2
Harry stared at the paperwork on his desk. He knew the more longstanding members of the team would remember why Havensworth had been such a nightmare over a decade earlier but for him and Ruth it was so much more. He remembered the Italian delegation playing some God awful techno music - or Europop as Adam had called it back then when he had unexpectantly run into Ruth in the corridor outside the rooms they were staying in. He sighed, back then she had been so different. So timid in many ways but still the strongest woman he had ever known. She had been determined to put his job, his role in the Security Service and his reputation before anything, so determined that gossips wouldn't be able to say she was only in her job because she was sleeping with the boss that she had broken both their hearts. Now the memories of that time were hitting them all over again.
"Harry."
"Yes?" He looked up to see her stood in the doorway to his office.
"Havensworth."
"What about it?" He paused.
"We have to let the past go. This is a new op. A new threat." She closed the door behind her, glad that the blinds were already drawn. "Dimitri and Beth are at the Israeli Embassy now."
"Good."
"Ros and Lucas are meeting an asset and Tariq, Adam and Zaf are on the way to the hotel. Catherine is going to follow them later with Malcolm to set up the last bit of our surveillance equipment. It'll be a good experience for her."
"Yes." Harry agreed, watching his wife closely he knew she was deliberately trying to push the op on, trying to get through it and out the other side as quickly as possible. "The Intel we have so far."
"Suggests that there is a major arms deal going to be done there. So far we know the Israeli, Spanish and Italian delegations are happy to let us handle the security with just liaison officers checking in with us. The Americans."
"Isn't it a bit rich? Them sending someone by plane when they are supposed to be discussing climate change? What about the Carbon Footprint."
"The Ambassador, Stephen Johnston is going. Which means we will be seeing a little more of the American consulate staff there. Erin's partner."
"Richard Mellor."
"Yes, he's going to be there."
"Best Erin not be then." Harry decided. "Conflict of interests."
"Really?" Ruth frowned. "Like when we were there together?"
"That." Harry got to his feet, crossing the office to her. "Was different."
"How?"
"I needed you then." He brushed her hair away from her face. "And I need you now, that's why I am keeping you here."
Ruth smiled slightly as he kissed her lightly on the lips. Her hands resting on the grey lapels of his jacket. He pulled back. "I was thinking."
"Careful." Ruth teased. "That's my job."
"About that night in the corridor. When you ran from me."
"Don't." She sighed heavily. "I remember it well. If I could turn back time."
He hugged her tightly, kissing the top of her head. "I know, I also know I shouldn't have followed you to your room then."
"Nothing happened. Apart from me having a panic attack." She paused. "I never wanted you to see me like that. Thought you'd think less of me. See me as a liability."
"No. Never." Harry held her tightly. They had never spoken of the night when he had slipped into her room and locked the door behind him. For good measure he had bolted the door, causing her to relive memories she had thought well hidden. She closed her eyes, remembering how she had told him everything about her nightmares - sobbing into his shirt as she did so. "I thought you were the bravest woman I had ever met. Still do."
Ruth leaned back slightly before kissing him on the lips. He sighed as she pulled away.
"History won't repeat itself. Not this time." She smiled. "Older and wiser now."
"Older certainly." He smiled as she slipped out of his office. Sighing heavily he went back to his work.
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Lucas sat in the driver seat of the pool car waiting for Ros to return. He knew the operation at the Havensworth hotel was going to be a diplomatic nightmare. For once he didn't envy the senior officers, knowing that he would only be expected to work as a SCO rather than run the op. He watched the street behind him through the rear view mirror waiting for Ros to return.
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"Alright." The man Ros had been waiting for walked up to her as she remained silent. The cloudy sky reflected her mood. She had about as much wish to return to the posh hotel as Ruth did but knew there was little chance of her avoiding it. The scar on her arm began to itch as if to remind her of the last time they had run an international security operation out of a British hotel. She glared at the thin man walking towards her.
"You wanted to meet me."
"Aye." He nodded. "Take this." He handed her a memory stick before walking straight past her. She frowned slightly looking at the little device in her hand. She looked up to see she was alone in the lane once more. Depositing it under the strap of her watch she headed back to the car, hoping that whatever intel was on it would be of some use. She had a feeling they were going to need all the help they could get.
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