Hello and welcome!

I have two other stories, one of which is complete (though in the process of being overhauled) and one of which is nearly complete. So really, I probably shouldn't have begun a new story, but I was itching to write a modern fic, and since Lucas is my favorite of Richard Armitage's characters, I couldn't resist.

Chimaera takes place directly after season 8 and completely bypasses season 9. Ergo, there is no John Bateman, because, as we all know, that story arc was ridiculous and unfounded, even if Richard did play it heartrendingly beautifully. This is a slow-burn romance, but Lucas and the OFC will eventually get together and...you know.

As with Soul Healing and Thorin/Talaitha One-Shots, I will post character information and story images on my profile. So check it out. :)

Disclaimer: I only own my OFC (Varinia Erdélyi)...for now.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Asset

Another day. Another failed relationship. Lucas wondered why he even bothered anymore. Then again, when one's girlfriend was revealed to be plotting to take over the world, as it were, no one could blame him for feeling fatalistic about relationships.

Sarah, the blonde American agent. He hadn't loved her, but he'd nevertheless felt betrayed when he'd learned she was a member of Nightingale.

Betrayal.

Now that was a word he knew all too well. Connie had betrayed his identity to the Russians, had been the direct cause of his eight-year-long sojourn in Russian hell. The years of torture, followed by kindness. They were enough to give him emotional and psychological whiplash. And, if he allowed himself, he could still feel the bruises and broken bones and bloody gashes and electrocutions and suffocations.

But not the rapes. Never the rapes.

Betrayal.

Harry had waited an awfully long time to arrange for his release. Lucas had blamed him, before he'd learned the truth. He blamed Harry even after he'd learned the truth. He should have helped him sooner. Lucas refused to believe that he couldn't have. The world had gone on, while he'd stagnated. He'd missed eight years of Coronation Street-not that he'd watched it anyway. He'd missed eight years of football and rugby matches, eight years of Wimbledon, though he hadn't cared for tennis. Eight years of decent tea and fish and chips.

And eight years of Elizaveta.

Elizaveta. God, how he'd missed her. He'd clung on because of her, training his mind to think of her in the weeks and sometimes months of utter solitude. Those reminiscences were the reason he'd endured. Then to come back and discover that she had remarried and had a child...well, in that moment, Lucas almost wished he hadn't survived.

His whole life, gone. And all because of one betrayal that had spread like a virus to infect all other meaningful relationships.

The opening of the lift doors jolted him out of his thoughts. The room looked empty. No Malcolm, no Ben, no Jo, and no Ros. Ruth was gazing intently at her computer screen, no doubt doing research about the latest threat. What was it again? Oh yes, an asset gone missing. Tariq was digging up the asset's last known location based on CCTV footage. And Harry was in his office, as usual.

Lucas was beginning to think it would be a slow day, until a figure walked from the lift into the room. A small woman with strawberry blonde hair, currently fixed into a bun. She glanced at him, her eyebrows furrowing, and he realised he'd been staring. He looked down but felt a slight breeze as she passed.

Well, that was new.

Harry had apparently spotted the woman, too, for he came out of his office, right hand outstretched.

"Harry Pearce, head of Section D."

"Varinia Erdélyi, former freelance translator on loan from MI6," the woman replied, shaking Harry's hand.

"Yes, thank you for coming," said Harry, leading Varinia to Ruth's station. "I believe you speak Turkish, among other languages?"

Varinia nodded and took a seat beside the computer. "Six wouldn't tell me what was going on, though."

Lucas peered over his own computer, curious. Harry gestured for him to join them.

"Miss Erdélyi, this is Lucas North."

He clasped her hand and was surprised at her firm grip. "A pleasure, Miss Erdélyi."

"Please, just Varinia," she requested, smiling. "You're a Spook?"

"I am," he said, with a small smile of his own.

Harry cleared his throat, ending the introduction.

"We've an asset that's gone missing, exact date and location as yet unknown. Tariq, our resident computer whizz, is searching now."

"I've got him narrowed down to Charing Cross Road, but that was nearly two weeks ago," Tariq said.

"We've heard from him since then," Ruth remarked.

"When was he supposed to check in?" Varinia asked.

"Three days ago," supplied Lucas. "He's always been punctual."

Varinia looked up at him, smiling grimly. "Until now." She read the asset's file over Ruth's shoulder. "Altan Özil. He's Turkish."

"Yes," Harry agreed. "I was hoping you could accompany Lucas to Altan's flat, in case something there can help us locate him."

Lucas had been leaning against the desk, but now he straightened. "You're sending a translator to the home of someone who's likely been abducted?"

Varinia's eyes narrowed. "I have some self-defence training."

"Enough to take out a man bent on killing you?"

"Maybe," she hedged. "But if I can't, then that's why you're there."

Ruth glanced between the two, then at Harry, who stepped in before an argument began.

"Lucas, Varinia. Are you able to work together?"

She averted her gaze, feeling like a child being scolded. Lucas eyed her for a second, before nodding.

"We are."

Varinia, too, nodded. "Yes."

"Good," said Harry, walking towards his office. "Tariq will give you Altan's address, and we'll be with you the entire time." He looked pointedly at Varinia. "Lucas is my most trusted agent. Listen to him."

She shared a glance with the dark-haired Spook, as they fitted themselves with the earpieces and mics. Lucas looked less than enthusiastic to be working with her, but she merely sighed and followed him down to the car park.