A/N: I love my reviewers. It's official. I want to marry all of you. I told my husband. He just shrugged and asked if you're all hot.

I assured him you all were.


Chapter Eight

Anneke had stopped returning her messages. Jo tapped her fingers on the desk of her workstation anxiously, knowing on the one hand that the woman had every right to cut her off, but on the other knew that this sudden silence may ring alarm bells for the already wound up Dijkstra.

She remembered her conversation with Lucas that morning about the woman. He had been giving a recording from the new asset to Tariq, and Jo asked how Anneke was handling the pressure. A thoughtful frown crossed Lucas' face. "I'm not entirely sure, Jo," he responded. "She digs for information on Dijkstra, and has been even before I told her the truth, but then - " he contemplated the floor. "It's like she can't bear it. Just one more thing will tip her over the edge." He shrugged. "Maybe I'm reading too much into it."

The chiming of 'Wendy's' phone was an answer to prayers and Jo snatched it up.

COFFEE? NEED TO TALK

Jo sighed in relief. Anneke had started to grow on her and she missed the easy rapport they had shared before real life reared it's ugly head. She looked over at Harry's office, where Ros and Lucas sat in front their boss' desk. Ros looked as cool as ever, legs crossed and hands resting on the chairs' armrests. Lucas looked a little tense, arms crossed over his chest, his focus on the desk in front of him, rather than on the other two in the room. The same frown from that morning marred his features. Maybe the Dutch woman was growing on Lucas too. What a shame they couldn't have met under different circumstances.

Jo replied to the message.

SURE. WHEN AND WHERE?

The reply came back less than a minute later.

GEORGINA'S. TODAY AT 2?

Jo texted back with relief.

GREAT. SEE YOU THERE

Ros and Lucas walked out of Harry's office. The Section Chief stopped next to Jo's workstation and perched herself on the edge of her desk.

"Anneke's contacting me again," Jo told Ros, pleased. "We're meeting this afternoon for coffee."

"Good," Ros nodded. "The recording she made for us has proved more useful than we originally thought. McInnes made some reference to the Puritans. We've since discovered this is a US based group similar to Britain Unite, but on a much larger scale. Good news is, the Puritans are on the CIA's hit list. If we can prove funds were coming from them, we have cause to arrest McInnes."

Lucas grabbed his jacket and headed out the door without a glance in their direction.

"Lucas is off to speak with our American friend now," Ros added with a twitch of the lips. It was no secret that Ros and Sarah Caulfield disliked each other.

Following his exit with her eyes, Jo chuckled, "Let's hope he makes it back in one piece."

"Only if he wants to make it back in one piece..." Ros winked at Jo and slid off her desk.


Finishing his brief phone call to Sarah, Lucas headed over to a park walking distance from Thames House, hands shoved in pockets against the icy wind that was gusting between the buildings he passed.

Jogging across the street, dodging cars and cyclists, he slowed down as he entered the park. Sarah wouldn't arrive for a few minutes yet. She sounded eager to meet, surprisingly, since her usual tone was a sardonic drawl, not letting anyone know how she felt one way or the other. Not even her MI-5 lover.

Lucas spotted her several minutes later, collar of her long coat pulled up in defense against the stiff breeze, long blonde hair whipping out across her face. She was sporting a small smile as she saw him leaning against the trunk of a large oak.

"Lucas," she greeted. "Long time no see."

"Sarah," he replied, leaning down to kiss her lightly.

"How goes the investigation?" She asked, snuggling close to him as he slung a long arm across her shoulders.

Setting off at a slow pace, Lucas looked down at her before replying, "Things are moving along at a good pace." He looked down at her with an apologetic half-grin. "As much as I wish this was just a social call, I'm here to ask a favour."

"What good are friends in high places if we can't abuse the privilege once in a while, huh, Lucas?" She teased. "What do you need to know?"

Lucas proceeded to summarise what they hope to find out about McInnes' mysterious cash fund, and whether any of it could be tied to the Puritans.

"I'll look into it," Sarah said, thinking hard. "It'll be a mess if the Puritans get a foothold here."

"That goes without saying," Lucas agreed.

She peered up at Lucas though lowered lashes and gently shoved a hip into him, grinning slyly. "Also without saying is your little operation with your little Dutch asset."

