Hi - this is probably the penultimate chapter, but given my usual planning may not. Anyway here it is and in case I don't get the next chapter up until after Christmas I hope wherever my readers are in the world they have a good one despite lockdowns, variants etc. Many thanks to my reviewers - I hope this chapter rewards your patience.

'And after the operation the paperwork', words uttered by Harry accompanied with a glare that defied anyone seated around the Briefing Room table to groan. Speaking into the sullen silence he continued briskly, 'Please ensure that your documentation is submitted by the end of today." As Danny half rose from his chair he was halted by a premonitory wave of Harry's hand.

'Before we depart for the joys of form filling, a few announcements."

At these last words, expressions, ranging from quizzical through to apprehensive, could be seen decorating faces.

'Firstly the DG has congratulated us all – including Jed - on the successful completion of a unexpectedly complicated operation." Before he could expand on this theme Ruth interrupted, "Sorry Harry, but would this be an appropriate moment to pass on Ali and Aaisha's thanks and good wishes to everyone?"

"Thank you Ruth." Harry, attempting to employ the usually effective technique of buttering up the troops before imparting what, would be regarded by most of them, as bad news, would have preferred her not to impede his flow. As he opened his mouth to continue he had the consolation that thanks from the lovebirds could only add a glow of satisfaction to the proceedings. Now for the next mite of good news.

"As you all know they left the country immediately after the marriage ceremony. Ali's uncle however has been detained as a post wedding gift to the interrogators of Six and an assortment of other interested parties."

Noting the smiles Harry wondered how his next piece of Intel would be received. It seemed a shame to break the mood of happy unity but, as ever, what had to be had to be done, and if so was best done quickly.

Clearing his throat. "I regret to inform you that Tom will not be returning to the Section. After extensive examinations it has been decided that he will retire on medical grounds."

An involuntary, 'Oh No', escaped Zoe's lips while Danny just looked stunned. Malcolm the veteran of the Grid sidelines, having seen more than one officer broken by the brutal horrors of the field, had half anticipated this conclusion.

Harry continued as if the interruption had not happened, due less to a lack of respect for Tom than an anxious desire, despite his outwardly stolid exterior, to wrap up the matter asap. "I am however pleased to advise you that the DG has agreed to Ros and Adam transferring permanently into Section D, along with Adam's wife Fiona, who I don't think most of you have met."

If Harry's intention in throwing out the red herring Fiona reference had been to provide a distraction that averted the team from swivelling their eyes towards Adam and Ros, he'd misjudged. Almost as ones all heads turned in shock to stare at the new recruits. The reaction though was interesting to observe. While to Harry's hidden relief there didn't seem to be any the half anticipated hostility directed towards Ros, the reference to Adam had seemed, once the initial surprise had registered, to be uncritically approved.

Before anyone could ask he added, 'The post of Section Chief remains vacant at present'. Privately he knew this was not a situation that could run for long, but he needed to see how well the team adjusted to working with the new additions on a regular basis before making a decision.

With a view to allowing the more established team members the opportunity to process the changes, without going into a huddle that would obviously exclude Adam and Ros, he swiftly announced, "Ros and Adam once you've complete your reports I'm granting you both three days leave of absence to deal with any outstanding personal issues prior to your formal commencement with the Section. Adam, this also applies to Fiona."

When Harry spoke with that degree of finality there was only one course of action available to his staff. Within seconds everyone had gathered up the few belongings they'd carried into the Briefing Room and were heading out of the door.

The next two hours on the Grid were more or less silent, apart from the sound of fingers pounding keyboards, accompanied by the occasional question thrown to the room in general relating to times and places. It was only after Malcolm had gathered up all the printed reports destined for Harry's desk, and ultimately the Registry files, followed by the whoosh of the pods indicating that Adam and Ros had departed, that the remaining team members escaped to the canteen. In this refuge, where Harry was unlikely to pursue them, under the relaxing influence of foul coffee and gossipy companionship the muttering about the new agents began.

Almost predictably it was Danny who kicked off. "So why does Harry think the rest of us don't have personal matters to attend to?"

Zoe, fixing him with a stare, enquired sweetly, "Why are you jealous? Anything I should know about?"

