I never seem to have any idea where my fics are going, just taking them one step at a time. Also, couldn't resist posting this instalment tonight.

Harry woke up with a slight pain in his chest from his stab wound. He grimaced from the pain but then realised he was also waking up with a naked Ruth, so it wasn't all bad. She was lying on her back but her face was turned towards him, the duvet barely covering enough that was decent. He couldn't believe that he was allowed to see her like this. It was incredible to him. Her hair was completely messed up, a testament to what they'd shared the night before. He wondered if she was disappointed. After all, he was willing to bet that neither of them had ever imagined their first time to be like this, with him at least partly immobilised. But even so, it had been incredible.

At least for him, and he hoped she'd think so too. As soon as it was over she'd fallen instantly asleep, and he didn't know whether that was a good sign or a bad one. At the time he thought she had been enjoying herself but now that he was thinking about it in the cold light of day, he was doubting himself. He wasn't a complete idiot, and he knew how to make a woman enjoy sex, but this was Ruth, who mattered so much more than any other woman he'd been with. And having almost completely useless legs didn't make him any more confident either.

"Mm," Ruth said under her breath as she stirred slightly. He watched her face as she roused slowly, a sleepy smile forming on her face. She arched her back like a cat and stretched making the duvet fall away from her. Harry drew his eyes down over her beautiful figure for a moment before her eyes opened. She smiled at him and then covered her top half after letting him look for a few more seconds.

"Shame," he said.

"I don't think I've slept that well in years," she said happily. She turned over and kissed his lips softly before drawing away. "What is it?" she asked, seeing a shadow of worry behind his eyes.

"I hate to be one of those people, but I have to ask," he started slowly. "Did you…" he trailed off. "Did you enjoy it?"

Before answering she propped her head up on her elbow surveying him, with half a smile. "More than any other man I've ever been with," she said honestly.

"Don't lie," he said firmly.

"I'm not," she said in a low voice. "It meant more with you and felt incredible because I love you more than I've ever loved anyone in my entire life. That's why I can say with absolute certainty it was better than anyone previously I've ever slept with."

"You've never said that before," he said in a hushed voice.

"I've never slept with you before either," she said blankly.

"No the other bit," he whispered. "You said you love me."

"Oh," she replied with a smile. "Well, I do," she admitted. "I do love you."

"I love you," he said. It all seemed so simple now that it had been said. He lifted himself on his arms and rolled on top of her, kissing her passionately. She giggled slightly before their lips became busy with each other.

"Mm!" she said in complaint when their lips were joined. Harry was hurt by the fact she was pushing him away, but he backed off, because he wouldn't push her. Not ever. The look on her face was shock and he had no idea why she was looking at him like that. "Harry, your foot just moved," she said in a slow voice with her eyes wide.

"No it didn't," he said convinced.

"I'm telling you it did," she said. "Moved against my calf, I felt it."

"Wishful thinking," he said firmly. "Drop it," he asked, and the tone he used made it clear that arguing further was pointless.

"Okay," she said. She kissed him again and it lasted a long time. When he let her go the unexpected tension between them had dropped. "Shall I bring some breakfast up?" she asked.

"Well, I'd offer but…" he paused. "Breakfast in bed two days running, you're spoiling me."She smiled and stroked his chest briefly before getting out of bed, standing naked for a few seconds. "Changed my mind, now you're spoiling me," he said. She blushed and threw Harry's dressing gown around her as she hadn't unpacked anything other than Fidget.

"I'll feed the cat, but I'll be up soon. Do you need anything?"

"No," he said. "just going to close my eyes."

"You do that," she said leaning over him and kissing him once more. He smiled as she went and then felt a hand down his legs. No, she was wrong. They hadn't moved, he was sure of it. He couldn't start thinking that because it would give him completely false hope. And that he couldn't cope with.