Secret meetings

Harry sat at the head of the table as the assorted officers entered the room. Ruth seemed quieter than ever, he knew she was worried but he really saw no other option. Someone had to meet Blake and there was no way he was sending Ros.

"Why do the dead never just stay that way?" Erin shook her head as Ruth pressed a few keys on the computer. Harry smirked, knowing there had to be more to Blake's sudden heart attack all those years ago. He had a feeling the former Home Secretary would do anything to stay out of prison.

"This job is full of ghosts." Alec glared. "Nasty piece of work. Career politician with delusions of grandeur."

"Is that your opinion?" Dimitri glanced at the older man. Alec shook his head.

"He's read the psyche report." Ruth smiled slightly, glad that someone had bothered to read the reports she had found. Alec smirked, he knew the man on the screen had caused Section D more problems than all the previous Home Secretaries put together.

Erin shook her head, glaring at the computer screen. Harry began explaining about the phone call, stating that he would meet Blake in a few hours time. Ruth kept her eyes firmly on the paper in front of her as Ros' mobile phone sprang to life. She pulled a face as she answered.

"Henno? Status report?" She listened as she felt Zoe's eyes burn into her. "Thanks. Send them straight here."

"Dumb and Dummer?" Tariq asked as Lucas tried not to laugh.

"Adam and Zaf are ok. Bumps and bruises, Adam has mild concussion but nothing serious." Ros explained. Zoe and Ruth looked visibly relieved. Harry nodded once, glad that for once his officers seemed to have avoided an inpatient stay.

"Blake wants you dead." Malcolm stated.

"I am aware of that." Harry snapped.

"Not just you." Lucas looked at Ros as he spoke. Ros raised an eyebrow.

"He was responsible for the hotel bomb. He murdered eight people, left two of my officers badly injured and almost destroyed the peace talks. Do not underestimate him." Harry stated as Ros began issuing orders

Xxxxxxx

Catherine smiled as Charlie ran on ahead. The surprise honeymoon her dad and Ruth had sent them on was almost certainly Ruth's choice. She couldn't see how Harry had thought of New York at Christmas time.

"Can we go ice skating?" Charlie turned looking up at her and Calum. "Pweese!"

"Lucy is too little so what about Calum taking you and we watch?"

"Ok!" Charlie grabbed Calum's hand. "Dad! Can we?" Calum coughed slightly.

"Definitely. But first I have to carry your mum over the threshold and then phone Aunty Erin ok?"

"What's a threshold?" Charlie asked as Catherine squeeled. Seconds later she was deposited back on her feet in the hotel room as Charlie and Calum giggled. Lucy slept quietly.

"Go on. Ring home, check Spike is ok. I know Rosie and her gran will spoil him rotten." Calum smirked knowing that his wife had seen straight through him.

Xxxxx

Ruth stared at the ceiling. She felt sick with worry, knowing Harry would be meeting the man that had tried to kill him and Ros more than once. Memories of his meeting with Dolby so many years earlier sprung to mind. Carefully she rolled onto her side determined not to wake him but amazed how he could sleep so peacefully.

"Ruth."

"I thought you were asleep."

"I was. You were thinking too loudly." He smirked as she huffed. "Come here." He wrapped an arm around her as she snuggled closer, resting her hand on his chest.

"I don't want to lose you, Harry Pearce."

"You won't."

"Blake intends to kill you. And Ros. He sees you both as the only thing standing between Nightingale and success. He will kill you." Ruth sighed as he kissed her forehead.

"Ros has nine lives."

"She has to be on number eight by now."

Harry smiled, thinking of his Ice Queen friend. "And I will be fine. Blake isn't going to win. I promise you that."

Ruth sighed as he kissed her, knowing that Harry was determined to keep his promise.

Xxxxxx

"Nothing can go wrong." Lucas stated as Ros pulled the door to their son's bedroom close.

"Section D are prepared for this. We know what we are doing." Ros smiled slightly as Lucas took her hand.

"I know." His dark eyes burned into hers as she touched his face. He sighed quietly. "I can't bare the thought of losing you. We know he was behind the hotel bombing. We know he tried to kill as many of Section D as possible." He kissed her as Ros tugged on his shirt, pulling him closer to her as she deepened the kiss. Lucas held her tightly as pulled away, gasping for breath.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Bed." Lucas whispered in her ear as she took his hand and led him towards her bedroom. The last year had been a nightmare that had almost broken them, he was determined he wasn't going to let the year end as it had begun.

Xxxxxxxx

"Bloody Hell!" Carrie gasped as Adam stepped into the kitchen. "Am I allowed to know what happened?"

"It was bad. Did you see the news?"

"I don't watch it unless I know you are safe." Carrie touched the skin next to his wound. Adam took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles.

"I'm fine. Ten stitches due out in ten days. Mild concussion and a stinking headache but I'll live." He watched as tears filled her eyes.

"Come ere." She hugged him tightly as he closed his eyes.

Xxxxxxxxx

Beth and Dimitri sat on the Grid staring at the plans of the bandstand where Harry was to meet Blake. Tariq tapped a few keys on the computer in front of him.

"Blake is going to expect there to be back up." Beth stated. "I don't think Harry is the only target."

"Why?" Tariq asked. Dimitri frowned.

"It's almost Christmas, the opportunity to get as many casualties as possible is going to be hard to resist." Beth nodded at Dimitri's words.

"Merry Christmas." Beth frowned as both men looked at the desk. In less than five hours the meeting that could change Section D forever was going to happen. Nothing could go wrong but Dimitri couldn't shake the feeling that it would.

Xxxxxxx

A/N for Wolfdrum hope you like this chapter. If you've read this it would make my Christmas if you reviewed xx