A/N: Hi all! So this was meant to be the last chapter and then the word count got away from me. Darn, these two have so much to say! So enjoy the next installment of this ever-growing little story. Because of the added scenes some time references no longer make sense, I'm going to go back to fix that when this is finished and has its final time span.

Big thanks and virtual hugs to ZizhunWriter (I'm really glad you liked the speech, I re-wrote it twice!), Kedi (thanks for all the poetics!), Jael73 (I do enjoy writing Jefferson so I'm glad you like him), Tess621 (don't die from the tension, please!) and Inanna (hopefully Ruby's "fixing" will keep you entertained!)

The room was quiet, except for the soft sound of running water and a lulling hum of traffic outside. Ruby smiled before she opened her eyes, still immersed in the dream she had had. She couldn't quite place her finger on what it had been about but it had made her feel warm, happy and safe. Opening her eyes, she realized her surroundings. Archie's living room. He had wanted to give up the bed for her from the start but she had declined, repeatedly, as she didn't want to give her brain any more food for imagination than it had. How his bed felt to lie in was something she would not want to add to the growing cache of daydreams her disobedient mind spun at any given moment.

The last few days they had been busy with arranging the multitude of photos into albums and learning all the facts they had discovered by heart. Besides the facts, Ruby had found it easy to share deeper knowledge with him, his warm gaze and sympathetic voice paving the way for a connection Ruby had rarely felt with anyone before.

But some things remained unmentioned. The kiss, for example. It had shifted something inside of her of a magnitude she could not express in words, or even give shape to in her thoughts. Trying to find other ways of communicating this to him seemed to slip him by completely. She had given him long looks, touched his arm, his shoulder, had leaned into him and given him every opportunity to repeat the kiss. But so far it had been to little avail as he had seemed mostly oblivious. So Ruby had withdrawn, not wanting to make him uncomfortable or embarrassed and was now beginning to seriously regret having started the whole business in the first place. Every time he looked away, or shifted awkwardly under her touch, a little crack made its way through her heart. Not wanting the soft core of it to be bruised she had chosen to stop all intimacy completely. Then he had seemed confused, a little hurt, but also relieved and Ruby was left alone, longing and wishing.

Three days, she told herself. Three days and then she would be back home in the shared apartment, her three friends surrounding her and with nothing but time to get over this. Today was their interview, then on Wednesday they'd have a home visit. Then they were home free, Ruby could move back home and for a year and half Archie would send her her mail before they'd amicably divorce.

Tossing the covers off, she ambled into the pink bathroom (he hadn't had time to fix it up he'd said but Ruby quite liked the old lady-ish frills and flowers) and stepped into the miniscule shower. She had no idea how Archie fit in there to do anything but…Unbidden, her mind conjured up an image of the two of them in there, pressed close, hot water streaming over them as his hands ran circles on her skin, the scent of soap and the man making her head spin and…Shaking her head to clear it Ruby rolled her eyes at herself. Really, she was going insane. And over such an unlikely man. He was nothing like the men she had enjoyed going out with before. He was sweet, kind, considerate. Smart, funny and caring. Cute, sexy and with the most attractive voice she'd ever heard. She could listen to him all day. And had. He'd been on the phone with patients one evening and Ruby had just lain back on the couch, closed her eyes and shamelessly enjoyed. She hadn't eavesdropped, really, because the words had been of little importance. It had been the rise and fall of the timbre of his voice, the shades of amusement, of empathy, of interest. She'd been disappointed when he'd hung up. Then he had of course apologized for how long the call had taken and she'd just dumbly shaken her head. As far as she was concerned he could have kept going all night.

Stepping out of the shower, Ruby pulled on her underwear, leaving her hair to dry as it would in long wet tendrils down her back. About to find her jeans, the door opened and a sleepy Archie walked in. For a moment they both froze, the steam rising silently around them. Wearing cotton pajama bottoms and still without his glasses, his hair rumpled and his eyes still foggy from sleep Ruby wanted to pounce without a second thought, dive in and taste. Take and demand, plead and beg until there was nothing but the two of them in the world. Then he seemed to wake up from his stupor and color rushed to his cheeks.

