Gun

Ruth knew she had to keep calm. If she panicked then the gun pushed into her side would kill her. Somehow she had to keep her cool. Staring straight ahead she was surprised that she wasn't feeling scared, more angry that this was how her life might end. She thought of Nick and Gracie-Jo, her step children and grandchildren. She thought of Harry and how he wouldn't cope, not really. He'd blame himself, be angry and lash out. There was no way she was going to let that happen. There was no way her death, her Murder would be the cause of Harry going into self destruct. The children were going to need him. The team needed him. She looked up almost gasping as the man next to her smiled slightly.

"I have to hand it to you. I did think you'd be begging for your life right now."

"Really?" Ruth looked away. "I don't beg. It wouldn't work anyway. You are doing your job. Maria served her purpose, so did Damion. I dare say Parker Lewis is dead too. Now I've outlived my use to Bethsheba too. Or I will have the moment you've got me in front of Tessa."

She felt the gun press harder into her side for a moment before a sharp pain in her arm before the world around her faded to black.

Xxxxxxxxx

Lucas tapped his helmet as he followed the black 4x4. "We are heading out of the city centre."

"Ok, stay with her." Ros' voice cut through the airwaves. She started her car engine, knowing if they couldn't track Ruth if Lucas was close then they could track him. Alec tapped his fingers against his thigh as she headed out into London traffic, ignoring him as she concentrated on keeping up with her husband and friend, hoping they weren't too late. Alec broke the silence.

"Has anyone seen Harry? Anyone spoken to him?"

"Yeah." Catherine answered, ignoring Malcolm as he tutted at her for not using the formal call signs. "He went into the office five minutes ago." She tapped a few keys on the computer in front of her. "I've got cctv following Lucas. If he can stay with the car then we should be able to watch where they are."

"Er." Tariq looked up. "Harry isn't in his office."

"What?" Catherine swore as she realised he was right. "I didn't see him come out."

"Neither did I." Malcolm was immediately worried. "I'll check. Stay here." He headed into the office knowing there was a very good chance Harry had done exactly what he would do if it was his Sarah under threat. Moments later he was back at his work station dialling Ros.

"No comms, Malcolm?" Ros raised an eyebrow as she listened to Malcolm's voice fill the car once she had pressed the button for hands free phone calls.

"Harry has gone dark. I don't know how long ago he left but he has taken his gun. He knows we are looking for Tessa Philips and any of her associates."

"Tessa?" Alec shook his head.

"Teflon Tess strikes again. Get Catherine to find any information about her, where she is getting help. The woman is on the highest watch list. Or she was until Spencer started pissing about. She's had help from someone." Ros could barely contain her anger. "Track Harry. You know him, get a route or location to me ASAP. " She ended the call knowing that there was a very real chance Harry would get himself killed to save Ruth. What worried her was that both Harry and Ruth would end up dead.

Xxxxx

Ruth felt sick, her head throbbed - the tell tale signs of a migraine that she could really do without.

"Hi." She opened her eyes as she realised the voice that had woken her was out of place. Distinctly feminine she knew the owner of the voice couldn't be there. "Yes, it's me. Yes I'm still dead but you aren't. Not at the moment. You lot don't help me much. Does everyone in the Section have a death wish?"

"Jo."

"Hi." She raised a hand, "Tessa is going to use you as a bargaining tool. She has blackmailed Spencer to get what she wants but you basically being brilliant at what you do messed up her plans."

"Oh."

Ruth couldn't take her eyes off her friend. Jo had been dead for years. Ruth knew there was no way the younger woman was really there. She knew part of her was dying, her brain conjuring up a safe, familiar face.

"Tessa cannot get away with this." Jo stated firmly. "She will kill you. Then what will happen to Harry! You think he will carry on as before? With two kids to worry about? Not a chance. You didn't see him when you were away before. You fight this!"

"How? I'm on my own. I've got a gun in my ribs and drugs floating around. I'm high as a kite and talking to dead people." She felt her stomach lurch.

"Born spook. Find a way, Ruth. You have to." Ruth blinked and Jo vanished. Ruth came to her senses slightly, suddenly aware she was being carried out of the car. Deciding it was probably best not to fight the larger man she let her body fall against him, a dead weight as he struggled to manhandle her away from the car. Ruth focused on Jo's words. Harry needed her to get out of her predicament alive. Somehow she knew she would.

Xxxxxxxx

Harry ignored the phone on the passenger side seat of his car as it sprung into life once more. He knew it was Ros or Adam trying to get hold of him. There was no way he was going to let them get hurt. As far as he could see both younger officers had so much more to live for than he did. He didn't want them to get hurt. If Ruth was dead he knew he would not be far behind her. He thought of his children, knowing that Catherine and Graham would make sure the younger ones were safe. He knew if Ruth was dead there was no way he could be a good parent to them. He didn't want them to think of him badly, as a man who died slowly, bitter from a broken heart. Parking the car he swore as the phone shrilled out next to him. He finally looked at the screen - seeing Ruth's number on screen.

"Ruth." He almost breathed her name as he answered the phone.

"Oh sorry to disappoint. She is with an associate of mine. Alive. For now."

"Tessa. Or should I call you Bethsheba?"

"Call off the hounds, Harry. I know your little minions are running around playing at being James Bond."

"Fuck you Tessa."

"Oh you did want to at one point."

"Where is she?"

"Alive, safe and slowly dying. I told my associates to have a little fun."

"What do you want." He ground out the words. "There's always money where you are involved."

He waited a moment as he listened to Tessa breathing. His blood ran cold as he thought of Ruth at the mercy of Tessa's associates and what their idea of fun may be. "Tessa!"

"There are bombs placed in various locations. I have the controls here. Poor dear Damion thought I was in love with him. He planted them, diverted attention when needed. These aren't bombs like you think. These are viral bombs. Billions will die. Unless I can be persuaded to turn them off."

"How?"

"£750 million should do it. Plus all the details of the COBRA and the JIC personnel. Get me them and maybe I'll return Ruth to you with the codes. Maybe."

The call ended as Harry glared out of the windscreen. He felt sick but he knew he had to get Ruth away from the monster who had her.

Xxxxxx