A/N

Once again a big thanks for reviews, much appreciated! Here is the next chapter. The story should all come-a-tumbling down from here, not many chapters left to go... I'd say another 5?

A big big thank you to my wonderful Swedish stubborn old mule for editing, commenting and generally kicking me into action!

Disclaimer: all characters etc. belong to Kudos. No copyright infringement intended.

"Ashkuruka,"Ruth said warmly, phone jammed between her shoulder and ear as she scribbled more onto the map in front of her. After a few seconds of silence, she was sure they had ended the call and dropped the phone onto the desk in front of her with a sigh.

It was at that moment that the door opened. Ruth stiffened slightly, but then relaxed as Harry entered, carrying his folded suit jacket over his arm.

"How are you?" he asked, visibly concerned. He threw his jacket onto the bed and moved in closer.

"Harry, I'm f-" her sentence was cut short as she stood up to greet him and found herself mere inches from his chest. Oh god, her breath caught. He didn't move away, instead bringing his hands up to lightly grip her arms.

"Ruth, what happened?"

"H-he," Damnit, construct a sentence, her mind was shouting at her, but she was distracted by his proximity. If their moment in the corridor of the Grid was close, this was… something else, "err, that is to say, he just threatened. Nothing else."

"He threatened you?" Harry's eyes narrowed and Ruth could feel the anger build up within him, "what did he say?"

"That he had so much more to lose than everyone else," Ruth's voice came out so strangled, she cursed her feelings, "that he would do anything to make sure nothing goes wrong."

"I'm sorry, Ruth" Harry sighed, his hands falling away from her arms. His shoulders slumped wearily, "I shouldn't have brought you in on this. These men are dangerous-"

"-No," Harry's startled eyes met hers, now fiery with determination, "don't you dare apologise. I knew what I was getting myself into… well, not knew, but I was aware it would be covert and dangerous. I chose to be here with you, don't play the tortured soul now. We will figure this out."

"A little dramatic," Ruth looked at him and saw the small smile, that sparkle in his eyes again. They were still so close…

"Sixth Form play," she returned the smile, her eyes flickering down his face, fixating on his lips. So close.

"Standing ovation?" He asked, watching her carefully, never moving away.

"Just my mother," that drew a breathy chuckle for him and Ruth's eyes shot back up to his. He looked uncertain, gauging her reactions.

"Ruth…" her name slipped from his lips, laced with such tenderness that she feared her legs would collapse from underneath her.

This was it. This was the moment she had been waiting on for so long. Those covert glances from their desks, their small intimate chats late at night on the Grid, the accidental brushes of their hands when passing files, all of it culminating and charging them both, pushing them to this moment when he would lean in and crash his lips on hers-

A shrill ringing cut through the air like a knife, piercing them both through their hearts. She wanted to cry. She wanted to bury her face in Harry's neck and tell the world to get lost for just one second. Instead, she kept her head held high and, with a shaky breath, took a step back. It tore at her, having to back away, but in the split second she made the decision her mind cleared of some of the haze that had taken hold. They were in the middle of an operation, for Christ's sake! What was she thinking!?

"You better answer that," she whispered.

His eyes never looked away as he moved over to his suit jacket and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"Yes?" He barked down it, clearly as frustrated as she was by their predicament. As Harry listened, Ruth turned away and started to pace near the door, her eyes glued to her feet as she did so.

Would it always be like this? She didn't think she could cope if it would be. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, constantly battling between her heart and her head. Who would make the first move? God knows she wanted something to happen but, while she grew more confident and more comfortable around Harry, she was reluctant to instigate it.

"Yes, fine," she heard Harry sigh. She turned back to him as he ended the call, dropping the phone onto the bed.

"What's going on?" She asked, hoping her voice sounded a lot calmer, more professional.

"They want us at the club again tonight."

"Then let's not disappoint them."

...

When they reached the club that evening, Harry and Ruth were directed straight down to the lower level. Apparently Libby, Ronnie and Mani were keen to skip dinner and go straight to the entertainment.

As they made their way down the stairs and towards the lull of the music, Harry once again placed his hand firmly on the small of Ruth's back.

"If you-"

"-Harry," Ruth interrupted, "I know what you're going to say and I'm fine being here. Really. I'm an MI5 analyst, not a little girl. It's why you asked me here."

"Actually I brought you here because, of all the team, you are the one who I trust will be able to figure out what is really going on."

Ruth smiled and looked away, feeling the warmth of his compliment washing over her. Hesitantly, they walked through the doors ahead of them.

Mani stood at the bar, drink in hand. Harry tensed at the sight of him, still furious that he would dare to threaten Ruth. He felt Ruth's eyes on him, however, and made a show of relaxing. He needed them on side, at least until tomorrow.

"Amish," Harry nodded in greeting before he ordered two white wine spritzers.

"Harry," Mani replied softly. He turned his gaze to Ruth, "good to see you."

Ruth forced a smile and said "hi", then picked up her drink and took a sip. All three remained silent as they glanced about the room. While Mani made a show of looking at the women dancing, Harry kept his eyes on the customers. No sign of the other two.

"Where's Libby and Ronnie?" Ruth piped up curiously.

"Where do you think?" Mani asked.

"Backrooms," Harry answered, looking over in that direction.

"It's like a holiday for them," Mani smiled as he took another sip of his own drink.

There was another brief lull as neither Harry or Ruth knew what to say. Ruth sighed inwardly; if this was how it was going to be all night, she'd be better off back at the hotel, finding out more about when the package was coming in. They'd only have one shot to pick it up cleanly without anyone knowing.

