Thanks for the lovely reviews everyone. Here's chapter two!

It was seven in the evening and Ruth anxiously knocked on Harry's door. She hadn't known what to think, how to act, or more importantly what to wear. On one hand she didn't want to look like she was trying to hard but on the other she wanted to make an impression. She had settled for one of her usual blouses that she wore to work, but had an extra button undone. That and a knee length skirt, which as short as she ever dared to go usually. She was hating herself for not having any more flattering clothing and decided at a later point in time she needed to go shopping. Then the door opened and Harry appeared with half a smile, his shirt sleeves rolled up looking gorgeously ruffled and handsome as her breath caught.

"Come in," he said, moving aside as she walked into his home. She had only been here once before, to deliver some files, but even then she hadn't made it past the hallway before being called back to the grid. She walked into the kitchen and could smell something delightful. "I'm not much of a cook, but I hope it'll do," Harry said as she sat down at the table. There was a candle alight on the table and it was much more of a romantic setting than she'd envisioned. "Would you like any wine?"

"Just a small glass of white thank you," she said with half a smile. He poured two glasses and set them on the table.

"Thanks for coming tonight," he said as he was plating up their meals. "I know you're uncomfortable."

"Only slightly," she said, not wanting to lie, but at the same time not wanting to admit how nervous this situation was making her.

"Its only spaghetti-carbonara but I know I can at least cook that," he said with an anxious smile.

"I'm sure it'll be delicious," Ruth said as she picked up her fork.

"I have been thinking about Towers offer," Harry said slowly.

"So have I," she said. "I don't know what to think. Wow, this is delicious," she added as she tasted the first forkful.

"I think you should take the job," Harry said quietly. "I've had a close look at what he's offering you and it is a good move career wise. But I don't want to lose you either."

"That's your way of saying its my decision isn't it?" Ruth said, not really expecting anything less from him.

"Do you really think I'd want you to leave Thames House?" Harry asked. "Of course I wouldn't. But you've gone as far as you can go career wise. Towers is right in a way. You should have moved up the echelons years before this came along. I suppose I've almost been selfish. Having things carry on the same way for so long. It isn't right Ruth."

"Maybe you have a point." She took another forkful and realised how painful it would be to leave Thames House and Harry. "If I take the job, I'll still be popping up on the grid from time to time."

"I know," he said. "That's one of the reasons I'm encouraging you to take it. Because I'm sure that at some point another one will come along for you that will mean we never see each other at work. Maybe this is too forward of me considering our history but I… I wouldn't want that."

"Thank you," she said honestly.

"Also I've had a detailed look and Towers is offering more money than I ever could in section D, which doesn't hurt."

She laughed and Harry couldn't believe how long it had been since he'd heard that wonderful sound from her. "No it doesn't hurt," she admitted. "I'll find a replacement for your main analyst then. If it really won't be a thing. Me leaving?"

"No, you should go," Harry said in a low voice. "I'm sure any replacement won't be half as good as you though."

"I'm sure too," she said making them both laugh. "I'll call Towers tomorrow and have the paperwork put through then."

"Good," he said, eyes glittering in the darkness. "More wine?"

"Thank you for a lovely evening," Ruth said sincerely. "The meal was great too."

"Thanks for coming. Knowing you, I'm sure you almost talked yourself out of it more than once in the past few hours." Ruth bit her lip, hating to admit how true that was and how well he knew her. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, I won't be vanishing quite that quickly," Ruth said. "Probably by the end of the week though."

"Okay," he said. He dearly wanted to kiss her but also didn't want to push her. He settled for squeezing her hand gently before she left his doorstep for the taxi he'd called for her. They both had one thought before going to sleep. That had been a good night.

There will be drama to come...