I've been working on "I Spy the Apocalypse" and "Days Go By" and then I saw the episode where Ruth and Harry go on a date and then Ruth breaks his heart and gahh I can't stand that. It is just the saddest thing how someone can say one thing and ruin what could have been a wonderful relationship and I just felt the need to fix all of that! Reviews would indeed be lovely by the way. I hope you like it! Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and all that jazz.
Ruth walks into Harry's office and Adam smirks at Ruth. Ruth looks at him and puts her head down and continues into the office.
"The Americans want to talk to you about the bomb." Ruth says. Harry rolls his eyes.
"They're not getting it back."
Ruth nods and tells Harry an American is on a secure line, but Harry stops her before she leaves.
"Ruth," Harry says and Ruth turns around. She feels the knot in her stomach tighten. "Have you thought anymore about…"
"I can't."
"Can't what?" Harry asked puzzled.
"Have dinner again," she answers. Ruth sees the hurt look on his face and it almost makes her cry. "People know. They're laughing about it."
Harry raises his eyebrows. He wasn't expecting that.
"Laughing? Well… why would they laugh?" He asks and moves towards her. He leans back against his desk and waits.
"I don't know, but it undermines you and that's not acceptable."
Harry gets a look on his face and Ruth feels like she is going to vomit.
"I sit in meetings listening to briefings that would chill the blood of any ordinary citizen. So while of course deeply hurtful, somebody laughing at me is not going to give me sleepless nights."
Ruth looks at the floor and takes a deep breath.
"I can't, Harry. I can't be talked about like that. I just… I can't stand it. I'm sorry."
Harry watches as she heads for the door.
"Ruth, please wait," Harry says in a pleading voice. He looks in the corner of his eye and sees the blinds are closed. Ruth stops, but doesn't turn around. "Can we at least talk about this for a moment?"
Ruth slowly turns around and looks Harry in the eyes. She sees that she's hurt him. Harry stands and moves behind Ruth and shuts the door. He doesn't move back much, he stays close to her. They look each other in the eyes for a moment before Ruth speaks up.
"Who said something to you?" Harry asks. Ruth gulps and looks away.
"It doesn't matter who said…"
"Yes, it does now please," he says and looks her in the eyes again. "Tell me."
Ruth takes a deep breath before answering, "Malcolm, but I don't think he meant harm. I just… I can't Harry."
She turned to walk out, but Harry grabbed her hand to stop her. She froze at the contact. She turned around again, but Harry still didn't let go of her hand.
"Who laughed?"
Ruth looked away and bit her lip.
"Adam and Jo…"
Harry took a deep breath. He was angry.
"Have you eaten yet?"
Ruth's eyes snapped back at his.
"Harry… I…."
"Answer my question, please."
"No. I haven't."
"I know a small pub with great food," Harry states. Ruth looks as if she is about to protest but Harry continues talking. "I want to talk about this Ruth, but in a private place," Ruth looked at him and eventually nodded in agreement. Harry gave a small smile. "Meet me by my car in ten."
Ruth left his office and headed to her desk. Adam and Jo looked at her. Jo frowned. Ruth looked like she was about to cry.
"Going home Ruth?" Adam asked. Ruth looked over at him and nodded. Harry then came out of his office. He looked at Adam with the coldest glare he had in him. Adam frowned and watched Harry leave.
"Do you want to come out for drinks with us, Ruth?" Jo asked as she turned her lamp off. Ruth shook her head.
"No, no thank you. I'm going home. Good night."
Adam and Jo watched her leave.
"Did she seem upset?" Jo asked. Adam nodded.
"What was with the cold glare Harry gave me?"
Malcolm came out with his jacket on and ready to go when he heard Adam and Jo.
"Who gave you a cold glare?" he asked Adam.
"Harry."
Malcolm frowned.
"Maybe he was just in a bad mood." Jo suggested and walked over to Adam's desk. Adam shrugged and then smiled.
