I got on a bit of a roll with this chapter so I'm posting quicker than I intended. Taken a couple of scenes out of 5-2 and 5-3 and tweaked with them a little. Thanks for the reviews so far. xxx
"How are you?" Harry asked, sitting next to Juliet who was resting in her hospital bed.
"Crippled," Juliet said with her usual bluntness.
"The doctors are a little more hopeful today," Harry said.
"Oh for God's sake Harry, I don't need softening up," Juliet said, her eyes glaring at him.
"Fine," Harry said with a shrug. "Collingwood hung himself. But we are having a problem with what to do with the others." The conversation turned to business which was broken when something flickered outside the window, catching Juliet's eyes.
"Here's the spaniel," Juliet said quickly.
"Shame they can't replace your spine with your tongue," Harry countered quickly.
"Are you in love with Ruth?"
"Do the words skating and thin ice mean anything to you?" Harry asked. He didn't like discussing his private life at the best of times.
"I'm disabled," Juliet said with a raised eyebrow. "I get a special licence."
"I am not answering that question," Harry said firmly. It was none of her business anyway.
"Well she's in love with you."
"Is that so?"
"Yes," Juliet said with so much conviction that Harry stared at her in spite of himself. He knew there was a lot of trust between them, but he wasn't convinced she loved him, not yet. But Juliet did seem convinced, that much was clear.
"If you say so," Harry said, not wanting to elaborate on the nature of his relationship with Ruth. She wanted it kept private and he would respect that.
"Harry, you could do a lot worse than her," Juliet said quietly.
"Thank you for your assessment," Harry said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Go," Juliet said, and she was actually smiling. Harry nodded and left, and felt relieved to see Ruth who was just outside the door.
"How is she?" Ruth asked as they walked down the corridor.
"Probably be wheelchair bound for the rest of her life but in a surprisingly good mood," Harry replied.
"I guess it'll take more than an exploding car to dampen her spirits," Ruth said.
"Hmm," Harry agreed. "Are you okay?" he asked as she lapsed into silence.
"Yes," she said and it was sort of true. "I think Malcolm might have guessed about us," she added. "My reaction when he told me a car had blown up was quite a giveaway."
"Are you worried?" he asked in what he hoped was a casual voice.
"No," she said. "He didn't say anything, I just got the impression from him. Anyway, it won't change how I feel." She caught his eyes as they got into his car and he felt relieved over her reaction. She smiled as he pulled away, saving her energy to deal with the next disaster.
"Ask me some more questions," Adam said as Jo picked up her wine glass.
"Okay," Jo said. "Why did Harry go home with Ruth tonight?"
"About my legend. Wait, what!" Jo smiled as the news had clearly caught him off guard.
"Yes, I got talking to Harry's driver today. Apparently he needs lessons from the boss in keeping secrets."
"Are you sure? Harry going home with Ruth?"
"Yes," Jo said, draining her glass of red wine. "I checked the MI5 cameras and they definitely got in the same car. I also got the impression that this isn't exactly the first occasion its happened either."
"They've been hiding it from us," Adam said incredulously, half torn between amusement and indignation that he hadn't discovered it himself. Jo nodded her agreement. "But… why? I mean, anything that puts Harry in a good mood is fine with me."
"I'm sure they have their reasons," Jo said, shrugging slightly. "Just thought I'd share the news."
"How long do you reckon this has been going on?" Adam asked.
"I don't know," Jo said. "I mean they have both been attracted to each other for as long as I've been here, that was obvious. But I have a feeling its relatively recent."
"Harry and Ruth," Adam said to himself as if mulling it over. "Bloody hell!" Jo laughed, loving that something good seemed to come out of the terrorist threats they dealt with on a day to day basis.
Ruth woke up feeling wonderfully lazy as Harry's fingertips trailed over her body. She stretched and would be perfectly contented to never move again. "Morning," Harry whispered, kissing her cheek. She opened her eyes and saw Harry studying her curiously.
"You look worried," Ruth said.
"People are going to put two and two together soon you know," Harry said. "About us. We don't work with idiots."
"I know," she said. "Let them," she said with a smile. "I'm happy. It doesn't bother me so much what they think. Now that I feel fairly sure you aren't just going to up and leave me."
"Did you ever think I would?" he asked, surprised and hurt at this assessment of his character.
"I will admit that it did cross my mind once or twice in the early days of our relationship," she said, looking him straight in the eye. "But it wasn't because of who you are now, it was your history. Your past. I know you've had a lot of affairs with women you've met at work. I did wonder if I was just one of the many. I don't anymore."
"Good because you are one of a kind," he said sincerely. He couldn't criticise her for her thoughts. His history wasn't the best, and she hadn't exactly had a lot of reasons to trust men in the past in the first place. He didn't blame her. "For the last three or four years, I don't look at women anymore. I only look at you."
A truly happy smile blossomed on her face. "That's nice to hear," she said. Then she changed the subject. "You're going to make me go to Havensworth aren't you?"
"We need you there," Harry said with a sigh. He had known she didn't want to be surrounded by prying and useless politicians, but practically she was needed. "I know you don't want to go, but just think, you and I trapped in a hotel for three nights... That sounds very interesting." She smiled and kissed him slowly and lovingly.
"I'm going to have my shower," she said, leaving the warm confines of her bed. Harry watched her go and then closed his eyes. He could do with five more minutes sleep.
