"Yes I do need to speak with Juliet, and yes it is quite urgent. Tell her it's Harry Pearce." Harry sighed as he struggled to communicate his urgency towards Juliet's secretary. She seemed very put out by Harry's call, and was demanding further details before Harry was put through. Did this woman really work within the intelligence services Harry pondered… did she not understand the meaning of words such as urgent and classified? After further heated argument he was eventually put through to Juliet.

"Harry, to what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected call?"

"Juliet. I trust you are… well that you are feeling ok?" He had found difficulty in addressing Juliet's disability directly since he himself had to tell her she had very little chance in ever walking again.

"Yes, Harry, though I'm quite sure you didn't ring just to ask if the lady in the wheelchair was feeling ok today." Juliet snapped back in her usual snide tones, momentarily he wondered how they had ever been intimate, but then again they were both different back then. "I trust there's something important you wish to discuss, Laura my secretary tells me you have something both urgent and classified in mind."

Harry paused, how could he phrase his request, make it seem plausible and of course urgent. It was urgent in his mind that was without doubt, yet perhaps to Juliet, Ruth's departure to GCHQ was a trivial matter, something which really had nothing to do with her. Harry sighed; it had definitely become desperate if he now had to rely on Juliet to dig him out from the hole which he had found himself in.

Juliet noted his pause, "come now Harry, I may be disabled but I do still wheel around occasionally and do have other things to attend to. Was there a particular reason for this call, what is troubling you?"

"Juliet I need a favour", the words were barely out of his mouth before he heard Juliet laugh, well rather cackle back down the phone at him.

"So finally Harry Peace utters those four little words. Well isn't this a turn of events. Well what favour can I do for you Harry, within reason, and with reason of course."

"Juliet they want to move Ruth back to GCHQ and I require some assistance in blocking it." Harry sighed again; the words just flowed from his mouth before he could stop himself. Juliet noted the exasperated tone in his voice and felt somewhat sorry for him, though of course she didn't show that in her reply: "And why, Harry do you want to block the move, are you somewhat worried you will miss your opportunity otherwise?"

"Juliet… skating… ice… thin."

"Now Harry, we have already had this argument and as I told you before I have a special pass… well really I have special wheels that let me skate on very thin ice and live to tell the tale."

Harry laughed in spite of himself; she had retained her wit he had to admit, despite the shocking events which led to her disablement.

"Juliet, all I am asking of you is to help me prevent Ruth from being shifted from the section without either her or my approval. I find Ruth to be a vital member of my team, and would hate to lose her skills and talent which are often utilized to ensure the success of an operation. Personally…" Harry paused, "personally I do not wish her to leave, she has become almost engrained within the section and I cannot imagine anyone filling her shoes, and I do ask she remains to exert her calming influence on the team."

"And you Harry, of course her calming influence works wonders on you too."

"Quite Juliet."

"Details Harry, I need some more details if I am to help you and your spaniel further."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Jennifer Marx of GCHQ is forming a special taskforce and demands Ruth be placed within it, filling a vital role apparently. It is due to be enforced within the next 3 weeks."

"Jennifer Marx Harry, well you do pick your battles don't you. I have heard she takes no prisoners and quite simply gets what she wants. You have discussed this with Ruth haven't you? You aren't just going over the poor woman's head. It seems career wise the move could be viewed as logical even sensible."

"Yes, Juliet but not everyone is like you hell bent on reaching the top rung of the ladder. Ruth is quite happy where she is at now, and quite simply doesn't want to leave her current work, or colleagues."

"And by that she means you of course Harry."

Juliet waited for the backlash but none came. She sensed she was talking to an almost broken man, not the Harry Pearce she respected or knew in earlier years. "Right, well Harry I should have the power to block the move certainly, but I will need a replacement to be sought and for them to agree to the move instead… one of Ruth's quality if possible Harry."

"Juliet thank you, I won't forget this."

"Now Harry, I said should have the power. It is I am afraid not certain I will be able to stop the move at all. I suggest you take some measures on your side to help me seal the deal. Perhaps place Ruth on an operation of importance, which would be foolish to drag her away from to move onto GCHQ, and get the team's backing. They no doubt will help in any way they see fit." Juliet paused, "As for you Harry, as a friend, if things should go awry, I suggest you and Ruth sort out your personal issues."

Harry sighed again, "thank you Juliet, I will let you get back to wheeling about your office now. Oh… one last thing… how long before you think you will know for definite?"

"I'm unsure Harry, I will let you know as soon as I have confirmation" and with that Juliet said her goodbyes and put the phone down. Harry smiled genuinely and sat back in his chair, Ruth too noticing the change in his stature through the window felt a little more at ease. Maybe the witch wasn't quite as bad as she thought after all.