"Sorry! Sorry, I'm not used to having anyo… I mean…I…I'll just go…I…I'm terribly sorry," ducking out of the room, Ruby let out the breath she'd been holding. Feeling her legs shake a little she sat down on the edge of the tub. This situation really wouldn't hold.

o.O.o

Slamming the door of his bedroom shut, Archie leaned against it. Attempting to chase away the lingering embarrassment, he closed his eyes, only succeeding in bringing the image of Ruby in her underwear back. Flushed from her shower, with her dark hair rumpled and wild streaming down her back, and all that damp, perfect alabaster skin on display. He couldn't have told anyone what color her lingerie had been but he couldn't forget the way her breasts had risen from the lace, perfectly shaped and just the size to fit his hands. How the silk had clung to her hips, gently rounded and begging for his hand to travel over the curve, realizing it under his palm. Equally aroused and embarrassed he sunk down on his bed.

Ever since the kiss at their wedding party he'd been extremely…aware of her. Wherever she was, his body seemed to sense, angled towards her like they were reflections of the same body. He couldn't help it and would turn away when he caught himself doing it. At the same time he knew it was one of the most basic ways humans conveyed attraction. Ruby on the other hand seemed to treat him like a good friend, giving his shoulder a pat or smiling at him like they shared a private joke frequently. Not a trace of flirtatiousness or reciprocated attraction from her. Women like Ruby could have their pick, any man would happily let go of everything at a look from her and had she been in the least interested he was sure he would have been ostentatiously invited to. Beautiful women had to build such a wall to keep unwanted attention away they would be careful in initiating any relations. So he was sure if she'd been the least bit interested she would have let him know.

His shoulders slumped and he ran a hand through his hair. Why on earth was he hoping she would? The logical side of him knew she was miles out of his league, that he was too old for her, too dull and too ordinary. He was more likely to get hit by a bus than getting her. No, more likely to be abducted by aliens, taken to planet Abnorgh for study and finding a fish-looking alien for a bride than being given a second look from Ruby Lucas. Sadly, his logical side couldn't hold a candle to his heart that hopelessly wished and yearned.

He'd never fancied himself terribly romantic or even thinking he was missing too much from living alone with just Pongo for company but when Ruby smiled at him, or touched him he wondered if he'd been sleepwalking through life so far. Only to be harshly awoken to realize he would never have the dream. Sinking back on the bed he shut his eyes again, the image of Ruby this time summoned willingly.

o.O.o

"Are you ready for this?" She asked as they stood outside the Immigration Services imposing concrete box of an office. Men and women in ill-fitting suits hurried through the doors, accompanied by an array of people speaking in so many languages Ruby's head spun.

"Prepared, yes. Ready? I don't know if I could ever be." She nodded, she knew exactly what he meant. Dressed again in his customary tweed suit, an umbrella on his arm and his glasses in place, Ruby tried to take comfort in the fact he looked like the least likely person to ever commit fraud. She'd tried to match him in unlikeliness of committing any criminal act, though not wanting to dress too differently to her normal wardrobe. That would only make her seem more like she was playing a part. So she'd opted for a flowery tunic dress, with black tights and brown lace-up boots. Her make-up was discreet and she'd left her hair down. If she'd seem them out she would have pegged them as college professor and art teacher.

"It's time." He checked his watch and Ruby nodded. This was it.

What seemed like an eternity later they found themselves in a corridor the color of cat pee, Ruby next to a woman in a drab brown suit and Archie next to a man, his blue suit at least twenty years out of fashion. The officials opened brown, cardboard-looking doors and for a wild moment Ruby thought that at least she'd be able to kick it down to escape. Then, as she thought her legs would just carry her down the hall unasked, she felt him take her hand. Slowly, as if time was running at half time she turned her head to look up at him.

"I'll see you soon." Then he squeezed her hand and went into the room on the left. The suited man followed and with a quiet click, the door shut. Feeling the warmth of his hand still on hers she straightened her shoulders. He was on the other side of a thin wall. Nothing could be very bad when that could be said. Nodding to the dumpy, brown-suited woman, she stepped into the other room.

It was small, painted a non-descript beige and had nothing but a worn table and two green plastic chairs in it. It looked like what it was - an interrogation room.

"So, Ms. Lucas, would you have a seat?" Sitting, Ruby smiled sweetly at the bespectacled woman whose unflattering haircut only served to make her more imposing.

