Time and tide, thought Harry. It was only 3 days to go before New Year's Eve and the Security Services Annual Party.
He had never liked black tie events, especially those that were work related where he was expected to 'be nice' to people that quite honestly he couldn't abide.
The Home Secretary, most of six and the less doddery of the JIC, together with their wives or whoever they were currently sleeping with, flung together for an evening of merry making, just because it was the last night of the year. What the hell was the point he thought.
This year however would be different providing he didn't bugger it up when he spoke to Ruth. Remember what Malcolm said, he kept telling himself, gently does it. Strange really he thought, Malcolm who as far as Harry knew had very little experience as far as women were concerned, had summed up in a single sentence, something that should have been obvious to someone like him. He had slept with heaven knows how many women, since and even during his marriage. Was this one of the things that Ruth was thinking about?
It was late in the day and he knew all too well that his core staff, all of whom had been invited and were expected to attend, had been making use of what had been a quiet day to discuss the forthcoming event. Animated faces and a lot of banter, had it seemed, been going on for most of the afternoon. Acknowledging the fact, that it wasn't often that they were afforded any respite during working hours, he had kept out of their way.
Adam he knew would be bringing Fiona. Malcolm and Ros had been deep in conversation for some time and quite probably were planning to travel together rather than arrive on their own. Zaf, he had noticed, had been chatting up Jo for the best part of the afternoon, presumably in an effort to get her to go with him.
How he envied the way he seemed to be able to charm women, something he himself had once done with consummate ease. But then none of them had been Ruth Evershed, who with just one smile could render him speechless and have his body responding in a way that until recently he thought was a thing of the past.
As he gazed across to her desk, she appeared to be trying very hard to disappear in a puff of smoke. She had twice been out of the room, presumably in an effort to escape from being dragged into any discussion. He recognised the signs, the insecurity that was overwhelming her as she battled with her inner self, looking for an excuse to spend New Year's Eve at home, rather than with half the bloody security services and quite possibly, him.
They were so alike he thought, trapped in this web of uncertainty which was crazy. He loved her of that there was no doubt, surely she realised that.
Their time in Scotland flooded into his mind and how it had felt to hold her in his arms as she had danced with him. He wanted that again, that feeling of completeness that she gave him. The night that had followed, when he had finally made her his. She was gentle and beautiful and all that he had dreamed of, he ached for her, he really did.
Six o'clock rolled round and one by one they started to pack up their desks. As always, Ruth was still buried in a pile of paperwork, oblivious to all else around her. He watched Malcolm squeeze her shoulder and bid her goodnight, eliciting a radiant smile. Those eyes, so brilliant and blue he thought to himself as his heart rate rocketed and he felt the need to sit down to regain his composure.
Sufficiently calm and his body back in check, he left his desk and walked quietly across an all but empty grid. Leaning forward, he put his hands on her desk and in a voice, very close to her right ear and with little above a whisper, 'have dinner with me,' he said.
He had anticipated every possibility as to what her answer might be, well all but one as it turned out.
'I have to go shopping, before Friday,' she said 'I need something to wear.'
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