A bit long and really not very good I am afraid. Just didn't seem to be able to get the words out the way they were in my head. Sorry x

Eventually, sensing how tired she must be, Harry drew back.

'Darling it really is time for you to be getting some sleep. As much as I would love to spend the whole night kissing you, you need rest. I promise we can carry on where we left off tomorrow'

She smiled and was content to let him win this one. Being addressed as 'darling' for the first time was more than enough to forgive him. She reluctantly let go of his hands as he placed one more kiss on her lips before returning to his bed. She managed to turn her head so that she could see him as he climbed into the bed.

'I love you' she whispered and not long after, her eyes won the battle and shut themselves. Harry remained awake longer, lying on his side watching her sleeping form. He found impossible to keep the smile from his lips at the memory of the last half an hour. He had kissed her. And not for the last time but for the first. She had kissed him back and the way her hands felt as she tentatively explored his arms and back had been exquisite. He couldn't remember when he had last felt so loved. Indeed he wasn't sure he ever had.

The next morning she woke with the sun streaming in through a gap in the curtains. Overall she felt a little less tired and exhausted although she was sensible of the fact that stab wounds take a long time to recover from and she should try to remain calm over the fact her body seemed so listless. Her lips still felt very kissed and the memory of what had happened last night thrilled her. She looked over at Harry, but he wasn't there. As she lay there trying not to panic about his absence she began to hear his voice out in the corridor. Try as she might she couldn't quite make out what he was speaking about but it appeared to be a phone conversation. Eventually he came back in and was clearly pleased to see her awake. This time he didn't need any invitation to come over and give her a good morning kiss.

'How are you feeling?' he asked tenderly

'Certainly no worse' she stated 'I am going to need so much patience Harry' she added slightly tearful. 'I can't bear being so helpless. I am not used to my body refusing to do anything. And whenever I try to move a bit the pain just stops me in my tracks. I am sorry if I am beastly to you about it'

'Don't be Ruth. It's fine.' And he leaned down and kissed her again for a good few minutes. He wasn't sure he could ever tire of this. Having waited so long for this kind of intimacy with her he found himself savouring every moment, every touch as if fearful the dream may end.

Eventually he said 'Look that phone call just now. I need to pop out for a few hours for an appointment. Do you mind if I desert you?'

She wanted to ask what the appointment was. After all if this was now a proper relationship she felt she had a right to know but a look from Harry clearly said please don't ask me any questions.

'It's fine Harry' she said trying to cover the lie as best she could with a look that seemed genuine.

'Thanks' he said briefly, kissing her on the cheek, before collecting some papers and disappearing out of her room rather quickly. She lay there for some minutes trying to process her feelings and memories. She wasn't quite sure why but all she wanted to do was cry. What wasn't he telling her? Why did she feel he ought to be telling her? Oh, that's right; I don't work for him anymore. She remembered. Who did she work for? What was his name? Oh that's right, Towers. Vague panic now entered into the mix up of emotions as she wondered if the Towers knew she wasn't able to come in. waves of helplessness swept over her once again and she found herself crying so hard that she could bear the pain no longer from her side and rang the bell for the nurse.

'Hey, what's wrong Ruth' said the nurse kindly as she came in. she helped Ruth wipe her eyes and carefully propped her up into a more comfortable position.

'Sorry' said Ruth apologetically

'No need to my dear' the nurse replied. 'After all you've been through a few tears are more than allowed.'

'Not even sure why I am crying' Ruth sobbed 'I am alive and I have been kissed by the most wonderful man on earth.'

'Where is he now?' asked the nurse, noting Harry's absence

'Not sure really, he said he had to go out for a while' sniffed Ruth. 'I can't seem to tell what is real with him and what is the life with him that I had begun to plan in my head. And I am also not sure if there were things he said to me while I was in the coma that are also getting confused with it all. I am not I am making any sense at all' she added

'Not really' said the nurse smiling. 'But I've got some time so you can have another go if you like'

'I've been in love with Harry for 9 years. He's my boss. Well he was until a few weeks ago. Well nothing has really ever happened between us except for a few times when I got the panics and ran. Before last night we had only kissed twice! I seem to feel there is some sort of plan that we both leave our jobs together to begin a new life. It seems such a strong feeling that Harry getting a work call this morning and acting on it suddenly feels like he has let me down terribly. But I have no definite recollection of him saying that he would leave his job. The fact that I have a job waiting for me keeps making me panic. I just want to be with Harry in our own house with no other obligation other than to each other. Last night when we were kissing it seemed as if it confirmed the ideas in my head. But this morning it feels like everything is slipping away.'

'Well I think Harry is the one to ask' said the nurse.' I don't think you need to worry too much. After all you've been through your memories are very likely a little muddled. Harry brought in your mobile and its here by your bed. Would you like it? It has a few missed calls on it.' She passed it to Ruth 'Now as much as I would love to stay I really must be going' and she left Ruth holding the phone.

She flicked through the missed calls and was initially a little confused by the estate agent entry. But after a few moments it came flooding back. The little cottage in Suffolk. The offer she had made. The fact her own little flat was on the point of going on the market.

