Together

"Harry." Ruth paused as he read the names on the slip of paper once more, she knew he was shutting her out to keep her safe. She knew whatever there was between them was more serious than they cared to admit. The thought of Harry facing the scum responsible for the death of her friend made her stomach churn.

"I can deal with this."

He smiled slightly as she raised an eyebrow. For the millionth time he wondered how a woman over ten years his junior could be more wise than anyone he knew.

"We've lost Colin." Ruth reiterated. "Malcolm will never be the same again. I don't think any of us will be."

Harry touched her arm, watching as her eyes told him what her words couldn't. She was terrified for him.

"I can't risk anyone else." Harry explained. "This is a black op. It has to be."

"And I can't risk losing you." Her voice almost a whisper as she bit her lip. She flickered her gaze up to his; the gap between them almost disappearing as he brushed her brown hair away from her face. Before he could talk himself out of it his lips brushed against hers. Ruth's eyes fell closed as she gripped his shirt, returning the kiss as the chaste brush of lips became more passionate. Harry didn't care who saw them. The woman he was in love with - had been for longer than he knew was in his arms, kissing him as if his life and hers depended on it. The need for oxygen overwhelmed them both as they broke apart, gasping for air.

"Baghdad." She whispered. Harry raised an eyebrow in question. "Last time you kissed me. In Baghdad. When I'd got back to the hotel after Jim Cover."

"Yes." He remembered the fear in the pit of his stomach as he remembered the war torn country, besieged by horror and bloodshed seemed to conspire to rip them apart.

"That's how scared I am now."

Harry realised what she was trying to tell him. He kissed her forehead. This almost romance they had found themselves in moving forward enough to strengthen his desire to tell her how he felt. He made himself a mental promise that should he return unscathed he would tell her and be damned the consequences.

"I will come back."

"Make sure you do." She bit her lip. "At least tell Adam where you are going. Ros or Zaf even. You might need back up."

"No. Zaf and Joanna are too junior. Ros is too close to this and Adam needs to look after this place. If the DG drags me down I don't want any of you to have to lie for me."

He stepped back, hating the look of resigned terror he saw in her eyes.

"Ok but call me. Please. When you can?"

"I will." He kissed her cheek before leaving his office. Ruth watched him go wondering if she would see him again.

Xxxxxxc

Adam jogged through the pods as Malcolm and Ruth sat quietly at their desks. Both apparently absorbed in what they were doing. He shrugged his shoulders before heading to the small kitchenette at the side of the Grid. He knew his friends. They were grieving and they were angry and hurt. A good man had been killed in the most horrific way. Now all they had was his abandoned desk and few half finished gadgets to remember him by.

He emerged from the kitchenette carrying his mug of tea. The atmosphere was different. Something was going on. To the casual observer nothing would seem out of place but every cell in his body screamed something was wrong.

"Ruth? Where's Harry?" He kept his tone conversational.

"Oh. I."

"Ruth?"

"He's gone to see Colin's sister. Said he'd call in on his way home. It's his don's birthday tomorrow so I think he wants to spend some time with him." She hated how easily she lied. Adam was a friend; had become a surrogate brother to her since he had joined them. Lying to him was the last things she wanted to do.

"Oh right."

"Sorry Adam. He's more shaken by all this than he admitted. Perhaps he's realised life is too short."

Adam smiled, he knew Ruth and Harry were closer than most coworkers would ever be. Now that she seemed to trust him enough to lie for him confirmed his decision to place a bet on them in Zaf's book was justified.

"Maybe." He nodded. "When he makes contact, and he will." Ruth looked away. "Tell him I know and I am able to provide back up."

"Adam."

"I've been doing this too long to not work this out." He smiled. "You watch- things will crinkle out just as they meant to. Karma is a wonderful thing; even if it does need a helping hand occasionally." He sipped his tea before getting up and heading to his own desk. Ruth glanced at the lock, praying her friend was right.

Xxxxx