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Sleeping Arrangements

Dempsey sat on the edge of one of the twin beds, watching Makepeace as she looked around the room. She still seemed distant to him. As if she was shutting the rest of the world out. He hated it but saw no way to break down the barriers anymore than he already had.

"Bethan said we can speak to the witnesses tomorrow. Not much to be done now." He paused as she ran a hand through her blonde hair.

"I know. Look." She paused. "I'm just going to unpack and get an early night. I'm exhausted."

"So you don't want to see what nightlife Cardiff has to offer?" He shot her his best charm smile as she sat on the opposite bed.

"No. I just want to sleep. You go out if you want." She yawned.

"I'll find a payphone, call Spikings." Dempsey suggested. "Let you get ready for bed in peace." She smiled gratefully as he headed towards the door. He paused as she turned her back to him, pulling an oversized t shirt out of her bag. "You know something, Harry?"

"What?" She turned back to him, clearly confused.

"We keep on as we are." He paused. "And he's won. He may be dead but he's still won if we let whatever is going on between us die too." He walked out the door leaving her standing staring at the space where he had been.

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"Sir." Chas called as Spikings walked back into the SI10 office. It was clear the older man was not happy, the meeting with the other DI and DCIs had not gone well. Chas got to his feet and followed the beligerant Welshman into the office.

"Dempsey called."

"And?"

"He and Harry got to Cardiff ok."

"I know. Harry left you a message earlier."

"Dempsey says they can meet with Julie tomorrow. WDC Jones and DI Evans are sorting out a meet with her and another woman who was involved. A Kathryn Smith."

"Kath Smith?" Spikings shook his head. "A new one on me. But if she knows this scum she may be able to help." Chas nodded, getting the impression he was no longer wanted. Quietly he left the office, hoping this case wasn't going to implode around them.

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Harry lay on her back, the streetlight streaming through the window as she tried to sleep. Dempsey's words haunted her. He knew how she felt about him. She also knew how he felt about her. He had been trying to protect her ever since the death of the so called Thriller Killer. Closing her eyes she listened, hoping to hear Dempsey snoring slightly as he lay on his bed a few feet away.

"Dempsey?" She tried, knowing there was no way she was going to sleep. "Dempsey?" She propped herself up on one elbow and watched as his back remained facing her. She bit her lip, realising he wasn't wearing a t shirt. The bare skin on his back illuminated by the street light. "Are you awake?" Again she was answered by silence before she saw the sudden rise of his shoulders. He seemed to be shaking in his sleep.

"No." He whispered. Harry smiled, glad he was awake. Moments later she realised he wasn't awake and he wasn't talking to her. "Leave her. Please. No." He mumbled. Harry blinked back tears, wondering for a moment if he was talking about her. "Dad, no." He paused as Harry's heart broke a little. She threw the blankets away from her legs and crossed the room to him.

"It's ok." She rested a hand on his upper arm. Aware that he had no idea she was there. "Come on. It's me. Harry. Wake up."

"No." He gulped back a sob. "Mom."

She suddenly realised why he was so overprotective of her at times. Why he felt the need to put on a front. She smoothed back his dark hair as he fell quiet. Moments later his eyes opened.

"You ok? What is it?" He pushed himself up the bed. Harry smiled.

"I'm fine. You were having a nightmare."

"Oh, right. Yeah. Well." He swallowed hard. "And I couldn't sleep."

"No?"

"Dempsey." She touched his face gently. "I." Seconds later he hugged her as if his life depended on it. In that moment she knew this case was not as important as it should be. That Spikings had sent them to Cardiff for another reason and it wasn't just her that had demons to fight. She pulled back, kissing him gently as her hands rested on his bare chest.

"It's gonna be ok, Harry." He whispered against her lips.

"Yeah." She nodded. "Yeah, it is."

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A/N More soon. Please review.