Thank you so much for the reviews and feedback. I'm so pleased that some of you, who haven't been that keen on AU are enjoying it as it felt a bit of a leap to write it too! They're such strong characters. I've tried to show how circumstance, in this instance for Harry leads to her changing, but also how it affects him too. It had to be series 3 Dempsey because I can't imagine the border line sex pest from series one ever working. Currently another 5 chapters to come. Enough waffle! As ever welcome reviews, good and bad.

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Dempsey waits outside the bar. He didn't want to sit inside and have her walk into the place. Several customers have walked past him and then out in the time he's been here. He wonders if they think he's been stood up but it's only just past 6 and he arrived early. He gets the impression that she's not the sort to let someone down.

He's pulled from his thoughts by a glimpse of blonde hair. He catches his breath as she approaches, taking a few steps forward to greet her. She looks nervous, but the haunted look he first saw in her eyes isn't there anymore. He'd love to tell her all the adjectives that come to mind, yet he is learning that the regular gusto that he uses with women won't work with her. He tries out honest and simple, "You look beautiful."

"Hello to you too." She pauses and reflects on his words as if she's rolling them around in his mind. A light blush washes her face, "Thank you."

He's itching to touch her, but settles on opening the door and holding out the chair and holds back any more effusive comments as she takes off her wool coat to reveal a simple navy dress. He insists, without any pressure, that he's buying. When she suggests she pays next time, it gives them both an air of hope. Presently, after she's heard too much muzak from the speakers, he comes back with a wine glass for her and a pint of beer for himself. Moderating his behaviour is proving easier than he thought it might be.

"How are you feeling after New York." She asks, taking a sip from her glass, "I imagine it must be hard to get back into London life."

"I like it here, feels more like home than I thought. There's stuff I miss about America, but the work is good, Spikings is sound." Dempsey explains and then pauses, "I didn't leave out of choice."

"Sounds very mysterious." She observes a troubled look on his face.

"I was distracted by you today." He looks at her, daring to meet her eyes. "That helped."

Harry tries to think of a response. This man whom she barely knows, yet knows so much about her, is making her feel wanted. She takes another sip of wine and smiles as she tries to settle her nerves. "Does your family miss you? Your girlfriend?"

"I'm not seeing anyone." He says evenly, "I have an ex-girlfriend in New York, she cheated on me and I don't miss her at all."

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry." She swallows, his intention perhaps a little clearer. It's what she hoped for but it's still a bit of a thunderbolt to her nerve-struck soul.

"Thank you, it's fine. We're better off as distant friends."

"You know Joyce well, she seems kind." She has to ask.

"Her and her husband gave me place to stay when I got off the plane. They're both friends of mine, and they have two great kids. And I'm a cheap babysitter."

She nods with a smile at his effusive explanation.

"But if you're asking if I've played the field a bit, then yes I have, but I don't want to do that anymore." Dempsey holds his breath. There's a fine line between truth and scaring her to death.

"Okay, I appreciate your honesty." She says and sips her wine, "How do you like Spikings? That's not a leading question, he doesn't know my father that well!" She gives a wider smile and he can't help return it.

"He thinks I'm a wild card. I guess it's different policing over here but it gets the job done quicker. But I'm not very popular with the big guys in charge." He grins. "I bend a few rules now and then."

"Was the moustache part of that? It suited you." She tentatively flirts, "I almost didn't recognise you."

"Kept getting my food in it, almost set it on fire with a lighter." He grumbles and she laughs. His eyes map her smile. She's sat here with him, despite all she's been through, or at least what he knows of it and he feels like a lucky man. "You can ask me anything y'know, but will you tell me something about you too?"

"Not much to say." She stares at him for a beat or two and puts down her glass. She thinks of how her life has changed and then to what it was, and her stomach knots. "There's not a great deal lately I'd like to talk about. Sorry, I'm not very good at all this."

Dempsey sees the sadness on her face, her body almost visibly putting up a barrier. He desperately wants to hug her, kiss it all away and take her into his bed, do the whole protective caveman thing as Spikings thought. Instead, he studies his beer glass and summons up a dose of courage. "I'm gonna apologise for shooting my mouth off before I do. See, I don't know much about what happened but what you did was up there with the actions of the bravest cops I've ever seen. I'd hate to see that scum of a man ruin the rest of your life."

She nods thoughtfully. Then she gets up, "I just need the bathroom."

He watches her go and it's only when he sees that she's left her coat, that he lets go a breath, almost certain that she might have used it as an excuse to leave. He remembers judging Simone too quickly and trying to push her into tackling her drinking. It didn't work. He's got to give a little first.

When she walks back, he's relieved to see her looking composed, he's just grateful she came back. He takes a breath when she's settled back in her seat and takes a breath. "I was born in Brooklyn. I'm here on an exchange programme after I uncovered a corruption ring at NYPD. I work at Scotland Yard. My partner is Chas and we rub along okay. I love baseball, running, the gym and Buster Keaton movies. I like reading but never get the time. I listen to the police radio frequency more than is healthy. My favourite food is my mother's lasagna. I call her every week. I've never married, and uncle to my sister's two amazing kids. I like London a whole lot better and I want to call it home. I'm finding more reasons to stay each day."

"I love Buster Keaton movies." She exclaims and then they lapse easily into chatting films, and books they wished they'd read and places in London he'd love to visit.

Over a second glass of wine, Harry tells him about Winfield Hall, her father and a few escapades during her childhood that have them both laughing. He doesn't pry about her mother and she doesn't ask about his father, that will keep for another day. She lets the words fall out and makes no effort to call them back.

"Did you enjoy this evening?" She hears the hint of nervousness in his voice as the night draws to a close.

She finishes her wine. "Yes, I did. Very much so."

He clears his throat, he wants her to hear this even if it makes her hesitant, "I like you Harry. You're funny and you're great company. When I met you, I did want to rescue you but I think you're doing that all by yourself. You're sexy and smart. I really wanna see you again."

Harry hears her heart racing and her eyes sting. She'd forgotten what it's like to get a compliment from a guy before, and one so compelling and attractive as him.

"A bit full on wasn't it? He looks at the table in embarrassment and she slides her fingers across the table to meet his. He holds his breath as she slides her hand on top of his.

"We'd have to take it slow. I get the impression that you'd like it to move fast, but I can't promise that," Harry' tries to stop her voice wobbling with the enormity of what she's saying, "You know something of what I've been through, I know you have read the file and I trust that you're here with good intentions but I don't want whatever this is.." she waves a hand between them, "…to be a rebound."

Dempsey nods."We do this at your pace. You can tell me anytime if it's too much, too fast."

"It's not going to be easy, James."

"I'm okay with that." And he is, much to his great surprise.

He walks her to the door of her house and to his delight, she kisses his cheek. A gentle brush of her lips but it's all the more moving for her courage and honesty. And he stands by the foot of the steps, touching the imprint of her on his skin, only leaving when she's inside safely.