Well, Ros might not have been charmed by Lucas, but she seems to be warming to him. And Lucas may find himself having a much harder time getting to know Ros than she has had getting to know him, but it looks like they're learning to understand each other.

Love the humorous banter right there at the end!

It's been long enough since I've watched this show that I can't recall what parts actually happened on screen and what you've been inventing. I can tell, however that you've worked the plot into your original material brilliantly. I've noticed that a lot of people, when they're pulling material directly from a series, revert to an almost flat, reportorial style That lacks the style and descriptiveness of their ordinary their usual writing and dialog reads more like a script with the characters speaking and no comment on their actions. So I really appreciate that you weave your original work and the shows together so seamlessly.

“... the metal door to the roof screeched like an ill-tempered parrot... ” What a wonderfully evocative description! Even if you've never been in the same room as a live parrot, let alone an ill-tempered one, you know exactly what that sounds like! Don't be surprised if I steal that phrase someday.

For some reason, I was a little surprised by the decision to write this chapter from Ros's point of view. It makes me curious about what's coming next.

This is going back to the previous chapter, but I'm still stuck on the two grocery shopping trips and wondering exactly how Malcolm came to be the one shepherding Lucas through the shops on the second try. Was he assigned to help Lucas reintegrate? Or did Lucas call him, admit he was struggling and ask for help? I would love to have seen that conversation. Happened to write a one shot of it did you? Maybe it could be a three-chapter short with the two grocery shopping trips book ending it. If you have written it or ever do, please let me know!

Found this story in my favorites. I can only imagine that it interested me when I came across it, but I didn't have time to read it.

I like the start, and I like Lucas's assessment of Ros. Some of the little indications that he's still adjusting to being home, like the inability to sleep in a soft bed, for example seemed a bit familiar, like they might be from the show, or I might have seen them in other fic or even with other characters in different fandoms. But some of them, like his thoughts on the uses of bed sheets and the newly developed sweet tooth are really inspired. The challenge of grocery shopping is a familiar story for convicts even in their own land, but that little touch with Malcolm chaperoning him on the second trip and making sure he got the necessities and was able to pay for them was absolutely lovely. You're doing a good job of representing what it must be like for a prisoner returning to freedom after eight years. At least I think you are, but I have no experience for comparison.

Great series, I think you were very true to the characters and their "voices"

me likey.

Stumbled across this one and was dead impressed. Well written, well reearched, characters distinct and well voiced. This is what I come to fanfic for - the missing chapters of the stories I love.

Well done!

"Considering how few brains Stephen Hillier seemed to have possessed, they'd left a hell of a mess on my clothes." LOL! I love your Ros, and that is saying quite a lot considering I didn't like her much on the show.

I pushed open the door and gave him my sweetest smile, the one that made even Harry take a step backwards. … This gave me a chuckle, too. Ros does have a scary smile.

Is there a sequel?

Then I distracted her by suggesting she might like to try and make us something to eat, reflecting as I did just how withering a comment Ros would have made about my sexist attitude had she been there to hear me...This actually made me laugh aloud. If Sarah's whinging and questions were like tinnitus, Ros's quietly uttered retort would have blistered his ears.

Sarah was smiling shakily, and Ros's face looked like a distant relative of one of the heads on Mount Rushmore, but it finally reassured Dean. He grinned…."That old witch as scary as she looks?"…"More so," I assured him, and clapped him on the shoulder. "But I've got protection. So let's move."...Rofl. You've done a great job of capturing the dry wit of Spooks.

Somewhere under the urbane charm, there was a streak of caveman hidden in Lucas North.

I have been reading right along and really enjoying the story. This is such a brilliant line I just had to comment. This is just how I see him. In fact, I am working on a fic where I mention his caveman side. I think it goes with being English and being raised to be a gentleman. Don't make a fuss. Look after the women and children first. When those two rules come into conflict, the women and children come first. Very chivalrous.

I generally try to avoid works written in first person, but that was absolutely wonderful! The characterisation was perfect. I loved it

Exceptionally well-written story! I loved the little touches, like when Lucas could remember the name for a concept in Russian, but couldn't remember the English equivalent. I liked the description of Ros's bedroom, and the way that you created camraderie and intimacy between them without making them lovers. It really felt like all the scenes you inserted, all the descriptions of how the characters must have been feeling, fit in perfectly with canon. Excellent job. Thank you!

This is by far one of the best fictions I have read on Spooks fandom. Its well written, flows easily well within canon, characterization is fairly accurate and is just plain wonderful read.
Stories like this gives a sense of satisfaction to the overall series and when I rewatched couple of episodes after reading this, it gave me a sense of completion. So thank you and kudos to what you have managed to achieve with your story.

Season 9 came as a disappointment to the characterization of Lucas North but I am looking forward to read your take on it. I can bet it will be as good as this one.

Keep Writing!

Oooh, I am really enjoying this! I've taken the long weekend to have a series 7 re-watch and count myself lucky to have found your fic!

I love how you capture those fleeting glimpses of a softer, more vulnerable Ros