Disclaimer I do not own Spooks. Everything is owned by Kudos and BBC television. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred. Just a little three shot I thought of earlier today. Hope you like it.

The Date

Ruth smiled slightly as she watched her adoptive son fidget at the kitchen table. Gracie sat in her high chair as the teenager struggled to find the right words.

"Who else is going?" Harry asked from the other side of the table.

"Wes."

"You and Wes? No one else?" Harry raised an eyebrow, knowing that Nick was not telling the exact truth. Nick sighed dramatically.

"Yes, me and Wes."

"Are going to see a chick flick?"

"Its 12A. Even you can't object to a 12A." Nick sulked slightly as Ruth bit back a smile. She knew exactly what Harry was doing.

"WHat's the film called?" Harry asked innocently. "Only I've been thinking that Ruth and I haven't been to the flicks for a while. If Catherine or Terri are available to babysit this one." He lifted Gracie out of the high chair.

"Calling it 'the flicks' shows how long it is since you went." Nick retorted.

"Nico." Ruth sighed as Harry pulled a face.

"Ok." Harry watched as Ruth tried not to laugh. "Who. Else. Is. Going?"

"Wes Carter." Nick stated equally calmly.

"Right, I've had enough of this." Ruth threw the tea towel on the table. "You can go to the cinema. One condition. I take you and either Harry or Adam collect you. I know what time the film finishes and I don't want to be waiting outside the cinema on my own in the dark with a baby."

"You wouldn't have to if we got a baby sitter and had a night out." Harry winked. "At the flicks. I'm sure Wes wouldn't mind his godparents being there. Unless we'd be cramping his style too. Molly Hunt going to be there?"

"She might be." Nick conceded. "Please don't show me up."

"I can't see you being a gooseberry. Molly and Wes are like an old married couple." Ruth ruffled his hair. "Don't tell me."

"Mum." Nick blushed a shade of red Harry wasn't sure was healthy on a teenage boy.

"I think I know who else will be there. A certain red-head from year 10?"

"Kill me now. I mean, please just put me out of my misery." Nick rested his forehead on the kitchen table. Gracie-Jo laughed at the over-dramatic antics of her older brother. Ruth glanced at Harry as the pair decided to take pity on the teenager.

"You can go to the cinema. I want you home by 10. I want to know how you are getting there, who you are with and how you are all getting home." Ruth stated. "And yes, it's because of the work Harry and I do and it's because I know what can happen that I'm over-protective. And yes, it's because I don't care how old and big you get I am your mum and you are always going to be 8 in my eyes. Understood."

"Mum."

"She means it." Harry stated.

"Ok, ok." Nick gave in. "It starts at 7. It's that one set in space. Molly and Jade want to see it. Wes asked Molly out but she's only allowed to go if there are a gang of us. So, I asked Jade. She's mates with Molly and in my maths class."

"And she is very pretty." Ruth smiled.

"Yeah, well there is that." Harry rolled his eyes.

"Tell them to meet at Molly's house, if that's alright with her parents and I'll take you and collect you." Harry stated. "Final offer."

"And you wont be really embarrassing when we're in the car?"

"No." Harry paused. "Well, perhaps. A little. What do we know about Jade?"

"You are not running a search on her." Nick got up. "Mum, please tell him."

"Harry. Maybe that can wait until the second date?"

"It is not a date." Nick wailed one more time before heading out the kitchen. Ruth stepped closer to Harry as the baby reached for her.

"I think we may have just scared him for life." Ruth sighed.

"No, he's a tough lad." Harry handed the baby to Ruth as Gracie giggled. "Isn't he? Eh Squeak."

"You can explain that nickname, when she's older."Ruth kissed the baby's hair. "I feel old."

"You? How do you think I feel?"

"He's 14." Ruth sighed. "It won't be long until Gracie is dating."

"She wont." Harry stated firmly. "If anyone tries they have to get through Graham, Nick, Charlie and me."

"I don't fancy your chances of not being a spinster in that case Gracie-Jo Pearce." Ruth laughed as the baby pulled a face. "My babies are growing up. So, I'm growing old." Ruth sighed.

"We all are." Harry touched her hair as he spoke. "This Jade only started in the school in May. Looks like our Nick has learnt from our mistakes. No dithering about for that boy."

"No." Ruth sighed. "At his age I wish there was."

"Do you want me to have the talk?"

"Talk?" Ruth smiled slightly as she nodded towards the kitchen door, aware that Nick was sat on the stairs out in the hall, able to hear everything they said.

"You know. Birds and Bees." Harry watched as the door to the kitchen opened.

"NO!" Nick snapped. "No, please. I."

"Ok, ok." Harry laughed as Ruth rolled her eyes. "I'll assume you'll be a gentleman. Now go on, get ready for your date."

"It's not a date!" Nick blushed before running out the room, leaving Ruth and Harry desperately trying not to laugh.

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A/N Chapter 2 - the date. Please review.