#richard armitage x ofc

[fizzyxcustard]

For Her Or My Country?

Fandom: Spooks

Pairing: Lucas North x OC (Amy Holland)

Warning: Non-graphic smut, insecurity, language

Word count: 3731

Summary: Lucas has been given an assignment which means potentially sleeping with a subject who is linked to a Russian subject of interest. After discussing with Amy, will he put his relationship or duty to country first? 

Notes: As always, if you wish to be added to my Forever Tag list, let me know. Or you can request to be added to a list for a specific character/fandom. Please contact me if you wish to be added or removed.

Comments and reblogs are always appreciated. :) Any comment at all.

Read on AO3 here

Masha Petrova. Beautiful. Elegant. Rich. Holder of intelligence that MI5 needed. And Lucas had been assigned to the case. Being able to speak Russian himself and having a vast knowledge of the culture and risks that were posed to the United Kingdom, it was only natural that Lucas be placed on this case. 

The team of Section D were all seated in the main briefing room, watching as photos appeared on the screen, flipping every few seconds. Harry described each one and gave background to all the subjects and contexts of them. 

Lucas was to go undercover in two days’ time, posing as a potential client for Masha Petrova’s prestigious art gallery. She would be hosting an auction, where paintings worth millions of pounds were to be sold, and the money then transferred to her ex-husband, Konstantin Sidorov. But the man had disappeared three years earlier. He was a ghost, with his last movement being on a flight back to Moscow and then nothing. Her motives behind keeping in such close contact with her ex-husband were being questioned. 

“Jo will be on standby,” Harry began. He turned to the bleach blonde woman who sat two seats down from him. Her large blue eyes were locked on him, waiting for her instruction. “We’ll need you to mingle with the men, stroke their egos.” That normally meant sleep with them if necessary. “Lucas, Masha is known to always have a string of attractive men on her arm who wish to warm her bed…” 

That was it. Amy, desk-based intelligence officer, and also Lucas’ girlfriend of ten months, felt bile rise in her throat. She looked at the photo of Masha Petrova and felt that stab of intense self-hatred rise. This was the kind of woman that Lucas should have been with, not her. He deserved beauty and elegance, not someone like Amy who rarely wore make up and dressed constantly in jeans. 

Now Amy knew why she had been kept off the case for as long as she had. With Ruth Evershed on long-term sick leave, the team were bursting at the seams with workload and needed another pair of hands. Amy was the only person available. 

Harry gave both Jo and Lucas a briefing pack, outlining their identities which they would need to learn over the next forty eight hours. 

Lucas looked down the table at Amy and could see the bright red flush of her cheeks, paired with her inability to keep her eyes out of her lap. He could see her hands moving beneath the table, a sign of her fidgeting, which she always did when nervous. Every expression and movement was something that Lucas had become intimately acquainted with. 

Once the meeting had concluded, Harry requested that Lucas stay behind. Everyone else got to their feet, stretching due to the length of time they had all been sitting. Amy dashed out of the room first, being closest to the door. Tears were prickling her eyes. For most of the meeting her imagination had been running wild, churning over a vivid vision of Lucas and Masha Petrova in an erotic position. Amy’s chest tightened, causing her to flap her arms to try and get more air. 

“Are you alright?” Jo asked, approaching Amy. 

Amy smiled weakly at Jo, knowing that it had always been impossible for her to lie about her feelings. She was transparent, unable to mask any negative feelings. She couldn’t answer. 

“I’ll make us a coffee and we can pop outside for some fresh air, yeah?” Jo proposed.

Amy nodded, feeling as if her friend’s kindness was about to open the floodgates and the tears would never stop. But she swallowed hard, feeling the pain in her throat. That damn floodgate would remain closed, even if it killed her. 

Outside a few minutes later and Jo lit a cigarette and the two of them stood on the balcony, which gave them a view of London. It was grey and overcast. The colour of the sky was threatening rain. 

“Do you want to talk about it?” Jo asked. 

Amy’s green eyes darted this way and that, anywhere so they didn’t have to focus on Jo. “I don’t know,” she said softly. Then she sighed, and looked out over the Thames. “I just….I always knew this was something that would probably come, but I hoped it wouldn’t.” 

“Believe me, Amy, Harry wouldn’t have asked Lucas to do this unless absolutely necessary. He knows the moral dilemma and risks all of us face when we’re asked to go into situations like this.” 

Amy took a sip of her coffee. “Why is it always our morals and lives that we have to sacrifice?” Amy knew all this when taking the position, but now that she was here, facing the prospect of her boyfriend having to essentially cheat on her, it was worse than she could have ever imagined. 

Those words caused tears to slip down Amy’s cheeks, which she rubbed away angrily with the sleeve of her cardigan. “Lucas loves his job so much, and I should have always known that I would never be truly first.” 

“Amy, it’s not that, and you know it isn’t. He loves you. But the world we live and work in is a dark one, so much darker than people on the outside ever realise.”

“I’m still human, Jo, and I think I’m allowed to feel betrayed and heartbroken when my boyfriend has been told to sleep with someone else.” 

Jo watched Amy hang her head in shame and defeat. She knew that Amy had incredibly low self-esteem and had been living in constant shock for the last ten months that Lucas would even be interested in her. But Jo could see the chemistry between her two colleagues; Amy’s kindness towards Lucas, and his ability to make Amy feel seen and heard. Even before their relationship had begun, and Jo knew that they would be a perfect couple, despite Amy always having voiced how little she thought of herself. The two of them may not have looked as though they would date, when considering the way they carried themselves, but their interactions cemented the fact they complimented each other perfectly. 

Back in the office a short while later and Amy took a seat at her desk. She pulled out her drawer and picked out a Mars bar from the multipack. It was the only thing that could distract her from the fact that Lucas was sitting a few feet away from her, watching. She knew that he knew she was feeling emotional turmoil. If she had to look at him then she would break down. 

Tariq’s desk was behind Amy’s and he could see Lucas’ blue gaze studying her. Tariq watched in fascination for a minute and then turned his attention back to making minor amendments to Jo’s briefing pack. For once, he could see that Amy wasn’t smiling at Lucas or gazing at him, but instead keeping her gaze away. In his mind, anyone who didn’t notice Amy’s reactions must have been blind. 

For the next hour and Amy took up her time in a meeting with Ros, discussing the ANPR data results for a subject they had been investigating. At least for now, Amy could put her mind elsewhere. 

Meanwhile, Lucas remained quiet at his desk, feeling Tariq’s gaze burning into the back of his head. It had been common knowledge amongst all of the staff at Section D, that Tariq had a crush on Amy. All except Amy herself. 

Once Amy had emerged from the side room with Ros, Lucas got up and approached her. He stood with his back to everyone else and Amy with her back to the wall, looking down at her, almost shielding her from prying eyes. “Do you want to head out for something to eat?” he asked. Then he pulled his hands from his jeans pocket and picked up her hand, feeling her warm skin against his for a couple of seconds. But he frowned when he saw her look at the floor; he could see her throat quivering. He dropped her hand. 

Amy swallowed hard and looked up at him, feeling the overwhelming emotion wash over her. It was painful, so painful. Her beautiful, perfect Lucas. He was Amy’s everything and for some unknown reason, he also wanted her. 

“Come on,” Lucas whispered, holding his hand out to her to take. 

Amy knew she couldn’t deny him and took his large hand in her small one. 

Together, they walked out of the office, and into the mid-day air. It was drizzling, forming a mist in their hair as they walked the two streets to their usual café. They were both quiet for the duration of their walk, with the hustle and bustle of the busy London streets washing around them. 

Lucas grabbed his wallet from his back pocket and didn’t even have to ask Amy what she wanted. She’d already made up her mind and was on her way to grab a table. “A strawberry smoothie and a cheese and onion toastie, please,” her voice drifted back over her shoulder.  

Lucas sighed and placed their order. Every now and again he would glance towards her, noticing how she still wouldn’t look at him. Instead, she grabbed her sketchbook from her handbag and began to touch up one of her latest drawings. 

Suddenly Amy was taken aback as her sketchbook was pulled away from under her face, just as she rested her pencil tip against the paper. 

Lucas sat down. “Look at me,” he said sharply. 

“Give me my book back.” 

“No, you’ll talk to me. Your drawings can wait.” 

“What do you want me to say, Lucas?” Amy said, her tone low and her words to the point. “If you had to watch me go and sleep with a man as part of an operation, I’m sure you wouldn’t be particularly happy about it.” 

“Of course I wouldn’t,” Lucas hissed. “But this is our job. You know what’s at stake if I don’t do it.” 

“Keeping the country safe and all that crap. Yes, I know,” Amy scoffed. “I’m reminded of that every day. Funny how you’re always paired with the beautiful, elegant women.” 

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Lucas snapped. 

Amy rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. 

A young woman with blonde hair tied back into a ponytail came and set Amy’s food down on the table, along with hers and Lucas’ drink. She offered a quick smile, immediately recognising the familiar signs of a lover’s tiff. 

“No food?” Amy asked. 

“Can’t say I’ve got an appetite.” 

“Just fatten me up like a pig, then.” 

Lucas grit his teeth and closed his eyes, clasping his hands together on the table. He knew her defensive attitude all too well when she became overwhelmed by self-consciousness. Passive-aggression and sarcasm tainted her words as she tried to fling painful darts back at him. 

“Not here, please,” Lucas begged. His voice was quiet, full of defeat. 

Amy at least silently acquiesced to his request and slipped back into her seat, nibbling on the edge of her toasted sandwich. She adored the very breath of the man sat in front of her, and she was sure he knew that. But she couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eye, and instead let her gaze trace the crisscross stitch of the red and white tablecloth. 

Lucas sipped his coffee and watched Amy for a few seconds before sighing, resigning his gaze toward the framed quote behind her on the wall. It was some cliché shit that seemed to belong on every mantlepiece in the UK, apart from his and Amy’s. Instead, Amy had a line of Disney character figurines across hers, and the thought of it made a smile emerge on his face. This woman he had committed himself to had no idea how amazing and beautiful she was. Curious. Quirky. The kindest person he had ever met. Unbelievably strong of mind and spirit. Underestimated herself. Broken by the arseholes who had taken advantage of her introverted and generous nature. 

One way or the other, he would repair her. No ifs, buts or maybes. He would repair her. 

***

The flat was dark as Amy stepped back inside. Lucas was required for a further meeting regarding the new operation with Masha Petrova, so wouldn’t be home for a further hour or two yet. 

The isolation enveloped her along with the dark. 

Tears flowed down Amy’s cheeks as she finally allowed the locked floodgates to open. She dropped back into a chair in the dining room and sobbed. Amy would never be good enough for Lucas, always sitting in the shadow of other women. Everything that they were reflected what Amy wasn’t. These women reminded her of the dark shadow of lack which lived in her chest. 

Tension soon began to press down behind Amy’s eyes as she prepared hers and Lucas’ dinner. It felt like a huge weight was crushing Amy from above, pressing her down into the ground as her whole body became weak. 

Cheesy 80’s music played on the radio in the small box kitchen, and not even that could lift Amy out of her prison of darkness. All she could think of was Lucas with Masha Petrova. No doubt he would enjoy it. Of course he would. Being ridden by a blonde supermodel of a woman, with the confidence to fully express her sexuality. 

It had taken Amy a few months to become more confident in bed with Lucas. It wasn’t until they’d been together for six months that Amy could finally make love to him without the light turned off and not feel the need to shrink back at his touch. Now she openly enjoyed his touch, reciprocating it. But those whispers would still creep up on her when they lay together afterwards, telling her how unworthy she was of such a beautiful man’s love. 