"Harry," Ruth handed him her drink, "I'm going to use the bathroom."

"Of course," Harry replied. He pointed towards the backrooms, "it's just past… there."

Ruth slowly made her way across the floor towards the very back of the club. She passed the two doors that she knew Libby and Ronnie were behind without incident, but was forced to a stop when she heard low voices coming from round a corner. The same corner that led to the bathrooms. Those voices seemed so familiar to her… the sentences were broken, muffled by their low tones and Ruth could only catch words;

"… private… Mani knows… India…" Ronnie's voice drifted past her.

"better… screw… up…" he was talking to Libby!

Ruth pressed herself against the wall, intent on listening further.

"Relax…" Ronnie replied, "… it's done…. Mani knows… chap… good."

The voices seemed to grow quiet after Ronnie finished and Ruth thought now was a good time to make herself known before she was caught. She pushed herself away from the wall and, with a deep breath, turned the corner. Both men looked over, startled to be caught there and not in their respective rooms.

"Sorry," Ruth said glibly, "needed the loo. Are they round here…?"

Libby opened his mouth and closed it, unsure, but luckily Ronnie jumped in smoothly.

"Of course, just down this corridor, on your right. We were just freshening up."

Ruth made a show of looking between them and the backrooms and, with a feigned look of realisation, stumbled over her sentences;

"Oh god- y-yes, of course, sorry! I'll let Harry know you won't be out. Sorry, excuse me."

She rushed past them, keeping her eyes on the ground in an attempt to look embarrassed at this encounter.

She didn't look back just in case they didn't believe her.

When she reached the bathroom, Ruth all but collapsed against the row of sinks. She took a steady breath and tried to recall what was being said.

They mentioned something about Mani knowing… something else about India. It seemed to confirm her suspicions, that the private contractor they pulled in was something to do with Mani. What about the way Ronnie was calming Libby down? He said it was done… that the contractor was good.

She closed her eyes. Done. It was done. What could he mean? Was it a cheap reassurance? Did Ronnie mean that he thought this operation in the bag, nothing could happen to stop the package tomorrow?

One thing is certain, Ruth thought as she opened her eyes and looked at her reflection, I need to find out where the package will be delivered.

She needed to do it now as well. They needed to time to plan a covert pick-up.

"But how to get out?" She wondered aloud. She had only just got here, she couldn't just leave and say she had things to do. Ronnie, Libby and Mani would suspect her without a doubt.

Ruth looked in the mirror in front of her, thinking.

Then an idea hit her. She looked around, grabbing a handful of tissue and turning on the taps. It might just work.

...

Harry casually looked at his watch. He'd been standing at the bar with his and Ruth's drinks for about ten minutes, waiting for her. Surely she didn't take that long to use the bathroom?

Mani had remained silent the entire time, staring at the dancers. Harry could tell he was looking past them, thinking. He wondered what on earth had Mani's mind so occupied. He could only hazard a guess.

As Harry looked over at the corridor leading to the backrooms he saw a figure emerge. Ruth, he thought relieved. However, his relief vanished when he watched her stumble slightly.

"Ruth…?" He slowly walked towards her and, as the light hit her, he didn't like what he saw.

Her skin was covered in a fine sheen of sweat and she appeared shaky. It was as if she was struggling to see straight. Harry drew closer and gripped her arms, steadying her. He felt Mani appear at his shoulder, but didn't pay attention to him.

"Are you okay? What's wrong?" Harry asked, placing his hand on Ruth's forehead. God, she was clammy!

"M'fine," she mumbled, "I just… the smoke and the heat. I-I feel a bit weak."

"You can barely stand," Mani noted.

"When I had the drink, I-I felt a bit sick… needed to get to the bathroom."

"You need to go back to the hotel," Harry stated. As Ruth started to protest, he cut her off, "no 'buts' Ruth, this place will do you no good. You need fresh air and rest."

"I'll go find her a taxi," Mani offered, finishing his drink in one gulp and walking off out the room.

"Come on, let's get you outside," Harry placed his arm round her waist in an effort to steady and help carry her out of the room,

"I'll be fine," Ruth whispered and Harry snorted in disbelief.

"You don't look fine," he commented, "now come on, we'll both go back."

"No," Ruth suddenly stopped and Harry looked around, confused, "you stay here, I'll be fine."

"Ruth-"

"-Harry," Ruth gave him a small smile and Harry noticed that her eyes were glittering like they hadn't back in the room. Surely she couldn't be getting better already! That would be impossible, "I need you to trust me."

He watched as the sparkle in her eyes left and she once again leaned heavily against him.

"I'll be fine," she whispered, "just stay here… and trust me."

"But…" he looked at her closely and something slowly dawned on him, "… wait a minute…"

Ruth looked up at him and quickly looked away, gripping his arm gently as if in answer to his silent questioning.

"Does your brilliance know no bounds, Ruth?" He whispered in wonderment. At her smile, he leaned down and breathed in her ear, "I told you… you're a born spook."

Her answer was interrupted as Mani appeared before them once more.

"There is a taxi waiting," he said, then looked over at Harry, "Will you be…?"

"No," Harry replied, looking with concern at Ruth, "she just needs fresh air, rest and plenty of water I think. I'd be of no use to her at the hotel."

A/N

Sherlock Holmes has got nothin' on Ruth. Just sayin'.

Reviews are, as always, much appreciated. Thanks for reading, next chapter hopefully up tomorrow but if not, then sometime on the weekend!