Here you go everyone…a long chapter (by my standards anyway). Thank you very much for the reviews.
(Ruth) God! I'm so very glad that November Committee op is over! We had absolutely no idea that Harry's daughter Catherine was involved until the team brought her up in a team meeting and Harry confessed she was his daughter. It was so difficult to watch the pain fleet across his face although I'm sure the others didn't see it; but I did. He has been my study for so long that I am beginning to notice every nuance of his features and I noticed his pain. He even rounded on me at one point during the team meeting saying that there was "…always something else…" where I was concerned. Well, I thought "Yes, Harry. There is 'something else.' And that 'something else' is my concern for you, you idiot man!" He was so stressed, going on about 'having to protect her.' He was way too much personally involved in the operation; so much so that Adam had to step in. I didn't know the story of his relationship with his daughter but I was pretty sure that it is not the best.
The next day Danny told me that after having asked Catherine about her family, she said Harry was dead. Danny was wearing a wire and Harry heard it all. That poor man. I so wanted to go to him but I was afraid that he would not welcome my concern so I let that thought pass. If he was ever to give me one little sign that he thinks that I am more than an employee, I would definitely offer my concern. Right now I feel he is very alone.
(Harry) I never, ever thought Catherine would be involved in the November Committee operation. In fact, I was shocked. I didn't even know she was back in the UK. I was so very scared for her, especially when we didn't know how she was involved. The team had no clue as to who she was because she had taken her mother's name and I must admit, that the knowledge of her changing her name really hurt. I know I was a crap father but changing her name really, really hurt. And then Ruth had to say to me that there was 'something else.' I never should have responded to her in the way I did and I'm sure that I owe her an apology for my behavior. I was just very, very sacred for my daughter. Adam was right—I was too compromised in this op. That's why I had Danny go undercover.
I think I made a big mistake having him wear a wire. Well, maybe not wearing the wire but me listening in was a mistake. Catherine told him that I was dead. Catherine told him I was dead. I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my body! Ruth also heard the feed from Danny's coms and at one point I thought she wanted to say something to me but she didn't. She sometimes looks at me with such care and concern and I don't know why she would. My feelings for her are different from what I feel for the others on the grid but I don't really know why she would feel anything special for me.
(Harry) Zoe is gone. Not 'dead' gone thankfully, but gone nonetheless and through no fault of her own. Another instance of politicians not living up to their promises and she is the one to suffer for it. And then we almost lost Ruth. I cannot believe I didn't follow-up on her absence and took Sam's message that she was ill as the truth. If it hadn't been for Danny calling me out, I don't know what I would have done. God! She could have died and it would have been my fault! My fault!
Danny had taken her home after she was medically checked out and was with her when I called by her place later that afternoon. Danny said she was sleeping so of course I told him not to get her up. I just wanted to make sure that she was OK. I think he was a little curious as to why I kept asking him questions about her physical and emotional state. I encouraged him to stay with her in case she had any nightmares and he agreed to do it. When I left her home, I was so very grateful that she was still here and so very sad that I was not the one taking care of her that night.
(Ruth) We all still miss Zoe but no one more than Danny. I think that his heart is broken that she is gone but it would have been broken anyway. Zoe was supposed to get married to Will. Bloody politicians! Harry did his best to save her but couldn't. Harry would do just about anything to save his team and I love that about him.
Leave it to me to get kidnapped by a dinner companion. I thought I knew the man but I didn't and ended up tied to a bannister. How could I have been so stupid! And I watched him die for his greed. Thank god for Danny and his rescue. He took me home that afternoon and I had a chance to nap. We had a simple meal and Danny insisted that he stay the night on the sofa. When I started to go upstairs to bed, he casually mentioned that Harry had stopped by to see how I was. Later that night I lay in bed wondering why Harry would do that. Why would he notice or care? It wasn't like I was badly hurt or anything so why? Is this the sign? If the right time presents itself, I might say something to him about it—thank him or something.