A Gala Invitation

by elsiecarson

When the members of Section D are invited to be guests at a gala event celebrating their successes over the past year Harry knows he'll have to go because he never attends any of the others, but he doesn't want to go alone. When he asks Ruth to go with him what does Ruth blackmail him into doing before she'll agree to go?

2. On One Condition

"For heaven's sake Ruth, say you'll go with him, before he starts to grovel!" Malcolm calls.

"Don't eavesdrop Malcolm! Mind your own beeswax!" Ruth calls back.

Harry blushes. He was rather hoping no one was listening. "Some people are so nosy." Harry mumbles with his lips around the rim of his mug.

Ruth steps very close to Harry and puts her hand on his chest. "I'll come with you if you really want me to, but only if you come dress shopping with me." Ruth boldly kisses Harry's cheek and then walks away.

Harry stands dumbstruck for a moment before walking to the entrance to the kitchen and saying, "Ruth!"

"Hmm?" Ruth turns to face Harry.

"That's a really unfair bargain, but if that's the way you're going to play it then I agree to your terms." Harry smirks at Ruth knowing that she though he was going to say no because of the shopping.

Ruth blushes. She wasn't expecting an answer so quickly or publicly. Harry isn't usually so quick to make a personal decision. Harry heads off to his office.

"Well done Ruth. I haven't seen Harry this happy for a long time." Malcolm teases Ruth.

"I have never seen him this happy about attending a Home Office formal event before." Ruth counters Malcolm's comment.