Spikings had Makepeace in his office for a long time and Dempsey kept looking over to see what was going on. The chief seemed to be really giving her something of an intense re-entry interview. He looked over at Chas, 'I thought the boss wanted Makepeace back; seems to be giving her the third degree.'

'He never accepted her resignation exactly; well he didn't process it so it shouldn't be difficult for her absence to be just logged as holiday. The guvnor's got a lot of time for Harry he thinks she's top floor material.'

'Yeah, she's good at all the schmoozing,' Dempsey agreed. He guessed it went with the aristocratic background, he watched the blonde as she conversed with the Chief Superintendent and wondered what she was saying and if any of it was about him or them. He'd managed to kiss her last night and generally make out but she hadn't given it up yet because she wanted a full-blown courtship. It was just like her; she made everything so damned difficult but then again Harry was worth it so he guessed he'd play along.

'You talked her round in the end then,' Chas observed dourly. 'I knew you'd get there eventually,' he gave a small smile. 'Partner's a long time,' he added taking away any sense of the personal. The Glaswegian detective was discrete but there were a number of times after particularly stressful cases that Dempsey had stayed over at Sergeant Makepeace's and he knew that the American's deeply protective nature had been welcomed by his partner.

'Yeah, well you know when your partner's a dame it's harder; they're complicated cos whatever you think's going on is usually wrong.' He went and refreshed his coffee. Dempsey glanced across at the office his frustration evident, 'I hope Mad Gordon's ain't making her rethink it cos it took a lot of persuasion to get her back here.'

'Made you work for it did she,' Chas enquired tongue in cheek. 'You've met your match with that one Lieutenant,' he smiled. 'Fancy a beer they could be in there a while.'

'Sure, I'll leave a note tell them where we are,' he penned something quickly and left it on Makepeace's desk. He felt irritable and impatient and wanted to know what was going down in Spikings office.

Dempsey bought Chas a drink and sat down in the bar area rather than the lounge. 'Your wife gave you the run around didn't she, you know when she didn't turn up at the church, don't you think broads make things complicated?'

Chas acknowledged that. 'Nervous she said; we'd been planning it for a year, it set me back thousands.' He looked glum at the thought of the bill and then cheered up as he recalled he was now a happily married man and had a real home to go to.

'Why'd she do that?' Jim looked puzzled. 'It's like Harry over the Crazy Joe thing; I mean we've been in a lot of nasty situations and she picks that one to run off and resign. I talked it through with her but I still don't get why?'

'Emotional probably,' Chas responded wondering if Dempsey and Harry had had a proper talk. 'Harry's a woman and they're emotional; it's the way they're made.' That was the end of the conversation as they both dwelt on the mystery that was woman.

Watson joined them, 'Makepeace is back then. Maybe I'll get a reprieve and I won't have to partner you after all. I can tell you something if you get offed I'll give the bloke a round of applause and a free pardon.' Watson and Dempsey had something of a combative relationship and enjoyed winding each other up.

An hour later they were joined by Spikings and Harry in the pub and the chief bought a round to celebrate Harry's return to the fold. 'Business as usual tomorrow,' the Chief announced with obvious satisfaction. 'Gun running investigation or a drugs cartel your choice.'

'Harry can choose,' Dempsey smiled at her. 'What do you want angel shooters or shoot up?' He picked up his beer amused at his own joke and feeling very happy to see his partner back where she belonged.

'I'll read through the files tomorrow and tell you,' she answered pleasantly. 'It's nice to be back; very familiar,' she eyed her partner over her wine glass and saw the question in his gaze as his eyes met hers.

Harry went to the bar and Dempsey joined her ostensibly to help her with the drinks but in truth he wanted to ask her about the interview with the Chief. 'What took so long? I was beginning to think he was talking you out of it.'

Spikings had been very careful of Harry's feelings because he admired the girl and wanted the best for her and Makepeace was grateful for that and had answered the Chief Superintendent's questions honestly; if with her usual reserve.

'He asked me in detail about my reasons for leaving and then coming back and he asked me whether I felt we could resume our partnership and work effectively together.'

'And what did you say,' Dempsey didn't like the sound of this.

'I said I didn't know and he said he'd monitor our performance and then discuss the subject again in six months,' she sipped her drink knowing that answer was not going to be popular.

As the Lieutenant had been at the end of one of Spikings heart to hearts he asked the question that had been bugging him. 'Did he say anything about the caring stuff,' Dempsey had already got the feeling that Spikings was ahead of both of them on how they felt about each other.

'Yes, he thinks we have feelings for each other and he doesn't want to witness them at work or in the pub in front of colleagues but he does appreciate that strong bonds can be formed because of the work we do and he isn't going to get into any disciplinary action about that. If it affects our work though he'd split us up.'

'Fair enough,' Dempsey took a slug of the beer and got out a cigar and let her light it for him. 'I guess that rules out copping a feel in the office then.'

