This is a sequel to my first Spooks story, The Reluctant Spy. I would only suggest reading the first one because it introduced my original characters, and the main plot carries over from the first story. I am writing these series stories like episodes in a show, so each one has their own shorter plot threads that do have a conclusion.

Warning: This story has mild language and some intimate scenes, but I will not go into unnecessary detail. I only say what I need to get the story to move along.

I don't own any of the Spooks characters. My original characters were inspired by an American spy show that aired a few years ago. I always had the idea of combining the two with the American as a female character.

The Blacklist

Sequel to The Reluctant Spy

Chapter 1: Secrets

It was very early morning when Nyssa woke up. The sun was barely visible when she heard heavy breathing next to her in the bed. She carefully turned on her side toward the man lying next to her. He had turned over in the night and had his back to her. She reached out with her fingers and lightly brushed over the skin, tracing the random domes he had tattooed on his back.

There were eight of them. That was significant. She remembered that he said eight years of his life was stolen. Her fingers brushed over each one as she studied them carefully. Eight years in a Russian prison. She closed her eyes and leaned over to kiss his shoulder. He stirred just slightly before his breathing became heavy again, and she could tell he fell back asleep.

Lucas never told her he was in prison for those eight years. The tattoos told her already from the moment he took off his shirt last night. She knew what Russian prison tattoos looked like and what each one represented. Lucas' tattoos were different in that way. She imagined that his were more personal, more meaningful only to him.

Nyssa rolled over on her back and closed her eyes, letting her memories relive that moment when he pulled his jacket and shirt off in front of her.

Lucas kissed her deeply, with the same urgency of a man desperate for water. He tugged at her t-shirt until she was free from it, then he tossed it on the floor, not caring where it landed.

While their tongues fought for dominance, Nyssa pulled off the jacket, letting fall to join the shirt on the floor. She worked on the buttons until the last one gave way.

Lucas made a trail from her lips to her neck and worked his way down to the shoulder, kissing and nipping as he went. Her head fell back and a moan escaped her lips when he bit the base of her neck leaving a red bruise.

Nyssa buried her fingers into his hair as he traveled back up her neck then pulled away to look into her eyes again. His feelings changed when he saw the surprise on her face as she stared at the tattoos on his chest and arms. He had forgotten about them. He felt shame and embarrassment at the thought of stopping everything to explain why he had them.

He lowered his head and started pulling away until she locked her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a long deep kiss. When she broke the kiss, Nyssa touched her forehead to Lucas' and looked into his blue eyes.

"Not now. Tell me later. Tonight, I just want you," she whispered.

He nodded his head, and they resumed their lovemaking, neither of them saying a single word the rest of the night.

Lucas moved again bringing Nyssa out of her memories. He turned until he was repositioned on his other side, this time facing her. His arm reached out and wrapped around her waist. He gently pulled her close to him as he slowly opened his eyes and smiled.

This was how he wanted to wake up, staring into Nyssa's beautiful hazel eyes.

"Good morning!" he said.

Lucas reached up to lightly touch the bruise that formed on her jaw where he hit her last night. He was angry at himself for hurting her like that, but she appeared not to hold any grudges. In fact, it was Nyssa who started the fight and kept it going until he finished it with a kiss.

He still did not understand how they ended up in bed together. One minute they were in a physical confrontation, and the next minute they were practically tearing each other's clothes off. It was as if they were possessed by some uncontrolled need. They could not get enough of each other last night.

Lucas stared into Nyssa's eyes, and for the first time since he came back from Russia, he felt content. It was also the first time in eight years that he slept through the night and did not wake up in a panic.

Each night, Lucas would be visited by a different interrogator and put through unspeakable torture. They all wanted to know the same thing. Tell me about Sugar Horse.

He would sit bolt upright in the bed drenched in sweat. The room felt like it was closing in on him. He could not breathe. He had to get outside, run as far as he could until he was so exhausted he could barely turn around and make it home. It usually happened in the very morning hours, three hours before dawn.

He lightly brushed his fingers across her jaw and felt her flinched a little from the pain. He sucked in his breath as he pulled back slightly. It was a knee-jerk reaction when he threw that punch. He blocked her kick to the groin, and without thinking, he connected his fist with her jaw.

When he was a boy, he was taught never to hit girls. When he entered the service, he was taught to defend himself in any way necessary. That meant if he needed to strike a woman, he would.

The day he came back from Russia he got into a physical fight with a terrorist operative, code name Tranquility. She was ready to take him down, even kill him. There was no room for chivalry when everyone's lives, including his own, was at risk.

Nyssa was not looking to kill him. She wanted to take him down a few pegs all to prove a silly point. She was a tomboy and was used to fighting. In fact, she seemed to enjoy it. It excited her getting physical with Lucas like that. Nothing was more of a turn on to her than having a man hold his own and beat her in a fight.

"I'm sorry that I hurt you," he whispered showing true remorse.

"I actually deserved it." She smiled. "I've had worse, Lucas. I'm just glad you didn't break my jaw."

He reached toward her and gently kissed the bruise. He pulled back to look in her eyes again before positioning himself over her. He kissed her on the lips. As the kiss deepened, their hands explored each other's bodies again. His lips touched the bruise on her jaw then traveled down the column of her neck to renew the teeth marks he made where her shoulder met her neck. Nyssa closed her eyes and tilted her head back to expose more of her neck to his actions.

