Okay… so temptation to write some more took over Hope you all had a lovely Christmas! Thank you all so much for your lovely reviews… they really make me smile Hope you enjoy!

"My office." Harry had crept up surprisingly quietly and Ruth jumped as she felt his warm breath brush her ear. Without hesitation, much to her own scorn, Ruth was out of her seat and following him obediently back to his office. As he reached the door he stepped aside and allowed her through, before sliding it shut behind them.

"Please. Sit." Harry wafted his hand vaguely in the direction of the chair on the other side of his desk, before settling himself into his own chair. All the while she watched him. He was nervous, she could tell by the way in which his eyes were darting between various inanimate objects and his hands where unconsciously fiddling with his cufflinks.

"Harry?" she prompted softly. The tenderness and genuine concern of her tone stilled him and he suddenly looked up and met her eyes. "Harry, is there a problem?"

"Problem?"

"Yes. You know, why you called me in here?"

"Called you in here?"

"Yes, Harry. Is there a reason you need to see me, apart from to repeat everything I say, of course."

"Of course."

They both smiled acknowledging the tender humour of the moment. Harry took a deep breath and began carefully.

"I wanted to apologise Ruth."

"Apologise?"

"Now who is repeating things!"

She blushed adorably and it seemed to give him the confidence him so badly needed to continue.

"I wanted to apologise for you having to work today, you know what with it being Christmas Day."

"You mean you remembered?" she teased gently, a jovial twinkle dancing in her eyes.

"No Ruth. I just hadn't forgotten" he challenged, an equally endearing glint in his own eyes. In that moment Harry was sure he fell in love with her a little bit more, if that was possible. He looked down at his fingers, which had unnoticed by himself, begun to fidget once again. "Ruth," he continued, determined to say what he needed to say, to do what needed to be done. "Like I said, I wanted to say sorry for your having to be here today."

"It's fine Harry, I don't mind."

"I know." He smiled softly before meeting her honest eyes once more.

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be Harry, then here." With you she thought, but something seemed to prevent this conclusion to the statement.

However, with a knowing grin, Harry reached over and squeezed her hand lightly. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be either, Ruth."

She looked down at his surprisingly smooth hand covering her own and smiled. "Good. That's good."

With one last squeeze, Harry swiftly removed his hand and suddenly stood from his desk, causing a slightly bereft Ruth to look up from her now expose hand.

She watched as Harry walked purposefully over to the filing cabinet and reached deep into the top draw and produced a small package, wrapped delicately in crimson tissue paper and completed with a deep purple bow. He then moved to her side and perched against the edge of his desk. "I… erm… I wanted to give you something…a present… for Christmas… Oh God!... I'm no good at…"

"Harry." Her gentle squeeze of his arm was the only reassurance he needed. "Thank you" she breathed, easing the present from his grasp. Slowly she released her grip on his arm and her fingers flipped over the small gift tag on the package and she bent low to read the ever familiar scrawl.

Dear Ruth,

Just a little something to say Merry Christmas.

Yours always,

Harry x

Ruth's eyes clouded slightly with tears of joy as the honest meaning of the opening and closing sentiment were not lost her. Seeing her acknowledgement, Harry smiled and bent close to her. "Open it" he whispered.

With a small smile she did, untying the ribbon and opening the paper as carefully as if it were the most precious gift she had ever received. On to her lap fell the most beautiful silk scarf she had ever seen. She swallowed hard and tried to not let her heart leap completely out of her mouth or her body through itself completely at the wonderful man that sat so close to her. Carefully she picked up the garment and drew it carefully upwards relishing the soft touch of it between her fingers. She met his eyes and words formed before she could stop them.

"It's blue." His amusement was evident and she cursed her ability to always say ridiculous things in his presence. They both began to speak simultaneously.

"What I meant to say was…"

"It's to match your eyes."

She caught her breath. He was looking at he with such honesty and intensity that she was felt as if her world could end right there and then and she would die a happy woman.

"Thank you" she breathed. After a moment, she dropped her gaze to her present once more. He, however, continued to watch her intently. "It's beautiful Harry."

"Yes, it is isn't it."

She did not need to look up. She could feel his hot gaze boring into her. She allowed herself a few moments of bathing in his heat and comfort before she stood up, suddenly afraid that if she stayed any longer her self control would waver or crumble completely.

However, it wasn't until she had stood up that she realised how dangerously close to him she now found herself. He, still perching on the edge of her desk, slowly reached out a hand and easily pulled the scarf from her fingers.

"Allow me?" His husky plea was low and she felt his breath spark an uncontrollable shiver down to the base of her spine. Powerless to do anything else, she simply nodded and met his dark eyes once more.

Slowly, he reached up and traced the soft fabric around the back of her neck. As he brought the scarf around to her collarbone he rested his fingers lightly on her soft skin and with delicate precision trace the fabrics movements over her skin. She closed her eyes, unable to stop her need to feel his touch, taste his sweet breath and drown in his completely evident desire.

She felt his nimble fingers tie a lose knot across her breasts before they swiftly skimmed higher and one finger began to run tenderly across her jaw line. She opened her eyes and was surprised at how close he now stood. As his touch reached her chin he light tilted her face upwards silently pleading with her to look at him. She did.

"It's beautiful" he breathed.

He bent his head slowly, allowing her chance to stop him.

She didn't. Instead, she softly laid her hand on his chest and took a step towards him. Closing her eyes she could feel his lips drawing ever closer to hers. His breath danced lovingly across her skin. His fingers drew her ever closer.

"Harry? I…"

"Is there a law against knocking in this damn place that I should know about!" he bellowed, immediately dropping his hand and stepping away from Ruth and turning on an irritatingly amused Adam.

"Erm…" At the sight of his boss's increasingly annoyed demeanour, Adam hastily swallowed his witty reply. "Home Sec on the line, Harry. He says it's urgent. Sorry."

Harry sighed and made to pick up his receiver. "Yes, well, it better bloody had be urgent!"

Ruth, somehow, finding the ability to move, hurriedly made to leave the office.

"Hey, nice scarf Evershed. I didn't notice that before…"

A mutinous stare stopped Adam in his tracks.

"Right, erm, I'll just be going."

And with that he hurriedly shut the door leaving an extremely frustrated Harry to try and regain some self control.

Not sure I'm happy with chapter but I felt it was important for Ruth to get her present for the next few chapters (thinking maybe two more if you are still interested?) Please R & R x