Cornwall Casanova

(Picks up right where the last chapter left off. This may wander into mature themed area but not too far. You are warned. Nothing is mine…For Nonsenseandmischief I'm trying pace and development…and it's killing me, but if I survive I will be stronger. Oh and you have to appreciate Rock Hudson/Doris Day or John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara movies to appreciate part of this chapter. Show of hands: Who knows who I'm talking about? Sorry I missed my update deadline. Thanks to everyone for their reviews. Have another snow day Thursday, so maybe I can do better with another chapter. )

"You're not signing until we have our own personal inquiry?" Ruth's eyes were wide open and her eyebrows were about to meet her hairline. Ruth was mad. Insanely mad. "You will sign or I'll go over your head."

"If only," said Harry thinking of something else. At about that time he felt the palm of Ruth's hand impact his cheek. She knew what he was thinking.

"Bloody hell Ruth," said a startled Harry, "what's that for?" Ruth didn't answer. She'd entered his office politely. She left slamming the door into the frame as she pulled it as hard as she could on its slide. Harry just kept watching her. His hand rubbing a slightly red cheek. He expected her to stop at her desk. Instead, she went over to Dimitri, who was standing talking to Tariq. Pulling at Dimitri's shoulder so he faced her, she reached up and pulled him into a full lip lock and pressed her body as firmly as possible against the young man's body.

Dimitri responded with enthusiasm. What red-blooded male wouldn't? He pulled her in and deepened the kiss. Dimitri didn't think about why she is kissing him, he is just glad the normally reserved Ruth is taking a different path. This is his dream, although he'd never admit to the crush he has on her. Hands, arms and lips were moving at a frantic pace. Harry watch this all from his office for less than 10 seconds.

Then he jumped to his feet and dashed out the door in a run. He didn't head toward the pods, he headed toward the couple who seemed to not know the rest of the Grid was watching. Nor to Harry's shock did either seem to care who was watching.

Harry tried clearing his throat to break apart the embrace, but that went unnoticed. Finally he pulled Ruth by the shoulder and the two looked at him. Dimitri at least had the presence of mind to look mildly embarrassed. What Harry couldn't tolerate was the smug look of satisfaction Ruth had on her face. Was it from the embrace, or the fact she'd goaded Harry into physical movement. Harry longed for her to touch him like that with abandon. Free of the he's my boss thoughts. It's what he had just offered her. Harry was confused. She had just admitted that she had always wanted to say yes when she said no. Now she's kissing Dimitri.

It was Harry's turn to speak looking at Ruth but saying, "Dimitri you better take it from me Ruth is like a drug, and you do become addicted to her love. Trust me she is nothing more than candy coated misery.

Ruth shot back, "Now who has been listening to music other than Rachmaninoff ?" Ruth was serious in her question recognizing the lyrics to another of Beth's songs.

"You want a Casanova Ruth? Then Casanova it is, including the tactics of that time." Barely comprehending his words, Ruth thought I don't want to fight it any more whatever it is. I refuse to name it love. I stop running from my life right now. This moment. Then she looks at Harry. I know that look in his eyes. Maybe I should rethink the run for my life decision. He has messed with my mind so much. Or have I messed with his too many times? And what is the end result? Questions. Again, so many questions. I just can't pick it all apart.

This time Harry didn't give her time to try to pick it apart.

Whispering into her ear he said seductively, "I promise you Ruth a goodtime Cornwall Casanova." Then turned to Alec and said, "The Grid is yours. Don't call unless it's Armageddon." Harry couldn't explain why they were in his coat pocket, but he knows they're there and he quickly pulls out a pair of old-fashioned bobby's handcuffs and attaches one cuff to Ruth's wrist and the other to his own. No one on the Grid moves. Alec smiles, he thinks of the John Wayne movie McClintock where The Duke slings Maureen O'Hara over his shoulder carries her out after a chase and gives her a spanking. Alec thinks the only thing lacking is a drink and popcorn. Harry thinks eventually Ruth is going to kill me for this.

Harry pulls a resisting Ruth through the pods, toward the elevator and calls for his car. The driver is instructed by phone to have the darkened glass between the driver's compartment and the backseat up. "Make sure you bring the car with the darkest tinted glass." By this point Ruth thought screaming might help. When Harry realized that she was about to scream, he covered her mouth with his. Then He pushed her back to the elevator wall and ominously said. "Make any other noise than one of pleasure and both our careers are over. Is that what you want?"

