This fic will maybe be 5 or 6 chapters long. Based on a dream I had, so the plot is very loose. Enjoy.

"What about the Chinese?" Harry asked. Ruth put a batch of folders on his desk, her lips curling in a slight smile. "The condensed version?" he asked hopefully. This time she smiled broadly

"They aren't going to be any problems in that area," she said. "Yio Ming's caught a flight back to Beijing. She's not your problem any more, I've handed her details over to six. My counterpart doesn't like me much."

"Why? Because you get rid of our problems by putting them on a flight out of the UK so they're then not your responsibility?"

"Yes," Ruth said without embarrassment. "Six takes care of our interests abroad. I'm only doing my job. Besides, you need me on more important things."

"I'm not arguing," he said. She turned to leave, but he called her back. "Ruth?"

"Yes Harry?"

"Close the door," he said. She did, suddenly feeling nervous. "I need to ask you something."

"Oh?"

"Yes," he said, shifting in his seat slightly. "I've been invited to the JIC annual dinner and I have to go. I've got out of it the last two years so I have no choice." He stood up, looking uncomfortable. "I have a plus one. Would you like to come with me?"

Ruth hadn't been expecting that so for a moment she simply said nothing. Then she managed to get her brain in gear. "You really want me to come with you?"

"Well, I don't want you to suffer through the endless politicians but I would like the pleasure of your company, and I'm sure you would make the evening infinitely more bearable," he said honestly.

"Er… yes," she said. "I'd love to go." She wouldn't, she could think of a million better things to do than spend her evening with politicians, but she would love to spend her evening with him all the same.

"Really?" he asked, not quite believing her.

She nodded. "When is it?"

"Friday. Pick you up at seven?"

"Sounds perfect," she said. She couldn't resist allowing a small smile to fill her face as she left his office. She would see Harry somewhere that wasn't on the grid or on an operation. That, if nothing else was something to look forward to.

On Friday Ruth slipped into the green floor length dress she'd bought for the occasion. She didn't know if she was dressing up too much, but the sales assistant had been insistent that it suited her. Which, when she looked at the price tag had been hardly surprising. But it did look good on her, and she wanted Harry to see her at her best, which is what made her buy it. Now, looking in the mirror her confidence was waning. She only wore a silver necklace and no other jewellery, but it looked better that way.

Suddenly her doorbell rang and she hurried to answer it. Not to her surprise, it was Harry, looking very handsome in his suit with a pressed white shirt. Her eyes were drawn back to his face and she saw with satisfaction that his jaw had dropped open slightly. His eyes wandered over her figure very slowly down to her feet and then back up, so intently that Ruth began to feel embarrassed by his attention. When his eyes got back to her face he smiled.

"You look… beautiful," he finished, his voice slightly shaky. She smiled at his reaction.

"Thank you," she said. "Let me just get my jacket." She turned and did, covering up her bare arms before locking the door. Harry led her to the waiting taxi and opened the door for her. She smiled to herself as she sat down, Harry next to her.

"I mean it," he said. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," she said. "It's the dress."

"No, its you," he said. She blushed, but said nothing as the car rolled down the London streets.

"So, how boring will this evening be?" she asked.

"Dreadfully dull," he said. "But I'll have the most beautiful woman in the world on my arm."

"Harry Pearce, I believe you're flirting with me," she said, trying to hide the thrill that went through her with those words.

"Am I?" he said with a tilt of his eyebrow. "Maybe I am." She actually laughed at that.

"I can't remember the last time I had a night out," she said honestly.

"That's sad," he said.

"Well, you know how it is," Ruth said. "Work."

"Ah yes, that necessary evil," Harry said rolling his eyes. "The things we give up for protection of the country." She looked at him and saw that he was genuinely sad for the things he'd given up. She reached for his hand and she squeezed it. He smiled back at her. They said nothing else until the car stopped outside a very large mansion. "Ready?"

"Yes," she said. She got out of the car, Harry just after her and he pulled her hand through his arm. She felt the warmth of him through the layers of fabric and felt a slight shiver run over her from their proximity.

"Come on."

More soon!