Inspired by a line of a song, I was listening to tonight. Hope you like.

Harry came back in the afternoon carrying a shopping bag.

It was unusual, in fact it was rare. In fact no one had ever seen him with a shopping bag.

He disappeared quickly into his office.

"Harry, I need you to sign..." Ruth slid the door open and halted in her tracks.

Harry sat behind his desk. On his knee was a large brown teddy bear.

"Oh, sorry," said Ruth, "I didn't realise you had company."

Harry smiled.

"What do you think of him, Ruth?"

"How do you know he's a him?"

Harry looked at the bear and then at Ruth.

"I don't. I've just never thought of a bear as a 'her' before."

"Oh," she said.

"Is that rather sexist of me?" he asked with an endearing expression, as though he was genuinely concerned.

"No, I don't think so, Harry."

His attention went back to the bear. He grasped both it's paws and sat looking at it.

"Should I leave the two of you alone?"

He laughed.

"I'm sorry. I was miles away."

Ruth looked at him. This was the easiest, most relaxed they had been since the enquiry. And all it had taken was a cuddly toy.

"He, or she," he smiled again, "is for Catherine, well, the baby She's having a baby."

"That's wonderful news, Harry. You must be very happy."

"I am," he grinned, "it's...exciting."

Ruth nodded, "I can see that."

And then a silence descended.

For a moment it was a warm silence and then all that had been, could have been and was, settled upon them.

And they were back to discomfort and regret.

"Anyway, here's the file you wanted," she said and left.

Harry looked at the bear and sighed.

He was standing on the roof. Ruth softly appeared beside him.

"The DG asks that you go and see him in half an hour."

He nodded, but kept his eyes on the city.

Ruth didn't move. He could feel her eyes still lingering on him. He turned and was surprised at the expression on her face.

"Ruth why are looking at me like that?"

"I wasn't aware that I was looking at you like anything."

"Well, you were."

A moment passed and she failed to move, but she also failed to say anything. Neither of them did.

"You're doing it again," he said, somewhat unnerved.

"Am I?"

"Yes, you are."

"Sorry," she said and turned to go.

"Tell me what's on your mind, Ruth...please."

She paused, her back to him.

She didn't say the word 'you'. She didn't need to.

And then she turned around and looked at him again. And all she saw was a man. A man with a teddy bear. A man whose eyes had been filled with excitement.

"What?" he asked again.

"It's like I'm seeing you for the first time," she smiled and then she walked away .