Thank you to everyone who has stuck with this story. There's some D&M cuteness here to make up for the angst. One more chapter after this.

Dempsey's recovery was slow but steady, he had beaten the infection but it had left him weak, even a short conversation wore him out. But every day he grew stronger and Harry at last began to believe that he would pull through this.

Over the course of a week he stayed awake long enough to tell Harry about Norman's part in his escape.

'He saved my life.' he said as she sat at his bedside, he reached for her hand. 'Helped me escape, another day in there and I don't think I'd have made it. He's a decent guy, Harry, make sure they go easy on him.'

He looked down at their entwined hands and stroked his thumb across her fingers. 'Holding your hand - I'll never take it for granted again.'

XxXxXxXxXx

Spikings and Chas had been interviewing Norman for two hours. He was a changed man, he said and promised that his life as a small-time crook was behind him. He was happy to tell them whatever they wanted to know, 'so long as me and the missus are safe.'

When they left for a break Harry slipped into the interview room. Norman was sitting at the table nursing a mug of dark brown tea. He looked up with a frown. 'They said I could have a breather, it's tiring all that talking.'

She sat down opposite him. 'I'm detective Sergeant Makepeace and I'm not here to interview you, I shouldn't be here at all, but I just wanted to come and thank you.'

Norman looked puzzled.

'For helping Dempsey, he told me what you did, you took quite a risk.'

Norman waved his hand. 'I didn't like what they were doing to him, that fists and feet stuff, not my scene at all. Bunch of thugs.'

Then he broke into a wide smile. 'Are you the girlfriend, are you Harry? He talked about you all the time. He was so sad, just wanted to get home to you.' He paused. How is he?'

'He's still in hospital, likely to be in for another few weeks, he's been pretty ill but he's getting stronger.'

'Tell him I asked for him, and that I'm sorry. Sorry I didn't do more to stop them.'

'You did enough Norman' Harry said as she stood up.

Two weeks later

Dempsey moaned as he heard the door open, there were footsteps and he knew it was Mick. He tried to push himself up but he was frozen, unable to move. He felt hands on his shoulders, but not Mick's rough hands, gentle hands,

He mustered all his strength to cry out. 'No!'

He tried to move away but the hands followed and now a voice, 'I'm here, James, I'm here.' A woman's voice.

He tried to open his eyes but couldn't.

Harry, Mick had come for her, he had to warn her.

'Harry!'

And still the hands, stroking his back now. 'Wake up, you're dreaming.'

He had no idea what was real, he was sure Mick was there somewhere. He tried to sit up again and gave a muffled groan.

And then there were arms around him, fingers in his hair. 'I've got you, you're safe.'

He jerked into consciousness. Harry's bedroom, the light dim, the scent of her. Her touch, it was real.

She was here and he was safe.

He turned and pulled her to him, burying his face in her hair as she carried on her soothing touch.

He couldn't speak, it was all he could do to calm his breathing, to let himself take comfort from her and to push away all the memories of these nights he'd longed for her thinking he'd never see her again.

At last he raised his head and reached for her face, leaning in to find her lips.

'Love you.' He mumbled as he closed his eyes again.

A week later

Harry turned from the sink at the sound of a crash and a curse. She saw the broken plate on the floor and caught Dempsey throwing the knife hard at the table. 'Fucking hell! This arm.'

He gave an exaggerated sigh and bent to pick up the pieces.

She was beside him now, her hand on his arm. 'Stop, just sit down.'

'I'll do it' he growled.

She raised her voice a little 'sit down James, just let me pick it up.'

Dempsey glared at her but did as he was told and sat down, leaning on the table, head in his hands.

Harry tipped the shards into the bin and stood watching him as he ran his hands through his hair. She knew he was frustrated, still weak and without full use of his left arm. She didn't know what to do to help, all she could do was be there for him.

He turned to her and she stepped between his knees, her hands caressing his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands running over her buttocks and down her thighs before coming up around her again, pulling her tighter against him. 'I'm sorry' he mumbled against her stomach.

Her hands on his shoulders could feel his tension.

'Stop apologising.' she whispered.

'I just feel so useless.' He loosened his hold on her, and she stroked down his arm and took his hand, leaning back against the table.

'James, you're not useless. You were abducted, beaten up so badly your arm was broken and then you were in hospital for four weeks and it was touch and go for a few days. You're still recovering physically and mentally, you need to sleep for several hours every afternoon and you have nightmares. None of that is your fault but you need to look after yourself, because….'

Her voice hitched and she clutched his hand tighter against her.

'Because I refuse to lose you again. So please, take it easy. Do it for me if not for yourself.' She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.

'C'mere,' Dempsey pulled her down to sit on his lap.

'I don't deserve you, you know.'

'No that's probably true' Harry said with a smile, 'but you seem to be stuck with me.'

'I just want things to be like they were before.' He pressed his lips against her hair.

'I know' she cupped his cheek and pulled him round to face her, laying soft kisses at the side of his mouth 'and they will be, but you need to give it time.'

'Just feel so pathetic' he huffed. 'I can't stay awake, doped up on painkillers. I'm not allowed to go back to work for two more weeks, not allowed to carry a gun til I'm off the pills. Feel I'm letting you down Harry.'

'Why? Because you should be a big strong, energetic man? Come on James, I've long since seen through that act.'

'I'm just not used to being like this.'

'Anyway' she said 'you were pretty strong and energetic last night if I remember.'

Dempsey laughed, 'I'm just glad everything's in working order. After the kicking that Mick gave me I was worried.'

'Oh it's all in working order, I assure you, I have no concerns whatsoever.'

He raised his eyebrows as he ran his hand along her thigh, 'don't you think I could do with some more practice?'

Harry stood up. 'Hold that thought! I have to go into the office for a bit, I'll be back at tea time.'

'I'll be counting the minutes.'

She leaned in to kiss him. 'Charm will get you everywhere!' She stopped, suddenly serious. 'Will you be okay?'

He reached for her hand again and raised it to his lips. 'I'll be okay, Harry. We'll be okay.'