Here is the next chapter - sorry this is such slow going! Hope you like!

All things considered, Ruth found she didn't feel too tired the following morning and since dwelling on the past 24 hours at home wasn't a good prospect she rose quietly, dressed and headed for the Grid before Beth had even woken. She was feeling nervous at the thought of seeing Harry again, the first time since she had vocalised her love for him. As silly as it was, she almost feared he had heard and would tell her she was too late for such declarations. What would he look like she wondered as the bus drove on through London's quiet early morning streets? Would his eye make it hard for her not to run and comfort him? How scared would he seem towards the inevitable enquiry? Would he show any guilt for the treachery? Ah yes the treachery and her feelings once more swung full circle to despising not only him but herself for caring so deeply for him.

When the pods whooshed open and she stepped onto the Grid she found Malcolm already there.

'How come you're here?' she asked genuinely surprised.

'Well the moment Lucas came to see me a week or so back I became involved' he replied, adding' and Harry could do with a familiar face around so timing couldn't be better'

Ruth looked at the floor. It was obvious that Malcolm did not see her as a comforting enough friend for Harry. She knew Malcolm had been the witness of her bolting from the relationship when it was in its infancy. He wasn't a stupid man she thought; he knows jolly well how much I hurt Harry. As it happened though, Malcolm hadn't meant the comment in any such way. Of course he knew that Ruth's fear had been the cause of the two of them failing to get it sorted out but he also sensed that the reason was the heart break and hurt that other men had inflicted behind those lovely eyes. Poor Harry had never had time in amongst looking after the country to gain Ruth's trust to put right the damage others had done in matters of intimacy and it was something that would have taken time.

'Let's get a cuppa' he said brightly in an attempt to lift the gloomy air. Plus there were things he wanted to tell Ruth and this seemed as good a time as any.

They walked through to the little kitchen and switched on the kettle. They both leant against the work surfaces and silence fell.

'Albany wasn't real' he said very matter of fact 'you do know that don't you?'

'No I didn't' whispered Ruth, relief breaking over her in a wave. Harry's actions made so much more sense now. He was the Harry she had always known. He was now Harry who had made the biggest sacrifice anyone had ever made for her. Unworthy as she felt, there was no doubt how much he felt for her, what high regard he must still hold her in despite her numerous rebuffs.

Malcolm could see the look for relief and couldnt help but tease this sweet naive woman.

'You didn't really think he would have given it over if it had worked?' he was almost laughing at her and her inability to trust even Harry's judgements.

'I don't know what I thought Malcolm. I suppose I believed what I saw. Not a very good spy am I?' she was nearly laughing herself at her own stupidity

'I know Harry worships the ground you walk on and I don't blame him. Good taste in women that Harry. But he has a little more sense than to trade your life for thousands' He looked at her and there was kindness in his eyes. Admiration too. It took quite some woman to be relieved that she would have been allowed to be killed if things had been different. Lesser women might have got the hump on about that too. But not Ruth. Tough as old boots she was and ready to give her life if needed. The kettle boiled and he poured the water into the two mugs that Ruth had prepared.

'How can I ever thank him?' she asked genuinely unable to work out how. Would words be enough, a look? Offering to go out with him in some ways seemed callous, as if it would be saying to him that he had somehow finally deserved her when in fact he had done that long ago. Malcolm's head was filled with all sorts of way she could thank him and he had to suppress the grin that spread across his face. It was exactly that sort of boy's locker room banter that had gotten Ruth into such a state of low self worth. And anyway, starting a relationship with Harry right now would not help the enquiry one bit.

'Be nice to him; take back the 'it was unfair of you to love me' comment for starters. He needs our support and he needs to know that it's worth his while fighting the inevitable.' He added

'But jail is inevitable isn't it?' asked Ruth. A knife stabbed her heart at the thought of those words she had spoken and how Harry must have relayed them to Malcolm. The shame was eating her up.

'Well yes I think it is but if let's say there are some strings that can be pulled we might well need Harry's cooperation and fighting spirit. At the moment I think he has just resigned himself to a life in a cell. The fight has quite gone out of him'

He didn't know how to phrase it in such a way that wouldn't cause Ruth to bolt. If she could somehow, very subtly, give Harry the feeling it might be worth his while asking her again then Harry would have a reason to cooperate with those who would try to help him. Impossible task really. Even without the recent events he very much doubted Harry was up for laying his heart open for Ruth and risk it being smashed to pieces again.

'I suppose Ruth, what I am trying to say is be yourself with him. Something that he can cling to in a world that is going to be whirling out of control for him very soon' finished Malcolm

'I will' said Ruth and with that she turned and made her way back to her desk. Just be myself. Just be myself. Just be myself. She repeated over and over. Easier said than done. The revelation that Albany was a fake had banished all hatred and confusion and replaced it with a love that was hard to bear. He'd be arriving soon, hurt, mentally as well as physically. He would be facing such uncertainty. And all for her. How was she going to bear the pain her own actions had heaped upon her? She supposed she deserved it after all her years of holding him at arm's length. She resolved to put all she had into being everything he needed right now. Now what was that she asked herself and made a mental note.

Firstly let him know how much I appreciate what he has done, that I know Albany was a fake, that I take back my comments.

Secondly keep enough distance to ensure no one accuses him of unprofessional behaviour. As long as conversations were kept strictly within the boundaries of any other work colleagues then no evidence would be found of what their hearts felt. She thought back to the photo. Even that was gone now.

The noise of the pods brought her back to reality and she looked up...