In the shadows

Harry slowed the car to a more legal speed as he rejoined the chaotic London traffic. Ros stowed her gun, aware that they had to blend into normal traffic. London at rush hour wasn't known for its speed or pleasant driving. Commuters were often fed up, tired and desperate to get home. In that moment Ros could empathise with them.

Xxxxzx

"Canary Wharf." Tariq stated as he walked into the Briefing Room. The assembled officers were waiting for Ros and Harry to return, aware that Ruth had been checking her watch for the past ten minutes.

"What about it?" Alec asked.

"The most reliable signal is coming from there. Can't pinpoint an exact spot yet but it's in that area." Tariq looked at Adam who nodded once.

"Ros isn't here. Harry isn't here and Lucas could be dead. I'm not waiting." Adam pulled his jacket from the back of the chair. Ruth nodded once, agreeing with her friend. "Zaf?"

"Cmon then." The dark haired spook got to his feet at the same time as Beth. "Beth?"

"You think I'm staying ere? No chance." She glared at Adam who shook his head and smiled, knowing there was no way she was going to stay behind. Lucas had been the first person to accept her into the Section. She wasn't going to let him or Ros down.

Xxxxxxx

Lucas felt sick. The longer the car drove the more disoriented he became. Closing his eyes in the dark boot he tried to focus on his other senses. The car boot he was entrapped in smelled rotten. He felt his stomach lurch as the car began to slowly come to a halt. The once familiar feeling of claustrophobia began to overwhelm him. The engine began to idle as two car doors slammed. A moment later the boot lid was opened as two large men blocked out the sunlight. Lucas blinked as he realised his captors had balaclavas on. He made to move just as two gunshots rang out. The pain in his legs blinded him as the world turned black.

Xxxxxxxx

Will jogged up to Ruth's desk as the analyst tried to make sense of what little information they had. "Ruth?"

"Um?" She responded with the phone wedged to her ear and a pencil in her mouth. Will retrieved the pencil as Ruth held up a hand. He waited as she ended the call. "Sorry, just trying to get something checked "

"My dad worked with Harry and Juliet back in the day. Before I was born." Will folded his arms as Ruth nodded. Sometimes it was easy to forget how young Will and Tariq really were.

"I know."

"Would he have worked on this case? I mean the original case?"

"I don't know." Ruth answered honestly. "Why?"

"I found something. I think. Maybe." Will looked at his feet for a moment. He knew Ruth was known for babbling, he hoped she would have time and patience with him. "I was going to say something but then the meeting never happened."

Ruth nodded. "Go on."

"Dad was a field agent. Like Harry at the time. Malcolm and Connie were the only real Grid based staff."

"The importance of analysts and codebreakers fell out of fashion after the War. It was rare that any section had them. Will, your father died when your mother was pregnant with you. There's been nothing to link him to this. He died before Colin Wells and Tom Quinn joined the section." Ruth watched the younger man nod.

"I know. But we know he and Harry were interviewed by the KGB. What if."

"No one had cloned your dad." Zoe snapped as Ruth shot her a look. Will sighed.

"Go on, Will."

"What if that was when the DNA was taken? We know there's nothing to suggest my father was cloned. He was dead before the technology was invented." Ruth smiled slightly, glad to see the baby of the team was beginning to think laterally. "Bill Crombie was in Belfast with Harry."

"I know." Will sighed. "It was just an idea."

"It has some merit." Ruth smiled, she genuinely liked the newest member of the team. Will blushed slightly, reminding her just how young he was. Zoe raised an eyebrow. "I'll dig out the files from then. Probably on microfilm now."

"I'll do it." Catherine got up from her seat, glad to have something to do. Will ran a hand over his face before heading back to his work area where Erin and Dimitri were deep in conversation. Zoe rolled her eyes.

"The children of spooks."

"Usually work damn hard to prove themselves." Ruth snapped. "Especially when, like Will their father was a legend in the service."

"The good ones survive on their own merit." Zoe folded her arms. Ruth nodded once. "Will."

"Is probably one of the most promising officers we have had. He reminds me of Zaf when he started here."

"He got the job because of who his father is." Zoe shrugged. "Same as Catherine."

Ruth shot her a filthy look. She knew Ros would have been proud. "Will got the job because he was the highest scoring recruit in his intake. He applied using his mother's maiden name so he would be judged on his own merits. As for Catherine- you know how good she is. Yes, she's Harry's daughter but she's worked for 6, has been in some of the world's worst Hell holes. If Harry had his way she'd be tucked safely in an office somewhere. Think about it." Ruth kept her voice low. "Do you want your Emma and Daniel to do this job?"

Zoe glared, silenced by the ringing of the phone. Ruth snatched up the handset before turning away from the other woman.

"Oh. Thankyou for getting back to me." Ruth smiled slightly as she sat at her desk. Zoe walked away feeling slightly aggrieved that the woman she had once dubbed 'bonkers but brilliant ' had shut her down so succinctly.

Xxxxxx

Beth pushed her foot to the accelerator as Adam explained to Harry and Ros where they were headed.

"Canary Wharf." Ros narrowed her eyes as Harry drove. "You're certain?"

"Best lead yet." Zaf joined in the conference call. "We know these idiots are going after original members of the Section. Malcolm is the only one that hasn't been cloned so far!"

"Who could replace him?" Ros smirked slightly as Beth joined the conversation. Adam kept his eyes on the road before swearing profusely. The edge of the apparently abandoned wasteland near there destination was alive with noise and flames. The car in the middle alight and surrounded by fire engines. Zaf flew out of the car the moment the engine stopped. He hoped Tariq had been wrong but knew they had found their friend. This time he had a feeling he wasn't going to bounce back this time.

Xxxxxx