5

Ruth stepped into the corridor knowing that to anyone else it was just a normal, well heeled hotel corridor. Nothing special or out of the ordinary - which was exactly why the hotel had been chosen to be the host of the conference. She sighed, remembering deafening Europop and pounding drum beats eminating from one particular hotel room. She sighed as she remembered how annoyed she had been at being kept awake, having given up on sleep and deciding to go back to the survailence room she and Malcolm had set up. Instead she had almost literally run into Harry. She smiled as she remembered the look in his eye as she stood years later in the same place. A voice startled her, without thinking she slipped into what she found to be a housekeeper closet.

"And we are all ready." Ruth listened intently, glad that she had the sense not to close the door to the closet tightly. The pitch dark of the tiny room made it difficult to see her hand in front of her face, she didn't want to try to cope with undoing a lock in the dark.

"Yes, for the millionth time. We are ready." A male voice sounded exaseperated with his companion. "Honestly, Joseph. You are such a worrier. This is not my first rodeo, you know."

Ruth frowned, she was certain she recognised the voice but had no way of looking out without breaching her cover. Joseph Lincoln had met her a few times when Jools had been visiting Thames House. The last thing she wanted was him to see she was evesdropping.

"I hear Section D are doing the security." Lincoln carried on. "Is that going to be a problem?"

"Of course not." The voice snapped. Ruth raised an eyebrow. "Harry is a dinosaur and his little minions can be kept busy. They have no need to be aware of our little arrangement. All they have to do is make sure that the diplomats and delegates attending play nicely. They'll be too busy with the likes of Jacques and Isabella. Don't worry." The men seemed to move closer to where she was hiding as Ruth held her breath. The voice she didn't recognise cursed. "Bloody chamber maids, forever leaving this door unlocked." He slammed the door shut, effectively locking Ruth in the dark. She swore as she tried not to panic. Small dark rooms had been a source of nightmares for her since she was a little girl. She knew once a locked door could trigger a panic attack, she prayed history wasn't about to repeat itself.

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Beth looked at the A4 cocktail menu as Dimitri pulled a face. "You did work in a cocktail bar when you were in uni. It can't have changed all that much."

"Ok." Beth glared at him. "Sex on the Beach?"

"Anytime."

"As if." She narrowed her eyes. "How about Bloody Mary? Virgin Vi? I literally recognise one on here. Harvey Wallbanger?"

"Google them." Catherine smiled as she handed her a printout. "Stop panicking. That's a list of the most popular cocktails on the menu. I'd focus on them." She headed back to her own workstation as Beth thanked her.

"See, thats helping." Beth turned to Dimitri as Tariq put the phone down.

"Will is being admitted to City General overnight. Sepsis but they don't know what caused it. Says he's feeling like crap but the nurse is hot and he needs supplies."

"He's got a long job in front of him if its Sepsis." Malcolm frowned. "I'll ask Sarah to pop in on her way from the shop, see if she can take him a few essentials." He kept his eyes on the computer screen as Tariq and Dimitri exchanged glances. They knew Malcolm and his wife thought of Section D as the family they never had. They knew how worried the older techy would be.

"Good idea." Beth smiled warmly. "Now, cocktails 101." She frowned as she read the list Catherine had given her. She had a feeling she was going to have a long night.

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Adam stared out of the car window for a moment longer before checking his watch again. He knew Ruth had told him she would meet him by the car thirty minutes earlier. He had no idea where she was but knew that there was a fair chance she had found trouble somewhere within the walls of the hotel. Silently deciding he would give her another five minutes before heading back to look for her. He smiled slightly, knowing the analyst could take care of herself and was tougher than she looked but he also knew Harry would skin him alive if he didn't return to London with her.

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"Damn." Ruth mumbled as she turned the torch on her mobile phone on. She had to find a way to unlock the door and get back to Adam. The last she had seen of him he had been charming the brunette on reception. She knew he wasn't seriously flirting but she also knew Adam, like Harry knew how to turn on the charm. She paused for a moment thinking that charm was a common trait among the male officers. She bit her lip as the flashlight lit up and illuminate the heavy lock. "Ok." Ruth checked the signal on the phone before cursing under her breath. She had known there was no chance of her contacting Adam for help but she had at least hoped it would be an option. The lock seemed to be heavy but easy to open as she easily picked it. Brushing her hands on her skirt she slipped out into the main corridor just as Adam was turning the corner.

"I."

"Don't ask." Ruth snapped as he smirked before turning to follow her.

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"Everything is in place." Ros paused. Harry nodded. "We go over everything tonight then tomorrow its go."

"Yes." Harry glanced over her shoulder out to the main Grid. She knew he was never really comfortable being in the office if Ruth was remotely anywhere in the field. She raised her eyebrows.

"And then, when the elephant jumps over Kylie Minogue on the unicorn." She rolled her eyes as he snapped his attention back to her. "Harry."

"I was listening."

"She's with Adam."

"I know."

"Then what?"

"Did he ever tell you about the Tree Branch Incident?" Ros smirked slightly, having heard it years earlier.

"Zaf did. Now, you should know she can take care of herself. We need to find the link between the Irish, Syrian and British arms dealers. I've had Zoe and Catherine dig into Lincoln's past. It seems since Jools left the picture he has been a busy boy." Harry nodded, frowning slightly as Ruth and Adam appeared in the Pods. Both headed towards his office.

"Where the Hell have you pair been?" Harry snapped as Ruth closed the door behind her.

"Trust me, you do not want to know." Ruth snapped back. Adam and Ros exchanged glances. "Joseph Lincoln is in Havensworth and he is more dangerous than we had anticipated."

"How do you know?" Ros watched her friend. Ruth was tense, as if she had been building herself up to something. Harry kept his eyes on her.

"I heard him talking to someone. They know about our op and are going to use it as a distraction for whatever is going on. Its more than an arms deal, Harry. I am certain of it."

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a/n please review