Final chapter so I must thank all those who have encouraged me with reviews. They are very much appreciated.

New Years Eve: The Grid

Sitting in his office, contemplating the skeleton staff on duty: three juniors scanning CCTV, two others monitoring comms, plus Malcolm using whatever wizardry he had at his disposal to check out anything that seemed untoward, Harry's mind, not for the first time, had strayed back to the pre Christmas events in Jane's village.

Not having wanted to admit to exhaustion - Harry Pearce kept going no matter what - for once he'd been more than willing to obey doctor's orders, as he'd returned as meekly as he could manage, - ie not very -back to Jane's lair. Despite the inevitable embarrassment concerning the earlier passages on and around her sofa what remained of the evening had passed off more easily than he could have anticipated. Over a meal retrieved from the freezer, "Apologies Harry but I wasn't planning on company before Christmas' and mellowed by a bottle of accompanying wine, they had conversed comfortably on topics of mutual interest. While Harry was able to update Jane with developments concerning her acquaintances on the Grid, 'Rosie is really settled in her new school and Erin is much more relaxed as a result' Jane had in turn - as her contribution to skimming over their inadvertent physical encounter - outlined her current activities, most of which were flexible enough to make visiting London as Harry's plus one quite feasible. It was only when they'd moved onto discussing their own children that the habitual shadow had returned to Harry's eyes. That Catherine and Fabien had finally ended their relationship was no news to Harry, he'd taken her out to dinner to cheer her up, although as ever he'd had a secondary objective. In this instance that of trying to obtain a firm assurance that her latest enterprise would not led her back into the land of death threats. From the latter point of view he'd wasted his money on the meal and his breath on remonstrance. "Dad don't worry, I've learnt my lesson. I kept the tracker and will leave a note with someone in the future.' Statements not guaranteed to reassure any father, let alone one who'd spent a lifetime fighting the worst scum on earth. Ultimately though it was the information that Graham, while not having contacted Harry at all since his vigil around Harry's abortive deathbed, had visited Jane a couple of weeks ago, that he found upsetting. Surely by now Graham must have realised that his father simply wanted to bond, preferably over an occasional no strings attached drink. Jane divining the pain behind the passive, wooden face with which he greeted this news tried to soothe his hurt.

"Harry he probably wants to be on better terms but after everything he's said is embarrassed and doesn't know how to approach you.'

'He could try picking up a phone and saying hello. I think it's his turn to make the effort.'

At which point Jane had thrown up her arms in exasperation before announcing that it was time to wash the dishes as a precursor to turning in for the night. Kissing her chastely on the cheek in preparation for retiring very properly to her spare bedroom Harry had reflected that even if sex had been on the cards he wouldn't have fancied doing it in the bed she'd shared with Robin. He'd be afraid of that revolting thought inducing instant wilt at a crucial moment.

He hadn't formally bidden Jane goodbye the next day. Being a habitual early riser and anxious to spare her reputation - he could rely on the professional discretion of James and Luke, but for all he knew the loathsome Emma Winnick would be crunching her cornflakes while on sentry duty at her window - he'd crept out undercover of the morning dark at a time well before anyone normal would be up and about. An action that brought back several memories of his youth and a few post divorce one night stands. He'd tried to compensate by leaving Jane a very correct thank you note, but since then, Christmas day, post Christmas week, and up to the present moment, he'd heard nothing at all from her. He could only presume that once again his well meaning efforts had been misinterpreted and she'd taken some unspecified offence.

Gloom shrouding him as the clock ticked its non-stop passage towards midnight he began to take stock of the year, one that had been torridly disastrous even by his low standards of expectation.

Lucas dead

Albany and the treason tribunal

Jim dead

Beaten up, starved and generally mistreated by the Americans

The bitter truth about Elena, Berlin and Sasha and the three decades of deception

Ruth dead

His own reputation in near tatters

Near death and a major operation

His family apparently once more once again estranged despite his efforts.

That last was all the more cruel because for a few swiftly fled weeks he'd had some hope that someone, somewhere, held him in affection and now that flicker of cautious optimism had been quashed. Aware that he was sinking into a slough of self pity he tried to think positive. The plus side was what?

He'd managed to rescue his daughter – (only for her to ignore his concerns)

His position was a little less precarious due to the outwitting of American plans to extradite whoever's face didn't fit the profile of a friend of America (did they have enough prisons?)

It wasn't much on the credit side, and even that was plunging into debit territory when you factored in the certainty that his daughter was going to continue her dangerous career, and that he was utterly wearied by the never ending, increasingly intensive battle against the enemies of the state. Of his network of acquaintances the only breathing person who could possibly outrun him in the 'one's bum year' stakes was probably Ilya Gavrik. If Harry hadn't been at work he'd have been sleeping in the year as a dead drunk, as it was he was fighting the urge to hit the whisky.

