Ruth is lying down in her bed trying to sleep. It is about 2am. There is no way in hell anyone can get used to the sound of the humming of the ship's engines she thinks as she lies there. Ruth's room is located among the staff quarters, so not the best. And then there is a noise, almost like a boom of a cannon shot. The ship's engines stop immediately. All is quiet. This is strange. Ruth gets out of her bed and goes to open the cabin door. Others are already in the corridor looking around too. Ruth goes back into her room and dresses into her medical scrubs. She heads to the elevator, it is working. She takes it to the main deck. There are lots of passengers around, still dressed in proper attire and enjoying their evening.

Ruth walks out on the deck. There is a large United States Coast Guard vessel at the bow of the ship. It has shot flares into the air and lit up the sky, the sea, and the QE2. It is amazing the amount of light there is from the flares.

"What's going on?" she asks a fellow passenger.

"I'm not sure, but I heard one officer say something like they are going to board us. Whatever that means," says the man.

Quite a crowd starts to form around them on the deck looking out at the Coast Guard vessel which was lowering two smaller boats from the side.

"I've been taking cruises for over 20 years," says an older man "and nothing like this has ever happened before. Never even heard of something like this at sea."

The two smaller Coast Guard vessels work their way to the stern of the QE2 and have bright spot lights pointing at the ship.

"Well, they got us surrounded now!" says the older man. This brought several laughs from the crowd.

There is an announcement on the QE2 paging system.

"Attention passengers. Attention passengers. The United States Coast Guard has advised that they will be boarding our ship for an arising medical issue that is requiring immediate attention. This will be a short delay and we will resume travel shortly."

A third boat is being launched from the larger Coast Guard ship. This one travels directly to the QE2. Ruth sees about five men board their ship. This could all be about Mr. Wong, perhaps something has happened to his health. She decides to head to his room just in case they need her assistance.

She takes the stairs to the first class cabin area and enters the corridor. Suddenly she is grabbed from behind forcefully. There is a knife at her throat. It is Frederick.

"This is you. This is your planning. Who are you?" he demands.

"I don't know what you're talking about, they said it was a medical emergency, I assumed there was a change in your father's condition. Why do you have a knife on me?" says Ruth trying not to panic.

The elevator doors open and Jim Coaver steps out with four other men.

"What's going on here?" says Coaver in a soft calming voice. "Why don't you let the nurse go. I know things seem a little strange right now with the late night arrival of medical help but we are here to help Mr. Wong," Coaver is slowly walking towards Ruth and Frederick.

"I don't know what's going on here. You are not doctors! We didn't ask for any help! This is all lies!" yells Frederick as he backs up with Ruth in front of him.

Ruth realizes that Frederick is in a panic. She gives a nod to Jim Coaver and with that she bites down on Frederick's arm. Coaver lunges toward them and hits Frederick in the side of the head. Both Frederick and Ruth fall to the ground followed by Coaver. The four other men pile on top and get control of Frederick. They all slowly get up, with Coaver pulling Ruth up by the hand.

"They teach you that in nursing school?" he says to Ruth.

She smiles. He smiles. "Are you ok?" he asks.

"I think so. Yeh, I'm fine." She brushes herself off.

Frederick is being held against the wall and appears groggy.

"Alright, two of you get him out of here," says Coaver. The elevator doors open and there are uniformed officers arriving. There are also QE2 ships officers starting to fill the corridor. Jim Coaver starts to issue orders.

"OK, cruise personnel we are going to get the sick Mr. Wong on a stretcher and take him to the Coast Guard vessel. We are also taking passengers Kim Wong and James Wong and Frederick Wong and all of their luggage. We appreciate all of the help."

The corridor is a bustle of activity. Coaver pulls Ruth into the stairwell.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jim Coaver. Harry Pearce sent me," he says.

"Oh. I didn't know," says Ruth.

