Hello lovely people. I'm sorry it's been a bit of a delay in posting and also that it is now a fair while past Christmas Day, but if you'll forgive that than here as a little update to keep you amused.

Chapter Four

"Adam!" Harry's bellow caused both Adam and Ruth to jump violently from the various reports they had been bent over studiously.

"Harry?"

"What do you think your playing at?"

"I'm sorry?" Adam blanched slightly fearing that he was about to be made to pay for his earlier interruption of Harry and Ruth's little 'meeting'.

Ruth, also sensing that this may be the case, made to step in. "Harry, is this really the time?"

Harry spun suddenly to face her, a feint look of pleasant surprise playing across his softening features. "Why, yes Ruth. I would say this is exactly the time."

At his seeming dismissal, Ruth dropped her gaze back to her awaiting report so to hide her now furiously blushing cheeks. Harry, on the other hand turned his attention sharply back to his Section Chief.

"It's seven o'clock on Christmas day, Mr Carter, and I think there's a little boy out there who needs his dad right now, much more than I need my Section head."

"But Harry, this case report…"

"Will still be there on Tuesday, when you return."

"Tuesday?"

"Yes, haven't you heard, Boxing Day is a bank holiday." Harry smiled kindly. "Spend it with Wes. Think of it as my Christmas present to him. I think… after everything that has happened this year… it's the least I can do."

Adam nodded his sombre understanding as Fiona's death hung heavily in the air, before standing sharply and grasping Harry in a warm handshake. "Thanks boss. That's really… Thanks."

Ruth who had been quietly observing this rare tender exchange between the two men smiled to herself, but her eyes remained safely focused on the report on her desk. She had not spoken to Harry since he had given her his Christmas present but she knew there was definitely an awkward conversation she was keen to delay.

With a quick goodbye to Ruth, Adam flew from the Grid faster than either of them had ever seen him move. It wasn't until the pods swished uncharacteristically noisily shut that it dawned on her she and Harry were now alone.

She also realised that he hadn't moved. She knew he was still stood just to her right in front on Adam's desk watching her, as she could feel his eyes boring into her as she always could. She knew he was going to say something about this afternoon and she knew she needed to be the first to speak.

"I'm beginning to think your coming down with something, Harry."

He raised his eyebrows, intrigued. Ruth maintained her fierce stare at the words in front of her, determined to make her voice as casual as she could.

"And why would that be Ruth?"

"Well, yesterday you let the team off early. Today, you let Zaf and Jo off to have lunch with their family and Adam off the see Wes."

"Ah! Well, you see a little birdie told me that it is in fact Christmas and that it might be a good idea to encourage people to have a life outside this Grid."

She grinned broadly, but still did not give him the upper hand and meet his eyes. His intimate breathy tone did however dare her to press a little further.

"Is that so? And what about us two, when do we get our time away from the Grid?"

"Oh." Harry sighed, sending tingles down to her very core. Ruth looked up, suddenly startled by his close proximity. Harry, who had crossed the Grid so quietly that she had not realised was now bent over her desk and was dangerously close. "I thought you said there was no where else you would rather be."

"There isn't." As she spoke she could not resist but look up. Their eyes met and she melted instantly. "There's no where I'd rather be Harry" she breathed.

They stayed still, lost in each other for a long moment. Ruth was battling with the inappropriateness of grabbing him then and there and finishing off what they should have done that afternoon. However, just as her fingers twitched in his direction, Harry spoke, breaking the moment cruelly short.

"That's a shame" he teased, making to move away from her desk.

"It is?" She knew he could read the disappointment on her face as he quickly smiled and stopped, before leaning over her desk once more.

"Yes. You see I was going to see if you'd like to join me for Christmas dinner?"

Her brain couldn't process anything, let alone keep up with the rapidly changing topic of conversation, not when he was stood this close, not when with one more inch his lips could easily capture her own.

"Hmm?" was all she managed, shamelessly drowning further into his intense eyes.

"Christmas dinner, Ruth. You know where people sit down with there loved ones and eat turkey, potatoes, broccoli, sprouts and the rest. I thought it might be nice if we ate together."

"You did?"

"Yes."

"With loved ones?"

"Yes."

"Oh."

He pulled back suddenly and tried to read her flushed and wanton face. His own features hardened slightly, preparing himself for the blow he was sure would follow. Steeling his heart against her running again. His confident demeanour faltered and in that moment she could see his vulnerability and his heart laid precarious on line before her.

"I mean, you probably have plans already, But, I just thought... well, hoped that…"

Gently she curled her fingers around his forearm and squeezed reassuringly. "I'd love to."

The relief flooded through him and she felt him relax underneath her touch. "Good," he breathed. "That's good."

Thank you for reading… if your still interested I'm nearly finished the next chapter and think there could be a little one to come after that. Let me know xx