She smiled at him as she spoke on the car radio, her eyes holding his in challenge and with some amusement, a private joke they had shared to see who would give in first. And it had been her, as they both knew it would be. She, who liked to keep to the rules. She, who had to be coaxed by him to break them.

"This is Charlie Five, Control," she replied to the query.

"Is that you Harry?" came the voice of Chas, across the airwaves.

"Yes Chas, it's me. Dempsey and I are at the dockyards here in Rotherhithe, and Daish has reversed into the water in his Daimler, with the suitcase. Can you arrange for a diving team to retrieve the car and the body?"

"Wow, Harry, just back and already mixed up in trouble!" exclaimed Chas. "Okay, will do. Just to warn you, Spikings is on the warpath, and on his way down to see what a mess Dempsey has made. Good luck! I'll arrange the diving team and update you on that. Control to Charlie Five, over and out."

"Charlie Five, over and out." She sighed and returned the radio to its cradle, slowly thinking. "We should wait here really, for the Police divers and for Spikings, shouldn't we?"

"Probably," replied Dempsey, but it was clear that he had other things on his mind. His eyes continued to watch hers, not leaving them, and there was a twinkle in his eye that she found hard to look away from.

"Why?" she finally asked. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He stepped towards her, his arms reaching around her waist. He grabbed her, lifted her and swung her round, joyfully, but carefully, like she might break or run away. He released her gently, reluctantly, clearly unwillingly, but kept a soft hold of her hands, wanting to maintain contact, touch.

"I've missed you, Harry. It's great you're back. You are back, aren't you?" he pleaded.

She nodded slowly, still looking at him. His hands were warm, solid. His eyes crinkled with his grin, and he sighed. It had obviously been the answer he wanted, and his body relaxed.

"It wasn't the same without you," he told her, truthfully. Still holding her hands, his thumb stroked her knuckles gently, repeatedly. She thrilled at the touch, but tried hard not to show it. Spontaneously, he leaned forward and kissed her on one cheek, then the other. He stayed close to her for a moment, savouring her familiar perfume, the smell of her coconut shampoo, how close she was to him. She saw how much he had missed her. Her cheeks sung where his lips had made contact, and her eyes closed in pleasure, in sensual overload. She could smell him, masculine and equally familiar, faint sweat mixed with shower gel and musky aftershave. He couldn't resist her lack of protest for his actions, and pulled her close again, for a longer embrace. She would usually have told him off loudly for such a public display of unprofessional affection, and he decided he would take his chances, for this second hug, now she had remained silent, even appearing to enjoy the experience. That was new. He thought back to what Spikings had told him, that she might care care.

"We should probably talk, Harry," he murmured quietly into her ear, taking the opportunity to lay a soft lingering kiss there, then another.

"Dempsey!" she exclaimed, but there was no real strength behind her objection, it was if she'd complained because she felt she should. She was surprised by his response; she couldn't recall him ever offering to talk to her before. She didn't want to break away, and it showed. She wanted to stay in his arms, more than anything, and it was clear that he wanted the same thing. She felt so conflicted, even now. As a woman in the police force, she hadn't got to where she was now, by falling for a colleague.

Pulling away with difficulty, she faced him. "Come on then, let's talk."

She slipped her arm into his, and they walked to the edge of the quay, towards where Daish had driven earlier. He kept looking at her and she found it hard to concentrate. The dock was quiet, despite the events of the afternoon. The uniforms were interviewing witnesses who had been present in the distance, and taping off the area. No-one was in earshot.

"Dempsey," she began. "I have decided to come back, and I wanted to explain why I left."

Dempsey found it hard to concentrate at that point, finding his eyes repeatedly drawn to her lips.

"Are you listening?" she asked, noticing.

"No, I keep looking at your lips Harry, and I just want to kiss them," he said with absolute honesty.

"I would normally have made a cutting comment at that sexist remark Dempsey, but let me just say now that I actually want that too," she found her treacherous mouth saying, to her own surprise.

Dempsey's eyes widened in surprise. Harry smiled to herself. It had been worth it, just to see him react like that. Suddenly Dempsey was able to focus on her fully without distraction.

"Really?" he said slowly, astonished, despite his longstanding desire for her. He had really never thought he was good enough for her, even when they'd become close. Closer than ordinary work partners. Closer than ordinary friends. Frequently in each other's homes. Together outside of work, spending lots of time with one another and loving it. Drinking together. Meeting one another's friends and families. Sleeping together at times, but without any sex, sadly. Flirting repeatedly. Dempsey had found her attractive from the start, they both knew that. But now his respect and admiration for her meant that he couldn't just try it on with her. He felt too much. He needed her too much. He had to find a way to explain that to her. Somehow. Any move that was made would have to come from her, he realised. He needed her approval. He didn't want just a quick roll in the hay with her. He wanted more. Needed more. And her leaving had made him realise that, and how important it was.

"Harry, I really want to kiss you, like you wouldn't believe. But if we start that, we might not want to stop. And I need to tell you something."

She stared at him. Since when was he the adult when offered a sexual opportunity?

"You know I've always been attracted to you Harry, I made no secret of that. But now I feel differently. I look at you and I want to kiss you, yes, but I also want to hold your hand and have you in my life in a way that I didn't realise before. I want a relationship with you Harry, not just some one-night thing. I'm half in love with you."

Harry continued to stare. She had to work hard to stop her jaw dropping open. Had the most immature man she knew just opened up his heart to her? Had he told her he loved her? She looked away, trying to gather her thoughts which refused to form into any coherent sense.

"A relationship...?" she queried.

"Yes, I want you in my life for everything, I'm laying it all out, because if I kiss you, I won't be able to go back. I love you Harry," he ended, repeating the words that shocked her the most.

She looked at him. A smile played on her face. She'd wondered how he felt about her for months now, unsure if the feelings she had developed were a one-way thing. She knew they got on, really well, lately. She loved being with him. Leaving for the museum had wrenched her heart into pieces. She now knew she needed the excitement of policework, and working anywhere else just wouldn't match up. She had realised, with both Angela and strangely Joyce's help, that she wanted to work with Dempsey. Needed to even. And now here he was telling her in a calm, considered, mature and adult way that he wanted to start a real relationship with her. She made up her mind. She stepped towards him, ignoring her inhibitions, her upbringing, her public manners. This couldn't wait.

Her lips brushed his slowly, carefully, at first, almost just locating them and testing his response. His hands came up to hold her face and at that sign of agreement, their lips crashed together, in a passionate frenzy of emotion. She kissed him like she'd never kissed anyone, not even her ex-husband. Their tongues pushed into one another's mouths like they couldn't get enough, and they panted and their hands groped without decency. It was glorious. She pulled away then, feeling so turned on, feeling she wanted him so badly, and she could feel his hard erection in his groin, pressing on her and telling her he felt the same.

"Dempsey, Spikings will be here soon, and I don't think he'd would want to see you welcoming me back, quite like that," she panted, barely able to stop herself launching back at him.

"I dunno Harry," he said, grinning like the cat that got the cream. "He does know how we feel about each other."

"He does?" she said, mortified.

He nodded.

"Dempsey, I need you to know I feel the same, I want the same."

"You love me too?"

"I do, I love you. That's partly why I left; I didn't know how you felt. I was too scared to ask you."

"You, Harry, scared? Never."

"Sadly, yes. I was also terrified of seeing you die, like when Crazy Joe aimed at you. I've been seeing you dead in my nightmares."

"Oh Harry, I'm not going to die. You're going to keep me alive."

"That's what Joyce said."

They hugged again, both sad that their previous worries had stood in their way, and happy to have shared how they truly felt. She stepped back to look at him again, mindful she was too close to maintain control.

"It aint gonna be easy Princess," said Dempsey, insightfully. "Having a relationship in our job."

"Is there a girl that I'm pushing out?" replied Makepeace, misunderstanding.

