He woke up and she was still there. On top of him. Sleeping. It wasn't a dream. He turned and looked at the clock. It was six. They took a five hour nap. He looked down at her. She was snuggled into his neck and she looked like she was at peace. He didn't know what to do. He wanted so many answers, but he didn't want to throw them at her. He felt her stir against him and he was soon looking into her blue eyes. She sat up and looked at his brown eyes. Slowly, she lifted her hand and grazed it against his cheek. He closed his eyes as she did and reopened them when she stopped.

"I'm so sorry for leaving you." she said. He gave a half smile.

"By the sounds of it, you didn't have much of a choice." he replied. Ruth shifted on him and tangled their legs together.

"Quite a species aren't we?" she asked. Harry remembered she once said that to him years ago. Their first date. He took a deep breath.

"Why did you have to leave Ruth?" he asked. Ruth frowned and moved away from him. She rolled over and then sat up on the bed. He remained where he was and looked up at her. He could see tears forming in her eyes.

"There's a conspiracy Harry. The Russians. They... well everyone affiliated with Ilya Gavrik believe... that we, meaning MI-5, you and me, indirectly murdered Elena and tried to kill Sasha."

Harry's eyes went wide and he sat up almost immediately. A tear came from Ruth.

"That is a load of bullocks. They don't even have evidence..."

Ruth shook her head as more tears fell. "You can say that Harry, but it won't change what they think. After Elena died, you remember Sasha came after you and that's when it started. It didn't go to plan though because Sasha got me... and not you. If I'm dead, then they won't go after you because without me, there is no plot to their conspiracy."

Harry frowned in confusion. He didn't see how Ruth played into it.

Ruth continued, "It's not like it matters. Either way, they would have won. They would have either framed you for her murder, despite Sasha witnessing it, or they would have succeeded in you dying alone. Growing old alone."

Harry saw what she was saying now. She chose to remain dead to keep him out of prison. Again. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close to him. He kissed her temple as she let silent tears fall. He then turned her head so she was looking at him.

"You left again... to save me?"

She nodded and more tears fell.

"I guess you can say after all these years we're even." she choked out through her tears. Harry couldn't believe it. After everything they had been through, she still gave her life to save his. Ruth also proved to him how much she loved him when she stepped in front of him and took the stab. He lifted her chin and kissed her. She continued to shed tears as they kissed. He wrapped his arms around her, while being careful of her wound, and slowly lowered her back onto the pillow. He felt Ruth run her hand through his hair and she felt him do the same. He then pulled away.

"What did you mean by there is no plot to their conspiracy without you?" he breathed. Ruth looked away, but kept her hands in his hair.

"Part of Ilya's defense is that you wanted Elena dead... to be with me. That you wanted her gone for good so we could be happy."

Harry closed his eyes and leant down over her to nuzzle her neck. She turned slightly.

"We are then, quite an interesting species." he whispered and kissed her neck. She gave a soft smile, but it didn't stay long. Harry sat up and Ruth got off the bed. She moved to the balcony door. He came up behind her and watched her.

"You can't stay," she whispered sadly. "If they find you here with me... then the conspiracy will start up again."

Harry felt his heart break again. He moved closer to Ruth. She could feel him close and before he could say anything. She bolted to the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Harry closed his eyes.

"That's it? You're going to let her run?" a male voice said. Harry opened his eyes and saw Adam, dressed in a white shirt and trousers, leaning against a table. Harry looked at him. "Jo didn't tip you off for you to give up. Ros didn't come to let you give up, and I sure as hell aren't going to let you give up."

Harry didn't know what to say. He watched Adam move from the table and stand next to him looking out onto the streets of Paris.

"I don't want to give up, I never did." Harry said quietly. Adam looked at him.

"Then don't be the victim of this mess. Be the survivors of it. Fight for her."

Harry didn't respond to him. He wanted to fight for Ruth, but he also knew how difficult it could be to get through to Ruth sometimes. Adam took a deep breath.

"I fought for Fi and I won. We had a beautiful boy together. After everything we went through, we proved love always wins. So let it win Harry."

Harry turned around, but Adam was gone. Harry took a deep breath and then made his way to the bathroom door. He opened it and found her sitting on the edge of the bathtub. Her eyes were red. Harry walked over and knelt down in front of her. He took her in his arms and she fell into him. He held her close.

"I'm not leaving you Ruth. No matter how many times you tell me to, I'm not leaving."

He felt her grip on him tighten and he held her close. He was not going to leave her.