It's one am the following morning when the ringing of the phone wakes her. Hand snaking out from the warmth of the duvet, Ruth grabs the phone and brings it to her ear.

" 'ello?" she managed to mumble, her eyes still closed.

Listening a moment, she wakes up and sighs deeply. "Alright. I'll be there soon."

Dropping the phone to the mattress, she rested her face in the pillow before pushing herself into a sitting position, the duvet falling to her lap. Reaching a hand out, she turned on the light and blinked as light filled the room.

From his spot at the foot of the bed, Fidget opened an eye and meowed grumpily.

"Oh be quiet. You'll be asleep again before I'm dressed."

Ten minutes later, she's pulling the front door shut and locking it. Hands sliding into her pockets, she turned and made her way down the front walk, her eyes looking around the quiet street.

Not finding anything out of the ordinary, she crossed to her car. This time of night it was wiser to drive in than risk taking public transportation. Unlocking the car, she went to open the door when she noticed the white box sitting on the hood. Seeing the same twine wrapped around it along with the same cardstock attached to it, she reached a hand out and grabbed it.

Opening her door, she lowered herself into the driver's seat and set the box on the passenger seat. Looking from it to the steering wheel, she sighed and slid her key into the ignition. As much as she wanted to know what was in it, duty called. Shifting the car into park, she pulled out onto the street and made her way to Thames House.

Half a block stood huddled in their coat, a man stood watching as the brake lights disappeared around the corner. With a sigh, they opened the door to their own car and got in.

"Ruth! Hold up."

Stopping just inside the doors leading from the parking garage, Ruth shook her head and smiled. Turning slightly, she watched as Jo hurried over to her. Neither said a word as they got into the elevator and rode up to the Grid.

Stepping through one pod as Jo went into the other, Ruth looked around.

Zaf and Adam were already waiting; Zaf at his desk looking around sleepily, Adam on his phone to someone.

Crossing to her desk, Ruth shrugged out of her coat and sat, setting the plain white box she carried down.

"What's that?" Jo asked, sitting at her own desk.

"I'm not entirely sure but I'm going to guess it's three French Hens." Ruth answered, pulling the card free and looking at it.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me three French Hens.

Like she'd done in the past, she flipped the card over. And like in the past, it was blank.

With a sigh, she set it down on her desk as Jo watched on. Interest peaked, Zaf rolled his chair over next to Jo and watched as well.

Lifting the lid, Ruth moved the tissue paper aside. Inside the box rested three small, stuffed French Hens.

Lifting one out, she saw a green and red checkered scarf around its neck, the letter F stitched into it. Setting it down, she pulled the other two out and found they had the same scarf; only one had an H and one had an L.

"Who are these from?" Jo asked as she reached out and picked up one of the stuffed birds. "And what's the L for?"

"They're from A. D. Mirer or at least that's the name given to the delivery company. I'm not entirely sure who it is. I've been getting gifts the past three days; the first a pear tree with a stuff partridge was left on my stoop and the second, a Turtle Dove was delivered the other night via currier." Reaching a hand out, Ruth took the bird from her and looked at it. "And I'm going to assume the L stands for Love. One of the theories on the meaning of the song lyrics is that the three French Hens stands for Faith, Hope and Love."

"Do you think it's Harry?"

"No Jo, I don't. Not anymore at least." she answered honestly, her eyes watching the bird. "He's moved on."

Jo frowned at her friend. "Don't believe the rumors Ruth."

"It's not just the rumors," Ruth said softly, finally lifting her eyes. "There's evidence too if you're looking for it."

"Have you checked the delivery company?" A quiet voice asked from behind, turning the subject away from an uncomfortable one.

Turning in her chair, Ruth looked at Malcolm as he and Ros stood there, winter coats still wrapped tightly closed and smiled her thanks. "Yes. It was the first place I looked. When I called I couldn't get any information; I was told it was confidential. So I had a look through their computer system. And got the name A. D. Mirer."

"A. D. Mirer? That's a strange one." Zaf said.

Before anyone could answer, the pods swished open again and Harry stepped through. Crossing towards them, an angry scowl on his face, Harry pulled off his coat. As he stopped at Ruth's desk, he dropped it on the surface and looked between them all.

"If you're done playing with toys," he bit out, "I'd like to get some work done."

"Harry..." Adam started, having hung up the phone and moved over to them.

He wasn't given a chance to finish.

"Briefing room. Now."

Without another look around, Harry moved towards the briefing room.

"Someone's not happy about being interrupted tonight." Zaf grumbled.

Ruth had noticed that too as she followed the others into the room. Just as she'd noticed the same tired look on Harry's face as the previous day. And the fact that he was wearing the same clothes as he'd had on earlier sans the tie.

As she settled in her chair, she felt her heart sink even deeper towards her stomach as she noticed the red mark.

Someone had marked his neck.

"Alright, everyone go home. Report back tomorrow morning, nine am. And good work." Adam called out as he looked around the Grid.

