War is mainly a catalogue of blunders.
Winston Churchill
- 0 -
Somewhere south of Calais, France
They stood next to the bed. She took his face in her hands, tracing every line and every scar reverently. Harry was using every ounce of self-control he possessed to hold back until he was sure this was really what she wanted, and she sensed his concern.
"I want a good memory to hold onto until I see you again, something wonderful," she said, and there was no doubt, no hesitation in her voice, so he capitulated and drew her to him for a passionate kiss. His lips were as soft and full as she'd imagined. She sucked briefly on the bottom one before coaxing his tongue to dance with hers, and he wondered delightedly whether her French education had stretched to more than academic matters. His fingers ran through her hair and she didn't even care that it might be dirty. All she cared about was his talented mouth and the way his tongue swirled around hers. Her arms wound around his neck tightly, clutching him to her, and when her knees threatened to give way he wrapped his good arm around her middle to support her. His other hand trailed down her cheek, her neck and to her breast, and stroked the outline of her extended nipple. It sent shockwaves straight to her core and she moaned into his mouth. In response he pulled her lower body flush against him, and she could feel him against her hip, hard already. She marvelled at the fact that she, bookish Ruth Evershed, was able to have such an effect on him. For this one night, she vowed, she would forget her inhibitions, and just be. Harry tore his mouth from hers and reached for the hem of her blouse, and she helped him pull it over her head. Even as his hands reached round to release her brassiere, his mouth latched on to her left breast. She had to put one hand against the wall to steady herself, the other grabbing a fistful of his short hair and pressing his head closer. He fumbled with the clasp for a few moments before he got it loose, and she let the garment drop to the floor unceremoniously. She took hold of his erection and felt him twitch in her hand as he leaned back and admired her breasts. He cupped one in each hand and as their weight settled into his palms, he said, "You're magnificent, Ruth. So beautiful."
He looked into her eyes and smiled at her in adoration, and she reached up and kissed him again. She managed to loosen his belt and get his trousers and underwear down his hips, and as soon as her hand closed around him he made a sound deep in his throat and the final threads of his self-control went, and she revelled in his renewed urgency.
They hurriedly rid themselves of their remaining clothes, eyes hungrily drinking in the contours of each others' bodies in the fading light. He couldn't support his own weight with his wounded arm, so he sat down on the cot, his back propped against the wall, and pulled her down on top of him. They were mindful of each other's injuries as their hands and mouths explored every inch of skin they could reach. Ruth could feel him straining impatiently against her stomach, but still he focussed on her pleasure with clever mouth and fingers to make sure she was as ready as he was. When he dipped one finger, and then another into her, she jerked and clenched around his digits, and he asked, "Now?" his voice rough with desire.
"Oh God, please," she said, and lifted her hips so that he could position himself.
As she slid down on him, his fingers flexed on her left hip, his other hand moving round to support her behind. Her right hip remained a mottled blue bruise and he carefully avoided it, for which she was thankful. She held still, adjusting to him, and her eyes found his and saw her own feelings reflected there. She smiled, joy written over her features, and his heart lurched at the sight. Ruth started to move, grabbing hold of his shoulders for leverage, and he forgot about everything but this moment of pleasure. Planting his right foot on the floor, he thrust up to meet her, and they soon found a rhythm, fast and deep and intense. It was exquisite and he knew he wouldn't last long, and after a few more thrusts he came deep inside her. She held him against her until his breathing slowed, but before she could say anything he flipped her unceremoniously on her back and brought her to climax with tongue and fingers. He lifted his head to watch her face as she reached the peak and tumbled over, memorising her expression of ecstasy for the lonely nights to come. He moved up beside her and collected her into his embrace, holding her close and kissing her softly as she came down to earth.
