Set in the midst of Series five. No Cotterdam.

Ruth stretched in bed feeling rather relieved that she'd woken up before the alarm. It was always more relaxing than the shrill beeping bringing her into another day. With her eyes still closed she thought about the day she had today. American agents were swarming in today for a presidential visit. CIA, FBI, anything with three letters and massive egos would be arriving. This shouldn't make her happy, but she was rather looking forward to Harry throwing his weight around when the Americans tried to take over his turf. He had no idea how attractive and… well, downright sexy he could be when his voice went low and stern, demanding the Americans went back to Grosvenor square and out of his sight.

Oh, and after a long day when he loosened his tie. And the top button. Or maybe two. Ruth smiled to herself at her private Harry fantasies and opened her eyes. Or tried to. Nothing happened. She lifted her hand up to feel her eyes. They were there, and she could feel her eyelashes feathering against her fingers as she blinked, but she couldn't see a thing. She was stuck in darkness.

"Shit." She carried on for a few moments, letting her fingertips touch her eyes, then rubbing them with anger. Why couldn't she see?

She waited for a few moments in mounting panic for her vision to clear. It didn't. Total blackness. Her heart was thundering with total fear. Why was everything dark? Fumbling to the bedside table, she picked up her phone and called for an ambulance. She didn't know if it was urgent enough, but 999 was the only number she had any confidence in dialling in the darkness.

Harry looked around the grid, feeling like it was the deep breath before the storm. All the top secret files had been locked away, except for the ones that concerned their American "partners." Harry looked at his watch and frowned. It was half past nine and Ruth hadn't come in yet. He was always acutely aware of her presence, almost like magnets. He always knew exactly where she was on the grid. When she wasn't here, it felt like… almost like he had no one looking out for him. He knew everyone on the grid was on his side, but Ruth… she was different. She knew him as more than the leader of section D. Even though they'd barely even seen each other outside of Thames House, Harry knew that she knew him better than anyone else in the world.

He picked up his mobile phone and dialled her number, before he could even stop to think about it. After four rings it was answered. "Yeah?" Ruth asked, her voice low and oddly emotionless.

"Ruth, it's Harry," he said. "You arent here, I was just making sure you're okay."

"God Harry, I know it's a really busy day and I'm sorry I'm not there," she said. "I've… got a problem."

"Are you all right?" he asked, knowing it wasn't really any of his business, but wanting to be sure she was okay. He couldn't separate the personal and professional. Not with her.

"Er… I guess," she said in a manner which was totally unconvincing.

"Ruth…"

"I'm in hospital," she said with a sigh. "I… can't see."

"What do you mean?" he asked with confusion, not putting that sentence together. It didn't make sense.

"I mean that I woke up and I can't see," she said simply.

There was silence on the phone line as Harry took in her words. "Is it bad?" Harry asked quietly.

"Bad being that the worlds in complete darkness?" she said snappishly. "Sorry, it's not your fault."

"You're really… you can't see?"

"Yes," she said with a low sigh. "I woke up blind."

"God Ruth," he said quietly.

"Look, I should have called to say I can't come in, but I… I know its bad timing with the Americans, but I hadn't planned it."

Harry shook his head in bewilderment. Typical Ruth, worrying about everyone else. "I'm going to come and see you," he said. "Which hospital?"

"Harry, you're busy," she said.

"I don't care," he said quickly. "Tell me the hospital, or I'll have Malcolm find you and then come to you myself."

"St Mary's," she said, knowing he'd go through with the threat. "Harry, you're busy."

"They aren't landing for an hour at least, because of fog at Heathrow," Harry said. "I have time. I'll see you soon."

She sighed heavily. "Fine," she said. "Bye Harry." He disconnected the phone and nodded at Adam who came over.

"Harry?" he asked.

"I know its bad timing but I'm leaving the grid for a couple of hours," Harry said quietly.

"With everyone descending on us in less than an hour?!" Adam said. "Come on Harry, don't leave me in charge. I don't want to have to be diplomatic to the Americans."

He smiled ruefully. "Ruth's in hospital," he said quietly.

Adam's face changed from irritation to concern. "Is she okay?"

"I'm not sure," Harry said. "I'll be back soon," he added.

"Of course," Adam said. He wasn't sure precisely what was between his boss and his analyst, but he did know it was more than a working relationship. If Ruth was in hospital, Harry would go to her. That much he knew. "Go," Adam said. Harry nodded his thanks and left the grid

Someone suggested that I write this after reading one of my stories in which Harry lost his sight. So I've flipped it. Hope you enjoyed.