I liked the comraderie between Lucas and Ros and I hope that kind of comes across in this fic. I also kind of think it would be weird for both Tariq and Lucas not to question who Ruth is just a little bit at least. Next chapter will be Ros/Ruth.

Lucas North: [Seeing the tunnel ahead blocked] Shit!

Ros Myers: Whose idea was this?

Lucas North: I forget!

Episode 7.8

"So Ros..."

"Lucas. Already bored of Nancy Drew I see?"

"I'm not letting the team down just yet. I've got her asking around."

"Good." Ros turned to walk through the pods. "Off to interrogate, Lucas. Can't keep him waiting."

"Ros, this will only take a second."

She turned around, and shot him her token ice queen annoyed expression. "What now Lucas? The clock is ticking..."

"This Ruth Evershed. Who is she?"

Ros rolled her eyes. "And I thought you were an intelligence agent. They must have left out the first part when they enlisted you. Read the file."

Lucas grinned. "Oh sure. You mean read the highly classified file that I can't read without Section Head clearance?"

"Oh hardy har Lucas."

"So come on. Bit of background please, or am I going to have to wait till Harry debriefs The Grid."

Ros smiled. "You'll be waiting awhile."

"What? It's professional protocol and Ros... we will get him back. We will."

"That's not what I meant Lucas. Ruth was always Harry's rose tinted blind spot."

"Romance on the Grid eh?"

"Yeah Lucas, you could say that," she paused and smiled at Lucas, "but if you mention this conversation in Harry or Ruth's hearing I will be forced to take extreme disciplinary action."

"Woah," he whistled, "that bad?"

"Oh Lucas, how much you have to learn."

"But she's good at the job right?"

"Harry trusted her you idiot. She's one of the best... possibly the best analyst this section has ever had..."

"Yeah but according to Harry? You'd trust his judgement after what you just said?"

"No actually. But I would trust Malcolm," she replied softly.

"Alright. Alright. That's me finished for the twenty one questions. I know when I've hit a bruise."

"Ruth Evershed is not a sore point for me," she scowled.

Lucas leant back from where he had his arms resting on the table. "Yeah right."

"Look Lucas. It's complicated. I did something I'm not proud of. Ruth was involved. I have yet to talk about it with her."

"It can't have been that bad. Harry still made you Section Chief didn't he?"

Ros laughed. "Not jealous are you Lucas."

He shrugged smiling. "Maybe... just a little... nah not really. But anyway, stop changing the subject Ros."

"I was made Section Chief after a number of years had passed since the Ruth Evershed incident. You would have liked me a lot less back in those days. I was very bitter, I suppose."

Lucas looked guilty for making Ros bring up past memories. They were obviously shameful as well as painful. "It's Ok. Ros. I don't need to know."

"No. I don't suppose you do. It doesn't change the fact that when we rescue her and Harry there'll be a conversation that I will have to have..."

"She'll forgive you."

"So sure Lucas?"

"Call it my prison instinct. I got good at reading people."

"I hope so," she said quietly and then turned and exited the pods unsmiling.