Set in 8:3 just after Ros shoots Jo.
She took one look at Harry's face and knew instantly that something was wrong. He didn't say a word and put the phone down. After a moment he raised his gaze to look into Ruth's eyes. She knew from his face someone had died without him even having to say a word.
"No," she whispered shaking her head. "Who?" she asked in a breath.
"Jo," he said quietly.
"No…" Ruth said in a voice that Harry could barely hear. She turned and left his office, not wanting to fall apart in front of him. She didn't get very far before she felt the tears begin to flow. Closing her eyes she put her hands out to brace herself against the wall.
"Oh God," she said to herself. Jo, the woman who had suffered so much from what the service had done to her, had now given her life for her country. She had always been incredibly fond of her, Jo was one of the best friends she had made during her years at MI5. When she had come back from Cyprus she was relieved to find her still alive, if sad that she had not been happy. Adam and Zaf had died before she ever had the chance to see them again and a small part of her was glad that she managed to see Jo again before her life was taken from her. But that made the grief so much more intense than the deaths she had learned of second hand.
She didn't turn around but she didn't need to, to know who was standing behind her. Always alert to Harry's presence as she was, she knew he had come out of his office and was watching her even though she wasn't facing him.
"How?" Ruth asked facing the wall.
"She was shot," Harry said in a falsely calm voice. "Ros had to do it before Lambert pushed the trigger to blow everyone up."
"Oh," Ruth said, still turned away from him. Harry wanted to comfort her. He wanted to say anything that would make her pain lessen slightly. He never wanted to see her in pain. Thinking carefully before he did anything, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. He could feel the heat of her skin through the layers she wore, just from that simple contact.
"That won't make it better Harry," she said rubbing the trails of her tears away from her face quickly. His hand dropped from her as she turned around to face him. He felt a moment of admiration for her eyes which had gone even bluer than usual due to the tears she was trying to hold in. That quickly evaporated when he remembered why she was so upset. Why they were both devastated. Because Harry couldn't really comprehend Jo's death either.
"Look, I know its my first day back but…"
"Go home," Harry said knowing that was what she was going to say. Knowing that was what she needed from him.
"Thank you," she said. She turned to leave and then felt Harry's grip tighten on her wrist.
"Do you… I could give you a lift home. If you want," Harry said slowly.
"No," Ruth said firmly. "You have to stay here and I am perfectly able to get home by myself. I managed to get to Cyprus by myself."
"I know," Harry said. "I remember. And I wish I couldn't," he added to himself.
"I'll be here tomorrow," she said calmly. A stray tear fell down her cheek and Harry debated whether it would be crossing their relationship boundaries if he brushed it away for her. Added to that was the desperate desire he felt to touch her face. Before he could act on the impulse Ruth's fingers made the tear disappear and she walked away from him. He felt a sense of loss as the pods whirred and she vanished from sight. He always did when she was gone.
I'm trying to add a little fluff without it altering the storyline we've already seen on screen. What do you think? Successful or not? Thanks for all the reviews so far.