Harry went with her to the hospital but the paramedics had put her in a medically induced coma until the drugs Lucas had given her worked their way out of her system. "How long before she wakes up?"

"Eight hours, we estimate," the male paramedic said. Harry nodded and decided that he would leave her alone to get better. He wanted to have a word with Lucas before he was moved from their holding cells and he would get the chance again. He walked to the hospital reception and told them to call him if Ruth took a turn for the worse but he knew it was unlikely. He left and took a taxi back to Thames House. Once there he made a beeline for Lucas.

"How is she?" Dimitri asked before he could get there.

"She'll be fine," Harry said. "Just needs some bed rest to let the drugs wear off. Is Lucas still here?"

"Yeah," he replied.

Harry opened the door and saw Lucas sitting down and staring at the floor. "We found her," Harry said.

"Is she alright?" Lucas asked in a dead voice.

"Yes. She will be anyway." Harry paused before continuing. "You made sure she had as much time as possible. You didn't want her dead."

"No," Lucas replied. "She is a kind and brilliant woman who I worked with everyday for two years. I wouldn't have killed her Harry. I was just trying to get a hold over you."

"Congratulations, you did," Harry said.

"But it wasn't enough."

"Albany has the ability to kill millions of people. Do you really think I'd have given that up just for one life? Her life? No matter how much her value is to me."

"Did you think about it?" Lucas asked, genuinely curious. "Trading it for her life?

"Yes." Harry took a deep breath. "She would think she isn't worth that to anyone, but she is to me."

"Tell her," Lucas said. "She never once thought that you'd give it away for her. She said you had principles. You need to fight for her Harry. You need to show her that she means everything to you because she won't believe it unless you tell her. She undervalues herself, she always has done and you know that's true. Its her worst trait."

"I'm sorry I hit you," Harry said after a few seconds of silence.

"I probably deserved it," Lucas said. "Maya, is she safe?"

"Yes, we had her hotel under heavy surveillance, she's fine."

"Good," Lucas replied clearly relieved.

"I have to go," Harry said. "The powers that be are going to want to move you as soon as possible. But Maya's here if you want to see her. I'll hold them off for a little while."

"Thank you Harry," Lucas said sincerely. Harry got up and left the room, knowing he wouldn't see Lucas again.

Back in his office he looked at the time. Desperate as he was to see Ruth he knew she wouldn't be awake yet and it would be a complete waste of his energy. So he decided to go home and get a couple of hours sleep. Hopefully he would be sitting by her bedside when she woke up.


Probably going to descend into HR fluff now, as long as is wanted.