Don't own anything; it all belongs to Kudos and BBC

She felt warm, safe and rested for the first time in a long time. There was something she should remember, but nothing seemed as important as the feeling she had right now, wrapped in a cocoon of love…love…love…

Suddenly the jet hit an air pocket and Ruth was awake. She was surprised to find herself staring up into Harry's eyes as she was nestled against his body. He had long ago lifted the arm rest so he could move closer to her. She seemed to be sleeping the sleep of the innocent, and a rest from all appearances she needed. He didn't mind the fact his arm had long ago gone numb. He wouldn't disturb her peaceful rest for his own comfort. She was where he wanted her, curled up against her. The longer she slept, the more she pushed closer to him. Harry could not be more content, but he dreaded the moment she woke up. That moment was suddenly now.

Back in business class, Beth was being amused by the rising testosterone level. Dimitri and Alec were both trying to impress the same woman who was seated across the aisle. It seemed Alec had the charm, Dimitri had the smile. Meanwhile Tariq was busy fidgeting with his latest gadget, which he had yet to explain to anyone. He didn't seem to appreciate the glances coming from the young female seated across from him. Beth thought, it's a shame it isn't like my private contracting days when there were private plans to fly you anywhere in the world at a moment's notice and everyone had plenty of room and comfort, even private compartments. No her life had definitely changed. She wondered now what was going on up in first class. It has to be more interesting than what is going on here, but I'd better stay out of the way.

Ruth immediately jumped alert to her position pressed against Harry. She pulled back far more quickly than she had moved toward him in her sleep. Harry quipped, "Well it seems you don't mind sleeping with me."

That earned him a slap on the numb arm and one of her famous blushes. Harry just smiled feeling that round one of the relationship definition game had gone to him.

"Harry I wasn't … I mean that doesn't count as … well It's not like we were alone." The more Ruth tried to talk her way out of the situation, the more she fumbled around for the right words, another of her endearing qualities that had been absent for months on the Grid. In recent weeks she'd been all business and never at a loss for words. For Harry, he felt for once his Ruth was moving toward him. She was as he remembered her before everything became so complicated. He was enjoying the moment even if it only lasted for a moment.

Still hadn't pulled completely away from him. Then she suddenly seemed to notice how close she was to him and moved back and pulled down the arm rest. "Harry, I didn't pull up that arm rest."

"No, but you looked uncomfortable, and you were all but crawling over it toward me so what should I have done?"

"I think you are exaggerating Harry."

"Well Ruth I did take a few pictures with my cellphone camera if you'd care to see."

"You didn't! You did! Give me that camera's memory card now!"

"Ruth, you know I can't do that, and I cannot delete the photos. You will just have to trust me." Harry said trust me into her ear using that most seductive voice that made her stomach do flip-flops.

"The minute we land you give that phone to Tariq and have him delete those pictures, or I'll make sure that adjoining room's door stays closed and no picklock you attempt will work," said Ruth issuing what Harry perceived as a potential challenge.

"You know I love a challenge Ruth. I'm not sure anything will keep me out of your room," again Harry was speaking in a soft low tone into her ear and only she could hear. Only this time he was the one filling the anxiety of anticipation, thinking what it would be like to finally be alone with her, both knowing how they felt about each other.

This time Harry leaned away, and Ruth immediately felt the loss of the body heat they were generating as they were softly flirting with each other. She pulled him back to her.

"Have you changed your mind about the pictures or are you just cold?" Harry couldn't resist teasing her.

"No, I want the pictures, and yes I am cold." With that Ruth pushed the arm rest up and moved against Harry's body again taking some pleasure in knowing that this act was probably frustrating him as much as it was giving her pleasure.

"Ruth, if I didn't know better I would say you are taking an unfair advantage, perhaps even attempting to torture me. I won't deny how I feel. You are enjoying this," he accused her with only mock seriousness. Still it was truly almost torture to be this close to her and yet not have all he wanted. He had her love. He had her trust. Now he wanted her body. Harry too longed for the days of private planes and private compartments. He knew exactly what he would do were that the case. Instead he settled changing the topic.

"I think we need to discuss work for a while. Redirect our attention. Otherwise I may not be responsible for what happens."

"Harry is that a threat or a promise," asked Ruth

"Both," he replied.

"It seems we are to be tasked with working with Homeland Security and the CIA analysis sections. Seeing what works for them and what works for us and what may work to deter terrorism for both of us," said Harry. "I hope we don't have to spend too much time apart."

"I am with you on that, but I also want to see some of this country we have to spend a month in. I hope it is not all work. Surely they will allow us a little time for play."

With Ruth's statement, Harry let out a soft growl, "My idea of play may be different from yours," and Harry leaned in and kissed Ruth with passion, a passion she returned with equal enthusiasm. Then they pulled apart with foreheads bumping together as if a silent greeting and bond was formed. Fortunately the first class was almost deserted. Harry could have moved his whole team forward, but selfishly wanted Ruth to himself for a while. There were a couple of more hours of flight time before landing at Reagan International. "Do we talk work?" It was a question posed by Ruth.

"No," said Harry who only wanted to hold Ruth and have her regain more trust in him. He felt as if his life depended on her opinion of him. "We will have time to talk work when we arrive at the hotel."

"Something tells me that once we arrive at the hotel, you still won't want to talk work."

"No, but given the time change over the Atlantic, I might be hungry…I may not be sure for which I hunger for most," said Harry with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face.

Ruth looked horrified for a moment, and then decided Harry was teasing her.

Harry knew there was no teasing where his desire for Ruth was concerned…What is it we are doing and where are we going….Oh right U.S. mission with their security services, routine 30 day assignment our consequence for my giving away a worthless state-secrete…well no so worthless as it had saved Ruth and she was priceless to Harry.