Title: Background Support
Fandom: Spooks (MI5)
Rating: G
Length: 293 words
Summary: When Ros takes over as head of Section D, she's grateful for the support she receives from Lucas.

It was hard, taking over from Adam as head of Section D.  In better circumstances, Ros would have been delighted to have the role.  In most cases, even if her predecessor had died, she would have felt a certain thrill at achieving something her career had been leading her towards, but not this time.  She had been too close to Adam to feel anything other than sadness and loss.

Nevertheless, when Harry Pearce had offered her the role, she had accepted.  Her father might have said it was her duty, but it was much more than that.  Yes, the work needed to continue, but she knew too she was best placed to provide the support for the rest of the team, who were also grieving.

When she had come back from Harry’s office, and he’d announced her new position, she’d noticed Lucas’ half smile directed at her.  And, over the next few days, she’d felt his support in the background; a hand rested briefly on her shoulder or her arm, a cup of tea unexpectedly appearing, even once a doughnut in a crumpled paper bag.  He never said anything, but she knew he saw what was happening, and, more than most, understood what she was going through.

For Lucas had his own ghosts, and plenty of them.  He never asked for help, never acknowledged he needed any, but there were certain traits he had which Ros recognised meant he was reaching the end of his tether.  On those days she’d call in on him after work, make some coffee, sometimes bring a takeaway for them to share.  She never asked him how he was feeling, or offered any advice, but stayed in the background, returning the support he gave her during the day.