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Epilogue: Us?

Esther walked along smiling as Brian held her hand. He wasn't prone to public displays of affection but it made a pleasant change. She sighed, feeling a little guilty that she had spoiled his surprise but relieved that she had been wrong about his drinking.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Jack couldn't help but laugh as Sandra and Gerry stood on ladders hanging a banner with "Congratulations Brian and Esther" written on it in large pink and silver lettering. He shook his head as the pair squabbled.

"What's so funny?" Gerry huffed as Mark joined Jack and just laughed.

"Mum and Dad are going to love this" Mark smiled as Sandra lifted the sign a little higher.

"Does this look straight to you?" Sandra asked as Gerry nodded.

"Course it does" Gerry stated. He was keen to get down from the table he was stood on. Sandra rolled her eyes.

"I wasn't asking you Gerry" Sandra huffed. Jack nodded.

"Charming" Gerry pinned the side of the banner he was holding in to place on the wall as Mark laughed. His fiancée Teresa reached the pair and Mark slipped his arm around her shoulders.

"So, how long have you two been married?" Teresa asked innocently. Gerry and Sandra both looked horrified as Jack laughed.

"What?" Sandra was incredulous as she jumped down from the chair she had been standing on. Gerry pointed at Sandra.

"Me and 'er? Nah" He shook his head as Mark and Jack dissolved in to fits of giggles. Gerry looked at Sandra for a moment as she began to smile too. Teresa had no idea why she had caused such a reaction in the others. Guests had begun to arrive as Teresa bit her lip.

"Sorry I asked" She smiled as Mark kissed her hair. Jack shook his head and turned away from the group. He desperately needed a drink. Strickland walked across the hall to where Jack was standing. Sandra wandered towards them, still highly amused that Teresa had assumed she was married to Gerry. As if! Sandra thought to herself.

"Hello Sir" Jack looked at Strickland as the DAC arrived. Gerry was talking to Puskar as Jack and Sandra talked to their boss. She glanced across the room as she saw her friend talking to the young sergeant. She was glad to see the young officer that had helped UCOS on one of their most difficult cases a few years earlier.

"Jack, Sandra" Strickland smiled warmly. It instantly made Jack feel uneasy. "Just wanted to pop by to offer my congratulations"

"Brian and Esther aren't here yet" Jack started

"Yes, that too. The case I meant. Strathclyde Police contacted me half an hour ago. They have charged your man with murder."

"Good" Sandra smiled as she gingerly touched her neck. The cut was only small but it still hurt. Jack nodded as Strickland spoke. He couldn't help but glance at Sandra. She still worried him.

"What about our case?" Sandra sighed. They had worked so hard on the case that she didn't want to see all their work go to waste. It had cost them all too much. Strickland smiled as he rocked back on his heels. The music from the mobile disco was beginning to make it difficult to talk.

"Charges of theft and conspiracy to commit robbery still stand. As does the charges of supplying stolen goods" He smiled as Jack and Sandra beamed.

"Good" Gerry echoed as he joined them. "Just been talking to our mate Puskar. Doing well, nice boy" He started as Strickland raised an eyebrow "Could do with a secondment to UCOS if you ask me"

"Is that so Gerry" Strickland laughed.

"Yeah" He looked at Sandra "Teach him a little bit about old school policing"

"More like teach you about 21st century policing Gerry" Sandra watched as he pulled a face. Jack watched the good natured teasing between the pair as he began to wonder if Teresa had a point but then he'd know surely? He'd met Sandra as a head strong twelve year old, she had been like a daughter to him and Mary. And as for Gerry they were friends. He thought he'd see something there if there was something to see. He shook his head and excused himself as Scampi began barking.

"Right! Everyone they're here!" Mark yelled as Jack switched off the lights "Mum and Dad are here"

Jack flicked the light switch off as the room full of people went quiet. A young child sneezed, effectively ruining the surprise that Esther already knew about. Clarky and Emily walked in holding hands as the lights flicked back on to cheers of "Surprise!" Emily burst out laughing as Clarky dropped her hand and looked slightly shell shocked.

"Emily!" Gerry yelled "Gordon Bennett!"

"What?" Emily brought her giggles under control as Sandra shook her head. "Hurry up, they are coming. We just passed them"

"Yeah" Clarky joined in "They were at the bottom of the road, outside Spar. They will be here any second" For the second time the room was in silent darkness. This time the child - who turned out to be Esther's nephew didn't sneeze.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Three hours later and the party was in full swing. Esther had pretended to be surprised and had sought out Sandra. Both women had made up although Sandra got the feeling it was an uneasy truce. She liked Brian's wife but she wasn't sure she could entirely forgive her accusation. It had been a little too close to home. But then she had only drunk one glass of wine. Brian and Esther were dancing in the middle of the floor as other couples danced around them.

"Forty years eh?" Brian shook his head

"Yes Brian" Esther smiled "Where does the crime go?" She sighed, unable to believe she had spent forty years with the man in front of her. It seemed so much more some days.

"Still my beautiful bride" He smiled as Esther blushed.

"Oh Brian"

"Just wish I ad been a better husband. Better dad to 'im" He nodded towards where Teresa and Mark were dancing, oblivious to everyone around them.

Gerry smiled as he watched the others. He sat at the bar drinking his pint as Jack ordered his own drink. The music had changed as the DJ yelled something idiotic to the party goers.

"They seem happy" He pointed to his daughter and Clarky. They were laughing as they tried to dance to Tiger Feet. Sandra and Esther were talking as Gerry watched. Brian had headed over to talk to his son.

"Oi Sandra" Gerry called "You wanna drink?"

Sandra shook her head as she pulled her ringing mobile out of her jacket pocket. She closed her eyes and swore as she answered it. Jack stepped towards her.

"Sandra?"

"That was Strathclyde Police. PC McGregor" She sighed running a hand through her blonde hair.

"And?"

"And I have to go back to work" Sandra answered. The music changed to a more modern track as Gerry frowned.

"What? Why?" Gerry was immediately nervous. It was rare for them to get called back in when they had finished a case. He wondered if something had happened with Tom.

"The other paintings. The Faberge Egg. It's all turned up" She smiled "We did it, we got the lot" Sandra smiled as the two men in front of them beamed.

"Can't it wait until morning?" Jack didn't fancy the prospect of another all nighter. Sandra sighed.

"Well, yes I suppose it can" Sandra sighed.

"Good" Gerry laughed as he pulled her on to the dance floor. She looked back to see Jack laughing as Gerry spun her around the floor. Jack shook his head as he watched everyone else dancing. Oh Mary love, he thought What am I going to do with this lot? Maybe we should have young Clarky and Puskar join us for the next case. Bit of youth may help. But then I work with three big kids as it is. He shook his head as he finished his pint. It was getting late. It was time he went home.

A/N not sure about the ending but I had to write the party. I'll write more New Tricks in the future. Please review :D