I do not own Spooks/MI5. I only own my original characters and original plot developments. Thank you for reading. Comments are always welcome and encouraged.

Chapter 14 – Letter and Reunion

When he landed, Lucas checked his phone for messages. Harry had left one text asking Lucas to call him, but there was no time to do so in Philadelphia. By the time he'd cleared immigration, he barely had time to get to the terminal for the flight to Knoxville. He didn't know what it was about, but Lucas prayed that Harry had found evidence proving his innocence with Maya and that Vaughn's menagerie of documents putting his face with John Bateman's name were faked.

Knoxville airport was small in comparison to Philadelphia which had been nothing compared to Heathrow. Disembarking the plane, Lucas finally made the call to Harry.

A tired sounding Harry answered to phone. And, Lucas thought he heard something else going on in the background but was unsure what. "Lucas. I suppose you remember the time difference?"

"Of course, Harry. Sorry. But there was no time when I changed planes."

"Are you alone?"

"No. I'm in the airport."

"Call me back when you are. Make sure you have your case where you can reach it."

"Understood."

Lucas decided that the best way to oblige Harry was to go ahead and get a car.

Even though McGhee Tyson airport was small at least there were car rental companies in the terminal. Lucas had thought about what car to get during the flight. While he didn't expect trouble, he admitted one never knew when a fast car might be needed. He'd always wanted to drive one with a Hemi engine in it, but because of Cathy he needed a four-door car. So, Lucas was pleased that they'd had a dark blue 2011 Chrysler 300C available. Luxury, elegance, and a 363-horse power all in one – what was there not to like? But before he could test out the engine, Lucas called Harry back.

"Go ahead, Harry."

"I'm pleased to tell you that the team has verified that the documents in Vaughn's possession linking you to the name, John Bateman, were faked. I'm sending you the proof now. I'm sure Hannah will want to see it."

"Thank you, Harry. What about the fabricated recording with me with Maya?"

"That proved a bit harder. But, Tariq found that digital signatures didn't match up between the two, um, participants." Harry was never comfortable dealing with matters such as these – especially where members of his team were concerned. In his mind, a good working team had its boundaries. And, it was pretty hard to have boundaries when you know the intimate details of someone's sex life.

"One participant was definitely you."

"Harry. I never touched her!"

"Hold on, Lucas. One voice on the recording is you, but your part has a different signature to Maya's part."

"You mean, Vaughn pieced the recordings together? That sounds like the Chinese again."

"Exactly. Someone obviously bugged your house and recorded you and Hannah – before she planted her own bug. Whoever did it knew what they were doing to get past your sweeps."

"Then spliced it with Maya's recording. You don't think she could have been a part of this?"

"Anything's possible. We are going to bring her in for questioning. But, the intertwining of the recordings was masterfully done. Tariq couldn't believe the layers he had to get through in order to prove that it was faked."

"What about transmitting it? Vaughn would have needed something to intercept Hayd's listening device and send the fake recording."

"We found equipment capable of that in the back of Vaughn's car. Piecing things together from Hannah's information she left us, Vaughn must have left your house, drove around the block, parked, and waited. He had to be in close range for it to work. Choosing just the right time to do it."

Lucas took a deep breath seething in anger. "I almost wish he wasn't already dead. And, for Hannah to be taken in by him…"

"Vaughn Edwards was a master manipulator. Don't think too poorly of your wife. She was more conflicted than she appeared to be. Anyway, watch your back, Lucas. The Chinese aren't known for their forgiveness when they think they've been double-crossed. Vaughn promised them Albany. He promised that you would get it for them. Now that he's unable to answer to them, they may come after you."

"Do you think that I'm doing the right thing by going after Hannah and Cathy? I mean, I may just be leading the Chinese straight to them."

"Or you may be the only one who can prevent the Chinese kidnapping them to use as leverage against you. No, you need to find your family."

"I need proof that the recording is a fake. Can you download what Tariq found to my phone?"

"I will. But I don't think you'll need it."

"Why? Hannah will demand proof."

"Open your case. There's a side panel on the left."

Lucas opened the case and slid the panel off.

"You should find all you need to prove your innocence there."

"What is it?"

"Hannah's resignation letter."

"I don't understand. How can I prove my innocence from the letter of my strongest accuser?"

"Just read it, Lucas. Good luck."

Dear Sir Harry Pearce,

I respectfully request to be decommissioned from Section D, MI-5. I am grateful for the belief you have shown in me and the support you have given me in the short time that I have known you.

However, I have found it impossible to continue due to personal matters of which I am sure you are already aware. I have information proving that my husband, your section chief, the man claiming to be Lucas North is nothing but a liar, killer, and a terrorist. He has also lost his credibility in other ways of which I will not degrade either of us by discussing.