"No, I haven't wanted anyone else, for ever. There's only room in my heart for you Harry," he smiled. "No, I meant working together, all the violent and degrading stuff we have to deal with. But I need your love. There's no alternative for me. Never will be."

She felt calmer, more under control, but she knew she couldn't risk kissing him again in public.

"Stay at mine, tonight?" she asked quietly.

He nodded, looking away, smiling, his imagination swimming out of control. "You're so hot when you take control," he breathed, with humour, desire and awe. "You're the most amazing woman I've ever known."

Spiking arrived then, in a squeal of Granada tyres, sporting a deep scowl that might instil fear into lesser beings. He climbed out of the car, driven by the nervous Fry, Chas electing to stay in the office and coordinate things from there.

"Dempsey," he growled in his delicious Welsh accent. On seeing Harry though, his whole demeanour changed. "Harry."

She smiled at him and his scowl faded. "Sir," she said with a smile. "It's lovely to see you again. Thanks for having me back."

"Yes, well, anytime," he said, completely disarmed. "Now Dempsey, what mess have you made for Harry to clear up?"

"Well, just at this minute, it's all being sorted out," replied Dempsey with a smile, referring to Daish, but also alluding to his relationship with Harry. Spikings wasn't entirely sure what to make of his best pair of detectives in that moment, but it was quite clear to him that something significant had happened. He responded by throwing a piecing look at Dempsey, followed by a raised eyebrow at Makepeace.

"Oh, yes?" he queried as they both smiled innocently at him. He stroked the top of his head, a gesture not dissimilar to that of Dempsey at times, and stomped away to liaise with the uniforms and the diving team who were due any minute.

Harry looked at Dempsey and he looked back at her. They were both desperate to leave and head over to hers, but they knew they had to stay at the scene and then probably head back to the office for a debrief. Harry had no excuse; she'd only just returned. Dempsey, bold as ever, touched her hand, blocking her from view as he stood, so no-one could see his action, and traced a pattern on her hand and then arm. Harry's skin crawled with pleasure and goosebumps appeared. Her cheeks betrayed her body, a blush spreading across them.

"Is this what you meant when you said it wasn't going to be easy?" she asked, trying to use words to distract herself from what she really wanted. And who she wanted it with.

"It wasn't Harry. I think once we've established the ins and outs of our physical relationship, this bit might be easier," he commented.

"Or harder," she contradicted.

"Just what will be hard?" he asked, delighting in her expression of offence as she glanced at his trousers without meaning to. "No, I meant that our job is difficult at times and we will have to lean on each other more emotionally, if we're together. Now that we're together," he corrected himself. "And we'll have to be honest with each other about how tough it is and how much we're hurting. And we haven't been great at that, historically. But better lately," he added.

She looked at him again in surprise. Once again, his total honesty and integrity was evident in spades, and she began to hope that this thing between them could really work. She smiled, happier than she had been in some time. She took a breath and steeled herself, walking towards Spikings, whilst Dempsey returned to the car to move it out of the way and to speak to Chas on the RT.

Spikings had been watching them out of the corner of his eye, and was struggling to read their body language, suspicious and frustrated. They'd clearly been talking on some fairly intense level, he thought. Dempsey seemed his jokey self, sure, but also deadly serious. Harriet seemed, shy almost, and equally serious. He was wary about what it would mean for his team. He almost growled with protectiveness. If Dempsey messed this up, he would not be happy. Harry arrived next to him and he took a breath.

"The general consensus is that you two did nothing untoward, that Daish had a moment of madness, and drove himself into the water," he summarised. "So upstairs will be happy. The divers will retrieve the vehicle, the body and the suitcase, and the uniforms will follow up with all the witnesses and write their reports up and you two will do likewise. Will you be able to come back to the office for the debrief and get your report started today?" he asked, with unexpected kindness and sensitivity, Harry thought.

She nodded.

"Good," he commented, glancing over at a newly arriving vehicle, the Metropolitan diving division with all their equipment. "I need to speak to this bunch of hoorays," he finished. "I'll see you back in the office, Harry. I know it will be a late one, sorry. Oh, and Makepeace, tell the Lone Ranger I need to see him again, before you two leave," he added with a grimace.

One of the diving team was another woman called Felicity, known as Flick, that Harry had trained with, and liked. She was a brunette, tough and muscular, with a strength of character that Harry appreciated. She was also intelligent and fair. They had stayed in sporadic touch. She walked over now, to see her.

"Hello," she greeted her.

"Oh, hi Harry, how are you doing?" Flick replied, clearly pleased to see her. Harry outlined what had happened, and what Spikings had told her they were hoping for the divers to locate.

"Wow," said Flick, clearly impressed by Harry's summary and her involvement in such a dark case. "Sounds exciting. It's great you are in SI-10 and doing brilliantly, evidently."

Harry smiled at the praise. "Back in SI-10," she offered. "I nearly left. But yes, I actually love working there. It's great. How about you, how is being part of this team?

"Well, I'm the only woman on the team, but I pull my weight and they seem to tolerate me," she smiled.

"I bet you're brilliant, better than them. We always have to be, don't we?"

Flick nodded.

"I'm heading back to the office soon, but let me know how you get on, won't you?" Harry asked. "And we could catch up over a drink if you like?"

"I would like that," Flick agreed. "Bye, Harry. I'll call you."

She walked over to where Dempsey stood, and felt a frisson of excitement as she neared him. She had frequently felt this way, in recent months, but now she could feel a warmth of expectation and happiness alongside the excitement and thrill. She smiled, genuinely unable to keep the happiness from her face.

Dempsey was speaking to Chas. He took his fingers off the button, so Chas wouldn't hear what he said.

"I've always thought you look beautiful when you smile," he commented in his voice that made her almost stumble with desire. She smiled more widely, so much so today, that her face was beginning to hurt. With his uncanny ability to almost read her mind, he added: "I'm gonna make your face feel more than that, when I kiss you later."

"Dempsey, how am I supposed to function, when you are dripping with sexual references like that?" she scolded, happily.

He touched her hand, smiling.

"Charlie Five, you still there?" Chas asked.

"Yes, Control, Charlie Five is still here, both of us. We're heading back now so we'll see you soon. Charlie Five, over and out." He hung up the radio.

"Just before we go Dempsey, Spikings wants to see you, I'm not sure why," she relayed. "I'll wait in the car."

Dempsey strolled over to see Spikings. "Boss?" he asked.

"Ah, Dempsey. I wanted to ask: how things are between you two?"

"They're great thanks boss, your advice was spot on. So, thanks," he finished with a smile.

"And you're not going to do anything to ruin my perfect team?" Spikings asked, a degree of menace creeping into his voice.

"No boss, absolutely not, no way," Dempsey protested.

"Because if you did anything..." Spikings voice, almost a growl, faded away, his meaning clear.

Dempsey swallowed. With a wave of the hand, Spikings impatiently dismissed him. If only he knew the truth, thought Dempsey. Then he would really freak out. Dempsey slouched over to the car, sliding in to the passenger seat.

"What did the boss want?" Harry asked, putting the car into gear and swinging away from the scene of their latest crime.

Dempsey leaned over to kiss her on the cheek, as she drove. "Well, he wanted to know how things were between us."

"And what did you tell him?"

"I told him things were great and thanked him for his advice."

"What advice?"

"Well Harry, after you'd gone to work in that stuffy old museum, with professor what's-his-name, I was devastated. I mooched about, shouted at Joyce, shouted at everyone, and Spikings took me out for a drink and tried to explain things to me. He asked me if I realised that you cared cared about me. And once I realised what he meant, I tried to understand why you'd left. I thought that if you did care, you wouldn't have left. And he said that you might be worried that I didn't feel the same. But obviously I did care about you, I do, so I tried to explain that to you today. See, his advice helped?"

"Oh God," Harry exclaimed and if she hadn't been driving, her head would have been in her hands. "How can I face him, now, knowing that you two have been discussing me like that?"

