Release

Sandra stared at the ceiling as she thought about what Gerry had told her. She knew she had pushed him to tell her but she knew he couldn't keep it bottled up forever. She pulled the duvet around her as she thought of the overprotective, heavy smoking, hard drinking, loving, mischievous man in the room next door. She hadn't really wanted him to join UCOS in the beginning but now she couldn't imagine not seeing him everyday. Closing her eyes she decided to at least try to sleep.

Xxxxxxxx

He looked around the trees. Lee and Joey had gone. He shook his head, not believing both his mates had run off. Sighing heavily he knew playing Cowboys and Indians was no fun on his own. Kicking the soft ground beneath his feet. The he saw him. The fat man. Swallowing hard Gerry knew he wasn't to talk to strangers. His mum had always told him not to. He stepped back as the man towered over him, the trees suddenly more menacing as he turned before trying to run. A hand covered his mouth as an arm pinned him to the floor.

"Gerry?" He felt a hand on his arm. "It's ok, you were dreaming." His eyes snapped open to see Sandra sat on the edge of the bed. He was breathing heavily, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Sorry." Gerry wiped at his eyes. Sandra watched him for a moment. "

"Nothing to apologise for." Sandra smiled slightly, her hand resting on his arm. "We all have nightmares. It's natural after everything."

"Didn't mean to wake you." He watched as she looked away. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it." She bit her lip, thinking for a moment. "Budge up."

"What?"

"You heard. Move." Gerry did as he was told before raising an eyebrow. "I'll stay until you go to sleep."

"I'm not a kid, Sandra. If this was just about getting me into bed wiv yer."

"Shut up." She huffed as she lay on top of the duvet. "This is about you getting some rest and me not jumping out of a warm bed when I hear you getting upset. Ok?"

"Ok." Sandra smiled slightly. "You'll be cold."

"I've got central heating. Just close your eyes and try to sleep."

"And what you gonna do? Chase the bogeyman away?" He watched as she turned on her side to face him.

"Isn't that what we always do? Together? Now do as your told and go to sleep."

"Yes Guv." He chuckled to himself. "And Brian and Jack?"

"Bed's too small for them too. Besides Esther may have something to say about it!" Sandra teased. "No, I won't say a word." She yawned as he finally closed his eyes.

Xxxxxxxx

Gerry didn't want to wake up. The sunshine through the bedroom curtains hit him on his face forcing him to open his eyes and squint. It was then he remembered he wasn't in his own bed. He frowned slightly as he realised the blonde he had wrapped in his arms wasn't one of his conquests either. It shocked him slightly, knowing he had told her about the worst thing that had ever happened to him and she hadn't run or judged him.

"Hi." Sandra yawned as she opened her eye. "You ok?"

"Yeah." Sandra wiped her eyes as he nodded. "Yeah I am actually. You?"

"Yeah."

"We going to be ok? Work and stuff I mean?"

"Yeah. Course. You get to cook breakfast." She got out of bed before walking away, leaving Gerry to wonder if he and Sandra would ever be the same again.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

A/N please review. Back to gemstone now.