Ruth Continues to Amaze

Sorry for the long delay in updating, hit a dry spell and muse abandoned me, think I'm back on task, but we still have so many years to go…couldn't resist a rewrite on EERE. As always, none of this is mine and no copyright infringement intended.

Ruth continues to amaze the team by seemingly to almost predict the future. She knew the drill to test their reaction under pressure would soon get underway. Zoe had already been caught out with the married banker during one operation related to banking. This time there was no catching Ruth feeding information to GCHQ as she was no longer doing so in this new life of hers. Ruth was in fact still wondering if this world was real, but didn't dwell on it, as it was now more real and so much better than her old life had been.

She and Harry had not been a one-night-stand, but continued to be professional in all matters related to the office. Harry on the eve of the drill had called Ruth and said he wouldn't be coming over that night. She smiled and was able to sound genuinely disappointed. Ruth knew Harry feared he give away the fact that the events on the morrow she would be a drill and not to be taken too seriously.

Ruth expressed how she'd miss him, but understood. Harry on the other end of the phone had a crease in his brow, wondering why Ruth wasn't more disappointed and if perhaps she was losing interest in him. He would not sleep well that night, while Ruth slept with the knowledge that the drill would not be so intense for her this time, as she had more than a cat to go home to and she was more than just her work.

Later in the morning, just as before the major incident alarm sounded, Tom broke the rule and let Danny in who was as usual running late. To Ruth she knew it was only akin to a fire drill, but she played her part. Except this time she wouldn't fall apart during her presentation during EERE. She was only vaguely listening to Tom's instruction. Colin chimed in on what EERE was, and their role. Zoe was to monitor communications, and Ruth again was paired with Sam for research.

Ruth discussed possible dirty bombs. The two visitors to the Grid kept trying to get out of the building, and then as if on cue the communication devices started going down. Radio and television feeds were false, but Ruth remained silent. She knew that when they were told the helicopter with the Prime Minister and another with the Royal Family were no longer, that it wasn't true, but she continued on as if it was real. However she delayed in putting on her protection gear, as she knew Malcolm would convince Tom that the gear under the attack was useless. She hung back aware too that Harry was watching her more than previously. His eyes followed her as she exited from a meeting with the Downing Street MX.

Malcolm made his point about the suits, then comms went down and they were blind. It was Colin who first suggested it might be more than a drill. Ruth said "the telly" knowing a false feed was what would be seen. She stayed stoic and serious. She really hated it when the power failed. Colin and others were pulling wires down from everywhere. Then They would get pieces of information such as the sign that said VX. Danny breathed in and then said, "not the gas."

They gathered in the conference room. Ruth started her explanation of VX. The first time, she had become emotional and Sam took over. This time, Ruth stayed firm and watched Harry's admiration in his eyes, instead of his pity, as he had for her before suggesting then Sam finish. But this time Ruth gave the entire scenario, professionally and calmly, although she was explaining how deadly the gas was. Harry had also noticed Danny glancing at Ruth. Ruth was explaining the lethal dose, how the gas worked, and Malcolm said what he was thinking about it being a sweet weapon. Harry was looking very serious, but avoided all individual conversation with Ruth. He really was looking very strained. In the past, Ruth knew he was concerned about his team. This time Ruth suspected he was worried about how she'd react at the end of the exercise, especially when he goes into his routine of being ill and possibly dying alone in his office. Ruth remembered how upset she'd been, and allowed for a little emotion as she thought what it but only briefly. The power had failed again and the generators kept the computers running, just as Ruth was explaining to Tom how easy it was to acquire the gas. Ruth was thinking how good everyone was playing their part. Ruth then explained the plan of the survivalist group identified as being behind the attack.

Zoe then said, "it's real isn't it." She was getting emotion. She was mentioning her father. The observers were talking of one's daughter. Ruth decided she'd add her part, especially so Harry could hear it. "Maybe we should all just walk out and be with our loved ones even if we've only got a cat." She saw Harry wince at that. They had neither promoted nor hidden their relationship. The Grid was at one of its most busiest time and no one was noticing Harry and Ruth, as Tom focused on Christine, Zoe was worried about the pictures and video of her with the banker. Danny was in love with Zoe, but focusing on Sam. Colin just wanted to put together a party barge and Malcolm like Danny was somewhat enamored of Zoe.

Danny did ask Ruth, "What is the matter with Harry? He's so distant." Ruth didn't have an answer.

Now politics were involved as they didn't know if an official state of emergency had been declared. They began to try and contact other cities, and only Edinburgh was available. Ruth explained the footprint of the gas.

Tom entered Harry's office and learned he went to the loo before it was closed. He exited and divided the document of instructions of what to do if Turnstyle failed. Later Ruth observed Danny and Sam talking. She hoped things would turn out better for theme in this MI5 universe. Life was better for her. Ruth explained how there was not head of government but finally there was the communication with Edinburgh. Of course that was eventually lost

The observers were accusing Tom of treason as he tried to get everyone working together to decided what was best for the country. The observers said Tom was Nero fiddling while Rome burned. Ruth remembered her response, "I say fiddle on." It was agreed they had a state of emergency. Tension was still building in the room.

Ruth had finally went in to see Harry, and he had gone into his act and she did her best acting to date, and ran back out and called for Tom. Harry explained he didn't think it was real, and became emotional, even managing to cry a few tears. Tom quarantined him. Ruth knew Harry could get out anytime, but the drill had to run its course. She had her acting to do.

