As promised, the sequel to 'For being a Little Bad'. I would like to say that I will be able to update quickly but RL is bonkers at present so all I can do is my best.

Based very loosely on 'Much Ado About Nothing' ,which is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, this fic picks up about three months after the end of the earlier story. I have had to be a little cavalier with the mix of characters since in the series neither Zoe nor Danny took part in the Havensworth episode and I have altered the Ros/Adam backstory somewhat. However as this is AU I hope you will find this acceptable.

Chapter One: And So it Starts

The whoosh of the Pods announced that Harry Pearce had returned to the Grid. So far so normal, until it was noted by his staff that he was accompanied by a blonde, slightly sharp featured woman whose designer clothing matched Harry's Savile Row tailoring in cut and, it could be inferred, expense. Taking in this vision Zoe found herself prey to fashion envy, while Ruth noting the chivalrous way in which Harry was ushering the stranger onto the Grid floor was prey to an even more fundamental emotion, that of the green eyed monster. A feeling swiftly quashed by a mental reminder that, despite the intimacies three months previously, Harry was merely her boss, and a duplicitous blackmailing bastard to boot. Before anyone could collect themselves sufficiently to venture a comment, the pods clattered back into life, this time heralding the arrival of another newcomer, male, casually dressed, impossibly handsome and also blond.

If Harry had noted the inevitable ripple of curiosity across the Grid he chose not to acknowledge it, other than to demand, "Senior Team into the Briefing Room immediately, Malcolm with a laptop please." Satisfied that his well trained vassals would obey he turned to instruct the new arrivals a shade less peremptorily, "This way."

As the four individuals thus ordered began to lock down their work stations, securing the various confidential data sets they happened to be working on, it was Danny gave voice to the group puzzlement, "Any idea who blond and blondie are?" Only for Ruth to shake her head in a negative, while Zoe commented, "I doubt her hair colour is natural but he's rather a dish." Thereby producing a scowl from Danny that lightened up the instant Malcolm informed them, "Not sure about her, but I think the other one is Adam Carter, although I thought he was with Six in some trouble spot, and Zoe he's married – to another agent." Having picked up his laptop as required he added, "It might be best not to keep Harry waiting." A timely reminder to one and all that Harry's temper, never renowned for its sweetness before the Giles Bamford-Smythe operation, had, since his return to the Grid become even more unpredictable. And if the tap root of this increased irascibility lay in the not wholly revealed nature of his relationship with Ruth during that those weeks, no one was foolhardy enough to ask directly for enlightenment. They'd given up the attempt to make Ruth to react to any hints, while daring to approach Harry on the subject was not an option. D stood for the section name not death wish.

By the time they all entered the Briefing Room Harry was settled in his accustomed place at the head of the table flanked by the blondes. Arranging themselves around the remaining space Zoe and Danny opted to sit on the side of the male visitor, Danny having moved with more alacrity than subtlety to ensure that he was sandwiched between Zoe and the newcomer, while Ruth took a seat opposite Zoe, leaving a clear space between herself and the unknown woman. Malcolm at the far end facing the screen, sensing trouble ahead, hurriedly occupied himself with setting up the laptop, plugging in the memory stick passed down from Harry. Leaving no time for verbal speculation once everyone seemed prepared Harry clearing his throat announced,

"Firstly introductions, Adam Carter from Six and Rosalind Myers also from Six."

After Malcolm's earlier identification the first of these names came as no surprise, but the second was productive of some wrinkling of brows as the surname rang some nightmarish bells. Before matters could proceed further Ms Myers announced in clipped no nonsense tones that could have just as easily emanated from Harry,

"You are correct. It was my father who was involved in that abortive coup two years ago and I prefer to be called Ros. Life in the service is too risky for more than one syllable in an emergency."

Given how Harry felt about traitors, especially ones who had, as a matter of policy ordered that he be banged up with a bottle of whisky and then subjected to near death through incineration as a chaser, it was a shock to one and all that Ros Myers had ever been allowed to set a toe across the threshold of Thames House, let alone be waved into the heart of the Grid. It was an even greater shock, and in one case productive of the second flicker of jealously within twenty minutes, when Harry, in a voice of warm approval, announced, "Very well Ros it is." Before turning his attention to defusing the defiant conversational bomb that she'd just lobbed across the table.

"To clarify further, Ros was out of the country when the coup attempt took place, had no information as to her father's intentions and has been cleared by a subsequent investigation to which she submitted herself voluntarily." The unspoken message being that any further public reference to this was not acceptable. Harry was realist enough to know that not even he could prevent inevitable private speculation later.

