Here's the 2nd half that I just couldn't get to last night; sorry to leave you hanging. (Or am I? hehehe) Good thing I live in NY, right? A city of MILLIONS…*draws curtains SHUT; turns out light*
:)
-10-
It rings.
He almost utters an expletive but stops himself in time. They pull apart, both set of eyes on the little bit of modern technology which despite its size, manages to intrude so much within the lives of its users. Sighing, he reaches for it, snapping it open. "Yes?" He barks into the phone. "Yes, Home Secretary," he says, shoulders sagging, As Ruth leans in just a bit to hear better, Harry motions for her to take a seat. She begins to sink down upon the bed, but at the last moment straightens and crosses over to the chair in the room, sitting there instead.
Harry, his eyes on her, moves over to the bed and sits down on it. "Yes, Home Secretary." He says, barely suppressing his sigh. "I'll be there. Yes. Of course. I understand." He rings off a second later.
They both stare across at one another; he on the bed, she in the chair.
"What happened?" She asks.
"Nothing serious. But," he adds, "seems some of the local bigwigs decided that it would be nice to have an impromptu meeting with all the section heads. Of course. As if we don't have an actual life." He glances down at his watch. "Within the hour, no less."He stands up and goes on, his voice rising just a bit. "Which means, of course, that we''re all to sit around waiting with our thumbs up our ars..." He stops and smiles wryly. "Until they decide to grace us with their royal presence." He pauses. "Who says Americans don't have royalty?" He shakes his head, going on." And, so I've been duly informed, failing an emergency, god forbid, it will reflect badly upon Her Majesty if her representative fails to show. Stroke some egos. As if they need more stroking. Bloody politicians," he says, his face darkening at the last.
"Harry." She says going over to him. "You know it's the nature of our business. Politics and all." She smiles. "Maybe it won't take too long."
"Please. They love to go on on. And not say much of anything. You know how it is. On both sides of the pond."
She nods sympathetically.
"Oh," he goes on, "and I've also been duly informed that a 'few words' is how he put it, would not be out of order, as well."
"For tomorrow? A speech?" She looks at him with incredulity.
'"Just a few words.'" He nearly rolls his eyes.
"I'll help if you want."
He looks at her. "If it wouldn't be too much of an imposition." He shakes his head. "Oh. Bugger it all. I'll think of something, No one actually listens, anyway. "
"I want to help. Really."
"It's an imposition." He says.
"It's not." She says emphatically, "We can go over it later. When you return."
"That's just it. I have no idea when." He looks her over once more taking in her dark green sweater and how it clings to her body, his eyes registering real regret. "Go to dinner. No sense it both of us missing out." He glances at his watch. "Actually, the reservation is now." He sighs again. "And so is my blasted meeting. Downstairs. "
"I'll cancel the reservation and wait here a while. And if you get back sometime before midnight... "She smiles gently.
He shakes his head. "Eat. Don't wait for me. Lot of egos in the room. And they all like to talk. Prerequisite for politicians, you know."
"Work." She says, shrugging.
"Right. A four letter word."
"At least it's not anything serious."
He nods. "Yes, there's that." He goes to the door and then turns to her. "I'm sorry, Ruth. More than I can say."
"I am too, but it can't be helped."
"Please get something to eat."
"What about you?"
"I think I've lost my appetite, actually."
Wordlessly, she goes back over to the chair and picks up the menu on the small table there.
"What are you going to do?"
She waves the menu at him. "Eat, of course. Work on your speech."
"Ruth." He shakes his head." Go. It's a nice room. Get something decent to to eat."
"I am. Here." She begins to read the menu but a shadow crosses over it. She looks up. He's leaning in, suddenly interested in the menu. But as she turns her head up towards him, he leans in a bit more, their faces now only inches apart. And as if it were the most natural thing in the world, their lips brush against one another.
He pulls back. "I…"
"I'm glad you did." She says, a soft smile on her face.
His smile transforms his face." I have to go." he says, sighing once more before straightening up.
"Yes." She says, touching his arm lightly for a moment. "Go."
The door closes behind him. Still smiling, she goes over to his bed and stands near it for a long moment. Then, menu in hand, she sits down on it, her hand caressing the area where he had been sitting just moments ago. And holding the menu up, she begins to read.