"Harry, he was just trying to help. I was too dumb to figure it out on my own. He cares about both of us, more than you realise. He's a good guy. And now look where we are." His face was full of mischief, but also, she thought, a kind of pure innocence. In his world, Spikings had seen him struggling and had stepped in to offer advice.

In her world, she had been weak and compromised her professionalism and her career. She felt terrible.

"Harry don't feel bad," reassured Dempsey, accurately reading her private thoughts once more. How could he be this good, most of the time, and yet when she had really needed him to know how she felt about him, he had appeared completely oblivious?

"And he did threaten me just now. That if I did anything to hurt you, he might kill me. You know? And he would. He meant it. So, you need to protect me from him, please."

"Well, I was hoping you wouldn't hurt me too," she replied, looking briefly across at him.

"I won't do that to you, Harry. I love you too much. But I'm also scared of him. He's wild, isn't he?" As he'd hoped, his comments had calmed her feelings of deep-seated insecurity and failure. He squeezed her hand. "See? We're great together," he reassured her.

When they arrived back at the office, and there was a non-stop flow of men, and some women, who greeted Makepeace warmly on her return. She hadn't been able to keep her absence quiet, despite what she'd hoped, and it had been widely noticed. She was surprised at their support; she thought most people disliked her, for various reasons.

They settled to start the report together, after Dempsey made her a cup of tea. She had missed exactly when he had learned how to do that, to make it just the way she liked. She sipped it, and smiled at him, as he began on the packet of digestives.

"Thanks," she said simply.

"Anytime princess," he replied, with a delicious smile on his face, crumbs around his mouth. She had to look away, such was the power of he seemed to have over her.

With a conscious effort, she tried to refocus on the report that needed her attention. He wasn't making it easy, as he usually tried to avoid reports at all costs. His body was leaning against hers and his scent seemed to pervade her nostrils. Just his proximity, was quite difficult to navigate. She took a deep breath, and her fingers hovered on the keyboard. Dempsey's face came closer, his face a mask of innocence, but she could see that he was actually enjoying himself enormously. His face was so close, she could barely concentrate. Checking the room was still empty, and Spikings had not yet arrived, she closed the distance and kissed him, lightly, on his lips. Immediately, she realised that she almost didn't have the willpower to stop, and she had already told herself she wouldn't kiss him again in public. And forgotten. The light kiss became heavier and more urgent, moist and uncontrolled, and she knew she wanted him desperately. With once last push of willpower, she broke the kiss, breathing heavily.

"One day, when we're alone in here, I'm going to take advantage of you," she promised. "Now we need to get started on this."

Refusing to look at him, she began typing, whilst he sat back. They were a good team because she was slick on the new computer and he added detail to the report, ways only he would perceive something that happened. He watched her closely, and spoke from time to time, to add details or reword sections, leaning closely over her shoulder to read what she'd written at regular intervals.

"You wait til tonight, Makepeace," he threatened quietly in her ear at one point.

Despite his attempts to derail it, they had made a really good start on the report. Spikings strode into the room, obviously irritated, calling a meeting in ten minutes, and then slammed his door. They could hear him on the phone, shouting, cajoling and soothing in equal measure to various people, before he opened his door again.

"Tea please, Chas. And lots of biscuits. Chocolate ones, none of those cheap, nasty ones you try and fob off on me," he demanded at the top of his voice, before adding. "And Dempsey, you'd better not have eaten all the biscuits in the building." Chas scurried off to get what he needed, winking at Harry.

Unexpectedly, Joyce arrived, and as she cast her eyes over the pair writing their report, she looked thoughtful.

"I'm pleased you listened Harriet," she commented.

"I'm pleased she did too," smiled Dempsey in reply. He was sampling the biscuits that Chas had brought back from the canteen and laid on a plate, despite Spiking's warning.

"Humph," Joyce nodded, looking at them again.

"Thanks for your advice, Joyce," said Harry smiling. "I'm really grateful. I hope you're feeling better."

"I am my dear. I am."

The meeting began started late, everyone cramming into Spikings office, chewing biscuits, slurping tea. Chas was trialling a large dry wipe board, which he jotted important notes on, but Spikings clearly thought it was a waste of time. Chas knew it was the future. They recapped the case, and the demise of the main suspect. Although the police divers had located and hoisted the car from the dock, and it was sat dripping on the quayside at this present time, the body and suitcase were proving more elusive in the murky dark water, and daylight was fading. Dempsey and Makepeace were asked about various aspects of the case, and Joyce had her say too. Over an hour later, the meeting broke up. Harry rang Flick for an update, and added that to their report, before saying goodbye to Joyce, Chas and Spikings. She went to sit in her car. Dempsey was saying 'no' to the rest of team; 'no' he didn't want to go to the pub with them. Even Chas was surprised.

"It's not like you, Dempsey, are you okay?"

"I've just got something on my mind, Chas old boy," he replied with a thoughtful smile, walking towards the door, patting him on the back.

Joyce stopped him in the corridor. "So, you off?" she asked. "And where is your partner in crime? Young Harriet?"

"She's in the car," Dempsey replied, terse at yet another delay.

"Oh!" exclaimed Joyce. "Well, give her my love." And she gave Dempsey a sharp look that he swore saw through his soul.

"That broad is one creepy old woman," he exclaimed, as he got in the car.

"Who?" asked Harry, puzzled. "And I thought we weren't going to refer to women in derogatory terms."

"Joyce, that's who. And sorry Harry." He leaned towards her for a short, soft kiss.

The drive home was fast.

"Makepeace, I do believe that you broke the speed limit at least twice," Dempsey observed from where he lay slumped across the seat, smiling at her. "Shall I write you up for a ticket now?"

Harry was exasperated, but it came out as being bossy, as usual.

"Out!" she commanded, her finger indicating for him to leave the car. He did so. She locked the car and handed him her house and car keys. "My keys, you can have them. I have a spare set. It will save you breaking in."

"Spoilsport! Harry, I like breaking in to your place."

"Inside!" she commanded again, pointing at her front door.

Dempsey used the keys for a change, and they were both in her hallway, as the door closed quietly behind them. Dempsey's eyes lit up. He had seen the piano. Slipping his fingers around her waist, he realised she was shivering. It had turned colder and she had no coat. He pulled her into a long embrace. At the end of an exhausting day, physically, mentally and emotionally draining, this was just what they needed. They both removed their footwear, and his jacket, and moved to the kitchen. Harry clicked on the low level lights, turned the heating up and poured them a glass of red and they leant on the worktop, taking a sip, their eyes watching the other. Dempsey put his glass down, and then took hers, carefully.

"And now my dearest Harry, I want to show you what love looks like," he said softly, earnestly.

He kissed her, first on the lips, but quite soon his lips travelled to her jaw, neck and chest, and then buttons were unbuttoned and clothes removed. He led the way, but she was a very willing participant and they smiled frequently. She gently pulled his shirt from his waistband and then unbuttoned it and removed it. Her hands roamed his chest, up and down, enjoying the touch, the response he gave her and the familiarity and warmth, it made her think of, feel. He undid the buttons on her blouse and pulled it carefully over hear head. Her lacy white bra made him gasp with desire and made him feel like a king.

"Harry, I'm the luckiest man alive," he breathed, as he kissed the material reverently.

She unzipped her skirt and it fell to the floor. She did the same with his trousers. He took his socks off, a small detail that made her smile. They looked at each other in their underwear. They had both seen each other naked before. Makepeace had seen Dempsey when he dropped his towel in the early days, to try and get a rise out of her. Dempsey had spied on Harry through her bedroom door, when she'd been getting dressed, and he wasn't proud of it, but what a sight. Dempsey's boxers were showing his erect penis very clearly in the burgundy satin material.

