2

Spikings stood behind his desk as Harry and Dempsey sat the other side. Harry frowned; trying not to laugh as he pretended to be angry for Carter's benefit. Dempsey frowned.

"Sir, you wanna keep an eye on that blood pressure ." Dempsey smirked as Harry raised an eyebrow.

"This has to be convincing for him out there!" Spikings hissed. "Harry, you have to storm out of here. I've the transfer papers here."

Dempsey shook his head, his heart racing.

"I don't like this. Why Harry?"

"Because." Harry turned calmly to her fiancée. "I'm the one they'd believe. Carter is a dinosaur- a sexist pig who would see me as a hysterical woman unable to do my job after what happened with Swabey." She watched as Dempsey silently pleaded with her not to go through with what Spikings was suggesting. "I'd be undercover, as me in the same station and known to all the officers."

"Yeah., corrupt officers." Dempsey turned to her. "You won't be seen as SI10. You won't be armed. Isn't this why you have IA? So they can weed out the rot?" He turned back to Spikings.

"Yes." The Welshman nodded. "They won't touch Carter. As Harry says he's old school in the worst way. And he's out there talking to Chas."

"I'll do it. Dempsey, you stay with Chas and Jackie until this is over. It'll have to look like I'm walking out on you too." Dempsey swore. "No, I'll stay in Elaine's flat. She's out the country for three months on a Royal Tour." She shrugged as she thought of her journalist cousin - "I can do this."

"I know." Dempsey ran a hand through his hair. "But your badge and gun?"

"I've stormed off before. It's believable." She took her gun from its holster and handed it to Spikings. "And your in London. It's warrant card." She turned, marching out the room as she slammed the door behind her. Dempsey walked out into the main office, grabbed his jacket and yelled after her.

"Trouble in paradise Gordon?"

Spikings looked over to the older grey haired man. He hated corrupt coppers. They were worse than the regular criminals as far as he was concerned.

"Harry just asked to be transferred out. Shame really. She's a bloody good officer."

"I see. And the yank didn't take it well."

"Not exactly." Gordon answered. "I'm just glad she isn't quitting the force. She's too good for that. Means I'm going to have to get a replacement."

"There's space in Fraud Squad. Boring and safe for the little lady." Carter smirked. Chas raised an eyebrow as he overheard the conversation. Spikings nodded.

"That should suit her." Gordon headed back into his office.

Xxxxxxxxx

"Hey." Dempsey caught up with Harry as she marched along the corridor. She slowed as she realised nobody else was there.

"Hey." She turned as he reached her. "Are you ok?"

"Me?" He looked around before holding her gaze. "I've been up against dirty cops before. That's how I ended up here. That's how Jimmy died."

Harry nodded. "I know. But this isn't like that. I have you as back up." She stepped towards him. "James."

"Jimmy had me as back up too. Look what happened to him." His eyes held hers as he spoke. Harry bit her lip. "I nearly lost you once. Swabey."

"No." She touched his arm. "No, you won't lose me. I know what Swabey did to me. I can't let that stop me doing my job." Dempsey looked away. Harry touched his face gently.

"I need to do this." She whispered. "It's my job. If we can find the evidence we stop a drugs cartel being protected by corrupt officers." He let his eyes close as she spoke.

"I know." His voice was low, almost inaudible. "I'm allowed to worry. I'm not allowed to be a total jerk, I know." She smiled slightly.

"I'll be ok. I know you worry but."

"Chas is your handler."

"It's more plausible. Me meeting up with an old friend. Everyone knows we were at Henson together. It's not for long." She sighed as she felt his lips on her forehead. This brash, in your face American cop wasn't what the rest of the world saw. He would never admit it but he was softer than any of the female officers he had initially teased. The thought of not being able to protect Harry almost killed him. She rested her palms on his chest.

"It'll he good for us. Breathing space."

"I can breathe perfectly fine with you here." He whispered as she smiled at him. "Be careful."

"Always." She kisses him lightly on the lips before stepping away. Dempsey sighed, praying they could make this work- that Harry would be back in SI10 and with him; where they belonged.

Xxxxxxx