Hello !

This is a sequel to 'Scared but here', this one won't make that much sense if you don't read Scared but here, or at least the last few chapters of it =] Hope you enjoy this one!

Alice's POV

As I bounded around the surgery happily, caring for all the sick animals that needed healing and rehabilitation, my mind was on Danny Trevanion. Danny was the man I loved, the man I'd put my life in danger for, the man I cared about, and the man who I don't think I could quite live without. Danny was feeding the elephants outside, the elephants had a thing about Danny, he'd even been subjected to an elephant kiss not so long ago, after courageously saving them and looking after them for a long time. Danny had never lacked courage and that's probably why he had been nominated for a huge hero award.

I looked at the calendar that sat on the wall. This month there was a lion on the picture, but I was more interested in the big red circle marking Friday 30th – the day of the heroes ceremony, where my hero, would be rewarded. He would not only receive his reward for saving me and staring down the barrel of a gun, but also a pairs award for Danny and I's veterinary work, Danny was a main contender for the biggest reward... Overall Hero.

Danny was a bag of nerves, everyone was cheering him on, we all hoped secretly he would win, in fact I expected him to win the reward. He's my hero either way, nothing will ever change that.

Lost in my thoughts of Danny, I didn't realise that Caroline was stood behind me.

"Alice, would you like a cup of tea?"

I jumped suddenly and turned round.

"Sorry dear, didn't mean to make you jump." Caroline laughed as I nodded my head.

"I'll be up in 5 minutes. I'll just get Danny away from his beloved elephants!" I promised, as she walked away. I watched her bounce happily along, half way across the garden, Dupe greeted her with a kiss. They were one of the cutest couples I'd ever seen, and so in love. I thought of me and Danny, I wondered if we'd be like that when we were older.

After smiling in awe for a few minutes, I went off to go and fetch Danny. He was out the back, feeding the elephants, stroking Tula, the elephant we had saved so many times affectionately.

"Hey, Mr Elephant Man! Come on, Caroline wants us for tea, in... well we're meant to be there now." I laughed slowly hugging him from behind.

He turned round slowly and kissed me. I loved his kisses, they were full of warmth, passion, and love. They were irresistible. If it wasn't for the fact we didn't live in a perfect world where we didn't have so many chores, I think I would stand there forever.

"Let's go then. Bye elephants." Danny smiled as he gently took my hand. I clung to him, as he held my hand tightly, protectively. Everyone was out already, sitting on the veranda, we joined everyone for a delicious drink, made my Nomsa.

Charlotte came running up to us. I opened my arms to hug her. She had a small piece of paper in her hand.

"Hey mum." She smiled. "Danny I drew this for you and mum, it's for your room." She handed Danny the rolled up piece of paper.

I stood up and watched as Danny unrolled the paper. Charlotte loved art, and had a talent for it, she wanted to learn the art of music too, but for now, we couldn't afford a tutor to teach her, and so she sang in the local choir. She had the voice of an angel.

The picture showed a detailed sketch of an elephant family with three people feeding them. I recognised straight away that it was our elephants. At first I didn't notice the background or the sides, but I saw my giraffe, and Dupe, Caroline and Olivia in one of the game drive vehicles. It was an amazing piece of artwork.

"Wow, this is amazing Charlie, we'll have to get this framed. It's really good. How about we put it in the living room instead?" Danny smiled giving her a hug. I smiled, Danny and Charlotte had an impressive relationship, I hadn't expected Charlotte to take to having a father figure so easily, but Danny was her dad, not her father, he was more than that.

"Hmm okay." Charlotte said, a huge grin appeared across her face. She loved the praise and attention. Danny really had a way with kids.

"It's really good Charlotte, let's sit down eh. Tea's here." I said patting her gently on the back. She nodded and ran to get her place next to Olivia.

As we drank our tea, everyone was laughing and joking. Dupe was going on about his old south African jokes, and Caroline was talking to Liv and Charlotte about her modelling days. Danny and I sat quietly, talking silently and gently.

"2 days til the awards." Danny said taking hold of my hand.

"Yep, and you're my hero." I said, he smiled before kissing me gently.

"Hmm... What do you say to going out tonight?" he asked, stroking my arm gently under the table.

"Yeh sure, where are you taking me Mr Trevanion." I teased looking into his calm green eyes.

"I was thinking to that lovely new restaurant in Jo'burg."

"Yes, it's apparently very good. Will be lovely." I said, squeezing his hand, before leaning in for another quick peck. We smiled at each other.

"Arrh! Love's young dream eh? Get a room!" Dupe joked.

"Say's you Dupe!" I laughed as he put his arm around Caroline and kissed her on the cheek.

"Anyway, you all get a night off from us, we're off out" added Danny.

"Yehh, I bet you are." Dupe winked, before getting a playful slap off Caroline.

We all laughed before we separated. Danny and I went off to go and do some chores, whilst Dupe had a game drive to do. Caroline was busy making the house ship-shape, and Olivia and Charlotte had decided they were going to do some training with McCavitie.

In the animal hospital away from everyone apart from Danny, I sat down to do some paperwork. This was the one job I hated. Order forms, insurance, documents from the law. It was all boring and drag. I was so busy, with my head so deep in it, I didn't see Danny come and sit as the side, on the other chair.

When I finally saw him, I smiled and without saying a word leant over and kissed him romantically.

"What was that for Miss Collins?" asked Danny looking into my eyes.

"Hmm, being an arrogant cow, and also because I love you."

He smiled and kissed me gently, "I love you too."

He signalled for me to sit on his knee. I jumped onto it excitedly, and flung my arms around his neck. We shared a few more magical embraces. I loved this, I could do this forever.

I looked at the time, 5.30! Table booked for 2 hours time? Time to get ready!

"Come on you! We have to get ready!" I squealed as he tickled me.

"What? Its 2 hours away!" He laughed.

"Yes, well I usually need 3 hours to get ready so hurry up. Come on!" This time I pulled him up. He however, was in a more playful mood, he put his foot behind mine, causing me to fall but then he caught me, pulled me up and twirled me round before crashing his soft lips against mine.

For another ten minutes we stood there, stuck in our embrace. Finally we pulled away, breathless, hot, but happy. We walked up to the old house, and walked into our room.

I had a feeling tonight was going to be a good night, tonight was going to be memorable, but in more ways than one.