Where All The Lost Spooks Go fic

[dweomeroflight]

Title: Where All The Lost Spooks Go
Fandom: Spooks
Characters: Ruth/Harry, set just after 5.5
Word Count: 2100 words
Rating: PG
Notes: So I wanted to write an AU fic where all of the best Spooks met up. I thought this would be light hearted but I forgot about what writing Ruth is like. I never thought I'd write for this fandom again AND NOW I AM

Comments

[lyssie]

This is so lovely.

The way it all inter-weaves with everyone and that last moment. The change in plan.

That you didn't leave anyone out (and thank you for breaking my heart again over Adam and Wes and Fiona, because that's still one of the sadder stories). The round-up at the end is enough to make me sniffle.

Oh, Ruth. So lost and alone, but not really--she still has her own wits about her, and I love that.

=D
GAH.I meant to add: I also really like that it feels like it's building to something and then we get to the end. And it's that perfect ending where you know things can move forward now.

[dweomeroflight]

I am so glad you liked! I haven't ficc'd in over 12 months. I was scared I'd forgotten how! And the last multi arc fic I wrote was 2 years ago!

I was trying to link the past in with present circumstances :)

Yes, Adam and Fiona and Wes were the closest thing Spooks came to a functioning family and functioning spy- maybe that's why so many enjoy s4?

I love Ruth. I hated stupid s9 and 10 but God I still love Ruth. I wish she were my character. Ruth was always lonely and messed up but somehow still so quick witted, genuinely smart and very, very moral in a way that wasn't grating at the same time. She really was the bleeding heart at the centre of the early Grids.

Awww <3 Thanks for saying it's a perfect ending! I hope you enjoy the next chapter!

[lost_spook]

Very good! I do like the look back at Ruth and all the team; it works very well - all small, sharp details.

:-)

[dweomeroflight]

Alas, you did not guest star... yet XD

I hope you come back for Chapter Two!

[lost_spook]

:lol: I once had a nightmare I was in Spooks. My brain objected so much to the idea that I turned it into Downton Abbey.

(I don't know whether it was the knowledge that I was a useless spy or the fear of being killed that was worse. ;-D)

[dweomeroflight]

My Mum's biggest fear was that I would join ASIO (Australian MI6) because I always have loved secret codes and mysteries and foreign cultures and languages. Her fear never came to pass as I am far too left wing for a secret service. I'd never make it past vetting.

Besides, I have an innate inability to tell a lie. The only thing I could do would be an early Ruth desk/analyst job and the most I could lie is like Ruth did in 4.10 using something semi real.

[nightbulbs]

(I still suck at reviews. Basically: "yay, new Spooks fic from M and it's about Ruth and it's amazing - Spooks feels!!!!!!")

Great writing, as always.
I especially loved this: In a new kitchen and with a new name, will she replicate the scene; fingers splaying, eyes soft? Will she dispense of irritations with a well chosen aphorism, wear out the carpet with her pacing? With the passing of time and in love with a ghost, will she morph into him?

I need to rewatch 5.5 because I'm not sure which bits of dialogue are canon and which are yours but either way I loved how Ruth is reminded of everyone and imagines what will happen to those she leaves behind and how insightful her thoughts are, even when she is crushed by what's happening to her. So very Ruth.

Now I need to know what happens next and how AU this will be! :)

[dweomeroflight]

YOU NEVER SUCK AT REVIEWS! Haha aww I'm glad you missed me writing them! I almost think this one might be better than that AU s9 fic I wrote. I dunno. NOW WRITE ME YOUR AU SQUEE!!!

I think my writing has improved in the last year- mainly because of trying to write poetry and finish and edit novels. That's one great thing- you can always get better :)

Um M- don't ask me. No kidding. I didn't want to rewatch anything because I'm leaving that for our own rewatch in a few months time. I have no idea what's canon and what's not. I was thinking about this. One of the obvious downsides of Spooks, is their disinterest in filling in character gaps eg Ruth's feelings about exile, Ros' feelings about being the one to exit Ruth, Beth, Tariq, Erin, Dmitri, Collum, Malcolm in relation to a bunch of different exits post Colin, Jo prior to being raped etc But on the flipside, the truly great thing about this is that there are literally thousands of AU's ficcers can write. Thousands because when you add in shit like Lucas is John, Adam post Fiona

[nightbulbs]

Ofc I did, and I missed the fandom and Spooks talk with the gang! I expect the fandom to come back to life for a while with "The Greater Good", but I know I'll probably only watch it to point and laugh at the lack of beloved past spooks and the fact that Kit Harington won't be half as good as Tom or Lucas. So I'm glad we still get to discuss Ruth and all our faves - looking forward to that rewatch

[dweomeroflight]

I miss Spooks fandom with you and Nia too! And it was kind of sad too because Series 10 legitimately ruined Nicola for me for basically two full years because I was so disappointed in what happened and yeah (silly I know). I only got over my crushing (and irrational) rage with her when I watched s3 of Scott and Bailey late last year.

I'll watch the film too. Maybe we can do a watchalong and mockity mock.

Oooh 9.8 Ruth/Lucas. I think I remember you talking about that. That scene was legit. the only worthwhile aspect of 9.8.

I wrote about Beth in Fire Still Burning and I totally don't get the fandom hate for her. I thought she had loads of potential after 9.1.

Erin and Dmitri the not!characters of Spooks.

[novindalf]

Terribly inadequate review, but I'm loving this so far! Like Matilda, I need a rewatch, because so many of the things you reference I can barely remember - the bread rolls dancing on the table line, for instance - but this is definitely bringing it back!

Also, I love, love, love this line:
Steel. Cold. Ice. Slipping. Chips of blue. Blonde shards. And she had never, not once, said sorry. And yet... yet... she had been there. In Ruth’s house. Switching coats.

Was that a kind of apology?

Fabulous. Looking forward to more!

[dweomeroflight]

See my comment to M above re what's canon, what's not :P You're not the only two who couldn't remember!

One of my biggest regrets about Spooks, is that we never saw Ros interact with Ruth post 8.1 in any meaningful way. That, in my book, was an enormous missed opportunity. Ditto for Lucas really. 9.8 would have worked better in terms of kidnapping Ruth if they'd actually acted like they had some kind of personal connection. Otherwise Lucas saying that line about "You were the only who knew" or whatever it was just sounds silly.

I look forward to writing more!

[lillianschild]

Lovely poetic prose. Your Ruth is spot on and, just as the girls said so eloquently above, your narrative brings back so many memories,

Am I wrong or the fic will span way beyond Series 5? I'd love to see her interact with Lucas.

[dweomeroflight]

Thanks for the kind comment!

I have written Ruth to death. I love her so. One day I hope to create a Ruth like character of my own in one of my novels :)

It will span beyond s5. That's all you'll get out of me.