Once again many thanks to my faithful readers and reviewers. I hope you are all staying safe. Happy Easter wherever you are.

By the time Harry sank into the comfortably upholstered back seat of the official car that was to transport him back to Havensworth he was, behind his stone face, fighting down his impatience. His venue of choice this morning would have been the shared area of the hotel suite. His activity of choice an attempt to build bridges with Ruth in the light of the recently overheard Intel. Although this thought contained within it a smidgeon of exasperation. Really for an intelligent woman whose job consisted of analysing data of all types Ruth's professional skills seemed to have deserted her when interpreting his motives. Initially he'd just wanted to keep her safe with no further plan entering his head. Harry Pearce did casual encounters not romance but somehow she'd wriggled her way into his life so now all he wanted to do was to shake her, kiss her, assure her and ….well best to clamp down on any further thoughts for now. Then just when he'd decided to make his overtures to Ruth the priority on his return, a new problem had emerged to thwart that intent.

Forced attendance at a meeting featuring whose prominent membership included the ever delightful Oliver Mace, three yes men to the government, plus another individual who appeared to have been kidnapped by the libertarian tendency, had not sweetened Harry's mood. That in reality the agenda had consisted of little more than a short update on existing policies had been a blessing. Deserting his fellow Section Heads as quickly as basic courtesy dictated no sooner had he texted Malcolm, while plotting his escape towards the exit door than, caught in the process of shrugging on his coat, he'd been approached by Dolby's secretary requesting his presence in that holy of holy's, Dolby's office, a venue in which Harry rarely received tidings of comfort and joy. Even worse for his hopes of a speedy exchange of views and a quick getaway Harry realised that this was serious. A recognition sparked by Dolby who, in a rare attempt at affability, waved him towards a comfortable seat while simultaneously proffering him a malt whisky.

Something of Harry's thoughts must have penetrated the usual mask as Dolby kicked off with an apology that even sounded genuine. "I'm sorry to delay you Harry but I do need to talk to you."

After a sip and an inclination of Harry's head he continued. "It's about Ros, two issues really. Firstly how is she settling in given the…. err…. previous history?"

Harry, relieved that this was not a direct reference to the current operation, unbent a trifle, "Quite well. She was a little defensive at first, which was to be expected, but I've assured her that she is not responsible for her father's actions and I'm satisfied with her probity. The rest of the team are also beginning to accept her."

Dolby after clearing his throat began, "So…" to be cut off by Harry. "If you are about to ask if I'd accept her as a permanent member of Section D the answer is of course."

Dolby, just as skilled as Harry at concealment of feelings managed to crack a fleeting smile. "Good because while she has been thoroughly vetted and judged trustworthy thanks to Myers going rogue life might be uncomfortable for her in Six – but the situation with Adam Carter, after all he was the one who managed to prevent you being fried to death in the incident orchestrated by Myers."

Harry mange to smile in return. "The same as the rest of the team, and if he's angling for Section D my only worry is that with his wife working for Six there could be a possible conflict of interests – I wouldn't want to break up the happy home."

"Actually Harry you've hit on my next query – I agree and wondered how you'd feel about taking on Fiona Carter as well. The rise in domestic terrorism justifies some extra staff in Section D and it seems likely that Tom won't be judged fit to return."

"Certainly – but can we delay the formalities until this operation is completed." After a further pause he reminded Dolby, "You mentioned two issues relating to Ros!"

"Yes – she has put in a request to see her father but I'm afraid he's refused. Insists she betrayed him. Even her mother has tried to persuade him but …" Dolby trailed off as Harry second guessed the further request, "You want me to tell her this." It wasn't a question.

Harry as he was driven back to Havensworth reckoned that if Jocelyn Myers hadn't already been dying he'd have been tempted to arrange the matter himself. Firstly in a damning attempt to subvert democracy Myers had betrayed his country, landed his blameless daughter in career threatening trouble, and was now shunning her for not supporting him. While Harry suspected Ros might not to be surprised at her father's refusal to see her, despite his own legendary lack of empathy he knew she'd be upset. Beneath the icy façade that Ros projected was hidden a real human being with intense feelings. It took one to know one. A further minor damnation of Myers in Harry's opinion being that the requirement to see Ros had pushed his own urgent conversation with Ruth onto the back burner for the third time this morning.

