Disclaimer I do own spooks. Kudos and BBC own all. There is no copyright intended nor should be inferred.
Respite
The sunshine coated the Welsh beach as Ruth walked along the sand holding Gracie's hand. The toddler seemed mesmerised by the sand beneath her feet, giggling as Scarlett dug in the sand. Nick called the sand covered terrier back to him as Ruth turned. Harry jogged up to her. Kissing her briefly as Nick and Gracie pulled faces.
"Gross!" The toddler yelled as Harry and Ruth pulled apart. Harry burst out laughing as Gracie covered her mouth with both hands. Moments later she was giggling as Harry lifted the toddler into his arms.
"I know it isn't Cyprus."
"I wouldn't want it to be. They have no idea how to make decent candy floss." Ruth stated seriously as Harry shook his head. It was good to be away from the Grid. For the first time since Gracie was born he felt relaxed. He knew all four of his children and both grandchildren were safe and Ruth seemed genuinely happy. He hoped it stated that way.
Xxxxxx
Malcolm tapped a few keys on his computer as the computer screen changed. Catherine glared at her own computer as Ros marched through the Grid towards Harry's abandoned office. Seconds later Erin followed.
"Ros?"
"The Endeavour Case." Ros kept her eyes on the desk, searching through files.
"Beth and Dimitri pulled someone in half an hour ago. Alec is with an asset now. Adam and Lucas picked up three suspect devices and Zaf and Zoe are following a lead."
"Good."
"You ok?"
"Of course." Ros snapped. Erin nodded before turning and heading back to her own desk. Ros watched her go. She felt sick, desperately missing being in the field. She worried more about Lucas when she was in the office than she ever did when she was at his side. Grabbing the phone from the desk she barked her name as the caller spoke. She closed her eyes wondering exactly how the DG had survived in post so long when he clearly had no idea what was going on in the real world.
Xxxxxx
Ruth stared out to see, watching what few boats were on the horizon as Gracie sat next to Nick, concentrating intently on what he was doing.
"She reminds me so much if you." Harry sat next to her as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Mmn?"
"Squeak. When she's concentrating she's even more like you. That's the look you get when you're trying to translate something obscure." Ruth smiled slightly. "Nick? What are you doing?"
"Teaching Gracie to make a sandcastle." He laughed as the toddler knocked over his latest attempt. "It's not going well."
"Down!" Gracie laughed as the sandcastle flattened.
"Actually I'd say she's picked up some of Ros' traits." Ruth raised an eyebrow as the toddler flopped back onto her bum. The eighteen month old toddler had clearly been enjoying her time on the beach, having made sure every bit of sand she could find was covering her.
"Daaad!" She laughed as Harry watched her flip on to her back. He got up and headed towards her, hoisting her in the air. Ruth turned her attention to Nick as he seemed to ignore a gang of teenagers a few feet away.
"Who are they?"
"Dunno."
"Nick."
"I dunno, they were hanging about yesterday too. Not sure why but they have been giving me evils. They were here yesterday." Ruth frowned slightly. Nick was always a quiet teenager, preferred a small group of friends. Along with Molly Hunt and Wes Carter they had become known by Adam and Harry as the 'three amigos' or 'three stooges' depending on what they were up to. Ruth hated the thought of her son being bullied. He'd been through so much.
"Ignore them."
"I'm trying. Kids like that are easier to ignore when Wes and Molly are around!" He turned his back as Ruth nodded. She understood what he met.
"You are the strongest person I know. Look at everything that has happened and how well you've coped and adapted. Don't let kids that don't have a clue ruin your break."
Ruth watched him nod.
"Yeah. Mum?"
"Don't do any background checks? Ok?"
"If they carry on. I'll set Adam on them." Nick smirked as Harry and Gracie returned to them. Harry called Scarlett who raised her had before deciding it was a good idea to follow her humans.
Ccxxxxxx
"I need food." Beth grumbled as Erin handed her a packet of crisps. "This isn't food."
"Open mouth. Put in." Erin stated. "It's food."
"Would you make your daughter eat this?"
"Beth. Rosie is ten. You are 35. Shut up and eat your crisps." Erin snapped. Beth shoved a mouthful of crisps into her mouth.
"Fanksu." She spoke around the crips. Erin pulled a face.
"You have the manners of a snot nose kid too."
"Yeah, but you love me." Beth nodded at the man across the road. "X-ray on the move."
"Lucas? We have eyeball." Erin started the car engine, aware Adam and Lucas would pick him up in seconds. The bomb threat had been averted once more.
Xxxxxx
Harry stared up at the sky as he tried to work out what stars he was looking at. He knew both children were asleep inside the cottage but Ruth was still in the shower.
"Harry?" He turned to see her in the doorway watching him. He knew she was still healing, emotionally as well as physically. She'd been quieter, more withdrawn than he had ever known her. At the beach she had seemed more relaxed but he knew that was only passing, the nightmares were still to come.
"Just getting some fresh air."
"Not calling the Grid?"
"No. Ros and Malcolm are more than capable. We have Catherine with us for a while yet."
"She's outstanding at analysis." Harry smiled. "I can't help thinking this is a plot to steal her from 6. And don't look so innocent we have form for poaching."
"Really?" Harry tried to look innocent.
"Adam, Fiona, Zaf. Ros, Alec, Erin, Calum." She counted on her fingers. Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Me."
"Ah. The mole from GCHQ."
"Harry."
"Come 'ere." He held out a hand as she stepped nearer. "I've never been so glad to have a mole on my team. Tom made a lot of mistakes but recruiting you and turning you."
"Didn't take much, even then." She rested her head on his chest as he held her. "We'll be ok. Won't we?" He kissed her hair.
"I hope so." He paused. "After everything I hope so."
Xxxxxxxx
A/N should I go on? More soon