Home truths

Zaf kept his eyes on the road as he navigated the motorway traffic. He tried to concentrate on what was going on rather than the conversation happening behind him.

"Lee? You ok?" Nicola asked calmly. Adam watched her as she spoke.

"I've fucked up."

"So what's new?" Nicola asked. She felt sick knowing that her little brother sounded as though nothing had happened. His voice devoid of any emotion. "Go on, what did you do?"

"Where are you?"

"In the car. It's ok I'm handsfree." She closed her eyes as she avoided Adam's gaze.

"I've not done what they say I've done. Not all of it. Nic, it had to be done. Honestly, there's no other way. Our grandfather would be so proud."

"Frank? Or George? Because unless you've suddenly become a miner or a warehouse man I dunno what you're on about."

"Our real Grandpa."

"Don't even go there." Nicola warned. "Frank and George were our real grandfathers. Not the Soviet."

"Blood is thicker than water."

"What did you do?" She tried to keep the conversation on track. "Lee? You are worrying me now."

"Don't worry. It's for the best. Honest." He paused. "I've got the sack."

"Lee."

"But I still won. Romanov still has the information needed. Everyone is watching the PM about this Brexit thing. No one has their eyes on the ball." The phone went dead as Adam immediately text the Grid.

"No signal?"

"What?"

"Tariq's special not working." Adam explained. "We have to get to the Grid."

Zaf nodded as he pushed his foot to the accelerator, praying they were in time.

Xxxx

Lucas tried his best charm smile as the nurse left the room. His fractured leg now in a stronger cast and the dressing I. His other leg changed he was trying not to show how much pain he was in. The nurse had told him he needed painkillers before his dressing change but his instinct was to refuse any. Memories of his time in the Russian jail had plagued him since the man pretending to be Darshan had appeared in his life. Running a hand over his eyes he tried not to let his mind go back there. Darshan and his clone were dead. Gone. In the past. He jumped as he felt a cool hand prize his fingers away from his face.

"Ros."

She smiled slightly, looking him in the eyes.

"Hi."

"How long have you? When?"

"Doesn't matter. The doctor is discharging you."

"Really?" Lucas felt the jolt of hope shoot through him. Rod shrugged.

"I persuaded him that you were better off in my bed than his."

Lucas smiled as Ros smirked. She handed him a pair of crutches before heading out of the room with Lucas close behind.

Xxxxxxxx

Dimitri raised Beth's hand to his lips, kissing her fingers gently as he watched her eyes for any sign of movement.

"Don't do this." He whispered as he watched her. He startled at a warm hand on his shoulder. "Dad."

"Your friend, Ruth called me. Said Elizabeth here was very sick. That you need us."

Dimitri nodded.

"Dad."

Carlos Levandis tapped his son on the shoulder. "How is she?"

"They said her bloods have improved. So that's good but they are not happy with her. The consultant asked me if she's an organ donor. She is, course she is. But. Dad." His voice cracked as the old man nodded.

"They think she could be brain dead. That she is only alive because of the machines." Dimitri shook slightly as his father hugged him.

"Now, now." He hugged him. "Dimitri Georgio Levandis. You said think not know. They think. Beth may just surprise you all. Don't you think you should trust her? Beth is a strong girl. Trust her to stay or go. Trust your faith in her my boy. And if it is her time we will live on for her. Yes?"

A

"I don't"

"For her. You will." Carlos stated firmly as the nurses and porters appeared to take Beth away for more tests. Dimitri nodded as his eyes filled with tears. "For her."

Xxxxxx

"So." Will looked at his feet as Harry stood behind his desk.

"Will, this is not your fault. We all assumed that was a memory stick. There are millions like that in circulation. That one was adapted to be used as a weapon."

"I'm sorry. I really don't want to be decommissioned. I."

"Glad to hear it." Harry smiled. "God, you remind me of Bill in so many ways. He's he considering a change of underwear if he was stood where you are now."

Will shrugged. He knew about the legendary partnership between Harry and his father in the early 90s. Like Adam and Zaf they were considered among the best teams Section D had. Will had been trying to live up to an impossible legend. Harry frowned, knowing that the darkness hid exactly what was going on.

"I."

"You are not your father. Bill was a great friend and probably the best spooks I have ever met. On any side." Harry paused. "Don't let his memory affect you. Be your own man. Remember Catherine is in the same boat but if people assume you and her being here is nepotism then I can assure you it's the opposite. Neither Bill nor myself wanted our children to come into MI5. But since you are then make you're own mark, not our mistakes."

Will sighed with relief. The fear he was not going to be a part of the team anymore abated a little. "Harry, people have died."

"I know." Harry nodded. "We will get to the truth."

"Lee is related to Romanov. How ? How did we not know? Beth could die. Lucas."

"Is on his way back with Ros. Will, be careful. Not everyone we work alongside is an ally. Not everyone is a friend." Harry paused as a yell from the main Grid. Both men turned on their heels to find the source of the yell.

"It's ok." Catherine spoke calmly as the flashlight Malcolm acquired shone on Zoe as she swore.

"Spark from the computer." Zoe explained. "Thing has burned out."

"That's all we need." Calum frowned as Ruth's mobile sprang to life. She grabbed the iPhone as silence descended on the Grid.

"Adam?" Ruth spoke calmly. "No, don't come back here. Grid has been compromised." She looked up to see Catherine and Tariq trying to over ride the Pods. "Looks like we are in lockdown." Memories of the ill-fated Eerie exercise years earlier came to her. She heard Zaf swear on the background.

"Ok, we have the package and will go to the next available delivery destination." Adam spoke calmly, knowing Ruth would understand he was headed to the safehouse on the outskirts of London. He just hoped Nicola would be the lure they needed to get Lee in custody before anyone else died.

Xxxxxxx

A/N is anyone still reading? Nearly the end. Have an idea for a Ros/Ruth led story if anyone is interested