Annoyed that she had let out a scream at the shock of Naismith pinned to the door, Makepeace hadn't intended to show any more feminine weaknesses, but she felt Dempsey was putting himself at an unnecessary risk and found herself actually anxious about that. She tried to show it in a subtle way by asking what she would do if he didn't come out of the lake alive

Call his mother! Was she alive then? She realised she knew nothing about Dempsey's personal life or background.

"Spare a thought for the people you leave behind", she really didn't want to lose him as a partner, she had finally got used to him, well just about.

Dempsey was frustrated, he didn't need this, he liked Makepeace when she was willing to go with him, when she was willing to shoot but this over concern was a nightmare, he had a saying 'life is hard, then you die'

Oblivion, that's where Dempsey seemed to inhabit thought Makepeace. Why the heck should she care "Go jump in a lake" She turned back to contact Spikings

When Dempsey saw Makepeace with the knife blade in her neck he jolted. Although his police instincts were about to kick in he was aware that his heart was pounding a little; that was wrong! His brain yes; his adrenaline rush yes; his heart? should keep a smooth and steady state else it would be dangerous. What would make his heart pound he wondered? A guy protecting his woman! He mustn't let himself think like that, this didn't make for good policing. An officer's instinct to protect his partner that was powerful enough. He thought calmly and palmed the single bullet, Makepeace would move instantly he knew that.

With both of the Sims temporarily knocked out on the floor Dempsey turned to Makepeace. "I'll watch these two, you get the local yokels back to cart them away"

Makepeace looked at him, sweating, breathing slightly fast; she felt a small knot in her stomach and recognising it spoke in an attempt to quell any emotional reaction "I'll wake my father after that as well"

She walked past Dempsey to get to the offices and phone, as she did so Dempsey felt the urge to reach out and hug her, she had fought well, as usual! He doubted how he would have faired if it had been just him against the two of them, even though the other was a woman.

"Hey Sergeant" his planted his hand on her shoulder, allowing himself a touch even if he restrained himself from anything else "Good work partner… and thanks"

She felt his touch; she felt her stomach churn at the same time. Their arrival flashed through her mind, her father asking about the awful American, she really felt something soft and fuzzy at the moment, she refused to name it because it had to be banished they were work partners! Right now she felt so very grateful to have him as a partner.

She stopped and looked into his eyes "Thank you, we owe you a lot" their eyes held and Makepeace knew that would invite the next comment from Dempsey

"Well you know you can repay me any time"

She knew she wouldn't but she would have been disappointed not to have heard it.

Makepeace returned with her Father, "The jade Sir" Dempsey opened the bag to show Lord Winfield.

"My dear James, how can we ever thank you enough"

"Well it wasn't all my work" Dempsey looked to Makepeace and smiled "Harry here, is a mighty good swords woman"

"So she should be, she won competitions for fencing at school when she was young" Lord Winfield was proud of his daughter. Harry however glared at him daring him to say anymore. Lord Winfield read the look and turned to se the local constabulary be led through by the butler who had even taken the trouble to dress.

"Charge both of them with conspiracy to steal the jade, and him with the murder of Mr Naismith, he confessed to that in front of both myself and Sergeant Makepeace" Dempsey directed the situation.

"And Frances Trafford?" the constable asked

"No, that was Naismith, you'll never get any further closure on that I'm afraid" Dempsey replied. The Sims were cuffed and about to be led away. "We'll come to the station in the morning and sort the details out and let you do all the paper work" Dempsey continued.

The Sergeant in charge scowled, he didn't like the cocky yank Harry smiled, any which way Dempsey would get out of paperwork she thought. Right now though she felt ready for bed, the adrenaline had stopped pumping around and she started to feel cold and tired.

"None of you have swam in a freezing cold lake or duelled with swords and death" she snapped "just take them away" She walked away, aware that her overtiredness, exhaustion and fleeting emotions were all trying to escape and anytime now tears might overflow.

The house empty of its extra visitors everyone made their way up to bed.

Next morning Harry made her way into the dining room for breakfast, she lifted to covers to see what was cooked, she felt the need for a good filling breakfast. She helped herself to toast, bacon and tomatoes. She lifted the lid of a pot standing to the side slightly and wrinkled her face "porridge?" she questioned out loud to no one other than herself. Susan the maid had heard her arrive and had come to offer to serve, assist or fetch anything not there "Yes Lady Harriet"

Makepeace gave her a quizzical look "Mr Dempsey likes to have real English porridge marm."

"Scottish Susan, porridge is Scottish" Makepeace was defensive and wondered why she was biting back quite so hard when she realised it was jealousy! She had no idea what Dempsey liked for breakfast! She didn't need to know she told herself in an internal conversation her mind was having with itself.

"Is the lieutenant up yet then?" she asked, still defensively

"Sure am Sergeant" Dempsey's voice behind her flustered her.

"Well let's get down to the police station as soon as possible" she snapped

"After breakfast" Dempsey took his porridge from Susan and thanked her. He turned to Makepeace, "are you going to snap my head off again or shall we sit and eat Sergeant?"

"Sorry" Harry felt a flutter in her stomach.

As he sat down with her Dempsey noticed a shadow and Mr Chein came towards them. Right now he didn't feel inclined to get involved in a long explanation.

"popcorn" he whispered into Harry's ear, it made her grin and they ate quickly, pausing only to say good morning and that they had to rush to the police station.

As they drove home Dempsey reflected on the past few days whilst he was driving, he recalled their dialogue about the bond film and grinned.

"What now" Harry was watching him and noticed the smirk run across his face

I was thinking back to that Bond film, I'm sure Q said something like 'Good to see you Mr. Bond. I hope we're going to see some gratuitous sex and violence' only we saw the violence, we missed out the sex Makepeace!"
"It's always the sex with you isn't it Dempsey?"

"I'd rather do that with you than the violence, I kinda think we over did that.

"Hm there's a few other famous quotes" Harry continued 'are you a man who enjoys games?'"
James grinned "Depends with whom I'm playing." His eyes caught Harry's for a second and he winked

"Do you lose as gracefully as you win?" she asked
"I don't know, I've never lost." He laughed "You know Harry we really must rent that video"