Lucas stiffened a little but covered it with a laugh. "Well, she's not little, to start with. I don't have to bend double to see into her eyes." His eyes sparkled at her with humour.

Sarah gasped with mock offence and poked him in the side. "Low blow, Lucas!"

"Low being the operative word here."

"Oo, you little jerk!" She shoved him, giggling.

Lucas laughed again and hauled her up close, tangling his fingers in her blonde locks. "Say that again," he whispered, nose touching hers.

"You little jerk," she breathed, eyes locking on his. He took her lips hard and she opened her mouth in a gasp, which he took full advantage of. She gave as good as she got, twisting her arms around his neck and pressing her slight frame tight against his. They pulled apart to gasp for air, eyes closed and breath mingling as Lucas' forehead rested on her own.

"Come see me tonight."

Lucas started at her softly spoken plea. Opening her eyes, she saw the hesitation in there for a split second before his gaze softened and he smiled gently.

"I will," he replied, and he kissed her again, lips soft and patient where they before they were hard and demanding. He released her from his embrace and Sarah swayed a moment before regaining her footing.

"Thank you, Sarah."

She returned his smile and he turned away, shoulders hunched against the wind. The smile faded from her face as she watched him leave.


Anneke argued with herself for hours. She had received several messages from Wendy after the 'Big Reveal'. The pragmatic side of her brain pointed out quite clearly that the woman had a job to do, and she did it well. MI-5 were dealing with some serious threats and they did what they thought was best to gain information.

But the side of her that was situated closer to her heart ached that it wasn't real. She had met two great people in the past few weeks, and both of them were not real. It was a blow to the wound left by Willem and the humiliation sat heavy in her gut.

The night following Mark's revelation was so long. She wanted to run. Again. Just pack her bags and take off, like when she left Heerenveen. But the difference was that this time she had something to lose. She even had a task now. A mission. She needed to save her family. She rubbed her eyes with a tired hand. Even if it was from themselves.

That thought had her sending a quick text message to Wendy on Friday morning, not really thinking about what they would talk about, but knowing they needed to talk.

Anneke walked hesitantly into Georgina's Cafe just after two that afternoon, almost expecting Wendy to look different now that she knew the truth. It was both a relief and a disappointment to see the woman looking exactly the same as when they caught up the other week. Wendy's big blue eyes trained themselves on her as she approached the corner table.

Standing awkwardly by the small table, Anneke quietly said, "Hi Wendy. How are you?"

Wendy gave a kind smile and motioned for Anneke to sit down. "I'm fine, Anneke."

She studied the Dutch woman's face for a moment, tiny furrows forming on her smooth forehead, and asked with concern, "Are you dealing with this okay?"

Anneke gave a soft snort and looked away from Wendy's penetrating gaze. "As best I can, I suppose, given my cousin is allegedly some sort of terrorist." She wouldn't mention Mark. There was only so much she could admit to out loud.

Wendy reached forward and caught one of Anneke's hands in her own. "We're doing all we can so we can stop whatever's going on. We really are."

Staring for a moment at Wendy's hand on hers, she waited for the familiar shock she often felt with Mark's touch, even subconsciously knowing this woman wouldn't set off her senses like he did. Anneke only felt a comforting warmth. Nothing more. She looked up and smiled ruefully, "I know."

"How about we order some coffees? I have a bit of news that may help," Wendy said as she leaned back in her seat. Anneke nodded. Anything to make her feel better about this whole situation would be welcomed.


The Grid was abuzz when Jo walked in after meeting with Anneke.

"Jo!" Lucas called over, "We have it."

"What?" She rushed over to where Harry and the whole team were gathered around Tariq's workstation. "What do you have?"

"Sarah has sent us evidence that some of the funds McInnes has been receiving may have been from the Puritans. It's enough for us to arrest him under the anti-terrorism laws."

"That's great!" Jo enthused.

"We're mobilising a team now to collect him," Harry said. "Divide and conquer," he muttered, almost to himself.

Ros gave Jo a congratulatory pat on the back. "Good work, Jo. And you too, Lucas," she added, looking up at him. "It was a good pick up with finding Anneke. Let's hope she can get us more."