Thanks to those who are sticking with this story and still reviewing. After struggling for a while I realised that I either wrote one monster chapter that would take an age to finish or I split it. I opted for the split. The speed of posting not being enhanced by computer problems ie it turns sulky whenever I want to log onto the internet.

That this is all true as it is strange:

Act 5 Sc 1 44

Unsurprisingly the genii like appearance of Harry meant that all eyes, bar one pair, were transfixed on the scene unfolding before them. The exception being Malcolm who averted his gaze from the main centre of action for a couple of seconds to glance at Ruth, and then rather wished he hadn't. Never highly coloured her normally pale face was ashen with shock, while her eyes bore an expression of pain mingled with disbelief as she processed the true identity of the man she had trusted. He looked the same, except that now clean shaven, formally dressed in Savile Row tailoring with silk tie, and minus the green contact lenses, he presented as a slightly awry clone of the man she'd kissed goodbye to a couple of hours ago. Watching her internal struggle to regain some composure before attention inevitably began to swing back in her direction Malcolm was experiencing a lacerating guilt for his part in the deception, accompanied by a flare of anger at Harry for his betrayal of her trust.

Fortunately for both Malcolm and Ruth the epicentre of attention continued to be the newly revealed Harry as, without any further acknowledgement of Giles' spluttering presence, he proceeded demonstrate exactly who had now resumed charge of the Grid. While Harry was basking in the obvious approval of his staff at his return, the only individual, apart from Ruth, whose face was not decorated with a smile was Jed. Malcolm noticing this cheered up a little at the sight of his discomfort since, unlike Ruth, Jed deserved everything that would be surely coming his way once Harry had his feet well and truly back under the Head of Counter Terrorism's desk.

Harry, who although not oblivious to Ruth's horror, was being forced by current circumstances to feign ignorance of her distress in favour of the need to take command, while recognising that an explanation and an apology was in order, preferably accompanied by flowers and some nice Belgian chocolates. However his long plotted showdown with Giles beckoned and now, for the sake of the service, queen and country, he couldn't afford the distractions posed by mere personal considerations. Stepping forward to take centre stage, thereby reducing the DG and Giles to bit part players in the burgeoning drama, Harry cleared his throat and held up his hand for silence. The awe or fear – depending on temperament – in which he was regarded by his staff ensuring that any casual visitor arriving on the floor at that moment could quite reasonably have wondered if they'd become unexpectedly afflicted with sudden deafness onset.

"Thank you ladies and gentleman. However while we idle terrorists and other assorted scum do not. Also our precious assets require someone to pick up their calls asap."

Almost as if he had cued it, and Malcolm wouldn't have put it past Harry to have arranged it, the phone on one of the farther most desks began to ring. While one of the more athletic members of staff, hoping to curry favour with the newly emerged superior, sprinted to respond Harry, satisfied that his point had been immediately reinforced, intoned. "Quite. Now that the excitement is over I would ask you all to return to your posts, with the exception of the Senior team, who need to meet with myself and Mr Dolby in the Briefing Room to discuss various issues arising in my absence." Mischievously he twisted the verbal knife adding, as if it was a sudden afterthought, "And of course Mr Bamford-Smythe if he can spare us the time."

As the majority of the staff prepared to return to their daily round and common task the look of pure vitriol that Giles shot in Harry's direction was a cheering encouragement, indicating to Harry that he had succeeded in riling Giles. It would do as curtain raiser to the main performance due to commence as soon as the audience had been chivvied into the Briefing Room. As most of the individuals designated for that destination began to move Harry, noting the Ruth had remained super glued to her position on the floor, threw a terse reminder in her direction, "I believe that you are part of the Senior Team."

The ashen face was promptly replaced by a one slightly tinged with a blush as she replied, "But I'm…"

Harry, picking up on her hesitation completed the sentence for her, "under suspicion of being a traitor." Flashing a very quick smile at her in an attempt to reassure her that all would be well he continued, "Not in my opinion which is the only one that counts. You are also the senior analyst for Section D and therefore your presence is required." Before Ruth still tongue tied could summon up any reply he made a lightening switch from reminding her of the man she'd fallen in love with back into the newly introduced boss mode, "So the Briefing Room now."