Dempsey took her hand and led her to the piano. Kissing her again, he pulled off his shorts, revealing his manhood to her. Instead of feeling embarrassed, she was happy he was so open with her, and curiously stroked his penis tenderly, causing him to gasp with pleasure. Another part of him to love.

"Harry, I love you, and I want to make love to you."

"Yes please, James," she whispered, barely in control of her own voice, as his fingers unclasped her bra and removed it. His hands cupped her breasts, massaging the mounds, tweaking the nipples, closely followed by his lips, which tugged at them beautifully. She gasped at the touch, the tenderness. His eyes drank her in. So, this was what love looks like; the thought, unbidden, came into her mind. Her ex-husband had been a cruel man, as she had found out to her cost, too late, and he revelled in making her feel ashamed and unlove worthy. She had sworn off men after him. She found it peculiar that she thought of Robert now, as Dempsey had his mouth on her breasts. Robert had always turned the lights off, seemingly disgusted by her body.

Sensing some sort of sadness, he kissed her lips again until she smiled, and then slipped off her pants, his fingers finding her sensitive spot and stroking there, gently and repeatedly until she came. Kissing her mouth, her breasts, her stomach, he watched her climax, her pleasure making his erection harder and he pushed into her now, leaning against the piano, every part of them pressed together, their love a hard and tangible feeling between her legs, and wherever his hands touched her, or his lips went. She relaxed into the rhythm, and kissed him back, greedily, the movement of his penis into her making her sweet spot dance with pleasure. He came whilst kissing her, calling her name out loud, lovingly, very American, but her American, and welcome after all the ups and downs they had experienced over the time they'd known each other.

He held her tenderly, close as he could, their ragged breathing settling. They were both unable to believe the intensity of their shared experience. Moving slightly, he thought he could see a satisfied expression on her face.

"How was it for you, honey?" he asked, and she caught a look of concern under the confidence of his words.

"James Dempsey, I can truly say that was the best night of my life," she said firmly, going for the shock value. "Sex with you was amazing!"

True to form, his eyes widened. "Harriet Makepeace, we have made love, not just had sex," he corrected. "It's different if you love someone," he added. But he was pleased she had clearly enjoyed herself.

"I know, I know, James. But I'm thoroughly exhausted, so can we please go to bed?"

"Harry, I don't think I'm ready yet," he replied in mock horror, looking down at his now flaccid penis

"To sleep. I meant to sleep."

He smiled at her. A tender and loving smile. He couldn't believe how mind blowing the sex had been with her, but then again, how many times had he underestimated her in the past? His heart was singing with joy.

"Of course. And don't think I missed that you called me James three times already," he smirked, and he took her hand and led her to the bedroom. He knew where it was because he had been there many times in the past, sometimes with her permission, sometimes just to annoy her. Her partner, her best friend. After a quick trip to the bathroom, they laid down, naked together, in each other's arms, and slept contentedly until the light bled through the curtains the following day.

What an amazing day that was proving to be already, he thought, as he woke up to find Harry beautifully draped across his chest. He kissed her lightly, catching sight of the clock that told him they were likely to be late in. She roused, and she realised she was across him, and was about to move, before he murmured that he wanted her to stay there. She smiled at him, a sight to make any morning better. He kissed her head, and after they had laid there a little while longer, and they got up, slipping into t-shirts and undies. They showered, one after the other, aware that if they did that together, they would not be able to resist one another. Harry grabbed a tea, and Dempsey raided the bread bin for some toast. He still drank his coffee black, a habit of many years. Just before they left, Harry kissed him deeply as if she was missing him already, a kiss that showed him clearly just how much she wanted him, had enjoyed last night, and needed a repeat performance. He'd always thought she would be a little uptight, but he was very happy to be proved completely wrong, in this instance.

Dempsey had always preferred one-night stands in the past, after the mess that was his relationship with the alcoholic Simone, had created in him, an avoidance of any lasting, damaging complications. And he'd attracted the wrong sort, women who seemed determined to do him or those close to him, harm. But with Harry, they had been such good friends already, the morning after seemed like many of their previous morning afters, when they were happy and content together, travelling to work, but with the added bonus, of making love together and lying unclothed in each other's arms all night. He recalled how he'd told her: he wanted to rip her clothes off and kiss every inch of her body, during an old case, but how he'd actually really meant it, for different reasons. She was so amazing. He wondered if she might have, even then, felt like she wanted to do the same. It had been so perfect last night.

Dempsey smiled at her as she drove, the most perfect person in his life. She drove him to his place to pick up some essentials and a couple of changes of clothes. He slung them into an overnight bag. Then she dropped him off at where he'd left his car. He was relieved to see that it looked as if the vandals hadn't torn the tyres off. As he unlocked it, he ran back to her and kissed her, tenderly on the lips. The radio was playing 'True Colours' sung by Cyndi Lauper and it nearly made her cry with happiness.

"See, I told you, once we'd been to bed, you could cope with my kisses better, didn't I?" he grinned. "And am I right or am I right?" His hands trailed a pattern along her arm, leaning on the window of her car, and she shivered with pleasure. He followed her back into the office in his car, and they parked side by side in the car park. They walked in together, smiling at some private joke. At their desks, they sat to complete the report. Flick rang with an update, and Harry chatted to her, watching Dempsey finish another cup of coffee. He did drink tea sometimes now, and at this point he got up to make them both a cup.

"What did your friend say?" he asked, as his came back with the brews.

"She told me that they've recovered Daish, and he's gone for a full autopsy. Initial findings are he died by drowning. The suitcase is still to be found, but they are still looking. I'll update the report."

They both concentrated on the report and were finished before lunchtime. Although Dempsey was his usual silly self, Harry found that she was better able to cope with her urges to kiss him, than the previous day. But not much. Harry popped in to see Spikings and offered him a copy.

"Bloody computers," he grumbled, as she offered the printed sheets, instead of a handwritten carbon or duplicated copy.

"They are the future, sir," she said gently. He glared at her for a moment, before his expression softened. "What would I do without you Makepeace?"

She left the office with a smile on her face, despite Spiking's original fierce expression. Dempsey was right, he'd only said something because he cared about them, and not because she was a feeble woman.

"Lunch?" She offered. "My treat?"

"Alright!" he cheered.

Thye went to a pub nearby, the 'Elephant and Castle' a murky pub, usually only welcoming to locals, but where Harry and Dempsey had befriended the landlord. The atmosphere was dire, but the food was good, home cooked by a chef who understood that people needed salad and vegetables, sometimes. Dempsey had grumbled at first, but now regularly ate the colourful items on his plate. They sat in a booth that afforded them privacy from much of the pub. They were both hungry as they had missed both lunch and dinner yesterday, filling up on chocolate biscuits in the case of Dempsey. After ordering, they held hands across the table, and she leaned over to kiss him tenderly, long, lingering kisses that once again built her desire for him. She pulled away reluctantly, and looked at him.

"Dempsey, I can't believe what you're doing to me. We've come such a long way in less than 24 hours."

"Mmm," he mumbled, gazing into her eyes. "Did I say I was thinking about that time when we were trying to rile Cathy to shoot at us, and I sort of told you how I felt about you? I wondered what you thought of what I said in that room."

Harry smiled, remembering the time. Shaking her head at how tough it had been. "I couldn't decide if you were just playing the game, James. But part of me knew you meant it. But what I couldn't be sure of, was whether you had feelings for me, or just lusted after me. I'm still not sure, thinking back."

"It was both, as usual Harry. I wanted you for all the wrong reasons when I first met you – you're beautiful, sexy as hell and such a tease. But quite soon, I realised I wanted something real with you. So, I did love you, even back then. I've loved you for a long time Harry," he stated simply, and kissed her gently on the forehead.

They talked on, loving the chance to be open with each other, both because they were out of the office and because of everything that had been said the previous day. Harry thought that she wanted to talk to Dempsey like this every single day. She couldn't get enough of him.

