Harry was particularly hacked off as he drove into work the next day. He'd spent the night looking through Annabelle's file and was annoyed by how perfect she seemed. Very intelligent, no professional flaws at all, early forties, a daughter at university, never married, and a woman who had carefully climbed the career ladder without creating too many ripples in political waters. He was actually surprised that he hadn't heard of Annabelle Scott before as their paths had never crossed. Before she had even set foot in Thames House, he was privately guessing that Ruth would hate her. Their intelligence levels were too damn similar for comfort, he thought with a sigh as he parked his car. At least on paper at any rate. This was not going to be an easy day.

Ruth kept glaring over the top of her computer screen. A beautiful blonde waif was sitting in Harry's office and she had no idea why she was there. Lucas had passed her through the security checks but he had no idea why this woman was here either. And it was clear that the new blonde was not budging until she'd spoken to Harry.

"Ros, what is she doing here?" Ruth asked as she passed her desk.

"I have no idea and she isn't coming forward with details either. But Harry better get here soon otherwise I'm going to lose my temper."

"I thought she was lost in the land of politics," Ruth said. She had recognised the woman and it hadn't taken long for her details to come up on her computer, reminding her.

"You know who she is?" Ros asked.

"Yes, Annabelle Scott. Likes to be behind the scenes with the political men of the day. She's very intelligent."

"I wonder what she's doing here," Ros replied as she walked to her own desk.

This new arrival had done nothing than politely sit in Harry's office waiting for him but Ruth couldn't explain the surge of hatred she felt for this woman. Ruth turned as the pods whirred open and Harry appeared. Their eyes connected for a moment before the contact was broken and she continued typing. Or at least pretending to. She was really watching as Harry walked into his office and greeted the new woman. The blinds were open which she appreciated because she could watch them, without looking like she was spying.

"Hi," Jo said as she sat down next to Ruth.

"Sh," Ruth replied before she could stop herself. Jo followed her friends eye line. She saw the back of a strangers head sitting opposite Harry and Jo wisely kept her mouth shut.

"Good morning Miss Scott," Harry said as he entered his office.

"Do you arrive late every morning?" she asked as she stood up to shake his hand.

"I see the watching has already begun," Harry replied. She smiled and in that moment he knew she was only teasing him, not being serious. "Take a seat."

"Just before we start, I want to say that I didn't lobby for this job, but it seems in my career I've made a habit of spying on my own side," Annabelle said.

"That's a good way to start," Harry said with a smile which Annabelle returned.

"This… me being here is political. I think we all know that. I'll be out of the way in a couple of months as long as nothing drastic goes wrong."

"I wanted to hate you," Harry said after a moment, taking in her words which were said in a very good natured manner.

"That's how I start all of my jobs," Annabelle said. "Apparently I grow on people. I would like a security pass though. To make it easier to get into work tomorrow."

"I'll do that for you," Harry agreed easily. This was going better than he had anticipated. "Anything else?"

"A free computer terminal?" Annabelle asked.

"I think that can be arranged," Harry said. "Just out of interest, what are you actually looking for?"

"I'm monitoring communications to other departments and how your terrorist assessment works. Who deals with most of that?"

"Ruth deals with the terror reports, I'd say Tariq for the communications, although everyone handles it to a certain degree."

"Thank you," Annabelle said with a smile. She turned and looked out of the window. "I can guess who Tariq is, the techie with his eyes glued to his computer screen. Which one's Ruth? Either of the blondes or the brunette?"

"The brunette."

"Its not Ruth Evershed is it?" Annabelle asked, turning back to Harry.

"Yes, why?" Harry asked tensely.

"I seem to remember processing her post mortem results a few years ago."

"Ah," Harry replied. "Well you see…"

"Yes, I do see," Annabelle said with a smile. "She was always too clever for her own good."

"She won't like you, just as a warning."

"I hope that's not a reflection on me personally," Annabelle said with a smile.

"No, you're here to spy on our own side. She won't like you."

"Well, I can deal with it," Annabelle said. "I'm here for show, nothing more. We want to keep the American's happy don't we?"

"To appearances at least," Harry said with a smile which she followed with her own.

"Thank you for being civil to me Sir Harry," Annabelle said as she stood up.

"Just Harry," he said, never being comfortable with the title he had had bestowed upon him. "What else do you know about me other than my title?"

"Never you mind" she replied with a smile. "Anyway, its only the best to oversee section D after all. I'll get to work."

"Good," Harry said with a smiled as Annabelle's heels clicked on the office floor before she vanished into the grid and the door slid shut behind her.

Hopefully more soon.