Thanks for the lovely reviews so far! I hope you're still enjoying the story. Yes, O was for Obligation – sorry! This one is Solitude:
Ros stood in Harry's office, waiting. Her hand raised up to the glass, she gazed out into Section D, her eyes flickering around each one of the officers working at stations. Lucas was nearest, his tongue lolling slightly as he focused on the piles of paperwork in front of him. A little further away, Tariq sat clicking away simultaneously at a dozen computers. Ruth was engrossed in studying a map, Jo leaning over her shoulder at certain intervals to point things out.
She wondered if they were content. Content in their work, content in their privacy, content in their lives. No one in MI5 could be happy; not after the things they'd seen, and the ordeals they'd been through. But contentment was different. Contentment was about learning to deal with what was thrown at you in the best possible way, about making the most of every little joyous moment, and staying positive throughout the hard times.
Part of that was the people in your life.
Lucas, after the shock of Sarah's death, had partied hard with a different girl each night, and for a while his work had suffered. But he was a handsome man, with many attractive qualities, and he seemed to have finally settled down with an equally suitable match.
No one knew much about Tariq's life. He had a lot of friends on Facebook, if that was any good. But he also had family across the world he'd visit frequently, and mates he'd meet up with for computer game competitions and a pint down the pub. He seemed comfortable enough.
Ruth's life didn't take much explanation. She was with Harry now; they'd arrive for work with linked arms, and chatter mid-morning over coffee. Harry, in turn, seemed to avoid the whisky, and indeed his eyes were brighter and his smile wider since they'd married. Their lives came hand in hand now, along with Scarlet and Fidget, and they faced the horrors of a spooks' life together.
And as for Jo. Ros wouldn't say she was jealous of her exactly, but there was no mistaking that she was a very charming woman to be with and around, and although they fought, there was a strong bond between them. Jo had countless chattering uni friends, neighbours flocking to converse with her, family dinners dotted throughout the year. She had a good social life, and she needed it. In this job, everyone needed somewhere to hide.
That only left herself. While she could judge her colleagues, she found it hard to understand herself. And it left her wondering what they thought of her. Certainly, she'd had all kinds of names thrown at her; she hadn't been overly popular. But they liked her, didn't they? They seemed to trust her, at least; to look up to her. Wasn't that all she could ask?
She wasn't lonely. There was a fine line between loneliness and solitude, and she wasn't balanced precariously on it. She was content alone. Not happy, but content. For now, that was good enough.
I don't own Spooks. Thanks for reading; please review :) xx