Deciding that that was one battle he could afford to lose his intention of scavenging for the bottle of medicinal malt was arrested by the appearance of Malcolm, whose mild rap on Harry's office door heralded an announcement.

"Harry a call from Reception. We have a walk in asset who will only talk to you off the premises." Before Harry could growl that he called the shots not the dubious individuals they recruited for Intel Malcolm continued, "It will probably be worth your while." Ignoring the basilisk stare, Malcolm was unmoved through long practice, Harry submitted and grabbed his outdoor coat, muttering imprecations under his breath that the discreet and long suffering Malcolm pretended not to hear. As Harry stormed his infuriated way through the pods, with every intention of giving the troublesome demanding asset what for, Malcolm returned to his own desk and pulled up the security camera footage from the Thames House entrance doors. As a friend of Harry he was intrigued as to how the asset and head of counter terrorism would greet one another.

The face Harry was presenting to the world as he steamed across the marbled foyer made the security guards – decorated ex military to a man - tremble for the fate of the individual who awaited the arrival of Sir Harry, especially when he snarled, "Who is so important that they give me orders." Only to be pulled up in short order by a very familiar voice asking reproachfully,

"Really Harry is this any way to greet your guests, even if they are uninvited?"

Harry, blinking with astonishment, was having difficulty believing his eyes, Jane. Here! What! Ignoring the guards, who were relishing the very rare sight of seeing the Sir Harry swaying on his usually commanding perch, he summoned up enough speech to comment, "I was told you are an asset."

"Rather than a liability. Thanks."

Oh dear, shock had clearly brought on an attack of foot in mouth disease. Hastily he made his amends. "Not quite what I meant, but what are you doing here?"

Accepting his apology Jane smiled her slow lovely smile, the one he remembered well, produced whenever she wanted to manipulate him, and usually, softie that he was, he'd fallen for it. "No one should be on their own at New Year."

Slightly stung by the true implication that he was stuck in his solitary furrow Harry informed her, "I wasn't, I was with Malcolm."

"How cosy, but actually Harry I didn't mean you I meant me."

"How come?"

"Catherine persuaded me to visit to see the New Year in - the Embankment fireworks but then she got a party invitation. I told her to go as I'd watch them on the television. Then..." Looking up at him through her eyelashes, "Well I thought New Year, new start and there wasn't any one I'd prefer to see it in with."

Loneliness, friendship, Harry felt himself melting like a snowman in the sun. He was at work but...on cue came the inevitable interruption, a phone call brought to his attention by a nervous security guard,

"Sorry Sir but it's Mr Wynn-Jones."

Suppressing a groan, Harry might be at work but surely he could have a few minutes of personal space even within the exigencies of his fraught working day. He seized the receiver as he barked his annoyance, "Malcolm I'll be back in a minute."

For someone who didn't interfere in personal lives, especially in the light of previous experience, Malcolm was quite definite, "Harry can I suggest that you take Jane somewhere. You've already worked Christmas."

Old habits died hard as, under the questioning eye of Jane, Harry informed Malcolm, "So did you. I'm rostered for duty and need to set an example to younger staff."

Malcolm's usual mild manner displayed a hint of irritation as he responded, "Well if you must martyr yourself put in your earpiece and mingle with the crowds on covert observation. I'll let you know if anything important kicks off." As Harry hesitated the impatience became more marked, "Harry just go – you more than anyone have earned some time to enjoy yourself."

Leaving no space for argument Malcolm rang off hurriedly. Having spent an indecisive second staring at the now disengaged receiver Harry turned to Jane, "Very well." Thinking for a few minutes he asked, "Do you still want to watch the fireworks?"

"I thought you'd had enough of those during our marriage." Laughing she confirmed, "So the gunpowder variety would make a nice change."

Noting her joy at the prospect Harry withheld his candid opinion of the now ritual New Year midnight explosions. When he considered the money spent on the fireworks, let alone the cost of the security to police the event he felt like combusting himself, and that was before he considered the irony that for three hundred and sixty four other evenings, plus an extra one next year, he spent his entire life trying to prevent London exploding. Usually Harry's views on the New Year festivities made the unreconstructed Scrooge look like a bon viveur. Tonight they were objections that paled against his pleasure at the knowledge that Jane had actually sought him out.

Steering Jane along the route to the Embankment, crowded with latecomers seeking a vantage point, for once Harry could be anonymous within the environs of Whitehall. With the need to weave their way through the late arriving spectators neither had the opportunity to talk much, but that didn't matter, they were together and for now that was enough. With no news of disaster conveyed through his earpiece, and knowing that his field staff had been deployed away from the route he was treading, Harry felt able to relax a trifle and savour an emotion that he was a virtual stranger to – happiness.

