This is my first Spooks story. After reading some that have been posted, I thought I would try my luck at writing one. This takes place right after episode 2 of series 7. Reviews are helpful, but please be kind. I've never been to England, although it is on my wish list. So, my research might be a little sketchy. Any advice would be useful. I don't own any of the characters pertaining to the British spy show. Also my original characters came from inspirations by a former American spy show. I hope you enjoy the story.

A New Beginning

By crazygirlg

Harry Pearce sat in his office staring out his window at his team. They went through so much these past few weeks. First, getting his officer back after eight years of Russian incarceration, foiling a terrorist plot against Remembrance Day only to lose Adam Carter to a car bomb, and uncovering another attack from the Russians trying to destroy the Internet.

He looked at each of their faces until his eyes fell on Lucas North. He watched as Lucas was sitting at Adam's old desk going over stacks of paperwork. He wondered if maybe he made a mistake bringing Lucas back to work so early. Yes, the man proved his loyalty delivering Arkady Kechimov to him, but Lucas was still dealing with his demons.

Eight years in Lushanka prison would be hell for even the strongest man. How Lucas managed to survive and still function with sanity was a miracle of its own. On the surface, he seemed the same man as before, but Harry knew better. There were slight telling signs in the man's behavior and physical looks that told a different story. The dark circles under Lucas' eyes indicated that Lucas was not getting much sleep at night. The small tremor in his left hand and reactions when someone walked behind him showed the man was uncomfortable around crowds.

Lucas was an excellent actor, but Harry knew that Lucas could not hide his problems from him. He could order him to go into counseling as a requirement to return to the grid. The counselor would probably recommend medical leave or may restrict Lucas to certain duties. Of course, Lucas would object to that and refuse, but he would have little choice by that point. And, now was not the time for Harry to spare him.

With Adam gone, Lucas was needed more than ever. Still, it did not keep Harry from worrying about him. He was like a son to Harry.

When Lucas was captured, Harry mourned his loss more than anyone. He would have given up everything to get him back.

Harry felt that he owed Lucas something for what happened to him. Letting Lucas work in the job was the least he felt he could do, even if that decision went against his better instincts.

Harry took a breath and returned to his paperwork on his desk when the door to the pods opened. Richard Dolby entered the grid with two other suited gentlemen at his back. Connie was the first to greet the men before they went any further.

"Hello Richard. I see you brought some friends with you," she said.

"This is Matthew Ramis of the American Central Intelligence, and you already know Samuel Walker," said Dolby.

Connie shook hands with Ramis and gave a nod to Sam. She turned her attention back to Dolby who seemed a little agitated.

"We need to speak with Harry. It is of utmost importance."

Connie nodded and escorted the men to Harry's door. Harry watched all of this through the glass wall of his office, so it was no small surprise when the men walked through his door.

"Harry, it's good to see you, old friend," said Sam as he pushed past Dolby to shake Harry's hand.

Harry stood and extended his arm to his old friend before turning to the other two men who stood before him. Connie stood by the door until she got the signal from Harry to go. She exited the office and closed the door behind her to give the men their privacy.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" asked Harry.

The other men took their seats across from Harry as Dolby took a seat facing everyone, like a man overseeing his team.

"We've received word that a former CIA agent is currently in London," Ramis said as he passed a thick manila folder to Harry. "Her name is Nyssa McBride. The last we heard from her before finding her here, she was on assignment in Nigeria. Her name was suddenly red flagged in connection with several cases of arms dealing, stealing classified documents, taking bribes from foreign nationals, the list goes on."

"Why is she here? Do you suspect her involvement with any terror plots in the UK?" asked Harry as he quickly read over her file.

"At the moment, no. There's no evidence of that. However, she has been officially dismissed from the agency, her assets are frozen, her contacts have been severed with the exception of a few here in London," said Ramis. "We would like for you to keep an eye on her. If she steps out of line, we will have her."

"I'm sorry, gentlemen, but we are not a babysitting service," added Dolby.

"Why is she here? That was never established," said Harry.

