Malcolm put down the phone feeling torn halfway between relief and worry. But now he was worried about an entirely different thing than he had been an hour before. For the last three years he had been covertly trying to clear Ruth's name and now it was possible for her to come back into the country. He had been emailing her under the radar for a while and she wanted to come back home.

She didn't like living away from everything she'd ever known, even though she had done it for Harry. She had wanted to return to things the way they were, but they all knew that wouldn't happen. Harry had been aware of what Malcolm was working on bringing Ruth home but it was never mentioned between them. Which Malcolm privately thought was for the best.

Making sure that all the documentation was in place for a final time he called Ruth, on a phone which anyone could monitor. It wasn't necessary for her security any longer. "Hello?" her familiar voice said.

"Its your friend from London," Malcolm said.

"Hi," she repeated, wariness in her voice.

"Its safe," Malcolm reassured her. "You're safe."

"Safe as in no one's looking for me?" she asked, trying to stop her heart from leaping at the thought of going home. "Or safe as in I can come back to London?"

"Your flight could land in Heathrow tomorrow and there wouldn't be any problems," he said.

"Really?" she asked and he could hear the hope in her voice and knew that in spite of all his concerns this was the right thing to do.

"Yes," he said. "Mace has finally admitted that he was trying to frame H… someone in our section and you took the fall. The important people know you were innocent. You can come home. Not that I expect you to but you could even come back to Thames House if you wanted."

"Thank you Malcolm," she said sincerely. "I'll get the first flight out of Cyprus to London. You are one hundred per cent sure?"

"Absolutely. It'll be good to see you again Ruth," he added honestly.

"Thank you." Ruth sighed and he heard that over the line. "How is he?"

"He's fine," Malcolm said not wanting to linger on the unmentioned by name Harry Pearce.

"Okay. I'll use that passport you sent me last year. Its still good?"

"The best there is.," Malcolm said. " Trust me. I'll see you soon Ruth."
"Bye Malcolm." He put the phone down and mere seconds later he saw Harry emerge from his office.

"Harry, I need to talk to you for a second," Malcolm said, not relishing the conversation about Ruth. A woman who's name seemed to make his eyes darken in unutterable sadness.

"Is it going to be quick Malcolm?" Harry asked pulling his gloves on. "I'm already late."

"You know what, forget it," Malcolm said. "You go, it'll keep."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked but it was only a gesture as he was already walking to the pods.

"Yes," Malcolm said as the pods whirred shut around Harry. Malcolm thought this was better. He'd at least have a chance at thinking over what he wanted to say to Harry. Because this was going to be more than a quick conversation.

Harry walked into the restaurant slightly out of breath. He scanned the tables and quickly saw who he was looking for. Walking over surely, the blonde woman stood up with a smile on her face.

"Rose, I'm sorry I'm so unashamedly late," Harry said after giving her a greeting kiss on the lips. They both sat down and he was surprised that she was still smiling.

"I'm only on my first glass," she replied finishing off the wine in question. "You aren't that late." Harry felt relieved and appreciated her kindness in saying so. Across the table cloth he held her hand tightly and gave it a squeeze. She smiled as the waiter came over and Harry released her hand regretfully.

"Are you ready to order?

Just a short chapter to see if people are interested. I'm sure there will be eventual HR goodness, I just have no idea how I'm going to get there.