ENDURANCE

A Spooks Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I don't own Spooks; I just own my character, Jamie Parker.

Summary: Due to circumstances out of their control, Jamie and Lucas find themselves facing their own trails. Will their life go back to the way it was or will they find out they are complete strangers.

Prologue

MARCH 30, 1999

The pounding against the solid asphalt echoed the beating of her heart as she steadily put on foot in front of the other. Sweat trickled down her face cause the fringe of her hair to cling to her face. The pavement in front of her seem to go on for ever as she pass early morning commuters traveling to their destination. Her legs began to weaken but she knew there was still several blocks to her home. Forgetting the slow burn shooting in her muscles, she pushed on even harder. Two more blocks. The air quickly rushed in and out of her lungs as she controlled her breathing in a steady rhythm. One more block. Seeing that her goal was just ahead, she drove forward in sprint to the end.

Once she reached the first door of her apartment, she pulled up her right leg up to her bum with her right hand and counted to thirty. She did the same with her left leg. Rolling her shoulders back, she could feel the muscles in her back tighten. She digs for her keys in her pocket as she makes her way up the stairs. She feels the pain in her legs as she reached the front door of the building. She unlocks it and makes her way in. Before she takes the dreaded trip up the two flights of stairs, she checks her mail box. Without even bothering to skim through the few letters and flyers. She braves the several steps left till she is able to stand in a nice cold shower to rid her of the sweating sticking to her body.

She slowly made her way to the end of the hallway to her apartment door when she noticed that it was slightly ajar. Slowly she pushed up the door. She peaked her head in looking down the hall. She could see no one. She stepped in. Dropped the mail on the side table before she turned to her entrance closet and as quiet as possible she opened the doors. Her arm reached up to the top shelf, pushing the spare blankets out of the way and at the very back she could feel the cold metal of her gun. Once in her hand, she pulled out the magazine to catch for bullets before she popped it back in.

Holding the gun out in front of her as she tipped toed down to the first room. She stopped in front of the door and listened for movement behind it. Silence. She was then startled when she heard the toilet flashed at the end of the hall. Gingerly, with stealth footfalls, she made her way to the bathroom. Her back leaned against the wall beside the door. Her head cocked towards to the door nodded. She watches it turn. As the door opens, she quickly pulls back the trigger and aims the gun at the intruder.

"Whoa there! James, its just me." Said the startled, tall man as his hands surrender in the air.

"Jesus, Lucas. I could of killed you." She lowered the gun.

"That's not a very nice way to welcome a guest in your home. I'm just glad I went to the washroom or else there would be a mess to clean up." The man joked bring down his hands.

"It's seven in the morning, Lucas. What the hell are you doing here?" Jamie asked as she walked down the hall half way an turned into her little kitchen. He followed.

"I Just thought I'd…" Lucas leaned against the counter near the sink. He turned on the cold water as he watched the woman grab a glass from the cupboard. "…For fiftieth time, you could move your glass cupboard over here." He pointed the shelving unit behind his head. "Right beside the sink. Instead of going to the one beside the fridge."

"What happens if I want a glass of milk and I have to go all the way over there to get a glass?" She asked in a sarcastic tone as she fills up her glass with water.

"Then you should have some glasses in here and some in there. Problem solved." Lucas had a wide grin on his face.

"You know, I don't think it was ever a problem for me. It literately is just a five steps difference." Jamie commented before she took a huge gulp of water. "Lucas North, What are you doing here?"

"I just though I would take you out for breakfast before duty calls. You know, since it is your birthday." He picks up an apple, from the almost empty fruit basket and takes a bite. "What do you say?"

"First of all, that was my last apple. Second, You know I don't celebrate my birthday. I was just going to have a protein shake and that apple, then head in early because I have a mound of paperwork that needs to be done by tomorrow." Jamie said as she fiddled with the silver chain around her neck causing two rings to jingling together.