"Maybe Ruth will put him in a good mood tonight."
He and Jo chuckled while Malcolm remained silent.
"Why are you laughing at that?" Malcolm asked. Jo smiled and looked at him.
"Oh come on Malcolm! We were just teasing."
"Yeah, we've got no problem with Ruth and Harry."
Malcolm studied them and soon Adam and Jo frowned. Malcolm sighed, "Ruth has seen you guys 'teasing' and it's made her upset. She most likely told Harry and broke it off because she doesn't like being talked about."
Jo eyes widened.
"Wait… you know this for a fact?" she asked. Malcolm nodded. He had overheard Ruth break it off with Harry when he walked past his office. What he didn't hear was Ruth agree to go to dinner with Harry again to talk. "Oh my gosh… oh I feel so bad!"
"You should." Malcolm said coolly and then exited the Grid through the Pods leaving Jo and Adam speechless.
Harry was leant against his car waiting for Ruth. He really hoped she would show. Mike, his driver, then rolled down the window.
"Who are you waiting for, sir?"
"Ruth," Harry answered. Mike smiled and Harry caught the smile in the rear view mirror. "I trust you haven't said anything to anybody about us going to dinner. As my driver I should be able to have complete confidentiality, right?"
The smile on Mike's face faded. He gulped and answered, "Yes sir."
"Good," Harry said firmly. He looked up and saw Ruth coming. He gave a small smile as she approached him. "You came."
She nodded. "I said I would."
Harry moved aside and opened the door for her. Ruth got in and he shut it behind him before going over to the other side and getting in.
"To the address I gave you Mike." Harry ordered and buckled his seatbelt. Mike nodded and headed towards the pub. The car ride was quiet. Ruth's eyes were glued to the window. Harry every now and then glanced over at her. She looked nervous, upset, a whole bunch of emotions. He could send Adam to Africa right now and Jo to… somewhere not pleasant. They had no right to put their noses into his relationship with Ruth. He never completely realized how much he loved Ruth until the day Juliet mentioned how much Ruth loved him. They worked so well together and as Harry thinks back, he remembers certain things that Ruth has done or said that makes him smile. Not a smile of approval from your boss, but a smile filled with love.
Ruth was thinking along similar lines to Harry. As she looks out the window she thinks about today's events and last night. She loved having dinner with Harry and how they could talk about anything. Even things that weren't related to work like his Grand Tour idea. She remembers her heart skipping a beat as he described the qualities of a person he'd like to bring. The way he looked at her after describing them confirmed the thought in her head that he was thinking about her. She hated telling Harry she couldn't go out with him again because the truth was she desperately wanted to. However, when Malcolm told her everything and then the smirks from Adam and Jo happened she felt slightly embarrassed. Who knew what was going through their minds and Ruth hated it. She couldn't stand being talked about, especially about relationships.
Mike turned down a quiet street and pulled up to the pub.
"Here you are sir," Mike stated. Harry nodded and got out. He went around and opened Ruth's door. Ruth stepped out and Harry shut the door. "What time shall I come back sir?"
Harry looked at his wristwatch. It was around eight.
"We can catch a taxi home, thank you Mike."
Mike nodded and drove off, leaving Ruth and Harry in front of the pub. Harry took Ruth's hand and led her into the pub. He smiled at the host.
"Table for two please," Harry asked. He then leant in to say softly. "A table in the back please."
The host nodded and led them towards the back. They were seated a nice small table by the fireplace. Not many people were in the pub, but the people who were there weren't sitting near them. Harry pulled out Ruth's chair and she sat down. He took his seat and the host handed them the menus.
"Your waiter will be here in a moment."
Harry thanked the host and she left. Ruth immediately opened her menu. Harry looked at her lovingly and the slowly opened his menu. The waiter came over and took their orders. Ruth ordered a roast turkey club and Harry ordered ordered the same thing, only without avocado.
