This story is about what we didn't get from the serie, a love story between Harry and Ruth. I had to go along with the story line we were given and set it so that I could get to a place where the relationship between the two would be the main story. No huge drama, no terrorist attack, just a simple love story and how they will grow together. This is what my heart wanted all along. I don't care if it's mushy and sweet, I just wanted them together.

The Mary Poppins reference is from when I first wrote this story and was for a friend that was feeling a bit down. It's silly and totally out of character but it made that friend feel good that day. I decided to keep it.

Chapter 7

Bugger! What's wrong with me. Come on Evershed, put yourself together. Open your eyes, move something, anything.

How could she do it? She needed to move, wake up… show she was here.

Arise, pick up your mat and walk. Bugger, Nothing! She heard herself giggle in her mind. It worked in the Bible, it was worth a try.

Ruth had flashes of awareness for a quite sometimes now. They were very short and she didn't seem to be able to do anything but be aware. She remembered being stabbed and knew she's was in a hospital.

Come on. You can recite Homer in Greek but can't lift your eye lids. That's ridiculous. Come on.

Ruth felt so weak, so totally drained; just having a single thought was tiring but she wanted to wake up so bad… for Harry. She knew he was by her side.

She heard his voice before. Every time she'd wake up she heard his voice and on a few occasions, she felt his hands on her arms and legs. She knew his touch. Soft, caring, such a gentle touch.

"My God, it's almost worth being stabbed. I so want his hands on my body… every single inches of it. Wow! How can I think of sex while I'm not even awake? Bloody hell!"

She was also aware of something cool he rubbed on her. That was her favourite time. For some reason, she was awake more often for that time than any other.

Yeah… for some reason… Funny, funny girl... Naughty girl!

Harry seemed happy. He talked to her, moved her legs and arms, read to her and all the time he seemed happy. His voice was cheerful and relaxed. She liked that side of Harry. That was Happy Harry to her.

She heard other voices too. She recognized their names. Catherine and Graham, his children's name. They often visited. The three of them talked a lot. She liked Harry's voice with them. It was different somehow. Not the voice he used with her, certainly not the voice from the Grid, just a different gentle voice.

The flashes were confusing. She had no notion of time, couldn't tell if it's night or day, but she heard the voices. This time, she heard Harry telling Catherine he had to leave but would be back shortly. So Ruth was left to Catherine's care. The young woman was rubbing lotion on her left arm while talking.

Ruth focused her energy on Catherine words and trying to stay awake as long as possible.

"Hi Ruth. Dad has stepped out for a few hours. So you're stuck with me. I'm Catherine, Harry's daughter."

You might be his daughter but you sure don't have your father's touch. Yours' nice, just not as nice as his. Her inner self laughed at the thought.

Ruth heard Catherine take a deep breathe, as if gathering the courage to speak. "I'm glad we are alone because I need to talk to you without you knowing. I won't be able to do it once you wake up." Ruth notices the hesitation in Catherine's voice.

"Ruth, I don't know how to say this. It just sounds so horrible, so heartless, but here I go. Ruth, I'm so grateful that you died."

What the hell! You little creep!. Ruth wanted to wake up just to slap the girl silly.

Catherine rushes into explaining herself even though she doesn't know someone is listening.

"It doesn't mean I'm not deliriously happy that you are alive now. But… you see… when Dad lost you, it brought us so much closer. He changed Ruth, you have no idea how much losing you changed him. Getting you back also changed him, even more. He's happy now… but it's like… he savours every instant of happiness he gets. Do you know that I don't remember the last time I've seen him happy."

Catherine stops for a moment and Ruth hears a joy and wonderment in Catherine's voice when she speaks again.

"His relationship with Graham is so wonderful to watch. I never thought I'd see the day. I owe it all to you, Ruth. I've never seen Dad or Graham behave like friends. I have a family now, a real normal family, with family meals and teasing and all the things I never thought I would get. I have the family I've always dreamed of because of your death. I can never thank you enough for this, Ruth. You've changed Dad's life and you've also changed mine and Graham's. "

Ruth felt Catherine moves to the other side of the bed and starts on her other arm.

"Dad has opened up like I never thought he could. We talk now, really talk. About everything… about things that matter, like his marriage to mum, how it affected us kids. The amazing thing is there's no hiding on his part, no temper, more importantly no shouting and Graham is following suit. We just talk about our feelings and stepping up to the challenge of clearing the past. The difference a few weeks make. I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't living it. There's still a lot to deal with but we're getting good at it… and the rewards are… I can't find the words to tell you. I'm part of a family now."

