A few more chapters I think. Thanks for following, those who are. And sorry about the lack of updates!


Harry was not dragged back to his cell. Tiredly, he obeyed Ernest's orders to walk where instructed. When they reached the second concrete frozen corridor, he was blindfolded and pushed forwards with tight new handcuffs squeezing his wrists, holding his arms behind his back. An unnecessary control; he was hardly in a position to fight back. Ernest was abusing his authority and it was this fact that resulted in Harry despising him beyond the point of return.

He heard a ship like door being unlocked and opened, it squeaked and created an amazing echo to the revealed room as it hit the back wall. Blinded in black, Harry stumbled in knowing little more of where he was except that the room was big, metal and probably empty.

Ernest pushed him forward, closed the door before joining him and then leading him to a chair. Harry sat heavily as the blindfold was ripped off and instantly the fluorescent bulb blasting splintering light into his eyes took effect. Squinting did little to prevent the brutality so he turned his head away as Ernest watched. Neither spoke. They just waited. Interogation changed little over the years.

After about three minutes Harry could open his eyes nearly fully. But still he sat rigid and frightened. Mainly due to the fact that there was literally nothing to give up. Reasons, yes, but if Juliet had stated her knowledge of the affair then surely Ernest knew the same. It seemed logical to presume that.

"Well," Ernest maintained his position behind Harry, burly arms folded, "This is shouldn't take long."

"You're right, it shouldn't." He would not let the nerves rupture his voice. "You know everything there is to know."

"I'd like to explore the reasons in more detail."

"Reasons for what?"

He closed in, slipped a large hand around Harry shoulder and squeezed hard. It hurt more than Harry would accept. His collar bone was already sore after being man handled this way. So, as a result of training, he focused on a single point ahead in the darkness and forced himself to believe there was no hand and there was no pain, which ultimately saved him no grief whatsoever. The claws tightened and his bones just ached. And ached.

"If you're going to avoid the questions," Ernest snarled into his ear, "Then you should expect to get hurt."

Teeth gritted, Harry growled back.

"With someone like you as my interrogator I expect to get hurt anyway. You're an animal who relishes the agony of innocents."

"Is that how you'd describe yourself? Innocent?" His hand fell away as he paced around to face the drained man. His figure blocked the light – a fact for which Harry momentarily was grateful.

"Hardly." With strived effort Harry raised his pounding head. He would retain dignity. Despite everything, he'd made a pact with himself that he would always retain dignity to the end if it were possible. Ernest cocked his head to one side, surprised that his victim had given an answer which correlated exactly with his own. Harry continued either bravely or stupidly, "How could I ever call myself innocent; I've killed people. I've had to - I'm a spy. If this is about innocence, you're not going to get a lot out of me."

There was a long pause as he watched the black air heat up before Ernest cracked the most terrorizing smile.

"Good job it's not about innocence then."


When Ruth returned to the Grid, the enquiry staff had gone.

She paced in slowly – cautiously – though not entirely sure as to why. Tariq soon met her before she reached her desk, wearing the dustings of a smile. She glanced at Beth, also holding an air of content about her. They didn't catch eyes but she sensed a change. A positive change.

"Ruth, Robert Bringham just came onto the Grid but you weren't here." Tariq explained as she took off her coat.

"What did he say?"

"He told us Harry should be back within the week. The enquiry's nearly over."

Ruth nodded, keen not to squeal or even lift a smile. Ever the professional. She felt Beth's eyes fall to her face.

"Yes, the Home Secretary told me the same." She explained, "Juliet Shaw is actually defending Harry; I know that doesn't mean a great deal to you two, but believe me that's a good thing."

There was a silent sweep of liberation that painted the Grid for all who understood. There was hope in the empty glass igloo, there was anticipation circling in the air. Ruth sat and suddenly realised it was the first time she'd done so at ease in weeks. But Beth, looking decidingly edgy, leaned across.

"They shouldn't be treating him like this." But why she thought Ruth would be able to offer specific resolutions, she didn't know. The analyst turned on her computer with a sigh.

"I know. But it's nearly over now. Just as long as there isn't a surprise interrogation sprung upon him, he'll be fine." They shared a brief fractured smile before attempting to return their minds to the country's current threats, knowing nothing of the suffering being inflicted upon the man they thought was safe.


I'm not torturing Harry for the sake of it - there's a plot in here somewhere... promise! Revewis mean the world :)