The corner of the George is boisterous; it's Ruth's birthday and Beth is feeling very satisfied with herself for arranging this party without Ruth finding out about it. Almost everyone in Section D is there.

"Harry said he'd come by after his JIC meeting." Beth answers Ruth's unasked question.

These last few months there's been a definite change in the atmosphere on the Grid. Harry and Ruth still argue often, but the awkward edge is gone. Although neither has said anything and there have been no overt demonstrations, everyone knows that they are a couple. Some of the newer officers have always assumed that they were. Beth, who up until recently shared a flat with Ruth, could probably offer more details about the course of the relationship but has kept her supposed knowledge to herself. As far as she's concerned, they are happy, even though she's still puzzled how two people so much in love can progress about as fast as a glacier.

Ruth starts opening her presents: a beautiful scarf from Beth, an expensive bottle of wine from Dimitri. There's a smallish rectangular present.

"Let me guess, it's book." Beth playfully slaps Dimitri's arm.

It turns out to be the Penguin classic version of Tess of the D'Urbervilles. It's from Harry, and everyone but Tariq (who got Harry's Albany codes out a similar copy months before) are a bit confused at Ruth's reaction to it. She trembles a bit, and she's treating it with a reverence that is incongruent with an easily obtainable paperback.

"Go on, I'll fend them off for awhile," Tariq whispers to Ruth a few minutes later. He hands her a bar napkin and a pen.

She practically runs to another corner of the bar and holds the pages up to the light, looking for the tiny pin pricks. She's finished and is staring disbelieving at the letters on the napkin, when Harry walks in. Section D is collectively agape when Ruth, without hesitation, pulls Harry by his tie into a passionate embrace.

At closing time, the bartender is intrigued. He's seen all sorts of things written on napkins in his time, but this one is unique:

BUGGER THE

NEIGHBORS

A.N.: That's it! Thanks so much for all the great reviews! Please leave one more!