smallhobbit

Title: Operation Cake
Fandom: Spooks (MI5)
Rating: G
Length: 450 words
Summary: Ros comes up with a way to support Lucas as he re-adjusts.
Also written for ficlet_zone Elementary reverse challenge, prompt Red Light, Green Light

“How’s the counselling going, Lucas?” Ros asked.

Lucas snorted.  “Constant red lights, whatever I do.”

Malcolm looked across.  “Do the lights ever turn green?” he asked.

“Oh yes, and I creep forward, but they turn red before I get to the junction.  And on the odd occasion when I make it through and turn the corner, there, ahead of me, is another red light.”  Lucas turned back to look at his screen.

Ros already knew he’d been staring at the same page for the past fifteen minutes.  Had it been anyone else in the team, she’d have told them to take a break and grab an early lunch, but with Lucas this wouldn’t be the best idea. 

Malcolm leant back in his chair and said, “My brain is getting fuzzled.  I’m going to take my lunch now.  Are you coming, Lucas?”

“No,” Lucas said, hunching further over in his chair.

“I was planning on buying you a cake,” Malcolm added.

“Oh, well, maybe in that case.”  Lucas stood up and followed Malcolm out, his shoulders still hunched. 

Ros watched them go, an idea beginning to form in her mind.

Later, after they were all back on the Grid, and Lucas was sitting with his headphones on, this time really concentrating on his screen, Malcolm said, “That’s one red light which turned green.”

“Yes,” Ros agreed.  “And it’s given me an idea.  She outlined her plan for Operation Cake.

Slowly, over the next weeks, as Lucas gradually made steps re-adjusting to life in Section D, every triumph was greeted with cake.  It was never done as a bribe, simply a reward for getting past another red light.  Ros knew Lucas was aware of the ploy, but since he seemed happy about it, she wasn’t worried.  He never seemed to expect anything, and was frequently surprised when he was given something, and over time he certainly seemed happier.

Finally, Lucas came onto the Grid one morning carrying a large cardboard box.

“What have you got in there?” Jo asked.

He lifted the lid to display a large, iced sponge cake.

“This is to celebrate the fact that I’ve been signed off from counselling sessions.  I’m very grateful for all you’ve done to support me over the last months.  I’m not saying it will be all green lights from now on, but the road is most certainly much clearer.  So thank you all very much.”

“Does that mean you no longer want us to buy you cake?” Ros asked.

Lucas grinned.  “You know I’d never say that.”

Ros smiled back.  “Very true!” 

She was happy, unlike some of the other activities Section D were involved with, Operation Cake had been a resounding success.