Ruth woke up early staring at her blank ceiling. That had been a wonderful dream, she thought to herself. Lying in Harry's arms as they… She shook her head to try and dispel those thoughts as they weren't going to happen. As she got dressed she couldn't help the fact that her mind seemed to conjure up images of Harry in bed with this mystery woman and it was torturing her.

"Oh God, stop it," she begged herself, running her hands over her face incredibly agitated. She had to stop this because she'd go crazy before she ever left her flat. Walking through to the bathroom she had a look in the mirror. Even though her mind and imagination were going through hell, she didn't look like it, she thought pleased. She actually looked like she'd had a good nights sleep. Pulling her coat on she made her way to Thames House, the grid and Harry.

Ruth was late. She sighed as she went through security because she had wanted to be early to avoid everyone else watching their reunion. Taking a breath she stepped into the pods and watched as Adam looked up at her with a smile. She didn't have it in her to smile, the nervousness from what she was about to do was eating at her.

"Welcome back," Adam said, his boyish grin still the same as she remembered. Ruth nodded and then without realising it her gaze was drawn to Harry's office and the blinds were closed. She wondered if that was forward thinking on Harry's part knowing she'd be arriving today. Then she wondered if that was a tad self centred. Adam guessing what she wanted sat down at his desk pretending to be working. Malcolm, Jo and a new Asian looking man she didn't recognise were actually working. Jo and Malcolm both threw her smiles before getting drawn into their work again.

"I'm Tariq," the new guy said with a cheeky grin at the silence, knowing she was watching him.

"Hi," Ruth said blankly. Either they were recruiting for MI5 younger or she was getting older she thought sadly. Everyone was looking at their computer screens, fingers rushing across keyboards and she knew putting it off any longer wasn't going to do any good. Ignoring the very non- subtle stares she was getting from the team she went to Harry's office door. For a second she considered knocking but then changed her mind. Didn't want to break the habit of a lifetime she thought smiling to herself. The thought eased her nerves enough to turn the door handle and walk in.

Harry had been signing some paperwork and the pen froze on the paper as she came in. He hadn't been looking but no one had dared come into his office without knocking in three years so he knew who it would be. As well as that the room suddenly seemed airless, crackling with tension between the two of them, finally together in the same room as she shut the door. "I see you haven't learnt to knock in the last three years," he said his eyes still on the papers in front of him. She said nothing but stood in front of the desk waiting for his eyes to lift and focus on her. Which after long seconds they did, locking with her blue ones. No one spoke, they couldn't. In the silence she felt the weight of his gaze shift all over her, moving from her eyes to the curve of her cheek and down the contours of her neck. As his gaze moved further down her she suddenly felt grateful that that she had her coat on hiding her figure because the way he was looking at her was almost indecent. Jo's voice suddenly filled her mind. "He has someone." Ruth sat down and the moment between them was broken.

"How are you?" he asked in a soft voice.

"Okay, all things considered." The silence spread out between them. Someone had to say something so Ruth opened her mouth to say the first thing she could think of. "How are you?" she asked.

"Okay," he said mirroring her response. She saw the sparkle in his eyes and she smiled slightly. The tension had lessened slightly between them and both were grateful for the temporary relief. It didn't last long because, like a fool Harry said the one thing she didn't want to be reminded of. "I'm in a relationship with someone."

"I know," she said in a low voice, her eyes lowering to the desk. Harry felt like he wanted to kick himself. She needed to know and he had to be man enough to tell her himself but why did it hurt to admit that to her so damn much?

"Who told you?" Harry asked in a light voice that belied the seriousness of the conversation.

"Is that really what you want to talk about?" Ruth asked, her eyes focusing on his again. He felt surprised that the warm blue eyes he'd dreamed about had suddenly changed. They were like shards of ice at the moment and he hated himself for making her look like that, especially when looking at him. "What's her name?"

"Rose Lewis," Harry said, almost but not quite a whisper. He could see Ruth racking her brain to a link to anyone she recognised. Still sharp as ever he thought with a flash of pride in her abilities. Which he then thought was ridiculous. He shouldn't feel anything towards her, but he couldn't deny that he did. The way she looked as she had walked into his office, like so many times in his fantasies. Even more beautiful and beguiling than he had remembered. She had been in his office for less than five minutes and already he could feel himself softening towards her presence. He couldn't afford to do that because it wasn't fair for anyone.

"I'd like a job," Ruth said interrupting his silent musings about her right hand which was resting on his desk just within reach of him.

"I thought you might," he said with a smile. "You can start whenever you want. Today if you like."

"Tomorrow?" she asked. "I have to buy some things for my flat."

"Okay, I'll get the paperwork pushed through for you later today."

"Thank you." Ruth looked at him and knew her fantasies had been incorrect. He was much more desirable up close than she had imagined. And that dark smouldering look in his eyes as he watched her. He could see the half remembered look on her face. The look that had been shared between them for many late nights on the grid before Cotterdam happened. So without him being aware of it, he reached across his desk and the tips of his fingers touched hers. She removed her hand as if she'd been electrified, and her heart was beating as if it had been.

"I'll see you tomorrow Harry," she said briefly as she left his office. Harry closed his eyes knowing that had been a stupid thing to do. Stupid for so many reasons. Outside his office Ruth closed the door and felt a little breathless. She rubbed her fingers together where Harry had touched and then noticed that the entire grid was watching her reaction. As she looked up they all suddenly appeared remarkably busy. Surprising herself she didn't actually mind if the entire grid was talking about her. Saying her goodbyes to everyone she felt eyes in her back as the pod doors whirred around her.

Apologies if the meeting the team bit was rushed, I wanted to get to the main Harry event. Hope no one is disapointed.