AN: Thank you to the few who left me comments for the last chapter. I apologize to those who didn't like it and hope you'll let me know what was wrong so I can improve. =0)
Book held in hand, Ruth took a deep breath and walked towards Harry's office. She'd come in late this morning; well later than she normally did; and so she'd missed him before he had left for his meeting with the Home Secretary. But she'd known he'd been there as the carefully wrapped package on her desk had attested to the fact. No one had paid her any mind as she'd opened the black and white iron scroll paper and gasped quietly at the book she found. A second edition printing of Mansfield Park in almost mint condition. Opening the cover with a gentle hand, she traced her finger over the print and smiled; knowing only one person who could have given this to her. Turning the page, she found a cream colored envelope with her name written across the front. Lifting it, she pulled out a single card.
'Ruth - many months ago I was searching for a gift for Catherine as she left on another journey to some far off country. As I was browsing the many offers the shop had to offer, I came across this little gem. Immediately I thought of you. I've been unsure of the how or when I was going to give this to you; especially with all that has transpired in the past few months; but I realized that now was the right moment. I know that you've nearly forgiven me for my deplorable actions but are not quite there. If I'm honest with myself, I am extremely lucky that you've forgiven me to this point. This isn't the place or the time for me to express my true feelings but I hope that one day; sooner rather than later; you can see it in your heart to forgive an old fool. Until then, I'll remain faithfully yours. ~Hx.'
She'd been transfixed for a few minutes; unsure what was more shocking. The fact that she was holding a 189 year old book that she'd read many times as both a youth and an adult; or the fact that in a roundabout way, Harry had admitted to feeling something more towards her then boss to employee. It didn't matter though as one brought a feeling of happiness to her after the past 24 hours and the other brought a round of butterflies to her stomach. Both were quite enjoyable if she'd be honest with herself. But as Harry hadn't returned from his meeting, she had set the book carefully to the side and promised herself that as soon as he returned, she'd speak with him.
That had been an hour before. He'd been on his cell phone as he'd stepped through the pods, a look of utter disbelief on his face as he'd crossed the grid; speaking in low tones to whomever was on the other end. In the past hour they'd all heard some loud cursing and someone was a bloody git but Harry had yet to surface. It'd been ten minutes since the sound of a phone being slammed on a desk had reverberated around the grid and so Ruth had taken it as the moment to try and thank Harry for the wonderful gift. Hopefully his anger would have subsided some but he'd still be distracted enough that she could get in and get out without any kind of scene.
As she came around the corner of his door she continued through; not pausing to knock as had become her custom; and walked into Harry. Squeaking, she felt an arm go around her waist and hold her close as she tottered for a second, the arm holding the book trapped between their chests.
"Ruth?" He asked, quietly, watching as the color drained from her face.
She didn't hear his as she gasped from the pain shooting up her arm. Closing her eyes, she tried to hide the feeling but Harry was too quick for her. Pulling her into his office by walking backwards, he sat her in his chair and took the book from her hand. A smile graced his face as he saw what she was holding but he quickly set it on his desk as he glimpsed the angry bruise on her wrist. Sliding the sleeve of her shirt up, he slowly traced the purple and red marks. From the way their circled her wrist and arm, he could see they were from someone's hand and anger coursed through him. As his thumb brushed against the inside skin, he heard her suck her breath in again and he lifted his eyes to hers. Seeing the tears there, he slowly brushed them away before lying her hand gently in her lap. Standing, he crossed the room to a cabinet hidden in the wall. Opening it, he reached inside and pulled out an ice pack. Walking it back to where she sat, he laid it on her arm before sitting on the edge of his desk. He watched as she adjusted it before meeting his eyes.
"Thank you." she said softly.
"You're welcome. Are you alright?"
"Hmm. Yes. I'm sorry for just barging in." she said, trying to change the subject.
"It's alright. I've missed your barging in truthfully."
He watched as she blushed and looked back down at her lap, her hair falling forward and covering her face. Reaching forward, he gently tucked the front strands behind her ear and lifted her chin with his fingers. "Ruth what happened?" he asked quietly though after his reading the night before, he had a pretty good idea who and what had happened.
"Just a misunderstanding."
"That looks more like a misunderstanding."
"Oh no." she said, secretly loving the feeling of his fingers on her chin. "It was a misunderstanding on my part. Silly me thought no really meant no."
Anger coursed through him at the thought of more injuries that he couldn't see. "Where else are you hurt?"
She paused, confusion crossing her face before she realized how that sounded. "No, I'm fine." Meeting his raised eyebrow, she hurried on. "I promise. Adam turned up at just the right moment and acted as the white knight. He and Fiona even insisted I stay at their home for a few days until all this blows over."
Harry relaxed visibly at her words. "What is this exactly?" Regrettably he left her chin go and placed his hands next to him on the desk.
"My finding out that our vetting process needs to be investigated."
Though he had read that disturbing report the night before, dread filled Harry. "Your boyfriend did this?"
"Ex-boyfriend and yes." Embarrassed at having this conversation with Harry, especially after what he had written in the book, she fought to change the subject. "Really, I'm fine. And I don't want to talk about it anymore. I was coming in to thank you for the book."
Harry let it drop for now though it did confirm his thoughts as to the identities of the mysterious Ds. He'd have to find a way to speak to them alone and thank them for stepping in when they did. And perhaps let them know that it was time to back off in their covert watching of their colleague. At her nervous look, he realized that he'd been silent a moment too long and he offered her a smile. "You don't have to thank me for it but you're welcome. I'm glad that you like it."
"I do." she said, meeting his smile. Seeing Adam walking towards the office, she reached for the book and stood. "I should go, Adam's coming to see you."
Harry stood too pulling down on his suit coat and watched as she turned to walk away. Pausing for a moment, she thought about what he had written in his note and about the concern he'd had since he had realized she was injured. Without thinking too much, she turned back towards him and leaned up to press her lips against the corner of his mouth. Blushing she stepped back and met his surprised eyes.
"I just need some time." she said softly, referencing the note that'd come with her book before turning again and making her way out the door.
His eyes followed her back to her desk and he waited until she was seated and back at work before turning towards Adam. Sitting behind his desk, he gestured at the door. "Close it and then tell me everything that's been going on."
Eggwhisker suggested the prompt "nearly, but not quite" and I thought it might work with starting to push Harry and Ruth along a better path.
