Disclaimer not mine

Wait.

"Gerry." Sandra turned to see her friend slumped in a plastic chair in the A&E waiting room. He knew she had to stay at Paula's house. Someone had to get things organised. He knew by now uniform police officers and SOCO would be trawling through the crime scene. Crime Scene? Paula and Gerry's home. A crime scene? He shook his head and fought he tears as they threatened to fall. "Gerry."

"Guv."

"Esther has taken Little Gerry with her. He's ok. A bit shaken up but he's ok. Have you called Paula's mother?"

"No." Gerry huffed. Sandra sighed. She knew Gerry got on well with all three of his ex wives but she also knew they blamed him for things that really weren't his fault.

"Do you want me to?"

"Alison is abroad with her new husband. Apparently they are on honeymoon in the Dominican Republic. No phones, no email and she didn't leave an address with Paula."

"The selfish cow." Sandra mumbled. Gerry raised an eyebrow.

"Well. Sorry but you leave some way for people to get in contact." She looked towards Gerry as he ran a hand over his face.

"I should have got there earlier." He mumbled.

"This is not your fault." Sandra stated firmly. "Paula will be fine and we will find whoever has done this."

"She's my daughter."

"Yes." Sandra nodded.

"You've never 'ad kids."

"Oh I am not listening to this." Sandra got to her feet, aware that other people in the waiting room could hear them. "All this I have no idea what it feels like because I never had a child of my own. Of course that means I can't possibly give a shit about anyone else. Get real Gerry. Someone attacked your daughter. Someone wanted to hurt her. And while she's your daughter and it gives you every right to be upset stop wallowing in self pity. Stop picking fights and help her."

"How?"

"Find the bastard that did it." Sandra glared at him, eyes ablaze. "The Gerry Standing I know would be all guns blazing by now. Ready to take the bull by the horns."

"Yeah." Gerry closed his eyes. "Maybe I'm getting old."

"You two can be heard from Coronary Care." Sandra and Gerry turned to see Jack stood looking at them.

"What the?" Sandra shook her head.

"Before you start." Jack sat next to her. "I'm not being monitored all the time now. The doctors are happy my troponin levels, whatever they are have settled down."

"Some good news then." Gerry smiled slightly as Sandra touched Jack's hand.

"Some terrible news too. Brian and Esther came to tell me. How is she?"

"I." Gerry shook his head. "Why her?"

"Why anyone?" Jack answered. The three friends fell silent as a young nurse walked around the corner towards them.

"Anyone with Paula Standing?" Gerry froze. This was the moment he knew he was going to be told his daughter was dead. He just knew. Sandra nudged him gently while Jack raised a hand so that the nurse knew they were there. The silent exchange between Sandra and Gerry did not go unnoticed.

"I'm Paula's dad." Gerry stated calmly despite the fact he was almost shaking. "'ow? I mean."

"How is she?" Sandra asked.

"If you'd like to follow me." The nurse answered noncomittedly as she ushered them into the Relatives Room.

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"Oh Esther, luv." Brian sighed as he watched her walk out of their spare bedroom.

"Shh." Esther met his gaze. "The poor child is exhausted."

"How can this happen?" Brian sighed. "A young girl like that. A nurse. She helps people."

"Like that young nurse you are looking into. The one that was murdered." Esther slipped past him and headed downstairs. "Didn't you say she was strangled too?"

"Aye." Brian nodded. "But Paula is still alive."

"Thank God." Esther sighed.

"Yes." Brian nodded, unsure whether he believed in any deighity after everything he had been through in recent years. "Actually Esther." He turned to see her watching him. Scampi slept peacefully in his basket.

"Brian."

"I may have to pop out for a while. Let me know if you hear anything." He grabbed his Wimbledon scarf and disappeared before she could argue.

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"Charlie?" Steve opened his front door, exhausted and angry. He hated to think of anyone getting hurt, never mind someone like Paula Standing. He knew she was a single mum and to think of a young boy witnessing such an attack made him feel sick. "Charlie?" Once satisfied that he was alone in his flat he walked to the bedroom and threw his coat towards the bed.

"Hey."

"I didn't think you were here." He sighed as his girlfriend walked towards him. "Hey." He hugged her as she fell into his arms.

"It's happening again." Her soft Scottish tones sent a shiver through him. "Steve. It's happening again."

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A/N What has Charlie found? Is Paula ok? What will Jack say? Please review. Oh would anyone read a New Tricks Christmas Story? Thinking of writing one.