So, here it is...the long awaited new pea fic...the peas, by the way, are Kate and I (Em).

We don't own anything - more's the pity!

Harry shook his head and wondered, idly, if he had gone soft in his old age. How he had ended up putting himself on the line like this, he wasn't one hundred percent sure, although a niggling part of his mind told him that it had a lot to do with the images of a scantily clad and sun-kissed Ruth that had flooded his mind the moment the words beach, sun and wedding were mentioned. In fact he'd had to concentrate very hard on what was being said in order to rein his overactive imagination in a bit.

As he had expected, Juliet hadn't made things easy on him but, then again, he always did enjoy their verbal sparring sessions, particularly when he won. Having put forward his argument for why the best agents in section D should be allowed to swan off and sun themselves for a week, Juliet had scowled a little and called him something he didn't quite catch. He knew she could do it. The threat level was down to moderate for the first time in 2 years and the remaining staff across both his and other departments were more than enough to cover six missing Spooks and a techie. It had taken some time, but she had eventually agreed to his request, called him an old romantic and then ushered him out of her office stating that she had an important lunch to get to.

"Oh, and next time you try and sweet talk me into one of your plans, Harry, an invite might be nice. Tends to soften me up, a little, the thought of relaxing in a pool with a Bloody Mary," she called to his retreating frame.

"I thought witches couldn't go into the water," he turned around and retorted, good humouredly, while she fixed him with a glare.

"I can easily void the rest of the year's holiday for all of D, as compensation for my troubles, Harry."

He smiled at her, almost warmly, and she gave what could be classed as a smile in return.

"Besides, am I to assume, then, Harry, that this was all just a formality, anyway? You've no doubt got this all booked up anyway."

"No, for once, Juliet, I followed the rules. Shocking to hear, isn't it? When Zaf told me what he and Jo wanted to do for their wedding, I promised to find out what I could do, and arrange the rest for him. I know a man who knows a man. A late booking is no problem, even getting some of the best suites in the best hotels."

"Leon Alvarez?"

"Well, he had to have some uses after we agreed to his terms of release."

--

"Do you think he'll be able to pull it off?"

"If anyone can, it'll be Harry," Ruth whispered to the young blonde woman who was trying, and failing, not to look worried.

"He's been gone a while, Ruth, and Zaf said that he wasn't certain if Harry was even listening to him half the time." Jo's whispers were urgent and Ruth silently hoped that Harry not only returned with good news, but that he did it soon. She had a feeling that the blonde might need sedating otherwise.

The sound of the pod doors opening made both women hold their breath in anticipation. Jo reached for Ruth's hand and squeezed it to an almost painful level when they noted the familiar figure of Harry exiting the pods and walking determinedly across the Grid and into his office.

"Oh God, I can't bear this much longer!"

"Jo, I think you should come and sit down." Zaf had appeared at her side and the three of them now looked very conspicuous. It wasn't going to be a surprise much longer if they kept whispering about it and Zaf had promised Harry that they wouldn't utter a word until everything had been sorted. As it was, Ruth had already found out thanks to Jo's sudden inability to keep a secret. Reluctantly, Jo had agreed to at least sit at her desk and pretend to do some work whilst they waited to hear from Harry.

Twenty minutes later, Harry appeared in his doorway and rather loudly ordered them both into his office. Jo almost fell over her chair in her haste and Ruth tried not to giggle as Zaf managed to keep his girlfriend on her feet. They really made a very sweet couple, she thought. She watched them as they disappeared inside his office, crossing her fingers and trying not to look too obvious as she watched what was happening through the gaps in the open blinds.

"Ruth, knows, doesn't she?"

"Knows what?" asked Jo, blushing furiously

"Knows that we're off for a week in Cancun next Saturday. Playing cute may work with Zaf, Jo, but you should know better."

"Oi," protested Zaf, indignantly.

"Harry, I'm sorry, I, it just slipped out. I didn't….wait? You did it?"

Harry nodded slowly, looking pleased with himself. I've just spoken to an ex-mob boss I know, who knows a few people in the industry - Leon Alvarez. He's booked us in at JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa. It's quiet season, and he's got enough rooms the six of us, and your immediate family, and this…" He handed a shell shocked Jo a small downloaded pamphlet, entitled Intimate Wedding Packages, a white sandy beach and a small white gazebo contrasting with a background of blue sea meeting her eyes. With that, she could restrain herself no longer, and her arms found themselves wrapped around Harry's neck.

Harry looked mildly uncomfortable with the attention and merely patted Jo on the back, awkwardly, as his eyes drifted upwards and met with the startled blue ones, whose owner was sat at a desk across the room.

Unlatching herself from her death-grip on him, Jo then softly walked towards Zaf, clasping his hands to pull him nearer, before running her palm across his cheek and whispering a soft 'I love you' before kissing him, slowly. Harry rolled his eyes and cleared his throat, wondering which of the situations was least embarrassing.

As it was, his mind was still focused on the woman beyond the glass walls. Stepping across the threshold and onto the Grid, he didn't even care that he'd left a rather loved-up couple in his lockable office. Instead, all he could think about was wanting to see Ruth's face when he told her the plans.

As he approached, she was still wrestling uncomfortably with her emotions. She knew it was stupid – Jo was engaged to, and in love with, Zaf – but as the blonde had flung herself at Harry, she had felt an unnecessary pang of jealousy.

There you have it - chapter one. What did you think?