Harry glanced at his computer screen noting the date, one week to Jennifer Marx's taskforce took effect, and still no word from Juliet. He didn't really need to check the date of course, he had been subconsciously aware of the days passing, waiting on Juliet's confirmation. He did trust Juliet explicitly, yet, he couldn't help but feel she was toying with him, waiting for as long as possible, so Harry would quite simply be so relieved with confirmation he would break and inform her of his budding relationship. But Harry couldn't really inform her of something that wasn't taking place. No dinner, no drinks, nothing. Both still had the possible secondment in the back of their minds and Harry didn't want to push the issue, in case their date turned to be unconformable and awkward, skirting around the problem at hand. Harry was also quite aware of the whispers around the office, apparently their lack of subtlety in the meeting room had been caught by every member of staff. He even caught wind of a book Zaf was running, Harry had at this point wondered about the mental level of his staff, apparently research was right, those with the intelligence really did have little common sense. He had originally been concerned with how Ruth might take the news, after last time he was afraid she would back out of their date before he had even booked the table. But no, so far she had been undeterred by the whispers, either because of Harry's lack of reaction, or her own worries, Harry was unsure, still she sat beside him in meetings, and often he could feel her glance across the Grid.

Harry was snapped out of his thoughts by a knock at the office door, and Adam swiftly entering and sitting in the chair opposite him. He had forgotten about their debriefing, but was quite sure as the operation had been a complete success it would be merely routine. He was correct, Adam spoke with a few interruptions from Harry, but it was all over in about half an hour, quite respectable.

"So Harry any news on Ruth then?"

"No, no. Juliet had promised confirmation by today at the latest but still no. I can't see what the delay is. I personally went to talk to Miss Rodgers myself and found myself wanting to bring her here! Not quite as eccentric as Ruth of course, but the brains are there, no doubt about that. She'll prove to be an asset wherever she is."

"How did you manage to get her boss let you in and talk to her then if he knew you had every intention of stealing her away? I mean if she's so good?"

"Well Adam I have my ways and means of course... Let's just say Jack over at section B is close to retirement, and well there are a few ghosts in his past I'm aware of that might have well affected it." Harry chuckled.

"Ah, that makes sense I guess. She was up for it I take it, you didn't have to apply any more pressure there?"

"Interested in the move? Well yes she heard the words career development and she was suddenly very intrigued by who I was and what I wanted her for."

Harry was interrupted by his phone ringing loudly on the desk. Taking a moment for the ringing to register he finally picked up the receiver. "Yes".

Adam intrigued by the call, remained where he was. If this was about Ruth he wanted to be in the room when Harry was informed on Ruth's future. He was interested in her future primarily, but there was of course the potential he could make a few quid out of it

"Juliet. Leaving this all a bit late aren't you… Well of course I'm thankful that you agreed to helping out in the first place… No I'm not raising my voice… Sorry Juliet, will you please just give me the confirmation… Juliet we have discussed this… You won't tell me until I confirm your thoughts… Juliet… Potentially… What do you mean… Juliet for god's sake… I am in the middle of a meeting here so confirmation sometime today would be very appreciated…"

Throughout the conversation Harry's impatience with Juliet had increased, and Adam could tell from his red face and rising voice that Harry was ready to blow his top. What where Juliet's thoughts, Adam could only presume it was to do with Harry and Ruth's relationship… potentially, so really a yes then, there was money to be made: excellent. However, the pause in Harry's voice, and the flicker of a change in his facial expression suggested Juliet had in fact just informed of him of Ruth's fate.

"Ok… Well thank you for your efforts Juliet" at which point Harry proceeded to hang up the phone and place his head in his hands for a moment. Adam could really only take this as a bad sign, which really wasn't helped by Harry's movement towards the scotch bottle at the back of the office.

He turned around as Harry glanced out of the window towards Ruth's desk… empty… Harry had given her the evening off, she had looked terrible she needed sleep and rest. "Harry… what's the verdict then?"

Harry paused and gathered two glasses to the table with the half empty bottle of scotch placing them on the table, and pouring rather large measures into each glass. Sitting down he paused…