Danny's dead.

It's the only thing on her mind.

Danny's dead.

She's sat on the ground in what has become the black zone, Danny's head cradled in her lap. Her fingers are tracing the cold skin of his cheek; brushing the blood, dust and dropping tears away. Around her, rescue workers are digging through the debris, hoping to find survivors in the rubble. They'd tried to get her to leave; to go to the hospital with one of the non-critical transports; but she couldn't leave Danny. Not when there was no one else to watch over him.

He'd given his life protecting her. Pushed her from the path of the flying glass and falling wall as it had crumpled in the wake of the blast that had blown the back part of the factory turned event hall into the Thames. They'd been back there on the veranda; laughing as he'd spun her around the gray stone deck in a mock waltz.

"You know you're going to have to name one of the twins after me." he'd said, his arm supporting her lower back as he'd lowered her into a dip.

Fingers gripping his upper arms, she'd squealed in surprise as the cool, evening air had brushed against the skin of her bare shoulders. "Why would I want to do that?" she'd asked, a carefree smile on her face as he lifted her back up.

Twirling her about, he'd grinned as he turned her towards the open doors of the ball room. Inside the strings of the instruments built in crescendo, the murmur of conversation momentarily drowned out. "I've been working it out and if my math is correct, I've spent more time with you and them than Harry has. That makes me the honorary second father."

"Oh is that how it works?"

"Hmm. Yes."

Laughing she'd slid her hand down his chest and patted it gently. "I'll let you be the one to tell Harry."

Smile momentarily leaving his face, he'd paused in mid-waltz and looked at her. "You know, I might be wrong in my math."

"Really?"

"Really. I think if I do it correctly, it makes me favorite Uncle."

"Ah. Something more agreeable to Harry?"

"Something like that."

Stopping by the brick wall overlooking the water, Danny let go of Ruth and smiled. "I've been meaning to thank you." Leaning back against the wall, elbows bent on the top ledge, he'd looked around at the others milling about outside.

Standing next to him, back towards the building, she'd turned her head and looked at him. "For what?"

"Not giving up on me when Zoe left. Even when I was a right prat you kept standing by me."

"We're family Danny. That's what family does."

"Not all family." Pushing from the railing, Danny wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a hug, his lips pressing softly against her cheek. "So thank you."

Lifting her arms, she returned his loose hug. "You're welcome."

"You know, if I was a man prone to jealousy, I might find issue with this scene."

Both turned to look at Harry as he made his way towards them; hands in his coat pockets; a slight smile on his face. Hand sliding between them to rest on Danny's chest, Ruth was about to answer when the glass windows next to them blew out. Arms sliding to rest at her waist, Danny twisted himself between the debris and Ruth; pushing her away and towards the man nearing them. Shock filling her, Ruth had no time to react between the time of the explosion and finding herself pressed between the cold stone of the floor and Harry as he pushed her down and covered her.

" I'll stay here with you, I'm still here with you, Danny, I'm staying here with you." Leaning down, she pressed her lips against his forehead, tears falling from her eyes. "I won't leave you."

Crouching next to her, Harry wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her; his forehead pressed against the side of her hair. Lips against her ear, he spoke softly.

"Ruth, we need to go to the hospital now."

Shaking her head, Ruth continued to brush her fingers along Danny's cheek. "We can't leave Danny. I promised him I wouldn't leave."

"They need to take him Ruth."

"Not yet."

Looking up as the rescue workers stopped by them, Harry gently turned Ruth's face towards his and brushed the tears from her eyes with his thumbs. Forehead resting against hers, he cradled her face in his hands. "It's time to let them help him. Let them take him somewhere safe."

As they slowly moved Danny away, Ruth tried to fight back a sob; her hands falling to her lap as Harry kept her eyes turned towards his.

"We need to go to the hospital and get you looked over."

"I'm alright."

Shifting his weight, Harry slid his hands under her arms and stood, lifting her with him. Feeling her sag against him, he bent down and lifted her into his arms. "Please? Do this for me. And for Danny."

Standing at the window overlooking the destruction across the street, the man with the cigar frowned. It wasn't supposed to have happened like this.

"I'm sorry Ol...sir. I did exactly what you said. Three crates of explosives in the boiler room."

Turning from the window, he frowned. "You idiot. I said three bands of explosives in the coat room. Do you know what you've done?"

AN: Thank you all for the reviews on not only the last chapter but the story in general. They mean a lot to me. I apologize for the shortness; this was incredibly hard to write; not to mention emotionally draining. I *think* the angst is over at this point; at least for now. And we've got the workings of an evil plot.