The Law-

(Excuse my taking liberties with English law, certain religious rites, as well as with the character who belong to Kudos and the BBC) Peter Firth can't be bought. He is priceless! (Of course it doesn't hurt to try ;) To understand previous note read another fan fic)

Harry, despite protests, finally agreed to meet with a solicitor, who specializes in security services cases. It had been at the urging of the Home Secretary that made him finally capitulate. As he was sitting in the outer office waiting, he was surprised to see Ruth enter. Both were shocked to see the other. It had been several weeks since Harry was escorted from Themes House to await his tribunal on what would most likely be charges of treason.

Both asked of each other at the same time, "What are you doing here?" It was just then the door opened to the inner office and both were requested to step inside and take a seat. They were greeted by Jonathan Wainwright, the solicitor recommended by Home Secretary Towers. Wainwright was well known in legal and political circles, and he always sought out topnotch barristers for his clients when needed. Both Ruth and Harry were still confused as to why they were both at the meeting. Harry was certain Ruth would be called before the proceeding to testify against him.

"Sir Harry, so good to meet you, just unfortunate it should be under these circumstance." Wainwright was indeed charming, and Harry couldn't help but notice the smile he gave Ruth, which made her eyes brighten, and Harry bristled.

"I need to get on with this. I really don't think I need legal representation. I can handle myself before this board of inquiry." It was Harry's way of letting Wainwright know he was not mounting an all-out defense. In Harry's mind he was guilty of treason having given away a state secret and should face the consequence.

Wainwright recognized what Harry was saying right away, but asked, "Will you indulge me by listening to some information that if used correctly might save you, your job as well as the career and reputation of Ms. Evershed."

Harry's head shot up quickly when he heard the words reputation of Ms. Evershed. "What do you mean Ms. Evershed's reputation? She has done nothing that should tarnish her reputation." Ruth for her part was speechless for the moment, and trying to analyze all that was being said and the way it was being said.

"Listen," said Wainwright, "The Marriage Act, 1753 almost completely abolished common law marriage but it is on rare instances still recognized in law. The circumstances have to be exceptional. The people have to want to be married but are unable to do so any other way. In this case they can simply declare that they are taking each other as husband and wife in front of witnesses."

Ruth's brow is furrowed. Harry looks perplexed.

Wainwright sees that the two in front of him are completely lost as to how this relates to the tribunal or to them as individuals. He thinks, this is going to be difficult from what I have learned about the two in front of me. I was told they were a bit dense when it came to matters of the heart, but I didn't think they were totally ignorant. Ms Evershed has to know Harry loves her, and Harry should know by all Ruth has given up that she loves him. What's going on with these two?

"You two have basically lived together, all be it on the Grid, for the better part of a decade, except for Ms. Evershed's adventure in Cyprus." Ruth at this point urged Wainwright to call her Ruth. Harry again bristled at the acknowledged familiarity the two seem to share.

Ruth had been sitting quietly but finally asked, "How can you say we have been living together?"

"Your lives are intertwined on the Grid and off. Fate keeps bringing you back together and why you didn't accept Harry's offer of marriage is beyond me."

Ruth turned to Harry. "You told him about your proposal?"

"No. I'm as shocked as you to hear he knows of it. How do you know of it," asked Harry of his soon to be ex-solicitor.

"You aren't the only one with access to certain information," said Wainwright with a smile. "It's not important that I know it is important how this information is presented."

"What do you mean," said Ruth taking up the thread of the discussion.

"I mean that due to issues of National Security maybe neither of you felt it was safe to marry the other, although you both are in love with each other." Wainwright didn't wait for protests or confirmation. "You see under English law a wife cannot testify against her husband except under certain extreme circumstances."

Both Ruth and Harry sat with shocked faces. Finally, Harry broke the silence in the room, knowing he could speak freely as security services were forbidden from surveillance of his solicitor and he felt that Tariq would have their backs if he tried. "You are suggesting we marry, knowing Ruth has turned me down."

"Circumstances are different. Ruth might reconsider." Wainwright turned his attention to Ruth. "Well?"

Harry looked uncomfortable. "I don't think I can take her rejection again. I don't think I should ask."

"I don't think you should ask either," said Ruth. Wainwright was feeling the frustration Harry had felt so long from this stubborn woman. The solicitor asked, "Just what do you mean?"

"I think I must propose to Harry."

With Ruth's words both Harry and Wainwright stared at her their mouths open.

"Harry will you marry me?"

"Ruth, your timing?"