Amy loved Lucas with her whole heart, having never felt so drawn to anyone else. Lucas, to her, was incredibly handsome, charming, intelligent, gentle and kind. He was perfection. Even when he woke in the middle of the night, sweating and shouting out, gripped by the horror of his memories of Lushanka, eventually waking her up, it only helped her to love him more. The vulnerability he shared with her helped her move closer to him, bridging the gap which her insecurity had always created. 

The closing of the front door suddenly echoed from down the hall. And Amy heard Lucas’ slow footsteps coming towards the kitchen. She felt her hands begin to shake and a painful lump rise in her throat. “Dinner’s almost ready,” she said.

“Dinner can wait,” Lucas instructed. It wasn’t often that Lucas was demanding, but when it came to digging into Amy’s insecurity and bad moods, it was the only way he could defend himself and fight for her. 

Amy sighed and placed her hands on the edge of the sink and looked out into the murky evening. She could see fog beginning to descend on the world and the brightness of the streetlamps lighting up the rooftops, showing the gleam of an earlier shower. 

Lucas stood beside Amy and curled his arm around her waist, then took her hand in his, kissing it. “The only thing I can say is that I love you, Aim.” 

Amy felt everything crumble and she couldn’t help but break down again, becoming a sobbing mess in his arms. 

Lucas held her tight, his right hand tangled in her hair and his lips kissing her forehead. “I love you more than anything.” That was all he could say, and he meant every single word, the emotion so overwhelming as he uttered them.  

“I should support you, Lucas,” Amy said, sniffing as she pulled from the embrace to look up at him. “I’m so proud of everything you do, but I…”

“I know,” Lucas whispered. “Don’t you think I know? I don’t want to do this.” His eyes were locked on hers, tears swimming in them, making them look even brighter a blue. 

“You’re being paid to sleep with someone. Perk of the job, I guess,” Amy said wryly. 

“Don’t you dare say that,” Lucas hissed. His eyes became alight with frustration, his frown casting a shadow across his brow. “Why do you always have to turn to sarcasm and pettiness when you’re hurt?” 

Amy pulled from Lucas’ grasp and stormed out of the room, casting him an expression of disgust mixed with hurt. Of course he was right; Amy knew it. Sarcasm and pettiness become her defence mechanism when hurt or cornered. 

“What do you want me to say, Aim?” Lucas shouted. “Do you want me to leave my job, get down on my knees?” 

“Just fuck off!” Amy hissed back. “Leave me alone.” 

The room felt as if it were becoming so much smaller as Amy stood facing the wall, sobbing, with breath almost coming in gasps. More than anything, in that moment, she wanted to disappear. 

“You don’t mean that, Aim. You never do,” Lucas said, placing his hand on her shoulder. “I know you enough by now. When you tell someone to leave you alone, it means ‘hold me tight’. You want people to get closer when you’re hurting, even though you push them away.” 

Amy felt Lucas’ arms wrap around her middle, and she sighed, feeling that all too familiar wave of arousal spiral down her body and the butterflies swarm in her belly. She couldn’t fight off the way he made her feel. All of the attraction and love was far too strong to keep her away. 

“I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered. Lucas kissed her cheek, taking in the scent of her. It was strawberries mixed with the faintest hint of her perfume from that morning, Olympea. 

Slowly, Amy turned around and looked up at Lucas, sniffing over her blocked nose. Her eyes were sore and red. “It always comes back to this feeling of me not being good enough.” 

“And that’s what it is, just a feeling. There is no truth whatsoever in it. It’s a dark voice, nothing more. I chose you, Amy. Above everyone else, I choose you.” 

Amy threw her arms around Lucas and they held each other tight, remaining silent. The only sound was the patter of rain against the window, which gradually got louder and heavier. 

Heat spread through Amy as she felt his arms encase her, protecting her from the outside world and everything evil that was in it. 

The two of them kissed, the heat mounting, until Amy’s hands slipped up Lucas’ chest and she began popping the buttons of his shirt. She pushed the fabric aside to see his chest exposed, which was tattooed with William Blake’s Ancient of Days.

“You could have anyone,” Amy began, “absolutely anyone in this world. And yet you choose me.” 

“Why did you choose me?” Lucas whispered. “You don’t see your beauty, and your light. Any man you choose would be blessed beyond anything he could ever imagine, and you don’t see any of that.” His finger brushed a stray hair from her brow, and then the tips of his fingers trailed down her cheek and his thumb brushed her plump lips. “You made me feel again, and I owe you everything.” 

They kissed again and began to remove each other’s clothing, slowly. 

As Lucas stood before Amy in only his underwear, she traced the tattoos on his chest and stomach. “I thought about getting one, to match yours.” 

“Don’t,” Lucas demanded, his tone quiet but stern and saddened. “All they serve is a reminder of the darkness in the world, and I never want to taint you with that. Your skin is perfect as it is, untouched and unblemished.” 

“And I want to share everything with you. The good and the bad.” 

Lucas lowered Amy to the bed, her arms locked around his neck. And they kissed again, hard and hungry for every fibre of each other. 

Amy gasped as Lucas slipped inside her. 

A groan fell off his lips as he felt a wave of that beautiful euphoria. This was where he belonged. It was the only place on this Earth he would ever be safe: inside her, one with her, vulnerable and bare. Gradually he moved, rocking his hips against her as his hand gripped her thigh. 

Amy pulled him in closer, needing him against her, the closest in physical proximity that was possible. “I love you,” she whispered. 

Lucas’ blue gaze locked on hers and he stopped his movement, remaining still. He smiled. It was a content, peaceful smile. The first he had smiled since he was a child. “This is where I belong. It’ll never be anywhere else. I promise.” 

A while later and they both lay on their sides, facing each other. Lucas’ arm was draped idly over Amy’s hip. He was smiling at her again. Innocence, kindness, compassion and love had always shone through Amy’s face and been left on anything she touched, a golden light lingering behind from her fingertips. 

He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her snub nose. 

The happiness in Amy’s face drained and a serious expression rose. “I’m sorry about earlier. I know you need to do this.” A sadness began to wash over her green eyes. Then she forced a smile. 

Lucas never answered, but in his mind, he knew what needed to be done. He moved over her and drew her into another embrace, followed by more love making. 

***

The next morning, Lucas stood at Harry’s office door. His heart was racing in his chest, something that rarely happened when on the job. 

With one last backwards glance to Amy, Lucas knocked on Harry’s door. She looked up from her desk and smiled at him from across the room, those beautiful eyes sparkling so brightly. Lucas knew that he had made the right decision. 

For her or my country? Always for her. 

“Come in!” Harry’s voice came. 

Lucas took a deep breath and slipped inside the office, bracing the inevitable storm.

“Lucas? What can I do for you?” Harry asked, leaning back in his seat. 

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to stand down from tomorrow’s deployment, Harry.” 

***

Follow Forever tag list: @lathalea @linasofia @xxbyimm @middleearthpixie @knittastically

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[glassgulls]

More delicious character chemistry between my beloved Amy and Lucas! I absolutely love the two of them together so much, they're canon for me. @fizzyxcustard knocked it out the park yet again with her writing skill and talent for creating characters I feel I could meet, in a world I can almost reach out and touch. So please go check it out and enjoy the special connection Amy and Lucas have.

[middleearthpixie]

🌹

He rumpled her hair, then moved to the pantry to find the ingredients to make the perfect hot chocolate for her, and emerged a few minutes at the sound of Dís and Heather laughing.

~ Brilliant Disguise, the chapter I am currently working on and hope to have up sometime this week... :)

[legolasbadass]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love ♥️

Thanks for the ask @laurfilijames 💙💙

Here are my top five fics of mine, in no particular order:

Heart of Gold, Thorin x OFC set during the dwarves' exile after the Sacking of Erebor, forbidden romance, very angsty.

Office Hours, Richard Armitage x OFC, Professor AU.

Against All Odds, Dís x OFC, written for the TRSB 2022 and inspired by @lathalea's wonderful art, which you can find here.

The Castle on the Mountain, Thorin x OFC, Gothic AU

A Lifetime Apart, Thorin x OFC, Pre-Smaug, written for the TRSB 2021 in collaboration with @gwen-ever.

[crazytxgradstudent]

Hiding Spot (part 4)

“It’s so damn cold in here!” Danny hissed as she sat up and looked around, wearily. The laptop screensaver was bouncing around, the movie long since over. They'd both obviously fallen asleep at some point.  

The voice that had awoken her continued calling out, letting her and everyone else know that the travel delay was still in effect.

Outside the large window, she could see the snow steadily falling, the deep drift seeming to rise up on the window, inch by inch. Beside her, Richard was curled up in a huge fetal position, his head cushioned by his backpack, hands tucked between his knees. He had his coat over him, but even in sleep, she could see he was shivering. Not thinking twice, she covered him with her blanket, and scooted as close to him as possible, without touching him. She pressed back until her back was nearly touching his, trying to absorb some of his warmth, and trying to offer hers to him in return. Pepper lay in her arms, snug as a bug. She lay there, shivering, her teeth chattering, when Richard rolled over. His breath was at her hair.

“I’m freezing my ass off,” he whispered.

“Same!” Danny’s lips twitched.

“We need to snuggle, share body heat.”

“Smooth, Armitage. Is this your way of getting close to me?” Danny grinned.

“Pretty much, yeah.” He grinned back. “I’m gonna put my arm over you, is that alright?”

“Sure,” Danny agreed, though her heart was pounding rapidly. Two seconds later, Richard had draped his arm over her, and had pulled her back against his chest. His warm breath tickled the skin at the back of her neck.  She immediately felt warmer, his large body enveloping her as they spooned under the blanket.

“Are you sure?”

“Oh, I’m sure. Are you sure?” Danny countered. She’d never been more sure of anything in her life.

“Well, I’ve been wanting to put my arms around you since I saw you get off that first leg.” Richard’s voice was quiet, and she could hear the shyness in his voice as he admitted his secret.

“Seriously? Did you not really trip over me, then?” Danny asked.

“No, that was absolutely real. But I was looking for you when I literally tripped over you.” Richard hugged her tighter, burying his nose at the back of her head. “I hope you don’t think I’m weird or creepy.”

“No, I think it’s cute, actually. In a weird, creepy way.”

“Very good,” Richard laughed softly.

“So now what?” Danny asked, her curiosity killing her. Richard squeezed her again.

“I dunno. What do you think?”

“I think once we get on that plane, we won’t see each other again.” Danny’s voice held a quiet sadness that was not lost on Richard.

“Well I’m going to Seattle, too, so we still have time together.” He nuzzled her hair with his nose.

“I like you a lot,” Danny admitted. She grabbed at his shoulder, holding him tight.

“And I you,” Richard murmured in her hair.

“And I hope you don’t think it’s because you’re famous, or because you played my most favorite book character ever.” Danny’s voice had lowered.

Richard grinned at the back of her head, snuggling her more. Danny lay there, her mind whirling with emotions and questions, and the more Richard didn’t respond or speak, the more anxious she got. She tried to lay still, really she did, but his lack of response was driving her insane. Did he mean what he said? Did he really like her? Or was he just saying that to appease her? And if so, why was he still here with her, and not gone to a hotel? Danny dragged a hand up and began chewing on her fingernail, her brow creased.

“I can almost hear those wheels turning in that pretty little head of yours,” Richard smiled into her hair again.

