Now it's Ruth's turn. Thanks for the reviews! Oddly I had chapters 6 & 7 practically all done before this one. Your kind words greatly helped motivate me to write this up. It took me forever so I hope it was worth the wait. Still don't own Spooks.

Chapter 4

The van door opened letting in the cool night air. Danny greeted Malcolm with a warm cup.

'Hot latte for you,' he said.

Staring at his computer screen he replied, 'What took you so long?'

'There was a line.'

Malcolm gave him a disbelieving look.

'A long line,' defending himself.

'Yes. So 'long line' is code for 'cute young café girl?'

Danny ignored his jibe, 'Did I miss anything?'

'A bit. Ruth's got one.'

'Yes!' taking a sip of his drink. 'Maybe we'll be home at a decent hour tonight.'

Malcolm gave him the same look as before.

'Or maybe not,' his face fell. 'So who's the guy?'

'Don't know yet. The man won't budge from his spot. Insufferable.'

Ruth sat looking at the man in front of her. The words were swirling around in her mind waiting to be spoken. She was eagerly anticipating the reactions that would generate from her speaking them. Her confidence was growing in his presence. And she knew that if she asked to go back to his place he would willingly take her there. But she was enjoying herself too much for this to be cut short. The thrill of this dance was too much to just stand against the wall. His soft brown-eyed gaze watched her waiting to speak.

She leaned in fingering his tie and whispered seductively, 'Can you pull this heart-shaped arrow out of my arse? A damn little kid with wings shot me.'

He smiled whilst glancing at the said 'arse'.

'Oh, I don't know if you'll want to use that one again. So many men with their dirty little minds. Could get you into a hot spot, that one.'

She hadn't let go of his tie, 'Well, what if I want to get into a 'Hot. Spot',' playfully tugging on it as she emphasized the last two words.

At her remark he felt his neck start to burn. His heart sped up. He jutted out his jaw with a smirk, 'Now…'his eyebrows creased, 'do you really want me to take this conversation in that direction? I am a man and I might just have a dirty little mind.' He breathed.

'No, you look like a gentleman to me.' Smoothing his tie she leaned back against her chair.

'Come to think of it… were you in Boy Scouts?' grinning, 'Because you sure have tied my heart in a knot.'

He chuckled, 'As a matter of fact I was. And you know the motto: Be prepared…. Well…' leaning in close he whispered, 'I. Am.'

She held his warm stare for only a few seconds unable to resist glancing down at his lush lips. She wasn't sure how to respond. She could feel his warm breath so close to her mouth, almost tasting it. When her mind finally signaled her speech center all she managed to say was, 'O-Oh.'

Blushing she turned away, flipped open her bag and retrieved her phone for her next approach.

'Oh damn. There is something wrong with my mobile,' she said. 'It doesn't have your number in it,' beaming.

'Well, I can remedy that. Hand it over.' He dialed in his number, pressed SEND and handed it back to her.

His mobile ringing, 'I'm so sorry. I've got to take this,' grinning. 'I'm a very important person. Excuse me.' turning towards the counter speaking into the phone, 'Hello?'

She pressed the phone to her ear mimicking his actions.

'Hi,' she relayed.

'Well, well.' In a low growl, 'How are you?'

'Oh, I'm fine. I'm just at a bar with an incredibly handsome stranger.'

'Well, what a coincidence. I'm at a bar with an amazingly beautiful woman. If it doesn't work out for us tonight maybe we could get these two extremely attractive people together.'

'That sounds like a plan.'

Though he wasn't looking at her he could hear the smile in her voice.

'So what is your handsome stranger wearing?'

She turned to face him appraising his attire. 'A navy tailored suit, loosened gold tie, cufflinks…maybe braces.' She bit her lip, 'Oh, I hope he's wearing braces…. How about your beautiful woman? What is she wearing?'

His eyes first fell to her feet. Slowly, like he was caressing her with his gradual gaze, he trailed them up her body. 'Stilettos, matching her silken black dress that is resting just above her knee hugging her hips and… other assets. She has a shawl scarcely keeping her bare shoulders warm. And her necklace is lying atop the softest skin just begging to be kissed.'

She couldn't help but let out a small moan into the receiver. Their eyes locked together as the heat rose between them.

Then a loud 'BLEEP' made her flinch out of the trance. Regaining some sense of time and space she broke away from his stare.

