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Morning

"The trade delegation from South America will be in London for three days." Connie stated calmly as the assembled spooks listened. Lucas frowned slightly. There was something about Connie that he had begun to distrust. He had no idea what but he thought he was beginning to see whatever it was that Ros had months earlier when Connie had joined the team. He also didn't like the way Connie looked down her nose at Ros and Jo.

"And we are certain the Israeli delegation are going to play ball?" Ben asked. Ros nodded.

"No doubt the Mossad goons will be in the background. We ignore them and do our job." Ros watched as Lucas smiled slightly. It was clear the Ice Queen mask that had slipped so slightly just a few hours before was firmly back in place.

"I dare say they are saying the same about us." Connie snapped. Ros narrowed her eyes and glared at her.

"Indeed."

"So," Harry began, sensing the tension in the room. "The reception tonight."

"What about it?" Jo asked, already dreading the answer.

"We will all be there. Malcolm you, Connie and Joanna in the van outside with Ben, Lucas, Ros and myself inside."

"How?"

"The Home Secretary knows we will be there." Harry stood and watched as Ros began handing out further instructions to the ever shrinking team. He shook his head wondering what the place would be like with Adam, Zaf and Ruth still there. He closed his eyes and pushed all thoughts of Ruth away from his mind. It was still just too painful. He had no idea if it would ever stop hurting to think of the petite brunette. "We will have full back up on this, it is highly likely not only will Mossad be joining us but the FSB goons that plague our streets will have an invite too."

"And what if we meet one of them?" Lucas asked.

"Well, there is no Cold War at the moment, not officially anyway." Harry smirked. "Keep a low profile. Our job tonight is to make sure that British interests are safe. That there is no threat from any outside agency. I know a certain Mossad operative is in the country. I'd like to know what he is playing at." The team got to their feet and left the Briefing Room. Lucas loitered in the doorway as Harry looked up.

"Lucas?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go on." Harry waited for the younger man to respond. Lucas sighed heavily.

"Have you noticed anything different about Connie? The way she is with Ros and Jo?"

"Connie has always been somewhat acerbic." Harry smiled wryly. "It is her way. I think she believes something happened with Ros and Meynell that she doesn't approve of. "

"It isn't her place to judge. Ros could have been killed. We both know she was lying about the gun. We both know Ros will put her life on the line before anyone else."

"Lucas." Harry smiled slightly. He was relieved Ros had someone other than himself looking out for her. "Ros is a very capable woman. She is probably the best Section Chief I have ever had."

"I'm sure Tom and Adam would be happy to hear you say that."

"It's true." Harry held his gaze. "The only thing is Ros doesn't see it herself. Look after her."

"Harry?" Lucas tilted his head, watching his boss.

"We both know Ros isn't as tough as she would have us believe. And we both know her report on what happened with Meynell was what she wanted us to think happened."

"MI 5 do not operate honey traps." Lucas parrotted Ros' earlier words.

"No and I will never condone them. But we all know they happen. "Look after her, Lucas. Whether she wants you to or not."

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Belgravia was one of the few places in London Lucas had never visited before. He tugged on the uncomfortable and annoying tie he had been forced to wear. He almost envied Jo and Malcolm in the warm and comfortable Ops Van parked in the lane behind the imposing hotel.

"Lucas." Harry handed him a drink. "As I thought there are several former Cold War operatives here."

"What?"

"A few old relics like me. Half of them will be here legitimately - probably left the service and went into business."

"And?"

"And I don't trust any of them. Ros?" He looked across the marble floored ballroom to where Ros was stood talking to a man Harry had dearly wished was not in the country. "Get away from him." Ros glanced up as she heard Harry's voice in her earpiece. She frowned slightly before ignoring Harry and glaring at the man in front of her. Harry swore.

"Who is he?" Lucas asked.

"Mani. Ex Mossad, we've crossed paths before."

"When?" Lucas glanced to where Ros was talking to the man Harry seemed to dislike so much.