“I’m sorry. I’m a therapist. I overthink and analyze everything. And you’re not talking. At all.” She frowned.

“If I told you I’ve never in my whole life done this with anyone at an airport, would that settle your nerves?”

“A little.” She thought more. “Are you secretly married?”

“No.”

“Dating someone?” Her eyes narrowed.

“Nope.”

“A player?” Danny frowned at the thought. Richard laughed.

“Not to my knowledge, no.” He sat up, pulling her shoulder back so that she’d turn over. She stared up at him, warily. He grinned back down to her.

“I just got back from London yesterday. And now I’m headed to Seattle. But I’m stuck here, in Colorado, for god knows how long.  If I told you I was completely knackered, and really just wanted to hold you and sleep a bit, would you fault me for that?” He smiled down at her, his beautiful eyes tired. “Would you accept that I have no ulterior motive, other than I’m tired as hell, and my brain just isn’t functioning that well at the moment?”

“You really went looking for me?” Danny couldn’t resist asking one more time. Richard’s smile turned into a grin.

“Sure did.” He tilted his head. “As soon as you walked past me, my mind was made up. That I had to come talk to you.” He tapped the end of her nose with his fingertip. “The last two on the plane.”

“I always wait until the others leave,” Danny shrugged. So he was the guy still sitting in First Class that she’d passed while getting off the last plane, his head held in his hands...

“Me too.”

Danny gave him a shy smile, which he returned.

“Now, can we get some sleep?” Richard lay back down, his head resting on the backpack again. Danny turned, pushing back, and allowing him to pull her back into his chest. Richard’s arm tightened around her, his nose again pressed into the back of her head.

“Richard?” Danny couldn’t resist.

“Hmm?” came his sleepy reply.

“I’m just glad you tripped over me.”

Richard’s response was to tighten his arms around her.  

@angrysuitcaseapricotspy @fizzyxcustard @emrfangirl @thophil2941btw

[sorisooyaa]

Time Travel - June 23rd

Pairing: Raymond De Merville x Fem!Reader (?) and Father!Raymond and Daughter!OFC

Movie: The Pilgrimage (2017)

Taglist: @fizzyxcustard @lathalea​

A/N: First, I wanted to say, I did something a little different with this moodboard, Idk how I feel about it, notice the background of it? What do you guys think? Second, ok, look I know there are very rare cases were Indians do have blue or green eyes like for example Aishwarya Rai but for the sake if this little story can we pretend Indians just have the usual brown or black eyes please? Or if didn’t know the fact Indian did indeed have blue eyes (etc.) pretend I didn’t just tell you lol!

There was a lake at the back an old cottage that belonged to my family. My mother forbid me from ever seeking it out, telling me it was dangerous.

But curiosity had gotten the better of me and one night, I did… I seeked it out while my mother slept.

I bend down to the lake, but when I reached out with my hand to touch the surface of still water, another hand just like mine seems to come out of the water and pull me in.

And when I break out of the water, I was instantly gazing into the exact reflection of my own eyes…

I had always wondered from where I had received such starkingly different features from, as the rest came from mother; from my Indian heritage.

Now I knew…

Then, as a sudden lightness hit me, heaving my head, a lost memory found me and voices echoed inside my head.

"Do you regret being with me?"

The voice that answered was one I was all too familiar with… for it belonged to the woman I called mother.

"Yes…"

[austenwilliam]

————————

Tom Hiddleston

Enough is Enough

Pure

Tea and Biscuits

Reindeer Games And Baby Names

Silence Speaks A Thousand Words

Prompt: “People are staring!”

Prompt: “We need to talk about last night.”

Saltwater Whispers

The Lady In Red

It’s All Or Nothing - Part One Part Two

————————

Richard Armitage

Hail Mary - Part One Part Two

To Love is to Let Go

True Passion Knows No Boundaries

There’s Always Rain in a Love Story

Betrayal of the Worst Kind

I Need This. I Need You. [Trigger Warning Attached] 

In Wine There Is Truth (Paul Andrews)

————————

The Hobbit/ Lord of the Rings

Noble Maiden Fair (Thranduil x Reader)

Becoming The Beast (AU! Thorin x Human! Reader) [Rape/Non-con trigger warning].

————————

[pixiedurango]

Ursa - A Rogue’s Tale (part 5)

Part 5: In which Thorin accidentally gets something for the sore (the very sore) eye. And almost a black one, too.

Notes: I used the Dragon Age Inquisition character creator to give Ursa a face, ANYWAY THIS IS NOT A HOBBIT/DAI CROSSOVER Future events will loosely follow the movie version of the Hobbit, but story sets in a good part before the company meets at Bilbo’s house. Feedback, comments, reblogs and any kind of rambling about this is - like always - highly appreciated. Just drop by and start a convo.

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 

5

The traveling days on their way to Hobbiton came and went. Some remained calm and uneventful, some were waiting for them with unpleasant encounters of ill willing men or even orc patrols once in a while. Thorin learned that Ursa was an excellent fighter wielding her daggers sinister and deadly. Fair fights were definitely not her style and at some point he simply stopped being overly worried for her when they encountered another threat.

Some of their days passed without any talk and some of them were filled with conversation.

Thorin always was glad when she asked him about anything dwarven but never forced any history lesson on her when he felt she was not up to it. Most of the time it was not about great kings and wars won or the magnificent craftsmanship of their kin anyway but about mundane things like what dwarves ate, if they farmed and which animals they bred. And how it was to live under a mountain with no sunlight ever giving light to their halls. Sometimes he wondered why she would even want to know things unimportant like this in the first place when there were things like battle history and the long line of Durin regency. But then again he was glad for any kind of interest and willingly answered her questions no matter what. It gave him hope that she would come to take enough interest to stick with her kin once she felt she was welcome now after all the rejection she had to endure in the past. And also it gave him some bitter sweet memories for himself, thinking of times when life under the mountain had been peaceful and unthreatened. In return he frequently tried to find out more about her but most of the time she rather kept it vague and remained overly suspicious. And that obviously for a reason. Thorin was upset more than it probably was reasonable when he learned that she had been living for a while with the elves of Rivendale after running from the human orphanage.

Eventually he grumpily admitted that it probably had been her only chance of survival. Growing up sheltered and at peace after being mistreated and rejected by both: Humans and dwarves. But recognizing a fact did not mean he had to like it.

In the follow they argued all day about how a dwarf could come to like living with elves and how she refused to understand that elves in general were not trustworthy and lacking all honor especially in times of need. It was late afternoon when they finally set camp in the middle of a forest and they both were of such ill mood he did not even care when she tossed her bedroll onto the floor next to the camp fire to come and disappeared between the trees without a word not to mention making herself useful.

She was stubborn and had a temper when she got annoyed. How familiar that seemed, he should have asked himself but didn't because he did not like the answer. That she was simply his stubborn mirror did not occur to him for a second. He had tried to explain but hardheaded as she was she didn't want to listen.  

That was why Thorin didn't mind not seeing her for a while so he did not call for her to come back and do her deeds.

He was angry for so many different reasons. Mainly because there was no way to make her see that he was right. About how wrong and dangerous it was trusting any elven creature.

He'd preferred to rather not speaking with her again until she saw reason. His reason.

Good she was taking a walk. Maybe when they both would calm down she would finally understand that he only cared about her and her well being. As a dwarf. Of course.

First he was not worried she'd run or would stumble into trouble. Firstly she had left her bedroll and a few of her other belongings and secondly she had her daggers with her. She would return. Hopefully bring a bunch of rabbits or squirrels they could grill later. They would go perfectly with a potato stew.  

But soon enough he realized she was not coming back within a reasonable time and so he caught himself checking for noises or movements in the woods, any sign of her return. But she simply didn't.

How long could one dwarf lady pout? Practically forever, as he very well knew from back home. Dwarrowdams could be even more stubborn than their male counterparts and that meant something. He sighed. What if she stepped into trouble instead of just walking around, not wanting to talk to him or even be near him.

A trap, and ambush, outnumbered by beasts. Those lands were dangerous.

He shouldn't have let her run off on her own, now he scolded himself well knowing that she never would have listened as tensed as they both had been. Thorin waited a while longer but nothing happened. So he eventually got up and grabbed for his sword to go looking for her. He hated to leave camp unattended but it was far enough from any road and hidden deep in the spinney so it probably would be alright to be off for a short while.

Following her traces on a hidden path passing a wall of blackberry bushes which were bending from all the large ripe berries they carried.  Nice addition to their stew he thought with a grim smirk but first he would have to find back his missing travel mate and drag her back to camp.

The forest was deep, dark and overgrown and he had to use his sword more than once to widen the path for his broad frame where she just had slipped through. He was a good enough tracker to be able to follow her steps and he was not worried to finally find her in what ever trouble she might have ended up.

That it was rather him being in trouble, occurred to him the moment he spotted her.

Pulling away a branch of thorns he immediately stopped in his urge forward. Like glued to the ground but incapable of dragging his eyes away. He had discovered a hidden glade within the deep forest. A glade with a pond in the middle and that was exactly where she was right now: Inside the pond, swimming. Taking a bath obviously.

Thorin knew he should retreat immediately. So much it was below him to hide in the shadows and lurking after a female. Watching her in the nude as she was unaware of his burning eyes on her that were unable to look the other way.

She had mentioned more than once that she'd literally would kill for a bath and so it was just natural that she had taken opportunity now, taking her time. Pointless musings he did not follow through as they washed across his brain while still staring at her, feeling guilty like a lecher but yet not leaving.

Curiosity mostly. And something way... deeper and darker. More carnal. Lust, most of all. And desire.

More than once he had admired Ursa's dexterity. How fast and strong she was. How beautiful. But there it had ended. Had to end. There was no point thinking about a female because there was no space for this kind of thoughts and feelings. He had one quest and therefore he could not afford in getting distracted by any means. He realized that this aim had already failed and from now on - after seeing her like that - would it be pointless to attempt anyway.

Thorin was 190 years old and had always thought of nothing but his cause and duty. It never had been a question to put that goal first and not letting himself be distracted by anything and least by the temptation of a pretty face and a promising body. The struggles and hardships along the way of reclaiming his kingdom had left him oblivious for the beauty of a female body, he had been sure that neither lust nor marriage were for him.

Maybe a dutifully and carefully chosen strategic connection. An arranged marriage. Later, once he had been reinstalled as the ruler of the dwarven kingdom but actually catching interest in other than political necessities was nothing he had ever thought would be in the cards for him.

And yet here he was. Arguing with himself whether he should simply stay where he was. Or he could dare walk onto the glade to join his comrade take a bath himself along with her as if it was the most normal thing.  Probably he only should opt for a silent retreat with the due respect a lady deserved, never even mentioning that he had seen her, taking the secret with him to the grave.

Thorin could not believe he'd even came to consider - and if just briefly - to go and join her. Impossible! The thought alone was inappropriate. Retreat was the only possible thing to do and he knew that.

But just catching another glimpse of her body before he would go was more tempting than he could fight off.

And so it happened that Thorin Oakenshield, aspiring king of the united dwarven clans stood hiding in the spinney of an overgrown forest like an adolescent dwarfling full of desire, guilt and curiosity peeping on a lady taking her bath.

She was paddling and swimming and finally came to stand up in the thigh high and obviously pretty cold water. Thorin felt his ear tips burn as he realized how perk her nipples stood. He was close enough to see her body covered with goosebumps and she visibly shivered while she continued to rub herself clean with the icy water.