- 0 –
Kent, England
Malcolm sat before the radio set and took a steadying breath. Jo had just reported that there had been no sign of Harry or Ruth. With each hour that passed without word his hope diminished. He felt a deep sadness at the thought that he might never see his old friend again, and wondered once more at the Prime Minister's determination to believe that Harry was still alive. He secretly thought it a foolish hope, one that would put Jo's group and Adam in unnecessary danger as they showed up for an extraction that would never take place, but then again, it would not be the first time in this war that Winston Churchill bullishly held onto a seemingly impossible hope. Perhaps he would once again be rewarded with a miracle for doing so. Malcolm sent his message, ordering Jo to prepare for the extraction of their two missing spies the next night. Even this small gesture seemed to rekindle some of his own flagging belief and he began to smile; perhaps the PM was onto something after all.
- 0 –
Somewhere south of Calais, France
They dozed, sated and replete, Ruth comfortably cocooned in Harry's arms and the blanket. Even though she found herself on the run in enemy territory, she hadn't felt this safe since her father had died. She dipped her tongue into the hollow of his throat and he hummed appreciatively, his chest vibrating against her still sensitive nipples. In an instant she was aroused again and it amazed her. Ruth had never thought of herself as a particularly physical lover, her previous liaisons had been more cerebral in nature. But with this man it was different. Not only did he challenge her intellectually, he had also awakened a passionate side to her that she hadn't known existed.
"I can hear you thinking," he murmured, his lips against her forehead.
She laughed softly. "Sorry."
"Don't be. What's on your mind?"
"Oh, I don't know." She sighed. "I don't make a habit of this sort of thing."
He was silent for a moment, wondering if she regretted sleeping with him already.
"Hmm, well, I'm glad you made an exception for me."
She must have heard the apprehension in his voice because she trailed a finger down his spine and over his buttock, continuing down the back of his thigh as far as she could reach. As she trailed her fingers up and down the back of his leg, he pressed against her and she could feel the stirrings of a second erection. She kept up her ministrations as she tried to explain her thoughts.
"I guess I worry that things will be different once we're back in England and not in mortal danger every second of the day."
"Ah." There was relief in his response. "I can only speak for myself," he said and reached for her hand, "but this was no mere comfort shag for me."
His meaning was clear and she wished that she could see his face. She found his mouth by touch and reached up to kiss him, slow and ardent. Without breaking the kiss, Harry pulled her leg over his hip and entered her for the second time. He made love to her slowly, building her up to near-climax before he brought her down again, repeating it until she begged him for release. He picked up his pace then, and her muscles squeezed tight around him as she climaxed. It was his undoing and he came shortly after. They stayed tangled together as the waves of pleasure gradually receded, but when he made to slip out of her she stopped him.
"No, stay as long as you can."
So he did, until exhaustion claimed him.
- 0 –
Berchtesgaden, Germany
The senior officers responsible for the French front had flown to Berchtesgaden early that morning with the documents obtained by Tiberius. They had been locked in deliberations with the Führer all day. It was the first time that Schneider had personally seen Hitler, and he was shocked at their leader's sickly appearance. Most of the officers were convinced of the authenticity of the documents, with the notable exception of Rommel. Due to his stellar military achievements, his voice carried a lot of weight. But as the discussions dragged on, Schneider realised that Hitler was convinced that the Allied Forces would land in Calais, because that was what he himself would have done. And because that was what Hitler believed, no-one could move him. He ordered that the documents be accepted as the holy truth and preparations be made accordingly. Schneider received warm thanks from the Führer himself and strutted out, convinced that his future was secure. Rommel fell in next to him and said wearily, "Congratulations, Schneider. You may just have sealed the fate of our country."
He strode off before Schneider could respond.
- 0 –
The next morning
London, England
The Prime Minister was woken before dawn – there was an urgent message for him coded Ultra. He padded into the office in his dressing gown and took the message from Jennings. German army headquarters had sent a flash to all units in France, informing them that the date of the Allied invasion was confirmed to be 25 June, and the landings would take place in and around Calais. Churchill sat back and smiled. Operation Royal Flush had worked.
- 0 –
Somewhere south of Calais, France
Harry woke as the first light began to filter through the window. He was warm and comfortable and content. No, that was wrong; he was more than content. He was happy. He was spooned behind Ruth on the narrow cot, her back pressed tightly to his chest, and he didn't want to move. But he would have to, and soon, because he needed to get her out of France and to safety. He pressed a long kiss to her shoulder blade and lightly ran his hand over her stomach. He kissed her shoulder again.