'Yes, that would be inappropriate,' her blue eyes fenced with his. 'I promise I won't do it to you either,' she responded rising to the challenge.

'Well that just turned me on,' he murmured under his breath. 'Shouldn't do that when we're working Sergeant, don't know what that'll get you, may have to punish you later.'

'Be still my beating heart,' she quipped as she picked up the tray of drinks and headed back to the team.

'Good to have you back Harry,' Chas accepted his pint, 'Fry's pleased he says that it'll give him the chance to ask you for a date.' The team hooted in derision at the thought of Fry daring to breach the citadel that was Makepeace.

Dempsey smiled widely at that as he took his place on the seat next to the Sergeant. 'Fry's the man,' he shot her a look amused at her hard fought for patience. She always got a lot of attention when she joined the boys at the pub especially when they were fortified by a couple of pints; he had to give her credit though she was very nice when she said no.

Watson decided to wind the Yank up. 'So, Dempsey how come you never asked Harry out, maybe you're not his type, Makepeace?' It was obvious that Watson was using this as a slur on the Lieutenant's masculinity as the Sergeant was everybody's type.

Harry raised her eyebrows at that. 'I hadn't thought about it but maybe you're right,' she sipped her wine enjoying the banter and hoping that Fry didn't pluck up the courage because she'd have to let him down lightly.

Watson's comment was like water off a duck's back to the Yank as he knew all the guys saw him as the Alpha male of the team. 'I never stop asking her out she just ruthlessly turns me down but then again maybe I'm not her type, is that right angel?'

'I can honestly say that you've probably spoilt me for other men Dempsey,' Harry responded sarcastically. 'Twelve-hour shifts on surveillance with you is just about as much masculinity as a girl can handle.' That led to a general round of insults being thrown around.

Spikings beamed glad to get his crack team back on board; he shelved the fact that they obviously had deep feelings for each other; they were both professional at work so he trusted they could keep their colleagues guessing.

-oOo-

Dempsey drove her home that night as it was her celebration and he'd drank coke after the first couple of beers. Harry felt uncharacteristically nervous as she knew he'd probably want the sex thing to happen sooner rather than later.

'What's the matter?' He growled looking over at her. 'You've got that look,' cold feet probably he thought. Makepeace had got so used to fending off his advances it was probably going to take time to break down the defences.

'What kind of look,' her cool blue eyes studied his profile but her defensive body language gave her away.

'Well it's the look you have when I've suggested we go up against something and you'd prefer to wait for backup, only on this particular operation you've only got you, no back up in sight.' A smile tugged at his mouth. 'You scared of me Makepeace?'

'I'm just getting used to the idea of dating you that's all; I mean it's different,' she flashed him a glance and caught that leonine smile, he really could be infuriating.

'Been a good boy all night Harry treat you like one of the guys and I think you should show your appreciation for my restraint,' his dark eyes glanced over at her.

'Oh, you do, do you,' Harry folded her arms over her chest which didn't look too inviting.

'Not getting out of it Sergeant we need to practice the kissing thing,' he pulled up and parked on her drive and got out, courteously opening her car door for her with something of a flourish.

Harry bristled. 'Well you can't call that a date we just happened to be at the same place at the same time,' she searched for her keys just for him to open her door with his set; that was really annoying and definitely a breach of the home owner etiquette.

'After you,' he responded in a mock polite tone. He was quite enjoying her discomfort; it was payback for putting him through all that emotional stuff she'd insisted on.

Harry turned when they got into the lounge area and swallowed hard as he came up to her, she felt ridiculous but she was nervous and her lack of composure seemed to be some kind of aphrodisiac for him.

Dempsey's hands came up and rested on her shoulders and his gaze held naked passion and she looked away unable to deal with the intensity, he kissed her on the nose in an avuncular manner and then let go and said 'night Harry,' as he headed for the door.

That made her good and mad he was just taking the proverbial. 'What was that?' She snapped at him her blue eyes flashing with temper. 'I'll tell you what that was it was bloody annoying, Dempsey!'

James turned and gave her a steady, assessing look. 'I ain't thirteen any more Harry and you're not a kid either…. The challenge was out there.

'I'm not playing games,' she protested her colour fluctuating and his unwavering stare didn't really help because he obviously thought she was. Her smaller frame visibly sagged from the emotional turmoil of the last few days. 'All right then, let's go to bed,' she offered in a defeated tone.

Dempsey came up to her and tipped up her chin and his expression told her just how angry he was. 'Well we could do that but I've never been one of those guys who got off on the virgin sacrifice kind of thing, me I prefer a warm and willing woman.' He considered her troubled expression, 'if you've changed your mind about the dating thing Harry; just tell me I'm a grown up, I can take it.'

Harry felt awful and realised she was acting like an idiot. 'I'm just finding this difficult, I'm sorry James,' she turned away feeling awful and not really understanding how the evening had got away from her.

'So am I,' he responded and walked out closing her front door quietly which really wasn't like him.