Huge spoilers ahoy. Do not read any further if you don't want to spoil series 9, because this is based on all the stuff I've read in the media about what might be happening. Like others, I just couldn't help writing something. It was one way to calm my imagination down ... a bit.
All the characters and the inspiration for this belongs to the Kudos writers with thanks also to the actors :)
Enjoy, and please let me know what you think.
"Harry, we need to talk."
He turned at the sound of Ruth's voice. "About?"
"You remember the six million pounds we found in the account under Nicholas Blake's name?"
"Of course."
"I was finally able to trace it back and found the records used to open the account. It's definitely Blake's signature. He knew, Harry. He knew."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. There's no other explanation." There was silence as Harry looked away and processed what he was hearing, the implications of it. "I'm sorry Harry. I know you liked him, and I know you didn't want to believe he was involved, but the evidence is all there. Why he would have tipped you off about Nightingale, I don't know, but he was part of it."
Harry frowned, and closed his eyes for a moment, searching for composure. Opening them again, he looked back at Ruth. "Tell no one. Not yet. I need to think on this."
She nodded in agreement, and the breeze gently rustled through the nearby trees as they stood in silence again, a temporary peace surrounding them.
"Do you ever feel like you can't go on?" Asked Harry.
"What do you mean?"
"Doing this. All the duplicity … the lies and betrayal. All for what? I feel like I'm forever fighting the unknown … and forever losing people. Sometimes I'm just not sure how much longer I can go on."
"I do wonder … most of the time. Some days I can't seem to reconcile the sacrifices with the victories. It doesn't feel like we've won anything at all. But when I think about what it would be like if there was no one to make a stand … there's really no alternative." A bird chirped loudly, as if in agreement.
"I don't know, Ruth," He shook his head, "I really don't know any more."
"I know Harry, but we…" She shrugged, "Can't go on … must go on."
He breathed in deeply and smiled sadly at her. "Your belief in it all, in what we're trying to do … in me … it never fails to surprise me, Ruth. It shouldn't, but it does. I don't know what I'd do without you."
His smile grew brighter, and she smiled back.
"Though, I do know," He said quietly, "And I don't want that again." He looked directly at her and she held his gaze, eyes wide. "Ruth, I … I know what I do want. I've known for a long time. I want you. I want you to marry me."
"Excuse me?"
"I love you, Ruth. You may continually surprise me, but I think I know you better than most people ... although I realise you might dispute that. And you know me better than anyone."
"Harry, I'm … I'm not sure … I don't think this is the time to … it's not the time." She came to a sudden halt as Lucas and Tariq rounded the corner.