Their meals came, chicken salad and burger and fries with a side salad, and they ate in companionable silence, with no plates of spaghetti that needing tipping over anyone, this mealtime. Discussing this, they smiled at the memory, and Harry realised how dangerous and illogical her behaviour had been at the time. But she had felt responsible for Jock and his injuries, responsible and guilty. She recalled how Dempsey had physically pulled her away and how cross she had been at him intervening like that.

"I'd know better now Harry," he said. "I know now that no-one can change your mind once it's made up, I guess, unless it's Joyce." he added thoughtfully.

"James, I'm entitled to change my mind," she bristled.

"No, I didn't mean that. You know I would never ask you to change, but I'm so pleased you came back to me, that's all." He leaned over and kissed her. They walked back to the office, a short distance away, enjoying the warm sun on their faces. Dempsey wanted to hold her hand, but Harry was worried in case a passing patrol car should spot them.

"I don't care," he stated, but respected her wishes.

"You don't know how much I want to hold your hand too," she said sadly.

Spikings had a new case for them when they returned. It was an intricate case of major organised fraud, which would usually be handled by a different department, but it involved someone linked to SI-10, so their boss had asked that for now, that they oversee it.

"Harry, there's a person of interest in this case, that you know. I need to know you're comfortable dealing with him, before its officially allocated to us. It's your husband, Robert."

Dempsey had a moment of discomfort, before Makepeace corrected her boss.

"Ex-husband sir. We did get divorced. And I'm willing to deal with him, although it did not end amicably."

Dempsey smiled. He recalled early on asking Harry if she was married and she'd told him then that she was separated after her husband cheated on her with her best friend. He couldn't believe anyone doing that to her. Why would they need to? Harry was definitely first prize as far as he was concerned. This Robert must be a complete fool. In a way, Dempsey wanted to meet him.

"So, this Robert, is he suspected of being involved in the fraud?" asked Dempsey.

"Deeply involved, from what I've heard Dempsey. But I need proof. That's where you both come in. Do we feel that you could get invited to his place? Some sort of sting? Wear a wire? It's organised crime, there's a certain degree of risk, as ever Harry," said Spikings, almost kindly. Harry had only just returned, after all.

"If you're thinking it will be too much because I've just returned, you're wrong." She was looking at Spikings, but then turned to face Dempsey. "Both of you."

"I never said nothing," Dempsey conceded, his hands coming up in a sign of defeat.

"The fraud and organised criminality centres around the local council, but it's mainly bribery for planning permission; maybe drugs, money laundering, even human trafficking. We're not sure the extent of their reach, yet. Take your weapons, I need to know you are safe. And Dempsey, could you somehow get invited and go along too?"

Harry rang her ex best friend Susanna. Robert had moved on from her, but she knew they still moved in the same social circles, so if anyone could get her an invite it would be her.

"Hi Susanna, it's Harry here. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing okay, thanks. What can I do for you?"

"I just wondered if you could get me invited to the party at Robert's on Saturday. I need to speak to him about the divorce."

"The divorce, oh okay Harry, of course," Susanna agreed.

Yes, and a plus one, please. He's my minder."

"Lovely, thanks, bye and see you at the weekend."

Susanna knew she worked for the police, but it was a risk she had to take. The imaginary issues with the divorce would be the only reason Susanna would believe, that Harry would ever wish to see Robert again.

"And it's done," Dempsey commented.

"Now all we need to do is find a dress that will conceal my weapon," she smiled. "Luckily, I have a few."

Dempsey smiled. He knew Harry was not a woman who worried about her outfits, and neither did he. She dressed well, with some class, sure, but he would take her anywhere wearing the clothes of a homeless woman, and Harry knew it.

It was Friday tomorrow, and they needed to try and gather all the background for the case. Spikings gave them the name of the officer in Major Crime who had been overseeing the case, and Harry rang him and they arranged to visit him that afternoon.

As they drove across town, she thought of her father, Freddy, the only other member of her family alive, not counting Uncle Duffy who wasn't a real uncle, and who had gone a bit peculiar.

"We should go and see Freddy at some point, Dempsey," she offered. "He always loved you, he'll be delighted about this. Us."

"I wish my mom could have met you Harry, she'd have loved you too," Dempsey said thoughtfully, imagining them meeting and hugging, lost momentarily in his reminisces.

"I haven't told Angela yet."

"We should tell Chas," Dempsey said. "Though he has probably suspected for some time."

"Okay," she agreed. "But let's leave it at that for now," she said, suddenly concerned by the growing openness. "It's just so new, I want to enjoy things as they are for a while."

"Me too," Dempsey agreed. "I want to stay over every night, Harry," he added.

He squeezed her hand, wanting more, but she was driving. He loved how they just were such equals, he drove, she drove, but they swapped without disagreement. In a time when women were still forced to deal with pure sexism and massively outdated gender views without flinching, when wolf whistling and being groped were commonplace, and there was an automatic assumption that women were just airheads or arm candy, he loved how strong a character she had always been.

"I'm looking forward to meeting this loser Robert, Harry," he told her. "What sort of slug must he be to have cheated on you? You? Is the man blind and stupid? I can't wait."

"Dempsey, that's all very noble, but remember we are actually there to gather intel on this organised fraud network, and not air my dirty laundry in public," she warned.

"Can't we do both?" he grinned, knowing he would do whatever she asked him to do.

They arrived and met Adam Lewis from Major Crime, who welcomed them in, and they sat in his busy office, tea and coffee cups steaming on the table between them. He turned to her. Harry instantly liked him, especially when he told her he'd rung Spikings himself as soon as he had made the link to Robert. He was tall and athletic, Scottish, grey haired and friendly. And it was a friendliness of equals; he clearly didn't agree that a woman's place was chained to the kitchen sink.

"I thought you'd appreciate a chance to take him down; your personnel record says you are separated," he smiled. "I know I would."

"Thanks, I do."

Dempsey smiled to himself. It was refreshing to meet a man who wasn't trying it on with his partner, who treated her like the exceptional police officer she was. But then he thought back to how he'd treated her when he first met her. How judgemental and unkind he had been. He was different now, he knew, but he still felt ashamed of his behaviour then. Maybe him and Robert weren't so different after all.

"So, what have you found so far?" he asked Adam, to distract himself from these unpleasant thoughts.

"The organised criminal group operates from an old cinema, which closed down some time ago. No one wants to go to the cinema anymore, they just rent videos now," he smiled. "We've been watching them for about three weeks and seen lots of different faces coming and going. Here is a copy of the paperwork, all we have, with photos of every visitor."

Harry took the folder before Dempsey had a chance to drop it. The contents page showed it was very methodically organised she noted, and smiled. A team that Chas would love to work with she thought; he was always complaining about Dempsey's paperwork.

"Bet Chas will love that," Dempsey smiled, reading her mind again.

"Yes, he will," agreed Harry. "You could take a leaf out of Adam's book yourself. It wouldn't hurt. Thanks Adam," she said, directing this comment at him. "It's clear you and your team have worked very hard on this." She opened the next section to see a photo of her ex-husband.

"Robert Makepeace has been seen visiting the old cinema, but we haven't been able to tie him to anything yet. He isn't implicated. He could have just been there looking around, a chance to redevelop or something. I understand you are married to him," Adam asked.

"Was," growled Dempsey.

"Dempsey," she reprimanded. "But Dempsey's right Adam, we are divorced."

"Okay, well, I asked to organise a raid on the premises, but my request was turned down due to insufficient evidence. We need to find out more, especially about him. I have a feeling that he is at the heart of it all."

"Well, that's where we come in," offered Dempsey.

"About that," began Harry, looking at Dempsey, then Adam. "Look, is there any reason we can't work together on this? It would help us if you remain involved, as you and your team have worked hard, put in the legwork and clearly been very effective so far, and we bring different skills. I'd have to run it by my boss, and he doesn't usually approve of joint working, but I'm sure I can persuade him."

