Disclaimer: I don't own Spooks, just borrowing for fun. No infringement of their copyrights is intended.
Malcolm wants revenge. They killed his best friend. Harry had gotten the call not two hours ago that they had found Colin's body hanging from a tree in a wooded area near the airfield. Malcolm and Ruth had been in the conference room going over some files on victims of the bloody eye syndrome when Harry told them of Colin's murder. Malcolm is still in shock over the news. He had just seen Colin last night leaving the Grid. Colin had made a joke about the new micro-camera he had developed. He said that he could fit the camera into the button on a man's dress shirt. Said he'd like to try it out on the next honey trap that Zaf was setting. That would be worth a few laughs.
Of all people, Colin, a kind hearted person who would give you the shirt off of his back. His whole mission in life seemed to be to make everyone else's life easier. He had a gift for solving problems, offering solutions. Everyone on the Grid was a recipient of his generosity and they all missed him terribly, especially Malcolm.
After the news of Colin's murder had spread, Adam had called a 'dog house' meeting at his flat. It was just after 5pm when Zaf arrived. Malcolm arrived shortly thereafter. Adam offered them a drink, they both refused. Harry arrived with Ruth, they too refused offers of drinks and all of them took a seat in Adam's living room. Malcolm sits in a chair off to the side. Zaf sits at one end of the couch, Harry sits at the other the end, and Ruth sits at the corner next to Harry. Adam paces back and forth. He has called the 'off Grid' dog house meeting since he feels there are leaks on the Grid.
"Only routine business on the Grid. I've got a feeling that it is compromised. We can't let them know that we are on to them, that we know they killed Colin, we have to let them believe we think it was a suicide," says Adam.
"What do you mean compromised?" asks Ruth.
"I do mean compromised. Harry we'll have to get a 'cleaning team' in there tomorrow, have it swept for listening devices and cameras. Also, I don't trust any of the temps that Six has sent over to assist in our investigation, Collinwood's people cannot be trusted," says Adam.
"Ok," says Harry, "we'll have it swept. And I agree, Collinwood and Millington are both behind some vicious plan, I just don't understand it. To kill a fellow officer in the Security Services, this is unspeakable." He casts his head down. Harry is saddened by the loss of Colin, it is never easy when one of his team is murdered.
"We need revenge, we need to take out one of their people," says Malcolm, "Wasn't he important enough for that?"
"Well, that will have to wait," says Harry, "we need to figure out what it is they want."
"Shut up you pompous old fool! He wasn't just a geek doing crossword puzzles he was my bloody best friend!" shouts Malcolm.
Harry is startled by the outburst and he immediately leans forward to stand up from the couch. Ruth reaches out her hand and grabs Harry by the wrist, stopping his forward motion. Adam steps in front of Harry and approaches Malcolm.
"We have to smile at his killers, Malcolm, let them think we aren't on to them, and then when the opportunity is right, we strike. But Harry is right, now is not the time. We need to figure out their motive here," says Adam.
Harry sits back into the couch, Ruth is still holding onto his wrist. Harry stares at Ruth, yet she is not making eye contact with him, she is watching Adam.
"Would you smile at your wife's killers?" asks Malcolm as he stands up to face Adam.
"Malcolm, please" says Ruth.
Zaf gets up from the couch, he feels the tension in the air, first with Harry and now Adam. It seems to him that Malcolm is very upset and is trying to pick a fight.
"Yes, yes I would smile at my wife's killers," says Adam with tears in his eyes.
"I believe you would, ok then," says Malcolm, "but revenge will be ours, not the Lord's."
The tension in the room is broken. There is a knock at the front door. Adam leaves to answer it. Zaf sits back into the couch. Malcolm walks toward the kitchen. Ruth turns to face Harry and nods to him. He lifts his head in an upward nod to acknowledge her. She is still holding his wrist, unconsciously. Yet Harry is conscious of it, very conscious of it. He's afraid to move, he likes her hand there. He wants to turn his hand and hold hers. Ruth suddenly realizes her hand placement and smiles. She then rubs her hand on his forearm in an up and down motion, a sign of approval. Harry smiles.
"OK, everyone," says Adam returning to the room, "my new babysitter is here so I'll have to ask you all to leave. But I want to make sure that everyone realizes the importance of personal safety right now. They got Colin, they will stop at nothing. We can't let them weaken us anymore. Check your homes, cars, everything. Nothing is safe."
"Malcolm, I want you to come by my place now," says Zaf, "you're the wiz at all this electronic security stuff, I want you to check out Jo and my flat, see that we are up to date."
"Yes of course," says Malcolm. Zaf is concerned for Malcolm and doesn't want him to be alone right now. He also wants to keep him away from Harry. That was an ugly outburst earlier. They'll go to his flat, have some drinks, bring in some take out, and tell stories of Colin.
They all stand up from the couch as the new babysitter enters the room.
"Ruth, I'll see you home," says Harry in a whisper to her ear.
"Yes, I..I think that will be alright," says Ruth in response. Harry helps Ruth with her coat. Malcolm is the first to the door followed by Zaf.
"I have my car downstairs in the back alley," Zaf says to Malcolm.
They are all in the hallway outside of Adam's flat. Malcolm turns to Harry and extends his hand. They look each other in the eye and they shake. There are no words. It is an acknowledgement of two men that have worked together for over 15 years. They have seen each other at their best and at their worst and there is always trust.
Zaf and Malcolm head to the back exit. Harry leads Ruth down the hall to the stairs and out the front exit. Harry had driven Ruth to Adam's flat in one of Section D's Lexus cars. Harry opens the door for Ruth, she gets into the passenger seat. He walks around the car and slowly observes the exterior of the car, he is looking for things out of place, possible tracking devices. He enters the car and turns on the radio.
"I never trust these cars," he says as he leans into Ruth, "especially with all this going on, I wouldn't put it past Six or Special Branch to track all of our cars, they know our fleet. I'll leave the radio on."
"Yes, of course," says Ruth. She is slightly flustered by the nearness of Harry. Just the nearness of Harry is enough for her to blush. She likes spending this time alone with him, even if it is just a ride to her flat.
Harry puts the car in drive and heads out of the car park.
"Do you know the way to my flat?" asks Ruth.
"Yes, yes I do. It's over by the Boston Manor Tube stop, Boston Garden area?" asks Harry.
"Yes, I've just moved in 3 weeks ago. I had to get out of that old flat. After Angela Wells had broken in I realized it wasn't the safest location. This flat is a bit smaller, but the location is much nicer, and the tube stop is much more convenient and quicker than the bus."
"Well, I'd like to check things over Ruth, for security. If that would be ok? I'd feel better about it, for your safety," says Harry.
"Do you think we're in danger Harry?"
"I don't know what's going on. The enemy is not clearly defined anymore. Their motives…I just don't know what they could possibly want?" asks Harry.
Ruth starts to fidget with her hands and nervously stares out the side window. Harry reaches over and puts his hand on hers.
"We'll figure it out," he says, "or I should say you'll figure it out. You're the best there is Ruth." He squeezes her hand for reassurance and then puts his hand back on the steering wheel.
They drive in silence until they reach Ruth's street.