Amuse me: A funny drabble about one character trying to cheer another up.

The last month had been a tough one for MI-5. After a terrorist attack in Washington, the threat level in the UK had been raised, meaning every nutcase and lunatic who took to the internet to vent their frustrations had to be checked out and then checked out again. No one was taking any chances.

Every member of Section D had worked relentlessly over the past 6 days, putting in 12 hour days, but none more so than Ruth. Every day when Harry had arrived at work around 7, she had been there and it looked like she'd been there a while and she was always the last one to leave, even after Harry. Harry had taken to checking the CCTV on a daily basis to ensure she wasn't actually working through the night of sleeping on the Grid.

The hours had taken their toll though; Ruth was tired and stressed; no-one had dared approach her and ask for anything this week for fear of having their head bitten off. Adam had brought it to Harry's attention on Wednesday, but he'd already noticed. He tried his best to alleviate her work load but it was tough; they were all under a lot of pressure.

Harry was glad then that on his return from a JIC meeting on Friday, he had some good news.

"The threat level is being reduced back to substantial," he announced to the team, as they gathered around Adam's station. "The JIC is satisfied that the attack was the brainchild of a lone terrorist; it had no backing or support from Al-Queda or any other known group. You can all go home."

"I don't know about anyone else," piped up Zaf, " but I need a drink."

There were a few murmurings of agreement so Harry plucked several £20 notes from his wallet and handed them to Adam. "First round is on me. Thank you for all you hard work over the last couple of weeks."

"You not joining us?" he asked.

"Maybe later," Harry said, his eyes drifting to Ruth who was sat typing away furiously at her computer, before retreating to his office.

He waited for everyone to leave, something that didn't take very long, before approaching Ruth. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't even notice him approach. He watched her work for a few moments, chewing on her bottom lip as she tried to work something out; a sight that he didn't think he could ever tire of.

Eventually Ruth noticed his reflection in her monitor and turned sharply, a blush rising in her cheeks.

"Sorry Harry, did you want something."

"Did you not hear my announcement?" She shook her head, her blush deepening. She'd been aware of something happening on the Grid, but had been deep in an analysis of a suspected Iranian terrorist."

"The JIC have reduced the threat level."

"That's… good," she smiled, clearly relieved.

"It certainly is; it should ease the pressure on us for a few days at least. I've sent everyone home."

"Right, well I'll just finish up here and be on my way."

Harry thought she should go straight away and join the other; she needed to relax, but he knew better than to try and push her, especially now; he wasn't sure where he stood with her now, so he merely nodded his head in agreement. "Pop in and see me before you leave."

Fifteen minutes later, the door to his office opened and Ruth entered, her hag and coat in hand. Harry stood and, motioning for her to take a seat, poured two large whiskeys. He slid the glass across the desk to her. She raised an eyebrow. "Join me for a drink?" he said

"Still as presumptuous as ever, I see," she observed, lifting the glass to her lips.

"Well, why change a habit that has served me well for many years." This time it was a querying look that that Ruth sent his way. "The last time I was presumptuous, it led to one of the nicest evenings I'd had in a good few years."

Ruth didn't want to talk about their date; she knew she had hurt him by turning down his offer of a second date several months before. "Harry, I-" she began to protest.

He held up his hand to stop her. "Besides, you deserve this. You've put in more hours this week than anyone else on the team."

"I was just doing my job Harry."

"It was more than that and you know it; you must have worked fourteen hour shifts most days."

"It's not exactly a hardship; it's not like I've got anyone waiting for me at home…

"It can be quite lonely." Harry agreed. "It's one of the reasons I keep my dog. I'm sure she would be better served with an owner who is at home more."

"I'm the same; although Fidget's quite an independent character."

"Fidget?"

"My cat."

Harry could barely contain his amusement as he refilled her now empty glass. "Your cat is called Fidget?" he asked, smirking.

"And what's wrong with Fidget as a name?" she asked indignantly.

"Nothing, nothing at all." He was outright laughing now. "I'm just imaging you stood at your back door, shouting 'Fidget' at the top of your voice and wondering what your neighbours must think."

Despite Ruth's slight annoyance at his comment, Harry's laughter became infectious as she conceded that he did have a point, and before long, they were both laughing loudly.

Several minutes later, when their laughter had died down, Ruth regarded Harry with a smile. "Thank you," she whispered.

"For?"

"For cheering me up. I didn't realise how much I needed it."

Harry stood and walked around his desk? "Will you allow me to continue cheering you up over dinner?"

"I…" She wanted to say yes, she really did, but was unsure if they could move past her previous rejection?

Harry reached for her hand. "You don't have to be lonely anymore Ruth. Not if you don't want to be."

The look in his eyes and the tone of his voice was enough to convince her. "Dinner sounds lovely. But where would we go? I can't think anywhere would feed us at this time?"

"There's a rather nice fish and chip shop around the corner for my place, if it's not too presumptuous?"

Ruth smiled. "That sounds lovely; I haven't had fish and chips in ages."

When Ruth woke the next morning, wrapped in the warmth of Harry's embrace, she realised that Harry was right; she didn't have to be lonely anymore.