Title: Dunkirk 1940

Fandom: Spooks (MI5)

Rating: PG

Length: 544 words

Summary: AU in which Lucas North is trying to get back to Britain from northern France in 1940

Lucas North watched the men who were making their way across the Flanders countryside, heading towards Dunkirk.  He ensured his battledress and face were covered in mud and appropriately scratched from the bushes as he joined the flow of soldiers in their retreat.  It was imperative that he get back to Britain, but equally essential that no-one should suspect that he was anything other than a regular soldier.

It took a day for them to reach the outskirts of the town, but by the time they arrived he was accepted as being just another soldier, separated from his unit, but working to ensure the survival of those he found himself with.  Lucas knew that if it came to the crunch, he would have to leave them to their fate, the information he was carrying was more important than any one individual, but until that happened, he would do what he could to help the others and continue to blend in.

When they reached the beaches, they learned that they would need to remain hidden in the sand dunes until night, as it was no longer possible for the boats to come in during daylight, the Luftwaffe were causing too much carnage.  The smouldering remains of the Crested Eagle bore testament to that fact.

They watched as the tide ebbed and flowed, and as night fell they joined the queues of men who waited to be picked up by the small boats that were able to come nearer the shore.  Lucas joined the rest of the men as they waded into the sea.  He was desperate to make his escape and was grateful that he didn’t need to disguise his concern when his companions were feeling the same.  A couple of times he thought of presenting his credentials to an officer, but it remained too risky to blow his cover, and he damped down the thought.

Finally, he scrambled onto the small boat, in a previous life some kind of small fishing vessel, and they were conveyed to the larger ship where he helped others to climb on board, before joining them.  The trip back across the Channel was rough and long, since they were forced to avoid enemy ships, but finally they reached Dover and they could disembark.

Once more Lucas joined the flow of men as they packed onto the trains which took them into London.  From there, Lucas left his companions, wishing them well on their onward journeys.  He made his way to the nondescript building which served as his headquarters and reported his arrival.

He was ushered into Harry Pearce’s presence.  “Glad to see you made it back,” Pearce said.  “I’ve asked Carter to do your debrief.  You have the papers?”

Lucas removed a packet carefully wrapped in waterproof material and handed it over.  Pearce grimaced as water dripped onto his shoes, accepted the packet and turned away.

Accepting this as his dismissal Lucas left the room and was greeted by Adam Carter.

“Are you okay, mate?” Adam asked.

“Yes, nothing some dry clothes and a hot meal won’t sort.”

“We’ll get you both and then I’m afraid we will have to do the debrief.  It’s all rather urgent.”

“Not as bloody urgent as getting the men off the beaches was.”