The Challenge

Trying to write a chapter a day as possible, this may turn into an epic.

Tom was gone from the hallway by the time Ruth was able to bring herself back to this version or reality she was now living. She thought to herself, Did I really make a difference today? Am I changing the past? Will these changes be for the best? I should have watched Star Trek more while in school, rather than studying all the time. Time that is what this is about. Is this my time to excel, to achieve so much more as the Home Secretary of the future thought me capable of? Then there is Harry. I love him, but he is not yet in love with more, or if he is he hasn't realized it.

As she entered her home, there was Harry sitting on her sofa. "Often let yourself in uninvited?" asked Ruth.

"Normally not, but I also don't normally feel rage at my head of operations for kissing a fellow agent, one I have clear designs on."

She could hear that dangerous tone in his voice and it was one that frightened her it meant he was after something and wasn't going to leave tonight without it, no he wouldn't rape her, but she knew as did he she would succumb to his seduction, if she didn't change his mind about what he really wanted.

"Harry, there's no need for jealously….I'

"Jealously, you think I'm jealous of Tom? I can assure you that before the night is over the only name to cross your lips will be mine." As Harry said these words he moved closer. Ruth backed away, into a small table. Harry had not yet realized he was frightening her and exciting her at the same time, Ruth had forgotten he did not yet know her in the way he would in the future.

Before she knew what was happening, she and Harry were kissing passionately for second time in the same evening. "I'll wipe Tom's kiss from your lips," said Harry. Just as Ruth was on the brink of surrendering to Harry, she pulled back.

"Harry you are upset, and I don't want the…the… well the first time with you to be all because you are jealous, especially when there is nothing to be jealous of."

Harry stopped but didn't let his hands leave her arms. He looked into her eyes, those beautiful sparkling sapphire blue eyes. Suddenly he knew she was telling the truth and that he'd been wrong to come in the way he had. "What is it you want Ruth?"

"I want what every woman wants. I want romance, love, and passion. But I want it from a man who has those same feelings for me. I don't want empty words. You and I may have one of the greatest love affairs of the century or you could ruin it tonight with a one-night stand."

Harry considered what she was saying. He couldn't remember the last time he'd ever listened to a woman when all he could think about was bedding her. He was listening, and found this sensation equally sensual. Ruth's beauty combined with her intellect, no wonder Tom too was intrigued.

"Truce," said Harry. "May the best spy win."

Ruth thought back to Tom's comments. This was getting personally more complicated, yet if this world is real and she's stuck here she wanted to build the future she always thought she'd have with Harry. Tom would be a complication. He really needed to be with Christine Dale, and that too now factors into Ruth's plan to make a better future for everyone. Oliver Mace of course would have to be dealt with, and there were the things she didn't know about when she was away that she was sure Harry would have left out of the records she read when she returned. In her mind she thought, now George doesn't have to die. Nico has his father, and so many lives can be saved. She won't have the guilt that was there before. Then she realized Harry had moved away and picked up his coat

"It is time for me to leave," and Harry leaned in for a kiss but this time Ruth turned her head and he caught only her cheek.

As Harry opened the door, on the step stood Tom with hand raised about to knock. " Hello Tom, can I drop you somewhere preferably in the Themes with cement attached to your body. I can assure you neither I nor you are getting anywhere with Miss Evershed tonight, and trust me I've used the full Pearce press." Tom couldn't help but smile

"Great minds think alike. I think I'll drive myself home, but thanks for the offer, and I can see our analyst is in no mood for additional company." Tom with a brooding look turned and walked away. Harry waited a beat, turned and smiled at Ruth. "I believe our beloved grid will never be the same after your presence." With that Harry turned back toward the street and walk toward his car. He was smiling and started whistling. It was a tune Ruth didn't recognize.

After a bath, and glass of wine, Ruth thought about her future steps and how to keep the Grid working as it should and not be torn to pieces by so many losses. She knew that the next major case involved a child. With all she knew now, that could be handle via psychiatric care. The tougher case would be the drug cartel. It was time to devise a strategy for that case for it would be Tom's undoing if she couldn't prevent it, yet it eventually brought Tom and Christine together. This will be a challenge, and as a classist Ruth loves a challenge.

After her bath she decided to make a few notes, but also carefully devised a hiding place so they wouldn't be found. She couldn't have MI5 thinking she was a lunatic.

Next up a bit of Zoe, Danny and Sam tossed into the mix and the competition for Ruth's attention between Tom and Harry, and Andrew will have to make an appearance along with her brother's crazy girlfriend. And will Ruth decide she liked all those kidnappings and adrenaline rushes. So many stories so much to change.