"Well there was a change in plans. We were afraid they might toss the money off the boat so we thought to come out and get it. A little too cowboyish for Harry Pearce's taste. But he'll get over it," says Coaver with a wink. "This was great undercover work you did. You really look like a nurse." He smiles and Ruth smiles. "If Pearce ever overworks you and you need a change, give me a call. Always looking for good help around here," he laughs.

"Thanks," says Ruth.

"Well, I know you're instructed to not break cover. We are here officially because of the medical emergency. The staff and passengers will have no word of what went on here," says Coaver. "We should be out of here shortly. It has been a pleasure to meet you. And when you see Harry, tell him I said hello, and tell him to relax will you? That guy is wound tight!" says Coaver with a laugh. He leaves Ruth in the stairwell.

Ruth heads down the stairs and back toward her room. She is smiling. How exciting this all was. My god Frederick had a knife to her throat! She loves her world of spies. She feeds off of it. She gets to her room and remembers the suitcase of money in her closet. Too late now to give it to Jim. She will just bring it back with her to London.

Ruth lies down in the bed for awhile and tries to rest. She can't. She gets up and heads out of her room to the media room. She sits in a phone booth and dials Harry. It goes straight to voicemail. She doesn't leave a message. She dials the inside line at the forgery suite at the Grid. It is early morning someone should be in.

"Hello?" it is Malcolm.

"Malcolm, it's Ruth," she says.

"Oh it is wonderful to hear your voice! My dearest how are you? Are you in New York yet?" he asks. He also waves to Adam to indicate that he has Ruth on the phone. Adam approaches.

"No, not yet just a few more hours. But I just wanted to let you know that we had a visit on the ship tonight," says Ruth.

"Yes, we know all about it. Adam's here, let me put him on the phone," says Malcolm.

"Adam's there. I thought he was coming to New York?" says Ruth sounding disappointed.

"Change of plans, here he is, he'll explain," says Malcolm.

"Ruth, I'm so glad you called," says Adam.

"Adam, I thought you were coming to New York?" asks Ruth.

"Well there was a change of plans. And that blasted Jim Coaver called me not more than 20 minutes ago thanking me for a wonderful operation. Seems they seized almost four million pounds. And how sorry he is that he has to cut us out of the pie since the seizure was in US territorial waters or some other bullshit like that. I'm sure Harry will fight him on that, but we probably won't get any of that money back here. But, just so you know, we did seize some money here in London, so not all is lost. We'll brief you on all that when you get back," says Adam.

"Where is Harry? I've tried to reach him several times," asks Ruth in a concerned voice.

"Um, he's around somewhere Ruth. I know that he was really busy getting you cleared back here and now that's all done. I don't think he slept a wink in the last four days. He's been very worried about you. We all have been. It'll be great to see you," says Adam.

"Yes, I can't wait to see you all too. Adam, why can't I fly back?" asks Ruth.

"You have no legitimate papers to even leave that ship Ruth. So don't! Malcolm's arranged that same room for you. We would like to have upgraded your room but the ship has been sold out for months. Besides I think you should enjoy your cruise back. Relax, take in a show. Read a good book. Sit in one of these hot tubs on that top deck," laughs Adam.

"Ok, will do. Tell Harry that I'll call when I get to New York," says Ruth.

"Of course. And congratulations Ruth, that was a job well done," says Adam.

"Thanks Adam," says Ruth.

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

She hangs up. That blasted Jim Coaver! Nothing is ever as it seems. Good thing she didn't give him her suitcase. She smiles. No one knows that she has that money. No one.

She heads back to her room and lies down and tries to sleep. She pretends that Harry is lying next to her, his arm around her waist. She is determined that when she gets back to London she is going to change things between them. She won't wait for Harry to ask her out again. She will ask him out. She won't wait five minutes after he comes in the door onto the Grid. She is going to go right to his office and just ask him "Harry, would you like to go to dinner with me this week sometime? I have a place I think you might like." Hopefully, he'll say yes.