"Can you drop me off at the museum?", Harry asked as he started the engine.
"The museum? Why? I thought…", he looked at her uncertain.
"I left in the middle of something, Dempsey", she said. "I need to go back"
"What for?"
"To finish what I started"
"But you're back? I mean you're back in the force, right?"
"Yep", she replied, though deep inside she wasn't totally sure it was a good idea. But he said he needed her and he wanted to resign too. For now that would do.
"Good", he sighed relieved.
Harry smiled and looked ahead. They were driving for a long time in total silence, both deep in their thoughts. Dempsey opened his mouth more than once to say something, but then closed it. He was afraid to make a mistake and say something she might misinterpret. He couldn't forget his conversation with Spikings. Could it be that the boss was right? He looked at Harry. "Naah, it can't be, he dismissed the thought. "I irritate the hell out of her"
"Harry?"
"Yes?"
"When will I see you?"
"I don't know. I have to talk to my professor, finish my job there first…", she said. "I'll probably drop by the office tomorrow"
"We need to talk", he said.
"About what?"
"You know"
"Dempsey, can we put it off?"
"Till when?"
"I don't know", she replied. "So much has happened and I need time to figure everything out myself, ok?"
"Ok, but promise me you won't change your mind"
"Regarding?"
"Coming back"
"We'll see what Spikings has to say about this first"
"I'm sure he'll be pleased to have you back"
"Oh I'm not so sure. You know him – he'll be furious and he'll lecture me"
"You'll be fine", he said. "If you want I can talk to him"
"You? That will make matters worse I'm afraid", she laughed.
"Oh come", he protested. "Me and Gordon had a few good moments while you were gone"
"Gordon?", she looked astonished.
"You see!", he grinned. "Maybe I can put a good word for you after all"
"Thank you, but I'll take care of my own affairs"
"Whatever you wish"
He dropped her off at the museum and drove to the office. He couldn't believe he said he'd resign too, but this was exactly what he felt he should do. He couldn't imagine working without her. The last few days with Joyce as his partner were a nightmare. He missed Harry in every single second, but he knew it wasn't just about work. He missed her in his life as a friend and much more. he had pushed his feelings for her aside some time ago. He had thought that would be better for him, for both of them. It was hard for him to decide when was the first time he realise he was feeling something for her. Was it when they'd caught Coltrane and he'd realised he wasn't at all happy he could go back to the states? Or was it later when he thought the Sweybe guy had shot her? The very few seconds after the shot seemed like eternity to him. He could still feel the pain he had felt that day. But soon it got to him he had no chance with her and so he slowly pushed the feelings for her to the back of his head. But now… could he hope? Could Spikings be right? Did she care about him more than he thought? He daren't hope, but if she did…
He parked the car in front of SI10 and went inside.
"Dempsey!", Chas called when he saw him. "Spikings wants to see you straight away"
"I'm coming", he replied.
When he entered Spikings' office, he knew it wasn't going to be a nice conversation.
"Look, I know what you're gonna say, but it's not my fault this time", Dempsey said defensively before Spikings got a chance to say anything.
"Sit down, lieutenant", Spikings said and reached out for a piece of paper lying on his desk.
"It came this morning", he said.
"What is it?", Dempsey got alarmed. "If it's from Harry then you must know she's withdrawing her resignation"
"It's not about Makepeace", Spikings said. "It's about you"
"Me", Dempsey looked confused. "What about me?
" Did you realise your contract is expiring in two months?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the exchange programme and your contract with MET", Spikings said. "NYPD has sent me this"
He handed Dempsey the piece of paper.
"Apparently, they want you back"
"What?", Dempsey' eyes widened. "They can't do that"
"I'm afraid they can and they will"
"You must be kidding me", Dempsey snapped. "I'm not going anywhere"
"I thought that's something you've always wanted"
"Well, you thought wrong"
"Why the change?", Spikings asked.
Dempsey looked up at him and then back at the document in his hand.
"Does it have something to do with Makepeace?"
"What are you suggesting?", Dempsey looked up again.
"Did you talk to her?"
"Yeah, we talked"
"And?"
"And she's coming back to work"
"That's not what I'm asking"
"What are you asking then?"
"Let me repeat my question – why did you change your mind about New York?", he asked. "And I need a straight answer"
"I like it here"
"That's it?"
"Yes", Dempsey replied. "Look, why all the questions? I've got more important things on my mind now that answering these silly questions"
"What things?"
"Most importantly how to make them change their mind", Dempsey lifted the document. "I'm not going back, not now not ever"
"Are you sure about this?"
"Of course I'm sure"
"So what do you want to do?"
"I'm gonna tell them I'm staying here"
"As what?"
"Can't they renew the contract?"
"I'm afraid they can't", Spikings replied. "I've talked to the commander and the answer is no"
"Great", Dempsey smirked. "So what am I supposed to do?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I want to stay in London"
"For how long?"
"What do you mean?"
"You heard me – how long do you want to stay here for?"
"I don't know. I haven't thought about it much"
"I suggest you do, lieutenant"
"Why does it matter?"
"Because I can't do anything before I know what you really want"
"Are you saying there's actually something you can do to help me?"
"I don't know", Spikings replied. "But I can find out what options there are for you"
"You meant there's a chance…"
"Dempsey, what I mean is that you have to decide what you want and you have to be sure about it"
"OK, I'll think it through", Dempsey replied.
"It'd better be soon as there's not much time left"
