Thanks for the reviews everyone. I've made Ruth a bit more forward than she was in spooks, but maybe if she had been HR would have been a bit happier...
"Harry, where are we going?" Ruth asked from the passenger seat.
"I'm taking you out for lunch," he said. "I would be taking you out for dinner but I know that you fall asleep early, so I thought you'd enjoy lunch more."
"I realised that," she said. "I meant that we've been in the car for more than half an hour and there are quite a lot of restaurants in London."
"I've found a nice place," he said enigmatically. "You'll like it, trust me."
"I do trust you," she said, a lot more behind that than the talk of the choice of restaurant. He caught her eyes briefly before turning right and then pulling the car up outside what looked like a rather large cottage, nowhere that would serve food. "Where are we?"
"Come inside, and trust me." She nodded and followed him, feeling pleased when his arm went around her waist briefly as he knocked on the door.
"This is without a doubt the strangest place I've ever been to lunch, even with a bad memory," she said before the door opened and a middle aged woman smiled at them.
"Come in. Go on through."
"Thank you," Harry said, letting Ruth go first. She followed the woman through what still looked like a normal house to the door to the back garden. And then her mouth dropped open.
"Oh my God," she breathed. There were four tables set out in a beautiful garden, all of which were currently empty. A small river was running past in the distance, the sun sparkling off of it sending bright light all around them, trees and plants of all different varieties were dotted everywhere, it was absolutely stunning. She loved it instantly. "This is amazing."
"You don't have to say that," Harry said.
"No, really," she said. "Its perfect." He smiled and led her to the table, pulling out her chair like a perfect gentleman, and she smiled as she saw a yellow lily in a vase on the table while he sat down opposite her.
"How did you find this place?" Ruth asked as she was given a menu.
"I have access to one of the largest databases in the world at work," he said. "So it didn't take long but I wanted somewhere nice for you."
"Thank you," she said. Blushing slightly with the intensity of the look he gave her she turned her attention to the menu.
"Harry thank you," she said, picking up her wine glass now that she'd finished her dessert. "This has been wonderful."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," he said. "But don't drink too much because of your painkillers."
"I know," she said with a raised eyebrow. "You don't have to tell me."
"I'm overbearing and protective," he said. "Two of my many flaws, but since you died in my arms I don't think I can be blamed really."
"Fair enough," she conceded with a smile. His eyes were sparkling at her in the sunlight and she felt both her breath and her heart catch. Ruth's face suddenly went blank and she dropped her wine glass, which fell to the grass with a dull thump.
"Ruth? Oh God," he said instantly. He got up from his side of the table and immediately went over to her. "Are you in pain? Just breathe."
"No, I'm fine," she said slightly breathlessly. "You took me out to dinner. A beautiful restaurant and I was so nervous that night. The wine. You chose a white burgundy, my favourite. And when you took me home you kissed my cheek before saying goodnight. I so badly wanted you to kiss me properly but you didn't. That… was real wasn't it?"
"Yes," Harry said, feeling a lump come to his throat. "That happened."
"Why? Why didn't you kiss me?"
"I wanted to, badly," he admitted. "It had taken us about three years to come to that point. Maybe more. I didn't want to rush you," he said honestly. He didn't mention the truth that at the time he thought if he kissed her he'd never let her go. Which with Cotterdam happening so soon afterwards now seemed like a cruel twist of fate.
"You're looking at me strange," Ruth said as Harry took his seat once again.
"I'm thinking," he said. "I know its not your fault, but I find it very frustrating that you don't remember our history."
"You and me both Harry," she said sadly. "I've now ruined our beautiful lunch haven't I?"
"No," he said, smiling even though it took a lot of effort to look natural. "Shall I take you home?"
"Yes, but first I'd…"
"Go on."
"I'd rather like that kiss you owe me from back then." She blushed, the only sign that she wasn't as confident as she appeared. He smiled, easier this time. He got up and leaned over her, pressing his lips to hers very briefly.
"That's all you're getting while we're an a restaurant. Albeit an unconventional one."
"Spoilsport," she said with a raised eyebrow. But she got up too, holding her jacket as they headed back to the car.
That night Harry was woken a few hours earlier than he'd have liked by Ruth shouting out in her sleep. Quickly pulling his shirt on and buttoning it to cover his decency he went into her bedroom and saw her thrashing around in bed.
"No… please don't," she moaned. "You're hurting me… don't!"
"Ruth its okay," he said quietly.
"Oh God!" He reached over and put a hand through her hair, trying to soothe her and was both surprised and pleased when she quietened. He kissed her temple and then moved away from her.
"No don't leave me," she said, reaching back for him. "Please. Stay with me."
He wasn't entirely sure whether she was still dreaming and he paused, wondering what on earth could possibly be the best course of action for him to take. "Don't leave me Harry," she whispered. She turned and the moonlight showed that her eyes were still closed. Making a snap decision he hoped not to regret come morning, he got into bed next to her. As soon as he did, she rolled closer to him and he got a tantalising view down the neck of her nightshirt and saw that she wasn't wearing a bra. He swallowed uncomfortably and closed his eyes to resist temptation. Needless to say, he did not sleep well that night.
Ruth woke up feeling warm, happy and comfortable. She thought hard but no new memories were coming to her so she opened her eyes and then jumped. Harry was next to her. In her bed. Oh God, she dearly hoped she hadn't missed anything noteworthy the night before. Rubbing her eyes she smiled and decided to take advantage of the unexpected opportunity. She gently put her fingers on the parting of his shirt and whispered in his ear.
"Harry?"
"Mm?" he said. Opening his eyes slowly he looked at Ruth and then the smile on his face faded slightly.
"Not that I mind," she started. "But why exactly are you in my bed?"
"You were shouting in your sleep," he said. "You asked me to stay." As he spoke he realised how weak it sounded and started to backtrack. "Never mind, I'll leave you alone. I shouldn't have slept here."
"No don't," she said instantly. "It was a nice surprise to wake up with you here. Next to me."
"Really?" he asked, unable to hide how pleased that made him.
"Absolutely," she said, her eyes sparkling. She leaned over him and kissed him softly. Which then turned much more passionate and she moaned in his mouth as his hands tightened around her. She pushed her palm against his chest, under his shirt and was heading steadily southwards before he pulled away.
"No…" he whispered at her. "We shouldn't. I… can't."
"Harry?" she said, drawing back from him so she could look in his eyes. "I'm not stupid. I know what I want. Who I want, I should say. My personality hasn't changed, just because most of my memories have gone. I know what I feel for you so can you please stop trying to do the decent and proper thing?"
"Ruth, there are only so many times a man can say no to you," he murmured as she kissed him again.
"I know," she said with a mischievous smile. "That's what I'm counting on." He kissed her again, tongue exploring her mouth as his hand found her scar. Slowing he stopped, thumb brushing over the wound slightly and very gently. "Its fine," she said. "The doctor cleared me, I'll be okay."
"So… you've been thinking about this for a while?" Harry asked in a low voice like a growl, with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes," she admitted, blushing vividly red. "I wanted all the facts, that's all." He kissed her, already feeling the beginnings of arousal and gasped in surprise as she rolled on top of him. He groaned as she pushed her hips towards him. Leaning over him, her hair brushed against him. "I want this Harry." He nodded, and didn't need any more persuasion than that.
