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Close Call
Ruth curled up in bed. Fidget had braved the wrath of Harry by curling up next to her. The grey moggie purred as Ruth stroked his head. Ruth smiled as Harry watched her fussing the spoiled cat.
"Happy New Year Fidge" She felt the cat purr as she spoke "Close call tonight. Poor Beth"
"She'll be fine Ruth. I hope it is a good New Year" He settled on the bed next to her as Fidget made a point of ignoring him. The grey moggie seemed to have decided if she ignored him long enough she wouldn't get kicked off the bed. He slipped in to bed next to Ruth as wrapped his arm around her waist.
"It was close today, you're right" He sighed as Ruth rested her head back. Fidget gave up and jumped off the bed as Harry brushed a strand of hair away from Ruth's shoulder.
"Beth did well"
"Ruth" she sighed as he said her name.
"I'm fine. I just need to eat a little more often" She sighed as Harry kissed her shoulder. Has she lost weight? I risk an argument worse than anything the Home Secretary could throw at me. He kissed her again. It was now or never.
"Catherine fainted once. Scared me to death. Then there was Ros" He sighed, he could sense Ruth was beginning to get annoyed, without even looking at her. Instead he focused on the wall opposite the bed. Ruth tensed and pulled away from him slightly. It had been a difficult few weeks in the run up to Christmas. She didn't see why her explanation of being too tired and not eating wasn't reassuring him. That was all it was. All it could be. Catherine had fainted because she was pregnant as had Ros. The only other time had been just after the hotel explosion. Ruth sighed, she was neither pregnant and had never been pinned under missionary for four and a half hours as her spleen bled out and she lost consciousness. Ruth closed her eyes as she remembered her friend's injuries. Ros still had scars on her arms and back where the burns had permanently marked her. Ruth sighed, thank God nothing like that had happened to anyone else on the team. But tonight it had been close.
"Harry, I wish it was for the same reasons. But it isn't." He heard the tears in her voice "It never will be"
"It's that bloody idiot you work for. I blame him for this!" Harry kissed her hair. "Bloody slave driver. I'll have to have a word with him"
Ruth smiled as she felt him smile against her hair.
"Yeah" Ruth yawned "Good job I'm crazy about him then"
"Lucky bugger" Harry grumbled as she turned in his arms and kissed him. Pulling away she closed her eyes as she pressed her forehead against his.
"Please Harry don't worry. I'm fine. I'm just exhausted, that's all. What with Christmas and everything" She didn't need to expand on everything. He knew she had been terrified that Section D would be disbanded through the Inquiry that she had believed he would be dismissed from the service over everything with Lucas. The return of Tessa and Juliet in to their lives and the problems the kids brought with them. He knew she missed Nico terribly. He pulled back as he thought of the boy who would now be a teenager. The dark haired little boy that Malcolm had saved lived in Cyprus with his aunt Maria but wrote to Ruth occasionally. It was clear he missed her and Harry just hoped the boy would grow up happy and content, not bitter and angry like his uncle Frankie. Not like his father either. He knew the boy was doing well at school and intended to become a doctor like his father. He had spoke to Maria when he was organising Ruth's birthday surprise for the following April. He was amazed Maria had agreed to it but was delighted he had. He sighed, knowing how George had treated both Nico and Ruth behind closed doors. If George had been alive Harry knew he would have killed him where he stood. He kissed Ruth's hand as she traced the outline of his lips with her index finger.
"Harry" She smiled. "Stop worrying" She had a fair idea of what was wrong with her. The internet had it's uses. The symptoms she had been hiding from everyone had been pretty consistent with what she had read. It could wait until the New Year was over, there was no point in worrying Harry and the kids. Not yet.
"Never. Not when it comes to you"
"Harry"
"Maybe it'll be better this year" He glanced at the small bedside clock in the corner of the bedroom.
"Mmm. Maybe. Maybe we'll get to bed before 3 am!" She smiled as he pulled her to him.
"Come ere" He pulled her into his arms before she could protest. She rested her head on his chest before planting a kiss on his sternum.
"I love you" Ruth mumbled as Harry kissed her hair. He could never tire of hearing her say that. He smiled as he felt her lips against his skin.
