Disclaimer: Spooks and all it's characters belong to Kudos and the BBC.
Author's Note: I cannot apologize enough for the lastness of this chapter. So i beg you all to forgive me.
As with chapter one, this gave me a few problems, but i love this final version.
Don't forget to leave a review, thanks for reading.
Sometime Soon - Chapter Two
It was no more an office than a cell. Cold, clinical and void of natural light. Too far away from the hustle of the rush hour traffic, no chance at watching the rain roll down the window panes like choking tears.
The harsh white light of the desk lamp cast ugly shadows on the bare walls; they danced to music that was silent to the rest of the world. Words from yet another Special Branch report blurred together to form a block of unfathomable black. The mechanical whirr of the computer mixed with the hollow sound of the pen as it made contact with the wooden desk top only added to the pulsing behind his eyes.
Whether she intended to or not, just by being there when he walked back through the pods, she had taken over what little stamina he had reserved for catching up on paperwork. Those blue, blue eyes shining with something he couldn't quite place. It had been less of a surprise to see her at her desk than she probably would have liked. Adam had been quite useful in informing him that Ruth was constantly asking after him, so it was inevitable really, if not a little sobering.
He hadn't realised how long he'd been pondering until his gaze slowly focused on the grid. That one light had been turned out a while ago, leaving a blackness in its wake. No doubt that sweet smell of vanilla that seemed to follow her everywhere had long since faded. She had left without so much as a wave, the harsh click of her heels echoed throughout the uneasy silence.
The only way to describe it was a decent into madness. Focused only on the gentle patter of rain and the slap of the soles of his shoes on the pavement, he couldn't even remember when the idea seized him. Everything blurred together, a faded water colour of crowded streets, glittering dew drops and the squeal of tires sliding across the wet road. Along with a certain confrontation already playing on his mind, it didn't help to sooth the stress sitting heavy on his bones.
He had taken a dozen lifetimes worth of risk working for MI5. Some of which could have easily resulted in his dismissal, while others had coast more than a few individuals their lives. Funny really how none of those seem to terrify him the way simply standing on a red London bus did, the way she did. At least at work he could keep the cool, calm and indifferent mask in place. Matters of a domestic nature always gave him more trouble.
Even in the dim light, she stood out like a candle in a coal mine. Chocolate brown hair fell round her face in wavy lines making her eyes bluer, darker. A worn book held loosely in her delicate hands, it's simple yet alluring love story put on hold. How many times had she walked through the pods holding such a book? A dreamy look glazed her eyes; the makings of a beautiful smile curved the edges of her mouth. Oh that smile. It never ceased to amaze him just how beautiful that smile of hers really was. Like liquidised sunshine. Even on the verge of tears it was something to be savoured.
Then of course came the child. Such a little thing to put a look of pure happiness on her face. There was something in her eyes that he couldn't recall ever seeing before. It made her look like a complete stranger. Absolutely lovely, but a stranger all the same.
He felt his heart skip a beat when that stranger turned the full force of her blue, blue eyes on him. The smile changed into something secretive, and perhaps he only imagined the flicker behind her eyes. Like something passing in front of a candle.
Forcing himself to take a breath, he pushed every doubt to the back of his mind. He would deal with them tomorrow. Right now, he only wanted to think of her. Each step he took felt as though something were weighing him down, imaginary chains. He couldn't stop the small smile that spread across his face when the faint scent of vanilla reached him. Her name slid off his tongue like honey.