I do not own Spooks. Kudos and BBC do.

Consequences

Ruth stood at the back of the interview room in Thames House. She could feel the nerves coming off her in waves, slightly alarmed that she was actually wary of her old friend and former colleague. It seemed that she'd been telling Harry not to worry for days and now all she could do was fight the nerves herself. She'd decided that in order to hold the interview she would have to look the part and had dressed deliberately a little more like Zoë and Ros who after all were used to this sort of thing. She stood there in a navy trouser suit hoping that Lucas who sat at the desk would begin the questioning before she had to say anything.

Lucas was equally as wary, although for different reasons. The look Tom had given him in the alleyway was playing on his mind. It seemed like a lifetime ago that he would go drinking with Tom, talk about girlfriends, football and moan about work. Now he really was beginning to think that his friend had turned traitor. Feeling a little apprehensive Lucas was glad that Zoë, Harry and Ros would be watching through the two way mirror.

Tom was led in to the room by a young guard who told him to sit at the table before taking his position by the door, directly opposite Ruth. Tom smiled as Lucas hit record on the tape recorder.

"Still playing by the book I see"

Both Lucas and Ruth ignored the remark.

"For the benefit of the tape. The time is 11:30 am on Friday 11th Feb 2010. Present are Intel Analyst Ruth Evershed, Senior Case Officer Lucas North and guard Lee Davis. The interviewee is Tom Quinn. AKA Thomas Jones"

Tom folded his arms, doing a very good impression of someone who was monumentally bored. He stared at Lucas.

"Ok, so you wanted to talk Tom. Go ahead" Lucas leant back in his chair as Ruth watched the discussion begin.

"How are you Lucas? How's Elizabeta?" Tom smirked as Lucas' eyes darkened.

Lucas refrained from answering as Tom leant forward placing his elbows on the table. Ruth began to feel decidedly uneasy, all too aware that both men had been trained in interview techniques and counter intelligence at the same time, by the same people. She glanced towards the two way mirror, hoping that somehow she'd sense what Harry and the two women behind the mirror would want them to do. Neither Lucas or Tom had spoken for at least two minutes when Ruth drew breath and asked her question.

"Never mind us, how have you been? How's Christine? We all assumed when you left you went to her." she remained leaning against the wall noticing how Tom's eyes darkened. Hit a nerve eh? She thought. Well it served him right for dragging Lucas' ex wife into the conversation.

"I'm just dandy Ruth. Thank you. Enjoy Cyprus?" Now she wanted to throttle him. How had he known? Had he been watching them all this time?

"Hot" was all Ruth answered as behind the glass both Harry and Ros wanted to throttle him. Zoë sat absorbed in the whole proceedings and desperately upset that she had been ignored by Tom since his return.

Tom laughed. Lucas wanted to thump him but kept his counsel. His blue eyes never leaving Tom's.

"Ok, enough of the small talk. What were you doing meeting Dimitri Akensov two nights ago? What do you know about Nightingale and can you cut out the bull, we really don't have time." Lucas had learnt from Tom that the best way to deflect questions was to turn them back on the person asking and had no intention of letting Tom do that now.

Tom smirked "You don't believe any of this Ruth?" he held Ruth's gaze as she did her best to hide her emotions.

"Yes. I do. Answer the questions" Ruth had hoped to let Lucas do most of the talking and was surprised at how her voice sounded so much stronger than she felt. Tom shook his head, disappointed that she wouldn't take the bite. She didn't move from where she was stood, just noticing how the atmosphere in the room had changed.

Lucas leant across, about to turn the tape off when he seemed to change his mind.

"Waste of time" he turned to Ruth "We can forget this. He knows nothing, full of crap. C'mon." Ruth took a step forward, secretly relieved when she thought Lucas was ending the interview. Tom shook his head. "Really Lucas? I expected more. I bet your interviewers in Russia didn't give up so easily." the laugh in his voice unmistakable. Ruth's reactions were too slow as Lucas saw red, the chair he was sat in flew backwards as the table was pushed aside. Lucas grabbed Tom by the throat forcing him against the wall.

"LUCAS!" she shreaked as she crossed the room in seconds. Tom was against the wall and for a split second she was sure Lucas would kill him. In the outer room Ros and Zoe were on their feet as Harry told them to sit down. He wouldn't let Lucas or Tom go too far, but he wanted to know where this was going.

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW BOUT RUSSIA!?!" Lucas was right in Tom's face as Ruth grabbed his arm. The guard remained impassive in the corner.

"Now, now Lucas! Listen to Ruth" he gasped as Ruth again told Lucas to calm down. Lucas stared directly at Tom. "What. Do. You. Know. About. Me. And. Russia" Lucas punctuated every word.

"I. KNOW. Who do you think Connie was working with? You were the junior officer. You were expendable." Lucas felt the colour drain from his face as he finally released Tom. He stared as Ruth felt the tears spring to her eyes.

"expendable" she mouthed and turned away from both men as Lucas leaned against the wall. Shuddering visibly Ruth asked

"Was Connie part of Nightingale?" Ruth asked as Tom just nodded. "All along. Mace told you this goes higher than you, Harry or any of the others could imagine. If you want to see your precious Home Secretary again I suggest you cut me a deal."

Lucas fought the urge to hit him, instead ushering Ruth from the room.

Authors note. Please review. I hope this chapter is ok, not sure about it. xx