Call

"Ruth." He stated when she answered in the second ring. "How are things there?" He smiled as he heard the sigh in her voice. The intimacy and solitude of his car made him more confident- he didn't have to worry about the others or seeing Ruth's reaction.

"Slow." She paused. "Jo called. The firearms course went well."

"You are due to take that." Harry knew she hated guns and abhorred violence. She had been avoiding the course for as long as she could get away with.

"Am I?" She asked innocently.

"It's compulsory and not by my choice."

"Harry."

"I think things are in motion. Ruth, it's late and I am sure you are the last one on the Grid. Go home." He spoke calmly, his voice like velvet as she looked around the Grid. She knew he was right.

"Yes, everyone has left. I just want to finish this translation for the conference next week. Special Branch owe me one for this. The sooner Dianne Lloyd gets back from maternity leave the better."

"Who?" Harry had no idea what she was talking about.

"Special Branch analyst. Had a baby boy, Michael last week."

Harry smiled. He knew she would know that. Would have sent the baby a card and present. She did things like that. He barely have the lives of others a thought. She was different from the average spook. It was natural to her and Zaf to consider the emotional side of things. In that moment he wondered if telling her about the meetings with Tom was a good idea.

"Harry? Are you there?"

"Yes." He nodded, despite the fact she couldn't see him. "Go home."

"I will." Ruth decided. "When I'm ready. I want to feel like I've covered everything regarding the Chinese agents."

"Go home." He started the engine. His voice softer. "Ruth, I need you."

"I." Ruth felt her pulse speed up.

"I can't do this without you." He knew he was bolstered by the privacy of the car. Ruth bit her lip. No one needed her. Ever. She was just there. Inconsequential, timid and boring. Her brain was her only asset as far as she could see. Her mother had called her a worthless piece of dirt and sided with her stepbrother who had merely used her. Everyone she had been close to since had abused her trust, got what they wanted and thrown her aside.

"Yes you can." She held back the tears. Whatever she felt for Harry, he was still her boss. A deep cover op in Baghdad and late nights alone on the Grid didn't change that. She sighed. "You can do this."

"Not without you." He parked the car. "Ruth, you keep me sane. Keep me on the right side of the fence. Without you, I'm as bad as those men that killed our friend."

"No you are not." Ruth stared ahead. Her voice a little harsher than it had been. "Harry, you are not a traitor or a murderer. You would never do what those men did." Tears sprung to her eyes as she spoke. Her voice cracked a little. Harry felt his heart break a little. He had no idea what he had done to deserve such esteem from Ruth. It was a lot to live up to. He slipped into the Grid unnoticed as she kept her back to him. Moments later he was behind her.

"Ruth." He rested his hands on her shoulders before taking the phone out of her hand. "All we can do now is wait. His funeral is on Friday. We have to concentrate on that now."

"Harry." Her voice was small as he turned her chair to face him before crouching in front of her.

"Listen to me." Harry slipped his hands over hers as her eyes focused on them. "You are something special. When I say I need you I need you." He touched her hand. "Now home. That's an order."

"I." Her eyes met his as he tugged on her hands, getting her to stand. She fell silent, knowing there was just a hare's breath between them. She closed her eyes as the scent of his aftershave assaulted her senses. His hand brushed a tear away.

"Home. I'll drive you. I don't want you to get the bus tonight. Let me get us some take away and I can tell you all about the meeting."

"You don't have to." The self doubt crept back into her voice. Her mother's taunts echoing around her brain. Why would anyone want to be with her? To care about her? But Harry seemed to.

"I know." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'd like to. Ruth, please." She nodded.

"Ok." Her eyes opened. She could feel his breath on her face. Her eyes fluttered closed as he kissed her forehead. He stepped back, handing her the bag she always carried before leading her out of the Grid.

Xxxxxx