Rest
Harry yawned as she entered the small log cabin. Dempsey threw their bags in the corner of the bedroom as she turned to him.
"You told the booking in clerk we are married." She raised an eyebrow as Dempsey shrugged.
"We practically are. We work together, we spend 99% of our time together." He turned to her. "Besides I like to think of it as just a little white lie." He walked up to her, standing so close to her she could smell his aftershave. She smiled slightly, recognising that it was the one she had bought him for their first Christmas. He brushed her hair away from her face before kissing her gently.
"True."
"Plus, I didn't want her to insist on us having separate rooms. I've spent too much time without you already."
She smiled slightly, knowing he was right. The last year had been horrendous and she wasn't certain that she was ever going to fully recover from it. She wrapped her arms around Dempsey's waist as she relaxed against him. He held her gently, resting his chin on her head. Eyes closed he knew in that moment nothing could touch them.
Xxxxxx
Spikings stared at the television as the welsh rugby team walked out onto the pitch at Cardiff Arms Park. He couldn't help but smile, knowing that his home team were clear favourites. For a couple of hours he could forget SI10 and enjoy his favourite sport in peace.
"Gordon?"
"Kate." He hoped that she wouldn't ask him to turn the television off. She smiled handed him a mug of tea and settled beside him. He smiled slightly, amazed that this younger woman wanted to spend her time with him when there was so many other things she could do.
"Explain the offside rule at your own risk. My brother played for London Welsh for five seasons." She curled her legs under her as she sat next to him.
"Really?"
"Yes. I love rugby. My whole family does. Now are we watching this match?"
Gordon smiled before kissing her gently on the cheek. He didn't know how she did it but the flame haired woman from internal affairs just made everything seem better. Moments later they were enthralled in the match as the red blew the whistle again.
Xxxxxxxx
Harry woke to find herself still fully dressed, minis shoes in a very comfortable bed with her head rested on Dempsey's chest. He was sleeping peacefully as Harry lay there contemplating the last few months. She tried not to wake him as she thought about how Swabey junior had tried to kill him, running the car off the road, how she had been determined to escape the psychotic man up until the moment she had been told he had killed Dempsey. The fight just hadn't seemed worth it once she had contemplated a world without the man she loved. She felt his arms tighten around her, as if he somehow sensed she was worried.
"Princess."
"Hush, go to sleep." She kissed his chest as he sighed deeply.
"I can feel you thinking."
"I'm ok." She cuddled into him. "I just."
"What?" Dempsey's voice was low, almost inaudible.
"Thinking about how lucky we are. I am." She smiled as he kissed her hair. She smiled against his chest, content to just lay in his arms. Peace. He was right, though she wouldn't readily admit it to him, peace was what they needed.
Xxxxxxx
Chas walked alongside Jackie as they headed back to their flat. The baby slept in her pram as Jackie pushed her through the streets.
"Chas?"
He looked around, suddenly on edge. Every instinct told him they were being followed. That something was about to go wrong. He ushered his wife and daughter across the road before heading into a cafe with the pair.
"What's happening?" Jackie knew her husband well enough to know when he was in copper mode. Just as the family had stepped away from the cafe windows the glass behind them shattered. Women screamed as gunfire filled the air.
Xxxxxx
