Title: Te Busque
Summary: Often times, the things you most want aren't very far away.
Rating: T
A/N: Ok, here's something not too depressing that should cheer us RH shippers up. Hope you enjoy, R and R!
Harry had both hands on the wheel when his mobile rang, and if he had been a lesser man he probably would have jumped at the sound. He let it ring two more times before he was able to pick it up without hitting another car. The caller ID displayed a number he didn't recognize, yet he flipped it open and answered it.
"Yes?"
There was a slight crackle on the line, and for a moment he thought he lost the connection. He couldn't hear anything except for someone's faint but steady breathing.
"Who is this?"
His patience was running short, especially this late at night, and the harsh bark of his voice cut through the emptiness of his car. He was pleasantly surprised to hear a voice on the other end.
"Um, Harry. It's...It's Ruth."
He was glad he was an excellent driver because he succeeded in keeping the car in the correct lane, despite his initial surprise. A brief flash of memory from one of their more awkward phone conversations flew through his head. It brought a wan smile to his lips, as well as puzzlement as to why she had called his mobile when she knew he was going home.
"Ruth," He said, as an affirmation that she was still there, "What can I do for you?"
She was hesitant in her reply.
"Well, nothing really, it's just...I er...I don't know why I called. I'm not in Thames House, I well, I'm not at work-"
Her obvious nervousness presented itself in her clipped words and the impairment of her ablility to create proper sentences.
"Ruth, take a deep breath and relax. It's fine, I don't mind a little chat that has nothing to do with work now and then." Another awkward silence took hold between them. He kept driving, all the while waiting for her to say something.
"Right. Sorry." He imagined her sitting on her couch, a warm blanket wrapped around her legs with a cup of steaming coffee, possibly reading or watching something on her television set. Apparently nothing at home was enough to keep her occupied, and she was talking to him on a Friday evening. He thought she should be out with friends, somewhere in the city, at a restaurant or maybe even a club. He thought of another restaurant he'd like to take her to, before he remembered her blunt rejection and flimsy excuse for not wanting to see him outside of the Grid again.
The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He came to a signal and gradually slowed his speed, rolling to a full halt just in time to allow pedestrians to cross the street.
"So...What are you doing?" Whatever he had planned to say had been completely forgotten. His attempt to say something utterly suave and cool was less than effortless, which was quite frustrating for a man who was used to being able to talk himself out of deadly situations.
He could've sworn she giggled right then, but it was muffled and she probably clapped a hand over the mouthpiece.
"Nothing...important. What about you?"
"I'm in the car still. Bloody traffic, if I walked I'd probably get home faster."
"I took the tube. It was a lot quicker than I expected."
"Ah."
The signal turned green and he pushed on the accelerator, only to be stopped a few seconds later as traffic once again came to a full stop.
"I'm glad you called. From the looks of things, I'm probably going to be here awhile," Harry said sincerely and when she spoke he could definitely hear the smile in her tone.
"I'll just have to keep you company then."
TBC