Ruth wasn't scared. Actually she was exhilarated. Her heart was pounding out of her chest. Her breathing came in short gasps for air. She felt more alive than anytime she could recall in her life. She knew Harry was right. She didn't like his methods, but she knew he was right. A scene between the two would not go down well at this time. I'm thrilled, thought Ruth but she is angry too. I will eventually make him pay for his caveman behavior, but for now I'll go with him. I could have said one word on the Grid and any of them would have stopped Harry. No, I had willingly gone with him whether it looked that way or not.

Harry counted on Ruth's lack of desire for scenes to give him time to get her to the car. Where he hoped he might reason with her.

Once he pushed her into the back seat of the vehicle, their wrists still joined by metal, Harry said, "It looks like it will be just you, me and the unseen driver on our long ride to Cornwall. We have about five hours together in this confined space. Any ideas on how to pass the time?" Ruth said nothing at first, doing her own version of Harry's pout. Noticing the DVD player on the back of the seat in front of her, she said, "Well we can watch a DVD." That wasn't what Harry had hoped. Still, he popped open the side compartment and put in a movie."

"Casablanca," Ruth thought I should have known. He still hadn't removed the handcuffs. Harry followed Ruth's glance and reluctantly pulled the key from his pocket and freed their hands. Putting both his hands to his forehead Harry softly said, "You can leave any time. If you want I'll tell the driver to take you home. But, damn it, when you ran straight into the arms of Dimitri in front of me, having just told you how I feel, I snapped. I wanted to make you pay. I wanted to be the one you were falling into. I wanted to be the one embracing you."

For the first time Ruth let Harry's point of view be considered in her thoughts. They've faced so many miles together, not physical miles, but emotional miles. Never had either felt alone as long as the other one was there. I know I want to be the one he reaches for first in all things. Neither of us have much faith in anything except each other. My arms are open wide but he doesn't see it. Emotionally He's scared, tired and in pain. All caused by me. "Harry, don't tell the driver to stop. Let's see something through for once. I want to help you battle whatever demons plague your dreams. I'm not going to run wide open into whatever this is or may become. I was just about to run back to GCHQ. That's how this all started. I see that it's hard for both of us. It hurts both of us, this emotional heart blockage we have. With that she physically held both arms open wide to offer an embrace coupled with a slightly unsure smile that didn't quiet reach the eyes.

Harry looked at her. Their eye contact did not break. Not taking time to question her, or ask if she were sure, he moved into her embrace and they kissed with a passion neither had allowed the other to experience from the other.

Both were panting but breaking apart for a moment, Ruth spoke first, "Harry it is a five hour drive to Cornwall. If we continue at this pace we may cross boundaries we aren't ready to cross yet."

Harry thought, Here it comes, the push-me-pull-me routine. She'll push me away and then pull me back. Not again. He was about to speak.

Ruth shook her head. "No Harry. We'll be together. I'm not going away. I'm not pushing you away, just suggesting we pace ourselves." With those words from Ruth, Harry exhaled the breath he was holding. Then pulled her to him.

"Thank you Ruth," he whispered as he nibbled on her earlobe.

Ruth reciprocated, "You're welcome," said just before their lips again found each other's.

"Maybe I should have requisitioned a helicopter. That proves I didn't plan this out, or we wouldn't spend five hours in travel." Ruth smiled at the rationale Harry was giving; still trying to apologize for his behavior without saying he's sorry. Wasn't there a song Love means you never have to say you're sorry? Harry had been willing to do anything to be with me. I in turn told Harry my heart had grown cold. That wasn't true. I just didn't feel there was much of my heart left to give to anyone and Harry, he does deserve so much more.

Again as if a mind reader, Harry told her, "Turn loose of the past. Let's live in the present and have hope for the future. You are my only love. Without you I might as well have jumped from that building's roof with Lucas."

It was the first time Harry had mentioned Lucas by name in a long time, but she knows it is still part of the heartbreak and weight of the world he carries daily.

"Harry they can say whatever about us. We are going to do whatever makes our lives work for us. Neither of us is ever alone as long as we have each other." Ruth put to words what Harry was feeling. They settled back for the drive. As the journey had started in the afternoon it would be dark by the time they arrived at their Dartmoor destination.

(more to come…perhaps some spying to make this a real tale. We really haven't gotten to Cornwell Casanova yet. This one took a bit much to get them on the road, but since when has anything with them been easy.)