"Please!" Lucas put down the half eaten fruit. His tone changing. "I want to do this for you." Lucas grabbed hold of her clammy hands. "Plus, I have some news to tell you."

"Can't we skip breakfast and you tell me the news right now." She wined.

" Come on, let just go to the cafe on the corner. Now, go hop in the shower cause you stink." Lucas instructed giving the woman a playful wink.

"Fine." She sighed. As she passed by the man, she punched him in the shoulder.

Lucas picked up the apple and took another bite. He looked down at his watched and saw that it was it was seven fourteen. He walked over to the fridge and took a peak. His brow wrinkled when he saw both drawers filled with vegetables, one clearer for the greens ones only. Lucas was looking for orange juice or something good to drink but there was only milk. Skim milk. Disappointed he close the door with his hip.

"Lucas!"

He heard a call from the bathroom."Yeah?" Instantly, he ran to the hall to see what she needed.

"Can you get me a towel? I forgot one." Jamie called out.

Lucas made his way to the linen closet and set his apple core on an empty spot on the shelf before he grabbed a towel. He walked to the door and gave it a tap. He could here the shower running. The door opened a bit as a hand reached out. He place the towel in her hand. The door close.

"Do you ever take a break from running and just sleep in?" He asked as he leaned against the door. "I mean, it's your birthday. Relax. Live a little."

"It's just another day. I'm not going to throw my routine out the window just to celebrate. Especially today." She shouted from the other side of the door.

"I know that today is a bad day. But come on, it has been five years already." Lucas regretted his words as soon as he said them. There was silences. Lucas let out a sigh and walked down the hall. He saw the pill of mail on the end table and picked up the flyers. Flipping through them a smile grew on his face. "Hey James. Apples are on sale at Safeway. Well, stop by pick some up."

The door to the bathroom swung open and Jamie walked out with the towel wrapped around her. He short hair dripping down her neck. "Lucas, Did you just tell me to get over it."

"No." Lucas said quickly.

"My parents died in a car crash because I beg them to come to London for my birthday. And you think I should be over it. That's not how it works Lucas." She shouted.

"I know, I'm sorry. I need to learn how to shut up." Lucas put the flyers back down as he took a step towards.

"Yeah you do. There's this filter called a conscience. It's a handy tool." She tighten the towel around her. "Just pick it up ever once in while."

"Noted." Lucas smile, relieved that she didn't stay angry to long. "Hey, How about this instead of going out, I make you your shake and I pretty sure I saw some strawberries that I could cut up and on our way out I'll pick up a bagel."

"That sounds perfect." Jamie smiled at the young man before she walked into her room.

After she got ready, Jamie walked into the kitchen and saw two glass filled and a plate of strawberries and a few blueberries sitting on the kitchen table. Almost instantly after walking in, a cup of coffee was in her hand. "Just a drop of milk." Lucas smiled at the woman.

"This is great." The woman smiled as she sat down at the table. She put the cup down and popped a berry in her mouth. "So what is the big news, Luc?"

"I'm going to Russia on assignment." Lucas said as he sat down across from her.

"What?" She was shocked.

"Yeah, Harry is sending me. If this goes as plan I can see a promotion in the near future." The spook smiled.

"For how long?" She asked as she sipped on her shake.

"Not sure. If could be a month. Maybe longer." Lucas followed suit a took a chug of the drink, but not without grimace that showed across his face.

"That's great. I think." Her smile faded. "I'm just going to have to find someone else to annoy me."

"You think you can replace me?" Lucas said pretending to be offended.

"Well, Tom Quinn looks like a good candidate. I may even like him more then you.

"That hurts. That really hurts." He fake pouts.

"You know you the only annoying friend for me. So don't be to long." She gives him a weak smile.

"It won't be that long till I'm back by your side."

"Good!"

A/N: So, here is the first Chapter. I would love to hear what you think about it. Also, just for your info. In this Spooks world Lucas is not married to Elizabeta. But it is also not a romance just a friendship at stake fiction. Hope you enjoyed it.