While the Grid quartet were prepared to take that hint, Harry had still not answered the unspoken puzzle, namely why two MI6 officers were sitting around a table in the counter terrorism section of MI5. Harry recognizing this - it was the question he would have asked when he was a junior operative - and having checked that Malcolm was ready via a wordless eye to nodded head confirmation, prepared to expound.

"Adam and Ros are present as we have been selected to undertake a joint operation with Six. This relates to a security cum intelligence task based in outskirts of London. Although this will take place on home soil and therefore is technically Five's remit it also contains International and Commonwealth implications. In view of my earlier background with Six the DG has decided that I am most appropriate person to head up the operation, with the addition of two Six's most experienced agents seconded for the duration."

Harry's usual deadpan face gave away nothing relating to his own thoughts about having two spies from Six pitchforked into his team, both of whom would undoubtedly report back to their own superior, and one of whom, despite the earlier party line proclamation of innocence, carried with her a slight whiff of the dodgy. As if they hadn't already been through enough this year with Giles Bamford-Smythe. Sensing impatience within his own troops he cleared his throat again before pressing onwards.

"This operation commences tomorrow and relates to the marriage of this gentleman." He made a brief pause while Malcolm sent a picture of a rather handsome male of Indian extraction to the screen. "This is Mohammed Ali Rashid, known to his friends Ali. He is a graduate from one ivy league university in America and is now completing a Phd in some aspect of international relations at Oxford. Westernized Muslim and the only son of the family that has huge influence in this province of Pakistan. Harry paused briefly as Malcolm flashed up a second screen shot, "Which as you can see from its position dominates a main route into India."

The wrinkled brows that greeted this indicated a certain confusion as to why the fuss, explained by Adam Carter chipping in, "Harry has given you the official foreign office spiel." A statement which, while Harry hastily retrieved the stage with a sardonic, "Exactly Adam," afforded the MI5 group some relief. It would appear that the vastly experienced Adam Carter partook of the Grid general contempt for political officialdom, which augured well for the temporary working relationship.

Harry, having allowed a couple of seconds for them to digest the story so far, continued, "Considerable influence in this case translates as governs the entire area in fact. Crucially given the location in conjunction with the rise of extreme Islam in the surrounding areas, the HM Government deems it important to support a Muslim area friendly to the West."

While all those listening could now appreciate why members of Six had been seconded into their midst they were still mystified as to the overall connection between a wedding and the confusing politics of the Asian sub continent. Feeling it incumbent to demonstrate to the strangers that they had tongues it fell to Zoe and Danny almost in concert to ask, "But why…"

The answer came from Ros, "A sleeper currently working in the area managed to access the records of Mohammed Ali Rashid senior. He is suffering from cancer with a prognosis of approximately eighteen months, which means that his son will soon have to return to preside over the democratic process."

While this was also a sarcasm worthy of Harry it didn't precisely enlighten anyone until Harry added, "Unfortunately with a growing radical tendency in the area it is vital that his son does return home to take over his father's duties, but it has been noted that his uncle, the next in line, is more sympathetic to the traditional views…"

Danny interjected, "Al Quadea or Boko Haram?"

"Not quite as bad as either but it would suit the extremist tendency if something happened to Mohammed Junior and they would like to scupper his forthcoming marriage with the prospect it brings of heirs." Malcolm sensing from experience that Harry was waiting, pressed up the next slide.

Harry acknowledging this with a slight nod continued, "This is the venue for the event, the Havensworth Hotel, chosen for its proximity to London, but set in extensive landscaped grounds and very private." He paused for a moment as behind an unreadable face he was sighing internally. This was the very venue he'd settled on as a suitable place in which to cement his relationship with Ruth. So now, after three months of enduring her rigid formality, he was being forced to deal with a tricky operation based in premises that would recall on a daily basis what might have been. He was returned to the real world by Danny commenting, "Extensive grounds that also boast a long border to guard."

Harry replying to this all too reasonable reservation simply said, "Adam."

Adam Carter picked up the thread. "This is why we are mounting a double skin of security. Six will also be providing some junior staff to protect and observe the perimeter. They will be based in a couple of sheds in the wood in two teams, one of which will be headed by an ex Section D operative on the basis that he is also familiar with Harry's methods of working."

Danny shot out the obvious question, "Who?"

"Jed..." Adam didn't get as far as pronouncing the surname before being halted by a groan from Danny and Zoe, followed by Danny turning on Harry asking angrily, in a tone that demanded an answer, "I thought he'd be decommissioned after…"

Keen to avoid a trip down that memory lane with Adam and Ros present Harry's response was terse, "It was concluded that while he'd been foolish, he had acted on the basis of incorrect information provided by his then Section Head. He's on a written warning and was transferred for a fresh start."

