The answers?

Lloyd ducked into an alley way the moment he realised Lucas was approaching. The dark skies heavy with rain, a menace that seemed to match the spook's mood. Lloyd could see Lucas wasn't his usual laid back self.

"Alright kid?" Lucas raised an eyebrow. The scouser was always friendly. It seemed the middle aged man liked to keep his friends and enemies close.

"Been better."

"Ok Luke." Lloyd paused. "Christmas."

"In three days time. Midwinter festival, initially pagan until the Christian lot amongst others highjacked it."

Lloyd rolled his eyes. He had no idea Lucas was the stepson of a priest and he wasn't about to find out.

"Do you want this info or not? Because I can go. You know that yeah?" He lit a cigarette as Lucas kept his face neutral.

"Go on."

"Money the same?"

"Of course."

"Lincoln, White and Parkinson were sprung from prison for a reason." He watched as Lucas glared at him. The senior case officer knew Ros was mere feet away listening and waiting for him to return. The light rain seemed to turn to ice as it cascaded from the sky hitting metal fire escape steps and bins all around them. Lucas tried to put the noise out of his mind.

"Yeah? And?"

"And if they find out I've told you this I am as good as dead. So a little less attitude please." Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Your boy, the Asian lad. The Muslim. Was attacked yeah? Then the lad who does female impersonation was beaten up. Don't look like that. Saw him at the hospital when I was picking our Chrissy up. Then the clever girl who works with you." Lloyd continued. "Be careful. God, I saw what these bastards can do when I was inside. Made me look like an angel."

Lloyd handed him a cigarette packet.

"I don't smoke."

"Neither does what's inside. It's all the help I can give you Luke. I've gone straight. These racist neonazi fuckers are too much for me. I've a life now. A fiancé." He smiled. Lucas nodded, he genuinely liked the perry crook turned Informant. "Baby on the way. I want him or her to have a daddy that's not only alive but not in prison."

"Congratulations." Lucas shook his hand. He meant it. Lloyd could have been killed more than once and had served his time for his wrongdoing. Lucas just hoped he would be able to enjoy family life.

"Thanks." He rang a hand over his face. "That's all I could get for you. Man, honestly your lot need to stop this. Think about it. Muslim boy and the clever girl have been attacked - how they aren't dead amazes me. One of your lot, Someone I dunno who had to have known their whereabouts and what their weak points are." Lloyd shook his hand. "Stay safe eh mate." He turned away as Lucas hid the small cardboard box in his jacket pocket. He had a feeling Lloyd may have finally found the piece of information they needed.

Xxxxxxxx

"Dad? Mum?" Tariq yawned, instantly regretting it as the muscles in his chest burned. Masood nodded.

"You still snore." Sunita announced as Tariq rolled his eyes.

"So do not."

"Oh you do!"

"I think they are both back to normal." Zenab laughed as two of her four children bickered. Tariq smiled slightly - relieved that his little sister still seemed able to treat him just the same as she always had. He looked up as Will and Beth appeared in the doorway.

"Guys?"

"Sorry to interrupt." Beth didn't sound sorry in the slightest. Masood nodded, ushering his wife and daughter out of the room. Beth smiled at the middle aged man before stepping into the room. "God you had us worried."

"Bit concerned myself."

"What happened?" Will frowned, knowing he was still expected to shadow the more senior officers when it came to interviews, but Tariq and Rana were his mates. It felt personal.

"I'd decided to pop back to the Grid. Just to check how the new facial recognition programme Ruth and I had been working on was going. Nipped into the corner shop on my way. Next thing I know I'm being followed." He looked away for a moment. "I'm not sure but I think I got in a cab. Did I?"

"Yes." Beth smiled. "It's ok, you were poisoned as well as beaten up. Plus a five day coma."

"Messes with your head." Tariq paused. "Dad said you'd been here most days." Beth nodded.

"And Dim. You were dumped on our doorstep." Beth swallowed hard. "You gave the taxi driver our address. Did you recognise him?"

"No. Just a black London cab." Tariq sighed. "I don't remember it all. This is big isn't it? Not just me is it? What have I missed?"

Beth and Will exchanged glances as Will nodded.

"I dunno. Reckon whoever did this doesn't want that FRP to work." Beth frowned. "Who else knows about it?"

"Me, all of Section D. Finance dept." Tariq frowned as Beth got to her feet. "Doesn't Rana Syed's Ex boyfriend Work in finance? For 6?"

"Yeah." Will got to his feet. "He did the last time I spoke to her. Wanted him to get seconded to 5."

"Tariq, get some rest. I think we better find out what exactly this Ex boyfriend is playing at." Beth kissed his cheek before leading Will out of the Room.

Xxxxxx

Ruth swore as she hobbled into the Grid with crutches at her side. She had been convinced she would never have to use them again. The unwieldy metal contraptions served to annoy her as keeping her weight off the plaster just caused her back to ache.

"Ruth." Harry paused.

"You know as well as I do I need to have my debrief." She paused. "Zoe can take my statement. Don't." She watched as he blushed slightly. He stepped closer to her.

"A man can dream, Ruth." He kissed her cheek before stepping away, almost laughing as he heard her mutter 'impossible man' under her breath. Adam smiled at her; glad to have her back even if it was only to have the opportunity to have another 'grown up' on the Grid.

"What?" Ruth snapped. "Sorry, it's these bloody things."

"Well, if you will go off and get kidnapped."

"Shut it Carter." Catherine stepped in as Ruth raised her hand.

"It's ok." Ruth smiled as Adam smiled. "Bloody crutches." She sighed as one fell on the floor missing her foot by inches. Adam picked it up, wincing as he did so.

"I think Harry is right. We are getting too old for this." He smiled slightly as Harry appeared in the doorway of the office.

"Speak for yourself Mr Carter." Harry announced, raising an eyebrow as he did. Ruth returned his gaze as Adam shook his head. Before Ruth could answer the mobile phone on her desk began to ring. She answered before anyone could say another word. Frowning she listened intently.

"Will? No stay where you are. I'll have Dimitri and Alec with you ASAP. Erin, Zaf and Zoe are in the area too. I'll have bomb squad on stand by." Harry, Malcom and Calum stared at Ruth as she spoke. "Just stay with Beth." She glanced up at her friend as Malcolm began asking questions about the device. She bit her lip, ignoring the pain in her ribs as she tried to concentrate on what Will was telling her.

Xxxxx

A/n merry Christmas- please review