"It's Mrs. Hopper, actually. Thank you," She added as she sat, setting her purse on the floor to avoid fiddling with the straps. Crossing her legs and folding her hands on her lap she heard Archie's voice in her head. "Your body language will tell more than what you say. Be stiff and they will know you're uncomfortable, be too at ease and they know it's affected. Crossing your legs or arms signals barriers and a wish to keep away and withhold. Strike a balance between watchful and pleasant. You're amused and annoyed your marriage is under question." Swallowing, Ruby uncrossed her legs and put her hands on the table. The voice was miles more reassuring than the advice. "Tell me how I can help you, Ms…." She read the name sign pinned to the woman's lapel as she had already forgotten her name. "Langdon."

"Oh, just a few questions, Mrs. Hopper. Nothing serious. There are so many sham marriages these days, you would not believe. To desecrate something so…special…" The woman shook her head and with the skills of any professional waitress Ruby pegged her as a closet romantic, sentimental about her family and her country, viewing her job as defending the honor of truth and love. Inwardly she smiled, she could work with that.

"It's a shame. Abusing the system of this country and making a joke out of a ritual meant to stand for love and most of all…hope. I've always thought marriage stands for hope, for faith in the future." Adjusting her glasses, Ruby saw the words sink in and a little warmth bled into the woman's strict stance.

"I do agree, Mrs. Hopper." This time the title held no sarcasm and Ruby added some warmth to her smile.

"Please, call me Ruby."

"Very well, Ruby. This is just a few simple questions to make sure your marriage to Mr. Hopper is entered fully for the right reasons. Any married couple would know it."

"Certainly. It's Dr. Hopper, though." She rolled her eyes inwardly. Really, they thought they'd get her on the very first hurdle, her husband's name?

"Oh, pardon me. Where is his degree from?"

"He did his undergrad and masters at Maine State and his PhD is from Columbia."

"Impressive indeed."

"Isn't it? I've always found intelligent men really attractive." Or at least she did now.

"Now, just for the record, could you please state your husband's full name, date of birth, place of birth and his mother's maiden name." Ruby didn't register a question in the statement and drew a deep breath. Archie's voice filtered into her head again "Answer the questions, but feel free to add details. Most people love expanding and will do so unprompted. If you're just answering a question they will know it's practiced."

"Sure. He was born 12th of February 1964. So close to Valentine's Day, it's almost a combined event. Try to find any gifts that don't have little hearts stamped all over them." Ruby rolled her eyes, almost believing herself she had been looking for gifts for her husband hundreds of times. "His full name is Dr. Archibald Malachi Hopper. Malachi, can you believe it? But of course, no one ever calls him anything but Archie. He's just not the type you'd call by his title. Not even his patients do. He's just Archie to everyone." Finishing, Ruby didn't have to act the warmth in her eyes. He really was just Archie to them all and didn't even want to be referred to as Doctor, though he'd earned it.

"His place of birth and his mother's maiden name, Ruby."

"Oh, sorry. He was born in a small town called Little Pine but they moved a lot when he was a child. His mother's maiden name was Dorvak. He's half Czech on his mother's side. His grandfather was from Italy, the rare red-headed Italian stock. All the better for me, I've always had a soft spot for red-headed men." Also a recent discovery but Ruby wasn't going to let the entire truth be on display. The small fibs helped keeping her grounded, allowing her to focus and not just gush on about Archie, losing track and messing up.

"I see." Ms. Langdon might have a soft spot for marriage but she was not about to be won over by her rambling about Archie's hair or family. "Now, could you please tell me a few personal things about him? His favorite food, movies, music. His hobbies and interests." Ruby had met many real couples who didn't know as much as that about each other, but she happened to know them all. "Don't be too detailed in your answers, real couples know extremely intimate things about each other so they don't always pay as much attention to fleeting details. Tell a few but limit them to be believable."

"Well, his favorite movie is one of those black and white Italian ones, with the director that sounds like a type of pasta….what is it…Oh, Pallini? Dellino? Ah, Fellini, that's it. His best friend introduced them to him and he loves them. He showed one to me but it was not really my kind of movie. He likes to watch those, and to read. He reads a lot. I'd call it a hobby. He reads for work, articles and studies and such. And novels for fun. He likes a lot of the classics, Dickens, Twain. I like some of those but if it gets too heavy I tend not to be a fan. But when he reads it…" She didn't have to act the breathlessness in her voice. He had read a passage for her, from his favorite book and she'd been captivated. If the man would read for an audiobook she was sure he would sell millions of copies. Even if it was just reading the phone book. Ruby would buy two copies herself.