Danny wasn't mollified, "All we need, that idiot in a sensitive operation."

Adam Carter with a broad grin commented, "Perhaps he'll get a big surprise in the woods." An reconciled Danny rejoining with, "Could I arrange it?"

Harry, sensing that despite Adam's obvious amusement both he and the unsmiling Ms Myers, if they were half the spies he knew they were, would be wondering what underlay this outburst. And if there was one piece of Intel Harry wanted redacted permanently it was the later ramifications of the Giles Bamford Smythe affair, so impatient to be done he called for order.

"Possiby he'll catch pneumonia, but while Danny awaits that happy conclusion, Ros."

Squaring her shoulders and surveying the team with a stare that dared anyone to interrupt Ros, in her now familiar clipped tones, outlined the expectations. "Within the hotel the Senior, and presumably skilled officers, will be posted undercover, Adam will be head porter and general factotum, Danny bar and restaurant, Zoe leisure co-ordinator, Malcolm the communications within the hotel. I will be leading as the Head Housekeeper and General Manager."

The last came as no surprise. Even on their acquaintanceship of half an hour no one would have reckoned on the bossy Ms Myers undertaking any post that required her to be humble. Malcolm less than thrilled at being involved in another complicated operation after his recent experience of working undercover in plain sight enquired, "And communications within the team?"

Acknowledged with nod the icy Ms Myers accepted this very reasonable question. "To be maintained via whatever covert routes and equipment you can provide, as well as the normal monitoring the comms between our guests."

Seeking to lighten up the mood a trifle Adam smiled, "Your fame has even spread to Six Mr Wynne-Jones. "

The pause was brief as Ros, apparently not one for pleasantries, continued as if Adam hadn't spoken, "The schematics, which will be sent to you, include a small staff room in which we can exchange information in the old fashioned way."

Zoe who had remained silent thus far asked, "And the regular staff who …."

"Have been told that a big management shakeup has resulted in several senior positions being changed forthwith, details of your assigned post will be delivered this afternoon to enable you to familiarize yourselves before tomorrow. "

Tomorrow! Harry noting the aghast faces stepped in, "Thank you Ros". Having inclined his head politely towards Ms Myers Harry attempted to wrap up the meeting.

"Tomorrow we will all attend a site visit, Zoe and Danny will have to be measured for uniforms, I believe Ros and Adam have already done so…" A nod of confirmation came from Adam, "Very well Malcolm will not need a uniform and I am attending as myself – an observer you understand along with four security staff from a private contractor …."

No one commented on the utterly obvious, that the private contractor would be a ghost company, whose employees were security service trained and paid. Had they been inclined to raise any protest they were forestalled by the sound of Ruth who having taken no part in these discussion, or had any role assigned, asked, "And why…", clearly annoyed at being ignored.

Harry, who thrilled these days to any response from Ruth beyond the frozen, was inclined to stoke her fury, "So sorry Ruth I quite forgot to…"

"No apology needed for my foolishness in expecting you to pass on important information to your analyst…"

While the pair of them were involved in their public private duel, wrapped in their own personal bubble of angst, and temporarily oblivious to the reaction of those surrounding them, Ros Myers' well shaped eyebrows were rising a trifle. She herself was no particular respecter of status, but from her initial encounter with Harry Pearce she was amazed that the analyst, whom she'd marked down as a dowdy nonentity was daring to speak to him so sharply, and even more surprised that she wasn't being instantly blasted by the legendary Pearce temper.

Harry meeting Ruth's eyes, with a slight air of amusement that made her want to hit him, finally divulged the reason for her presence, "Unlike the others you Ruth will be accompanying me."

"Not as a plus one I assume."

Ah memories, He paused to savour that thought and to rile her further, a mild revenge for the last few weeks. "That will not be required, but your support for the bride will be."

As a statement Ruth was not the only person present to now look thoroughly mystified as Harry prepared to pull his traditional trick of wrong footing his staff. As Ruth almost spluttered "But…" he deigned to amplify this very basic information,

"This is a sensitive matter and as you already know the bride you are in the best position renew your friendship with her, and become the recipient of her girlish confidences."

"Er…"

"To jog your memory here is her recent photograph."

With Malcolm acting upon this very obvious hint the screen was suddenly illuminated with the image of a very attractive woman whom the other team members judged to be in her late twenties and of obvious Asian extraction, while Ruth's jaw began to head in the general direction of the table top before she recovered sufficiently to gasp.

"Aisha?"

Thanks for reading and if you have a moment a review would be very acceptable.