She decided to return the call. But it was bad news. The cottage was off the market. Sold to another bidder who had been very keen to acquire the property. Since she had been out of contact they had assumed she had changed her mind and the people selling had decided to accept the other offer. It was a cash byer and therefore there was little point in her getting her hopes up of it all falling through. However they had many other similar properties. Did she want to book some viewings?

'No' she said sadly 'not for the moment.' And the call ended. She felt so deflated despite the fact that she knew she ought to be ecstatic after the developments that occurred between her and Harry. She couldn't quite remember if Harry had been aware of her house plans. It seemed that he was aware but only just. Whatever was going on with Harry's life she was determined to go ahead with her plans. She was going to leave her job, sell the flat and try to find another house that would speak to her as much as the other one she had just lost. With that in mind she rang the London agents and confirmed with them that she did indeed want her property on the market.

She lay there after the call and wondered if she hadn't just been incredibly rash. What if this wasn't a proper relationship with Harry? What if he didn't want her living with him? She might leave the hospital homeless. She was too tired to repair any damage she might have just caused and sleep overtook her, giving her a rest from all the muddle worries tumbling round her head.

A few hours later she was woken by Harry's return.

He was sat by her side, gazing at her.

'Hello darling' he said as her eyes drifted open. A huge smile greeted him as she took him in. she felt for his hands 'I missed you Harry'

'I am so sorry to have dashed off like that' he said leaning down to kiss her neck 'but it was important.'

'Too important to tell me?' she asked gently 'was it work?' she added

'It wasn't work' he said in between kisses.' I've handed in my resignation. Did so a few days ago. Just like you asked!'

'Did I?' she asked, gently pushing him away so she could look at his face. I am afraid I've had a morning of not quite remembering and getting into a fearful panic as a result.'

'I am sorry to have left you' he replied stroking her cheek 'you had suggested we leave the service together just before… before.' He stopped. He didn't want to relive that moment for anything.

'I think I vaguely remember' she said 'but spending the rest of my life with you had been a desire for so many weeks before that that I can't work out what is reality and what is just wishful thinking' she smiled at him as she saw she was making him smile too.

'Oh Ruth, how I do love you and your ways'

'You don't have to stop working just for me you know' she said

'yes I do' he replied firmly 'for so many years I have wanted nothing more than to have you in my life. I think you are absolutely right in thinking we can only make it work if neither of are anywhere near MI5'

'I am glad you said that' she said 'I fear I may be rather a jealous woman when it comes to sharing you with anyone or anything. You would not believe how Elena appearing helped to make me realise how much I wanted you' she smiled slightly guilty, having to admit to jealously. However, Harry seemed to like the fact she was.

'Ruth you don't have anything to be jealous of. For the last 9 years there has only been one person here' and he held her hand over his heart. 'And that person is you.'

'Have I handed in my notice?' she asked feeling silly not knowing.

'No you haven't. I won't mind if you don't want to sweetheart. But if you do I don't mind sorting it out for you. Towers already knows you wouldn't be returning for a while anyway.'

' Yes please Harry, tell him I am not coming back, that I have a much better option sitting right here with me now'

There was silence as the two of them gazed at each other before Harry could resist no longer and began kissing her again.

Eventually they broke apart.

'So it wasn't a work call then? She asked remembering she still hadn't got to the bottom of what he had been up to.

'Nope, not work' he replied 'but please don't ask me Ruth. Just trust me on this one?' he added, begging her to understand.

'I suppose I have little option' she sighed

'Been making calls of your own?' he asked thankful that seeing the phone lying on the bed was giving him a genuine change of subject.

'oh yes that' she said heavily.' I discovered I lost the house I had put an offer in on. Because they couldn't get hold of me they accepted another offer.'

'Oh bad luck darling' said Harry kindly but before he could say anything more she continued

'Was then a bit rash and confirmed with the agent to put my flat on the market. I was planning to do it and they had come round and taken all the pictures and were just awaiting my confirmation.'

Harry's eyes grew. 'Well you have been busy!'

'If the flat sells may I come and live with you?' she asked shyly. She couldn't quite remember if she had made it clear to harry that living with him had all been part of the plan, how she had decided to turn the little bedroom of that dream house into an office for him. Harry in turn wasn't sure if she remembered having told him and how he had assured her that that was indeed what they would do.

'You don't need to ask Ruth. You would not believe how lovely it would be to have you living in my house. 'He said 'what about you Suffolk plans?'

'I think I need to get well first' she said, 'besides I had my heart so set on that place that I don't feel like looking for another just yet'

For Harry things were still a little unclear as to what the living arrangements were and whether any future Suffolk plans included him. If they didn't then he wasn't too keen to have her to live with him if he then had to bid her farewell on her recovery. There was only one solution. There was a worry in the back of his mind that he might indeed be rushing things but then again he was a hot headed male and following his heart was something that just had to be done.

'Ruth' he said gently 'in amongst all these plans you have could I slip another one?'

She didn't reply but just looked at him waiting for him to continue.

He took hold of her hands again and holding her gaze he said 'please could we find space for marriage amongst these plans?'

Not sure if there is enough of story line to continue with this?