"I see. What's he reading right now?" That might've been a hard question if the man didn't actually spend every free moment reading, bringing books where he went. She'd seen the book on his nightstand, in his bag, on the coffee table.

"At the moment he's reading for work, a study on neuroscience and its place in modern psychiatric treatments."

"What about music?"

"Oh, he has an amazing CD and LP collection. Nothing is digital. He doesn't even have a music library on his computer." He would only use the computer reluctantly for work, preferring to write on paper, read printouts and keep a pocket calendar for appointments. His cellphone was an ancient Nokia that you could only text and call with. Surprisingly, instead of finding this annoying, Ruby found it refreshing. He wasn't permanently glued to a screen, happy to rely on himself and his own memory rather than a machine. "I like a lot of it, I didn't think I would when I saw it but he's into quite a few different genres. There's soul, rock, blues, classical and a bit of jazz. I've showed him some newer things and he's showed me where it came from originally." It had been great, sitting on the floor, taking turns in showing each other the music they loved. He'd found a liking for modern rock and she'd discovered sixties soul was the sexiest music ever made.

"Do you have any interests in common?"

"Yes, but not very many. I like that. It's great to be able to show each other new things. He likes to read and listen to music, which we both enjoy. I like going out and he's growing to like it as he can people watch and see more things. He likes to walk and I like to run, we're trying to find a happy medium there. He loves cooking and I love eating." Ruby laughed, everything so far the whole truth. "All in all I think we do well. It's never going to be boring between us, we're too different." And she longed to learn more about him, know more of the things he enjoyed, wanted to do them together with him. Ms. Langdon just wrote in her notepad and Ruby contented herself with the memory of dragging Archie to a bar close to his apartment. He'd been uncomfortable and wanting to stay holed up inside but Ruby had not been able to stare at the same four walls any longer. So they'd gone and Ruby had thought of a guessing game. They would pick someone and guess who they were, what their background was, what they did. Then Ruby had unabashedly approached them and asked, dealing out points for rights and wrongs. He'd won more than her but she'd thought it worth it. More often than not the person, or people, would join them for a drink and nervous as a mother hen Ruby had worried they would somehow make fun of Archie, of his clothes or manners. But they'd all adored him. Everyone had smiled a bit first at what seemed to be his uncertainty, but then his genuine interest and gentle questioning had brought out more of him and they had seemed to really like him. And, Ruby found, surprised, she hadn't had to intervene once.

"Thank you. Now, which drawers are yours, which side do you sleep on in your bed and where does he tend to buy his clothes?"

"I have the bottom two, and the left side of the closet. I like to sleep on the right side and most of his suits are from before I was in the picture. He likes to get his shirts from Turnbull and Asser, though." Shifting in her uncomfortable seat, Ruby was beginning to get a bit impatient. Ms. Langdon just kept scribbling and she sighed. Patience, she told herself. If there was one thing she wanted to learn from Archie it was patience.

"Now, why did you get married at the courthouse and why was your wedding party so long afterwards?"

"Well, we didn't mind the courthouse as neither of us is a practicing Christian. The party was held later as we were really busy. Archie is in the process of moving his office to home and that's take up a lot of time. Some of his patients are very sensitive to change so he has had to go between the two and convince them the new place will be better. We've just upgraded the Diner and it's really busy so I've been working double shifts. But through all this we just knew it was time. When he asked me to marry him, I just didn't want to wait. Now everything has been moved and calmed down a bit so we decided it was time to celebrate."

"How did he ask you to marry him?" They'd discussed it and decided as close to the truth as possible would be best.

"Simply. We'd been to the Met on a date and came home. It was just an ordinary Saturday. And then, standing in the living room he just turned and asked me if I would marry him. I'd said yes before I even fully registered what he'd said. I knew from the bottom of my heart he's the one."

"There's a fair age difference between you…" Ruby shrugged.

