Based on theoofoof's suggestion about when Ruth's step brother died. Set late S3.
There was a slight gap in Harry's blinds and he was watching the team at work. Danny and Fiona were chatting while they organised the latest surveillance tapes, Adam was out meeting an asset, Malcolm was doing something technical with his toys and Ruth was on the phone. His eyes lingered over her as they usually did. So he was watching as he saw her face go pale and she put the phone down, staring into space. Making up his mind quickly he left his office and approached her desk, relieved that no one was around her.
"Ruth?" She looked up at him and blinked as if confused. "Is everything alright?" He knew it wasn't, but thought he'd give her the opportunity to confide in him, rather than demanding the truth. From the look on her face, he guessed it to be personal as opposed to professional.
"My step brother…" she said quietly. She looked around to make sure no one was in ear shot before elaborating. Harry felt relieved that she was choosing to talk to him. "He shot himself. He's dead."
"Oh God," he said in reaction to her news. He didn't know what else to say to her, but from the looks of it she wasn't really listening to him anyway. Her eyes were cast down and her face was distant. "You can take some time off if you want."
"No," she said instinctively. "I barely knew him. I haven't even seen him since Christmas. I just can't believe things were so bad for him that he thought he had no way out."
"What can I do?" Harry said once the silence between them had become unbearable.
"Pass me that file," Ruth said.
"Ruth…"
"We weren't close Harry," she added. "I'm surprised and a little shocked, but I'll be better if I can throw myself into work."
"Okay," he said picking up the file in question and giving it to her. "You know where I am if you change your mind."
"Thanks Harry." He could tell she was sincere. "Can you not… tell anyone?"
"I won't say a word," he said swiftly, his eyes smiling at her. She nodded in gratitude and turned back to her work as Harry returned to his office.