'Excuse me. I have to take this. I'm a very important person,' smiling.

'Ruth?'

Her eyes widened at Malcolm's voice. Suddenly very aware of the situation she was there to perform her mind raced to pick out a scenario conversation. Suddenly angry, 'I thought I told you never to call me again,' grimacing sideways at her companion.

'Yes, of course. But we are having a bit of a problem identifying the man sitting next to you. If you could just nudge him toward the cctv. We can vett him and make sure you're safe.'

'I am! You don't have to worry about me anymore!'

'Yes, but we still need to check.'

'Fine! Goodbye! And… and don't…don't call me again!' Show over, she moved to apoligise for the interruption.

Audibly exhaling, 'My ex.' Rolling her eyes. 'Never stops bothering me,' dramatically exasperated.

'You know…. I know people….' He paused, 'I could …scare him out of knowing his own name and your name for that matter.'

'You know people? What kind of people?' inquisitive.

'Oh….higher ups.'

She giggled, 'Big wig bankers? Oooo scary…. Or are you some kind of government spook? Banker by day, spy extraordinaire by night…. So that's why your name is Giles Farmer. I knew it was a fake,' teasing.

'You found me out. I was going to tell you but I didn't think you'd believe me. Spies are supposed to keep secrets you know.'

'Well then you're a rubbish one at that. Telling me you're a spy. And I don't get that line either. When someone tries to chat you up using the spy scheme, I mean, there are protocols and vetting to be done. No real spy would say they were one. It's risky business. And what if the fake spy was actually hitting on a real spy? What then?' Rambling, 'Would the real spy know if they were a fake?' Answering her own question, 'Probably. So you actually saying you're a spy tells me you're not one. Which is good cause I'm not one either.'

He countered, 'But if you say you aren't couldn't that mean that you are? Because only a spy would deny it.'

'You're right.' Thoughtfully, 'Deny everything.'

'So what have we concluded?' he asked.

'Neither of us are spies,' she said matter of fact.

'So that means we're both spies cause we said we weren't.'

'Okay, then we're both spies. So… that makes us not. Right?'

'Right. Good,' smiling at her. 'Shall we get back to the flirting?' thankful for the opportunity to change the subject.

'Absolutely.' She took a sip of her drink. 'So, have you always been this cute, or do you have to work at it?'

'I'd like to say always. But honestly it is hard work being this charming all the time.'

He motioned up and down with his hands to stress his point.

'Yes, I see that. Must be so tiring being you.'

'Quite.'

Continuing with the game she leaned in close and looked into his eye intently with a mark of concern.

She stroked her finger across his cheek feeling his smooth skin.

'What's that in your eye?' she asked. Then sitting back, 'Hmm. Must have been a twinkle.'

He smiled at her remark and she could've sworn she actually did see a twinkle.

'Speaking of eyes,' he replied, 'yours are beautiful. Like the ocean after a storm. Would it be too much if I said I was 'lost at sea'?'

She tapped his arm and replied, 'Yes, it would be too much.' Blushing, 'Anyway, I thought it was my turn.'

Recovering from his compliment she looked down at her hands and then back up. His face was much closer this time. She drew in a breath staring at his lips and decided to take it to the next level.

'Can you feel it?' she said. 'There is some kind of connection between us.' Her heart was hammering. Then she whispered, 'Do you feel it too?' biting her lip.

'Yes.' He breathed. 'Would you...' liking his lips, 'like to get out of here?'

'I thought you'd never ask.' She quickly gathered her things.

'Really? Thought I'd never ask?'

'Okay. I was wondering when,' suddenly shy… 'when… you'd… ask.'

'That's better. Hate for you to think all this flirting was to end at a lonely bar going our separate ways.'
'Now,' reaching out his hand to her 'would you hold this for me whilst we go for a walk?'

Taking his hand she couldn't help to hide her smile.

Malcolm sat staring at the screen. His mouth agape, unable to fathom what was forming before his eyes.

'No...No! No….This this isn't happening. This isn't happening! This can't be happening!'

'What's wrong.' Danny asked looking over his shoulder.

'You see that blurry blob?' tapping violently on the glass, panicking. 'Well, it just turned into Harry.'

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Please leave a review if this chapter made you smile. I really appreciate them. And I'll try to get the next chapter up sooner than later.