From inside the house Makepeace called out. "PC Green is everything under control?"

Released from the cuffs Dempsey brushed himself down and glared directly at the two constables. They didn't know what to say; Dempsey tossed his head in the direction of their car implying they should at least return to that if not leave the scene altogether.

Makepeace called out again and switched a second hallway light on downstairs.

Dempsey watched them retreat; he tossed his head again meaning them to move around the corner and out of sight. Brian wasn't sure but his partner had twigged the American accent and everything had clicked into place.

"What if he attacks her?" Brian whispered

"What if he attacks us?" was the reply

"If he's a cop, he wouldn't attack us"

"He would – he's that yankee cop who has the reputation for …"

"Oh god, the yank and the sexy blonde…." The penny dropped and the fear spread; they had cuffed the cop with the most outrageous reputation in London.

Neither Brian nor his partner had ever really appreciated whom they had been watching before; they both darted around the corner.

Dempsey's legs turned to jelly when he heard Harry's voice, he finally found his key in his pocket and turned the lock. Dempsey had a strong image of Harry with iron bar from the hall stand or her gun waiting to pounce as he entered so as soon as the door started to open he called out "Hi ya Honey, it's been a long day at the office"

As he heard the clatter of the iron bar fall the door swung wide open and Harry flung herself onto his body and clung tightly to him. His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her into him so tightly she could barely breath; he held her in an iron clasp unable to say anything, his heart seemed to stop beating. Neither spoke, moved or lightened their grip until James felt his shirt become wet; James relaxed his grip and stood back a little, he discovered the cause of his wet shirt as he saw the silent tears flowing from Harry. As he wiped the tears across her cheek he shivered from standing in the open doorway for so long. Dempsey released himself from Makepeace and stepped back outside to pick up his bag which he placed inside the hallway before shutting the door.

"I'm cold and wet and could use a little warming" he grinned.

Harry watched his face as he turned towards her speaking those familiar words, the bag had been quickly slung onto the floor and the door shut behind them. She looked into his eyes, recognising the look of devotion she had misinterpreted for so many months she reciprocated his grin and flung her arms around his neck this time and kissed his lips. His left arm went around her waist; his right scrunched her hair as he held her close to return the kiss. Harry's fingers ran around Dempsey's head, through his hair, his actions mirrored hers; neither could get close enough to the other even so.

Then suddenly the questions started to pour into Harry's mind, she broke the kiss and pulled back just a little, "Is it really all over?" she asked

"All over, did you hear Coltrane was dead?"

"It made the BBC news" she let Dempsey support her with both his arms around her waist as she leant back with her hands resting on his chest so she could keep her eyes locked with his.

"Seems there was a mutiny in his own team, some of them suspected he was going down and didn't want him to take them down as well"

"They got to him in prison?"

"You have to remember they're everywhere Harry, that's why I walked out of protection, prison cells just ain't safe" Dempsey brushed her hair away from her eyes so he could gaze into them.

"How do you know who the good guys are?" she asked quietly

"They're people like Eddie and Brook and Leighton, pounding the streets, looking out for the downtrodden, making sure they get justice, that's how you tell Harry. It's not so different to over here you know"

"Do they know you're back here?"

"Who's they?"

"Coltrane's people"

"They don't even know my name now, I'm history Harry as far as that goes"

Harry felt a little of the relief Dempsey experienced. "No contract?" Harry took her own weight on her feet again and moved her hands down and found Dempsey's. As they clasped hands she never wanted to let him go again.

"No contract, I'm a free man"

"Free to return to America?" It was a nervous question, but she tried to make it sound light hearted

"Free to return to London" the look in James' eyes said everything but just in case Harry was worried James bent down and gently matched his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly "now how about a British cup of tea?"

"On its way" Harry went towards the kitchen and noticed Dempsey hang back, unsure of whether to follow, she also noticed how exhausted he looked "Why don't you go up to my bed and I'll bring us both up a cup of tea". Revitalised by his presence Harry was wide awake now. She turned on the kitchen light and addressed the making of tea. Dempsey left his bag where it was and went upstairs. He put his jacket over the chair back then sat on the bed and removed his shoes, stood up to take of his trousers and tossed them towards the chair, they barely made it. He sat back down on the side of the bed and loosened his shirt collar and cuffs and laid back down onto the bed for a moment, it was such a relief to be able to lie down in safety. Instantly he was asleep.

Harry carried a tray with two mugs, milk, a pot of tea and a plate of toast upstairs. As she pushed open the door she turned into the room and saw James sparked out on top of the bed in his socks, boxers and shirt and tie. She smiled and spoke fairly loudly "I did some toast as well" he didn't flinch. She placed the tray on her bedside and walked around to him, she lifted his leg up and moved him so he was fully on the bed, he still didn't stir. "I wish I could sleep that deeply" she spoke out loud still trying to be certain he was fast asleep. With no reaction she undid his tie and pulled it out from under his collar then loosened his shirt.

She picked up his trousers and folded them neatly over the chair and returned to her side of the bed sitting on top of the covers as well she poured herself a mug of tea and took a slice of toast to eat. She sipped her tea looking at him and smiling softly suddenly aware of how many fears had just lifted off her shoulders. "I never thought I could miss you as much as I did" she whispered to him, even though she knew he was asleep she needed to speak her thoughts. She just kept on and on looking at him as she finished her toast and sipped some more tea. With her toast finished she put her tea down and moved closer to James, his arm reached up and found the pillow, it slid under to its usual place. Harry touched his arm, then traced her fingers lightly over his face, around his eyes, his nose, his lips exploring the contours, her heart fluttered "I love you so much James Dempsey" she wondered about calling him Jim, he called himself that but she never did "Jim" she whispered but it felt uncomfortable, "James" she smiled again and turned to finish her tea. She ate another slice of toast, her appetite returning with a vengeance, and then worked the bed covers away from underneath Dempsey. He turned in his sleep and made himself comfortable on the bed, facing Harry he opened his eyes briefly and smiled when he saw her eyes looking into his. He was back asleep before he woke, Harry pulled the covers over him, removed her robe and after turning out the light climbed into the bed, pulling the covers over her as she cuddled up to him. As her arm stretched over his chest he kissed her forehead in his sleep and brought his right arm from under the pillow holding her tight to himself. Harry kept herself awake because she wanted to feel his presence with her, to know that he was safe, that they were together, now she could enjoy reliving the week in New York, and those special times in Ireland. It was 3.00am, she was replaying the part of the Céilidh she could remember when she finally fell asleep.