"This is the right time and the right place." It was almost a replay of their turn around the grounds after Ros' funeral. Harry wasn't sure. "Ruth are you sure."

"I've asked. I think you know I wouldn't if I had not picked it all apart." Harry was certain of that.

"Shall I think about it," asked Harry of his solicitor.

"I wouldn't think too long by the look on Ruth's face. She looks more like she might bolt at any moment," was the advice of his solicitor.

There is also the matter of your declaration of marriage prior to the actual ceremony. Any witnesses who might not be available? Harry understood what Wainwright was saying.

"Yes, I think we could use Adam and Fiona Carter. Both are dead, unfortunately dying too young and in the service of their country." Ruth inhaled sharply at the mention of their names. "Both Ruth and I have made a point of paying attention to their son. He calls us Uncle Harry and Aunt Ruth assuming we are together, but even the tribunal wouldn't be ruthless enough to call a child so traumatized by the loss of both parents to be a witness."

Wainwright agreed. "Of course I can't advise you to take this course of action and it cannot be fraud. If I were advising an engaged couple, I would suggest that since you are both lapsed Catholics, that you take a refresher course, and be married by a priest. This time it should be with witnesses who are living. In fact, I have a young priest waiting in another room. Would you like to meet him?"

Both Harry and Ruth were again curious as to how all this was working to their benefit. Again they thought about how he knew so much about them both as a non-couple and as individuals. Harry mused that his first marriage was not sanctioned by the church. Ruth had long ago stopped attending services that is until recently, when she had taken to going to the occasional Mass.

As Wainwright walked the newest member of the group into the room, there was no time to react when Ruth suddenly jumped up and smiling a smile that Harry had not seen from her in a long time, said, "Peter Windsor? You are a priest?"

Both were laughing and hugging each other. Again Harry felt a bit left out. Wainwright was a bit confused as to how the two knew each other. Ruth knew she needed to explain.

"Peter, err, rather Father Peter is my cousin. We always adored each other as children. He was one of the few bright spots in my life," Ruth explained.

Instead of bristling, Harry smiled and stood up to meet Ruth's relative. "I believe I am to be one of your in-laws in the near future. Well assuming I accept Ruth's proposal."

All eyes were on Harry. " The answer is yes," as he pulled Ruth into his arms and kissed her properly. Then Harry released her. "Well, what's next."

Father Peter explained that the traditional posting of the Banns was not required and they could be married within the week if all paperwork was in order. Certificates of baptism were needed. Both Ruth and Harry looked at each other. Neither knew where they'd find their certificates. At this point Wainwright again produced the required documents. He also produced a marriage license needing only signatures. "You do need the witnesses."

"How about a week from today," said Wainwright. "This gives you time to determine your best man and Ruth you need at least a bridesmaid to serve as a witness, and I've never known a woman who didn't want some type of wedding dress. There is more advice before you two go off into the sunset. You need to stay together. This cannot be a marriage in name only. Even if you find after one year, you need to stay together for a minimum of five years, although I believe you two will last. It must be consummated. You cannot lie on this issue. They may ask for proof as archaic as that may sound. " The consummate part lifted Harry's spirit for the first time in weeks. Ruth was worried she could not live up to the imagination Harry had of them together, especially for the first time.

Everything was going so fast Ruth and Harry didn't get much of a chance to talk. Harry, since being suspended with pay, had little contact with security services and he opted for Malcolm to be his best man.

Ruth briefly considered inviting Beth to be her bridesmaid, but decided that it should be Susan, a person who had known her since her college days. Her longtime dear friend Susan always suspected there was someone in Ruth's life but could never get any information from her and Susan knew nothing of George. Ruth had always kept much of her life to herself, but Susan also knew that Ruth could be so much fun when she felt secure. It had been a long time since she had seen her friend feel secure. On the wedding day, she saw her friend Ruth in an off-white tea-length dress. She carried a bouquet of long-stemmed calla lilies accented with ti leaves, bound by an ivory sheer ribbon accenting the dress. She had never seen her friend look so secure or confident since her college days.

Harry and Ruth entered from the sides of the cathedral. Father Peter was waiting at the altar. Malcolm took his place next to Harry, and Susan moved next to Ruth. While it was an open Mass, there were no others in attendance. Harry knew that no matter the future, there would be no divorce. Not because they were Catholic, but because they both knew this was so right for them as they were saying their wedding vows.

Harry took in the image as well and started thinking about the wedding night to come. It was he hoped the beginning of a better life for them both. He was even starting to have hope that not everything related to Albany was going to turn out bad, but the tribunal was still to come.

(Next up: Wedding Night)