2

Ruth stepped out onto the roof as she looked for Harry. She knew he was exhausted- the preparations for the monarch's birthday had been run alongside the normal running of operations. Both Harry and Ros had been working all the hours God sent.

"Harry." She stepped towards him. "It will be ok. The RPS know what they are doing. Thomas may be a pain in the rear but she knows her job."

Harry smirked. The head of RPS was the exact opposite of his wife. Tall, skinny - a bag of bones Harry thought, blonde and hard faced. He disliked everything about her; the woman made Juliet seem a pussycat.

"I know." He smiled as Ruth stood next to him. "I also know our team know exactly what they are doing. Even Will."

"He's young, younger than I was when I started. He's doing ok."

"Yes Ruth, I know." He wrapped his arms around her. Ruth smiled, letting him hold her to him, her own arms wrapping around his waist. "I missed you."

"I haven't gone anywhere." Ruth kissed his cheek. "And I am not planning to."

"Good to know." He kissed her hair as Ruth hugged him tightly. "Even if some handsome American sweeps in with Obama's lot turn up on Friday?"

Ruth pulled back, looking him directly in the eye.

"Oh I hadn't thought of that."

He raised an eyebrow. Ruth smiled.

"Why would I want a handsome CIA clone when I can have a handsome Yorkshireman?" Harry brushed her hair away from her face as the wind sped up. He kissed her gently on the lips, gasping as she deepened the kiss. Suddenly all thoughts of Americans and royalty were forgotten.

Xxxxxx

Lucas walked around the palace courtyard with Tariq. The young technical officer was determined to make sure all his gadgets were in exactly the right place. He didn't want any repercussions on the Geek Squad.

"Zoe is inside the palace now." Tariq stared at the small camera he had placed in a wall. "She's got a camera, mike and tape recorder on her."

"Bet she loves that." Lucas smiled. He knew Zoe hated gadgets. She was an old fashioned spook, like him. But technology was essential in the current climate.

"Tough. She's the only one on the team with the cut glass accent. She can get in there without raising suspicions of the staff. You heard what Ros said." He tapped the watch on his left wrist as the device bleeped. "All done."

"Good."

"You seem keen to get out of here." Tariq fell into step beside him. Lucas smiled. "It's Amy's birthday. My little girl is five today. Can't believe it."

"Five?" Tariq smiled. "Doing anything special?"

"I asked her what she wanted to do. She's too grown up for her years."

"Don't tell me - something so girly Ros nearly fainted." Tariq smirked.

"No." Lucas laughed. He knew very few people saw his wife the way he did. She didn't let everyone in. "Amy said she was going to school and she wanted me to pick her up, then all of us and the dogs to go to the park. So thats what we're doing."

"What about the op? What did Ros say?" Tariq frowned, checking his watch he knew school would be finished shortly.

"Ros is going to be there. She is Amy's mum! Tariq, however big the op, some things are more important. My kids are those things." He picked up his phone, pleased that Ros was calling to say she was outside. Tariq would have to find his own way back to Thames House.

Xxxxxx