"Just saying, I know Harry doesn't have much in his life beyond…" Halting as he realised that with Ruth present he'd just dropped one crashing brick. Zoe also all too aware of the clanger made with hasty tact, "As Harry said they've suddenly been seconded." Turning to Ruth she asked, "You've met Fiona. what's she like?

Ruth pulling her head back into the immediate space – it having been revolving around the suspicion, kick started by Danny, that perhaps the intimate encounters at Havensworth had meant little to Harry, that despite his loving words he didn't regarded her as anything more than a sexual convenience – parking her doubts for later consideration she answered the question, "Very pleasant, very intelligent and very, very glamorous."

Danny with some relief turned to Zoe, "Guess she'll be the one to do the future honey trapping."

Zoe, while shuddering from some memories, but not exactly thrilled at the suggestion that another unmet woman was a more attractive proposition muttered, "That'll be up to Harry and Adam." Wanting to move on she asked hurriedly, "So why does Adam need some time away?"

It was Ruth who replied, "He and Fiona have a son- when I was shopping with Fiona she mentioned that they were trying to find a school."

Danny was incredulous, "A kid and doing this job! Are they crackers?"

Malcolm, usually the quiet one interjected, "Adam does have a reputation for being brilliant – a bit like Harry."

Zoe after moment's consideration commented, "Okay so that's the reason for Adam, but why does Ros need time – she's single." With Danny chipping in, "Also with her father what is she still doing in the service anyway?"

Malcolm wearily felt obliged to force his way into the conversation again, although he wasn't sure if he was defending Harry or Ros as he said with quiet certainty. "If Harry had any reservations whatsoever she would not be in Section D. I've looked through all the interrogation reports. She was practically turned inside out."

Danny was still reluctant drop it, "But even being investigated is a bit suspect."

With Zoe nodding her head in agreement Ruth joined team Malcolm, "I wouldn't share that comment with Harry. I've seen his file and he was investigated twice."

There was long pause while Zoe and Danny contemplated the number of nano seconds anyone would survive after questioning Harry's probity to his face, or for that matter behind his back when he eventually learnt of it. Taking advantage of the silence Ruth added, "And Ros has been excused because her father is terminally ill. He won't acknowledge her so Harry has advised her to attempt some reconciliation with her mother who is devastated."

With that Ruth and Malcolm, in near tandem, drained their mugs of the remnants of the vague relation to coffee and headed back to the Grid. A swift glance across at Harry told both of them that he'd be working late, and noting the paper pyramids that had accumulated on their own desks over the few days of absence neither were optimistic about an early finish for themselves.

By seven o'clock, after several hours of steady work, only two persons remained deskbound on the Grid. Harry, still cocooned in his office, and Ruth. The latter seething with increasing irritation. She fully realised that Harry was the boss, but really couldn't he pop out of his red goldfish bowl for a couple of minutes to exchange a few words with her? Closing down her computer she concluded that yet again she'd been had in more than one respect. After final glance at Harry whose entire attention seemed to be rivetted to his paperwork she picked up her coat and marched off the Grid, wishing the exit route contained a door she could slam.

The noise of the pods disturbed Harry's concentration. Lifting his eyes from the paper he was studying, preparation for tomorrow's Heads of Section meeting, an agenda heavily sliced towards reconciling political correctness with a watertight assessment of security risks, subtitled in Harry's mind 'Mission Impossible', he noticed with alarm the absence of Ruth. Damn, he'd done it again, subordinated his personal life to his job.

Recognising that internal swearing wasn't going to help him, whereas a quick phonecall to the Reception desk might, he dialled down to ask the security guard on duty, "Ah Brian isn't it - has Miss Evershed signed out."

Double damn. He'd missed her by about three minutes. After another look at this unlovely paperwork, – nothing that couldn't be left until tomorrow, and as a prospective companion for the night much less appealing than a certain pair of sparkling blue eyes -, he grabbed his coat and practically sprinted to the pods, ignoring the grumble from his dodgy knee as he set off in search of the said blue eyes and the woman they were attached to.

Many thanks for reading and if yo have a moment a review would be appreciated.