"And what would you like to drink?" the waiter asked. Harry answered quickly before Ruth spoke up.
"A bottle of your finest red."
The waiter copied it down and headed towards the kitchen. Ruth looked at him, but Harry ignored the why-did-you-order-wine glare. They stayed quiet for a few minutes before Harry spoke up.
"Why does it matter to you what others say?"
Ruth looked down at her napkin. Harry saw the red creeping up her cheeks.
"I… it's just always bothered me. Just the thought of people laughing… well that would give me sleepless nights."
Harry saw the sadness in her eyes. He could see she didn't want to end things.
"I'd never let anybody hurt you Ruth."
Ruth looked up at him.
"It's not just hurt Harry, it's people thinking I'm shagging the boss to climb the ladder or that you treat me differently because of a relationship or…"
She trailed. She looked down at her napkin again. Harry was about to speak when the waiter brought over the wine. Harry thanked him and poured a glass for him and Ruth.
"You can't possibly think that Adam, Jo, Zaf, and Malcolm would think that?"
Ruth put a hand to her face and continued to keep her focus on the napkin.
"No, it's people like… like Ros who would get it in people's minds that… that the situation I just presented is true."
Harry took a sip of his wine and thought of a way to reply.
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
Ruth looked up at him and met his eyes.
"Ralph Waldo Emerson?"
Harry nodded. Ruth gave a small smile. Harry sat up more and put his elbows on the table to lean towards her.
"I'm going to forward and honest with you, Ruth. I've been falling for you since the day you came into the briefing room and dropped files all over the floor and I made that awful joke. I fall further every time I look in your eyes and when you stare back I know you feel something, too. No one can promise that you won't feel embarrassed about things, but the real promise is whether or not in the end it's worth the occasional embarrassment to love that person who makes you happy."
Ruth's eyes were watering.
"Harry…" she said softly.
"So, you tell me whether I'm worth it. Just… don't think about what others think about you. Enjoy life in your own way. Now I'm going to the loo."
Ruth watched him stand up and walk over to the loo. Her heart was pounding so much now and her head was spinning. How was she to react to that? She was a little surprised at how much he opened up, but she had to be honest with herself. She felt the exact same way. She fell for him the day Tom shot him. The way she broke down in tears in the loo proved that to her. Can she just forget about all the laughing and whispers? Was Harry worth it? That's a stupid question because he was worth it. He was beyond worth it. Her heart was telling her to go for it; it was her brain that needed convincing. Their food arrived and she looked at it. Ruth then took a rather large sip of her drink and then turned to see if Harry was coming back. She wasn't going to start eating without him. That would be rude. When she thinks about rude, she thinks about how much of a gentleman Harry has been to her. She had never found that completely in one guy. He was gentle, loving, but he never shows it around people. Only to her. To the rest of the world he is a hardhearted boss who is known for many affairs and much worse. The affairs of course she has to take into account. She doesn't get the sense that he would cheat on her, she trusts him. Should she? Who knows, but she does. Ruth then thinks more about those affairs… would people think she is just another one?
And now she was back to thinking about what other people thought of her. Harry's words rang out in her head. "Don't think about what others think about you. Enjoy life in your own way". It's never been easy for her to do that, but just maybe Harry was worth it to try.
Harry, who was standing in front of her, broke Ruth's thoughts. His eyebrows were raised when she looked at his face.
"I was just… thinking."
Harry nodded and sat back down. Ruth watched as he began to eat his chips. Eventually Harry looked at her again. She hadn't touched her food.
"Are you going to eat?" he asked. Ruth looked at him.
"What… oh yes!" she said and took a bite of her sandwich. Harry smiled at her. He then took a bite into his sandwich and made a face. Ruth couldn't help but smile at the face of disgust. "Something wrong?"
He nodded and swallowed. Quickly after he took a sip of wine. "Avocado. I believe I asked for none."
