Epoque Ch. 4

[JHyde]

Oh I see. I might revise that line, then. Thanks!

It's less about belittling her intellect than just acknowledging that it's the main way she distinguishes herself in her own mind. Ruth's intellect informs her other, equally important qualities - her compassion, her wish to try and make others feel comfortable in a conversation and understand them, etc. But it's not who she is.

[lwhite53]

You're right -- her intellect explains why she's so good at her job, but it doesn't define her as a person. Another person with her razor sharp smarts and her deductive reasoning ability could do her basic analyst job, but that person still wouldn't necessarily have become the "conscience" of the grid. It's all those other qualities (empathy, compassion, friendliness, loyalty) that speak to her real value and why she's so highly regarded by her co-workers.

[JHyde]

Exactly. Truthfully, it was such a banal job I gave her because I couldn't come up with anything more complicated that sounded legit!

I will revise that line. This is why I have you guys leave me reviews - I need people who are invested in these characters similarly. Thanks lwhite53.

[HellsBells]

I have to admit to avoiding most H/R fan fic. But this is so well written, so well described and basically so believable, it is wonderful ! I can just see this fitting into Spooks. Can't wait to read your next fan fic.

[Nia M]

I avoided H/R fanfiction when I first started reading the Spooks FF archive, because I didn't know who Ruth was at the time. Then I decided to give one a go, and was hooked before I had even seen her in an episode

[Silktie]

Wow, that was seriously good! I like that you had Harry tell her that she might sometimes have to give him some pointers about what she liked. For me it fits in with how Harry sees himself, as he has twice used the word "limitations" when talking about himself to Ruth. I think he does truly believe that he is emotionally stunted.

And I liked Ruth's reaction to believing that Harry only saw her for her intellect. The thing is, if you have such a huge talent, you run the risk of becoming defined by only that talent, and people see you only for that talent and not as a real person. So it made sense to me that Ruth would feel that people only saw her intellect, and not the woman behind it.

I for one am sad that you won't attempt another romance story, since this one was so lovely.

[JHyde]

I only just noticed your avatar Silktie - it fits in nicely with the first part of the story and 'small talk'.

Thanks so much guys.

[YourFutureMuse]

Here is my promised review! (sorry its not much but basically with anything you right 'amazing' pretty much sums it up!)

I think you caught the chemistry/ sort of awkwardness between R and H so perfectly! I loved the emotions in the first chapter especially! And you are definitely good at writing romance (just the right amount or awww without any eugh! Haha)

And what with all you Spookies writing beautiful fanfic and making beautiful videos I am so definitely a H/R cause convert!

Okay well that wasn't really much of a review more like a short comment but hey

[JHyde]

Are you kidding? My first HR convert!