Writer's Note: Yes I've noticed a pattern of always picking this story up in April. Not sure why but I plan to stay with this until it is finished. It will not take five years. I owe it to the few readers who have voiced their love of this story over the years.

After arriving home, Ruth and Harry managed to finish their meal before cuddling on the sofa, but before Harry let matters progress too far and he lost all reason, he had a few questions for Ruth. The trick was to not make Ruth feel as if she were being interrogated.

" I still don't understand what put you on to Forestal? I mean he wasn't even on the radar as far as I can tell. Malcolm and Colin were surprised. How did you put all this together, not that I doubt your information," said Harry. Ruth was ready with a response. She was surprised Harry hadn't pushed harder in this area before. "I knew Forestal from GCHQ. If possible, he was more of a loner than I was and that is saying a lot. Over the years I have come across reports he filed. There was one about how vulnerable the country is regarding cyber security. I also found in the reports there seemed to be a chip on his shoulder. That made him seem a bit unstable, so I've checked on him ever so often. This particular report regarding the security of our medicine and other essentials connected the dots in my brain. As for the dates I followed the timeline of his reports and there is a pattern. Now I think that pattern is going to work to our advantage. 'God is in the details." Don't forget the details. It is just that, details, that make sense of all my analysis."

Harry seemed placated by this answer. His mind returned to the presence of this brilliant, beautiful woman, who when she smiles makes him smile. Now he wanted to make her smile. He pulled her closer to him on the sofa and kissed the top of her head. Ruth kissed his hand that was wrapped across her chest. Then they turned to each other and the kissing deepened. Then Ruth pulled back. This time Harry wondered what he'd done and voiced his concern. "It's nothing you've done. I just need to know how you really feel about us?"

"Ruth I think that is obvious."

"Harry I don't mean the physical relationship. Do you still admire my skills on the Grid as much as you do my skills at home?"

Harry knew this was a minefield. His answer has to be spot on or Ruth will be insulted on either level. "I know it is early in our relationship. I know you know about my previous and I stress previous reputation. I also know that you are the only person I want in my life. You are my life. I won't compare work to love. Love trumps work every time. I love you and will gladly spend my days here making love to you if I must to prove you are more than your work. Will you do the same?" Harry had turned the tables on Ruth and put her on the backfoot.

Harry had told Ruth he loved her and not even two years had passed since her arrival on the Grid. It took him 10 years to say it before. Life is better, thinks Ruth the second time around. She still thinks about how this world might end at any time but hopes it is real and she will be a part of it for the rest of her life and this time she plans to make sure her life lasts much longer. Odd it is the first time she's thought about "the stabbing." As she and Harry had progressed in their love-making she glanced down to where a scar should be but it was gone and she hoped it will stay that way. She thought: I have at least 8 years of living to do and that's what I plan on doing. Then another thought passed into her mind, Are these the thoughts I am having as I lay dying the thoughts of what could have been? She pushed these ideas from her brain. Ruth is going to join the hear and the now and not look back, only concentrate on righting the wrongs of the past.

Finally she and Harry made it to her bedroom, where a substantial amount of clothes were on the floor, but likewise Harry had slowly been moving more and more of his suits into her closet. He thought she wasn't noticing but she was. She wondered what he found more appealing about her simple older house than his luxury house that he rarely asked her to visit. This time as they were sated for the time being she asked, "Why do we always end up at my home? Why not yours?"

Harry paused, again weighing what he said. "Home."

"What do you mean Harry?" Ruth was a bit confused. " I mean you have a home here Ruth, I just have a house. We can try and make it a home if you like, but you have created such a wonderful atmosphere here. It is you and since I love you, I love your home."

Potent words from the great Harry Pearce admitting he liked her more rustic "home" to his high tech house. "Would you like to make your place into a home," asked Ruth. Harry paused thinking she was wanting more space between them. He pulled away and looked at her. "Ruth am I crowding your? Are we moving to fast for you? I can slow down. Just don't pull away from me completely."

Ruth had never seen Harry so insecure. "You've got it wrong. I love you being here. I just want to be sure you feel as much at home here as possible." With those words Harry pulled Ruth to him. "I want to be no other place. I want you with me all the time. I want..." at this point Harry trailed off.

"Harry what is it you want and won't say?" Ruth was a bit confused not realizing what Harry was thinking. "Ruth, look, I don't want you to bolt from me." "What could you say that will make me run Harry unless you are issuing a paper bull."

"No my Ruth there will never be a paper bull on you. I want our relationship to eventually lead to a more permanent relationship." Harry looked at her to see if she got his meaning. Ruth now understood. "Harry if you are thinking marriage then you must be the one to ask but I will tell you I won't say no, whether it's today or in 10 years." Please don't let it take 10 years thought Ruth. Harry didn't propose at that moment but began to think of how he will propose. He wanted the moment to be special for her for them. For now they spooned together and slept the sleep of innocents and he was thankful for there being a them or an us. All he wanted was her love. In the morning they'd deal with the Grid. It was good they kept talk of their operations to a minimum when at home, for this was Harry's home now with Ruth.

The next morning Ruth remembered Zoe's show trial. "Harry should you ever be approached about a shooting involving Zoe and someone suggests there will only be a slap on the wrist. Resist letting the trial go forward. Use all your power to keep this from happening. Zoe is in a happy place about to be married. She deserves to leave MI5 on her own terms not go out in chains." Harry wondered how she knew about Zoe's upcoming trial. He'd learned over the last year not to ask how she knew all she knew. He accepted her advice. He would tell the DG and others later today there will be no show trial for now he knew they planned to make an example of Zoe and he wasn't letting that happen to a member of his team.