disclaimer Not mine. Dempsey and Makepeace are the propery of London Weekend Television and ITV. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred.

Mirror.

Dempsey splashed cold water on his face as he fought to control the nausea building within him. They had been through tough times before, had close calls before but this was too much. This was almost more than he could take.

"Jeez." He mumbled as he picked up the small hand towel next to the basin. "She's ok. She's alive." He reminded himself as he looked in the mirror. His face still wet he watched his reflection wondering when it had happened. Chas had alluded to it more than once. But it was only now he was prepared to admit his friend and colleague could be right. America wasn't home any more. New York was just the place he grew up. Here was where home was. Where she was. He dried his face with the towel before flinging it in the general direction of the linen hamper. He left the bathroom and wandered along the hallway, her hallway and stood in the doorway to her bedroom.

"She's fine." He mumbled. His breathing settling as he realised she was sleeping, curled on her side with the duvet pulled around her. "Sleeping like a baby." He smiled to himself before stepping back into the hallway. He took a deep breath, glad that he had looked in on her, glad that she had asked him to stay with her for the night, even if it was only in the spare room. He knew the image of her laying on her back in the blue transit van would forever be etched on his mind. He had expected to find her body, knowing he was too late but unable to stop his feet as he sprinted over the park towards the van. He knew he would forever have the sound of that particular gun shot in his memory. Shaking his head he knew the rest of the team had been just as worried as he was.

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Chas pulled his t shirt over his head as he prepared to get ready for bed. His wife had long since settled down for the night, knowing Chas needed some time before he would be able to relax enough to get some sleep. She opened her eyes as he lifted the duvet.

"You ok?"

"Yeah." Chas smiled before slipping into bed with her. Jackie had been with him since he had started on the force, he knew she understood when there were bad days he couldn't always turn off his emotions and get back to normal.

"Bad day?"

"Yeah." Chas sighed. "But it was almost worse. Sorry I woke you." He kissed her gently. "And sorry I was home so late."

"It's the job." Jackie smiled. "Is everyone ok?"

"Yeah." Chas smiled slightly, knowing his wife genuinely liked his friends. "I think Dempsey was a bit more affected than the rest of us." Jackie frowned as she rested her head on his chest. "Is Harry ok?"

"Why do you ask?" Chas frowned slightly.

"You said Dempsey was more affected. If anyone else was hurt you'd say the whole team but for whatever happened to get Dempsey upset it has to be something to do with Harry Makepeace." Chas smiled, knowing his wife was right.

"She's ok. Physically they both are."

"Maybe this made him realise." Jackie sighed, knowing Chas would be clueless. "If he nearly lost her, if it was that close maybe that will make him realise. Maybe she will too."

"Realise what?"

"What the rest of us have seen since they met." Jackie yawned. "Go to sleep." Chas hugged her tightly, knowing he had no idea what Dempsey must be feeling but he knew he never wanted to go through what Dempsey had. He just hoped his wife was right and his friends would realise what they had before it was too late.

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A/N May just leave this as a one shot. It's been a long time since I wrote anything for D&M. Please let me know what you think.