the characters.
Sandra had finally made the connection between the 2 girls that were abducted all those years ago and it didn't stop there she had found 11 girls having gone missing in the same way.
She was just in the office alone taking in all the evidence boards around her when Strickland came bounding through the door like he usually did.
"Sir"
"Sandra"
It took Strickland a second to realise what was going on.
"Sandra I thought I told you to pack this all away" He said with a sharp tone
"Yes but I'm sure I can solve this Sir"
"We've talked about this, UCOS does not have the time or the resources to be able to solve 11 cases that are all linked together"
"I know Sir but I have no doubt that we can manage … I'm so sure Annie is about to crack"
Strickland was getting more agitated
"Sandra stop this now it's not like it's your last …"
Before he could finished his sentence Sandra bit back
"YES IT IS"
There was a sudden realisation of what she'd just said.
"I'm really sorry Sir that is not how I wanted that to come out and not how I wanted to tell you"
"It's okay Sandra you've been here 10 years I thought the time was coming"
"Oh right yes Sir"
Sandra was really quite shocked by his reaction
"I presume there will be a drink in the pub after we're finished"
"Probably"
"Right well if you think you can crack her you've got till the end of the day"
He gave her one last smile before heading back out the door.
Sandra was left feeling a little deflated. She thought after 10 years her boss would at least be more upset about her leaving, after all they had developed a personal relationship as well as a professional one.
Meanwhile Sandra was blissfully unaware of Strickland's real feelings.
He headed straight back up to his office.
The second he shut his office door behind him, he broke down.
What was he gonna do, his top DCI was leaving. But not only that his dear dear friend who he'd always longed to be more but had never had the courage to broach the subject with her and now it was going too late … Or was it?
He'd been sitting in his office for hours trying to decide what he was gonna say to Sandra. It all just kept going round in his head but then there was suddenly a knock at the door and his thinking time was over.
"Come in" he span round on his chair
The door slowly opened and he did not expect the person who was behind it.
"Sandra"
"Sir, she cracked like I said … We went straight to the man's house and arrested him … We've got him in Custody and we'll charge him tomorrow"
"Great work Sandra you always never fail to impress me with your skills and your team"
"Thanks Sir"
"Rob please"
Sandra didn't say anything
Now was his last chance
"Sandra sit down please"
He took a deep breath
"I never thought this day would come but here it finally is … I don't want you to leave" He didn't think he would say that so early in the conversation
"Rob…"
Before she could say anything else he cut her off
"I've debated telling you this for years but if I don't say it now I'll regret it"
"Regret saying what?"
"Right I'm just gonna come out with it" He took another deep breath "I Love you"
Sandra just remained silent
That's it I've blown it he thought to himself he stood up and turned to face the wall and brushed his hands through his hair.
Sandra stood up and made her way towards him. She was stood directly behind him
"Rob"
He didn't even flinch
"Rob" She put her hand on his arm "I love you too"
Had he heard that right he quickly turned round
They both just looked at each other
"Rob I don't know what to do"
"I'm sorry"
"I'm going to have to think about this"
"I know, take all the time you need"
He pulled her into his arms and she just melted under his touch
Now come on we better go the boys will be waiting at the pub
"I'll meet you there I just need to go grab my coat"
Closing his door behind her she walked off in the direction of the office.
Sandra had a life changing decision to make!