He stood and stared, barely able to breathe. Mainly embarrassed with himself and mortified of probably getting caught peeping on her. But also and even more because she was taking his breath away. She was a beauty, he could neither deny nor ignore it any longer. Her body the exact right mix of sturdy strength and softness. Muscled with defined strong legs and arms. Some adorable squishiness around her belly and really beautiful tits. Definitely more than a handful. Several tattoos were running all across her skin, none of them visible as long as she would wear long sleeves and breeches.

Thorin licked his lips and forced his eyes away once he realized with a muted groan that he was staring at the dark delta of curly hair up where her legs met.

What was he doing?

Lusting after a female. After his comrade, his sister in arms. And he did it without her consent. This alone was most despicable and lacked all honor. He had to be better than that. He was no dwarfling who would have gotten away with behavior like that. He was supposed to be king and he needed to be an example of morals and honor and respectable manners. So finally he took a deep breath and braced himself to silently retreat. She should never know what had happened and he would take this secret with him to his grave hopefully many years from now.

That he would dream of her from now on - as he was sure her beauty had burned itself into his tormented mind - was his burden alone because there was no way to make it unseen and to undo the effect that this few moments had done to his heart.

Usually Thorin would have managed to sneak off in silence but he was way to flustered to actually know what he was doing and so it was no wonder he finally entangled his coat on a thorny branch, tripped and stepped onto a thick dry branch which broke with a loud enough crack to be heard far into the quiet of the forest. As he stumbled around a grumbled curse slipped and he knew he had actually messed this whole thing up.

Of course she had heard him and of course it was only a blink of an eye she needed to actually rush to her daggers and jump after the noises with a furious battle cry, ready to defend herself no matter whether she was properly dressed or not. Thorin turned away, knowing that he was furiously blushing. From her naked presence which he was way to aware of and from the embarrassment of being caught.

“It's me, crazy brat! No one's going to harm you now go and cover yourself!” Thorin growled in a hoarse rumbling voice which seemed not even belonging to him. His head still turned away so he would not have to reveal his eyes to her so she wouldn't see the lust burning in them.

The way he reacted to her made him angry. At himself mainly but of course this was not how it manifested. It all rained down on her.

But Ursa was none to let herself be shouted down.

“You call me crazy while I catch you creeping and peeping on me? Who's the crazy here?” She put her daggers down, but still all tensed and beaming from anger.

“I did no such thing!” Thorin proclaimed and finally slipped out of his coat once more, angrily pulling it free from the silly stubborn thorny branches to eventually toss it onto her since she was not making any effort to turn away and get her own clothes. “I was looking for you since you've disappeared without a word for far too long. I was worried!” “I'm not obliged to tell you about every step I do. I left my stuff in camp, there was no reason to sneak after me, because it was clear I'd come back. Dammit can't a girl just go and take a bath without being harassed?” She was furious but took his coat and wrapped herself into it.

“How could I even know? What your plan was? That there was a pond in the first place... I had no idea. I... was worried and feared you'd fallen into a trap or being ambushed. I... cared for you.”

“And then you ended up in a bush watching me. Very majestic! Creep!” She turned to walk back to where her things were laying on the ground, honestly not caring whether he followed her or went back to camp.

And Thorin did exactly this: He turned on his heels and stomped back to their place for the night, tending the fire and watching his already ill mood going even more downhill after this incidence.

She arrived a few minutes after him, fully dressed again, throwing his coat back at him as if it was infectious and falling down onto her bedroll on the opposite side of the fire, immediately turning away from him, pretending to sleep.

@deepestfirefun @sherala007 @xxbyimm @ritamaltese3 @thophil2941btw @cd1242 @niteowlnest @wardenparker @princecami @shikin83 @zyxst

[linasofia]

Masterlist

Thorin

Business & Pleasure

Thorin Oakenshield x Fem!Reader (Modern AU) Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3 l Part 4 l Part 5 l Part 6 I Part 7 l Part 8 l Part 9 l NYE

Bunnelê

Thorin Oakenshield x Fem!Reader x Raymond de Merville (Modern AU) Part 1 l ...

A Shooting Star

Thorin Oakenshield x OC Vega Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3 l Part 4 l Part 5 l Part 6 l Part 7 l Art

Around the Riverbend

Thorin Oakenshield x OFC

Brothers in Arms

Thorin & Dwalin (platonic)

Among The Stars

Thorin Oakenshield x OC Riin (Crossover AU)

Raymond

Petite Voleuse

Raymond de Merville x OFC Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3 l Part 4 l Part 5 l Epilogue

Le Désir

Raymond de Merville x OC Cecilia Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3

Father Quart

Penance 🧔🏻‍♂️✝️

Father Quart x Fem!Reader Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3

Seven 🧔🏻‍♂️✝️

Father Quart x Fem!Reader

A Piece of Heaven 🧔🏻‍♂️✝️

Father Quart x Fem!Reader

More Than Words🧔🏻‍♂️✝️

Father Quart x Fem!Reader

Our Secret 🧔🏻‍♂️✝️

Father Quart x Fem!Reader

Coming Home 🧔🏻‍♂️✝️

Father Quart x Fem!Reader

Sacrifice 🧔🏻‍♂️✝️

Father Quart x OC Charlotte Part 1 l Part 2

Love Never Dies 🧔🏻‍♂️✝️

Father Quart x OC Palmira Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3 l Part 4 l Part 5

Burning Desire 🧔🏻‍♂️✝️

Father Quart x OC Lucia

Various RA characters

The Night Train

Daniel Miller x Fem!Reader Part 1 l Part 2 l …

Into The Woods

Dr Mikhail Astrov x OFC Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3

The Game

William Farrow x Fem!Reader Part 1 l Part 2

Never Together

John Porter x Fem!Reader Part 1 l Part 2

The Call

John Porter x Fem!Reader

In My Head

Dr. Scott White x OC Emily

The Assignment

Lucas North x OC Lovisa

Richard

The Fire 🔥

Creature (Richard Armitage) x OC Polina

Hunger 🧛‍♂️

Richard Armitage x Fem!Reader

Blood Moon 🧛‍♂️🧛‍♂️

Richard Armitage x OC Sofia x Matthew Clairmont Part 1 l Part 2 I Part 3 l Part 4

Naughty Thoughts 🐴

Richard Armitage x Fem!Reader Part 1 I Part 2 I Part 3 I Part 4

Event

Armitage Summer Splash 2022 Masterlist 💦

Asks

Christmas with Dr. Scott White 🎄

Christmas Eve with Father Quart 🎄

Art

Father Quart x me by @legolasbadass 💙

All pictures from The Man from Rome & Obsession by @enchantzz 💜

Thorin Oakenshield by @legolasbadass 💚

Thorin Oakenshield by @mysandwichranaway 💙

Star Wars

Starflowers

Obi-Wan Kenobi x OC Eliise

[fizzyxcustard]

Hey, I just want to say your covert eyes is such an amazing story. I've cryed at the last chapter. So emotional. The wole story is so exiting! I hope for a good ending or/and it goes for more chapters?

I really am so, so happy that you liked the story. I absolutely love writing for Amy and Lucas, and while I know it’s not a well known fandom, it’s kind of made me very insecure about the fic. So with everything in me, thank you! Thank you for reading, reblogging, drawing these two amazing characters in honour of the fic. And thank you for this. You support has been beyond amazing. Writing this fic has been very isolating, but the few of you who’ve enjoyed it, have helped me.

I adore your art so having artwork inspired by my fic is a huge honour!

The story itself isn’t far from the end now. I’ve got another chapter and a half drafted, but my insecure thoughts and feelings of not being good enough have got in the way for quite a while, hence why it hasn’t been updated since March.

The end is definitely in sight for Covert Eyes, but I do have bits of ideas for further Amy and Lucas adventures. Will I post it? Not sure. We’ll see.

Thank you again, my lovely! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[ao3feed-thehobbit]

Sweetest Fruit

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3c7DJtr

by ImJustFandomTrash

Sir Guy of Gisborne is a regular at your stand within the markets of Nottingham. You're naturally a kind person, so you always strike up a conversation with the deputy, even being kind enough to give him a free fruit of his choosing whenever he visits your stand.

Because of your kindness towards him, it makes Gisborne become interested in you and tend to come by your stand every single day when able. Will Gisborne ever get to be anything more than just a regular customer at your produce stand? What will happen when the Sheriff finds out that Gisborne has taken a liking to one of Nottingham's finest merchants?

Sir Guy of Gisborne x Female! Reader

[Thorin/Richard Armitage tag are just so that more people can see the work. Thorin/Richard Armitage are not mentioned anywhere in this fic]

Words: 2069, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 8 of Richard Armitage & Co.

Fandoms: Robin Hood (BBC 2006), The Hobbit - All Media Types, Real Person Fiction, The Hobbit (Jackson Movies), The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien, British Actor RPF

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/M

Characters: Guy of Gisborne, Reader, OFC

Relationships: Guy of Gisborne/Reader, Guy of Gisborne/You, Thorin Oakenshield/Reader, Thorin Oakenshield/You, Richard Armitage/Reader, Richard Armitage/You

Additional Tags: Friends to Lovers, Romance, Eventual Romance, Fluff, Fluff and Humor, Flirting, Canon-Typical Violence, Violence, Blood and Violence, Blood, graphic depictions of blood, Fix-It of Sorts, Sweet, Slow Build, Slightly slow burn, Eventual Happy Ending, Eventual Smut

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3c7DJtr

[middleearthpixie]

🌹

“Dís, I have faced goblins, orcs, a fire-breathing dragon, and Azog. I’m fairly confident they were far worse than any one man might be.”

~ Brilliant Disguise, the chapter I am currently working on and will hopefully have up soon..

[legolasbadass]

Masterlist

👑 Thorin 👑

A Lifetime Apart (Thorin x OC, Pre-Smaug, rated T) — This fic was written for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2021 for the lovely @gwen-ever​.  [1] [2] [3]

Blame it on the Dress (Thorin x reader, rated E) — ​[1] [2]

The Castle on the Mountain (Thorin x OC, Gothic AU, rated E) — [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Heart of Gold (Thorin x OC, Pre Quest of Erebor, read the whole fic on AO3, rated E) 

In Your Arms (Thorin x reader, rated G)

Just Like the Ones I Used to Know (Thorin, Dís, and Frerin, rated G)

New Pleasure (Thorin x OC Dania, rated E)

The Shadows Which Fire Throws (Thorin, Dís, and Frerin, rated G)

Shelter From the Storm (Thorin x reader, rated E)

Waterfall (Thorin x reader, rated E)

Welcome Home (Thorin x reader, rated E)

📚 Richard and Lorelei Series 📚

Office Hours (Richard Armitage x OC, Professor AU, rated E, read the whole fic on AO3)

Italian Holiday (Richard Armitage x OC, Professor Au, rated E)

Home for Christmas (Richard Armitage x OC, Professor AU, rated E)

💗 Other Characters 💗

Against All Odds (Dís x OFC, rated M, read the whole fic on AO3) — This fic was inspired by the talented @lathalea​'s wonderful art for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2022.

Candlelight (Ori x reader, rated T)

All of my works are also available on AO3. 

If you’d like to be tagged in my fics, let me know!

[crazytxgradstudent]

Hiding Spot (part 2)

“Should we address the elephant, and get it over with?” She asked. Richard, petting Pepper, “mhmm’d” in agreement.

