Massive thanks to TheChicaChic who helped me with this chapter. Also thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.

The tube was nearly empty at this time in the morning, so Ruth had nothing to distract her while heading towards Thames House. Heading onto the grid, she was relieved to find it empty. Not even a cleaner around. Although the blinds to Harry's office were drawn. She hoped he wasn't in there, and she hoped even more so that he hadn't slept there too. The sofa would prove to be hell on his back. Then she remembered that she needn't worry about his bodily ailments any longer.

She sat down, switched on the computer and then pulled her chair close to her desk. Then she kicked her shoes off and sighed with the simple pleasure of bare feet. Typing in her password, she let herself become absorbed with paperwork that needed updating. Most paperwork was now on a computer as opposed to being on physical paper, but she didn't mind. She focused on every case and issue they'd worked on, except for yesterdays one. She couldn't deal with that. Let Malcolm or Jo push the paperwork through. She didn't care who did it, as long as it wasn't her.

Just for a moment she found herself becoming absorbed in the familiarity of the work, and then she jerked as she heard the pods whirring. Looking up, all she could think was "please don't be Harry." It wasn't. Jo came onto the grid, saw Ruth and then walked straight towards her.

"Hi Ruth," the blonde said quickly. "Listen…"

"No," she replied firmly. "I want no one to talk about what happened yesterday. I don't want to be pitied and I don't want to be laughed at for being the stupid little wife who naively thought her husband would be faithful to her."

"It's not like that and you know it," Jo said, her blue eyes wide.

"I know," Ruth admitted, lowering her eyes to her keyboard. "But I'm angry, bitter and very, very hurt. I'm going to say things I don't mean."

"Fair enough," Jo said. "I wanted to talk to you alone. Before everyone else gets here. Can you…"

"What do you want?" Ruth asked, her voice flat and lifeless.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Jo asked gently.

"Actually yes," she said. "You can fill out the paperwork for the Elizabeth Fortescue case. I know it's a lot of work, what with everything that happened and the ramifications, but… I can't… I just can't face it."

"Of course," she said. "I'll get it done as soon as possible."

"Thank you Jo." She spoke sincerely, knowing that not having to do that was a major relief to her. "Where is she? Elizabeth Fortescue?"

"I don't know," Jo lied.

"Come on. I didn't stay on the grid to… find out what happened after Harry and her had… I went home. Where is she? What happened?"

"She's in prison. Where she belongs."

"Good," she said with a sigh of relief. Ruth resumed typing and Jo hovered for a moment. But then, sensing her presence was unwelcome, she turned to leave.

"Oh, Jo!" Ruth called back. The blonde turned, eyebrows lifted in question. "What erm… what happened to the tapes? And the video recordings?"

"The ones relating to the case are in Adam's desk," Jo said. "The ones I think you're interested in have vanished."

"Where?"

"Harry destroyed them."

"Of course he did," she muttered to herself. "Thanks." Ruth returned to her work, hitting the keyboard slightly harder than necessary until she'd calmed down. At least, become calm enough to see straight.

Harry woke up with a groan. Sleeping in his office was a terrible idea and his neck twinged painfully. His eyes were drawn to beneath his desk where he kept his whisky. God, he was tempted. He looked at his watch. 7:45. He'd slept longer than he thought, but it was hardly acceptable to start drinking this early in the day. No matter what had happened yesterday. He looked down at his crumpled shirt and trousers, and was relieved he'd had enough foresight to bring a change of clothes from their house. Or was it Ruth's house now? Would she ever forgive him? He wouldn't blame her if she didn't.

Ruth hadn't said a word when he'd got home. She'd known. She was overseeing the operation after all. Of course she'd known. The look of haunting anger and hurt on her face was worse than any words she could have thrown at him though. She didn't need to tell him how devastated she was, he could see every inch of it written plain as day on her face.

"Do you want to talk to me?" he'd asked quietly. She shook her head. He'd sighed and packed a bag quickly. "I don't blame you. I can't even look at myself so I can't imagine how you must feel." Still she hadn't spoken. Harry zipped up the holdall and looked at her, hard and long. He sighed heavily. "I'm so sorry," he said quietly. "It was a stupid mistake."

"Was it?" she whispered, finally speaking and her eyes brimmed with tears. "Or if you had your time all over again… would you sleep with her anyway?"

"I'm not going to answer that Ruth," he said, his voice very soft and gentle. "It would only hurt you." Ruth had let the tears fall then in silence, as if that was answer enough. Which he supposed it was. "I was undercover. And you know I had no choice."

"There's always a choice," she said quietly

"I'm going to leave you alone. I can't imagine you want me here."

"I don't," she said, lying both to him and herself. "Just… go Harry. Please." And he had, leaving her alone. Harry had nowhere to go. He refused to use a safe house, and paying for a hotel felt like a reward he didn't deserve. So he'd locked himself in his office, with nothing but guilt, misery and a bad back for company.

If you have a moment, a review would be great, thanks.