Not Mine, belongs to Kudos/BBC- will try to punch it up. It's plotted out, just won't write itself. Somewhat M themes so read with care.

Christmas MI5 Style-2010 Chapter 2

Ruth followed Harry into his office. "What is wrong with you Harry?"

"What's wrong with me? What about you?"

"Me? I don't understand."

"I just see a young handsome CIA operative kissing you and you respond and you want to know what is wrong with me."

"Harry! I didn't respond…well I did but not like you are implying."

"Ruth, I'm not implying anything. Shall I replay the tape?"

At this point Harry punches in a couple of computer codes and up pops the video of Zaf pulling Ruth in for the kiss, and Ruth watches. She sees for the first time what Harry means. She wasn't exactly fighting Zaf off with her fists.

The silence from Ruth was enough for Harry. He raised his eyebrows and looked questioningly at her for an explanation.

"I can't explain it Harry. Maybe it's part of our natural instinct." Even Ruth knew that was a weak excuse for what the video showed.

"I tried that excuse with my wife." It didn't escape Ruth's attention that he didn't say ex-wife or first wife. He had used the term wife and that seemed to cut her more than any knife would. The disappointment was in her beautiful blue eyes. Harry wasn't sure what he'd said wrong. All he knew was that one minute he and Ruth were having a disagreement and the next she'd stormed out of his office as if she were the injured party.

For the first time in months, Ruth told Beth she'd be using her old room that night. Beth knew something was wrong but decided not to pry. If it involved Harry, Beth definitely didn't want to know. No national crisis was looming. When 5 p.m. rolled around, Ruth asked Beth for a ride to the apartment. Harry noticed Ruth gathering her belongings from around her desk and stepped out of his office.

"Ruth I hadn't planned to leave for home for a while. Thought I'd catch up on some paperwork since we are still behind from our jaunt through America."

"That's fine. Beth's giving me a ride home." Ruth emphasized the word home.

Harry was puzzled. "Isn't that a bit out of her way?" He'd decided to let the argument go and assumed Ruth had too so he was genuinely confused. "Home?"

"Yes, you know my apartment. The place I live. The place where most of my belongings are."

Harry didn't want to have this conversation in front of the Grid staff. "Can we talk about this?"

"Not now Harry. I think I want to think about everything. Perhaps we really aren't meant to be if one incident can drive a wedge between us. Maybe I should be considering that job offer from the Americans."

"Ruth." His words were too late. Beth had already stepped outside the Grid and Ruth was right behind her. Harry started to follow, but knew when Ruth was in such a state it was best to give her some space. He sulked as he thought of sleeping alone tonight for the first time in months. He knew he would miss her beside him. He still didn't know what he had said.

Returning to his office, he replayed the video of their argument in his office. It was at this point he noticed he referenced his wife, not ex-wife. The realization caused Harry to put his head in both hands as his elbows rested on his desk. He thought, Ruth over analyzes everything. She will pick it apart. One word and I'm in the dock. Well maybe she is right and we do need a break. Then Harry remembered Zaf and wasn't sure now was the exact time for such a break. He needed to think. He wanted a drink, but reached for water instead of scotch. He wanted to go home, but not to an empty house. He wanted to go home with Ruth. He knew her well enough that he should give her space, but he'd done that for years. So if she wasn't going to his house. He'd just have to go to hers.

When Beth and Ruth arrived at the apartment, they found Zaf waiting. "Lover's quarrel?" His question was directed to Ruth. She ignored it and his twinkling eyes and cheeky charming smile.

"Zaf you remember Beth?"

"Of course."

"Good you two talk. I'm going to have a glass of wine and I don't feel like being squeezed by the CIA right now."

"Ruth, I'm the only one wanting to squeeze you at the moment." He pulled her into a hug but this time Ruth pushed him away. Harry pulled up in his car just in time to catch her pushing him away and smiled. That's my girl. He stepped out of the car and approached the three with more confidence.

"Am I intruding?"

In unison Ruth and Zaf said "Yes!"

At this point Harry took Ruth by the elbow and ushered on through the apartment building toward her apartment with her protesting all the way through the door. He ignored it.

"Well, you weren't going to sleep where I live tonight, so I thought I'd join you." That was the only explanation Harry was offering.

"Harry, Beth's here."
"So?"

"It just wouldn't be right."

"You think she wouldn't hesitate to bring Zaf in if he asked in the right manner whether or not you were here?"

As if on cue, Beth stepped through the door with Zaf. Both were smiling. "Thought I'd invite him in from the cold," said Beth in explaining Ruth's questioning look.

"Fine," said Ruth as she took Harry by the arm and pulled him into her bedroom. Harry looked back smiling at the shocked expressions on the faces of the other two.

As the door closed, Beth told Zaf, "You can sleep on the sofa if you like. I think I'm going to make an early night of it."

Zaf knew he'd lost the second round of the fight for Ruth, but he wasn't giving up. That didn't mean he had to sleep on a lumpy sofa when a soft bed awaited him back at the embassy so he left quietly, but was already plotting his next move.

After the door closed behind Harry and Ruth and they were alone, Harry didn't give Ruth a chance to argue. He simply pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Each time she started to say something he kissed her again. At some point the clothes started to come off and they made their way toward the bed, not letting go of each other in the process. Eventually they tumbled onto the bed. With each movement they became more passionate. They were reckless. Each wanted to see who could conquer the other's body and soul. Their want and need for each other was overpowering, intoxicating, addicting.

Neither heard Zaf leave, nor did they know Beth decided to stay at a friend's. Beth just couldn't handle the thought of what Ruth was doing with the boss behind that closed door and had phoned Dimitri. He had readily agreed to let her spend the night. She didn't explain about Harry at the apartment, only that Ruth needed some space. She packed a bag quickly and was out the door.

Meanwhile, Ruth and Harry had forgotten about anyone else being in the flat as their passion grew with both screaming each other's name in unison as they found the release they had needed.