Perplexed isn't a word that Harry wants attributed to him. Not now, not ever again. Because in the space of a just a few days, he and Ruth have crossed the self-imposed and ridiculous line which has kept them apart until now. Which means that on their days off and dare he dream holidays, he can indulge himself in a way that up until recently, has been confined to him gazing at her from his office. But therein lies the problem, because how can he explain and not have her imagining the man he'd once been, as opposed to the man he is now? So much in love with her, that he will move heaven and earth to keep her close, is the question that has been bouncing around in his head, since Malcolm in all innocence had said, 'what you ever saw in that wretched woman is beyond me?'
A question that all these years later, has not only brought back memories of his failure both as a husband and father, but is making him question his ability to read people and in particular Juliet and her motive for calling round to see him. Especially when she'd made it quite clear to his colleagues that any contact with him was forbidden.
A question which if he really thinks about it, he'd asked himself the moment that she'd waltz back onto the grid, with the same confidence that had drawn her to him in the first place. How she'd managed to blackmail him to the point where he'd handed in his resignation, refused and given what has happened since he's pleased about, that she was the right person to take on the role of Security Services Coordinator. Having left what had been a highly paid job in the States and if what he's been led to believe is true, had far reaching prospects to match her over exaggerated ego.
Which has also led him to believe, might be the reason she sees herself as untouchable and was why without an ounce of humanity, she'd sanctioned Clive's death? Mocking his relationship with a man that he'd known for over thirty years and in his case, had side seen him lined without a chance to defend his decision to release Khurvin.
The sum total of which is making him feel very uneasy. Because not only does it suggest that Juliet wants to control him again, but that she's has worked out a way to do it. Something which if he pastes in the conversation that he'd part lipread in the park when she'd gone to meet Alex Rosco, who'd suggested that they were still more than water cooler buddies? A statement that she'd shied away from answering until Alex had added are you sure? Gives credence to Adam's theory that she wants to turn the clock back and get him into what she'd once referred to as the, 'it's not over until I say so position.' Something that will require hell to freeze over and not only because he's about to climb into the only bed that matters.
Which is a shame really, because the owner of said bed and the only person that has the ability to make him do whatever she asks of him, is, despite Adam telling her that she wouldn't be needed, currently in a taxi and on her way into work.
.
'Zaf stand down, Jo and I will take the night shift,' hadn't been an order. Adam had said it in recognition of the hours that he'd put in, eating sandwiches and drinking tea from a flask in a cold van whilst keeping an eye on Khurvin. Not that Zaf intends taking any notice, because despite respecting Adam, both as a colleague and a friend, he also knows that at this point in time his judgement isn't infallible. That there is a fine line still running through Adam which has reality on one side of it and on the other, the failure to accept that Fiona is dead. Added to which he's teamed up with Jo, who as keen as she is, has never fired a gun in anger, having barely got her feet under the table. Which means that when the moment comes to take Khurvin down, he's sure Adam will be grateful for his help.
Added to which he knows he's a good and reliable officer, despite his reputation of being a joker. A side line which he uses to good effect when the other members of team can't see beyond the ends of their noses. When the coffees are being delivered or while they're waiting for something to happen. In the same way that Harry's no-nonsense attitude when it comes to work, is only part of who he really is. A man who before he'd joined the section, he'd been led to believe was beyond help when it came to enjoying his time away from the grid. Unless you counted going to some stuffy old club, where it is well documented that Harry refuses to conform. Now spending his time at the dog track, where according to Adam he's well known and more often than not, comes home with more money in his pocket than when he'd arrived. Which suggests that it is one of his regular haunts, although anything more than that he doesn't know.
What he does know, is that whatever Harry gets up to in his spare time, is far outweighed by their need to have him back on the grid and that he'll be furious when he finds out that at the exact point when things are coming to a head, that he's being kept out of the loop. Whereas he himself isn't going to miss out on seeing this through to the end and when the time comes for her to apologise, he'll first in line to watch Juliet crawl back into her burrow.
Which are the reasons that twenty minutes later, he finds himself in the same queue of traffic as Adam. A queue that no matter what time of day or night you travel, is well known to lengthen as you approach Heathrow Airport, where the airport buses and taxis as well as private cars, vie for position as the signs to the various terminals see drivers chopping and changing lanes. Which is where they are now, but with reduced visibility due to a veil of low cloud, are reliant on whoever is monitoring Khurvin's progress to tell them where he is.
.
