Disclaimer not mine

The Park.

Scarlett bounded along on the end of her new lead as Harry and Ruth walked along in silence. Ruth bit her bottom lip and wondered what to say to Harry. It hadn't been the sort of Christmas Day she had expected in the least. She glanced at the little dog who was clearly enjoying herself as Harry remained silent.

"Harry." Ruth started, the cold biting into her bones.

"Um?"

"You told Scarlett we were going to the park. What if it isn't open?" She watched as the skin around his eyes crinkled when he smiled. Blushing she looked away.

"I don't think she'll mind." Harry smiled as the little dog paused at the sight of something far more interesting than the two humans she was with. Ruth nodded and felt her heart rate speed up dangerously as he slipped his hand into hers. "Didn't you say something about a vat of red wine?"

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"Will you stop checking your phone?" Lucas smiled as he watched Ros put her mobile back on the coffee table in front of her.

"We are on call and nothing has happened."

"That's good." Lucas watched as she stared at him. "Isn't it?"

"It's weird." Ros answered. "Terrorists tend not to take Christmas and Bank Holidays off."

"Maybe they made an exception this year." Lucas smiled broadly. "Maybe someone up there." He pointed to the ceiling "Decided I need a break this Christmas, after all the last few haven't exactly been the Christmases to write home about."

"True." Ros sighed. "You don't believe all that?"

"I was brought up by a priest, Ros. Some things you don't forget."

"No." Ros curled her feet underneath her. "Some things from the past you can't escape from."

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"Mum." Tariq held his stomach as his little sisters got the latest computer game from under the tree. "I swear I am full."

"You do not eat enough, my boy."

"I eat plenty."

"Look at you." His mother raised her hands in despair. "All skin and bones. Mas, look at your son. All skin and bones. If you moved back in."

"We'd love it, but it is your choice." His father smiled as his mother shook her head and headed back towards the kitchen.

"Thanks Dad."

"She would love to have you back. I mean, we are nearer to Central London than your flat and you wouldn't be going home alone to an empty house. In your line of work."

"I am a computer programmer." Tariq stared at his father.

"Yes, and I am Father Christmas." Mas watched as his son looked away. "I know you can't tell me what you do but I know it's dangerous and important. I'd feel safer if you moved back home."

"It would put you all in danger."

"My family are my problem. You just do your job and live your life. I'll worry about your mother and sisters. You keep yourself safe."

"Dad."

"Right." Mas sat on the floor next to his younger daughter. "What's this game then?"

"James Bond." Sabrina smiled happily. Tariq rolled his eyes.

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"I can't believe we haven't been called in." Ruth sighed as they walked back from the closed gates of the park. Scarlett didn't seem too upset that her trip to the park had been curtailed.

"We aren't on call." Harry reminded her. He still couldn't believe she hadn't pulled her hand from his and ran. He knew he had taken a risk but it seemed to be taking off.

"I know." Ruth smiled. "But since when has that stopped us being called in?" She looked up at the sky as the first few flakes of snow hit the pavement. Scarlett barked happily, trying to catch the snow as it fell.

"True." Harry blinked as the snow hit his face. Ruth laughed. "What are you laughing at?"

"You."

"Well, I'm a funny man." Harry deadpanned.

"Yeah, not sure if funny as in amusing or peculiar." She teased as she stepped away from him.

"Oh thanks." He grumbled.

"You're welcome."

"Ruth."

"MM?"

"Come here."

"Why?" She moved towards him, trusting him instinctively. He lifted his free hand and brushed some errant snow out of her hair.

"You're cold."

"It's snowing." She raised an eyebrow. "Maybe we should go home?"

"I." Harry looked disappointed, for a moment Ruth wondered how a master spy like him could wear his emotions so openly. She knew there was no way the others on the Grid would see him like this. Without thinking she reached up a hand and touched the stubble that was already beginning to form there. Smiling she kissed him gently on the lips.

"I meant go back to your house, Harry. If that's ok."

"Yes Ruth." Harry smiled. "I think that is more than ok."

She stepped back and slipped her hand into his. Scarlett barked once before trotting behind her master and this new human he seemed to like so much. She had a feeling things were about to change for her and the cats and she had a feeling things were about to change for the two humans too.

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A/N One more chapter x Thank you all for the reviews.