"Dempsey?"
"Hmm?"
"You went into a world of your own just then." She paused. "What were you thinking about?"
Dempsey stopped. "You."
"Me? What about me?"
"About the fact that I nearly lost you today. And it would have been all my fault."
"Dempsey, it wouldn't have been your fault. I was the one that followed you to Myra's place. I was the one who didn't get out quick enough."
"Why did you follow me?"
"Because I knew that even though I'd called you in, you would never have come back! You were too involved to be pulled out. I thought I could help you..." Harry trailed off. There was a question she was dying to ask, but was afraid of the answer. Suddenly, she blurted out abruptly;
"Will you go back?"
Dempsey was taken aback for a second as Harry quickly changed the conversation direction.
"Back?"
"To America" Harry clarified. "I mean, now Coltrane is being put away, you're free to go. Free to go home."
She swallowed hard to try and stop the rising lump in her throat. The thought of Dempsey not being here was too much to bear. Sure, he could be irreverent, brash, loud, crass, break every rule in the book, never agree with a word she said and could just be down right rude, but despite it all, she had grew accustomed to his presence in her life, in work and outside it. She loved working with him, loved getting results that they had worked so hard for. More importantly, she loved the undercover roles, where she often saw a gentler, softer side to him; when he was the Wheelman, for example. She enjoyed the nights out she had with him, feeling safe and protected, as she found his arm was either always around her, or was always free for her to link him.
She loved the fact that he always came home with her, using the spare quilt that she had bought only for him. She wanted him in her life. She dreamt of being with him, properly. The thought wasn't so far from reach as she had once imagined. She felt something for him that she had never felt with her husband. She didn't know what it was; but it was exciting, dangerous, tempting; something she didn't want to lose. She held her breath as she waited for Dempsey's reply.
"I don't know, Princess. I'm not sure America is my home anymore."
"No?" She breathed a sigh of relief, daring to hope.
"No. I mean, er...Sure, I'd like to go back to see my folks, but it wouldn't be more than a holiday. London is where I'm happiest! In London" His voice dropped. "In London with you."
Harry felt an involuntary smile creep upon her lips, and this didn't go unnoticed my Dempsey. He took a step towards her, his hands landing on her waist. Harry was taken aback by his action, but she felt glued to the spot. She watched as his face edged closer to hers. She could feel his breath on her skin as his brown eyes found her blue ones, and neither wanted to break eye contact.
"Listen Harry..."
"Dempsey! Makepeace!" The harsh sound of Spiking's voice rang in their ears, and the moment was gone. Harry stepped away, looking at Spiking's from across the grounds.
"We're coming, Sir"
Harry started to walk down the path to where Spikings stood, Dempsey beginning to follow. As she did so, she risked a glance behind her, and saw Dempsey's eyes fixed onto her and she wondered what he had been about to say.