Dempsey stared at her for a moment, then nodded his agreement. As usual, she was right. It would be better with them and Adam's team working together. Adam nodded too; he was pleased to have them on board. SI-10 had a reputation for getting the job done. They told him about their invitation to the party on Saturday at Robert's current residence, and Adam was enthusiastic.

"See? This is exactly why we'll be more effective working together," Adam said very professionally. Dempsey raised an eyebrow at Harry, but she refused to bite. Adam was a bit like a male Harry. They outlined the aim for the party, and decided what each of them would attempt to do. Harry would try and engage Robert in conversation, hoping he would let something slip. Dempsey would try and get something out of Robert's current flame, or perhaps an old one. Adam and his partner Mark would remain on surveillance nearby.

Adam wanted them to wear wires, but without looking over, Harry knew Dempsey was shaking his head.

"No wires," Dempsey stated, flatly.

He was worried that they would be overheard in a moment of intimacy, and their relationship would become common knowledge. Neither of them were ready for that yet.

"We'll take a tiny hand-held camera," Harry said in compromise. "They are new in; Chas was just showing me one the other day." She had wanted a chance to try one.

"Very James Bond," said Adam, but she could see he was excited.

When they got back to the office, Flick rang with an update on the case with Daish. Her team had recovered the suitcase and forensics were going through the contents with a fine-tooth comb. The women arranged to meet up after work for a drink the following week.

It was late, and Harry decided to call it a day. They drove back to her place, and ordered pizza, something Harry had never done until she'd met Dempsey. They drank cola, though she would have preferred tea, and put on a scary film, and Harry snuggled up next to him on the sofa, amused to see it was him who was hiding behind her. As the film progressed, she lost interest, and she began to kiss him. They had found, unexpectedly, that neither of them was unhappy with being naked and they had spent all evening partly dressed. Apart from her pants, she had slipped into one of his old t-shirts, and this was all she'd worn all evening. He had made the most of that, as she lay across his lap. His tongue had worked its way down her stomach and along her legs, before the fireworks began in her sweet spot, as she came. How could he make her feel that way, so easily?

"Come to bed Harry," he pleaded.

"It's my bed, surely, I'm supposed to invite you?" she queried.

"Please?" he begged.

They made love in the bed, joyous, happy and carefree, missing most of the film, which was probably still playing downstairs. Now that neither had anything to prove to the other, it was wholly pleasurable and indulgent. She slipped off his boxers and he pushed inside her, before they began a regular fluid movement that brought them both together in the most harmonious way possible.

Later, in the bathroom, as they got ready for sleep, Harry spoke to him. "Dempsey, here is a new toothbrush for you," she offered.

"Don't worry, I've been using yours," smiled Dempsey, waiting for the eruption.

It never came, Harry, instead, leaning towards him for a slow kiss. "Of course, you have," she smiled.

The next morning, back in the office, Dempsey showed Harry a thick file of paperwork Chas had acquired for them; he hated paperwork and was sulking because they needed to spend the rest of the day going through it, to prepare for the party. They'd got into a pattern of juggling their home and work life, and although early days, it seemed to work well, and they were in the office bright and early, looking presentable.

"Dempsey, I thought it would be just your thing," Harry teased. "It's all Robert's personal information and financial history. Aren't you interested?"

"Is it?" he asked in surprise, and snatched it back from her.

Despite Harry's teasing, it made for grim reading. Dempsey could see that when they got married, Robert was close to bankruptcy. He clearly wanted Harry for her for her money. They spent most of the rest of the day wading through the grim details of Robert's finances and his sordid personal life, some of which included Harry.

Harry gradually withdrew into herself. The whole affair felt vile, cheap and sleazy, Robert and her had been married less than six months. She felt hurt and ashamed. Dempsey took her hand, despite them being in the office.

"So, Harry, why did you marry him?" he asked her, with more sensitivity than he usually showed. "Did you love him?"

"No, I don't think I ever did. I was young, and vulnerable. Remember this was immediately after my mother died. Robert was older, he was calculating, he saw me as an easy win. He was after my family money, but little did he know that even now, Freddy barely has two pennies to rub together, despite owning and living in Winfield Hall. I keep telling him to sell it, but it's all tied up in legal trust ownership, he won't get a penny. I don't know what I saw in him. Maybe I thought it would help me through my pain. When Robert found out there was no money, he left. I know Freddy never could stand him, and at the time I didn't know why. But I suppose he saw through Robert's thin veneer of respectability in about five seconds. That's why it's so great he likes you."

She looked so sad then, he just wanted to hold her close.

"I know you said you wanted to keep a lid on things when we we're in work but..." Dempsey stood suddenly, pulling her into a hug, despite being in office. She leant on him, needing the touch.

"Don't worry princess, that creep is mine," Dempsey promised, kissing the top of her head briefly. Just at that moment, Chas walked past. His eyebrow raised in surprise and his face asked the question.

They'd already agreed they would tell him, so looking around, Harry beckoned to him to join them, and they all sat down. It was late and the office was more or less deserted, with Spikings in a meeting with him upstairs.

"Chas, you know we both really like working with you and we trust you," Harry began.

Chas looked at them both, but didn't offer any comment. "Well, you may have long suspected, but we just wanted to tell you, that we are now together," she finished quietly.

"Together, together," Dempsey clarified, with a knowing smile.

Chas was delighted, and in a rare moment of emotional spontaneity, hugged them both, one by one. "Good on you, I wish you the best of luck," he smiled, clapping Dempsey on the back and kissing Harry on the cheek.

"Hey, where's my kiss?" asked Dempsey, ever the joker.

The gesture had lightened the mood and Harry felt happier.

"It's just about time for us all to push off, isn't it?" said Chas. "Go on, get out of here." And he winked.

Harry giggled as she grabbed her bag and coat. "Did he really just wink at us?" she asked Dempsey as they made their way down the stairs.

"He did, Harry," Dempsey agreed, pleased to see that she had cheered up. "Look, you know I don't care about any of that stuff with Robert, do you? I mean I wish he wasn't a first-class jerk, but then again, that's why we can be together, you know? And I don't want you for your money, I only want you for your body. And your love, obviously." He smiled at her, and she smiled in return.

They drove back to his place tonight, and she fell into a warm bubble bath, whilst he rubbed her back with a loofah and massaged her shoulders. It was so easy being intimate with him she thought, as she laid down in bed next to him, exhausted after such an emotionally draining day.

"So much for our first Friday night date," he complained gently, stroking her hair.

"I'll make up for it tomorrow, I promise," she murmured as she fell asleep.

They slept in that morning, Saturday, the extra rest a welcome relief for their exhausted bodies. Eventually the sun reached their pillows and they could keep their eyes closed no longer.

"Dempsey, do you not have curtains?" Makepeace asked in a huff.

"Nope, never needed them," he replied in a muffled voice, from under his pillow, where he had sought refuge from the daylight.

She stalked off to the bathroom, wearing an old t-shirt of his, and he dragged himself out of bed, pulling on his shorts to make some coffee.

"I forgot you've never slept in this room before," he recalled from the kitchen.

"No, I haven't," muttered Makepeace, still tired, but unable to be cross for long when the sun was shining.

She sipped from the offered cup, and Dempsey stretched his arms around her waist. That felt good and they both smiled.

"See? I'm like your ray of sunshine," he joked, kissing her hair.

Harry had been thinking about the night ahead of them. It didn't make for pleasant thoughts.

"James, you do realise that if Robert finds out that were together, he will use it against us? He is a vindictive, nasty person and if he can make me feel small and mock you, he will. It's going to be difficult with both of us there, with him."

"Harry, I know he's a bastard. Nothing he says will make me feel differently about you. You're my angel. I don't care if he knows, but I won't be the one telling him. He's not worth it to me. Your happiness comes first. And your safety."