Ruth was so happy to hear the progress they made. Harry never admitted it but he needed his children.

"We also talk about stupid little thing. Could you believe he thinks I look good in light green, my Dad the fashion police? He's even suggesting where I should have my car serviced. I never got that type of little things from him. It was always so… about secrets, lies and life threatening events. Talking was always so difficult with us, like walking on egg shells. Now I can't shut him up."

Catherine chuckles then her voice becomes soft with a hint of despair.

"Ruth. Wake up soon. Please wake up. I want to meet you. I can never thank you properly because I could never tell you that your death was a God sent."

Catherine lowers her tone to a whisper, like she couldn't make herself say the words… like something she didn't want to admit.

"The day we found out you were alive. Dad asked me to get some clothes from his home, so I went that same night. I got upstairs to get his shaving kit and the mirror in the washroom was smashed, pieces scattered around the sink and on the floor. Then I went to his room, his gun was on his bed. He never leaves his gun out, Ruth. Never. The house was desolate, like his loss was still in the air, a thick and oppressing weight. I went down to the kitchen; a cup and a saucer were set on the table, just one, unused, the only thing on the table. I cried Ruth, cried for his loneliness, for what could have happened had you not come back to him. I mentioned the mirror to him, which in itself is rather remarkable that I could even broach the subject with him. He told me he remembers breaking it but he didn't mention the gun, didn't ask if I saw it or if put it away. I don't think he remembers taking it out."

Still in the moment, Catherine couldn't talk for a few minutes.

"That night, Ruth, I opened the windows to let the fresh air in, I put away his gun, I went out and bought flowers, lots of flowers and a new mirror. I didn't want his house to be a mourning house anymore. Then I cried again. I cried because you were alive."

Ruth feels lips on her cheek, gently kissing it.

"Thank you, Ruth. I owe a great debt of gratitude I'll never be able to repay."

The sadness and the thought of what Harry might have done, had she not survived, were just so hard for Ruth, they exhausted her and she fell asleep quickly.

Catherine didn't notice the single tear that came down on the side of Ruth's face. No one notice later as the tear had dried. Ruth knew… she knew more than ever she had to fight to come back, fight for Harry, he needed her.

Over the weeks, other people came; Malcom, Tariq, Calum… all the others from the Grid came to visit her and to see how Harry was doing. They really cared about him. It felt good to hear them. Her moments of awareness were getting a little longer as time passed. Strangers were also coming. She knew their names; Steven and Cheryl were the most frequent visitors. She didn't know who they were. Steven had a nice laugh and Cheryl wore a really nice perfume.

But her favourite flashes were of him and his voice. Somehow between a whisper and a wish, he would tell her how much he loved her, the life they would build together, how happy they were going to be.

Her most memorable flash so far had been waking up in his arms. Nothing had ever felt this good to her. He was laying in her bed, on his side, holding her close to him, her back against his chest. Her head tucked under his chin, his hand roaming on her arm, from wrist to shoulder and back down. She could hear him whisper in her ear how he wanted her to wake up so he could kiss her and she could return his kiss.

She didn't know how or if it was even possible, but Ruth felt a surge of desire as his hand touch her stomach. Her belly ached under his touch, spreading through her body, she wanted him so much and it was such a rush. Images of them embracing were whirling in her head. She felt overwhelmed, enfolded in a bubble of warmth, her skin overly sensitized as his arm circled her at the waist, his hand resting on her stomach playing havoc with her body. Her heart was racing, beating a…

Suddenly the door opened with a bang and someone came in running to stop dead at the end of the bed.

"Harry Pearce! Don't… don't ever do that again!" Said the voice Ruth recognised as being Cheryl's.

Oh! Come on woman, don't be such a duffer. A little privacy would be nice. Is there a place on this planet where we could be left alone? Christ, I can't move, I can't open my eyes, I can't talk. Let me at least enjoy this. Bugger the hell out! Ruth wanted to scream like she never wanted anything in her life.

Arms still folded around her, Harry didn't move, obviously very comfortable and very relaxed, he simply asked. "What Cheryl, what did I do?"

"The terminal went crazy because of a spike in her heart rate, I thought she was coding, but it seems she's just enjoying what you're doing. For God sakes Harry, you're going to give me grey hairs."

With an impish smile Harry answered. "Sorry Cheryl. I didn't know this would happen. I just needed to hold her."

She felt Harry moved a little deeper into her body. Suddenly, she felt herself fall against the bed while Harry's body jumped, sitting straight up.

