A/N: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews for the first chapter. I hope this second one lives up to your expectations and doesn't disappoint.

Chapter 2

Still Friday 1stDecember 200

"Pregnant?" he asks, his heart plummeting. She's carrying someone else's child; she's going to have a baby with another man. It's been nearly five months since she rejected his offer of a second date and, although he wasn't expecting her to remain single forever, he's hurt that she could have moved on from him so quickly. Had he meant nothing to her at all?

"About two months they think," Ruth tells him, her eyes still cast downwards. Harry doesn't reply. He is at a loss for words; he really has no clue what to say, which not something he is used to. Even though Ruth has been known to render him speechless on several previous occasions. He has hundreds of questions flying around his head but he doesn't quite know where to start. "Harry?" Ruth's voice brings him out of his daze. She's looking at him now and he realises she is waiting for a response from him. He sees worry in her eyes; she's anxious about his reaction. He knows the silence won't have helped ease her concerns and he silently berates himself for his selfish behaviour; this should be about her, not him and his dented pride.

He remembers that he still has hold of her hand so he gives it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "Congratulations," he tells her, trying to sound sincere. Thankfully, he succeeds and he sees relief wash over her. "Do you want me to call anyone for you? The father?" He knows it's a crass way of finding out about him but he just can't help himself. Ruth looks away from him again but he notices the tell-tale glistening of her eyes; she's trying not to cry. "Ruth?"

She shakes her head sadly. "He's...he's not..." She stumbles as she searches for the right word before finally settling on one, "involved. Nor will he be." Harry's brain begins working overtime, different scenarios running through his brain.

"A one night stand?" he hears himself ask, and curses himself for his lack of tact. Ruth's head snaps up and Harry finds himself on the end of an icy stare.

"Do you really think that little of me? After everything?" she hisses, conscious of the paper thin curtains of the cubicle.

"No," he assures quickly. "Of course not! But what else am I supposed to think? I mean you weren't seeing anyone."

"And how would you know?"

"You didn't have anyone vetted," he explains.

"No, I didn't, but I was careful. My legend was watertight. Neil never suspected anything." Harry feels jealousy well up inside him at the mention of the other man's name. He sighs, rubbing his temples, which Ruth takes as admonishment for ignoring protocol. "Oh come on Harry," Ruth continues, "it's not like it's never happened before. Tom did it. Zoe did it. Are you going to sit there and have the gall to tell me that you've never done it?" He looks down and that's all the answer she needs. "Exactly."

Harry is silent for a moment, considering. "It doesn't have to mean he can't be involved though; we can clear him retrospectively; I'll deal with it. Just fill in the appropriate paperwork. It doesn't have to stop him from seeing you and the baby." Harry hates speaking these words; thinking about Ruth with someone other than him. They'd managed to repair their friendship after the fall out from their dinner and things had been going well enough for him to convince himself she still felt something for him. Had he been totally wrong?

"His lack of clearance might not be a barrier, but I'm sure his wife probably would be!"

"His wife?" Harry's jaw drops; he can't believe what he is hearing. "He was married?"

"Apparently so. And no, I didn't know before you even ask."

"I wasn't going to," he murmurs but she doesn't register that she's heard him.

"Although I didn't actually ask him, so maybe I am partly to blame. I mean I was seeing him for a couple of months, I could probably have found a spare five minutes to check."

"No," Harry tells her forcefully. "You are not to blame. He is. You are not a mind reader. How were you to know?"

"I could have asked, but it didn't even occur to me...he wasn't wearing a ring. Maybe you were right, maybe I am naïve. It's not like all men wear rings in this day and age and…"

"Ruth. Take a deep breath and calm down." She does as he instructs. "You are not naïve. Even if you'd asked, who's to say he wouldn't have lied?" Ruth has no answer to that, so she merely shrugs her shoulders. Harry, who is still holding her hand, brings his other hand to accompany it and cocoons hers in his grip. "I am sorry he deceived you, and I'm sorry you have found yourself in this situation. But you will cope with it. You will. And you'll be a great mother."

"I don't know if I can do this on my own," she admits shyly.

"But you're not on your own."

"I am though Harry; my father's dead, my mother and I have a…fractious relationship at best. I've got no brothers or sisters. I'm alone. I've got no-one."

"You've got me."

"Harry I-" she begins but he silences her with a finger to her lips.

"Sssh. Whatever has gone on in the past, I still consider us to be friends Ruth and, as your friend, I will be there if you need me." He puts a great emphasis on the word 'if' so she knows it's an option; he's not going to force her into anything.

"I haven't decided what I'm going to do," she tells him honestly. "I need some time."

"Of course. I'm sure there'll be plenty of time to think while you're stuck in here," he quips. She smiles at that, her first genuine smile of the day. "I'd better get back; goodness knows what the team are getting up to in my absence. They'll want to know how you're doing too. Will you be okay?" he checks, standing reluctantly. He doesn't want to leave her, but he knows he must.

"I'll be fine," she assures him. "About the others. I don't think I'm ready for anyone to know. Like I said, I just need some time... "

Harry gives her a small smile. "I won't say anything, don't worry." He leans in and places a small kiss on the top of her head. "I'll call back and see you tonight." She doesn't hear him at first; she's completely overwhelmed by his kiss. By the time his words do register and she attempts to tell him that there's no need for him to visit her, he's already left.

A/N: More details are to come about Ruth's relationship in future chapters (Not that I think anyone will be particularly interested; you'll all be too busy shipping Harry and Ruth hopefully, but I feel it will be necessary for story progression/plot development.)

If you've got time, please leave a review and let me know what you thought of this chapter.