"Do we have to go?" Her voice sounded small and his heart constricted.
"Yes."
Her fingers laced through his and she kissed his palm.
"All right."
She extracted herself from his embrace and he felt bereft.
They prepared in near silence, hastily washing and dressing before they sat down to eat the remaining food. They packed and Harry carried their things to the truck while Ruth made sure they had left nothing behind. He came back to find her standing in the middle of the floor forlornly.
"Ruth?"
She turned into him blindly, hugging him fiercely and burying her face in his shoulder. He held her against him, and then tipped her chin up and kissed her.
"I know," he said, and led her out to the truck.
- 0 –
Same day, evening
Kent, England
Malcolm drove up to the airfield as Adam made his final checks before take-off. He joined the pilot as he walked around the Halifax, inspecting every rivet on the wings and the pressure in the tyres, and then clambered inside to test the fastenings on the crates of equipment destined for the Resistance.
"Jo has acknowledged my message. They will have the field ready for your landing and take-off."
Adam nodded. "They know that everything has to be ready? I can't wait around on the ground longer than a few minutes."
"They know," Malcolm confirmed, fervently hoping that Adam would have someone to pick up.
"Right, I'm off then." Adam grinned at Malcolm. "Better keep the cocoa warm. I'll be back before you know it."
Malcolm smiled weakly in return and stood back. He watched as the plane gathered speed and lifted into the air, and went into the office to monitor the radio. At least the weather was clear this time around. Perhaps that was a good omen.
- 0 –
Near Arras, France
Harry and Ruth reached the extraction point half an hour before the scheduled arrival of the plane. Jo stared at them, joy and disbelief mingling in her expression.
"I don't believe it. You really do have the luck of the devil," she exclaimed, and just about restrained herself from throwing her arms around Harry.
He smiled, and there was a lightness in his face that she had never seen before. "This time I have to thank my guardian angel," he said obliquely before moving on swiftly to operational matters.
"Someone should take the truck back to Juliette's. And I'm staying for a while, so you need to find me a hiding place, preferably near the coast in Normandy."
Jo nodded. "And Ruth?"
"She's going back with the plane. Her job is done."
Jo looked at Ruth. "Lucky you," she grinned, and received a tentative smile in response.
"Jo!" A voice called from the darkness. "The plane is coming."
"Okay. Stand by with the torches," she answered and turned back to Harry.
His gaze was locked with Ruth's.
"Joanna, give us a moment, please."
"Of course."
She moved away to give them a semblance of privacy, but watched curiously as Harry stepped closer to Ruth.
"You take good care, yes?" he said softly.
Ruth smiled. "Yes. And you. Don't get shot again." She touched his arm lightly and he laughed.
"I won't." He sobered quickly as his eyes mapped her face, anxious to remember every detail.
"Goodbye, Ruth."
"Goodbye, Harry."
And then, onlookers be damned, she pressed her lips to his. His arms went around her and he held her tightly, before she stepped away and moved to Jo's side.
"This way," Jo said briskly, unable to hide her delighted smile, and led Ruth to the end of the field they had cleared.
From either side people stepped out of the trees and formed a line. They switched on their torches and half a minute later the Halifax dropped out of the darkness and landed neatly between the two lines of light, bouncing over the uneven surface. The engine screamed and it twitched as Adam throttled back and slammed on the brakes violently, and only just managed to stop the plane before the trees.
"Let's go, people!" Jo called, and the nearest men rushed to the plane and opened the door. They hauled out the crates and swiftly turned the machine around.
Jo grabbed Ruth's arm and hurried her to the plane. "One passenger going back, Adam," she called and received a thumbs-up from the cockpit. Ruth was heaved up and into the plane none too gently, and had barely found a seat when it accelerated down the field. She looked out of the window and saw Harry stand on the edge of the clearing, his eyes on her, and she wondered whether she would ever see him again.
tbc