I understand Ruth is grieving and I really like your story, but when the light went out in Harry's eyes and Ruth acknowledged the sentiment that they were over... Well, sometimes I could really hit her over the head for her choices.

Outstanding. I was so emotional when I first read this, that i have only just dared come back and reread. Just beautifully sad, yet a tinge of positivity. Brilliantly crafted. Thanks for helping me make sense of kudos's thinking.

You certainly know how to break our hearts. It is the most beautiful description of a death that I have ever read.

I am so grateful to you that you clarified Ruth’s last words which were always a painful mystery to me. “We weren't meant to have those things." " People like them were meant to die alone at the end of it all. But that wasn't her fate. She wasn't to die alone.. She was dying in the arms of the man she loved, with the few people in the world who really knew her gathered nearby...And she would rather be dying here, with them, than anywhere else in the world.”

I am also grateful that you have written a hopeful epilogue which should have been the only acceptable ending of Spooks.

A joy to read from beginning to end. Wonderfully well written and despite the sadness of the final chapter it was still an amazing heartfelt read.

What a beautiful chapter again, thank you!
I too think that this is the right ending for this wonderful story which has been so insightful through all the chapters and has given me so many ideas and possible explanations on things that were missing in the actual series. Leaving this in canon but still open insofar that you can spin this off in another story (like you did) is just perfect.
And also, one thing I hadn't realised until now (maybe because I was so shocked when I watched the show's last ten minutes) is that Harry might later appreciate that, no matter how tragic it was, he spent Ruth's last minutes together with her, both of them knowing of their feelings. I find this a bit hopeful (even if hard to explain somehow)
Thanks very much again for this great story and it's good to hear you enjoyed writing it!

Finally had to opportunity to catch up on the rest of this and there's nothing much different that I can say that hasn't already been said: beautiful, heart-breaking, elegiac, exquisite. Going with the canon ending was the right thing to do in this case, it worked wonderfully. Thank you so much for sharing this.

Wonderfully well written finale to an amazing story! Well done

I can't really add much to what others have said. This was a great insightful read overall. Congratulations on your solution to the problem as to how to deal with the two differing groups of 'stick to canon' v 'happy AU ending'

Incredibly sad, tears all over but I'm in awe for your writing skills : near perfection.
Thanks very much for sharing.

I for one think you have chosen the right ending for this story. It was terrific all the way through, and I was thoroughly entertained reading it.

Wonderful, and dare I say it, a tiny smidgen of hope?

Terrific finish to this wonderful story with beautiful imagery. Well done and thanks for sharing

I'm glad you put up an alternative ending because, as beautiful as this was, I don't think I could accept it as the depressing ending it is! :) Brilliantly written, and the last line was especially perfect.

Brilliant chapter at the end of a fantastic fic! I've enjoyed reading this a great deal so thanks fir sharing, off to read sweet redemption now!

Beautifully written. There's nothing more I can say. Thanks for sharing this astounding story.