"Enjoying what I'm doing? That means she's aware. Does it? She feels me and that's a good sign?" Ruth had never heard his voice so full of amazement.

"Yes, Harry. That's what it means and yes Harry it's a good sign."

He lay down again, taking Ruth back into his arms, kissing her hair, her temple, her cheek. "You feel my hand love, you feel me. Oh! Ruth. You are brilliant, my love."

She heard Cheryl's voice teasingly say. "Very well then. No more of this or you'll be the death of me." Cheryl walked across the room before adding. "She's in a coma and yet her heart rate's spiking. You must really be something else, Harry." Ruth imagined a cheeky smile on the woman's face.

Ruth felt Harry's chest moving against her back as he laughed and Ruth fell asleep cursing the woman she guessed to be her nurse.

Flashes after flashes, she experienced more of Happy Harry. She noticed every one of his kisses, his touches and his words but this was still her very favourite flash.

When I wake up, I'm going to lock that door and let him have his way with me.

The next time Ruth wakes up, the room is quiet except for Harry's soft snore. She has more moment of awareness every day and she knows she's getting better and stronger. She has to get stronger for him. She believes him more fragile than he lets people know. Actually, he would howl with laughter if she was to tell him that… the great Harry Pearce… fragile. Still, she believes he is. He's so estranged from himself, from his heart, she is afraid it might destroy him. Catherine telling her about the gun, the unspoken meaning of it had terrified her.

She also recognises that even though Harry can speak to her, he only can without her knowledge, alone in a room with no witness. That Harry can do. However, she also knows, feels it in her bone, he would never make the first step towards a relationship with her. He's too afraid, of losing her, of giving his heart and having it broken. She has to be the one to move them forward.

The notion he has of me is such a load of bullocks. I can't be Jane sodding Eyre. You're in for a hell of a surprise Harry. You're getting the real but new and improved Ruth. I've… we've wasted too much time. I'm not going to let you hide again or put me on an unreachable pedestal. I'm tired of that crap. I'm Ruth, I'm woman and I'll bloody well roar if I want to.

Things were going to change.

No more secrets, no more hiding… for either of us. I made a deal with God and I always keep my word.

All she had to do is get better and have a go at Happy Harry.

I want to move my fingers. Ok, let's try. Brain… are you listening to me? It's me, Ruth, the one in charge here. Now, tell my hand to tell my thumb it has to move. Do it! Tell my hand to tell my thumb to move. Damn, it's not moving. Again brain. It wasn't working but she kept on going. It would happened, she was sure of it.

Tell my hand….

Ruth kept trying every time she'd wake up. She had every incentive to wake up. Her biggest one was her roommate Harry. She had to keep on trying to move her thumb.

At one point, she woke up to the sound of his voice. Harry was in fine babbling shape while rubbing her legs.

Let's try again.

"and then Graham made his move and check mate me. I was stunned… "

Oh! Harry, shut up would you. I'm trying here. Your voice and your hands… too many distractions. Brain, don't listen to him… tell my hand to tell…

After a while her thumb moves but Harry didn't notice. She tries a second time but exhausted she fell asleep while Harry not knowing any better, kept on chatting and rubbing.

Over time, she kept on moving her thumb and it became easier so she started working on her other fingers with some success but without much acknowledgement from Harry as when she did he was either doing something that he was too focused on or he wasn't in the room.

It's evening because she can feel Harry's hand holding hers. She has figured out his routine. Fresh smelling Harry, mornings. Pushing and pulling her legs and arms, also morning because it was before the smell of food. Afternoon, reading, before the second smell of food. Evenings, hand holding, like now, his finger's tapping against her hand. He's been tapping for years. Right now the tapping said H… A… R… R… Y… L… O… V… E… S… R… U… T… H… She couldn't believe how sweet he was.

How I love this man. Endearing, charming and totally adorable. I love you too Harry, Now's the perfect timing. It's quiet and he's not busy. Let's get this show on the road. Brain, tell my hand to tell my thumb…

She hears him shout. "OH MY GOD!" Keeping her hand in his Harry starts talking "Ruth, my love, do it again. Move your thumb, Ruth. Just a little. Just to show me…"

Yes Harry, I'll do it again, hold on. She tries with every ounces of energy in her. Tell my bloody hands to tell my bloody thumb… Come on brain, again. She starts feeling so tired. She knows she's going to fall asleep again soon.

Suddenly, Harry drops her hand and steps away from her, shouting and running across the room.