As they wended their way through the Parliament Square bustling with ordinary people rather than self important politicians and quotation seeking journalists, Jane finally broke the silence.

"I really must thank you for your present. A perfect match with the earrings." She was refraining from quizzing him as to what he had on the jeweller. Although not privy to Harry's financial affairs she was reasonably sure he'd wrung a hefty discount from the seller. To ask for confirmation would be ungracious, nor, given that she was a venal as the next person, did she want to extract details that would make her feel obliged to return his gift on ethical grounds.

"No thanks needed Jane. If you are attending various events as my plus one I'm sure you'll find it useful." Despite her presence, Harry, who rarely required reassurance on any professional issue, was regressing into a fair imitation of a needy teenage boy as, still not quite sure of his current standing with her, he asked with palpable diffidence, "You are still willing..."

"Of course. Why should you think..." Suddenly realising she hastened to correct his misapprehension, "No I'm not sulking because you left early to protect me, I just got caught up before the day and then as I was visiting Catherine I meant to contact you tomorrow... I'm so sorry Harry, unforgiveable."

Possibly, but with relief he enquired, "Speaking of the unforgiveable how's James doing?"

"He said to tell you if I saw you that he hoped you were alright and no trouble from the Bishop as the archdeacon weighed in heavily on James' behalf, pointing out that after the previous pastoral breakdown he's doing a good job." Seeing Harry's casual smirk she cautioned, "Harry..."

"Very well, I had few words with the bishop myself – let's just say he has a past that if not criminal wouldn't be approved of." With the topic of James disposed of satisfactorily he made an enquiry even closer to the heart he was reputed not to possess, "And our children."

"Both well, Catherine wants to treat you to dinner in the New Year to say thank you properly. Graham was speechless when he saw your present."

"Liar. Not entirely – let me guess. Something along the lines of 'Trust the old fart to pick something he knows I can't say no to and make me beholden.'"

The passing crowd were entertained to the peal of Jane's laughter. "Just about right, although as his mother I feel obliged to berate you. What sort of irresponsible father encourages his son to race around London on a Harley Davidson."

The straight answer was one who was desperate for a decent contact and not above bribery and manipulation to achieve his ends, but as they'd now reached the embankment Harry manoeuvred Jane towards what he knew, from various plans he'd grumbled over when detecting non authorised flashpoints, was a decent viewing station.

While Harry was registering the dial of his Big Ben synchronised watch, which informed him that it was wanting about four minutes to midnight, Jane who'd been ferreting in her pockets exclaimed, "Damn."

"Something wrong Jane?"

"Not really but my gloves have fallen out of my pocket." Plaintively she said, "And my fingers are getting cold."

Harry was equal to the problem. "Stand in front of me Jane." She shuffled in front as requested. "Now reach your arms back and put your hands in my pockets."

Jane did as instructed, but in leaning backwards lost balance slightly, only to feel Harry's arms reaching around her in a gentle but steadying grip. Relishing the warmth and softness he murmured into her ear. "Okay just rest against me."

Jane had no time to protest about this closeness, not that she wanted to. She felt really at ease being hugged by Harry, catching delicate whiffs of his cologne and comforted by the warmth of his body. Any thoughts as to whether this was wise were shelved as Big Ben began to strike.

A little further away in the crowd, unseen by either Jane or Harry absorbed as they were with each other, stood two individuals, young and watching with interest. When the older pair showed no sign of moving, and every sign of being welded together for the duration of the display, the elder of the two turned to her brother with a crow of triumph.

"I told you Graham. If I made an excuse Mum would hunt Dad out." Sensing a not entire approval from her brother she added, "I've not seen either of them so relaxed for ages. I know what Mum said about Dad losing someone he was in love with, but I've seen more of him than either of you over the last few years, and even with someone in his life he didn't seem very happy."

Graham groaned in mock horror, "Can't say I'm thrilled ..." then encountering the inherited Pearce glare from his sister's eyes concluded graciously ... "Well I suppose it might be a minor improvement on being inflicted with another stepfather."

Unaware of their offsprings speculation Harry and Jane were watching the glorious display of fireworks. Feeling Jane snuggling against him, seeing her rapt face illuminated in the flickering light Harry thought that with a bit of overdue luck it might just prove to be a happier New Year than the one he'd anticipated a couple of hours ago. What it would bring he didn't know, but for once in his ultra controlled life he was content to go with the flow.

With that in mind he leaned forwards as he whispered softly into her ear.

"Happy New Year Jane."

Thanks for reading and obviously a final review would be lovely. I hope to return to Harry and Jane but I need to find rather more than the sketchy ideas I have at present. Also I have a couple of different ideas knawing at me so I might give them a whirl first.