She's been waiting for a couple of minutes, feeling grateful that for once it isn't raining, when her phone rings. She fishes it out of her bag and answers it, her eyes still scanning the road ahead for the cab bearing Harry towards her as she says, "Hello?"

"Ruth," he replies, his voice sounding so tired and full of longing that she can immediately tell that something's the matter.

"What's wrong?" she asks, frowning as she turns away from the traffic and moves over to stand under a tree, lifting her hand to block her other ear in an effort to hear him better.

"I'm sorry, Ruth," he sighs, "I'm going to have to postpone our dinner tonight. Something's come up."

"Oh," she replies in disappointment before pulling herself quickly together and adding, "That's fine, Harry. I under-"

"It's not bloody fine, Ruth!" he exclaims, his anger flaring with his mounting frustration. "The one time we could have gone home early together and Juliet bloody Shaw decides that she needs my expert opinion. She doesn't give a flying fuck what I think most of the time, but today of all days, she must have my assessment of the situation with Volkov in person. I have a good mind to just ignore her and go home with you anyway."

He pauses there as if seeking her permission to ignore orders because, like it or not, Juliet is Harry's boss and, in that moment, she so wishes that she could grant it, could encourage him to do a bunk and come get her, take her to his home, and make love to her all night long. But she knows she cannot, so instead she says, "You know you can't do that, Harry... no matter how much you, or I, might wish it."

She hears him exhale heavily before murmuring, "I know... but I swear to God, Ruth, in the mood I'm in right now, I'm ready to go over there and tell her where to shove it."

"But you won't," she states, sensing that he needs her to be the voice of reason at the moment. "If you let her see she's upset you by ruining your plans for tonight, she'll enjoy it all the more and you'll only be giving her more ammunition against you. Put the whisky away, Harry, throw some cold water on your face, and go get it over with as fast as possible."

He sighs deeply at that and it's some moments before he replies, "God, Ruth. You know me so well. What would I ever do without you? I..." he pauses for a moment and she finds herself holding her breath, the tone of his voice suggesting that he might be about to say those three little words she's been longing to hear but, if so, he seems to think better of it, saying instead, "Find a cab, Ruth. Take a taxi home and I'll pay for it."

"No, Harry," she begins to protest, her disappointment palpable, "I'll take the bus."

"Please, Ruth," he murmurs softly. "I feel so bad about this and it would make me feel a little better to know you're safely on your way home in the comfort of a cab. At least let me keep that part of my promise. You wouldn't begrudge me that, would you?"

"Okay, fine," she sighs, smiling in spite of herself. "I'll get a taxi home."

"Thank you," he replies. They're silent for several moments before he adds softly, "If I'm done quickly, Ruth, would you mind if I rung you? You know, to say goodnight?"

"I'd mind if you didn't, Harry," she smiles. "In fact, I'd be very upset if you didn't ring me to say goodnight."

"Good," he says, and she's sure he's smiling. "That's good. I'll call you later... unless you're sleeping. Text me before you go to sleep, Ruth. I'd hate to wake you."

"I will, Harry," she agrees.

"Good night then, Ruth," he murmurs softly. "Sweet dreams."

"I thought you said you'd call me," she smiles, feeling her disappointment retreat somewhat at his warm, gentle words.

"I did," he agrees. "I will. But I thought... you know, just in case."

"I see," she replies. "Well, good night then, Harry. Sweet dreams... just in case."

She hears him chuckle softly before he says, "I've got to go. Don't forget about the cab, Ruth, and I'll speak to you later."

"Yes," she replies.

"Bye," he murmurs and then the line goes dead. She sighs heavily as she slips her phone into her bag and takes a step in the direction of the road, beginning to search for a taxi as she curses Juliet Shaw under her breath. God, how she hates that woman.