Which of course is Colin, whose been sitting in front of the screen on his own for a second night in a row, watching the red dot which is weaving its way between the lines of vehicles in front of it, now saying, 'it looks as if Khurvin is going to turn off onto a small slip road. Which if he does will eventually peter out and become nothing more than a track that terminates in what looks like a vast area of scrubland. Several miles as the crow, or in this case a plane flies from the terminal buildings.' Any one of which they'd assumed would be his target.
A message that coincides with Ruth walking through the door and pulling up a chair beside him. Her presence more than welcome and her focus as it should be. Not knowing of course that she's worried because Harry had been distracted throughout dinner and when he'd kissed her goodbye, had made her promise to call him as soon as she could.
Now turning her attention to the list of weapons, 'most of which are no longer relevant,' Colin tells her, as the dot moves in the direction, which if it doesn't change, will eventually see Khurvin standing under the flightpath of the transatlantic arrivals. The suggestion being that he intends bringing down a plane, which is unthinkable in its enormity. But because CO19 are stuck in a traffic jam ten minutes away, Ruth knows it's down to her colleagues to get the evidence they need, as well as preventing an atrocity, which as Harry had pointed out would see the country plunging into another war. Harry who should be here and like her, knows that the last time that Adam fired a gun, it had been to kill Fiona's not so late husband.
Juliet, who should have been there, appearing at her shoulder and not helping by saying, 'I can't have a plane full of passengers bellying onto the runway,' as though she is the only person who realises the consequences of what is unfolding in front of them. While next to her, Ruth can see Colin mentally going through the sequence of actions that will enable Khurvin to fire the surface to air missile as the first plane flies over and with the second due in just a few moments. Whilst resisting the temptation to tell Juliet to shut the 'f' up.
Not a word that Ruth herself would use, but in this instance can't think of an alternative were she to need one. That she also dislikes guns as much as she dislikes bad language, the team know and respect. But because Juliet, the infiltrator is standing behind her and because this situation calls for her stronger self to come to the fore, she doesn't flinch or put her hands over her ears, when they hear Zaf shout, 'Khurvin don't!'
Something which if followed by a sequence of instructions from Colin, then nothing. Which means that when Ruth hears the shot, she's convinced it's Zaf who's dead. Until moments later she hears a roar, which means that the second plane has flown over unscathed. Causing a huge feeling of relief on the one hand and on the other, a feeling of regret. Because a man who had been manipulated into thinking that another war was the only way forward is dead, against a plane full of passengers, who like thousands of others before them, have no idea how close they'd come to meeting their maker. Is something that Harry would have told her was necessary, had he been there.
Unlike Juliet who is rubbing her hands as though the death of what in essence, had been an innocent man doesn't matter. After which there is a blissful silence both on the grid and on the ground, until Adam's voice comes through as clearly as if he'd been standing in the room with them.
'It's over. I've asked CO 19 to take Khurvin's body to the mortuary. I'll see everyone in the morning for the debriefing.'
.
A debriefing which Harry is missing, because he's paying a visit to Pollard's office. Taking great satisfaction in watching the man who once he's questioned, will he hopes bring others into the frame. That and having the satisfaction of telling Alex Roscoe, 'to put his own house in order, before meddling in his again.'
That done he goes for a walk along the embankment, not only to pass the time, but in an effort to clear his head, rather than revisit the dark thoughts of the previous evening and in particular Juliet's motives. Juliet with the sharp tongue and a put down at her fingertips, who according to Malcom is back behind her desk in Whitehall. Still owing him an apology. One which in terms of receiving it, is as unlikely as him waking up in the morning and telling Ruth that he doesn't love her.
.
Ruth was working late because she knew she had a lot to catch up on. But they both knew it wasn't the only reason that Harry had told her he'd come and collect her.
He'd been vindicated and there was no reason that he shouldn't come onto the grid. But it wasn't until he took that first step that he realised how much he'd missed the buzz. A buzz that was still there, despite the grid being completely empty, save Ruth who was sitting behind her desk bathed in the glow of her desk lamp.
'Good to have you back,' she knew was understatement of gargantuan proportions. But then she'd been waiting for over week to see him where he belonged.
'Good to be back,' he replied, his heart hammering in his chest, before adding, 'don't work too late.' An equally ridiculous statement given that Ruth never went home until her desk was clear. Well not until recently.
'I'll get the last bus,' she called after him, when turned away and walked in the direction of his office.
Both of them reverting to playing the game. A game that was as personal as their relationship had become. Knowing that after a quick glance at the files on his desk. His desk, which she'd tided as she always had, that he'd be driving her home.