Set somewhere in the midst of Series 9. Feeling somewhat uninspired but hopefully this is not too dull and will probably only be a couple of chapters.
"Come this way. Don't worry, it's not as formidable as you think."
She followed Ruth. Whatever she said, this place did seem pretty formidable.
As they walked down a corridor a man walked towards them, he had an air of authority. He looked at the stranger.
"Harry, this is Jess, she's a witness to the Croyden bombing."
"Thank you for coming in," he said with a warm smile, "and don't worry, we don't bite." And with that he left.
She walked on with Ruth and they entered a room filled with computers.
"Who was that?" asked Jess.
"That's our boss," said Ruth.
"He's nice," said Jess and her eyes still lingered in the direction that Harry had gone.
Ruth glanced and carried on, "I'm going to throw up a series of photographs for you to look through."
"Okay."
"Can I get you a drink?"
"Tea, please. Don't suppose you've got any peppermint?" asked Jess.
Ruth smiled, she did, it was a favourite of hers.
And then Jess was alone with a sea of photographs on the screen before her.
Two hours later and she felt like she was going crosseyed.
Harry walked by the open doorway and paused, seeing her.
"Hi, how's it going?"
"Well, I'm beginning to think that I've seen so many faces that if I were to see my own family on here I wouldn't recognise them."
He laughed and his face was soft and welcoming.
"I'm sure it seems like that but trust me, eventually there will be a face that makes a difference, one that you react to, one that may make your blood run cold."
"Oh, Piers Morgan's on your database then?" Jess smiled.
Harry laughed, "Not yet, but give it time. More tea?" he asked.
"I'm fine, but thanks for asking."
He smiled and turned away.
He was nice. There was something about him, something she couldn't put her finger on but whatever it was, it was very attractive.
"How's it going?" asked Ruth. Another hour had passed.
"It's going," said Jess with a sigh.
"Nothing yet?"
"No, not yet."
"Anything else I can get you?"
"You mean apart from the phone number of your boss?" Jess grinned but it was short lived.
Ruth smiled weakly.
"Sorry," said Jess, "I was just joking. Mind you, there is something quite sexy about him."
Ruth looked away, "I'll leave you to it then."
And with that she was gone. Jess resumed her trawl through the photographs, hoping that Harry would pass by once again.
Eventually he did.
"Piers Morgan turned up yet?" he asked, with a wry smile.
"No, plenty of likely looking lads but not him."
"I know it's a slog," he said, "but it really is a critical job you're doing for us."
"It's no problem," Jess replied, she thought she would be quite happy to stay as long as he was around.
"I hope you didn't have too much to do today."
"No, just work, life and bills to sort."
He smiled that endearing smile that she felt she could get lost in, as Ruth came back into the room. Harry watched her as she crossed to the computer in front of Jess, his eyes lingering on her. Jess glanced at Ruth and knew that even though she wasn't looking at Harry she was well aware of him.
"I know it's getting late, but we would appreciate it if you were to stay on and keep trawling through the pictures," he said.
"No problem," said Jess.
Harry smiled once more.
"Ruth, when you've finished I need to see you."
"Okay," she said and glanced at him. Her eyes lingered for the briefest of moments and then she turned away.
And suddenly it became very obvious.
"I'm really sorry," said Jess, as soon as he had gone, "I didn't mean anything before, I hope I didn't upset you, I just didn't realise that you were together."
"Together?" repeated Ruth.
"Yes, you and Harry. He's nice. You're lucky."
"We're not together," said Ruth, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Are you sure?" said Jess, confused.
"I'm sure," and Ruth turned away, "call me if you find anything."
Then she was gone. Jess knew she had seen something, certainly sensed something and she was not usually wrong.
Ruth was unnerved. How had a woman who had not met her or Harry before and had barley spoken to them since meeting them, how had she come to the conclusion that they were together? If she could see something, then surely the rest of the office, let alone Thames House could see it.
She slid open the door to Harry's office.
"She seems nice. And willing," said Harry.
"Yes," said Ruth, somewhat warily.
"She thinks you're very nice too," she added.
"Well, she's obviously a woman of good taste, Ruth," he said.
"Told me she found you sexy," ventured Ruth, as soon as the words were out of her mouth she wondered why she had said it.
Harry had the good grace to look slightly bashful.
"Did she?"
"Yes."
"And what would you say, Ruth?"
"She doesn't work with you."
"And if she did, she wouldn't think that, is that what you're saying?"
"I'm not saying anything."
"I wish you would."
"What did you want Harry?" said Ruth wishing she had never started this conversation.
"I need your intel on the groups we believe might be behind Croyden?"
"I'll get it," she said, "though hopefully if Jess can identify someone then I can narrow the search significantly."
"Well, I'll go and check on her," said Harry, he couldn't fail to notice Ruth's eyes dart up to his as he said it, "and weave my 'sexiest' magic. Maybe it'll work on her."
Ruth turned away.
Harry watched her go, wishing he could have elicited some reaction from her, but no.
"Hi," said Harry.
"Hi," said Jess.
He came in and sat down next to her. She felt acutely aware of his presence and yet no matter what denials Ruth had made, she felt that there was only one woman for him and unfortunately it wasn't Jess.
"Still nothing?"
"No. Is it important that I try and identify someone tonight?"
"Yes, the sooner the better."
"Will you be working all night?" she asked.
"No doubt," he said.
"Still, that can't be too bad, I'm sure it must be easier when you have Ruth to work with. She's lovely."
"Yes, she is," his face gave little away.
"Have you been in love with her long?"
Harry looked at her, his mouth slightly agape.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you," added Jess.
"You didn't," said Harry.
"So?"
"So."
"So, how long?" she persisted.
"Too long," he muttered, wondering how on earth they were discussing this.
"She loves you."
He laughed a sad laugh.
"Maybe you need to tell her that."
"I'm meant to be identifying terrorists not sorting out your love life."
Harry smiled, "this wasn't the conversation I was expecting," he said.
"I'm sorry, I should learn to keep my mouth shut, it's none of my business. Forgive me."
He said nothing but gazed at her, his eyes searching her face for something.
"What?" asked Jess, nervously.
"How can you see all this?"
"See, what, you and Ruth?"
He nodded.
"You don't need to be Einstein."
He said nothing but his eyes drifted away.
"I wish you were right," he murmured.
"I am, Harry. I may be crap at identifying photos but I know people and I know Ruth feels a lot more for you than she's willing to admit."
Harry looked deeply sceptical.
"I'll prove it," she stated simply, "but I'll try and find these lunatics first," and her attention went back to the screen, "however long it takes.