Harry felt herself letting a breath out, one that she hadn't realised she was holding. Dempsey had understood how things could easily spiral out of control with Robert, and he wasn't phased. She knew he would look out for her. But things were still so new between them, it wasn't a massive surprise that sometimes she still had doubts, especially when it came to her weasel ex-husband.

"Now have another sip and come back to bed," he said, still holding her close.

"Are you trying to be bossy again, Dempsey?" she chided.

They ate an early lunch, having given up with breakfast. Harry sat at the worktop on a bar stool, in Dempsey's unashamedly bachelor apartment. He caught her looking around.

"What, you don't like it here?" he asked, concerned.

"No, it's not that. I'm just looking at it differently, now I'm not just your work colleague."

"You were never just my work colleague, Harry," he told her in his low and sexy voice, to which she was finding herself no longer immune.

Smiling, Harry finished the avocado and poached egg on toast with gusto and leant over for a kiss. Him flirting with her, so long a source of discomfort, now made her smile. Knowing his feelings were genuine made it okay, and despite the distrust of all men she had developed after her disastrous relationship with Robert, she trusted him enough to relax and flirt back.

"Did you fantasise about me when you were alone?" she asked, her voice husky.

"Alone? I fantasised about you all day long," he smiled. "And all night. In fact, it's safe to say you were always on my mind Harry."

He hugged her then, his need a real physical thing, needing to show her how much he cared, how much he loved her, always had.

"I fell for you early on. When exactly did you start to see me differently?" he asked.

"I guess it was around the time Coltrane came back into the picture. I really thought you were going to shoot him you know, down by the lake. I nearly cried."

"I know princess, I know. Why d'you think I didn't shoot him? I wanted to. I stopped because you asked me to, you told me it wouldn't be worth it. And you said you cared. I know you made light of it afterwards, but I thought I sensed a change in you too."

The hug continued for some time. Usually, instead of building their passion, this time it gave them a chance to consider the way they had been drawn together.

"I can't really believe that it took me walking away from you, and the job, to understand how I felt about them both. I can be incredibly stupid sometimes."

"You are the most intelligent person I know Harry," he said honestly, a genuine look of wonder on his face. They kissed again, gently, lovingly, sated for now, but still wanting to be close.

They got dressed for the event together, Harry having brought what she needed with her. She had chosen a navy satin dress, simple, classic and sexy. Dempsey whistled. He wanted to undress her, there and then. He coincidentally had chosen a navy shirt and stone cords. He looked good enough to eat, especially now she knew what was underneath the shirt. They looked complimentary and Harry wondered if Robert would pick up on things without a word spoken. He was always good at reading a situation, which was why she had been drawn into his web of lies and deceit. She slipped her gun into her holster a little angrily, and they were ready.

Harry drove the Mercedes to address she had been given by Susanna. It was a beautiful detached house in Blackheath, that she knew from reading Robert's financial statements, he couldn't afford. Her jaw clenched in anticipation of his attempt to fraudulently claim ownership in some way.

"Harry," Dempsey soothed, picking up on the tension. His fingers moved to play with hers on the steering wheel, and he felt her relax. They saw Adam as they climbed out of the car, who updated them.

"There are about a dozen people so far, looks like some cheap champagne and tiny hors d'oeuvres, and not much else. Lots of glitz and no substance. Robert seems to be trying to peddle some pyramid buying thing. Do you have your cameras ready?" They both nodded.

"Don't forget, you both need to be on your guard," he advised briefly and drove off.

Harry stood, trying to push down the feelings of repulsion that threatened to overwhelm her when she thought of being in close proximity to Robert. She leaned her forehead on Dempsey's chest, letting the smell of him, the warmth of him and the faint sound of his heartbeat, soothe her. There were very few people around, and she looked up at him, her eyes calling out for the reassurance that only he could give her. He leant down and kissed her tenderly, and she responded to his affection, her whole self, feeling calmer at once. His mouth was minty fresh and his after shave was musky and delicious. But what was best was the knowledge of how much they loved one another, their solidity, even in these early days.

"I'm never going to tire of kissing you," she whispered, as their lips separated.

He had gone from a source of intense irritation, to being part of an internal conflict of feelings, to someone who made her life infinitely better, in the time she'd known him. She sighed. They parted and he went first, sauntering his way into the house. Despite having no legitimate invitation, as they'd decided to arrive separately, he had no difficulty in charming his way into the party, all smiles and American charm.

She filmed the house on her camera, as she walked towards it. When she got to the entrance, she slipped the tiny palm sized item into her hand. There were two large bouncers on the door, mean looking men, who looked like they regularly used their fists. Harry could have sworn they were carrying guns, as she could see the tell-tale bulges under their jackets, and this puzzled her. What were they getting themselves into? She was barely through the door, when the smell of halitosis alerted her to Robert's impending presence, and she recorded what she hoped was the audio of their conversation, despite no guaranteed video.

"Harriet," he crowed as if he had won some bet. "I thought I heard a rumour you were coming." He tried to kiss her cheek and she pulled away, trying not to show how much she disliked it. His damp hands touched her skin, and she could feel it crawl with disgust and revulsion.

"You always were frigid," he remarked coldly, close to her ear, as she gritted her teeth. "Where is your plus one?"

"Not sure," she answered vaguely. They'd decided that Dempsey would come onto her later as a stranger, to help rile Robert.

There was a thin, unhappy looking woman next to him, blonde and well dressed, but cruel looking with a sharp nose.

"This is Abigail my fiancée," he introduced briefly, before taking Harry's arm and walking away from the music so they could talk. The woman looked indifferent, clearly Robert had not said who Harry was.

"Are you still in the police, or were to too weak to hack it, as I predicted?" he asked with a sneer.

Harry nodded, not trusting herself to reply. She had written her application to join in one of her darkest moments, after Robert had proposed to her, even then knowing something was wrong with their relationship. She'd needed something else to focus on. He'd never supported her, quite the opposite, actively undermined her.

"Susanna said you wanted to speak to me?" he barked with the lack of tact, that Harry remembered so well.

"Yes, I did," she began. "I see you have money now, and in the divorce settlement I got nothing, so I wanted to see if we could reconsider," she explained, knowing it would irritate him, wondering if he would believe her.

He laughed, soullessly, in such contrast to Dempsey's warm, deep laughter.

"I should have known you were after money," he said patronisingly. "No, you can't have any." He looked at her and relented. "But stay and enjoy the party. I'm speaking in a few minutes."

He walked away, back to the entrance, greeting new arrivals. She continued to film them.

When he spoke to the crowd, she got that on tape too.

The champagne was awful, as Adam had warned, and the trendy snacks that came round were dried and tasteless. No expense spared. She mingled with a few people she vaguely knew, filming them surreptitiously. The whole party was full of people she didn't trust. She briefly saw Susanna, who looked like she was dressed to catch Robert's eye, in a low-cut red dress. They disappeared off together for a short time, and when they reappeared, she could tell from the state of Susanna's hair what had happened. But Susanna looked unhappy. Clearly Robert was still stringing her along. Robert was still the same untrustworthy low life he'd always been. Harry hoped Dempsey would be able to speak to both her and Abigail.

Later, she saw Dempsey across the room, with various woman openly flirting with him, and smiled to herself. She could tell he was trying to discourage them, but not make it obvious, and also not look at her. When Robert had finished his sales patter, and had several people who remained listening to him, their chequebooks open at the ready, Dempsey found his way over to her.

His hand reached to subtly touch her back, and she had to stop herself leaning into him for comfort.

"How you doing Harry?" he asked, with concern in his eyes.

Unbelievably, she blinked back tears at his welcome voice. "I've been better," she remarked angry with herself for the emotional response she felt. "How have you got on with filming?"

"Well, everyone who spoke to me is on camera," he reported. "And I managed to get some dirt from both Susanna and Abigail. They both kinda hate him." He was still looking at her face closely, his eyebrows knitting together in concern. "But my camera's off now honey," he finished.