"I know. Go to sleep" He made a mental note to keep an eye on her. People didn't faint for any apparent reason.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ros was glad Carrie had taken Amy for the night. She lay on her side as Lucas slept soundly next to her. She counted the space between the contractions in her stomach. Too early. Braxton Hicks. That's all this is. Had them with Amy. Oh God! That was a nasty one She gritted her teeth as she screwed her eyes shut and buried her face in her pillow. It was then she felt Lucas rub her lower back.
"Ros"
"Ummm"
"We need to go to the hospital. Now" He sounded so calm. Ros wanted to hit him.
"Braxton hicks" She gritted her teeth.
"You had them with Amy I know. But your waters never broke with them. Come on Ros"
"Shit" She sat up, realising he was right.
"We better go"
"Good idea" She let him help her stand. That was then Lucas knew she was in trouble. "Shit"
"I know, come on" He tried to placate her as Ros narrowed her eyes.
"Never touch me again. You understand? I am NEVER doing this again" She gripped his hand as he smiled at her, trying not to let the smile turn in to a wince.
"Ok Ros, whatever you say"
"Good"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Beth pushed her blonde hair out of her eyes as she looked at the clock. It was still early but she knew she had promised Dimitri she would be there for him today. Minutes later she was waking him up while wondering how a man as tall as he was could possibly sleep on her small sofa. Running a hand through his closely cropped hair she smiled as he stirred.
"Five minutes mum"
"Oi Sailor Boy" Beth laughed as Dimitri's eyes shot open.
"Oh"
"Five minutes and we have to leave. Well unless you want to see your parents in the same clothes you were wearing yesterday" He groaned as he realised he would have to go back to his place to change.
"Are you ok?" He sat up and took the mug from her, grateful for the distraction. Beth's 'meeting the boyfriend's family' outfit was something else. He thought it was the first time he had ever seen her wear a skirt. The black pencil skirt and flat shoes made her look much more prim and proper than he could imagine her.
"Yeah. Thanks" Beth smiled coyly. "Hurry up and don't hog the bathroom!" She called as she disappeared back towards the kitchen. Her phone bleeped as she heard Dimitri swear as his did the same.
"ORDERS FROM HP. DAY OFF. SEE YOU 8AM MONDAY ALL BEING WELL. HAPPY 2011. AC"
Dimitri smiled, wondering what his current section chief would be doing. He could imagine him nursing a few extra bruises after his encounter with their chief suspect he day before. He called Beth as she appeared in the doorway. "Adam text. Says we got the day off"
"I should think so too. We didn't get home until 3 am" Dimitri smiled, unsure if she had realised what she had said.
"Come on then. Be nice to Hannah, don't let her rile you and please say something nice about my mum's cooking" He turned to her.
"Hannah?"
"My oldest sister, also known as little Miss Cant be Wrong" He pulled a face as Beth laughed. It was going to be an interesting New Years Day.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Harry woke later than he could remember for a New Years Day. He was usually on the Grid but this time he had given the team the day off. He smiled as he realised Ruth was still in bed with him. One of them had to move or Scarlet and the cats would be causing havoc. He kissed Ruth's hair as she laid half on top of him.
"Ruth" He nudged her gently, not really surprised when she didn't move. "Ruth? Sweetheart?" It was then he realised how pale she was. Her pale skin almost grey. Her breathing didn't sound right and a frown screwed up her face.
"Open your eyes Ruth"
"Hurts" She mumbled as Harry reached across and picked up his mobile. In seconds he had her lying on her side. He couldn't help but panic as she shook slightly. "Yes, Ambulance please" He watched as her breathing continued to be a problem for her.
"It's ok Ruth. It's ok" He sighed as he brushed her hair away from her face. "It's ok"
He watched as she held his gaze. "Don't worry" She smiled weakly as the ambulance sirens could be heard in the background.
A/N more soon. Is Ruth alright? Will Hannah and Beth get along and is Ros' baby really on the way? Thanks for the reviews. Again this is longer than I intended it to be. Zoe's past may also come back to haunt the team as the case they think is over becomes more complicated than ever.
