Harry opened his bedroom door and she looked around, trying to be unobtrusive. "I'll be back after my shower," he said. "Make yourself at home." She nodded, feeling uncomfortable all over again when she was left alone in Harry's bedroom. She perched on the edge of the bed, hearing the shower run distantly. She swung her legs into the bed, hoping that Harry slept on the right side. His bed was amazingly comfortable and large and she felt like she was sinking into the mattress. She needed some comfort tonight, she would have hated to have to deal with this alone. At the moment, she was highly thankful that Harry was in her life.

It didn't take long for Harry to return, his hair wet and curling. "I didn't know which side of the bed you slept on," she said, knowing she was rambling a little.

"The right's perfect," he said. He usually slept on the right anyway, but seeing Ruth lying in his bed gave him a mental image he would hang onto for the rest of his life. He got in bed, careful not to touch her until they were lying next to each other. She reached out and caressed his cheek lightly.

"Thank you for being here for me," she said.

"Mm," he agreed. In truth, creating logical words was a struggle right now. Ruth looked gorgeous, her hair in a tangle, her eyes wide and beautifully blue, and most importantly she was lying in his bed. He would have to exercise some serious restraint so that they didn't do something she might regret in the morning. He knew damn well if anything happened between them that he wouldn't regret it.

He kissed her lips very softly and he sighed as she put a hand around his waist. He wore a T shirt and he felt her fingers stroking his body very gently. God he wanted her. Even in spite of the circumstances, he wanted her. As they kissed, her breasts pushed against him, her hands sliding over his back and he knew he had to stop this. He grabbed her wrists to stop her. Her eyes opened in surprise and disappointment.

"Ruth, no. It would be a desperate fuck, you know that."

"I know," she said regretfully, closing her eyes. "It wouldn't be only that, though, Harry." She closed her eyes and rolled over. "Night." He sighed, wondering if he'd blown it in the long run. But he couldn't think of that right now.

"Goodnight."

Harry woke first in the morning, and the first thing he noticed was Ruth's hand on his chest. He lay on his back, Ruth curled up on her side facing him. He was glad that he hadn't pulled the curtains closed the night before, because the sunlight lit up her face beautifully. Her face looked so peaceful in sleep, much less worried and more at ease. He longed to stroke her hair, but guessed it would wake her. Instead he focused on her palm, resting on his chest and rising and falling slightly with his breathing.

This is dangerous. The thought floated across his mind as clear as glass. He'd not felt like this towards a woman for a very long time, and he knew he was close… very close to falling completely for this woman. Actually it was probably too late. "Oh God," he murmured to himself. He looked at her as her nose twitched slightly, probably close to waking up now. But he kept watching her, admiring her beauty. If he couldn't have her, it would probably be enough to just watch her from across the grid. To see her everyday, to watch her work with her quiet understated grace. But to see her like this, sleeping in his bed was more than he could have hoped for.

"You're running away with yourself, Pearce."

"Mm?" Ruth began to stir, her palm flexing on his chest gently. "Morning," she said. He smiled and he saw the moment it happened. The grief of losing a friend. The remembering. Remembering the death that had been forgotten for a few moments after waking, and the guilt that she somehow could forget. He'd gone through the motions more times than anyone should have to in one life time. She snatched her hand back as if burned.

"Sorry," she said.

"Don't be," he said. "It was nice."

"I should go," she said, getting out of bed very quickly. She only wore his shirt which for a moment did things to his imagination, letting him see her gorgeous legs before she hurried to the bathroom, leaving Harry slightly bewildered. When she came back, she was dressed in yesterday's clothes.

"Ruth, what is it?" he asked. "Have I…?"

"No," she said. "I just… I can't…"

"What's happened?" he asked as she sat on the bed, putting her boots on.

"I… woke up happy," she said. "I woke up happy to be with you, happy to be touching you. And I can't wake up like that today. Not after yesterday. So I'm going home." Harry had no idea what to say to keep her there, or even if she should.

"I… do appreciate it," she said. "Letting me stay here last night. And I… I need to go."

"Okay," he said. "But you're not setting foot in Thames House today. You're not up for it."

"Are you?" she countered.

"I have to," he said. "I have no choice." She sighed and shook her head to herself.

She leaned over him and kissed his cheek briefly. "Bye Harry." He watched in disappointment as she left his house, hearing the door close behind her. That was the second time she'd slept at his house and made an escape as quickly as humanly possible in the morning. He knew she was emotional and he tried not to take it personally. Looking at the clock, he knew he had to go into work, so with a sigh, he got up to get dressed.

Around midday, Harry got a call on his mobile and answered it quickly.

"Hi," Ruth said quietly. "I'm sorry for running out on you."

"It's the second time," he said heavily. "That you've run from me. You could talk to me instead, I am human, I would understand."

"I know," she said. "I'm used to working things through on my own. It's hard. Opening up to someone else. Even if I want to," she added quietly.

"You think I don't know that?" he said. "Of course I know that. I've been on my own for quite some time too."

"Yes." She shook her head, even though Harry couldn't see it. "I'll cook you dinner. To apologise for my rambling this morning?"

He could hear her nervousness, and he genuinely believed her apology.

"I need you to promise me you wont run from me," he said. "I don't know how many times I can take it, Ruth."

"I promise," she said.

"Then, yes," he said. "I'd… like that very much."

"Great," she said and he heard the relief in her voice. "How are things at work?"

"Okay," he said. "I'll be there at seven?"

"Perfect," she said. "And I should be on the grid today."

"It's not special treatment," he said, reading between the lines. "You're not the only one who's on compassionate leave today."

"Okay," she said reluctantly. "Okay. I'll see you later then."

"Absolutely," he said.

"Bye." The phone call ended and Harry sighed. He hoped she meant it.

I'm back at work soon, so there might be a slight delay between chapters now! Thanks for reading and especially reviewing so far!