"Mummy don't go!"

Ruth sighed with exasperation. She had to go to work, and she was already running late. She knew that Lucy was just playing up. Almost every Monday morning it was the same. She wailed and cried at Ruth leaving her, and by the time Lucy got to school, she forgot that her mother even existed. But it didn't make it any easier for Ruth to hear her daughter crying.

"Come here," she said, picking Lucy up. She was getting heavy, Ruth thought. "Now, when you get to school, you'll be playing with Anna, Beth, Miranda and Charlie won't you?"

"Yeah," she said sniffing her tears away. "Anna's going to bring in some pictures of her new cat. Smudge."

"That's something to look forward to isn't it?"

"Yeah," she said.

"And I know that Kate can braid your hair before going to school. But you have to stop crying. Okay?"

"Yes," she said. "Mummy, you can't do my hair."

Kate laughed slightly and Ruth smiled indulgently. It was true, she had no talent for braiding hair. Whereas Kate could plait an eight strand braid without even thinking about it. Lucy wriggled and Ruth put her down on the kitchen chair. Lucy shook her hair out and sat their waiting. Kate picked up the brush and started to go through her long blonde tresses.

"Sorry," Kate mouthed.

Ruth shook her head. "Right beautiful, I'm going and I'll see you tonight."

"Bye mummy," Lucy said easily, her tears all forgotten Ruth kissed her and then hurried out of the door, leaving a part of her heart behind her.

"There's the Grey files, and I'm sorry they're late," Ruth said putting the collection on Harry's desk.

"Hold on a minute," he said as she walked to the door. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," she said with a sigh. "Lucy was throwing a tantrum this morning, that's all. I don't… like to see her upset."

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Harry said.

"Oh, I know she will," Ruth said surely. "I just… hate Monday mornings." She sighed. "I'll make up the time."

"I know," he said. His lips twitched slightly. "Let me know when you can get a babysitter. I'd like to take you out properly."

"Really?" she said, hiding her surprise.

"Yes."

"Er… I'll try and get Kate for Saturday night then," she said. "Would that be okay?"

"Perfect," he said. "I'll book us in for a restaurant. Do you like Italian?"

"Yes," she said. She smiled, her blue eyes alight and Harry felt his heart skip a beat at the look of eagerness on her face. It wasn't until Ruth sat back down at her desk that she realised that casual drinks had turned into a fully fledged date for Saturday night. Harry had managed to organise that and she'd barely noticed. She had a date for Saturday night, with a man who she was very interested in. A man who (seemed to) only have eyes for her. He said her name in a way no one else did. She'd always felt that Ruth was a boring name and old fashioned name, but when Harry spoke it, it felt different. Her name felt full and almost sensual when he spoke it, and it made her shiver. Ruth shook her head. No. Plenty of time to think about that when she was on her own at home. Not now when she was attempting to trace Iranian suspected terrorists. That required all of her concentration.

"Yeah of course," Kate said on the phone. "It's no problem to look after her on Saturday night. What're you up to?"

"I have a date," she said after a moments pause.

"Really?" she asked in surprise.

"There's no need to sound like that," Ruth said easily.

"Sorry," Kate said. "Just… it's about time. You deserve someone."

"Thank you, for that slightly… odd compliment." Ruth shook her head slightly. "See you later tonight."

"Bye." Ruth put the phone down and felt eyes on her. Looking across the grid her eyes stopped on Harry's office. His blinds were pulled apart by about an inch. She could see the gap and she smiled, knowing he was watching her. The blinds snapped back into uniformity and Ruth felt her face flush. Men didn't usually watch her like that. She usually didn't like the attention when it rarely happened. But she surprised herself to find that she did enjoy it when Harry watched her. She got back to her work with a smile on her face.

The week flew past. Before she knew it, it was Saturday evening and she had to decide what to wear.

"Where's he taking you?" Kate asked as Ruth went through her sparse wardrobe.

"An Italian restaurant," she said. "I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard, but I want to look nice."

"Wear jeans," Kate suggested, keeping an eye on Lucy who was colouring on the bedroom floor. She loved colouring, especially now she was old enough to stay within the lines (mostly).

"I can't wear jeans!" Ruth said. "Far too casual."

"Yes, but you insist on wearing those long and frumpy skirts to work," Kate said. "It might surprise him to realise you actually have legs."

"Kate!" Ruth said shaking her head. "You really think jeans?"

"Try them on with some of your nice tops," she suggested. Ruth nodded.

"What's mummy doing?" Lucy asked as Ruth retreated to the bathroom.

"Dressing up because she's going out tonight," Kate said. "She wants to look beautiful."

"Mummy always looks nice," Lucy said simply, picking up the blue crayon. Kate smiled at her.

"What do you think?" Ruth said, coming out of the bathroom in jeans and a green top.

"Perfect," Kate said. "Just add a little jewellery and you'll be good to go."

"Are you sure?" Ruth asked, pulling at the fabric slightly.

"You're nervous," Kate realised.

"Yes," she said. "I want this to go well."

"It will," Kate assured her.

"You look pretty mummy," Lucy said, her head tilted on one side.

"Thank you sweetheart." Ruth smiled and put some makeup on, feeling unaccountably nervous. Then the doorbell rang.

"Why are you nervous?" Kate asked as Ruth went downstairs. "You see him everyday."

"But this is different," Ruth said. "He doesn't take me out to dinner everyday. Can you…"

"Make myself scarce," Kate said with a smile. "Lucy'll be fine, so don't call every half an hour.

"I won't," she said. "Even though I like putting her to bed." The doorbell rang again. "I'm coming!" she called.

"I've got the hint," Kate said. "Have fun." Ruth smiled as Kate vanished up the stairs. She opened the door and smiled as Harry stood there, a blue open collared shirt making him look different from his usual working self, and very attractive. She blinked, trying not to stare at the hollow of his throat. Then she noticed that his eyes were on her legs. Thank you Kate she said in her head.

"Sorry," he said after a minute, his eyes glittering as they returned to her face. "I was… distracted." They way he said this, low and seductive made her blush without meaning to. "Are you ready to go?"

A bit of an in between-ish chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for the reviews so far.