They made love more slowly than last night, taking the time to explore each other and learn what pleasures them the most. Another hour had past with Nyssa resting her head on Lucas' chest and Lucas staring upward toward the ceiling. His fingers lightly caressed her upper arm causing goose bumps to form.

Lucas listened as Nyssa's breathing changed. It became more deep and steady, and he could tell that she fell asleep. His mobile rang somewhere on the floor. He tried not to disturb Nyssa as he untangled his arms and legs from hers and repositioned her in the bed.

He got out of the bed and reached for his jacket. He pulled his mobile from the pocket. It was Harry.

Lucas walked into the bathroom. He took one last glance at Nyssa to see if she was still asleep before he closed the door for privacy.

"Hello, Harry," Lucas said.

"Lucas, I need you to come in. There's been a development from the flash drive you gave to Malcolm."

"Right. I'll be there in an hour."

Lucas hung up the phone. He looked around Nyssa's bathroom and noticed that she only had a shower and no bath tub. Ever since he got back from Russia, he would try to avoid showers. The water spraying in his face brought back unpleasant memories.

At least the shower stall was a large size. He had a problem with claustrophobia as well. He would just have to be careful not to get the water in his face.

He had no time to go back to his flat for fresh clothes, so a quick rinse off would have to do. Twenty minutes later, Lucas was finished with the shower and redressed in his clothes. He leaned over and lightly brushed his lips to Nyssa's forehead before he left the apartment.

Lucas stepped off the pods at Thames House and walked toward his desk. He took off his jacket and draped it over his chair. He glanced over at Malcolm who was working on piecing the data on the flash drive back together. He had been trying to save what he could and restore the corrupted files, but his efforts were proving useless.

"Good Morning, Malcolm. Is Harry in?" asked Lucas bringing Malcolm back from his thoughts.

"Morning. Yes, he's in his office." Malcolm returned to his computer screen, his attention captured by his project.

Lucas walked toward the office quickly acknowledging each of the team until he came to Harry's door. He knocked then opened the door as soon as he heard Harry's voice.

Ros watched as Lucas crossed the room and went into the office. She made a mental note of Lucas' appearance. Apparently, their officer was wearing the same clothes he had on yesterday.

Harry motioned for Lucas to take a seat and waited until Ros came in and closed the door behind her. She took the chair next to Lucas and turned to Harry for the meeting to begin.

"I have briefed Ros on a matter concerning Nyssa. Only she and I at Section D really know about what has been going on this past year. I think it is time to bring you in," Harry said to Lucas.

"Before we began surveillance on Nyssa, Sam Walker rang me and told me of her situation. There have been other officers in the CIA who have been investigated for various crimes and have disappeared. It is assumed that they dropped off the grid to avoid prosecution, but Sam thinks there is more to it than that."

"This has something to do with the people who blacklisted Nyssa?" asked Lucas.

"Sam believes there is a shadow faction either turning operatives or killing them. They would make false accusations against the operatives, effectively turning the agency against them. Then, they would extract them, turn them for intelligence or make them into assets. Those who refuse are killed," informed Harry.

"How do we protect Nyssa from these people? What do we do?" asked Lucas.

"Lucas, this might be bigger than we thought. The flash drive that you retrieved from Marlin contained encrypted data that was programmed with a self-destruct code. Malcolm was unable to copy the information, but he did get a glimpse of a list of names before the files became corrupted."

"We don't know what the list was in reference to. Malcolm recognized two names before the list disappeared. Nyssa's name and yours," said Ros.

"I don't understand," said Lucas in confusion.

"Marlin told you there were players in the game that no one realizes. We assumed he was talking about the Al Qaeda, but what if he was talking about someone else," informed Harry.

"Do you think Nyssa's blacklist case may be tied to the bombing in the marketplace? Nyssa needs to know this, Harry. She has to understand what she is getting into."

Lucas became agitated. His sudden need to protect her was strong. Both Ros and Harry began sensing his frustration.

"You can't tell her anything about this. That is an order," said Harry.

"Harry, she will be exposed. You can't serve her up as bait for these people." Lucas was becoming angry. "It's one thing if she went in fully aware of the risks. At least she would have a choice."

"This is a risk we must take if we are to gain any type of advantage. The less people who know about this, the better. If you want to help Nyssa, then you stay close to her and report anyone who may come in contact. Is that clear?" Harry ordered.

"Yes, Harry. It is perfectly clear." Lucas spoke in a low tone while fighting to keep his temper under control.

Harry nodded his head accepting the answer and dismissed Lucas. As Lucas left the office Ros followed him to the door then turned back to Harry.

"What is your opinion, Ros? Do you think I am doing the right thing?"

"I believe Lucas has become too emotionally involved. Did you notice that he is wearing the same clothing as yesterday? And, his behavior just now…"

"The relationship between them has progressed rather quickly." Harry took a deep breath before he continued. "I would hate to lose either of them, but if I had to choose between them, you know what my answer would be. Let's hope that Nyssa is as clever and resourceful as Sam said she is."