The peremptory impersonal tone in which this was delivered carrying with it the implication they were a pair of strangers instantly undoing any comfort she might have gained from his effort to soothe her apprehensions. It was as if the intimate wrestling match on Harry's sofa the previous evening, followed by the session in the shower - steamy in every sense of the word - this very morning - had never happened. An offence on his part, which capped by the realisation that he had lied throughout their liaison was sufficient to make Ruth mutinous. A minor fact seemingly ignored by Harry who, accustomed to imperial style obedience, had dismissively turned his back on her, prior to an authoritative march into the Briefing Room. Ruth's potential rebellion was defused by Malcolm who, touching her arm briefly, advised in his usual quiet way. "Best to do as he says."

Ruth, recognising that, as ever with Harry, she'd been cornered into not following her natural instincts, and whose fury with him on several counts was rapidly approaching a high water mark, acknowledged this advice with the comment, "For now yes." Malcolm was inwardly sighing, the exhibition of Harry at his commanding worst was unlikely to mollify this woman, who undoubtedly had fallen for the charm offensive, and now was about to be treated to the recital of Harry's devilry in trapping Giles. An exposition which inevitably would include prolonged reference to the events in the hotel room. Sensing the tsunami of fury slowly building in the small body beside him Malcolm could only hope that when his own part in the entire plot was revealed he'd emerge unscathed from the inevitable tidal wave of recriminations. Harry, he decided, could wriggle out of the Ruth problem unaided, since having made his bed – which Malcolm strongly suspected he'd persuaded Ruth into occupying– he'd have to lie on. Possibly impaled on a mattress of nails when Ruth jumped up and down on him from a great height; and serve him right.

Delaying for a couple of seconds to pickup his laptop, which contained the encrypted evidence Harry might need to cite, gave him the opportunity to walk slowly behind Ruth. A fortunate precaution in case she decided to take fright and flight, that was, had Malcolm but known it, unnecessary. A few moments of processing the sudden twist in events informed her that if she wished to clear her name a certain degree of embarrassment would be the inevitable price. She'd already been forced into a partial public admission of the events that had prevented her becoming a victim of Giles' blackmail but the suggestion of treason still lingered. Ironically she was totally dependent on Harry the liar to clear her name by spearing Giles the liar, and therefore it followed logically that as Harry had demanded her presence she had little alternative other to comply.

As the last entrants into the Briefing Room Malcolm and Ruth missed the jockeying for position that had taken place a few minutes earlier. When the less than holy trinity of Harry, Giles and Dolby had made their way into the room Giles had attempted to grab his customary seat at the top of the table, as befitted the Head of the Grid, only to discover that Harry, who had preceded him was already settling down in that place. Turning sharply to claim the seat at the opposite end with the objective of trying to intimidate his resurrected rival with an eyeball to eyeball staring session Giles discovered that he'd also been out manoeuvred by Dolby who had snaffled that position. Forced to make do with a subordinate seat along the side of the table, Giles thus found himself facing Zoe and Danny. A belittling position which meant every time he looked up he was greeted by the expressions of the two Field officers, both of whom were revelling in his discomfort, and not attempting to disguise the fact. Arriving just in time to catch the smirks of the field officers Malcolm's more immediate concern was that Ruth could be forced into sitting next to Giles. A situational assessment shared by Harry who establishing his command stated sharply, "Malcolm next to me please, Ruth beside Zoe." Given the circumstances neither felt inclined to demur, but as Ruth began to lower herself with thankful feelings into her designated seat, Giles continuing his futile attempt to resume command, almost shouted,

"That woman is a liar and a traitor. I insist that she is removed."

Zoe and Danny while opening their mouths to protest found it to be an unnecessary action. Giles' demand being rendered stillborn when Harry responded with an acerbic, "I have already discussed this and will be touching on it when I explain a matter of more grave importance." Sadly his attempt to shut down the issue was stymied by the DG who, although aware of the basic outline of the matter of grave importance, and also with prior knowledge of the events in the hotel, had detected in Harry a certain evasiveness during their conversation by the Thames barrier. Dolby having been forced to weather the recriminations of his wife for their delayed Sunday lunch, combined with the sleepless nights he'd endured over the black operation he'd been bounced into approving was also anticipating the difficult conversations he'd be required to endure with their political masters when Giles' criminal activities were finally exposed. Consequently he was more than happy to make Harry wriggle a little, leading him to intervene,

"As the charge has been laid I think it best, in view of the important post Miss Evershed holds and the gravity of the accusation, that you produce some further evidence to back up your assertion of her innocence."