Ruth looked down at her sandwich and saw no avocado on hers. She laughed a little and he looked at her.
"Mine doesn't have avocado. He must have mixed them up."
Harry frowned.
"His tip just decreased."
Ruth laughed and took a sip of her wine.
"Do you… do you want to trade?" she asked. Harry looked at her. "I already took a bite but…"
"I don't mind. Thank you."
Ruth nodded as they traded plates. She watched him take another bite and he smiled.
"Better?" she asked with a smile in return. He nodded. She looked at the sandwich. Hers already had a bite, but she didn't really care and dove in. Harry took that as a good sign. They ate their food in silence, but it wasn't an awkward silence. Every now and then when Harry looked at her she would smile a little and look away. In return, he would smile. When their meals were gone he asked if she wanted desert. She declined. It was nearly ten and they needed to get home. Harry paid and Ruth noticed a low tip. She smiled a little bit.
"I wasn't kidding. I hate avocado." Harry said as they walk out the door. She smiled.
"Oh, I don't doubt that. The look on your face said it all."
Harry smiled as they began to walk down the street. They reached a corner when Ruth stopped walking. Harry turned and looked at her. She had a look on her face that was difficult to read. Harry moved closer to her and she didn't move.
"I've thought about what you said," she says softly. Harry looks her in the eyes. Ruth moved her hand from her pocket and found his. "You're worth it."
Harry smiled and squeezed her hand before pulling her in for a hug. He held her close and Ruth made a soft smile into his neck. Harry smiled into her hair and the pressed a kiss where he was smiling. They pulled away and looked at each other. Harry was still holding her hand and they continued down the street.
"You won't regret it." Harry says. It wasn't a question. It was a statement. Ruth nodded.
"Just… can we keep 'this' between us for now?"
Harry looked at her and nodded.
"Whatever makes you happy."
Ruth smiled. She didn't deserve him and he didn't deserve her. That's what makes them perfect for each other. Harry grabbed a taxi and they got in. Ruth gave her address and they took off. They were quiet again in the car, but this time it wasn't an awkward silence. They kept hold of their hands. When they reached Ruth's house, Harry asked the driver to wait as he walked Ruth to her door. Ruth turned to Harry and they looked each other in the eyes.
"Thank you… for tonight." She said softly. Harry smiled and leant forward to kiss her cheek.
"I'd say we didn't do half bad for a second date."
Ruth smiled and nodded.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Harry gave a smile and then headed back down to the taxi. He waited until she was safely in her home before telling the driver to go.
Ruth was the first one on the Grid the next morning, followed by Malcolm, then Adam, then Jo, and then Ros. Harry had a meeting at Whitehall that morning. Adam and Jo looked over at Ruth who was busy working for the next briefing,
"You don't think… would she really break it off because of us?" Jo whispered. Adam shrugged.
"I hope not… it's not like we're against it."
Jo nodded in agreement and were going to continue talking when Harry arrived on the Grid. He didn't even look at the team when he said,
"Briefing room in ten minutes."
Everyone gathered his or her things and Jo went to go get Malcolm. Ruth headed into the briefing room and sat down. She usually sat to the right of Harry, but when Adam and Jo walked in Harry was at the head of the table, and Ruth was sitting a seat away. Malcolm sat down between Harry and Ruth while Jo and Adam sat across from Ruth and Malcolm. Ros came in and sat next to Jo. Before Harry spoke, Zaf came running in.
"Sorry, car wouldn't start." He says and takes a seat next to Ruth.
"Okay, now let's begin." Harry said. The briefing seemed to go smoothly, but Adam and Jo noticed Harry and Ruth didn't look at each other once. Jo bit her lip. Zaf noticed it, too but didn't say anything. When things concluded, Ruth stood up and was the first on to leave and Harry was the second. Malcolm watched them with sad eyes. Jo put her hands on her face.
"Oh no…."
Malcolm sighed. Zaf frowned.
