Its late here so I apologise for spelling mistakes but I wanted to get this chapter up as soon as it was done. Requested by forrestsc, set at the end of 10:4, disregarding Elena entirely.

Ruth sat waiting for Harry to arrive, wondering what to think or how to feel. She had no idea what to do. The Home Secretary was after her and it was clear to her that his interest in her wasn't simply professional either. She didn't know whether she found it flattering or degrading, but she hadn't really given it a lot of thought yet either. She wanted to know what Harry would say about the job offer, because she valued his opinion, more than she'd probably ever admit to him. She heard the steady footsteps that indicated his arrival and used her willpower to avoid looking around at him. She felt his warmth as he sat next to her, a couple of inches closer to her than was strictly necessary or proper for a public meeting.

"Erin seems better," he said.

"She might seem it but it will take months or years for her to get over her daughter nearly dying. If she ever will."

"I know." Harry turned and looked at her face in profile. She still wasn't looking at him and he didn't know why. Neither did she, but she supposed this would be harder to say if she had to actually look at him. "Why did you want to meet away from the grid?" Harry asked her.

"I needed to talk to you," she said. She turned and looked at him, eyes locking. "Towers."

"What does he want now?"

"He's asked me to join his staff at the Home Office."

"I wasn't expecting that," Harry said slowly, lost in the feelings that he might be losing her. "What did you tell him?"

"I told him I needed time to think about it," Ruth said. "But really I wanted to talk to you first. I didn't want to give a decision without discussing it with you."

Harry swallowed, thinking this was the most forward she'd been in five years. She was asking his opinion. Without actually saying the words she was asking what he thought she should do. And he had no idea what to say to her. He took a moment to think, watching her hair blow in the slight breeze. Which wasn't exactly helping his concentration.

"I guess that's my answer," Ruth said to the silence. She shifted on the bench, as if to move and Harry reached for her, gripping her arm to stop her from leaving. "Wait." The first time he'd really touched her since Lucas had drugged her and he had thought she might be dead for a few seconds. It seemed almost like a lifetime ago, not a matter of weeks. "Ruth, just wait. I'm thinking it through. My analytical skills aren't as good as yours and I'm surprised at what you just said."

"Well I'd rather silence that your usual brand of tact," she said with just a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"Fair point," he conceded. "Don't say no straight away. Come over to mine for dinner tonight."

"That doesn't sound like a brilliant idea," she said immediately, with absolutely no idea why she was objecting. This is what she wanted and she was saying no?

"I have to get back to the grid, and so do you really. Nearly detonated bombs make for a lot of paperwork. I'd like time to think about Towers offer, if you really value my opinion?"

"That sounds fair," Ruth agreed. "And yes, I do value it."

"So come over to my house tonight. I'll cook."

"That sounds very date like rather than a discussion about work," Ruth said, wanting to make the clarification. Then her deepest desires took hold of her inside and she realised saying that had been a mistake.

"We'll have a discussion about work," Harry said. "I promise you it will be as boring as you like."

"Okay then," Ruth agreed. She wasn't smiling but there was a slight twinkling in her eyes that hadn't been there before.

"Shall we go back to the grid?"

"I still have ten minutes on my lunch break," she said in a light tone. Harry nodded, knowing firstly that it was a dismissal, and secondly that it was because she wanted time alone to think about what he'd said. It wasn't a reflection on him. She was an analyst, it was what she was good at. He wondered if in another world, or in another time and place he'd kiss her goodbye whenever they parted. But not today, so he satisfied himself with one last look before turning and leaving her alone.

Ruth clasped her hands tightly together and thought about this. The fact that he'd asked her around his house showed tremendous progress for the two of them. She should have accepted quickly, not asked questions and pretend she didn't want to go to his. She would love to hear what he had to say too. And knowing Harry, having him think over the conversation would probably be better than him just stomping his feet over all her dreams, and what she hoped for. So, everything it seemed was resting on tonight.

More when its written. Goodnight everyone!