AN: Here's another Holiday fic for everyone. I'm thinking this will be a bunch of short chapters rather than longer ones...hope that's okay with everyone. It also has turned out a bit...fluffier then I had planned. Warning now, this is completely OOC and I borrowed a bit from one of my favorite Holiday movies.
It's later than he'd planned as Harry makes his way through the freezing rain that's falling on the Greater London area. In his hands, he's gripping a square box wrapped in elegant silver paper and a silk green ribbon. As he slides his way down the slick sidewalk to The George, his grip tightens, making sure not to drop the box.
Reaching the door of The George, he breathes a sigh of relief as he steps from the cold into the warmth of the crowded bar. Section D isn't the only team celebrating the upcoming Holiday season and as he makes his way towards the back room, he's greeted by many people he knows. As such, it takes him nearly twenty minutes to make his way into the smaller room where his team is.
Setting the carefully wrapped box on the small table by the door, he shrugs off his long coat and looks around for a certain brunette.
"And then I dyed my hair orange to match the bikini I wore to work today."
"Hmm. That's nice."
"Ruth." Jo said, snapping her fingers in the face of her friend. "You haven't heard a word I've said, have you?"
Shaking her head slightly, Ruth turned and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I...just...that is...what I was trying to say is I was just looking for someone."
"Harry hasn't arrived yet."
"What? No, I wasn't looking for Harry. I was looking for...Jed from Section E. He borrowed the Iliad a few months ago and I was hoping to ask for it back tonight."
"Right." Taking a sip of her drink, Jo shook her head. "I don't know why you don't just admit what the rest of us know."
Glass of wine in her hand, Ruth paused in lifting it to her mouth and looked at her friend. "And what's that?"
"That you're madly in love with Harry."
Choking on her wine, Ruth placed a hand to her chest. "Wha...what are you talking about?"
Sliding into the empty chairs, Adam and Zaf grinned, having overheard the last part of the conversation. Adam leaned back in his chair as he watched her.
"Ruth, how long have you been in Section D?"
"Err. Three years, four months, six days and I think it's been thirteen hours."
"I see. And how long have you been in love with Harry? You know, the older man with a fierce temper and the power to ship us all somewhere unpleasant."
Looking down, she blushed as she spoke to the table, wishing she could just slide under it. "Three years, four months, six days, and I suppose twelve hours and forty-six minutes."
"I thought so."
"God, does everything know?"
"Yes."
"Does Harry know?"
"Maybe. But probably not. He's a bit...unsure...when it comes to you."
"Oh. This isn't good."
"I don't know. I think tonight might be the time to do something about it."
"Like what?"
"Corner him at that table over in the corner. The one with the mistletoe over it and between snogging sessions, mention the fact that you'd like to marry him and have lots of sex and babies."
"Adam!"
Placing his hand over hers, Adam squeezed it gently and smiled. "Ruth, look at me."
Shaking her head no, she continued to look down at the table, her finger running around the rim of her win glass.
"Ruth, please."
Cheeks flushing, Ruth met his eyes.
"We all care about you. Harry's in love with you. And we can all agree that all we want is for you to be happy. So just go for it."
"But...but...I've never done that."
"What? Snogged someone?"
"No!" she squeaked, taking a long gulp of her wine. "I've done that. Just...I've never been the one to instigate said snogging."
"Ruth, this is Harry. All you have to do is get him in that corner, lie your hand against his cheek with a soft smile and lean in. He'll take care of the rest."
Looking between her three friends, Ruth shook her head. "I don't know if I can do this."
"Do what?" a low voice asked from behind.
AN: Reviews are lovely and would go towards making my holiday season.