“Okay, look. I’m a therapist, so I talk for a living. I have no fear of talking, so I’d rather just talk and get it out in the open. I am a huge, ginormous fan. But I’m not a crazy fan, you know? Like if I saw you earlier, I’d probably just stalk you from afar, but I’m not even a little brave enough to approach you and ask for a picture. So now, we know who we are, and it’s good, right? We can just be normal. Or I can move to another spot and give you your privacy. I’m sure it sucks being famous and having everyone always trying to get close to you. But you tripped over me, remember? So I wasn’t like, stalking you or anything.” Danny nibbled on a fingernail for a second. “But I can totally move. It’s no biggie. For real.”

Richard cut those vividly blue eyes at Danny, one corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. “You done?”

“Yep,” Danny looked at her shoes. She had a tendency to ramble when she was nervous, and right now, she was nervous as hell.

“I think I’ll stay here, if it’s all the same to you.” Richard huffed out a laugh. “Besides, I think your dog likes me.” Danny looked over, seeing Pepper curled up in Richard’s lap rather contentedly.

“Danny?” One eyebrow cocked, curiously, as Richard spoke again. 

“Short for Danielle.”

“Ah,” Richard nodded. “And I’m Rich. Short for Richard.”

They sat in companionable silence for a few moments, the only sound that of the occasional flight representative calling for something.

“So, do you live in Seattle?” Richard asked, his deep voice breaking the quiet again.

“Oh, no. I live in Texas. I’m on my way to a conference.” With a grimace, Danny looked at her watch, and sighed. “And I’m supposed to be presenting in about 8 hours.”

“I’m sorry,” Richard offered.

“Yeah, it is what it is, right?”

The weather delay had caused all inbound and outbound flights to Colorado to be cancelled, at least until the storm passed. It was going on 3 hours now, with no end in sight to the freak blizzard that had hit the area. As such, passengers were either spread out over the airport, or had taken up residence in nearby hotels. Being that she had a dog, and none of the offered hotels were pet friendly, Danny had opted to remain at the airport. Looking like a homeless woman with all her shit spread around her. She frowned.

“I’m the keynote speaker,” she giggled humorously. “Ridiculous, right?”

“Keynote? Wow. You must be very important in your field.”

“Uhm, no, not really. I just got asked to do it at this particular event. My boss was conveniently sick.” Danny tugged at the blanket, her voice lowering secretively.  “And can I be honest with you?”

“Of course.”

“I’m so glad I’m gonna miss it.” Her voice was quiet, tinged with guilt.

“Why?” Richard queried.

“I hate speaking in front of people. Honestly, I actively try to avoid any kind of public speaking. On any level. And I’ve never done a keynote before, so I feel like I’m gonna fuck it up and fall on my big fat face. Fuck.” Danny, realizing what she said, clapped a hand over her mouth, her cheeks blossoming with color at her easy use of profanity.  Richard started laughing, deep belly laughs that had Danny grinning behind her hand. “I’m super glad you’re laughing at me, Richard!”

“I’m sorry! Truly,” Richard continued laughing, his eyes watering with mirth. “I just think it’s hilarious, because, one, you don’t have a big fat face. And two, I don’t believe for a minute that you’d mess up your speech.” He scratched under Pepper’s chin, his eyes cutting to Danny. “In fact, I think you’d be spectacular.”

Danny snorted to hide her embarrassment. He really was so handsome. And why did he have to be so nice? “You don’t even know me.”

“I’d like to I think I’m a good judge of character, though.” Richard bumped her with his shoulder. “Speaking as one introvert to another.”

“Did you struggle with it? In the beginning?” Danny asked, before quickly holding up a hand. “I’m sorry, don’t answer that. I said I wasn’t gonna ask you about your career, I apologize.”

“No worries,” Richard grinned. He settled back against the wall, relaxing. “And yes, I did struggle, I still struggle. If you ever seen any behind the scenes anything, I think you’ll find me tucked away at the back of the screen. I hate being in the front. It’s still so difficult for me.” He leaned closer, winking. “I actively try to avoid any kind of public speaking myself.”

“But you’re a famous actor.” Danny puzzled. “How does that even work?”

“I just do my thing in front of the camera, and then I scurry away.” Richard shrugged. “Granted, it’s easier the more events I do, but I still don’t care for it much. Acting is one thing, playing to the paparazzi and cameras is another.”

“Hmmm,” Danny mused.

“You can practice your speech on me, if you’d like.” Richard turned to her. “I’d love to hear it.”

“No way!” Danny shook her head emphatically. “Plus, you’d be bored to death.  It’s very nerdy stuff.”

Richard reached over and pulled his cellphone from his pocket. With a grin, he held it up, and pointed at the cover.  The One Ring inscription from the Lord of The Rings stared back at her. Smiling, Danny looked over at her laptop, seeing the same image, only larger, circling the apple.

“I think that settles the nerd debate, does it not?” He tucked his phone back in his pocket, his grin in place.

“I suppose,” Danny sighed…

@fizzyxcustard @thophil2941btw @lamaudite @emrfangirl

[fizzyxcustard]

Just My Imagination.

Masterlist of fan fiction

Fandom: Spooks

Pairings: Lucas North x Original Female Character (Amy Holland)

Warnings: Undercover agents, angst, insecurity, anxiety.

Word count: 5725

Summary: From the imagine: "Imagine that you are on an operation with Lucas North, where you have to use a cover story that you’re in a relationship. Only Lucas plays the part a little too well."

Comments/Notes: Requested by anon. Requested as Lucas x Amy. THANK YOU. You know how much I love writing about Lucas and Amy. This piece was requested to be a romantic comedy, but I’m so sorry to say that it wound up just being angsty again. 

I hope you like the fic. As always, like, reblog and comment if you enjoy. If you wish to be added to any of my tag lists, let me know.

Operation Greenacre. 

Amy looked back over the folder in front of her, memorising all the information inside. Her name while on this operation was Amanda Reynolds, an office assistant in central London at a family law firm. Recently engaged to boyfriend of two years, Ben Waverley, aka Lucas North, her current operation partner. 

Amy and Lucas had been given keys to a one-bedroom flat where they would act out their pretend lives, hoping to gather more inside information from their next door neighbours, a couple who were potentially funding terrorists through their charity. 

“Are you sure you’re okay to do this?” Lucas asked, hovering at her desk. “If you don’t feel comfortable then tell Harry and we can stand you down.”  

“I don’t want to let anyone down,” Amy sighed, giving him an anxious and embarrassed smile. Next to Jo Portman, Amy was the closest in age to Lucas, so could easily pass off as his fiancée. However, Jo was on another operation. 

Lucas pulled a chair across from the desk opposite and sat down next to Amy. “Look, you’ve never done this before, and it’s kind of going against procedure here and taking a risk. You don’t have to say yes just to please Harry or to impress anyone. Your safety and wellbeing comes first.” 

“But the only other person is Ros.” 

“So?” Lucas asked, raising his eyebrows. “Ros and I have had cover stories before where we’ve been in a relationship. We can easily make it work.” 

Amy looked at Lucas and felt the butterflies flap more viciously in her stomach. The man was gorgeous, and in Amy’s mind her being seen as his fiancée was even more inconceivable than Ros taking the place. Ros Myers had the confidence and grace that Amy didn’t. Amy was of short stature, more curvaceous, with short dark hair and what she considered more ‘plain’ features. While Amy had proven herself as a damn good analyst and office based intel officer, her confidence waned when venturing into new situations, or when in the company of Lucas. 

*

Near the end of Lucas’ shift, he tapped on Harry’s door. 

Harry Pearce, government renowned intelligence officer and senior lead of Section D, raised his head. “Yes, Lucas. Come in.” 

Lucas closed the door behind himself and sat down opposite the middle aged man. “I want to talk to you about Operation Greenacre. I don’t think Amy is ready, Harry. I’ve got a feeling that she’s accepted this to try and prove herself to you.” 

“Is this because you’re concerned about having to watch out for her, or a genuine interest in her safety?” 

“I can’t believe you’d ask me that question,” Lucas scoffed. “I’m worried for her, not me. She’s not ready for field work. Can we just ask Ros to do it?” 

“Lucas, Amy has already agreed to this and your documentation is being processed. I can’t stop this from going ahead, and Ros has, as of this afternoon, been put onto Op Hickory. I trust that you’ll be able to help her; the two of you seem to work well together and there’s something about the way she interacts with you. There’s an ease and a trust I sense.”

“I’m not questioning how we work together. I’ve always got on very well with her.” 

Harry saw a very faint blush hit Lucas’ cheeks, which was quite rare for him. Not much seemed to faze him, but this conversation appeared to be bringing out the very first signs that Lucas may have been holding a secret close to his heart. 

**

Amy woke early the next morning and rolled over to see that it was quarter to five. She had only gotten a couple of hours sleep, sporadic through the night. Her mind was ablaze with all the details of her new life she was about to live. 

Amanda Reynolds. Thirty one years of age. Born in Manchester. Older brother named Thomas. Fiancee of Ben Waverley. A gorgeous man like him wouldn’t ever be interested in someone like me….

The thoughts had trailed off many times, departing from the facts she had to memorise. All she could think about was how appearing engaged to Lucas would seem so far-fetched. She had even looked upon the engagement ring many times, wishing that it was all for real. What an absolutely stupid dream. This woman that she was pretending to be, Amanda Reynolds, had a better life than she had ever had. 

**

At around half seven, after showering, pacing her flat with podcasts playing in her ears, Amy heard her front door buzzer sound. It couldn’t have been the postman, as he normally left all mail in the boxes in the lobby. Deliveries weren’t usually this early. 

Amy clicked the intercom. “Hello?” 

“It’s Lucas.” 

Just his voice was like a wave of pleasurable electricity. It ran down her spine and made her smile. “I’ll let you in.” 

As Amy opened her door, she saw Lucas walking up the hallway. He was dressed in blue jeans and a black shirt, with the top two buttons opened. He held something in his hands. 

“I hope you haven’t had breakfast yet, Aim,” he said softly. 

“I thought we were meeting at nine, at the flat,” Amy said stupidly. 

“I just thought you might like to have a bit of food first and relax a bit.” 

Amy let Lucas into her flat, feeling the familiar flutter of nerves begin to descend. 

“Malcolm has organised the moving van this morning, so a lot of the stuff should be there when we arrive later,” Amy told Lucas, stepping into the kitchen, with him just behind. 

“Come and sit down for a bit and don’t think about the op. Relax and take your mind off it.”

Amy looked down at the brown paper bag on the counter and then back up at Lucas, feeling something in her chest, an ache that she had never quite felt before. Not only was he gorgeous, but kind. He actually saw her, and made her feel like she mattered. Or was this purely to try and help her feel more confident to better the outcome of the op? A method of getting the best out of her. 

“Did you manage to get that sketch completed?” Lucas asked, taking a large bite out of a croissant. 

“Oh, I didn’t think you’d remember that,” Amy said. Only a few days earlier and Amy had been sketching a photo of her nephew at her desk in work. It was a gift that she wanted to give to her sister for her birthday. 

**

By the time that Amy and Lucas had made it to the flat where they would be spending at least the next couple of weeks, Amy felt a little more at ease. The two of them greeted the moving men. 

Every now and again, Amy would catch a glimpse of a shimmer of rainbow colours from the corner of her eye, as the sun caught the diamond on her left hand. 

It all felt natural as Amy and Lucas began putting items away after unpacking boxes. However, it all changed, when a tall red-headed woman came to their open door. She tapped on it and stepped over the threshold and into the living room. “Hello?” 