Turning off her computer, Ruth leaned back in her chair and sighed. It's been a long fourteen hours but they'd successfully caught their wannabe bomber. Rolling her neck to loosen the muscle, she covertly watched as Harry stood behind his desk and pulled on his coat.

It wasn't like him to leave so soon after a mission. Even a successful one.

She watched as he left his office and crossed towards the pods. Pulling out his cell phone, he stepped through them without a word to anyone. As he walked down the hall, she watched as he lifted the phone towards his ear.

Fighting back tears, Ruth stood and hastily pulled on her coat.

Jo watched her friend sadly. She hadn't wanted to believe the rumors going around Thames House that their boss had turned in a permission to socialize form to the DG, but Ruth was right, it you looked closely, you could see the evidence.

Her heart went out to her friend. While Ruth hadn't come out and said it, Jo knew she was in love with him. And it'd been her big mouth that had caused everyone to start talking after their date.

It was her fault that Ruth had panicked when Malcolm had approached her.

It was her fault Harry had found someone else. Bastard.

Not that she'd voice that out loud. He was her boss after all. But still, he was a bastard for what he was doing to her friend.

"Hey Ruth." she called out. "Do you have a Christmas tree yet?"

"What?" Ruth asked, looking up slowly. "A tree? No. I haven't had time."

Standing, Jo pulled on her coat. "What do you say we go and get one then?"

"I'm really not..."

"It'll be fun. We'll bring Zaf. He can carry it."

"What?" Zaf asked, looking up at his name. "Carry what?"

"The tree we're going to go pick out for Ruth."

"Jo really, it's okay. I'm just going to head home."

"Come on Ruth, it'll be fun. We'll pick out a tree, pick up some beer and a pizza on the way back to your place and we'll all decorate it. It'll be a fun night."

"I don't know." Ruth said slowly, her eyes looking between her desk and her friend.

"Just say yes Ruth. It's Christmas. The time for laughter, joy, and fun times with friends. There's no one else I'd rather celebrate it with then you. And Zaf." she added as an afterthought.

"Well, it does sound like fun." Pausing, Ruth looked between the two before nodding. "Alright. If you want to."

"Great!"

"I'm just going to run to the ladies room then."

"Alright. We'll wait here for you."

Zaf and Jo watched as she made her way down the hall. As she rounded the corner, Zaf turned to Jo and frowned. "What's going on?"

"We're going to cheer Ruth up."

"Jo..."

"No Zaf. Just go with it. Can't you see how down she is about Harry. It's all my fault. And I hate seeing her like this."

Pausing a moment, Zaf looked at Ruth as she made her way back into the room. Seeing the sad look in her eyes, he nodded. "Alright."

"No, move it to the left a little."

"Here?"

"No, a little more."

"Here?"

"Too far. Go back to the right a hair."

"How's this?"

"No, it's still crooked."

"Oh give it up already! It's bloody fricking perfect."

Ruth laughed as she took a sip of her beer and watched as Zaf tried to move the tree while Jo directed him. She'd been reluctant at first to go along with Jo's plan but she had to admit, it'd been a fun evening.

They'd found a tree lot not too far from her house, it's boundaries lit up by hundreds of Christmas Lights. For an hour they'd wandered around the many different rows bickering over what made the perfect tree.

Jo had wanted one with full branches and lots of green.

Zaf had wanted to get one that was nine feet tall.

Ruth had found the perfect one.

It wasn't too full; in fact it had some bare spots on one side.

It wasn't too tall; only standing at six foot.

And while green, it wasn't as shiny as the others.

But to Ruth it was perfect. All it needed was a loving home.

In the end, her perfect tree was the one that'd found its way to her living room. The one they were currently trying to get set in its stand.

Every centimeter Zaf moved it, Jo said it was off. No matter how many times he moved it, she found a problem. Getting frustrated, Zaf stepped back and looked.

"It's fine."

"No it's not. Move it a little bit to the right."

Crossing to where Ruth sat, Zaf grabbed a beer and sat down.

"If you want it moved, do it yourself."

Looking at the tree a bit startled, Jo paused. "You know what, I think it's perfect."

Laughing, Ruth put down her drink and stood. Crossing to the boxes they had pulled earlier, she went to open them when the doorbell rang.

Pausing she looked up and frowned. She wasn't expecting anyone.

Seeing her frown, Zaf crossed to the hall and answered the door.

"Umm, you're not Ruth Evershed."

Looking up at the familiar voice, she tried to place it.

"No mate I'm not. What can I do for you?"

"Umm, is Ms. Evershed here? I have a package for her."

And that's when it clicked. It was the same delivery man as before.

"Alright, I'll give it to her."

"I'm uh only supposed to give it to her. Or her partner." A pause and then, "Are you her partner?"

"Sure, I'm her partner. I'll take the package and give it to her."

A moment later Ruth heard the door shut. Entering the room with a long, rectangle box, Zaf looked down at it. Lifting his eyes, he smiled.

"Looks like another gift for your admirer."