This is the hardest thing I have ever done. My head tells me that the evidence is irrefutable while my heart tells me that my Lucas is incapable of the atrocities for which he is accused.

I admit that my past experiences may be influencing my judgment, but I must also think of Cathy. I cannot allow her to be around anyone who may pose a threat – even if that person is her father.

Every night, I pray that I'm wrong. Every morning, I pray that this has all been a bad dream. Right now, my prayers have fallen on deaf ears. If you ever find out that I am mistaken, I beg you to give this letter to Lucas.

I know that my Aunt is at St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville and that is where I will go first. After that, I am unsure where I will go.

The only comfort I have at this time is the slim hope that Lucas is innocent and that this letter will find its way to him. He is such a part of me in so many ways that I never even admitted to him. And, this whole sordid business has devastated me. I haven't felt so bad since my mother passed away. Not even the betrayal of my first husband compares with this. Perhaps that's because I love my current husband so much more than I did my first one.

After my mother was gone and while my father was lost in his grief, my Aunt Lavinia became a big part of my life. She tried different ways to comfort me – family stories, jokes, and food. All helped, but the biggest food comfort was her Buttermilk pies. Whenever she'd make them, I'd feel a sense of belonging and security that calmed the emptiness that threatened to consume me.

I need my Lucas back now just like I needed those pies then.

I never told that story to Lucas. If Lucas finds me, all he has to say is that phrase, "Buttermilk pies," and I will know that he is innocent of everything Vaughn accused him. If not, I don't know what I'll do. I know that I have to go on for the sake of Cathy, but truly, this emptiness seems almost too great to bear.

Yours with respect and friendship,

Hannah North

Lucas ran the gambit of emotions as he read the letter. He hated how much Hayd had been hurt, but his heart swelled with the knowledge that his wife needed him and still loved him. She was just as lost without him as he was without her.

He turned on the 300C and punched in St. Mary's Hospital into the Sat Nav. The screen came to life and showed the way to Hayd and Cathy.

Revving the engine, the sound alone was so impressive that he didn't mind the fact that it was bulky in comparison to European cars. Handling well for such a big car, Lucas soon arrived at hospital.

Finding Aunt Lavinia's room was harder. But the hardest part was all the looks he got as soon as he opened his mouth. "What's that accent? Aren't you from…? I'm sorry, I didn't get that?" All these questions soon started to grate on his nerves. He was so close to finding his wife and child that any delay was too long.

Then he found the right room, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

And there they were. Haydence was sitting in a chair while Aunt Lavinia had Cathy sitting on the bed with her. The little girl sat entranced in the game the old woman had started of flicking her false teeth in and out at her.

As Cathy looked up, she saw her father. "Da da! Da da!" The child held her arms towards Lucas.

Hayd bolted out of the chair uncertain what to do. Was this John Bateman – liar, murder, and philanderer? Or was this Lucas North – the man she loved more than she wanted to admit?

"Buttermilk pies." Lucas whispered. "I don't know what the hell they are and right now I don't care. All I care about is that you trust me, Hayd. Please. Buttermilk pies."

Haydence gasped and placed her hand over her heart. "Lucas?"

He nodded. "I always have been."

Lucas North crossed the distance between them and pulled Hayd into a deep kiss. The uncertainty, desperation, and need flowed between them. Each one knew that it was frightening to need another person so much. But at this moment, they simply embraced it.

"Hum, hum." Aunt Lavinia coughed purposefully.

Husband and wife finally broke apart.

Haydence blushed. "Aunt Vinny, this is my husband, Lucas North."

"Hello, Aunt Lavinia." Lucas picked up his daughter, bounced her up and down in his arms, and started humming. Now Cathy was all truly all smiles and giggles.

"Boy, put that baby down a minute so that I can see you."

Lucas looked at Hayd. He didn't want to put his Cathy down, ever, but he took direction from his wife to do so. He handed Cathy reluctantly to her mother and sat down beside the old woman.

Before he could even pause for breath, Aunt Lavinia slapped Lucas as hard as she could.

"Aunt Vinny!" Hayd stood aghast at what her aunt had done.

"No niece of mine is goin' back to a two-timin' louse of a husband."

"Aunt Vinny, Lucas is innocent. He didn't do any of those things I thought he did."

"Not even the screwin' around?"

"No, Aunt Vinny. Not even that."

Aunt Lavinia eyed Lucas up and down. "Oh. Well, just make sure you don't, young man."

Lucas looked back at Haydence still in shock of the whole situation. He fell back on the one of the two answers that Hayd had said would always be acceptable in the South.

"Yes, Ma'am."