"I know it's a cliché but age really is just a number. He makes me feel like I never thought I would for any man. When I'm with him I feel…safe, I'd trust him with my life. I feel like nothing could ever be as bad as it would be without him. He makes me feel treasured and loved. He makes me feel like I'm worthy of it. I don't care if he's twenty or a hundred when that's what he makes me feel." She was almost out of breath after finishing and with a sinking feeling she realized all of what she had said was true. Even though the love he showed her was pretend it did make her feel just as much. Maybe more, because with it came the knowledge that however wonderful it felt, it wasn't true. The words he'd spoken to her at the wedding party were made-up, the kiss was for show and his gentle caring for her was purely friendship. But as Ruby's spirits plummeted a ghost of a smile appeared on Ms. Langdon's lips.

"Thank you, Mrs. Hopper. That'll be all for today."

o.O.o

"Now, Dr. Hopper, just have a seat and we'll begin." Leaning his umbrella against the wall, Archie sat down. "Today should be easy for you, I'm going to ask you a few questions that any couple would know and you just answer to the best of your ability."

"Certainly."

"Could you please state your wife's date of birth, place of birth and her mother's maiden name."

"20th of August, 1982, in Courtenay, on Vancouver Island. Her mother's maiden name was Lucas, her mother never gave Ruby her father's name."

"I see. Did she object to taking your name, seeing the sentimental value?"

"No, we talked about both of us taking Lucas-Hopper but Ruby thought it was too long. She's using both Mrs. Hopper and Mrs. Lucas-Hopper at the moment to see which one she likes better."

"And she didn't want to stick with Lucas?" Wondering what the man had against his name, Archie replied,
"No, she said that even though it was an archaic and sexist practice for the woman to automatically take the man's name she wasn't against it if it was a joint discussion and decision. She did want something obvious to change in her life when we got married." And he had inwardly rejoiced every time someone referred to her as Mrs. Hopper. He knew that was equally sexist and archaic of him but to imagine her carrying his name did all sorts of warm and twisted things to his heart.

"I see." The man, who had not introduced himself but whose nametag spelled Larry Truesdale, wrote something in careful hand on his notepad. "Could you please state where your wife went to school and where she has worked since?"

"She went to Courtenay High until she was eighteen. She was not a great fan of academics or their structure so after high school she began working in her Granny's diner, back then recently re-located to this side of the border."

"And did you know she was Canadian when you met?"

"Yes, I knew of her through mutual friends before we met."

"And did it occur to you to ask her whether she was permitted to work in the U.S when you did meet?" Archie felt intense dislike for the man across for him build in his stomach but breathed deeply to settle it.

"No, I didn't. I just assumed she was, as most of us would. She had a job and she could take care of herself financially and practically, that was good enough for me."

"And you were not aware she was a week from being here illegally when you got married?" Archie hesitated. He knew that if he said he hadn't been aware of it, only Ruby would face consequences if something went wrong. She had asked him repeatedly to say no to this questions before they got there.

"Yes, I did. It had nothing to do with why we got married. It was unplanned and impulsive but I just knew one day that this was it. I would never find another woman like her, why would I sit around and wait when I knew that, I thought."

"And then you asked her to marry you?"

"I did."

"Under what circumstances was this?"
"In our living room. We'd just come in from a date and I looked back at her. She was smiling at me and I just knew in that moment. The words were out of my mouth before I registered them. But I meant every single one."

"A few more things, if you would oblige me, Dr. Hopper. Could you tell me what side of the bed she sleeps on, which are her drawers and what color her toothbrush is?"

"She likes to sleep on the right." They'd discussed that and he'd felt his heart beat faster in his chest when he'd lain in his bed, imagining she'd be in it. He'd even started sleeping on the left side, though he was alone in it. "She has the bottom drawers and her toothbrush is purple." It was glittery and had butterflies on it and it made him smile when it stood in the cup next to his plain blue one.

"Very well. I've noted down your answers and Ms. Langdon and I will compare them. We will discuss them during your home visit on Wednesday."

"I look forward to it," Archie said politely. The unintroduced Mr. Truesdale held his hand out and with a sigh of relief he shook it.

"Before you go…just between men. Your wife is quite the looker, how on earth did you manage that?" Stiffening at his suggestive tone Archie had remind himself of where he was and what he was doing to not bite out an acidic reply.

"Love will do the strangest things to people, Mr. Truesdale."

A/N: See you next time! S.D.