Just a quick little update before I go to sleep...

Harry watched her sleep with unbearable sadness. How could someone do that to her? He very carefully ran a hand through her tangled hair, his hand ending up cupping her face lightly. "Oh Ruth," he whispered. If he had known that leaving her alone this morning would lead to this… His worry and concern over her, combined with hatred for the monster who had done this to her made him unable to get any sleep that night.

He was still staring at her in the morning light when she stirred, beginning to wake up. He was pleased to see that she had slept through the entire night without waking once. She had needed some rest.

"Morning," he said as her eyes flicked open. She had a faint smile on her face and then he saw the moment it happened. The memories of yesterday came back to her and were haunting her eyes.

"You didn't get any sleep did you?" Ruth asked, inching slightly closer to him.

"No," he told her. "I wanted someone to be watching over you so you felt safe. I wasn't going to fall asleep." Ruth nodded and moved to kiss him lightly. He was very careful with her, letting her dictate the pace of their embrace. Her tongue danced against his lips and he opened his mouth slowly to her touch. He put his hands on her back and pulled her against his chest. He pulled her closer still and her breasts touched him lightly but she didn't seem to mind. Their tender good morning kiss lasted for about a minute more until Ruth drew away from him.

"That's enough," she whispered. Harry nodded and loosened his grip on her back and stroked her face lightly.

"Okay," Harry said, glad that she trusted him enough to tell him that. She sighed and looked at her clock. It was eight in the morning. She had slept more than she thought she would.

"Shouldn't you be on your way to the grid by now?" Ruth asked.

"No," Harry told her. "You're not going in to Thames House and I'm not leaving you alone."

"You should go," Ruth said in a quiet voice that broke his heart.

"I will if you want me to," he replied. "I understand if you want me to go. If you want to be alone."

"No, Harry," she said quickly. "I don't want you to go. But I know that you have things to do and life goes on."

"Ruth…"

"Go," she replied with a false smile. Harry sighed and reached for the gun he still had with him after yesterdays events. He made sure it was reloaded and passed it to her. "Thank you."

"I'm going to have someone watching over the house and I will be back to check on you at some point today. I promise. Call if you need anything," Harry said. Ruth nodded. He was going to say goodbye in his normal way which was to kiss her when he thought better of it. Ruth sighed and moved to kiss him herself. It was light and brief but she wanted to touch him. "I love you," he told her.

"I know," she said. She watched him go and waited until she heard the car drive away before she got up and ran downstairs making doubly sure the door was locked. She stood there for a while until she decided to move and get dressed.

One more chapter to go. It's written but I'm nervous about it so it needs a few more tweaks. Please review! xxx