"We really need to dust up here more often," Ruth thinks to herself, sneezing for the fourth time. Carefully, she shines a torch around the box filled spaced, always mindful of the window facing the street, not wanting to give any indication that someone is up there. Above her, the steady pit pat of rain hits the roof, and she hopes they will be able to get through this entire conversation before she needs to use the loo.

Not seeing what she is looking for at the front of the attic, she walks slowly down the middle isle between boxes and items, sneezing again. "Quiet," she mutters to her stomach, feeling one of the babies kicking in response to her recurring sneezing. With her free hand, she slowly rubs a soothing circle, hoping her touch will calm them down.

Her slow journey brings her to the middle of the attic before she spots the old settee he had told her she would find. A large trunk is set before it, a cushion sitting on top of one side, her favorite throw atop that, and despite the situation, she feels a smile begin. Even with the world seemingly falling around them, he still thinks of her comfort. Carefully, she walks around an old globe, her hand lightly resting on top to keep her balance in the cluttered space. Wearily, she sinks into the surprisingly comfortable seat, a sigh escaping her as she gets comfortable to wait for Harry.

It is frustrating; and disturbing; that to have a private conversation they have had to come to the attic, but a quick search by Harry of the house had shown a number of electronic surveillance items in every room of the house, including the patio table out back. For the first time, she feels what she can only assume the numerous people she has listened to tapes of over the years must feel, and it does not bring warm feelings for her job.

It makes her question if she really wants to continue along the path that she had chosen all those years ago.

"It's not a matter for now," she thinks, knowing that their first priority has to be finding a way out of their predicament. Only she is not sure exactly what that predicament is as Harry had been vague in his answers, only saying that it was not for her to worry about. At her indignation, he had rested a finger against her lips, stopping her in mid-sentence, and muttered that it just would not do for her to stress out over something she was not involved in.

That had brought a rush of anger, her cheeks flushing at the thought that he would belittle her in that way; think so little of her thoughts, feelings, and place in their relationship; but the quick press of his lips against hers had shut her up. As he had pulled away, his barely audible 'later' had vibrated against her mouth and she had starred at him.

'Bugged' he had mouthed and horror had filled her, at the thought of those men outside listening to her putter around the house when she had been waiting for him to arrive home. A squeeze of his hand had been given in reassurance as he mouthed 'act angry' to her, and for the next two hours they had argued; her throwing at him that he missed finding out they were having a daughter breaking her heart, though the happy grin and lightness that had filled his eyes had soothed over some of that. The tender kiss he had given her before "storming" from the room had chased the rest of it away.

After his shower though; and searching of the house for bugs; he had barely left her from his sight, sitting quietly next to her in the reading room, his arms wrapped tightly around her.

His soft Ruth has her breaking from her thoughts and she looks up to see him standing beside her, his own torch resting next to hers on the trunk.

"Harry," she says just as softly, reaching a hand out to him in the dimness. She can just make out his smile as he takes it in his, squeezing it tightly as he sits next to her. Before she has a chance to say anything, he has reached for her throw, tucking it around her against the chilly air.

"We have a few minutes; I turned the shower on in our en-suite since you yelled at me you were going to take a shower, and some mindless dribble is on the telly."

"Hmm," is her only response as she lifts the side of the throw, curling into his side and dropping it across him as well. "What happened today?"

He smiles again at her direct question, his arm wrapping around her shoulder as he kisses the side of her hair before speaking. "I'm still not sure of all the details or even what it is exactly they have implementing me in this; we'll need to find a way to do some digging without the resources of the Grid."

"Mrs. Meads two doors down doesn't have any security on her Wi-Fi," she mutters, eyes lifting to his. "I just need a clean laptop. What?" she asks, seeing his raised eyebrow.

"How do you know she doesn't have any security?" His arm has moved, sliding down her back to rest around her waist, and slowly his fingers trace over the protruding bump that is their children.

"I like to be aware," she says defensively, shuddering slightly at the feelings his fingers are stirring in her. "It's only a simple check; anyone with a laptop and some knowledge can find out."

"I'll remember that. And I'll…procure you a laptop tomorrow." He sighs, squeezing her tightly as he prepares to tell her the one thing he did find out today.

"What is it?" she asks, interpreting his sigh correctly.

"It's not true," he says first, knowing she is going to overreact as soon as he gets the words out. At the glare she is now directing towards him, he quickly continues, knowing not to sugar coat it in any way. "The police believe I was having an affair with Sam."

She is quiet as she processes this information, running it repeatedly through her mind, knowing without a doubt that he is not lying to her, that he is not having an affair with Sam now. But in the past… "Have you ever?"

"What?" his voice is loud; louder than he intended; at her question and he stares at her, shocked that she could even think that.

"Have you ever had an affair with Sam? I know you're not now, and haven't been since we've been together," she says quickly, knowing he will worry that she thinks he is lying to her, especially after everything they have been through in the past year, "I trust you. But she is a beautiful woman who you worked with for a few years, who you turned to for information in the past. And…" she trails off, not sure how to continue without possibly insulting him.

"And I have a history of seducing women who I work with," he finishes for her, sighing even as he agrees with the reasoning behind her question. "No, I have never slept with Sam; never even considered it."

She nods, finding that last statement difficult to believe as even she can admit to finding Sam attractive, but lets it pass. It is something so small and minute that it is not worth talking about it. "Then why do the police believe you were having an affair with her?"

"THAT's what we need to find out."

...To be Continued...

AN: This story is drawing to a close and should be finished in about 10-15 chapters. Thank you everyone who has read and reviewed this story over the years, as well as provided ideas and feedback. I greatly appreciate each and every piece. If you've a moment, please let me know what you think about this latest problem for HR.

Also, Mja, if you happened to be reading this, I've changed my mind and would like to talk to you about something and haven't another way to contact you. If you do see this, please either get in touch with me on Tumblr or through e-mail at uniquementlevotre at gmail dot com. Please and thank you.

Coming soon – 'The Christmas Gift' a short and fluffy 10-chapter Holiday Fic set after 5.3. Just what is it Harry is planning and will Ruth be surprised?