Disclaimer I do not own anything related to Dempsey and Makepeace. As far as I am aware LWT owned it so I suppose ITV have the rights. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred. I haven't written a D&M fic for a while, hope this is ok.

Two Tribes.

Chapter 1

Harry pulled her denim jacket closer to her as she walked along the sea front. She had no idea how long they would be in South End but with the sun beating down on her and the sea gulls in the sky she didn't really mind if their latest undercover operation lasted a little longer.

"Hey." She turned as the distinctly American accent caught her attention.

"Hi." She smiled back as he walked towards her. "Everything ok?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "Yeah, I think it is. Chas says Spikings doesn't want us to check in until the morning."

"Unless something happens."

"Yeah, Princess. Unless something happens." Dempsey agreed as he threw his arm over her shoulder as they made their way back to the B&B. "You think something is gonna happen tonight?"

"I don't know." Harry looked out to sea, deep in thought. "I just. It's silly." She shook her head as he watched her.

"Harry."

"I just have this feeling." She paused. "This meet we have set up tonight is worrying me. This whole op has been too straight forward."

"It is only me and Guy." Dempsey tried not to pull a face as he mentioned the jewellery thief and people trafficker. "He wants to discuss the arrival of the merchandise."

"He makes me feel sick." Harry shook her head.

"He doesn't do much for my digestive system either." Dempsey sighed as he pulled her to him. Part of him was glad the op had gone on longer than they had been expecting. It was good to be away from London for a while and while Chas and Spikings knew there was something going on with him and Harry nobody on the team had mentioned it. It felt good to spend some time away from prying eyes.

"What time are you meeting him?"

"Six."

"I'm coming."

"No." Dempsey turned to her. "No, I am going alone." He watched as she raised her eyebrows. He knew there was no way she was going to just accept that he had to meet Guy Hawkins alone. There was no way he would risk her safety any more than he had to.

"Why?"

"Harry."

"No. Why? We are both undercover officers. We both do the same job. Has Guy stated that he doesn't want anyone else there? Bear in mind if you say it is too dangerous I wont be the one getting hurt."

"Because it's the place he wants to meet in. It doesn't allow women into the bar."

"A Working Men's Club. Oh my God. It is the 1980s not the 1950s. Do they still not allow women in?"

"See? It isn't me being sexist."

"For once." Harry smiled as he rolled his eyes. He knew she was right, meeting Guy was dangerous and he wanted her there for back up but knew there was no way she could.

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"Chas." Spikings walked across the main office of SI10 and called for the younger detective.

"Sir?" Chas looked up. He was exhausted, working on the biggest op the department had seen was taking it's tole. As was the sleepless nights he was getting with his wife currently seven months pregnant.

"You look dreadful." Spikings glared at him.

"Thanks." Chas deadpanned.

"Any news from The Lone Ranger and Toto?"

"Dempsey and Harry?"

"Yes, that infernal yank and Harry."

"He's meeting Guy Harrison tonight. It looks like he has an 'in' with them. Harry is staying back at the digs doing some research."

"Right. Let me know what he finds. I do not like them being so far away. I do not like them going off half cocked."

"It's South End on Sea."

"Exactly." The Welshman nodded. "Too far away. We have to rely on the local plods. I want Dave and the others there as back up."

"Wouldn't it be better to wait until we know what we are dealing with?"

"We know we are dealing with a scum bag." Spikings huffed. "You are right, of course. Keep me informed." He marched away leaving Chas to wonder what he wasn't being told.

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The summer sunshine hadn't abated as Dempsey walked into the quiet working men's club. The bar was mostly empty but the feeling in the pit of his stomach hadn't changed. Something was wrong. He walked up to the bar and ordered his drink.

"Hey."

"Hi, Jimmy." Guy turned to him. "How's the little lady?"

"Hannah?" Dempsey smirked at his description of Harry. "She's good."

"Good." Guy nodded. "There's someone I'd like you to meet. A friend of mine." He turned and waved for a younger man to join them. Dempsey look up and froze. His pulse quickened as the nausea threatened to overwhelm him.

"er Hi." He tried to recover quickly, hoping that the man that walked up to them hadn't remembered him. By the look in the man's eyes Dempsey could see that he hadn't. Suddenly a routine meet had turned into something much more dangerous.

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A/N Please review.