Ruth, having returned to her own quarters, was awaiting Harry's arrival with a combination of eagerness and trepidation. Or had been. Working on Malcolm's ETA and her own recollection of the journey time a glance at the clock in the shared sitting room was informing her that Harry was about half an hour overdue. Impatience overcoming prudence she finally called Malcolm's mobile to enquire as to Harry's whereabouts.

Malcolm reluctantly confirmed that Harry had indeed arrived some twenty minutes ago, and was currently closeted with Ros. His hastily added addendum that perhaps Harry had to consult with Ros on some newly sprung operational issue was greeted with scepticism. How Malcolm wished he could have lied, the snort from Ruth suggesting that in those few words the efforts of the entire team to persuade the pair to confront their feelings for one another had just been undone.

In that assumption he was more or less correct. Ruth's good intentions of adopting a softer manner towards Harry had just been dumped directly into the emotional dustbin. Consequently when man himself finally arrived in their joint sitting room ready and willing to reset their relationship he was greeted with a snapping,

"What kept you?"

"I had to see Ros."

"Of course the new girl to cajole and…."

The planned diatribe was cut through by Harry who, in a voice pitched just below shouting level, advised her, "Actually I had to give her some bad news." A statement that did have the effect of silencing Ruth. Aware he had her attention Harry added, "I know I can trust your discretion so…" a compliment that as he uttered it reminded him that he'd been relying on Ruth's possession of that quality for a great many reasons, especially in respect of their previous intimacies. Knowing Ruth's highly unattractive tendency of not missing a trick when it came to condemnation of his not so good self he waited for the next instalment on the many imperfections of Harry Pearce, hoping he could avoid losing his temper.

To his surprise after a couple of seconds of silence Ruth, having glanced at his drawn and solemn face, decided for once he wasn't lying. Gesturing him to sit down she asked, "Do you want to tell me?" Harry sighed. "Ros's father is dying, I had to tell her that a few days ago and encouraged her to try to see him – now he's refused to let her visit."

Ruth was experiencing a positive confusion of emotions, guilt for suspecting Harry of any interest in Ros beyond the professional, a certain empathy with Ros – the death of her own father had left a massive hole in her life but least she'd had happy memories and the secure knowledge that she'd been loved to sustain her grief - and sympathy for Harry who was obviously blaming himself for encouraging Ros only to then let her down.

It was sympathy that finally won out. Almost without thinking she sat down beside him and sought his hand asking, "How did she take it?" Harry clutching the proffered fingers sighed the sigh of the weary, "On the face of it well but…"

"Hurting inside?"

"Probably, the Ice Queen act is exactly that."

After a pause, during which Ruth was struggling to find the words to reduce his level of self flagellation, she finally managed, "Well I wouldn't blame yourself too much Harry – you had the best of intentions."

The groaned reply suggested he wasn't soothed. "The road to Hell.."

Time to get sharper, "Originally paved by Ros' father. All you were trying to do was pick up the pieces and help Ros because unlike him you really do care."

Harry in his continuing introspection nearly missed the next words, as Ruth falteringly added, "For all of us."

A statement that jerked Harry's attention away from Ros' troubles to turn and look into those big eyes, their changeable colour currently a shade of grey as he commented, "You seem to have altered your opinion of my actions somewhat."

The air hung heavy between them with the unspoken realisation that the next few words either of them spoke could be vital for their future.

It was Ruth who broke first, "Harry I'm sorry…" the hesitation leading him to risk putting his arm around her as he murmured in a low voice that only just penetrated her ears "As am I."

"I was stupid."

"As was I."

Sober amber eyes lifted once again to look directly into a pair of large grey blue eyes as their owner whispered an apologetic, "So…"

Hoping that he had read the promise in her face correctly he seized on the implied cue. "Kiss and make up." As she continued to stare at him while remaining mute Harry, risking a slap on his face suited the action to the words and brushed his lips gently against hers. When she failed to pull away, with the arm already wrapped around her shoulders, he pulled her closer to his own body. The feel of her moulding herself against him suggesting that for now any further words would be superfluous to more physical interactions.

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