I've had to do the Russian reception in two parts as it means everyone gets a chapter today, rather than waiting for tomorrow so sorry its short. There is also an M rated piece before this chapter in "The Morning After" in case anyone missed it to go with this story.

In the back of the car heading to the reception Ruth kept fidgeting with her hair, not very happy with it. "Stop worrying," Harry said grabbing her hand and squeezing tightly. "You look beautiful."

"I look like I've been well and truly fucked," she said, disregarding the driver for the time being. He was tactfully focusing on the road and ignoring their conversation for which she was grateful. He was an MI5 driver anyway. "I planned to meet Elena Gavrik feeling calm, collected and peaceful. Not with the very recent memory of you pinning me up against a bathroom wall."

"Ruth. Are you… angry with me?" he asked with a hint of disbelief evident in his voice.

"No Harry," she said in a low voice so the driver couldn't hear her. "Of course I'm not. I just wish I was calmer. All I can think about is your hands all over me. You know me, you know I like to be prepared. I was mentally ready to meet the Russians. And then you looked at me like that."

"I'm not sorry," he said quickly. "You will never get an apology from me for that."

"I know," Ruth said before she sighed. "I'm not either. I guess I'm just not looking forward to this. Although I have to say you look very irresistible in your suit."

"I got that impression," he said dryly and she smirked.

"Come here," she whispered. He did and she slowly and gently kissed him.

"You do look beautiful," he repeated. "The flush in your cheeks has faded and your hair is curling at the ends slightly. Like it does on the grid when we're busy. I love your hair like that. The only tell is that your eyes are sparkling vivid blue and bright. I only know what that look in your eyes means because I know you so well. Trust me, no one except me will be able to tell." He kissed her cheek softy and smoothed her hair down.

"Thank you," she said feeling both her heart rate and her nerves calm very quickly. "I needed to hear that." The car drew to a stop outside the reception and Ruth put a small but genuine smile on her face.

"Ready to face the lions den?" Harry asked.

"Only if you promise you'll save me before I'm eaten," Ruth said biting her lip.

"Of course I will." Harry opened the door and got out, holding a hand out to help Ruth from the car. She took it and smiled as her shoes clicked against the pavement. They walked towards the hall and Harry swallowed nervously, conscious of the people from his past inside the building and the fact that they were slightly late. As they emerged into the entrance hall in a riot of colour Ruth became distracted by several marble statues.

"This is a very glamorous location," she said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes," he said holding his arm out to her as she laced her hand through it. "You'll fit in perfectly." She smiled a private smile as he steered her into the main room. "Not so much me. I'm too old and broken, but you… you'll fit in exceptionally well."

"You're neither old nor broken," Ruth said. "I think we established that in our bathroom fifteen minutes ago." He nodded in agreement smiling with her when a flash of red caught his eye. Much sooner than he would have liked he had seen Elena Gavrik, and could feel the weight of her gaze on himself and Ruth.

"We're being watched aren't we?" Ruth said conversationally, feeling the glare too. "Where?"

"In front of you across the room. Ilya is propping up the bar no doubt sampling the doubtful charms of British vodka." Ruth nodded at her husband once before subtly viewing the room in evidence that she was a spook through and through. He felt proud of her abilities as she turned back to her husband, all evidence that she hadn't even noticed Elena but the tight grip of her fingers gave away that she had. "Are you okay?" Harry asked concerned. The Gavrik's had seen them and it would be rude not to approach them but if Ruth was uncomfortable then rudeness be damned, Harry thought to himself.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be." She smiled at him tightly and he saw her rubbing her wedding ring almost unconsciously as they approached the Russian couple at the bar. Ilya turned around first a fake smile on his slimy face.

"Harry Pearce," he said quietly. "I thought we'd die without ever meeting again."

"Thought of hoped?" Harry asked with a smile which hid the fact he'd have preferred the latter. They shook hands quickly, in a show of friendliness due to this partnership. Elena was looking between the three of them wondering what to say or if she should remain silent. "Its good to see you Ilya." That was a downright lie and Ruth noticed the slight clenching of his left fist that gave it away. Luckily she seemed to be the only one who knew Harry was lying through his teeth.

"And who is this lovely lady?" Ilya asked nodding pleasantly at Ruth. She smiled back, hiding the fact that his leer was turning her stomach.

"Sorry, where are my manners," Harry said. "This is Ruth, my wife." Elena's eyes flicked up in surprise, studying Ruth more intensely than before and Ruth felt a satisfying bout of pride that she had managed to surprise the Russian tart.

"Hello," Ruth said with a smile. At that moment the barman came over asking if they'd like a drink. Harry diplomatically looked at the Gavrik's glasses but they were almost full.

"A single malt whisky and…" Harry looked at Ruth who nodded once. "A glass of Sauvignon Blanc please." Ruth privately loved how he'd order drinks for her. He seemed to anticipate her moods before she did herself and knew her favourite drinks by heart. She'd never admit in words how much she loved this part of him but the squeeze of her hand on his told him that she appreciated it. They shared a quick private look which neither of the Gavrik's missed.

"I've never been to England before," Elena said in a soft accented voice that Ruth hated on principle. "Does it always rain here?"

"Yes," Harry and Ruth said together. At the moment they were suffering under a fortnight of constant rain and they'd forgotten what sunshine felt like.

"Well I imagine London can be a beautiful city when its not covered in clouds and rain," Elena said still smiling.

"It is," Ruth said fervently. "Its wonderful. Its home." Elena didn't miss the implication that she was the foreigner here. The outsider. But Ruth had spoken with such politeness that Elena could say nothing against her.

"I hope you'll forgive me for saying so," Ilya started as Ruth braced herself for an insult. "But I'm amazed that Harry found such a beautiful and charming wife. What did you do to deserve her Harry?"

"I don't know," he said with such honesty that it made Ruth glow with pleasure. Harry was about to try and extricate themselves when a Russian diplomat required Ilya's attention.

"If you'll excuse me," he said, squeezing his wife's arm in parting before leaving the two women in Harry's presence. Ruths hand relaxed on Harry's arm and he could tell her nerves were fading. But what to discuss now, none of them knew.

Any ideas? Many thanks for the reviews so far. They make writing this worth it!