Harry was rarely bested by anyone, but he also recognised that on some occasions he had to defer. Forced to do so, even as he spoke his mind was whirring, as he began to formulate a narrative that would, if not fully spare Ruth's blushes, at least reduce them a trifle. Ruth meanwhile was almost shrinking into her seat, as she internally debated which would be the worst aspect of the events about to be described. The pervy underwear purchased by Giles? The cavortings in the hotel room? Or, the final conclusion of her being carted out unconscious from the hotel. All of which were eclipsed by the even bigger horror that the revelation of her whole relationship with Harry which would expose her to the very accurate allegation that she'd been hoodwinked, a fool whose deception by an illusory character marked her as unfit for to hold post within one of the most sensitive of spy departments. Sadly she'd have to sit out the inevitable as the Briefing Room, due to some unaccountable oversight, was not equipped with either a trapdoor or a panic room.

Harry after a quick glance in her direction read all of this in her face as he replied evenly, "As you wish Sir." Dolby his point won leant back into his chair as he prepared to savour the rare sight of Harry having to obey orders, with no real worries about the eventual outcome. As he'd stated to Harry a few days ago Giles' staff management practices alone had finished his career. Dolby, despite his disputes with Harry on just about every level, recognised that Harry was one of the finest officers of his generation, even if he was a maverick whose status had been earned through exploits that the sane would shun. It was a direct contrast to Giles whose efforts to achieve a similar pinnacle had relied on an excellent level of desk based paperwork efficiency combined with the careful cultivation of various friends and his own self promoting boasts. Confident that Harry's dislike of Giles was about to ensure that the latter's self promoted reputation was about to be well and truly trashed Dolby was able to relax and prepare to be entertained for the next half hour or so. After the last few weeks of worrying about the potentially disastrous security leaks that Harry had gone undercover to disentangle Dolby considered that his incipient nervous ulcer was overdue some balm, which would be provided by the pleasurable change of watching some other unfortunate suffer the effects of Harry's machinations.

Harry was well aware that the next few minutes would be revealing, centring mainly around information he would prefer to redact, especially with Ruth present. Confronted by the inescapable he turned to her stating by way of excuse. "I'm sorry Ruth that Mr Bamford-Smythe is clearly not a gentleman."

Ignoring the hint of apology in those amber irises, which against her will she was finding every bit as attractive as the green ones she'd become used to over the past few weeks, Ruth, her eyes flashing, snapped back, "I need my name cleared. And appearances are often deceptive are they not." The last part of that statement making Harry wince almost imperceptibly while Malcolm was half inclined to applaud her display of spirit in what was a very uncomfortable situation.

Giles, oblivious to anything that didn't centre around his own ego, was unaware of the swirling undercurrents to this exchange as he exclaimed, "How dare you…"

Only to be cut off by Harry who, forced by Giles' intransigence into describing events he would have preferred to bury, sought relief by glaring at him, "And how dare you treat any woman in such an appalling way, let alone a member of my staff." Not allowing for any further pause in the proceedings that he wanted to skim over as quickly as possible he instructed Malcolm, "The first recording please."

Malcolm, prepared for this likely demand was already seated upright with his fingers hovering over his laptop, as he swiftly pressed the button for the relevant sound file thereby releasing into the room the uncensored conversation during which Giles made his predatory, blackmailing intentions clear. As the recital terminated with the sound of Ruth snapping the office door shut, there was a stunned silence for a full thirty seconds ending with Zoe pulling Ruth into a hug while saying reproachfully," Ruth why didn't you tell me about this? I thought we were friends."

Ruth, choking with this display of unexpected comradeship, while feeling rejected by the familiar stranger at the head of the table, struggled to reply, eventually managing to murmur, "Well I was new and didn't know what anyone could do." A reply which had Danny growling suggestively, "I'd have punched his lights out for a start."

Giles with what could only be described as the arrogance of the overly entitled chose to ignore the revelation of his conduct in favour of expostulating, "This is really unacceptable, the recording of private conversations."

Even Dolby, who owed his post chiefly to his ability to suffer diplomatically the self important witterings of their political masters, was inclined to drop his jaw at this uncontrite display of presumption, before Harry in his best acerbic tone, the one he reserved for the verbal incineration of erring junior officers, informed the self important wart, "In case you hadn't noticed it's what spies do, and Malcolm was acting on under my orders."

