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Family?
Graham swore under his breath as Nick raised an eyebrow. Catherine had been silent throughout Calum's explanation. He glanced at the blonde woman and tried not to let her see how worried he was.
"She's ok?"
"I don't know. All Beth said was they were at the location where they think Ros and Ruth are."
"What does that mean?" Catherine asked quietly.
"Nothing. Not really." Calum sighed. "She just said Harry wants us to stay here until he rings. There's still a clean up team at Harry and Ruth's."
Catherine closed her eyes as she tried not to think about why there would be a need for a clean up team at her father's house. Graham touched his sisters hand as Cal got to his feet.
"So, what? We wait?" Terri asked as she watched her fiance and his sister. Nick ran a hand over his face. Cal couldn't help but notice he was so like Harry at times it was hard to believe the boy had been adopted.
"Yeah." Calum nodded. "That's all we can do. I need to make a phone call. Check on Spike."
"Who?"
"My Cavalier King Charles." Calum blushed slightly as Catherine raised an eyebrow. "Well, he was Mum's but when she died he sort of ended up with me. Either that or the PDSA. Girl next door minds him when I'm in work."
"Girl next door?" Catherine sighed, convinced she had read all the signals wrong.
"Kelly, she's fourteen and mad on dogs. Spike loves her and it gives her some extra pocket money." He smiled as he pictured the teenager fussing over the dog. Catherine folded her arms as Terri and the boys wandered into the living room.
"You Calum Reid are a softy."
"Shh." He smiled. "Don't tell everyone."
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Harry stared at the now open front door as Beth, Erin and Dimitri searched the house. He felt sick, knowing Ruth and Ros were somewhere inside.
"Harry."
"Lucas."
"The house is clean. No sign of either of them or anyone else."
"I see." Harry sighed heavily as Lucas turned back and stared at the unassuming council house. "Tariq was certain."
"I know." Lucas shook his head. "I just hope Adam and Zaf are having more luck." He stopped talking as Erin appeared in the doorway.
"Sir, there's a garage at the back of the house, we can't get into it. Dimitri is trying Tariq's latest lock pick, but.."
"Get that door open." Harry lowered his voice as the new girl nodded. Lucas stepped into the house and almost ran after her towards the back door.
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Tessa glared as Ros pulled her to her feet. Ruth kept the gun trained on her at all times, trying her hardest not to let her hands shake as she held the gun. Memories of a french hitman and a terrified wannabe spook filled her mind as Ros met her gaze.
"Tessa." Ros hissed at the older woman. "Why couldn't you have done us all a favour and stayed under your bloody stone."
"So glad to know you missed me."
"Where's Tweedle Dum?"
"Jools?"
"The very man." Ros hissed. She hated the way Ruth seemed to be growing paler by the second. The fact her friend was just over five months pregnant worried her more than the ex spook she was holding on to.
"Where is he?" Ruth spoke for the first time since she picked up the gun.
"How do I know? He went soft on me and I can't be dealing with weakness."
"He stopped Ilya shooting Harry." Ruth glared at her. "That almost puts him back in my good books."
"It would."
"Start talking Tessa. We know you are involved in all this with Damion and Sophia. It stinks of you."
"Oh you flatter me."
"I'll so more than that." Ros hissed as the garage door sprung open. Suddenly the daylight caused Ruth to wince as the light hit her eyes and the sound of Dimitri, Lucas and the others forcing their way in silenced them all.
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"Shit. Shit, and double shit." Zaf mumbled as he stared at the small device under the entranced to London Bridge.
"You could say that again." Adam narrowed his eyes before tapping his earpiece. "Malcolm, are you seeing this?"
"Yes." Malcolm stared at the screen as he tried to work out what he was looking at. "That is not state of the art. The last I saw like this was back in the 1980s. I was freelance in those days."
"Can we do without the history lesson?"
"Certainly Mr Carter." Malcolm snapped as Zoe raised an eyebrow. "Do not cut any wires. To do so sets off a relay and will blow the circuit. It's rudimentary but effective."
Zaf ran a hand through his black hair as he tried to keep calm. Images of Emma and Danny flew through his mind. He had a funny feeling his son and stepdaughter were not going to be able to remember him. For a moment he understood how Harry must have felt when Graham and Catherine were small.
"What do we do?" Adam asked "Malcolm?"
"Firstly Adam." Malcolm stated. "Stay calm, secondly evacuate the area if possible and wait for the Bomb Squad."
"We don't have time." Zaf shook his head. "We really don't have time."
"In that case." Adam closed his eyes waiting for Malcolm to continue.
"What?"
"In that case look for a small black rectangle. Can you see it? Remove it but for Pete's sake be careful!"
Zaf nodded as he gingerly opened the casing, knowing it was the most dangerous thing he was ever likely to do. Adam rockd back on his heels and prayed he'd get home to Carrie, Wes and the baby. The seconds counted down as Zaf gingerly worked away. Malcolm held his breath, acutely aware Zoe was working only a few feet away from him. He held his breath while he waited for the counter to stop.
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Lucas glanced at Dimitri as Beth and Erin pulled their guns. Harry stepped to the front of the group aware that whatever was behind the door could be dangerous. He also desperately wanted his wife and friend to be behind it. He had no idea how he would react if they were both dead.
"Lucas." Harry nodded at the younger man. Neither man was entirely sure how to act. For a moment Lucas wished he was able to swap places with Ros. At least he knew she would know how to behave.
"Ready?"
"Yep." Dimitri got to his feet and rested a hand on the door. Gingerly he pushed it open aware that the others had their guns drawn. The sight that greeted them almost stopped Harry's heart in his chest.
"Oh my God." Harry breathed as Lucas stood dumbfounded. Erin shook her head slightly, reholstered her hand gun and stepped towards Ros.
"Ok?"
"You took your bloody time." Ros snapped before pushing the older woman towards Erin. "Make sure that is dealt with. I need to wash my hands." Lucas smirked as he watched Erin and Dimitri manhandle the silent Tessa away from the garage. Ruth rested her hand on her abdomen as her eyes met Harry's. Nothing was said, there was no need to say anything. Beth smiled slightly as she watched them before helping Lucas get Ros away from the garage. It was clear the Section Chief had been holding herself together for her friend. Lucas nodded for Beth to leave as he rested his hand on Ros' back.
"Get the car."
"But?"
"Get the car and then go with Erin. Trust me, with that bitch they are going to need all the help they can get." She nodded as she almost ran from the freezing cold garage. Ros closed her eyes, feeling Lucas' hand on the small of her back.
"You ok?"
"I'm always ok." She held his gaze. Lucas nodded once before ushering her out into the early spring sunshine. Neither had noticed Harry and Ruth were in the corner quietly talking.
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"Ruth." He touched her face, brushing her hair away from her face as she closed her eyes. The touch made her skin burn where bruises were still developing. He waited until she opened her eyes and stared at him.
"Scarlett? The cats?"
"Are fine. I promise you, they're fine." He smiled. Ruth covered his hand with his and brought it to her abdomen.
"I think she's ok. I fought back, Harry. This time."
"I can see that." Her bruises, grazes and the start of a nasty black eye were all testiment to the fight she had given her attacker. He pulled her into his arms as she closed her eyes and let the tears fall.
"You are still seeing a doctor." He kissed her temple as she nodded.
"Ok. Just for a check up. Just for Squeak." She hugged him back not knowing Harry was fighting to keep the tears at bay.
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A/N more soon? Please review.