"Mine too," she agreed. "Sadly, although I desperately want to leave now with you, I think we should stay. The way Robert is knocking back those glasses of champagne, I think the best chance of getting something out of him, will be at the end of the evening. Also did you think those bouncers had weapons?"

"I thought they did have guns, and you're probably right about Robert. How about some flirting now?" Dempsey asked, his voice low and laced with humour. "He'll be jealous and we might catch him off guard."

Harry smiled, for the first time that evening at the party. "What did you have in mind?"

Dempsey was great at flirting, she realised, and especially with her. He leaned towards her, one arm on the wall next to her and the other touching her all over, in an exaggerated fashion, for everyone to see. She enjoyed it, as he joked with her and his warm breath reached her ear. Both of them had opted for soft drinks all evening. Every now and again, Dempsey would make a quiet joke, and she would genuinely laugh, and it was not hard to appear as if she was falling for his charms.

He sauntered off to see what the bouncers had gone, leaving Harry to mingle. Several intoxicated men felt they could try it on and Harry wasted no time in telling them where to go. About an hour later Dempsey came back, smiling.

His arms moved to encompass her again. "I found the bouncers outside shooting up," he told her quietly. "That might explain why Robert has them, if he is involved in drugs. Robert is different to how I imagined. Taller, thinner and he does look mean."

Harry sighed. Dempsey took her mind off his comment, by kissing her neck and jaw.

Eventually, as the evening drew to a close, and the slow songs came on, they danced, holding one another, and Dempsey's mouth moved towards hers and he kissed her in full view of Robert, who they'd spotted was indeed watching them with an unpleasant look on his face. Robert could barely stand upright, and Abigail was looking miserable. Susanna had disappeared. She kissed Dempsey back deeply, enjoying it, but acting as if she too had drunk too much, her arms moving around his waist to steady herself. Dempsey put his hands on her rear, stroking them slowly and repeatedly, and that was the catalyst for Robert's next drunken outburst.

He stormed over, shouting. "Get your hands off her, you filthy lout. I won't have behaviour like yours in my house."

They pulled apart, appearing surprised. Dempsey gave her rear a squeeze, and made a lewd suggestion with his other hand.

"She's gagging for it, you can tell," he drawled in his familiar Texan put on voice.

And at that Robert lost the plot, and pushed Dempsey out, with the help of a burly rugby friend and both his bouncers, who had reappeared. Dempsey let them do it, Harry knew he could have resisted, but they had both spotted the guns in holsters on the men. Even though they were also armed, it seemed fruitless to show their hands, with nothing solid to show for it yet.

Once Harry was alone, the drunk Robrt tried it on with her. She had turned the camera back on when Robert had started shouting.

"Harriet my girl, you know I'm the only one for you," he slurred, in full view of Abigail.

He tried to put his hands on her, but she pulled away. He was too far gone to notice.

"But Robert, what about the money?" she asked again.

"Well, I have an arrangement at the moment, and it's true, I am flush. Me and some friends have an empty place we go, we're more organised than ever before, and the payback is great."

He paused, even in his drunken state, considering whether he should tell her.

The chance to brag was too great for him. He was hoping that Harry would be impressed and he would be able to take her to bed tonight. "We are in with the local counsellor, a fool called Mellison, and he takes backhanders for most things," he continued. "We run some drugs and money scams and we get some women smuggled in from the Eastern Bloc; it's brilliant - the scheme of my dreams. Abigal is my right-hand woman; she is a madam for all the girls. These parties are actually just a way for me to find a way to wash the money. But you Harry," he finished. "You were always the one for me."

He seemed to have forgotten her job, which suited Harry. Then, he tried to pull her to him, and found the camera in her hand. Although he didn't immediately understand what it was, something in him, an animal cunning she'd always known he had, tried to take it from her. She had to get out of there now. Turning she ran for the door at speed. He was too drunk to follow that fast, and she arrived back at the car, out of breath, her heart racing.

"I got it!" she said triumphantly to Dempsey, who was slouched in the driver's seat.

"Alright! What do you say we get a coffee with Adam, Princess and watch your film and mine?" he smiled.

The four of them sat in their office, coffees in hand, watching the raw camera film from the evening on a large roll down screen that Chas had located. They wanted to check before they called Spikings in, and Chas had agreed to come in and help them set it all up.

They watched Dempsey's footage first, which contained lots of shots of cleavage and inebriated women, usually alone. Some of their partners could be seen in the background, and whilst watching, they looked at the photos of visitors to the old cinema. Some of the younger women who had attended the party could be seen in passing too, but they could cross reference with the photos they had, and several matched. Likewise, many of the men could be matched, especially the two bouncer types. It was good evidence and Adam seemed relieved. They would probably have enough to apply for a raid on the old cinema based on that, they all agreed.

Then they watched Harry's footage. Chas whistled as he saw the house.

"Nice," he commented.

The footage was painful for Harry to watch and she looked away. But the last section was priceless she thought, hoping for good enough quality and clarity.

Chas exhaled as the film ended. "Your ex seems like a real louse he commented, I'm sorry you had to go through that Harry," he said. "But the footage is perfect, we definitely have enough for arrest warrants for Robert and Mellison."

"What he said," echoed Dempsey smiling. Dempsey outlined how they had provoked Robert to get the confession. The camera had been off for most of it.

"Me and Harry stood close together and then flirted and danced and when I made a move on her and touched her ass, that was the last straw for that dumb drunk loser," he ended as Harry sat smiling quietly. The last section only had been caught on camera, something she was thankful for. Adam looked at them both.

"You guys certainly work more closely, than we do in Major Crime," he admitted, slightly puzzled. "It was a great result."

Chas smiled and was forced to look away, as he knew just how powerful the bond between his colleagues was, and just how it would have incensed Robert, because it was genuine.

"I guess," grinned Dempsey, his hand nudging Harry, teasing her. "What do you think Harry?"

"I think it's time we rang Spikings and organise the raid and the arrests before I fall asleep," she purposefully reminded them, changing the subject. It was close to 2am.

Spikings didn't enjoy being woken and Chas had to endure several minutes of expletives before his boss was ready to listen. The raid went well, timed as it was at 6am on a Sunday, and there were only some very sleepy men acting as security guards. Harry, Chas, Dempsey and Adam recovered counterfeit currency and uncut heroin, paperwork containing details of the backhanders to Mellison and some very confused women, thin, young and locked in various rooms of the old building. Adam was delighted.

The arrests were done by a uniformed team, of Robert, Abigail and the counsellor. They were sitting in the cells waiting for their legal team. Harry, Dempsey and Adam were exhausted, and Spikings agreed to conduct the interviews. Chas would stay in and liaise, despite his late night.

They three went for a quick breakfast at a local greasy spoon, happy it was open on a Sunday late morning. Harry, had tea and toast, as she really wanted to sleep not eat, but Dempsey opted for the full English. Adam smiled and joined him. After they had devoured all the food, Adam waved goodbye and they agreed to meet up again in the SI-10 offices, at 8am on Monday.

"Come on Harry, let's go to bed," he told her as they returned to the car. He was in a very good mood, as Spikings had agreed he could sit in on Robert's second interview in the morning. He actually couldn't wait. Harry had asked him to use all his powers of persuasion on Robert, something she'd never said before. He wanted to celebrate.

"Dempsey, I'm just about exhausted. You will just have to wait until the morning."

"But we have to be up and in early," he complained.

"Well, you will just have to be up and in even earlier," she smiled. Dempsey's face displayed shock, and his mouth dropped open.

"Why Makepeace, I never would have thought you'd say something like that," he stuttered in surprise.

Smiling serenely, Harry got into the driver's side of the car. "Get in Dempsey, what are you waiting for?"

And he grinned from ear to ear, and jumped in.

"You still owe me when we're alone in the office," he reminded her.