“It’s okay,” Lucas whispered to Amy as they remained together in the bedroom, still opening boxes. “You’ll be fine. I’ll be with you in a minute.” Then he winked at her, watching as her startled face disappeared out of view. 

“Morning,” Amy said, her face beaming at the sight of the redhead. “I’m guessing you’re a neighbour?” 

“I am. I’m Pamela from next door, at number five. I heard we were getting new neighbours. It’s been so long since anyone has lived here, and I was starting to wonder if they’d ever find tenants.” 

Amy chuckled nervously. “I’m Amanda. My fiancée Ben is still in the bedroom trying to put the bed back together, so he should be out in a bit.”

On cue, just as Amy spoke those last words, Lucas appeared and approached. He curled his arm around Amy’s waist and drew her in against him. “Hi, I’m Ben. I hate moving. It makes me do some DIY which is one of my pet hates.” 

As Lucas spoke, Amy was sure that she could feel Lucas’ fingers moving in an almost circular motion against her waist. She could feel heat rising up her body at the sensation of being in such close proximity of him. 

“Is that a diamond I see?” Pamela asked, her dark eyes growing bright. 

Amy raised her hand to show her new neighbour. “We’ve been engaged about two months now.” 

Lucas pulled Amy that tad closer as she spoke, feeling a deep warmth rise upward and fill him. Without even thinking, he placed a kiss on her temple. Her skin was so soft under his lips and he could smell strawberries, no doubt from her shampoo. 

“You’ll have to come over for dinner tomorrow,” Pamela offered. “We always enjoy hosting dinners for our neighbours. Ted is ever the showman.” 

“That sounds lovely,” Amy said, her voice ever so slightly teetering on the edge of nervousness. She could feel the change in her voice now that Lucas was touching her. 

“I’ll let you both get back to it. I’ll see you around no doubt.” 

As Pamela disappeared into her front door, Amy immediately pulled from Lucas. She turned away from him and dashed away into the kitchen, where she flicked on the kettle for a drink. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she could feel her legs shaking. For a few seconds, she watched out of the window, focusing on the clouds and took a deep breath. 

“Are you okay?” Lucas asked. “You did well, Aim.” 

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just a little flustered, that’s all.” 

**

The rest of the day was fairly lowkey, with Amy and Lucas putting the belongings away, which hopefully wouldn’t be needed for too long. At the briefing, Harry and Lucas had explained that they hoped that the undercover part of the op wouldn’t be any more than two or three weeks. Most of it hinged on Lucas being able to wind his way into Ted Delaney’s trust and gain any hints as to his reasoning and motives for working alongside terrorists. 

At around six there was a sharp knock at the door. 

Lucas opened the door, only to see Ted Delaney in front of him. Positive ID made from all the documentation that had been gathered prior to the undercover portion of the op going live. 

“I’m Ted from next door. Pam told me you’d moved in and that she’d invited you to dinner tomorrow. Thought I’d come over and extend my welcomes to you both.” 

Ted Delany was a man who was easily in his mid-fifties. His greying hair was swept back and oiled, and his grey eyes were piercing. His clothing showed that he had money and position: a well-tailored navy suit and shined shoes. 

“Would you like a drink with us?” Lucas asked. 

“Sure,” Ted said, flashing a broad smile. 

Lucas immediately approached the whiskey and vodka bottles that were neatly placed out on a small table next to a large bookcase. 

Amy could hear faint chatter as she remained in the bedroom. For a second, she stood with her back to the wall, took a deep breath and then exited. 

“Hey, babe,” Lucas said, seeing Amy. ‘Babe’ somehow felt wrong in his mouth, and he hoped that to Delaney the word didn’t come across too alien. “This is Ted from next door.” 

“Ted, this is Amanda. The love of my life and wife-to-be.” 

I think that may be a bit too much, Lucas. Amy mused. 

Amy sat down on the black leather sofa which was opposite a matching armchair, where Ted had perched himself. 

Lucas handed the glass of whiskey to Ted and then placed himself down next to Amy. His hand rested on her thigh, again doing that circular motion with his fingers. He looked at Amy, passing her a glance. “Do you want me to get you anything from the kitchen?” 

“You’re missing out on the good stuff, love,” Ted said with a hearty chuckle and raised his glass in the air. 

“No, I’m fine, thank you,” Amy replied. “I’ve never been able to hand alcohol particularly well. It just doesn’t sit well with me.” 

“I remember when we first met, and she tried to impress me by drinking a couple of pints,” Lucas said. “She’s always tried to impress me when there’s no need to. She’s perfect the way she is.” Lucas, on instinct, squeezed her leg. 

Amy felt a rod of red hot head swarm in her head, as if angry wasps were buzzing there. “I always felt I was out of your league, Ben, you know that.” 

“Pam was always like that with me, too. Some women might seem like they have confidence, but deep down they don’t, and feel they need to be something they’re not. In fact, they’ve always been the apple of your eye from the very beginning.” 

Lucas chuckled. “That’s definitely always been the way with her. She doesn’t see how amazing she is.” 

**

Ted only stayed for approximately twenty minutes, before leaving Amy and Lucas for the night. There was a silence that had grown between them both now, and as Lucas remained in the living room, Amy sat in the kitchen with a mug of tea between her arms, which were resting on the table. 

“Aim, what’s wrong?” Lucas asked, finally following her into the kitchen. “You’ve been quiet since Delaney left. Is it making you uncomfortable?” 

Lucas looked down at the table to see the engagement ring. It was in the centre of the table, not on Amy’s hand where it should have been for the op. 

“I can’t wear it, Lucas,” Amy said softly. “Not when it’s not real. I can’t close the door and still have it on my hand. It’s bad enough having to have you touch me.” 

“Amy…” 

“It doesn’t matter what I think. We see this op through and then go back to the grid and get on with things.” 

**

Lucas lay on the sofa, while Amy had the bed, and thought on her words. It’s bad enough having you touch me. Was she disgusted by him? That very thought made his jaw clench and an ache rise in his chest. That was why she had dashed from him when Pamela had been at their door; Amy found him disgusting and couldn’t stand him touching her. And that touch had been real, so real in Lucas’ mind. To hold Amy next to him had felt like everything was perfect, and nothing was an act. The kiss on her temple...that was all from Lucas’ heart. 

Amy tossed in bed, replaying the events. The way Lucas had touched her, and those words. They seemed to be somehow as though he was telling her, behind a mask of someone else, that…. Of course he wasn’t! 

Lucas is good at his job. He’s done this so many times before and played the part well to get what’s needed for the case and then move on. Nothing is different about this operation whatsoever. It’s just my imagination. 

Being in a different bed meant that Amy couldn’t quite get comfortable in the bed, and would keep peering out of one eye at the clock on the bedside table. The bed was big, enough space for her to roll around, but it reminded her of how isolated she felt. Cut off. Unwanted. 

It was just after four ‘o’ clock and Amy knew she wouldn’t sleep any more that night. It was like the night before, just a couple of hours made up of half hour dozing phases. A dull thump was already starting up behind her eyes. As Amy pulled herself out of bed, she heard the whishing of blood in her ears. 

She staggered out of the room and across the living room, heading for the kitchen. There, on the sofa, sprawled out was Lucas. He was on his back, mouth wide open. The patchwork quilt had fallen off him, so Amy tottered over to him, and placed the quilt back over his sleeping form. He twitched as the quilt touched him, let out a loud snore, and then rolled over. 

Amy made a cup of herbal tea and sat in the kitchen, her eyes stinging and head thumping. It seemed as if Lucas slept easily, not worrying about the operation and certainly not about the tension that had risen between them. Was it only Amy that sensed any kind of tension? She was starting to assume it was. 

By the time it had turned half six, Amy got dressed into a fresh strip of clothing, choosing jeans and a frilled white blouse: the attire of Amanda Reynolds. Amy Holland, MI5 analyst, would have opted for jeans and a rock band T-shirt with a waistcoat, or a bright coloured hoodie. Sophistication wasn’t something that Amy felt she had. 

The streets were fairly quiet and Amy slipped into a café, ordering two bagels and two Americano coffees. Then she walked back to the flat, feeling that she could finally find a sense of peace out in the chilled mid-March air. 

By the time Amy got back to the flat, she walked in to find that Lucas had vacated the sofa. She could hear the splashing of bathwater and an offkey singing voice coming from the bathroom. 

Amy giggled and placed the breakfasts down on the coffee table in the living room, waiting for Lucas to re-appear. 

When he finally made an appearance, Lucas sauntered over to the sofa and sat down, leaving a gap between Amy and himself. 

“I hope you like bagels,” Amy said, giving a smile. “You brought breakfast yesterday so it’s only fair I do so today.” 

***

Amy ventured out the flat after breakfast, deciding to get out of Lucas’ way for a few hours. The cover story was that Amanda and Ben were on annual leave for a week while they moved into their new property. Ben, being the owner of his own accountancy firm, had left the company in the capable hands of his best friend, and co-director, Patrick Lange. If any kind of phone call was needed to or from Patrick, Tariq had been asked to step in and lend his vocal skills. 

First off, Amy sat down in a coffee shop and watched people wander past the window; tourists, residents. Some of them she could tell immediately as residents of London, carrying briefcases or dressed sharp for an upcoming meetings. Tourists tended to walk slower, some with cameras around their necks, and gazed around in excitement and wonder. 

Her phone chimed. Well, Amanda’s phone. It was one of the many iPhones that were kept on the Grid specifically for operations, with disposable SIM cards. 

Ben: Are you sure you’re okay? You didn’t seem yourself this morning. Love you. Xxx

Of course all text messages had be sent in character, in case the devices were ever compromised. No personal devices were allowed. One very basic Nokia 3310 model was kept in order to report back to Harry in case any challenges occurred, and that was in Lucas’ possession. 

Amanda: Yes, I’m fine, sweetie. I’ll be back later.  xx

Sweetie. Acting out this whole made-up scenario was angering Amy. 

Amy continued on walking, disappearing in and out of shops. All of the money she had was in physical cash. No personal credit and debit cards were to be used while on operation. Every aspect of who she really was had been erased. For the next two or three weeks, Amy Holland didn’t exist. When she looked into a mirror, Amanda Reynolds looked back. Amy could imagine the reflection smirking at her, the diamond sparkling so brightly on her left hand, with Ben’s arm wrapped around her. Ben’s steel blue eyes looking back, his nose wrinkled in disgust at the mere sight of Amy. 

Like I’d ever look at you twice.

Back at the flat, Lucas put more items away, concentrating on the kitchenware. However, his mind couldn’t stop spiralling into thoughts of Amy. She was confusing him and it was twisting his gut so tight. Suddenly he got up from the tiled floor, where he had been putting pots and pans into the cupboards, and called her. 

“Amanda?” he asked. 

“Ben,” she replied matter-of-factly. 

“Are you alone?” he asked. 

“No one is directly around me.”

“We need to talk on neutral ground.” 

“Please, no. We can talk when I get back.”

“We have to be careful as we can be compromised, you know that.” 

“I’m on my way back now. We’ll talk more after the dinner. I’ll be back in about half hour.” 

The line then went quiet as Amy terminated the call. 

Lucas sighed in frustration. In all the months that he had known Amy, which was almost a year, he had never known her be so aloof. She was naturally a shier person, but he had never known her react like this. 

Amy got back to the flat within the half hour that she had promised. She stepped into the living room to see Lucas sat on the sofa. The gorgeous bastard looked up at her and smiled sadly. 

“After the dinner, we’ll go for a walk,” she proposed. 