Before Giles could intervene again he announced, "Now to continue, fortunately Ruth did finally confide in Malcolm and as he knew I'd already accidentally met her while undercover and taken the opportunity to assess her suitability as a member of my staff informally, he in turn advised her to confide in me."

Ruth still recovering from the shock of the hearing the recording, even if it did support her case, was frowning as she dared to enquire of Harry directly, "Am I therefore correct in thinking that Malcolm already knew of this conversation, and had passed on what was happening, before you allegedly teased the story out of me?"

Harry had the grace to look slightly abashed as he confirmed her suspicion, "Once again my apologies Ruth but the only person on the Grid who knew about my going undercover was Malcolm. I truly didn't enjoy deceiving you but…" Hoping that he'd now explained his deception to her satisfaction and in an oblique affirmation of their now dual relationship he terminated his statement with an attempted confidence booster, "On the plus side you have convinced me entirely of your suitably for your post and I'm looking forward to formerly welcoming you onto the Grid for a fuller debrief later."

Ruth's very neutral, "Thank you Sir," was a masterpiece of self control, given that his last few words had recalled some of Harry's more informal methods of assessing her suitability for her post.

Harry, deferring further explanations to later, when the danger of revealing the full extent of their twin personal and professional involvements could be confined to a private discussion between the two of them, concentrated on filling in a few gaps in the narrative.

"To back track a little – for reasons that I will share later I'd previously made contact with a woman who had been in relationship with Mr Bamford-Smythe which I would describe as abusive. Suffice to say that having been subjected to his er…. shall we say sexual preferences, which among other manifestations involved chaining her to a headboard while ignoring her protests… she'd finally dumped him."

"Lies all lies." Turning to Dolby Giles, in what Harry was regarding as a heart warming note of desperation insisted. "You surely can't believe this rubbish Sir."

Dolby, who was privately admitting to a very human curiosity about how precisely Harry had proceeded, and having had his dislike if Giles actions confirmed by what he had just heard courtesy of Malcolm's skills, reminded Giles of a definite fact he seemed to have forgotten, "You were the one who questioned Ruth's integrity so I think we need to hear out the defence." Ignoring Giles he nodded, "So Harry…"

Harry, sensing blood, was quick to capitalise on his advantage. "Once I had persuaded Ruth to trust me I contacted the other lady for advice. When she proved very willing to spare Ruth an ordeal and also to extract a certain degree of revenge I advised Ruth to encourage Giles to... Well perhaps Malcolm could you oblige again?"

Malcolm duly obliged and the recording of Ruth persuading Giles that the blackmailed shagging experience would be enhanced by a blindfolded silent copulation was relayed to the ears of the assembled group, most whom were tossing a mental coin as to which reaction was the most appropriate: whether to be appalled or as an alternative to congratulate Ruth on her powers of persuasion.

While they were pondering this conundrum Ruth was trying avoid the eye of everyone, especially Harry. Fury with him was rapidly overtaking embarrassment. He'd failed to confide in her preferring to stage his elaborate charade. Surely he could have found an alternative way of avoiding her being subjected to the lecherous wiles of Giles admiring her figure in that scanty underwear as he practically slavered over the size of her breasts and, - oh God she was willing to bet that Harry also had visuals and sound on that scene as well. Malcolm she could forgive, one quick dart of her eyes across the table told her that he was also squirming with at these public revelations, and recently if nothing else, she'd been the subject of several master classes in how Harry made it impossible to do anything other than fall in with his demands. But Harry … all the time they were making love he'd been secretly laughing at her. In an even worse betrayal of her confidences while she'd licensed his roving hands to go before, behind, between, he'd claimed he was in love with her. How did she feel now? Not really having the leisure to process, as was her usual habit, confused and angry just about covered it, in tandem with a real feeling of how could he? Currently he was exposing Giles as duplicitous conniving bastard, but was Harry himself really any better? Considering the warnings she'd received about him and his devious methods before accepting the post in Section D she was beginning to think not.