"What's going on?"
"We made a huge mistake." Adam said. Malcolm nodded. Jo frowned at Malcolm.
"You're as much to blame!" Jo snapped. "You had to go and say something to Ruth!"
Zaf frowned. Ros rolled her eyes.
"Ruth and Harry had a nice romantic dinner two nights ago." Ros said to clue Zaf in. Zaf's eyes went wide.
"Bloody hell!"
Ros nodded and stood up, "And besides, Ruth is smarter than all your brains put together. She would have figured out all the smirks with or without the conversation Malcolm had with her."
Ros then walked out of the briefing room.
"Should we say something to them?" asked Jo.
Malcolm shook his head in the negative. "It would probably just make things worse."
Adam stood up. "Well this cannot go on! The tension in this room during the briefing was unbearable."
Malcolm stood up and looked at Adam. "Maybe we should just give them space to work it out on their own. I think we've all done enough talking."
Malcolm gathered his things and left the briefing room. Jo sighed. Adam sat back down and they all just sat there in silence.
Ruth was sitting at her desk going through new Intel when she got an email.
To: Ruth Evershed
From: Harry Pearce
Subject: Briefing
I think that went rather well. I don't think they suspected anything.
Ruth gave a small email and sent a reply.
To: Harry Pearce
From: Ruth Evershed
Subject: RE: Briefing
We didn't look at each other once. Jo kept looking back and forth at us nervously. I think she feels guilty because she thinks she broke us up.
To: Ruth Evershed
From: Harry Pearce
Subject: RE: RE: Briefing
Good. She should feel guilty. Our relationship is none of their business and they had no right spreading it around. I already lectured Mike and I'm pretty sure he is scared for his job now.
Ruth's eyes went wide at his response and she quickly typed out a response.
To: Harry Pearce
From: Ruth Evershed
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Briefing
You think it was Mike who said something to either Adam or Jo?
To: Ruth Evershed
From: Harry Pearce
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Briefing
Yes, nobody else knew we were going out to dinner as far as I know. Mike is the one that drove us to and from the restaurant. Plus, in the halls I sometimes see Jo and Mike talking. I don't understand why they feel the need to know every single little detail about my life. Perhaps in a normal job an employee would respect their boss and not interfere in their private lives.
To: Harry Pearce
From: Ruth Evershed
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Briefing
Well here they all come. Adam is heading towards your office and Jo seems to be coming over here. Have fun.
Harry gave a small smile at her last email and then closed the window before Adam came in. Adam came around and stood in front of Harry's desk. Harry kept his eyes glued to the computer.
"How can I help you Mr. Carter?"
Adam cringed at his tone. He hasn't called him Mr. Carter in a long time. He must be very pissed at him. Adam took a deep breath.
"I just have a couple questions about the briefing," Harry didn't respond to him. Adam asked his questions and Harry responded in a cold tone. When Adam was done he turned to leave, but turned around instead. "Are you alright Harry? You seem a bit… edgy."
"I'm fine." Harry growled at him. Adam nodded.
"Well… I'm here if you want to… to talk."
Harry bit his tongue.
"I think you've done enough talking."
Adam opened his mouth, but no words came out. He was going to walk back over, but his feet chose to stay where they were.
"Harry I…."
"You're dismissed."
Adam stopped talking and just looked at Harry. He eventually left, closing the door carefully behind him. When he turned around Malcolm was standing there.
"What part of we should give them space didn't click in your brain?" he asked angrily. Adam didn't even have time to answer before Malcolm walked away.
Ruth was in the kitchen making a cup of tea when Jo walked in.
"Hi Ruth." She said cheerfully as she opened the fridge to get a drink. Ruth gave a small smile.
"Hi." She answered with no emotion. Jo frowned. She poured her drink next to Ruth and watched Ruth stir her tea.
"Is everything alright? You seem… well upset?"