***

Amy and Lucas prepared themselves for the dinner with their new neighbours at around six. 

Lucas was dressed in a black suit jacket and white shirt, with the top two buttons popped open. It was complimented nicely with a pair of dark jeans, giving a casual edge. 

Amy stepped out of the bedroom, her short pixie cut freshly washed and neatly brushed. She wore a black dress with frills on the wrist, and paired with black dolly shoes. Her whole look was sophistication mixed with a sense of comfort. 

As Lucas looked at her, he swallowed hard. She was wearing a dark eyeshadow and mascara which accented her deep green eyes perfectly. He could sense her discomfort at the get-up, knowing that this wasn’t her usual style, but he couldn’t help feel it suited her so well. 

Amy tried to avoid eye contact and made her way to the door in silence. 

Lucas followed on behind, feeling his stomach twist yet again at her distance from him. He grabbed a bottle of wine from the table by the door, and then closed it behind them. 

Pam was the one to answer the door. She grinned at her new neighbours and let them in. “Take a seat. Dinner won’t be too long now. I’m preparing smoked salmon, topped in my special sauce. Chef’s secret as to the recipe. Everyone who has ever tried it has raved over it.” 

“Good man!” Ted exclaimed, taking the bottle of red wine from Lucas. “Priorities.” 

Amy glanced around the living room, noticing that there was far less in it than hers and Lucas’ temporary abode. The flooring was wooden, and the lights bright. Everything felt too clean and sterile for Amy’s liking. She sat down on a black leather sofa, and then tensed as Lucas perched beside her. He took her hand and rested it on his knee, then caught her gaze and smiled, giving her a very slight nod. 

“So, how did you two meet?” Pam asked, preparing glasses as Ted popped open the wine bottle. 

“Do you want a coffee? You said last night you don’t drink,” Ted asked Amy, interjecting himself into the conversation before anyone else could speak. 

“Oh, yes, please. That would be perfect,” she replied with a grateful smile. 

Lucas began to talk, still holding Amy’s hand. He rolled out the spiel that he and Amy had been given as part of their briefing pack. Amanda and Ben had met through mutual friends at a Christmas party. 

The words rolled effortlessly off Lucas’ tongue, Amy mused. And how she wished all of it was true. To be loved, wanted, proposed to, lived with. She desperately wanted it all. Life was cruel. Rather than be dealt such a lucky hand, she instead had to act it all out, pretend, and live behind a happy mask, where her heart beneath was breaking. 

“You definitely struck lucky, love,” Pam told Amy with a wink. 

The conversation between Lucas and Ted seemed to flow without much thought. However, Lucas’ hand moving up Amy’s thigh, curling further into the inside of her leg. 

Shivers began to race up Amy’s spine as she felt his fingers caress her skin through her thin tights. 

Most of the conversation seemed to merge into a mindless chatter as Amy concentrated on Lucas’ hand on her leg. She studied the veins in the back of his hand, which then caused images of him touching her in more intimate places to flicker through her mind. 

By the time that dinner was ready and the group had moved into the dining room, which again was a sterile looking room, Lucas had finally got onto the topic of conversation that he needed: Ted’s work. 

The table was only small, considering that the flat was large. It gave way for more kitchen space and cabinets. This meant that Amy was sat directly next to Lucas again, with Pam and Ted opposite them. 

“How long have you owned the charity, Ted?” Lucas asked, slipping into his seat. 

Ted began to answer while Pam laid out all the dishes in the centre of the table, her hands covered in oven gloves. “The charity was actually started by my father, who died five years ago, so it was handed down to me. He always spent his life helping disadvantaged children; it was all he cared about.” Something flickered across Ted’s face. Resentment, anger? Lucas couldn’t quite tell. But maybe that was where he could probe further. 

“Are you alright, love?” Pam asked, sitting down directly opposite Amy. “You look a bit pale.” 

“It’s probably the new foundation I’m using. I decided to try a lighter colour as the one before, by Clinique was too dark.” Where had that response come from? Maybe Amy wasn’t quite as bad at this acting while undercover thing as she had originally thought. Suddenly she felt something on her leg and jumped. Thankfully, Pam had started talking to Lucas and Ted again, so none of them noticed her jump. Why was Lucas touching her leg? Their lower halves were concealed beneath the table, which meant he didn’t have to touch her in order for anyone to believe they were lovers. 

While Amy eat her meal, she couldn’t stop thinking about Lucas’ hand coming back to her leg. 

“So, how did you choose to propose?” Pam asked, grinning. “I always adore love stories.”

Lucas blushed and then looked at Amy, catching her gaze. Then, he touched her leg again. Only this time, Amy didn’t flinch. In fact, upon instinct, she leaned her leg into his touch. “I just knew that I couldn’t live without her in my life. I wanted to wake up next to her, have kids with her. Cliché, I know. So I took her away for Christmas, to New York where she’d always wanted to go, and proposed in front of the Statue of Liberty.” His eyes were still locked on hers as he spoke. 

A sudden wave of nausea hit Amy and she leaned to the side, away from Lucas. 

“Are you okay, babe?” Lucas asked. “She’s been like this on and off the last couple of days.” 

Pam’s bright blue eyes lit up in excitement. “Maybe it’s the pitter patter of tiny feet.” 

“I’m going to have to head back to the flat. I’m so sorry to both of you,” Amy said, bolting up from her seat. 

Lucas got up beside her and wound his arm around her waist. “Sorry to leave so abruptly, but she comes first.” 

“Of course,” Ted chuckled. “We’ll have to re-schedule for a better time.” 

Amy and Lucas bid their farewells to their guests and head back to the flat. Amy dashed inside and raced to the bathroom, slamming the door. Rather than vomiting, she got to her knees on the floor and felt the tears of sadness roll down her cheeks. 

The door opened and Lucas stepped inside. He looked down as she sobbed and fell to his knees beside her. “Aim, what’s wrong?” he whispered. “You’re scaring me.” 

“You don’t have to keep the act going, Lucas,” she snapped, glaring at him. “Pam and Ted aren’t here.” 

“Get dressed into something more comfortable and warmer. We’ll go for a walk,” Lucas said, his voice becoming authoritative. 

“I don’t want…”

“While we’re on this operation, I’m the senior officer. Please get changed and we’ll go for a walk.” Lucas felt a stab of shame as he spoke those words, knowing he was using his own position for gain, but he needed to know what was happening. Her behaviour was becoming more erratic. Not only was she worrying him for her wellbeing, but if she continued to act like this then the op would be compromised. 

Fuck the operation! I care more about her. 

Fifteen minutes later and Amy walked beside Lucas, the darkness and cold evening air wrapping tight around them. Once they were a few streets away from the flat, Amy and Lucas sat down on a bench in a small park. 

“You really are scaring me, Amy. What’s wrong?” he asked quietly. “This is me asking because I care for your wellbeing. It’s not an act.” The word ‘act’ dripped with anger. He noticed that, yet again, she’d taken the engagement ring off. 

Amy noticed him look at her hand. “I can’t wear that ring, Lucas. Please don’t make me wear it when I don’t have to.” 

“We’re on surveillance and undercover twenty-four seven with this operation. You shouldn’t take it on and off when you please like this. This goes deeper than that, Aim. I know you hate me touching you, and I’m sorry I have to do it.” 

“I know it’s all an act for the op, Lucas. Don’t apologise.” 

“Is it all an act?” he asked. His gaze locked on Amy’s. “I know I shouldn’t have touched you under the table. There was no need for that. The truth is, none of this has been an act for me.” 

Amy’s eyes were wide in shock and sadness as she stared at him. “It’s not just my imagination?” she whispered. 

“No,” Lucas replied with a smile. “And when you said about not wanting me to touch you…”

“I didn’t mean that I didn’t want you to touch me. It’s I…I’ve liked you for a while Lucas, and it was getting too much. Playing it all like a game when deep down it’s something I want. I’m living another woman’s life that I want.” 

Lucas slipped closer to Amy and cupped her cheek with his hand. “Is it me or Ben Waverley that you want?” 

“Of course it’s you I want.” Amy replied, her face broad with a huge smile. 

Lucas moved even closer to her still, until their lips touched. The kiss started as a simple peck, a moment of uncertainty, but Amy’s hand tugging Lucas’ jacket spurred him on. The kiss grew deeper, their tongues meeting and warmth rising. 

As they both parted, Lucas smiled upon the slight of Amy’s beautiful flushed cheeks. She looked so innocent and angelic in those moments; her eyes sparkling in happiness, her cheeks flushed and her lips plump. 

“Does this mean that if you want Amanda’s life that you’re planning on leaving MI5?” Lucas chuckled. “Pack up and go work as a solicitor’s secretary. We’d miss you.” 

“Maybe I don’t want that part of her life.”  

“If we do this, Aim, and have a relationship, we won’t be put together undercover again, you know that, don’t you?” Lucas asked. “Harry can’t risk any compromise. We’d be a weakness to each other.” 

“Maybe on this op we can draw strength from each other. It’ll definitely make the act easier to keep up.” 

Lucas and Amy walked back to the flat hand in hand. The whole time and Amy was beaming, unable to hide the happiness she was feeling in those moments. Her gaze would drift down to their joined hands every few minutes. 

Back at the flat, Lucas let Amy in ahead of himself, his hand brushing against her lower back. He followed on behind her and closed the door. The way she turned to face him and looked up smiling, her cheeks still flushed, made his heart skip and his stomach flutter. She was so beautiful, with innocence shining brightly in her eyes and love curling her lips upwards. 

Lucas stepped forward and wound his arm around her waist, drawing her in and then leaned down to kiss her again. 

Their kiss grew hot very quickly, with their bodies entwining. 

Amy opened her eyes slowly, looking up into the silver blue depths of Lucas’ gaze. That all too familiar smirk began to form in the corner of his mouth. 

Amy slipped out of his hold and walked slowly into the kitchen, looking down at the table. The engagement ring was still in the centre where she had left it. 

Lucas moved around her and picked up the ring. Then he gently lifted her left hand. “I know you don’t want to wear it, Aim, but please do this for me.” 

With a sigh, Amy watched as Lucas slid the diamond solitaire ring onto her hand. It felt as though the ring had been sized perfectly and belonged there. “Maybe one day I’ll have someone doing it for real.” 

Lucas smiled sadly, feeling a lump form in his throat. Words swarmed in Lucas’ mind. Just one sentence to respond to Amy’s sad comment. But the right one would not come. Instead, he remained quiet. Perhaps one day it might have been him putting a ring on her hand, and meaning it. However, for now, he would have to wait and see, and hope for that future to come. 

***

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Covert Eyes (22)

Prologue| Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6| Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21

Masterlist of fan fiction

Fandom: Spooks

Pairings: Lucas North x OC (Amy Holland)

Warnings: Stalking behaviour, anxiety, language, sexual references, angst, smut, heartbreak, gunshot wounds and recovery, abduction, hostage situation.

Summary: Lucas takes notice of a young woman, Amy, but his obsession and want to get to know her begin to spiral out of control. Amy is now working for MI-5, after being recruited by Ros. But will her involvement with Lucas cause even more problems and heartbreak?

Amy has now gone missing; will Lucas get her back home safely?

Official soundtrack list:  here

Comments/Notes: If you wish to be tagged in any of my tag lists for fics or characters, please let me know, and stipulate what you want to be tagged in.

Key words/terms which people may not understand:

DVLA - "Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency' which is a government department in the UK and handles all driving licences, registrations and car tax.

