Previously: Harry was missing, Lucas discovered the postcards which Malcolm then used to locate Ruth, and the team finally found Harry who has now returned to England.

This chapter was the bit of the story that I wrote first, and the intention was for it to kind of mirror the last scene in 5.5. Does that make sense/work?

He might be Section Head, but Harry still had to undergo a formal debriefing like anyone else. Though not before a medical checkup and being taken to see the Home Secretary.

The doctor had cleaned and dressed the gashes on Harry's forehead and lip, and placed his left index finger in a splint. Rest was all that he could recommend for the cracked ribs and the countless bruises which were rapidly changing colour.

Clearly shocked by Harry's battered appearance, the Home Secretary greeted him enthusiastically, and they spent five minutes verbally dancing around what had happened.

"Glad to have you back Harry. I hope you're not too worse for wear?"

"Thank you Home Secretary. I think I'll live to fight another day."

"I expect I'll read all about it in your report. Anything I should know before then?"

"I don't think so. Nothing out of the ordinary."

The Home Secretary was very pleased not to have lost someone of Harry's standing, but Harry knew he was more concerned that nothing he might have said would compromise either the intelligence services or Britain's relationship with Russia. Harry understood his position, and they concluded the meeting with a friendly handshake.

*****

Ruth had convinced the team not to tell Harry that she had been there. She didn't want their reunion to become a spectacle, and wanted to see his reaction to her return for herself. So by the time he reached the grid that evening, she was gone.

The rest of the team followed Harry into his office where it didn't take him long to locate five glasses and his bottle of whiskey. They stood around quietly drinking, and Harry thanked them for coming to his rescue, "I didn't doubt that if anyone could do it you could," he said, raising his glass. They all raised their own in acknowledgment.

*****

It was Malcolm who finally took Harry aside and told him he had an appointment to keep, "There's someone waiting to see you. At the Embankment, as soon as you can."

"Who?" Harry's brow rumpled questioningly, but Malcolm sent him on his way without an answer, insisting that it was important. He was fortunate that today was one day that Harry wasn't up to arguing.

*****

When he saw the familiar figure standing by the railing, the blood drained from Harry's face in shock. It returned just as quickly, as he made his way down the old stone steps.

Ruth turned as she heard his footsteps, a nervous smile escaping, "Hello Harry,"

"Hello Ruth ..." It was rare for Harry to find himself speechless, but right now he really didn't know what to say next.

"They didn't tell you it was me did they?" she asked.

He could merely shake his head. They stepped towards each other and and did the only thing that seemed natural, they hugged tightly.

*****

Several minutes passed before Harry and Ruth let go of each other and moved to sit on the nearby bench. Harry turned slightly to face Ruth, wincing in pain as he rested his arm along the back of the bench. It was cold and not exactly the ideal place to discuss the intervening years, but never the less ... at least they were the only people there.

Harry finally found his tongue, "How are you Ruth?"

"I'm fine. And you? I mean, apart from the Russian thing."

"I'll be okay. I've survived worse. And now I know that you're alright ... and here ... that helps," It was ridiculous how much adrenalin he could feel running through his body.

"I got your postcards."

Ruth laughed, "I know. That was how they found me. Lucas found them at your house and wondered why you kept a pile of postcards from a crazy woman. I never realised you were so sentimental Harry," she teased.

A slightly goofy grin appeared on Harry's face, "Perhaps you don't know me as well as you think you do. Anyway, it's just as well, otherwise we might not be here."

"Yes. You're back where you belong at Thames House, and so am I, back from the dead," she was silent for a moment, "For now at least. But I can't be the living dead forever Harry."

"I know," Harry wanted to ignore the last part of what she had said for as long as possible. There were other things occupying his mind right now.

"You know Ruth, a lot's happened since that morning, at the boat," he paused awkwardly, "Do you ever wish you could go back and ..."

Her response was immediate and decisive, "Every day," Then it was her turn to pause, and she changed the subject, "Malcolm didn't say much, but he told me about Zaf ... and Adam," tears started to roll down Ruth's face as she spoke, and she looked away towards the bridge.

Harry reached over and covered her hand with his. She gripped it tightly.

"They're not forgotten Ruth, and their deaths were not ... unremedied."

Ruth focused her eyes back on his face, her own full of questions. But Harry shook his head gently, "It's better you don't know. Just remember them as your friends. Yes?"

She nodded, still holding his hand. They sat in comfortable silence, neither feeling the need to talk, simply reveling in being together.

Please review and let me know how you enjoyed this chapter. I've left it rather open, because I think there's a bit more of the story brewing in my head. Ruth is still the 'living dead' and I'd like to try and resolve that somehow. That's if you want to keep reading?

UPDATE:

I have decided to end Missing right here. As someone said, it feels very much like the kind of ending Spooks would have, which is what I was aiming for. And thank you for your lovely reviews.

I am however writing a sequel and am about to post the first chapter. So if you want to see what happens next, please read Returning.