30
Ros stared at the television as the newsreader informed the nation about the death of the former Prime Minister following what had been described as a short illness. She narrowed her eyes as the newsreader went on to describe the untimely demise of the woman shortly after the sad loss of her husband. Lucas sat behind her, gently rubbing her shoulders as she visibly relaxed at his touch.
"Crowther?"
"Harry believes she is on our side." Ros sighed. "I don't know. She's never worked against us before. I don't know. The forth gunman is out there somewhere. We know next to nothing about the deaths of either Lydia Morgan or Igor Antonov." She closed her eyes as he gently worked the knots out of her shoulders. "Nightingale cleared up their mess and vanished."
"As they do." Lucas sighed as Ros' eyes closed. He knew there was no way she would be so relaxed around anyone else. Ros at home was very different to the Ros on the Grid. He knew why but he also knew there were those who would never believe the woman currently sat on the rug in front of the sofa was the same woman as the Ice Queen they saw in MI-5. "We will catch up with them."
"Amy and James?"
"Sleeping." He smiled as she turned to face him. "Both out like lights. Dogs are sleeping too." He watched as she got to her feet, holding her hand out for him.
"Bed."
"Ros."
"To sleep. I am exhausted." She watched as he raised his eyebrows. He took her hand before getting to his feet.
"We did all we could. We got you and Ruth back. We cut off a potential terrorist attack. Stop going over it in your head."
"Who said I was?"
Lucas kissed her gently on the lips. "I know you. You wouldn't be the best Section Chief that place ever had if you weren't second guessing what you did. Nightingale are never really going to go away. I know we will get the ringleaders. Its only a matter of time."
"I just don't know how much more time we have."
He closed his eyes as she rested her head on his chest. He kissed her temple before leading her to the bedroom.
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Ruth slipped out of Gracie's bedroom, closing the door as quietly as she could. Not for the first time she wondered if it would be the last time she would check on her daughter during the night. A hand went to the dressing on her neck, knowing that sooner or later the children would notice it. Nick would have questions. Telling him she had almost been shot, garrotted and blown up after she had been abducted and poisoned was not something she wanted to explain.
"Ruth?"
"She's asleep." Ruth smiled slightly. "Are you alright?"
Harry nodded, still a little shocked that he wasn't a widower. He sighed at the thought of how close he had come to having to tell the children Ruth was never coming home. "Tired." He sighed. "Just."
"Me too." She crossed the small landing towards him. "I went through the CCTV footage so many times I think I'll be seeing it in my sleep."
"Ruth." He rested his hands on her shoulders as she looked up at him. "If."
"I am ok." She smiled slightly. "I am and I will work out who was in the window. If I can get." He rested a finger on her lips.
"Not here." He kissed her gently. "We will get the ringleaders. We have to, every resource Crowther could get us has been sent our way. Tonight we sleep." Ruth nodded, taking his hand before leading him into their bedroom. It was late and she knew he was right. Somehow they would find out who was running the Morgans for Nightingale and what the plans really had been. She just hoped they'd find out what Nightingale had hoped to achieve. Harry pulled her into his arms, holding her for a moment as he promised himself he would never put her in that position again. Nightingale would be held accountable for their actions - they just had to find them.
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