a/n sorry for the delay in updating. Technical problems.

2

Harry still hadn't got out of the habit of getting up at what most people would call ridiculously early every morning. Semi retirement hadn't really changed a lifetime of habits, so while Ruth was on the Grid with the rest of the Section he was sat on a very cold, damp Waterloo station with Malcolm waiting for the errant pensioner to arrive. Both knew the older man was not the sort to jump on a train at a whim, he had to be worried about his grandson to make the journey from Newcastle on Tyne to London.

"Are you sure about this?" Malcolm stared at the cardboard cup holding his now luke warm coffee. Harry nodded.

"How long have we known Henry?"

"Since the first day I joined the Service." Malcolm sighed. "He does have a flair for the dramatic."

"An ex-spy." Harry paused. "He is supposed to fade away into obscurity."

"As are you." Malcolm mused. "Cannot see it happening some how."

"Pot, kettle and black spring to mind." Harry smirked as he took a sip of his drink, wishing that he had added more sugar.

"Thomas Parks was always a troubled boy."

"Graham was at one stage. Look at him now. A dad, a husband, decent job."

Malcolm nodded, pleased to hear the pride in his friend's voice as he talked about his oldest son.

"He always was a good boy, just troubled. His heart was always in the right place." Malcolm sighed as he thought of all the drama that had surrounded his godson. He knew the boy had put his sister and father through Hell and just hoped Thomas wasn't about to do the same with Henry. The former spook saw no wrong in any of his grandchildren, so to see that the old man had believed that his grandson was involved in terrorism had come as a shock. Both men fell silent, hoping that their old friend was wrong.

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Ruth stared at the spreadsheet on the screen in front of her. As much as she hated to admit it there was a strong possibility that Henry could be right. Nightingale were still active in certain parts of the world, more an annoyance than an actual threat in many respects they hadn't been on the radar of the UK security services for a number of years. Leaning back in her chair she looked up as Ros perched on the edge of her desk.

"Anything?"

"Nightingale are active in areas across India and Pakistan, still peddling hatred but the financial links to the UK and USA are harder to uncover. Tariq is running a reverse fireshot trace."

"In English?"

"I'm basically bugging their sympathiser's bank accounts." Tariq shrugged, head on one hand as the computer did its work. "Chasing the money."

"They did have some high profile financiers in the day." Lucas agreed as he ate his donut. Ruth nodded.

"Its not much but its something. Henry is genuinely worried."

"Understandable. Let me know when Harry has spoken to him." She glared at the clock. "I'm wanted at Whitehall. I swear Harry only books Wednesdays off so he doesn't have to go to this infernal meeting." She grabbed her jacket as Ruth smirked. Ros hadn't been far from the truth.

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Harry got to his feet as the train rolled into the station. Part of him hated train stations, knowing the logistics of such a place was a nightmare for his colleagues. The memories of Shining Dawn and the coffee shop bomb years earlier sprung to mind as Malcolm threw his coffee cup in the bin.

"Natasha has a shop in Charring Cross. Not here." Malcolm smirked as Harry wondered how his old friend read his thoughts so easily. He was shaken from his thoughts as he heard the elderly Geordie call his name.

"Harry my boy!" Harry raised his eyebrows as the mobility scooter seemed to do an emergency stop in front of him. "And Malcolm! Good to see you both Lads. How about a pint?"

"No." Malcolm stared at his former boss. "How about we find somewhere and you can rest."

"Aye, like the pub. Railway Inn still open?"

"Not at 9 am." Harry chuckled. "I know a place, coffee isn't great but it is secure."

"Aye Lad. The Grid it is then."

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