The following day, Ruth spent the morning at Thames House focused on a lead for the Summit Hotel investigation which Simon had directed her to follow. She made time to speak to Malcolm, and convinced him to lend her the prototype Harry had mentioned the night before. Mid morning she received a text message from Harry telling her he had made the appointment, and what time to pick him up. She shook her head in wonder. I should never doubt him.
Just before midday, she told Lucas she had arranged to meet with a source, and left the grid feeling guilty about not telling the team the truth. Catching the bus home, Ruth went straight to her car which was parked on the street, and twenty minutes later, she was knocking on Harry's front door.
Harry opened the door and gave Ruth a smile tempered with determination. "Come in, Ruth. I just need to get my mobile."
Ruth stepped inside and stood in the hallway while Harry walked into the living room. "I'm still not sure this is a good idea Harry," she called out. "I think we should talk to Lucas. He could come with me instead. You should stay here and wait for us."
Harry reappeared, ready to leave, with a stern look on his face. "I'm a grown man Ruth, stop treating me like a child. I know what I'm doing and I'm not going to break. Until we know more, understand what it is we are going to expose, I don't want to risk telling anyone else. And you can't go in there alone. You need someone to get you inside, and to watch your back, and I'm the best person to do that."
They stared at each other, eyes locked in a battle to see who would hold out the longest. Scarlet stood at Harry's side and licked at his hand. She whined gently, sensing the tension.
"Alright," Ruth said. "But I'm driving. You're still in no condition to be exerting yourself. And the doctor would have my head if he found out."
Harry nodded curtly, and ushered Ruth out the door. She waited for him to set the alarm, and they walked down the front path past a hedge of hydrangeas in full bloom.
Ruth walked around to the driver's side of the car, ignoring the petulant look residing on Harry's face. It's bad enough that he's coming with me. I'm not about to give him more opportunity to end up back in hospital. Harry was itching to get behind the wheel, but wasn't allowed to drive for another three weeks, and Ruth showed no sign of being tempted to let him bend the rules. If she had, Harry would have capitalised on it straight away.
As the car turned the corner, headed for a street not far from Grosvenor Square, Harry switched into Section Head mode, and started laying ground rules. Ruth was less than impressed.
"Harry, I know I'm not a field officer, but I do know what I'm doing. You on the other hand must not, because I could have sworn you're meant to be recovering from a heart attack." She took her eyes off the road just long enough to give him a piercing stare. "I know everything you're saying, it's basic stuff. And I know I can't stop you from coming with me, but this is hardly taking it easy is it?"
"We're visiting the cousins. A simple hello and how are you. There will be no need for me to get physical, so there's no risk of exacerbating anything."
"Now you're splitting hairs."
"Ruth, I know you're worried, but - "
"Well do you blame me? Five weeks ago you'd just had open heart surgery and were barely able to walk. And now here you are blatantly ignoring what the doctor said, walking headfirst into a potentially stressful situation, when there are other people perfectly able to do the job for you." Ruth took a shaky breath. "I should never have let you get this involved in the first place."
"Ruth ..."
"No, Harry, don't. Don't bother." I can't have this conversation now. Not when I'm about to walk into CIA Headquarters and do something illegal.
Knowing he'd probably pushed his luck far enough, Harry decided to do something he rarely did, and kept his mouth shut. But only for you, Ruth.
Ruth drove on in silence. The sun that had been visible as they got into the car, had disappeared and been replaced by storm clouds that were gathering fast, and darkening as they swelled above the city. Neither Harry nor Ruth spoke again, and internally their thoughts alternated between rehearsing for what lay ahead, and reflecting on their shifting relationship.
As they neared their destination, Harry broke the silence. "What did Malcolm say when you asked for the prototype?"
Ruth looked sideways at him, and then back where she was driving, before answering. "I got a bit of the third degree. He knows something's going on."
"Did he show you what to do?"
"No, Harry, of course not," Ruth replied sarcastically. "Do you really think Malcolm would hand over something like that without explaining how it works?"
"No, Ruth. I was just - "
"Just what?"
"I was just checking," Harry said, and then turned to the window, sighing loudly. "Forget it."
Why does he have to be so damn calm about it all? Ruth was scared. Scared that they were going to get caught, and could land themselves in prison. And scared that Harry would do something silly, push himself too far, and end up back in hospital - or worse. But it was too late to go back and change it now. She flicked the indicator on, braked, and pulled the car into an empty spot on a side street. They would have to walk from there. Switching the engine off, she turned to look at Harry, who said, "Are we going to do this then?" Ruth nodded, her jaw set firmly, and they simultaneously got out of the car.
Ruth slammed the car door, venting her frustration and fear.
"Ruth? … Ruth?"
"What?"
"What's the matter?"
"You stupid man. What do you think is the matter? I don't want to lose you!" The words were unexpected and tumbled out in a rush, but she didn't regret them.
Harry stood rooted to the spot for a few seconds, then closed the gap between them and pulled her into a hug, Ruth's arms quickly tightening around him. "You're not going to lose me, Ruth," he whispered low at her ear, his voice cracking a bit. "You had me from day one, and I don't plan on going anywhere. Not without you."
"Harry ..."
"I'm not going anywhere ... do you understand?"
"Harry, I love you."
"I love you."
They pulled back a little, just enough to see each others eyes, and as brown and blue met, they kissed without hesitation. It was a kiss that wouldn't be held back, not any more.
The storm clouds broke overhead, but the rain went unnoticed as it trickled steadily down the sides of their faces.
This is not the end. There is more to come :)
