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The unthinkable

Adam shoved his phone back in to his jeans pocket. He swore profusely as Zaf stared. The pair had just left the prison and were walking towards Adam's car when Zaf asked what was going on. Adam felt slightly sick at hearing the news but knew he would have to do as asked. He didn't tell Zaf what Zoe had told him. He didn't like the plan but knew it was the only way to draw those they were looking for out in the open.

"Got to speak to Ruth and Lucas. Harry's car was targeted, car bomb." Adam stated as they reached the car. Zaf shook his head.

"And?"

"And we talk to Ruth and Lucas" He got in the car and sped off, filing Zaf in on the details as he drove. Zaf kept quiet and listened, he hadn't seen Adam this angry since Fiona had gone missing. He didn't know what to think as Adam relayed the information he had received.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ruth returned from the kitchenette coffee in hand, the day was dragging on and she was beginning to get worried about Harry. He was never at Whitehall for longer than necessary and she wondered what was keeping him. She glanced at the clock and sighed. Something was wrong; she could feel it in her bones. Malcolm was talking on the phone as Adam returned to the Grid and walked straight to Ruth.

"Ruth, I need to talk to you" He spoke quietly.

"Ok" She smiled "Where's Zaf?" She registered the look on Adam's face and immediately felt sick. She waited while Adam collected his thoughts. A reticent Adam was never good. She felt the tears already springing to her eyes; she had a sixth sense when it came to her husband. Something was very wrong.

"Zaf's fine, he's gone to find Lucas" Ruth nodded. She knew Adam was stalling. "Ruth, look there's been a car bomb. Harry's car" A hand flew to her mouth as she shook her head. Adam had known she would react badly but she seemed to have gone in to shock.

"Wh, what hospital?" She felt Malcolm approach them as the tears rang down her face. "Harry and Ros, what hospital? Ian?"

"They aren't in hospital Ruth" He caught her as she collapsed sobbing in his arms.

"No" She cried "No, you are wrong" She was inconsolable as Adam held her to him, he heard Malcolm replace the phone and whisper "Good Lord" as he crossed the room to them.

"Shh" He whispered in her ear as she continued crying. All she could think was Harry was dead. Her friends were dead. Her Harry was dead. Adam held her tightly while she composed herself. He waited until she calmed and could hear him over her tears. Adam hated himself at the moment, but it seemed Section D were under surveillance and it had to look to any spy that what he had suggested was true.

"Listen to me Ruth. Harry, Ian and Ros are not dead. You hear me? Not dead. Meet me in Stan's office in five minutes. We're being watched here, I'm so sorry but I had to make this real. Stan's is the only place in Thames House that we know for certain is safe." Ruth narrowed her eyes as Adam spoke. She thought back over the brief conversation.

"Adam are you trying to kill me? What are you talking about?" She sniffed as he crossed back to her; he knew Harry would never forgive him for this. He doubted he would forgive himself.

"Zaf is telling Lucas the same thing now. There really was a bomb, the news were all over the site when we were there. The bomb was bigger than the one I drove round London a couple of years ago. Someone seriously wants Section D out of the way" Malcolm nodded briefly as Ruth gained her composure.

"Five minutes, then you tell me what the hell has happened to my husband Adam. I mean it." She picked up her handbag and walked to the Pods. Malcolm almost felt sorry for the field officer, he'd seen Ruth loose her temper once and it was not a pretty sight.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Across London Zaf had caught up with Tariq and Lucas. Tariq had been debating whether it was a good idea to ask Lucy out considering he had just stolen a great deal of information from her computer. Lucas laughed as the younger man continued to debate whether or not Harry really could have him deported for dating Lucy.

"You cannot date her" He laughed as Tariq shrugged.

"Why not?"

"She could be an asset" Lucas shook his head.

"She's gorgeous!"

"Tough luck mate shouldn't have nicked the info in that case. What's Zaf doing here?" He looked up to see Zaf leaning against his car watching them. He wound down the window and called Zaf across to him. Zaf jogged across the small gap and rested his hands on the window frame.

"Mind the paintwork" He spoke quietly, all attempts at humour gone as he saw the look on Zaf's face. "What's happened?" Tariq looked on dumbfounded.

"Look, not here yeah? We got to get back to base. Before you panic, Amy is fine. I checked before I came here. Carrie can keep her overnight, no problem. Emma and Wes are staying there too" He stood away from the car as Tariq began looking really concerned.

"Guys, whatever this is, we can't have this talk here. Sally warned you to keep away, that's probably because her father or Davidson is going to turn up. They see us here now, our covers are blown. We'll never stop them" Tariq reasoned.

"Get in" Lucas remained in the driving seat. He kept telling himself Amy was fine, she was ok. It was the implication that it was Ros that made his heart constrict in his chest. Zaf shook his head and pointed to his pride and joy parked a few feet away.

