The thought of getting back to reality was having a sobering effect on both of them, but then this had never been a holiday, or did they push pieces of paper around their desks as Harry had suggested to their hosts. Not though to the extent that he was prepared to surrender just yet, without ensuring that he and Ruth got to spend some more time on their own. Because God knows it had been so long in coming, that he was determined that what had gained momentum to the point where they couldn't get enough of each other should continue. Which was why once they finally reached the main road, now clear of snow, he suggested that rather than randomly pick somewhere to stay, that there was a lot to be said for arriving a day early to see what if anything, apart from them being together had changed.

What he didn't tell her for fear of worrying her unnecessarily, or thinking less of him, was that the thought of revisiting somewhere that held bitter sweet memories and unanswered questions, hadn't prepared him for the continuing human loss that he'd encountered when he'd joined Five. How ill prepared he'd been, until she'd stumbled onto the grid with an innocence that had caused their colleagues to decide she was bonkers, but to him it had felt as though someone had finally opened a window. Plus of course the speed with which he'd come to rely on her and how she'd responded - not entirely without questioning his motives at times, with an enthusiasm that he now knows radiates from her eyes to the very tips of her toes. All of which will count for nothing if he allows something happen to her.

.

The short walk from where they park the car, to the front door of what when it's not occupied by the Security Services of any one of the four European Nations who are assembling the following day, doubles as a hotel, in temperatures which are fluctuating around minus ten, doesn't prevent Ruth from appreciating the view, or understanding why the building that they're about to enter, had all those years ago, been resurrected to hold meetings that to all intents and purposes never happen. Or having read Harry's file and seen the photos of the man who is walking beside her dressed in his army uniform, with an air of authority must have demanded not only absolute obedience but got it. Compared to now when yes, he's more care worn and rightly so, doesn't prevent her for having the same answer to the question that Malcolm had asked her, when he'd said, how would she feel if Harry wasn't here? In other words she'd be devastated.

Not that she'd go so far as to say that even now she can read him like a book, but she knows there has to be a reason why he's suggested that they arrive a day early. What it is and whether it has anything to do with the hunch that something's not as it should be, she knows he'll tell her when he's ready and not before. Which means that in the meantime she needs to be patient and enjoy what's left of the time on their own

'Take your pick,' from the receptionist, 'but if you're looking for the best views, then I'd suggest rooms eight and nine on the first floor,' isn't what Ruth wants to hear. Despite having accepted that after two nights in the same bed as Harry, that they'd be back to having separated rooms. Either that or he'll risk his reputation by creeping along a corridor that in all probability is being monitored.

Only to hear him say, 'no you misunderstand, we're together, so we only need one room,' and is why after carrying their bags upstairs, they find themselves opening the door to room eight.

Where the description doesn't do it justice. Because the view from this height is breath taking and the look on Ruth's face, is one of pure joy. A sentiment which Harry wishes he shared, but because he knows that they're the only occupants, sees him ignoring his earlier concerns and leading her towards the bed. Heightening not only his need for her, but his determination not to let her out of his sight. For the simple reason that if he's called upon to defend her, his reaction will be to ensure that whoever it is that lays so much a finger on her, will regret the day he was born. Which means that he needs answers and quickly, or more precisely who will be arriving and not only when, but by what means.

Something which is helped, when having showered and changed, after an afternoon when worrying or talking had been replaced by making love, interspersed by sleeping, they eventually go down to dinner to find that in a dining room which accommodates no more than twenty people, the French contingent are in high spirits. Recognising them and being recognised in return, by way of raising mutual glasses, suggests to Harry who counts himself as a good judge of people, that he can illuminate at least one of the delegations from his list.

.

That done and as the evening wears on and with a more than acceptable meal and a decent bottle of wine, Harry feels himself reverting to the man he's been since they left Geneva. His confidence restored, to the extent that when he walks over to the window where Ruth is once again gazing out over the snow-covered landscape, now illuminated by a few street lights, for the second time in as many hours he takes her by the hand and leads her towards the bed. His intention before anything happens this time, is to tell her that he loves her. But what he also needs is Ruth's assurance that she also loves him. Something which in his current frame of mind, he decides that he'll only find out once he's told her what he's never told anyone else.

Helped as he has been more times than he believes he deserves, when she turns towards him and poses the question by simply saying, 'Harry?'

But it's not until they're in bed, a mutual decision that doesn't need words, or for her to prompt him again, by turning to face him so that there's no more than a few inches between them that he opens up.

'When James Allen came into my office the other day and told me about this conference, my first thought was as long as Ruth's with me I'll get through it. When you hesitated, my reaction wasn't just because I'd seen an opportunity for us to be together away from prying eyes, dismissed without what I thought was any consideration, but because of what happened when I was here all those years ago. It was a bitter winter, far colder than it is now, but then as soldiers you do as your told. Three months with the same group of men and you either sink or swim, metaphorically speaking. Well, we swam, both during the working day and in the evenings with the help of the people who lived here and the local brew. Right up until the last week, when a fellow officer walked out into the snow when the rest of us were asleep. After an intensive two day search, we finally found his body at the bottom of a ravine. As I'm sure you can imagine, morale hit rock bottom. More so when the inquest returned a verdict, that without evidence to suggest otherwise, that he'd taken his own life.

'That's awful Harry, but why didn't you tell me this a week ago?'

'Because I love you Ruth and I didn't want to spoil the opportunity that we'd been offered, by talking about something that happened such a long time ago.'

'Well based on how we're wrapped up together now and have been for the last three nights, and by the way I love you too, I'd like to believe that what we have is unbreakable. But just to be on the safe side, I think you need to ring Adam in the morning and ask his opinion. In the same way that you would if you were on the grid.'

'And now?'

'Harry as much as I love you, it's one in the morning and we both need to sleep.'