�You�re hiding me like a dirty little secret,� Harry growled.

�No, it�s�it�s just that this is so new between us, Harry, and I haven�t figured out how to talk about it yet.�

�Just tell them �Harry and I are a couple now.� There, was that so hard?�

�Calm down, Harry.�

�No. I�m sick of being treated like a pariah. All I have done is save your life and lead your squad to the bad guys. I should have a hero�s welcome for that! But all I get is grief from you.�

�Harry, calm down, please.�

�I deserve to be proudly displayed like a trophy, not swept under the rug, Diane.�

�Harry, I�m sor��

�No. No, Diane. That�s not good enough. If I�m not good enough for you after saving your life and your ex-partner�s life, I don�t know who would be.�

�Harry!�

�Maybe Danny. Maybe he�s good enough for you? You could mine granite between that guy�s ears. Is that what you want? A dumb, pretty, blond boy?�

�Stop yelling, Harry!� Diane was whimpering now.

�Forget New Year�s. I wouldn�t be seen with a flaky bitch like you, anyway. Honey.� Harry had a unique way of dripping blood from that word with sarcasm.

�Are you drunk?� Diane asked, disbelieving.

�Oh, nice. You�re the one treating me like dirt, and now I must be drunk because I am not taking that abuse well. Is that it? Diane, I don�t think you understand how your dishonesty is cutting me to the core. To the core! Of all the people in the world, I expected you would be the one to stick by me. And after one week, just one short week, you are turning on me. We had such a sweet Christmas. I can�t understand why you would betray me so quickly.�

�How the hell did betrayal become a part of your little rant?� Diane�s anger was growing.