"Nurse, Nurse… Come quick."

Ruth feels elated and knackered. She is asleep in seconds.

When Harry comes back into the room, he finds the doctor on call at night, Doctor Singh examining the results on the terminals. Harry is on edge and nervously pacing the floor. He knows the young doctor and expects him to tell it to him straight, even if it means breaking the hope Harry feels. After a few minutes, Singh starts commenting on the results.

"Her heart rate is normal and regular. She's been breathing without assistance for a the last two days and her lungs are doing well. We've seen some increase in brain activities in the last week and the increase is constant. From what we've seen she has moment of awareness but tonight is significant; she actually moved her finger. This is nothing short of a miracle, Harry. Can't tell when she will but I'd say with a degree of certainty that she is going to wake up. If I was a betting man, I'd say soon."

Harry feels like jumping up and down, his body taken over with relief and the joy. He starts shaking like a leaf, from head to toe. To the doctor's eye, it looks like he's in shock, a shock of happiness.

Grabbing his arms gently, he takes Harry to sit down. "It's ok Harry. Deep breaths. In and out slowly. Again, Harry. It's going to be all right." Harry's eyes are enormous and his impersonation of a fish is pretty good.

"Doctor… that's… a… it's… supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

Doctor Singh expected something… just not that! He roars laughing holding his side. When he finally finds his voice again he looks at Harry.

"Didn't take you for a Mary Poppins fan Harry."

"Obviously you don't have kids. Mine sang the stupid song for weeks. Blimey, I didn't know I remembered the word. Now Doctor, this is between you and me, it's not coming out of here. Am I clear?"

Another bout of laughter rings in the room. "Harry, Steven has already told me about blackmailing you; I'll make sure he knows about the latest ammunition. He's going to just love it; he'll squeal like a girl."

Without another word, the Doctor left the room laughing his heart out. Not giving a care about what Steven found hilarious or not, Harry goes back to Ruth and lies down in bed beside her. He hugs her against his chest; starting with the top of her head he kisses every patch of skin on her face.

"My God Ruth. You're going to wake up. We're going to be together. You're going to wake up, my Love. What a glorious day."

Slowly he calms down. His hold on her loosens a little, his breath and heart rate matching hers. He thought he'd be too wired to fall asleep but before he knows it, he's asleep, his head filled with images of him and Ruth on carousel, horses galloping through a colourful country side.

In the morning, when the nurse comes in, she sees them both spooned in bed. Their body perfectly aligned from their head to their feet. Harry has a smile on his face. Careful not to wake him up, she turns around and closes the door behind her.

A few days later, Harry is waiting for a doctor, any doctor really. He just wants to know how things are going. He is pushing her legs up bending her knee almost to her chest, taking it down and again with the other leg, up and down.

"You know, I've done of lot of things totally out of character lately." He chortles a little as he remembers. "When I found out you were alive, I couldn't wipe the grin off my face."

Laying her leg back on the bed, he pulls the blanket back to cover her legs.

"Then, I called everyone I know, Catherine, Graham, Malcom, the whole team, I even called Mike. I had to tell them all that you moved your thumb. I have to say, Alec wasn't so impress, he just growled and hung up on me.

Harry moves onto her side, lifting and bending her arm.

"Yet the worse… and by the way, this is never leaving this room, is when Doctor Singh told me you were going to wake up, I just blurted it's supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I mean… you better wake up soon, honey or my reputation will be in shambles by the time you get out of this bed." He sniggers to himself. "Where the word came from I haven't the faintest clue. It's just embarrassing. I didn't even know I still knew the word and now it seems I can't stop saying it.

"Bugger… Mary…. Pop… pins" Ruth mutters.

She had moved all of her fingers the night before and had even made a fist. It was now time for words, she had desperately wanted words.

"RUTH! You speak. OH MY GOD! You can speak. That's the most amazing thing… ever… Ruth, hold on I'll be right back." She hears him run across the room.

"CHERYL. GET STEVEN NOW!."

Minutes later the Doctor comes in, to a frantic Harry. Seeing him, Harry moves and grabs him by the lapel of his coat with the biggest smile ever.

"She spoke Steven"

"She did… did she really? Not just mumbles, but words." The doctor eyes are on Ruth now.

"She was out of it by the time I came back from the door, you missed it. But she did talk, as in words talk" Harry looks on top of the world.

"What did she say?" Harry looks as proud as if Ruth had just recited the Magna Carta, "She said: Bugger Mary Poppins"

Steven's laugh is heard along the corridor more than a few doors down.