Harry suspected the answer rested with these men. The looks on their faces gave away the truth before they said anything.

"While Nyssa was in Nigeria, the agency cut off everything from her. Her cover was blown. We didn't think she would make it out. We picked her up as soon as she was clear, and we dropped her off here," said Ramis.

"Without telling us first….," said Dolby.

"Her parents were divorced when she was seventeen. Her mother is a British citizen living in London. Her father is from a small town in America, but he has distant relatives in Ireland. Her father has developed friends in both the Irish mob and the IRA. She may utilize some old family contacts."

Harry remained unconvinced that this was just a simple babysitting job as Dolby put it. There was something that the agent was not telling him. Sam Walker could tell right away that Harry needed more convincing.

"Matthew, could you please leave us? I would like to talk to Harry alone," Sam emphasized his last word while glancing over at Dolby. He hoped the man got the message without voicing it.

The message was clear as Dolby gave a stern look before exiting his chair and leaving the office. Ramis rose from his chair without as much drama and followed Dolby. Sam waited until both men closed the door before turning his attention back to Harry.

"Alright, Sam, what is this all about? Who is this woman really?" asked Harry.

"She used to work in my department. I've known Nyssa for over twelve years. She's an excellent field agent. She is also a patriot. I don't believe anything that's in that dossier," said Sam.

"So, what is your theory about all this?"

"There have been a number of field agents who have been burned with similar accusations. A number of them have been prosecuted and sent to prison. Others, like Nyssa, have been turned out on the street. All of them turn up missing after a while. I think they have been forced out to make them vulnerable. Maybe to turn them, extract information from them, we don't know. Right now, Nyssa is my last and only lead. I proposed this scenario to bring you in on this, Harry. I don't want to lose her the way I lost the others. I also don't want her knowing that I'm on her side."

"Do you suspect someone from the inside?"

"I suspect everybody," Sam said with a smile. "It's in my nature. Yes, I do, and knowing her, she will try to investigate this on her own. Trust me. She's a handful. You don't have to just watch her. Use her, Harry. Convince her to work for you as an asset. So long as she stays in the country, we can see if anything happens."

"So, your plan is to use her as bait to see if these people will try to make contact. Are you sure this person is not guilty of what she is being accused of? That she really has no connection to this?"

"I've had people I called my closest friends burn me in the past. But, Harry, I've known her when she was still in the Army. I know everything about her, and despite her family background and her past, I know her character. These accusations are complete bullshit. She's being set up. I know it.

"Now, I've asked Matthew and Richard out of the office because they don't know the reasons behind my plans. As far as I'm concerned, the few people who know the better. I trust that we can keep this a secret between us."

"I will do my best, but I need to brief my team."

"Tell them only what they need to know, and, watch your back. I don't know how big this is going to get before they even make themselves known to us."

Harry nodded in agreement. For some time he heard rumors about a secret faction operating separately from other intelligence agencies, but until now, he never got it confirmed. He hated keeping secrets from his own team, especially Ros Meyers, his section chief. But, sometimes it was a necessary evil.

Sam stood from his chair and waited for Harry to rise from his before extending his hand across the desk in a handshake.

"Thanks, Harry, I'm glad we can work together on this. The agency already has a couple of agents on her tail, but last I checked, she got away from them for a few hours. As I said, she was a top field agent. She's smart and resourceful. She has assets that even we don't know about."

"I wouldn't worry, Sam. We can be very persuasive."

Sam smiled at the thought. Harry is smart, but Nyssa might actually be his equal. If anything, this union might be fun to watch, like putting two of the world's top chess players against each other and see who emerges victorious.

"So good to see you again, Harry. Good luck to you."

The two men bid each other goodbye, then Sam left the office with Ramis following behind and Dolby bringing up the rear. After the men left the grid Connie walked back into Harry's office for instructions.

"Well, I take it this was not a social call," said Connie from the office doorway.

"Hardly," said Harry. "Bring in Ros…..and Lucas as well. This will be a special assignment for them."