"And you've my number if you need anything?"
Eye peeping open, Ruth stares at him, watching as he stands next to the bed, tie hanging loosely around his neck.
"Never mind, silly question." Leaning down, Harry brushes the hair from her forehead, his lips pressing softly against it. "And you're sure you'll be alright with Scarlet?"
"Harry, go to work."
He mumbles a yes dear before thinking of the implications and freezes, worrying that he's said the wrong thing. But either Ruth does not realize what he's said or it's less of a deal then he believes because she doesn't say anything.
She just rolls over; moaning as her stomach churns; and reaches a hand out from under the duvet to pet the dog that has settled to her left. Fingers scratching behind Scarlet's ears, she looks up at Harry. "We'll be fine."
"Okay." He says quietly, leaning down a final time to brush his lips against her forehead before leaving.
As he reaches the downstairs, he grabs his keys and ensures his mobile is in his pocket before opening the front door. Re-setting the alarm, he leaves, shutting and locking the door behind him. As he walks down the front path, he turns to look up at the bedroom window, spotting Fidget on the sill watching him. The cat meows once before turning and jumping down.
Walking to his car, he looks around the neighborhood. It's a nice enough, a mix of single-family homes and converted flats, but not for the first time, Harry wishes she lived somewhere more secure. Too much foliage and other obstacles making her vulnerable for an attack or nabbing should someone wish to harm her.
Perhaps in time he'll be able to convince her to move somewhere more...with him.
"Carter."
"Adam, it's Harry." Slowing to a stop at the intersection, Harry leans back in his seat and looks around. Traffic is heavier in this part of London and not for the first time, he's glad that he's left early. "I'm on my way to Whitehall but you need to know, Ruth won't be in today."
"Really?" Through the phone, Harry can hear something that he doesn't want to analyze and does not want to get back to Ruth. Not while they're still keeping their relationship under wraps.
Voice low and controlled, he says "She sent a text message early this morning that she's sick. n Turning into the secure underground car park, he pulls into his assigned spot, sitting there.
"Harry, are you sure she's alright? Remember the last time she called off."
The worry is evident in Adam's voice now and Harry's pleased that the others; at least some of them; care for Ruth almost as much as he does.
"She's fine." He reaches over for the attaché case on the passenger seat before continuing. "I thought the same thing and so I stopped over on my way in. She answered the door looking really rough."
"Alright. I'll call personnel and have them send up a temp. We've nothing of importance happening now, just filing and general office work from the last mission. Nothing a temp and Jo can't handle cleaning up." He pauses a moment and Harry can hear him writing something down. "And while I'm at it, I'll call over to Ruth's and see if she needs anything. Let her know not to come in tomorrow unless we've got a Red Flash."
"You're being awful nice." Harry says, voice measured as he wonders just what his Section Chief is playing at.
"Yeah well...I have a date with that blonde from SAS we worked with on the last case. I'd like to not come down with whatever Ruth has before I get...umm...dinner."
"Charming."
With that, Harry disconnects the call and climbs from the car.
" 'lo?" Voice low, Ruth pulls the phone under the pillows with her.
"Ruth? It's Adam."
"Adam?" Confused, she pushes herself up and looks around. Harry should have let him know she wouldn't be in.
"How are you?"
"Umm...sick?"
"That's what Harry said when he called. Do you need anything?"
"No." She's more confused than before and briefly wonders if she's sicker than she originally thought. "I've everything I need."
"Good, good. Just calling to make sure you didn't need anything. And let you know you're not to come in tomorrow unless we've a Red Flash."
"Alright."
"And if you need anything, just give us a call."
"Okay."
After they hang up, she lies back against the pillows, her stomach fuzzy but calmer than it was the night before. On one side, the two cats lie, each licking the other which Scarlet sits on her other, watching her intently.
"You're making sure I don't move, aren't you?" she asks, the dog.
As she's answered with a woof, she takes that as an affirmative that Harry has ordered the dog to be her babysitter. With a smile, she pats the dogs head before sliding down and dozing off.
The sun's just setting when Harry lets himself back into Ruth's. It's quiet as he resets the alarm and looks around. Aside from a side light, the downstairs is dark. After making sure the door's locked, he makes his way upstairs, expecting to find Ruth asleep. Instead he finds her propped up against the pillow, book in her lap and animals sitting with her.
"Hi." he says, a smile on his face as he stops in the doorway.
Looking up from her book, she smiles back. "Hi yourself."
Crossing the room, he settles next to her. Giving Scarlet a pet as she sticks her head under his hand, he leans over to kiss Ruth softly. "How are you feeling?"
"Alright. A bit hungry actually."
"Have you managed to keep anything down today?" Looking at the bedside table, he sees a cup of tea and some biscuits.
"A bit this afternoon."
"Hmm. Good. How about some soup?"
"That sounds good but," hand reaching out, she lies it on his arm, "you don't need to make it. I can do it."
"Nonsense. I want to take care of you." Squeezing her hand, he pushes off the bed. "Rest. I'll bring it up when it done."
"Alright."
As he crosses the room, she calls out and he stops. Turning back, he spots her fidgeting with the duvet.
"What's wrong sweetheart?"
Blushing at the endearment, she speaks softly. "Are you...are you staying tonight?"
"Do you want me to?" he asks, a grin on his face.
"Yes."
"Then I will."
tbc
AN: Thank you all for the reviews. I foresee two or three more chapters at most with this.