ANPR - "Automatic numberplate recognition"

Amy was bound at her wrists and ankles and perched on a chair, with the rope around her wrists, binding her to the chair. She grimaced and squinted as the bag was pulled from her head and an intense light was shone in her face. Had she been knocked out? She couldn’t quite remember what had happened once she’d passed The King’s Head and felt someone drag her down the adjoining backstreet. Everything turned black and then she woke in this place. There was a dull thump in the back of her head and she had a bitter taste in her mouth.

“Amy Holland,” a voice came. 

She could see the outline of someone from behind the light and they began to move closer towards her. By now and the light was hurting her eyes; every time she blinked and it felt like a stab of raw pain behind her eyelids. 

“If you co-operate then you’ll be fine,” the voice came again. It was an American man’s voice. “I want Lucas North. He’s the reason my sister is dead. She tried to warn you against him but, of course, you wouldn’t listen. So maybe this will wake you up.”

“Wake me up to what?” Amy replied. “How horrible of a man he is? It’ll take a lot more than that to make me think anything but that Lucas is an amazing man and I love him. You can’t take that away from me.” 

“He’ll definitely come and look for you though, won’t he? Play the doting fiancée and the hero so he can impress you.” 

“He’s already impressed me,” Amy hissed. “What exactly is your plan here?”

“See how far Lucas will go for you, and then I can kill him with my bare hands.” 

“I think you underestimate…”

“I don’t think you’re in the prime position to tell me I’m underestimating MI5. I have far more experience with the British security services than you. You started in November, and you seem to think you know everything about them. I’ve worked in intel for most of my life, and I know how your team work, darling.” 

The adrenaline was pumping in Amy’s body as she looked up into the grey eyes of Sarah Caulfield’s vengeful brother. Her fight or flight system had come online, ready to push her into further danger or pull her from it. She could feel tears stinging her eyes, threatening to fall down her cheeks. Her heart was racing, but she inhaled deeply, trying hard to somehow relax herself. Pulling against the bindings was of no use. 

‘Caulfield’ as Amy referred to him in her mind, soon left her alone in the darkness again. All she had was her thoughts of Lucas, whom she knew would have realised she was missing. Their living arrangement and schedules was something both of them had become so used to now, that Amy knew Lucas couldn’t have overlooked any changes or slight deviations. 

In the darkness and she replayed the times when they laughed together in bed, and he would tickle her under the duvet. But it would soon turn into a more serious moment and they would eventually make love. Caulfield surely could only go by what his sister had disclosed to him, and had no idea just how loving and gentle of a man Lucas North really was behind closed doors. She knew with her whole heart that he would get to her. Nothing would stop him fighting to save her. She had no place for doubts at this point. She kept her mind focused on Lucas and the words dum spiro spero: while I live, I hope. 

***

Back at the grid, Lucas had been working constantly for nearly two days. He was running on pure adrenaline now, unable to let any kind of fatigue take over. All that mattered was Amy. He hadn’t showered, shaved, changed his clothes and barely eaten. All he had managed to eat was a chocolate bar out of Amy’s desk drawer. 

“Lucas, go home tonight,” Harry said, coming to his desk. “And that is an order. We’re all on this.” 

“Harry, how can I?” Lucas said, looking up at his boss with dark circles growing around his ice blue eyes. “I know Sarah’s behind this, or at least someone connected to her.” 

“At least go and have a shower, change your clothes, get something to eat.” 

Lucas travelled back to his and Amy’s flat upon Harry’s final demand. He entered the quiet flat, sighing as he did so. Everything made him think of her: the Disney figurines, the Tinkerbell mug which was still on the coffee table, the pair of pink, fluffy slippers which had been left in the hallway. The hallway – the place he’d made love to Amy for the first time. He could feel her gripping onto him, hear her gentle moans against his ear, feel her soft skin and smell her honey shampoo. 

If she dies, what else do I have? 

Lucas sat down on the edge of their bed and picked up a jumper of Amy’s, and as he lifted it to his nose, he could smell her perfume on it: Olympia by Paco Robbane. It was the very thing that made him aware of her presence in the coffee shop over a year ago. The sweet scent had hit him suddenly, and he turned to see her, sitting alone in the back corner of the café, doodling in her notebook. Then it was her green eyes that attracted him first; large and bright. For a few days and Lucas had battled in his mind with why he had become interested in her. She was not the kind of woman he would have normally become interested in or involved with. Sophisticated, independent and sharp women were the ones he normally found himself in relationships with. Amy was independent, yes, but she didn’t possess an obvious air of sophistication and was not sharp tongued, unless angry. She was softer, non-assuming, and unique. 

Lucas bowed his head and wept. His one chance at a normal life, and it was being ripped away from him again, threatened by someone who could not let go of the past. 

***

Amy had no idea how much time passed. She was left in a dark room, with her captors only coming to her to allow her to relieve herself in a bucket, or to offer food and drink. Lucas’ face was the main thing that Amy saw in her mind; he was smiling at her, his voice wrapping around her, telling her how strong she was. She held on to that, knowing that he would come for her. One way or the other, Lucas would come. 

Caulfield came back to Amy, and once again, she had no idea how long it had been since he last spoke with her. As soon as he spoke, she felt her ears prickle as her hearing had become heightened due to the lack of light. The only noise she had had as company was the odd tap of someone from another room, or the sound of her breath. 

“MI5 should be aware of your disappearance by now, Miss Holland. And no doubt your boyfriend will sweep in to save the day, giving me the opportunity to take him down. This is personal, and it’s just a shame you got caught in the crossfire.” 

Amy remained quiet. Nothing she said would be of any use; this man seemed to enjoy the sound of his own voice, spilling his revenge talk bullshit. 

***

Everyone on the Grid worked long hours to get Amy home. It had been two days now since she was last seen. Lucas was quiet, with his jaw clenched constantly. No one dared approach him, unless it was something helpful to the case. 

On the afternoon of day two, Lucas’ phone rang. ‘Unknown number’ flashed on the screen. 

“Yes?” Lucas asked, inhaling sharply. This could only be in connection with Amy. Why else would an unknown number call his work mobile? 

“Lucas North.” Not a question. A fact. Whoever was calling was only stating that they knew they had the right number. “Will send coordinates. Come alone. If anyone else comes with you, we’ll shoot her. Leave your phone behind; we’ll know if you have it.” The accent was American, and the voice male. This was someone connected to Sarah Caulfield. He knew it. 

Before Lucas could muster words, the line went dead. 

Lucas rushed into Harry’s office, relaying the details of the call. “I need to go on my own, Harry.” 

“We need to make sure you can be tracked,” Harry demanded. 

“This is the CIA. I know they’re connected to Sarah Caulfield. Whoever was calling, is American. They’ll have metal detectors and know if I’m being tracked. This is between me and them.” 

***

Amy was sat in darkness. The bindings had started cutting into her wrists and her arms ached, being pulled behind her back. The pain had been getting worse in the last hour or two and it was beginning to spread up her back and into her neck. The only time she was free of the bindings was when she needed to relieve herself or was eating, and even then, a man sat directly in front of her wearing a balaclava, making sure that she couldn’t run. 

She let out a groan and tilted her head back. Her eyes focused on the darkness, her gaze falling further into it. In her imagination, she could feel Lucas stood just behind her, his lips trailing down her cheek and his arms wrapped around her middle. “I love you, angel.”

Time continued to pass. People came and went; that much she knew from the sound of doors opening and closing. There were muffled voices from the other side of what she felt was a metal shutter door. Whenever there had been any light shone toward her, she’d made out what seemed to be a factory-type environment. Voices in the room echoed, signalling that she was in a large space. More than likely she was still in London somewhere, stuck inside a factory unit. 

More waiting. Food was served to Amy; porridge, later followed by a cheese sandwich. She’d had at least two lots of breakfast now, so she’d been in this place for two days. 

Suddenly, a door opened from behind Amy. Voices drifted through into the open space and one of them she immediately recognised. “Lucas?!” she called. 

“Amy?” he called back. 

“Shut up, Superman!” Caulfield snarled. “Just get the fuck in there.” 

Lucas cried out in pain, his calls echoing. 

Amy whimpered for him. 

A light was shone again, blinding Amy. She gasped and lowered her gaze away from the light. Slowly she opened her eyes again, wincing against the ache. She could hear scuffling, grunts and could see the very vague outline of figures, all haloed by the light. 

Lucas was dragged to a seat and bound to it, just like Amy was. He could see Amy sitting a short distance away from him, and as the men walked away, he pulled himself up, the chair hanging against his bindings and he scooted over to her. 

Amy heard him whisper her name and just before the light disappeared, she saw the outline of his features, immediately recognising that profile. She pulled toward him and drew her cheek against his, immediately beginning to weep. Just the sound, touch and smell of him made an innermost peace wash over her. His cologne wafted up her nose and she felt the tickle of his growing stubble against her cheek. Unable to embrace, Lucas and Amy kissed in the darkness. 

As Lucas kissed down her face, he could feel her tears against his lips. “I promise to get us out of here, angel.” 

“He said he wants you,” Amy said. “But don’t you dare play some heroic so we get split up. We’re getting out together, or not at all.” 

Pride and love swelled inside Lucas’ chest. “I love you so much,” he replied. 

*** 

Back on the Grid, Malcolm and Tariq had been going over every piece of CCTV footage they could find, piecing together a partial vehicle registration number from a white van that was seen one street away from Amy’s abduction point. That was all they had to go on. Lists of vehicles with that same description and last three letters on the plate were run through all DVLA databases. This line of enquiry came to a dead end. Until Ros noticed a small van, only just visible at a junction in a southerly direction from the street where Amy disappeared. 

“There! I can just see the very edge of a light from the back of a vehicle. Malcolm, try and get footage from the angle looking down the junction and straight at the back of the vehicle.” 

“On it,” Malcolm said. 

A short while later and Malcolm had found that it was a small van which was registered to a window cleaning business. Also, it was noted that five minutes after Amy disappeared from view, the van moved. Two men, wearing all black clothing were seen getting into the van. 

Malcolm continued digging into the details of the vehicle and the paper trail that it was leaving behind. “The van is registered to Ace Window Cleaning, operated and owned by Robert Anderson. I’ve mapped out through ANPR data where the van has been and which properties it’s been seen doing business with. One of them was the ground floor flat of Martin Page. And with a little more magic, I can confirm that Martin Page is an alias that is used by CIA agent Randall Blanchard, known colleague and field partner of Simon Caulfield, older brother of Sarah Caulfield.” 

“Lucas was right,” Ros said simply. “Track the ANPR data of that van. Get everything you can on where it’s been the last two days since Amy was last seen. One of the agents obviously paid off Robert Anderson for use of the vehicle, hoping it wouldn’t be traced back to either one of them. Little do they know, we’ve got a lot of fancy tricks up our sleeves.” 

***

Amy rested her head against Lucas. Every now and again, she would feel him kiss her head. 

A night vision camera was hovering above them, and in another part of the building, in a sterile-looking white room, Simon Caulfield watched on. He stared at the monitor and then turned to his partner, Randall Blanchard. “Have you sent the package yet?” Simon asked. “First class?” 

“All done,” Randall replied, taking a mouthful of bitter coffee from the paper Costa cup in his hand. 

“We all know how doting Mommy and Daddy are with their little girls.” 

“What exactly do you want to do with them?” Randall asked. 

“Play with them a little, I guess. And then kill him. We’ll both get our revenge for what he did to Sarah.” 

***

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