The evening was a late one for both of them. They curled up on the lounge in Harry's living room and talked about everything and nothing. About everything they'd wanted to say for so long, but hadn't. Like the gradual realisation of love requited, but not voiced, and the painful goodbye on a dock so long ago. And about little things that would mean nothing to anyone but them. Like the book Harry found at a stall by the Thames one day, which made him think of Ruth, and the trip to New York Ruth still wanted to take, but only if Harry would go with her.

Harry told Ruth about dinner with the Blakes and asked her to join him. Ruth didn't take too much convincing, but she was obviously nervous at the idea. "Harry, what will Blake say? I mean ..."

"It was his idea." Ruth looked at Harry, slightly shocked, and he clarified his comment. "No, not his idea that I bring you specifically. What I meant was, he said I could bring someone if I wanted to. It's all my idea to invite you."

"Well, I suppose that's alright then," she said with amusement. "Though I'm not sure I'm going to know what to say to a former Home Secretary. Not over dinner. I mean, it's a bit different to a meeting isn't it?"

"You'll think of something. I've never known you to be truly lost for words. And besides, there's bound to be some new political scandal to keep us all entertained."

Ruth laughed and burrowed further into Harry's side. "I'm afraid you're probably right." They sat content in each others arms, the fire flickering, until Ruth started yawning and innocently announced to Harry that if she didn't go home now, she may as well just stay the night. Harry turned his head to look at her seriously, and she smiled in response, resting her forehead against his and closing her eyes. "Harry ... there's plenty of time." Then she kissed him, and he pulled her closer.

A couple of days before their dinner with Nicholas Blake, Harry was ecstatic to be given the all-clear by his doctor, and he was allowed to return to work.

First on the agenda was a briefing with the DG who told Harry how they were of course all very pleased to have him back on deck. The DG was effusive about the wonderful job Simon Glen had done filling the breach, and alluded to the fact that he, the DG, would be keen to lure Simon away from MI6 on a more permanent basis should the opportunity arise. Harry restrained himself from offering his opinion on the matter, and merely thanked the DG for his support. They proceeded to discuss the investigation into the Summit Hotel bombing and the subsequent political consequences.

When Harry eventually walked onto the grid, Simon Glen was sitting at the desk in Harry's office. The two men stared at each other for a moment, until Harry's attention was seized by his officers eagerly welcoming him back.

Ruth sat at her desk and stared through the window of Harry's office. It was strange to see him there again after all this time, but it felt good. It felt more than good. He sat in his chair, the red of the wall behind him like a frame, and Simon stood halfway to the door, his annoyed expression visible to everyone watching. Harry was doing his best to keep his game face on and remain enigmatic, but there was a definite twinkle in his eyes.

When Simon finished appraising Harry of the Section's status, he left the office and headed toward the exit. His phony cheerfulness didn't fool anyone, but as he passed them, he decided to make a show of his departure. "Tariq, keep up the good work young man. You should think about coming over to Six. We could do with a bit of new young blood." Simon shook his hand with vigour, while Tariq looked shocked at the compliment. Harry had followed Simon out of the office and was witness to it all.

Just before he reached the door, Simon turned back to Ruth. "Ruth, I would suggest that if you ever want a change of scenery, I could find a place for you over the river too. But I doubt that's a likely scenario is it?" He sneered contemptuously, not able to help himself.

Ruth plastered a fake smile on her face. "The truth is Simon, even if I wanted to move to Six, you're the last person I'd choose to work with." She only just managed to keep her face straight as Tariq gaped, and Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise at her temerity. Simon sniffed huffily and stepped through the door.

Harry started to walk back to his office, and Ruth could see his shoulders gently shaking with laughter. She sat up straighter in her chair, turning to the computer with a genuine smile.

Just before seven o'clock on Friday night, Harry and Ruth got out of a cab at Nicholas Blake's house. Paying the driver, Harry took Ruth's hand with an encouraging smile. "Come on."

Ruth returned his smile, and squeezed his hand. Her hair was pulled up at the back, and the simple black dress she wore shimmered blue as it caught the light from a passing car. Harry marvelled again at how stunningly beautiful she was, and at the memory of her response as he'd told her so when he arrived to pick her up. Ruth had shaken her head in gentle disbelief, but grinned unreservedly when he'd quoted Shakespeare: I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Her eyes had sparkled as they locked with his and she responded quietly: I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.

Now at Blake's, they walked up the steps and rang the bell, and as they stood waiting, Harry leaned closer and whispered in Ruth's ear. "We'll be fine. I promise you, Ruth." He kissed her gently on the forehead, then again on the lips as she turned to face him and returned the kiss enthusiastically.

At that moment the door opened, and Nicholas Blake saw Harry Pearce as he'd never seen him before.

Fin.

Thank you to everyone for reading, and thank you for all the reviews, which I really appreciate. I hope you enjoyed the conclusion to the story.

The Shakespeare quotes are from Much Ado About Nothing.

Benedick/Harry: I do love nothing in the world so well as you.

Beatrice/Ruth: I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.

That says it all really :)