Most of these fleeting emotions were disguised by her staring modestly at the table top, which had suddenly acquired a great degree of interest to her, although she'd be hard put to answer any questions relating to its actual colour, let alone the direction of the grain or condition of the varnish. A reverie of embarrassment broken by Danny exclaiming in admiration: "Ruth that was brilliant. I can understand why Harry wants you on the Grid. You'd be terrific in the field as well."

Harry although discomforted by Ruth's continuing silence permitted himself a smile. "Thank you for your endorsement Mr Hunter but now to continue…" A statement that made Giles' face sport an interesting hue of sickly green as he announced peremptorily, "I think we've heard enough I admit I made a mistake, but can I point out that the tape proves that she did consent."

Dolby and Harry in a unity that created a simultaneous reply along the lines of "No please continue Harry" while Harry ignoring Giles was announcing, "To continue.." with both pausing before Dolby graciously gave way. "The floor Harry is yours."

"Thank you sir..to continue Mr Bamford- Smythe booked a room – I have the evidence from his credit card and bye the bye Giles were you never advised to use an alias for illicit activities?" Which as he looked at the sudden firm line that drew across Ruth's mouth made him belatedly realise that this was not perhaps the wisest rebuke he'd ever uttered. Drawing breath and anxious to conclude these revelations speedily with details limited to the absolute basics he hurried on.

"I met the other lady involved, who was of course arrayed in similar er under pinnings to those described to me by Ruth, and she waited in a nearby room I'd hired," unable to resist a further pop at Giles he added unnecessarily, "under an alias I may add, I then met Ruth and explained what was to happen which – we do have it recorded if…."

Ignoring rather than oblivious to Ruth's patent discomfort but only too aware that Giles had blenched Zoe and Danny didn't have to say anything, their eager expressions said it all, as Malcolm once again undertook his alternative job role of film projectionist. The video slightly gloomy but sufficient to identify the key players was watched in near silence up the point where Harry arrived in his night goggles which produced a choking sound from Danny and then some outright chuckling from both himself and Zoe at the sight of Giles being handcuffed to the bed. Once Jane was seen to enter and sit down Malcolm fast forwarded through the two hours that he and Harry had wearily waited, slowing at the point where she approached the struggling figure of Giles. The show's finale featuring Giles' yelp of pain as the final soundbite.

The noise of his agony made few eyebrows rise in question, including those of Ruth, who although aware of Giles' injury, was for the first time privy to the actual events of the end game, meaning that Harry cheerily provided the encore by explaining, with a lilt of mischief in his voice,

"And sadly the revenge act was a little too enthusiastic so I do apologise for the broken penis which I can assure you was not part of the plan."

At which point the two field officers burst out laughing and even Dolby permitted himself a wintry smile. Ruth was relaxing a little, Harry's habitual economy with the truth having managed to skirt around the number of dates they'd had or that he had personally viewed the underwear purchased by Giles prior to ripping it off and…as she begun to colour up at the memory she hoped that everyone was too busy enjoying the sight of Giles' pomposity well and truly pricked even if, given the variety of circumstances under review that was not the most appropriate of metaphors.

Before anyone could question whether Giles had received punishment enough Harry produced the final proof of his so called replacement's perfidy. "However even before that injury was received you had failed to keep your part of the bargain. We have footage of your, shall we say private employees, breaking into Ruth's flat to plant false evidence and also that of her step brother, as well as your instruction for their arrest."

Giles knowing he'd been outpointed stood up, trying to salvage whatever dignity was left, only too aware that all eyes were now affixed to his groin area, but with curiosity rather than admiration for the contents of his trousers as he stated, "I've been framed and have nothing more to say. I'm leaving."

Within a nanosecond he became the subject of the full Pearce freeze. Even those who worked closely with Harry and his not unfamiliar glare were taken by surprise, while Ruth having just sat through a seminar in Harry's ability to deceive, even now he'd not told the full truth surrounding the story - although for that she supposed she should be grateful - suddenly understood why he acquired had the reputation of making granite resemble play-doh. As Harry also rose up to confront Giles, his impeccable tailoring and bulky frame making him seem so much taller than his average five foot ten inches, he had transformed into a terrifying sight. His eyes suddenly changing from an attractive warm amber to hard blazing orbs as he uttered in tones that seemed to have been plucked directly from Antarctica.

"I think not. You were quite right on one count."

With everyone's attention riveted he declared in a clear and damning voice,

"Because there is a traitor in this room and it isn't Ruth."

The revelations are to be continued.

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