When Tom exited it was to face Ruth who appeared sad. He walked toward her. She followed him. "So it's in here." It was a statement from Ruth not a question, but Tom responded, "Yeah."

"So we just leave Harry?"

"Yes."

"It's a terrible decision Mr. Tom Quinn." Ruth had managed to recall the conversation from so long ago for her, but in the here and now for all the others.

"Is it? I can't tell any more. They all have dumb hate or dumb trust."

"On the head of the king let all the sorrows lie" Ruth quoted.

Tom was feeling the pressure and Ruth knew she had to be his strength, his backup as the drill became more real to the team members. He didn't know what to do.

Ruth backed him up against the wall, "We're the troops. You're the leader. Leaders don't have feelings as you well know." She was glad Harry didn't hear her say that last part. However he was hearing more than she knew capable of monitoring the Grid from his office, and her remarks hurt. Did she really think he had no feelings? Did she just mean Tom, and she was too close to Tom for his liking although there was no physical contact. Harry did chuckle when Tom said to Ruth, "This is a strange way of trying to comfort me."

Harry felt better when he heard Ruth ask Tom about giving him some water, but Tom insisted that his quarantine not be broken. Ruth agreed with him. Harry again felt a twinge that Ruth didn't fight harder for him. Did she love him, or was she just using him, no Harry thought, Ruth cared, but she had a job to do. He shouldn't let personal feelings get in the way.

Tom finally told the others that Harry was sick. Zoe and Sam seemed to show more concern than Ruth about him. Colin and Danny were now so stressed they were coming to physical blows, shoving and pushing.

The observers were determined to make a run for it. Tom was yelling and called for a moral building project. Then Tom approached Zoe about weapons. Zoe resisted his plan at first, but ultimately agreed.

No one really bought into the project Colin and Malcolm were working on and finally the Observers tried to leave, and Tom and Zoe pulled their weapons. Ruth never cared for weapons but knew the exercise would soon be over. Once the shot was fired the drill ended. Harry exited. He hugged Zoe, something that made Ruth feel a bit jealous. Harry was still feeling jealous over Ruth's lack of concern for his well being. He kept telling himself it was just an exercise, but she didn't know that. Of course he didn't know Ruth was well aware it was an exercise. "You bastard" Ruth said just loud enough for Harry to hear. Harry decided to congratulate Tom on his leadership. Then collected the guns. Everyone was emotionally drained, but it was off out for a liquid lunch. Harry made sure to stay close to Ruth but they still hadn't talked about the exercise.

Just as Ruth noticed the hug from Harry for Zoe, Harry noticed Ruth smiling and chatting with one of the outside observers who came in after the drill. As everyone was exiting the pods, Harry moved behind Ruth and put his hand on her waist. He whispered, "We need to talk."

Ruth replied coldly, "Why? It was just a drill." Harry was hoping drinks would help Ruth's mood.

At the George, Ruth managed to slip away from Harry's grasp and sat with Tom, Zoe and Danny. Tom smiled, although he was seeing Christine Dale now, he still liked to get a rise out of Harry about Ruth so he reach around her placing his arm around her and resting his hand on her arm, slowly moving his fingers up and down her upper arm. Harry was not happy as he approached the table.

"Tom don't you have a report on the drill to write up." Harry was serious.

"Ruth was just volunteering to write it tonight since she confirmed that all she had to go home to was a cat. I thought maybe I could assist her."

By now Harry was getting angry, but Ruth too had her reasons for being upset with Harry as he had hugged Zoe and ignored her after exiting his office after the drill.

"Yes, I told Tom it would be all right to come over to my place tonight to finish the report. After all we can't work from Themes House. Malcolm and Colin practically destroyed it pulling all the cables lose."

"Ruth might I have a word with you privately?"

"Why," asked Ruth innocently.

"You know why."

"No I think you should tell me."

"Here in front of everyone?" Harry couldn't believe Ruth was asking for this in front of much of the team.

"If you're sure?" Harry waited. Ruth just waited for his comment.

"Well I had planned to come over tonight." Harry left it hanging in the air. Zoe choked on her drink, Danny raised his eyes. Tom smiled. Ruth said nothing.

"Good you can help with the report," said Tom pushing his luck, knowing he would see Christine later in the night and really didn't plan to go to Ruth's.

"I have no intentions of working on a report. I intend to take Ruth to bed and make love to her until the early hours of the morning and we may or may not make it into work tomorrow." Harry's comments only made Zoe choke more on her drink Danny had covered his ears not wanting to hear any more.

"This is news to me. You couldn't make it over the night before the drill. What makes you think I want you the night after the drill? It was emotionally draining," said Ruth. The past version of youth would not have had the maturity to hold her ground with Harry, but this time she did.

"Ruth this is not the place." It was Harry's turn to stall.

"Well you hugged Zoe first when you exited your office go visit her."

"Wait a minute," said Zoe. "Don't drag me into this. I can't help who Harry hugs."

"That's my point," said Ruth. "Harry didn't even speak to me."

"In my defense you did call me a bastard. I felt a friendlier face was needed." Harry hoped Ruth would take the blame.

"You did play the part of that name I called you. You deserved it." That was Ruth's reply starting to feel more indignant than she really meant to feel.

Finally Ruth smiled at Harry and said, "we'll discuss it over dinner you are fixing at my place where Tom is not invited."

Tom feigned hurt feelings. Danny and Zoe were left speechless as Harry pulled Ruth to her feet and they exited The George together. Both were smiling.