Thanks for reviews, much appreciated. Harry and Ruth belong to Kudos and Jane Eyre belongs to Charlotte Bronte.

The restaurant was the one that Harry had been to the night before. It sat on the beach overlooking the sea, framed by the mountains, lit by the setting sun.

They met in the bar. Harry wearing chinos and a short sleeved blue shirt. Ruth in a light silvery dress that seemed to shine and transfixed Harry for most, if not all of the night.

Their conversation was light and gentle and soothing. It was restorative.

They were watching a man a few tables down doing battle with a lobster and losing.

"What's the hardest thing you've ever had to do Ruth?" Harry suddenly asked. She thought about it. She nearly said, watch you walk off the grid to meet Lucas, but she didn't. She thought about watching George die but she'd not really been able to do anything. She thought about letting Nico go.

She settled instead on four words.

"Get on the boat".

She looked at Harry.

Neither said anything.

Harry wanted to, he'd waited years to but he didn't.

"And you, Harry? I suppose it's not fair to ask you the hardest thing you've ever had to do, there've been too many things."

He thought about saying, let you get on the boat, but he didn't. He thought of watching Ruth's despair over George and Nico. He thought of all the lives he had had to sacrifice.

Finally he spoke.

"I think it was to not look at you this morning on the beach"

Ruth's mouth dropped open and her face immediately reddened, she looked away. And when she dared to glance back at him all she could see was a face alive with love and devilment and mischief.

"Yes, well, I think you'll find that that doesn't actually count, primarily because it wasn't, in the end something you managed"

"Sorry Ruth, it was just, well, a bit of a surprise."

"For you and me both," she said.

Harry smiled, "you're tan's coming along nicely though."

"Harry!" was all she said and then she laughed.

They walked from restaurant back towards the hotel. The night was warm with a faint breeze. Ruth thought about taking his hand which was so close to hers. Harry thought about slipping his hand around her waist.

Neither did anything.

They walked on until they were at the foot of the stairs leading up to Ruth's room. She half turned to him.

"It was a lovely meal, Harry, thank you."

"My pleasure, Ruth."

She looked up at him and away and back.

He was looking nowhere other than at her.

The wind stilled and the noises around them quietened. For a moment the world held it's breath.

He knew what he wanted.

She knew what she wanted.

Neither of them moved. Neither of them breathed.

And then.

And then

As one they both turned and went their separate ways.