Thank you to everyone who's stuck with this story to the end. It was never meant to be so long, but here's the finale.

Harry sat down on the edge of the bed, watching Dempsey as he slept. He was sprawled out on his back, fully dressed, his left arm cradled against his chest in its cast. During the day he would never get undressed and into bed, refusing to acknowledge his fatigue. He hated being so frail. Despite her reassurances that this was part of his recovery, now that he was out of hospital he wanted to regain his previous level of fitness as soon as possible and was impatient when his body had other ideas.

She stroked his leg, her hand running upwards from his knee, he moaned and turned onto his side.

'Dempsey!'

One of the many reasons Harry hated Derek Lynch was that Dempsey no longer woke peacefully from sleep. She watched him jerk awake with a look of terrified bewilderment which melted into relief as he realised where he was.

'It's only me,' she said, rubbing his thigh. 'You okay?'

'Yeah, yeah.' He pushed himself up and rubbed his hand over his face. 'Time is it?'

'It's just after four.'

Dempsey rummaged for the packet of pills beside the bed and muttered as he struggled to open it. Harry took it from him, pressed out the tablets and fetched him a glass of water.

He lay back against the headboard clutching his arm. 'You're home early.'

'Hmm, I have so much overtime so it doesn't matter. I have something to tell you.'

His eyes widened 'you're not pregnant are you?'

'What? No!' She gave his leg a playful slap. 'How on Earth did you jump to that conclusion?'

Dempsey smirked 'be fine with me if you were.'

'That's a conversation for another time James. What I want to tell you is that Derek Lynch and Mick, Michael Trotter to give him his full name have been charged - kidnap, grevious bodily harm and a string of other offences. Seems that Derek was determined to follow in his father and uncle's footsteps.'

'What about Norman?'

'He's been charged with kidnap too but there's no doubt about his part in your escape, so he should get off lightly.'

'He's a good guy, Norman, just got in with the wrong people I guess.'

Dempsey watched Harry's fingers as she traced the pattern on the duvet; he could read her like a book by now.

'What is it?' He asked quietly.

'Nothing, I'm fine.'

He ran a finger down her jawbone and lifted her chin.

'You're not fine, Harry, tell me.'

She didn't reply. She kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the bed beside him snuggling into his good side, her head on his chest. They sat there for a while, content in each other's arms.

'I'm just so angry.' she said at last. Dempsey pulled her closer, kissing her hair, he could tell she was trying not to cry.

'What they did to you. I'm just so furious. They took you off the street, held you prisoner, beat you up and….how dare they.'

Despite himself he smiled at her prim indignation.

'Harry look at me.'

She lifted her face to his, a face so loved and familiar. The bruising had almost completely faded, his eyes were soft, studying her.

'Harry don't let it eat you up. If you let them spoil what we have, they win.'

'I know, I know. But for two days I didn't know if you were alive or dead.' She sniffed and wiped her hand across her eyes.

'You know sweetheart I think the whole thing was worse for you than me.'

'No that's not true' she protested 'look how badly injured you were.'

'I know, but at least I knew the person I love was safe. I never worried that you were in danger. Thought I might not see you again, but not knowing, that must have been…'

Harry sat up and climbed across his legs to face him. She cupped her palm against his cheek. 'I love you, you know. Did I ever tell you that?'

'You didn't need to tell me, sitting by my bed all these hours you showed me.'

He splayed his hands on her hips and pulled her hard against him and pressed his lips to hers lips that were warm and soft, the kiss deepened as he slid his tongue against hers and her moan of pleasure lit a fire in him.

A week later.

'Here he comes!' Chas called from the doorway.

Dempsey was due to meet with Spikings ahead of his return to work the following week. The office was covered in balloons and home made "welcome back" banners.

There was a whoop and a burst of applause as he came through the door.

The good wishes were genuine, whatever they thought of Dempsey beforehand every member of the team had been worried about him and there was a collective feeling of relief at his rescue and his recovery.

'Ah thanks guys.' Dempsey grinned, a little self-conscious as he was surrounded with handshakes and claps on the back.

He turned as Harry came in behind him.

'And um thanks for being there for my partner when I was…you know…away.'

He slung his arm round her shoulders, then pulled her into an embrace and kissed her hard on the lips. The cheering was even louder now only broken by Spikings coming out of his office. 'Ah Lieutenant, good to see you back and already causing havoc. As for the rest of you, don't you have any work to do?'

He looked at Dempsey who had his arm around Makepeace's waist and was ignoring the glare she was aiming his way.

'Whenever you're ready Dempsey.' Spikings headed back into his office.

'Was that really necessary?' She hissed, she was trying very hard to be cross with him.

He lowered his voice 'everyone knows, Harry. It's not a secret any more.'

She pursed her lips in annoyance.

'Anyway' he smirked 'I'm not back at work til next week so I can do what I like in the office.'

He kissed her again, a quick kiss before she could protest and then he followed Spikings into his office.

'See you later, honey bunch!' he called over his shoulder.

Harry shook her head and smiled as she sat at her desk.

Things were about to go back to normal and she couldn't think of anything she wanted more.