"Nah, got my car. Look meet me in Fenchurch Cafe. Three blocks from here in five minnutes" He walked away from the car as Lucas began to wonder what was going on.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ros was not happy. Her head ached, her neck was sore and her favourite jeans were ruined. She was livid. Ian handed her a coffee as Zoe spoke on the phone. Ros didn't even look at Ian or Harry as she thought about the plan that was unfolding. Less than two hours ago someone had made a concerted attempt to kill the two senior officers in Section D. Right at the moment their spouses were being told of the plan.

"Nicholas Blake" Ros spoke as Harry looked up.

"Yes Ros, what about him?" Harry felt twenty years older than he actually was. Everything ached. He was supposed to be dead and he certainly felt that way. His back ached and he was worried about Ruth. He didn't want to think about how she was feeling.

"He knows what car you had. He knows we meet the Home Secretary at least once a week and always after something like the prison explosion. He met my father. He lied to us Harry. I couldn't place it when we were talking to him but he lied. He met my father just before Colin died. This all comes back to those three men, Blake, Davidson and my father" She was angry but had barely raised her voice.

"Yes" Harry said as Zoe put the phone back in her pocket.

"Safe houses arranged. Harry Adam is taking Ruth to the Camden safe house. I'll take you there. Lucas is on his way here with Tariq. Ian, Tariq will get you somewhere safe" She smiled at the driver who was unsure what he had got involved in.

"Thank you Zoe. Look, go back to the Grid. Blake and the others have to think Section D is over. That with us two dead, Lucas and Ruth will be on bereavement leave. Adam will have to appear to be in charge in the interim but the other sections will be determined to poach you all for their teams. If you want to jump ship now is the time to do it" He looked at Zoe who nodded once before smiling.

"You are not getting rid of me that easily." She watched as Ros smiled slightly.

"How will you being dead help though?" Ian asked.

"Long story. Look Ian, the least you know the safer you will be" Ros decided. Ian nodded and walked in to the kitchen.

"He has a point though" Zoe sat and watched as Harry began pacing the small living room.

"Davidson seems to be helping Myers target Ros. They seem to know our every movement. It is only Ros and I that have been targeted. Blake knows that we both attend Whitehall regularly. Blake has tried to kill us before, it seems he's up to his old tricks again" Harry continued to pace the room. He didn't want to be having this conversation. He wanted to see Ruth. The sound of locks clicking open and Zaf calling his name ended Zoë's questions.

"Ian, your chariot awaits" He beamed as the driver smiled gratefully. Ros also smiled as Lucas walked in to the room. Harry watched as Zoe picked up her jacket.

"Let's get this show on the road." Zoe smiled as Harry followed her. He stopped in the doorway.

"Ros"

"Yeah?"

"Remember what I said" She nodded. Plan B was going in to action. She switched on the small television in the corner to see News24 report on the bomb that had 'killed' her and her friend. Lucas crossed the room as the others left, his eyes never left hers.

"Hi" She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. He kissed her neck as the newsreader continued outlining the events around the explosion.

"Hi" He paused. "Oh God Ros, when Zaf turned up I really thought, when he told me" He closed his eyes as she turned in his arms.

"No" She raised her hands to his face and waited for him to open his eyes. "No way. My father wants to get me out the way; he's going to have to try a lot harder than a car bomb. It is getting boring now Lucas." She kissed him as he relaxed in her arms.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ruth felt sick. It didn't matter how many times she had been told Harry was still alive or that the plan was going well she wouldn't believe Harry was alive until she had seen him for herself. Malcolm had been as shocked as she was to hear that Ros and Harry had faked their deaths. He had remained on the Grid while the others out the plan in to action. She knew that Adam would arrange to meet Davidson in Harry's place. To the outside world Adam was in charge. It was then that things would get interesting. Ruth closed her eyes and fought the tears when she thought of how she had dissolved on the Grid.

"Harry!" She jumped to her feet as he appeared in the doorway. He undid his top button of his shirt as Ruth looked away. She was suddenly angry with him.

"Ruth. I'm sorry" He wrapped her in his arms as she slapped him.

"You died. I thought you died. You let Adam make me think" She dissolved in tears as he held on to her.

"I'm sorry. It was the only way. The Grid is being bugged. We had to make it look real. I'm so sorry." He kissed her hair as she dissolved in his arms. Harry hugged her tighter as he fought the tears.

"You're dead" She whispered in to his shirt. It had felt real even if it wasn't. She pulled back as he pulled her to him and kissed her. She slipped her hand under the opening of his shirt over his heart. She could feel his heart beating as if to confirm what Harry was telling her. She raised her eyes to his.

"I'm not dead"

"Prove it" She whispered as he pinned her to the wall and set about doing as she asked.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nicholas Blake shook his head as the television news switched from the top story of the day to the weather. He had to admit the old ways were the best, a car bomb was crude but effective. It was also easy to blame any number of terrorist groups on the planet. He picked up his glass of scotch while he considered what the next step was going to involve. His phone rang, stirring him from his thoughts.

"Hello Alex" He smiled slightly. He paused as the older man spoke on the phone. He continued to smirk at the inane weather girl as she went on about the week's weather forcast.

"Yes, of course. It's done"

authors note. What's done? Did you really think I'd kill them off? Please review.