Reaching for the box, she pulled the lid off and found a card resting on top of tissue paper. Picking it up, she read it.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four Colly Birds.

Slipping the card back into the side of the box, she slowly moved the paper and frowned.

Instead of Four Blackbirds she found four round, ripe Pomegranates. Lifting one, she found another card underneath.

I give you these four Pomegranates and beg that you keep me safe. Though I am not there, I can see the crinkle of your forehead as you try and figure the meaning. Think my Classic Lover; think of Classical Greek folklore.

The mystery of the Pomegranates is still bothering her as Ruth leaves for work the next morning. All night while decorating the tree, she'd tried to work out the meaning. Zaf and Jo had both thrown out some wild guesses but nothing had rung clear in her mind.

Even after they'd left and she'd gone up to bed, the meaning had still bugged her. What did Pomegranates have to do with Blackbirds and how was she supposed to protect this mysterious gift sender.

Opening her door, she had to admit that it had given her some insight into their identity. Whomever it was knew of her background with the classics. Which narrowed the pool of suspects down considerably.

And a small part of her still hoped it was Harry.

Even if the chances of that were now slim.

Glancing down, she wasn't surprised to find another box on her step.

Day five of the twelve days of Christmas.

Five golden rings.

Picking up the box, she looked at the card carefully tied on top. And smiled.

She was right.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me five golden rings.

Untying the ribbon, she paused as the card flipped over to reveal more writing.

Inside this box you'll find what opens the doors to my life.

Wondering at the meaning of that riddle, she lifted the lid. And starred. At five golden rings with five golden keys on them.

Two were smaller than the rest and wouldn't fit any door she knew of.

One looked like a car key.

Two looked like normal, everyday house keys.

Lifting them out, she turned them over hoping for some clue. The only hint she got was on the car key. It was to a Range Rover. Other than that, she had nothing.

Moving the cotton at the bottom of the box, she hoped for another note. As she found nothing, she frowned. She now had five keys.

But who's were they. And where did they go?

"And you don't know where they go?"

Shaking her head, Ruth took the keys back from Zaf. "No. Just that it'll open the doors to a life - whatever that means."

"Did you try your own front door?"

"Yes. And my neighbors too. None worked."

Frowning, Jo looked at her. "Why would you try your neighbor?"

Telling them how he was constantly asking her out, she watched as they both shook their head.

"Well, I'm not sorry to say that I'm glad they didn't open his doors. He sounds like a creep."

"He's harmless for the most part but you're right, he does creep me out a little now that he's shared his perfect date."

"Have you tried any other doors?" Looking around the Grid, Zaf thought of something. "Like maybe Harry's office?"

"It's not Harry Zaf. There's no point in even trying."

Before he can answer, the pods open to reveal the man in question. Ruth can see he looks better rested, but his mood doesn't appear to be any better than it had been the day before. If the way he snapped at the newest intern was any indication, it was worse.

"Briefing room." was all he said as he crossed the floor.

Looking at each other, the three stood and slowly followed him in. Sitting at the opposite end of the table, Ruth shared a look with Zaf. Seeing him pull a face and slightly tilt his head towards the head of the table, she smiled and shook her head.

"Would you care to share the joke with everyone or are we interrupting a private moment?"

Turning towards Harry, the smile slipped from her face as she took in his bitter voice. "Sorry." she said softly, blushing red.

Other than a look, he ignored her and turned to Adam. "If we could get this briefing st..." he paused as his phone rang. Frowning, he pulled it out of his pocket.

They all watched as a small smile crossed his face briefly before he caught it. Looking up at them, he stood. "Excuse me a moment, I need to take this."

Stepping out of the room, he crossed to the door and slid it shut as he stepped into the hall.

Without looking at the others, Zaf crossed to the door and carefully slid it open a fraction.

"... baby with Esme."

They're all quiet as they listen to his side of the conversation.

"No, not yet. ... You know I want to tell her before we get married. ... No, I haven't asked yet. It's all planned for Christmas Eve. ... I don't think she'll think it's too soon, I love her and I think she loves me too. Besides, I need to ask before she gets serious with anyone else. ... uh huh. Listen, I was in a meeting so I really can't talk now but I'm glad you called. And thank you for last night. ... No, I really appreciate it. Call your sister, she wanted to talk to you. Okay, bye."

They're all looking at each other in shock as he steps into the room. All except Ruth. She's looking at the table fighting back tears as his words replay over and over in her head. Baby with Esme. Before we get married. Love her.

AN: Thank you for the reviews! I'm thrilled that you're liking the story so far. My plan was to do a gift a day per chapter but as some people are starting to guess closely to what the mystery is, I'm stepping up the chapters a little. I'd like to keep some suspense going. =0)

I'm a bit stuck on days six (geese a laying), seven (swans a swimming), eight (maids a milking), nine (drummers drumming) and eleven (pipers piping) but I'm hoping to figure something out. Any ideas for gifts/notes, I'm open. If not, you might just get ten and twelve before the ending.