Ruth looked at Jo and said with a straight face, "I'm fine. Just a long day."
Jo didn't believe her, but didn't have a chance to continue talking with her. Ruth made her tea, threw out the bag, and left. Jo sighed. They really screwed up.
Ruth returned to her desk and continued working when she saw she had an email.
To: Ruth Evershed
From: Harry Pearce
Subject: Dinner
I was just wondering if you wanted to have dinner tonight? Unless I'm crowding you and if I am then I'll step back and give you space.
Ruth smiled and replied,
To: Harry Pearce
From: Ruth Evershed
Subject: RE: Dinner
No, you're not crowding me. Thank you for asking though, it was… sweet. Dinner would be nice, but I don't feel like going out. Maybe I could pick up takeaway on my way home and you could come over to my house? Unless that puts you in an uncomfortable position…
Harry opened Ruth's response and his eyes went wide. In the course of three days they have gone from having a lovely dinner to almost breaking off the budding relationship then having dinner and fixing it all and now going over to her place with takeaway.
To: Ruth Evershed
From: Harry Pearce
Subject: RE: RE: Dinner
As long as there is no avocado then I will agree to that plan. By the way, no I wouldn't be uncomfortable. I think it is a good idea to just get away from the world and talk. I'll bring a bottle of… something.
Ruth smiled at his reply. They settled on Chinese takeaway and Harry would bring a bottle of… something over. Knowing him it would be either wine or whiskey. Now all she had to do was pray for no Red Flash.
Their prayers were answered. Ruth went home and picked up the takeaway on her way home. Harry would be there as soon as he could. Ruth arrived home and put the food in the kitchen. She was going to change out of her work clothes quickly before he came. Now, she was in front of her closet and she had no idea what to wear. Dresses were out of the question. It was her house; she didn't want to make things too formal. She could wear one of her skirts, but then she saw a pair of black pants. She chose those along with a light blue blouse. She pulled her hair up into a ponytail, but there were a few loose strands. She went downstairs and began to prep the kitchen. Ruth pulled out all of her nice plates and silverware, but then she came across candles. She frowned. Personally, she wasn't a fan of candles at dinner. Just as she put the last plate down, the doorbell rang. She rushed over and opened the door. She awed at the sight in front of her. Harry stood there, still in his work clothing but without the tie. The top few buttons were undone, which made her heart skip a beat. He was holding a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a bouquet of roses in the other.
He loved the sight of her in the doorway. She had changed into a blue blouse and black pants. He rarely saw her in anything put a skirt. He liked the change. He handed her the flowers.
"For you."
Ruth blushed as she took them. She smelt them and smiled. It hit her that she had yet to invite him in. She moved aside and he entered her home. Harry's first thought was how "Ruth" it was. He followed her past the stairs and into the kitchen.
"Thank you for the flowers." She said as she put water in a vase and then the flowers into the vase. Harry looked at the table and saw everything was set up. What he did notice was no candles. Thank goodness for that considering he is not much for candles during dinner. Harry took off his jacket and swung it around his chair. Ruth had already set up the food on the table, the last thing she needed to get were glasses. She joined Harry at the table and he poured them each a drink.
"Adam approached me today." Harry says as he takes some food. Ruth raises her eyebrows.
"Jo attempted to approach me on the subject, but I brushed her off."
Harry watched her take a rather large sip of the whiskey.
"Well perhaps our silence to them will teach them to keep their mouths shut."
Ruth gave a small smile and began to eat. Harry was about to take a sip of his drink when something clawed his leg and he sprung from his seat. It startled Ruth and she looked down. She began to laugh as she saw her cat, Fidget, was on Harry's leg and he didn't look happy. She stood up as she continued laughing and took Fidget off of him.
"I'm… so…. Sorry," she said while laughing. "Fidget doesn't like company that much."
Harry looked down and saw his leg was bleeding. Ruth stopped laughing and put Fidget down.
