Disclaimer I do not own Spooks. Everything you may recognise belongs to Kudos and BBC television. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred.

Set Christmas Eve mid series 8. (Probably set after my other story Status? Which explains how and why Ruth returned to the Grid.) Also mentions my other story The Road to Baghdad. Not necessary to read those but I'd love it if you did x

Stars.

Ruth stared out over the city as the night sky enveloped everything around her. It had been a long few days and she was glad of the respite. London was safe. For a while at least. Sighing heavily she rested her arms on the barrier that surrounded the roof and tried not to think that she had left her warm overcoat back on the Grid.

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Harry looked around the Grid, Tariq was packing up the last few bits of paperwork on his desk as Lucas ate a chocolate donut. Ros looked exhausted but was determined not to be the first member of his ever shrinking team to go home early.

"She's gone up to the roof." Lucas half whispered as Harry smiled slightly. He knew the younger man hadn't known Ruth long but it was clear he had seen what was going on between them, even if they weren't sure. Tariq smiled slightly as Harry nodded.

"Right, well. Thank you all for today."

"Any plans for Christmas?" Lucas asked. Harry shook his head. Ros raised an eyebrow.

"No." Harry shrugged. "You?"

"I'm spending three days with my parents and sisters. Are you sure you don't want me on the Grid?" Tariq looked up as Ros smirked.

"No. We'll call if your needed."

"Christmas is usually fairly slow. Not that many terrorists like to work over the festive season." Harry smiled. "Trust me, in years to come you'll be thankful you spent some time with your parents."

"Harry, you've met my mum." Tariq winced as Lucas clipped the back of his head.

"He's right. Believe me." Lucas stated calmly. "Christmas is for families, whatever religion you are."

"It's another excuse for her to matchmake." Tariq grumbled. Ros couldn't help the smile that spread across her lips. Lucas and Tariq were becoming quite the double act. Not exactly Zaf and Adam but a double act never the less. "What about you?"

"Me?" Ros narrowed her eyes.

"Ros." Lucas smiled his best charm smile. "You should spend Christmas with me. We're both on call. And we're both on our own."

"Well."

"And I can cook." Lucas smiled. Ros rolled her eyes. "Ros, come on. Don't let me spend the day on , eating junk food and watching Dr Who."

"Since when have I been able to stop you eating junk?" Ros deadpanned. Lucas smiled.

"I'll take that as a yes." None of them noticed Harry slip away.

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Ruth stared out over the city, watching cars and buses carry people home. The stars sparkled above as she tried not to think about going home to an empty old former MI 5 safe house flat.

"Ruth." She closed her eyes as she heard her name. "You'll catch your death."

"I'm fine." Ruth kept her eyes on the city below her.

"Here." She felt a heavy coat draped over her shoulders. She closed her eyes for a moment as the smell of Harry's cologne enveloped her.

"Now you'll catch cold."

"Ruth." He rested his hands on her shoulders, amazed that he hadn't been pushed away. "I worked in Russia and Germany for a while. The cold doesn't really bother me after Moscow."

"I'm not going to ask." Ruth sighed.

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Fall into a Vat of red wine and wake up on Boxing Day." Ruth tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

"Oh Ruth." He squeezed her shoulders slightly. He'd been worried about her since the day Mani had thrown her back into the life she had managed to escape. He closed his eyes, he had been worried about her since the day they had met. Ruth was a natural spook, it was built into her but he didn't like what that natural ability had cost her. What being near him had cost her.

"I've been thinking."

"I'd be worried if you hadn't." Harry smiled slightly as Ruth shook her head.

"About Baghdad."

"Ah."

"When you kissed me."

"I remember." Harry swallowed hard. He could still picture the war damaged hotel and sweltering heat of the Iraqi capital. "What about it? And I seem to remember another time I kissed you."

"No." Ruth turned and smiled slightly. "I seem to remember I kissed you, that day on the dock. I definitely kissed you."

"So you did." Harry looked away, not wanting to remember how it felt to watch her board the barge that had taken her out of his life for three years.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Ruth tugged Harry's coat closer to her as the first flakes of snow fell from the sky. "Do you believe it's snowing? I was just looking at the stars before you came up here."

"It's Christmas." Harry brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "I'll call Catherine tomorrow. She's in Damascus again. Graham is back in rehab so I'll call him at some point. Feed Scarlet and the cats."

"Oh I was going to say, I've got a present for Scarlet and the cats. I could drop it round tomorrow."

"You bought the animals Christmas presents?" Harry smiled. He should have known she would, it was so Ruth like in a way.

"Of course." Ruth raised an eyebrow. "Just because they don't understand Christmas is no reason to leave them out."

"I could cook some dinner, if you'd like. I mean you'll want to spend some time with Fidget and Muggles."

"I."

"I can cook, Ruth." He raised an eyebrow.

"Really? I don't want to spend Boxing Day with food poisoning. There are no takeaways open tomorrow."

"Ruth. My mother taught me to make a roast dinner. I just never bother when it's just me. I'd love you to come over and see the animals. I'd also love it if you had Christmas dinner with me."

"Well? How can I refuse that invitation. Maybe I should bring that wine with me."

"Maybe you should." Harry smiled as the snow began to get heavier. "Let's get you inside." Ruth blushed as she realised she was still wearing his coat. Harry smiled at her and her heart stopped for a split second. She was spending Christmas Day in Harry's house. With Harry. Blushing furiously she let him lead her back to the Grid, knowing that this Christmas was going to be like no other.

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A/N This was supposed to be a one shot but I think there may be a chapter two if anyone is interested. Will go back to A Christmas Miracle soon.