"A while ago. If he is here I suggest we find out why." Harry downed his drink in one and headed towards a middle aged man on the other side of the room. Lucas leant against the bar and watched. Part of him wanted to storm over to the couple and demand that the tall, swarthy man got as far away from his Ros as was humanly possible. Another part of him knew Ros would eat him alive if he even approached them. He sipped his drink and wondered just when he had come to think of Ros as his.

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"When did he get into the UK?" Connie hissed. Her eyes fixed on the small monitor inside the Ops Van.

"Who?" Jo huddled next to Malcolm.

"Mani." Malcolm closed his eyes. "I thought he was dead."

"Why?" Jo was clearly lost. "Has anyone seen Ben since we arrived?"

"He's behind the bar."

"He always ends up the barman." Jo smiled slightly. The newest recruit had been her idea and she had been relieved that Harry had trusted her judgement. Now she was beginning to wonder if dragging the young man into their world had been such a good idea.

"Why break a winning formula?" Malcolm smiled. "We need to know why he is in the UK. I dare say it has nothing to do with the Trade Conference. He will recognise Harry in a second."

"Then we get Harry out of there." Connie snapped. "Contact Ben or Lucas. Get one of them to create a diversion. Or Ros, even I am sure she can use her feminine whiles."

"Oh my God Connie. Let it go. She was in an impossible position. You may have done the same at her age. Give her a break, it's getting boring." Jo snapped. Malcolm couldn't help but smile.

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"What is such a beautiful woman doing here on her own?" Mani smiled at her. Ros felt her blood run cold.

"The same as you."

"Business." Mani nodded. "The bane of my life."

"Oh I doubt that." Ros glanced across the room to see Lucas place his glass on the bar. Harry was no where to be seen but Ben seemed preoccupied with the pretty red head that was flirting with him. Suddenly her blood ran cold as Mani rested his hand on her arm. She flinched away to see the indignant look that crossed Mani's face. Her pulse quickened as memories of the previous case filled her mind. Suddenly it was as if Meynall was in the room with her.

"You should have a drink, loosen up." Ros narrowed her eyes as she heard him speak, fighting to keep her mind in the present.

"No thank you." Ros stepped back slightly. Lucas had been watching the exchange from the other side of the room and finally decided Ros was not handling the unwanted attention as well as she would have done even a week ago. She looked slightly unsure of herself but as defensive as ever. He made his way through the crowd as the band began to drown out all conversation on the floor.

"There you are." Lucas smiled as he appeared next to Ros.

"Yes." Ros glanced at him. "Where the Hell have you been?"

"Sorry, got distracted at the bar. Business contact from my days in Russia. And this is?" He extended a hand to Mani. The older man smirked and stepped back, determined not to shake Lucas' hand.

"I am of no importance but I think you have some making up to do with your wife." Mani turned on his heel and marched away. Ros closed her eyes, furious that she had been relieved that Lucas had stepped in. She turned to face him before shaking her head and marching out of the ballroom.

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Mani stepped out on to the moonlit terrace and smiled. He pulled his mobile out of his pocket, aware that no one was paying him any attention. His contact would be happy that he had ruffled the feathers of the legendary Ros Myers. He had known exactly who the cool blonde had been when he had approached her; the photograph his contact had given him had been accurate. What he hadn't been expecting was the tall, dark-haired man that had approached them. The tattoos had snaked out from under his sleeves as he had touched Ros' arm and Mani knew he was up against more than the average corporate spook. He dialed the number of his contact and waited for her to answer.

"I have made my presence known, now you have to keep your side of the bargain." He smirked, aware his contact was in no place to argue. "I know the woman is alive and I know you have her location. It is time to live up to your side of the deal Constance." He hung up the phone and headed back in to the Ball. Just a few feet away the colour drained from Connie's face knowing she had to act. And fast.

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A/N more soon. This story has taken on a life of it's own. Always had a feeling Connie would sell Ruth out. Please review.