"You wouldn't happen to have a band aid would you?" he asked. Ruth grabbed his hand and led him to her bathroom upstairs. She literally sat Harry down on the toilet as she went through her medicine cabinet. Harry looked around her bathroom as she did. It was nice, but girly in his opinion.
"Okay, you should probably either lift your trousers up or take your trouser off so the water and blood don't spill onto them."
Harry smiled and looked at her with her eyebrows raised. Ruth looked at him and then realized what she had just said. Her face went bright red and Harry chuckled a bit.
"Do you normally ask all of your dinner guests to take off their trousers?" he teased. Ruth gave a small smile at the teasing in his voice. "I think for now I will just roll my trousers up, but ask me that again in a couple of months and maybe I'll respond differently."
Ruth gave a small nod. She was still very red. She just focused on the cloth in her hands at the moment. She made sure the cloth was damp before kneeling down to clean it. Harry was about to protest when Ruth cut him off.
"I'd like to see you try and bend your back to reach it."
Harry chuckled.
"You make me sound so old."
Ruth smiled as she cleaned off the blood. He flinched once, but only once. He's had worse. She finished up and put several band-aids on. Harry stood up when she was done. Ruth quickly washed her hands before turning to him.
"Thank you Ruth." He said lovingly. Ruth smiled and blushed a little.
"You're welcome."
They didn't move. They just looked in each other's eyes. Harry saw exactly what he felt in her eyes. He leant forward and for a moment Ruth thought he was going to kiss her, but he moved to her ear. She couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
"I would very much like to kiss you right now." He whispered.
Ruth's disappointment disappeared.
"Then I think you should." She hoarsely whispered back. Harry smiled and moved from her ear till he was millimeters from her and his lips connecting. She could feel his breath and finally he closed the distance. It was sweet like a first kiss should be. They were smiling when they pulled away.
"So we sit for a nice dinner and barely eat before I'm attacked by your cat," Harry starts with a smile. Ruth smiles as he goes on. "Then I come up to your very girly loo where you ask me to take my trousers off and then I'm granted my wish of kissing you all in one half hour."
Ruth smiled and gave a small laugh. She then looked around.
"How on earth is this girly?"
Harry chuckled and looked around and picked up the first thing he saw.
"No man would ever keep a small pot of flowers in here or," he said and reached behind Ruth and grabbed a tissue. "Scented tissues that smell like roses."
Ruth laughed.
"Fine you make a valid point, but I'd say it is the only 'girly' room in the house."
Harry teasingly rolled his eyes.
"If you say so."
Ruth playfully slapped him and they made their way back downstairs to finish dinner.
They were now seated on her couch, each with a glass of whiskey, and just talking. They sat next to each other and were close to touching, but not.
"And say this Grand Tour were to happen, when would you go?" she asked. Harry took the last sip of his drink and then placed the glass on the table. He paused to think.
"I'm not sure. I guess it would depend on several things."
"Like what?" she asked and placed her glass next to his.
"Well, the time of year it is in each part of the country. I'd prefer to avoid any possible chances of snow or cold weather. Then it would also depend on if my travel partner was free."
Ruth blushed and looked away and asked, "Oh, and who is your travel partner?"
Harry moved closer to her and to her ear to whisper, "I was thinking of someone who isn't naïve. Know anybody?"
Ruth's blush turned a whole new shade of red and she turned to look at him. She made a bold move and moved towards his ear to say, "Malcolm's not naïve."
Harry laughed and kissed her cheek. Ruth smiled and leant back onto Harry and relaxed. He wrapped his arms around her and they stayed like that for a while. Peaceful and happy.
"Thank you." Harry eventually whispered. Ruth looked up at him.
"For what?"
"For giving us a chance."
Ruth looked down and gave a small smile. "It's like I said, you're worth it."
Harry smiled and kissed the top of her head lightly. They just sat there. Quite a species they are, but for once their hearts and desires were worth more to them.