A/N: A game of make or break

The Drover's girls were having a beer at the pub when the boys decided to show up. Stevie sighed and turned her head away from Alex. He noticed her immediately and did the same in ignoring her. The men went to one side of the pub; the girls went to the other. It was as if they were strangers. But it was Regan who beckoned the boys over to their table, Stevie pulled a face at her but she ignored it.

"I have a proposition for you…" she smiled cheekily. "An offer you can't possible refuse," she had everyone's attention.

"Yeah what's that?" Alex asked folding his arms across his chest.

"A game of pool!" she stated simply. "You pick one person from the boys and we'll pick one from the girls. The loser of the game has to buy the other dinner tomorrow night. In Fisher!" of course Regan was smart enough to know the boys would pick Alex and the girls would pick Stevie. If they refused to talk then she'd have to set it up so they had no choice. Stevie was well aware of her friend's idea and she was already heading for the door. "We pick Stevie," she announced loudly.

Stevie stopped and turned around. "Oh I'm not in the mood."

"You don't have choice," Jodi added. "You're the best pool player we have. You're playing for girls everywhere."

She turned her attention to Regan. "Regan… I don't want to play!"

"Tuff. You have no say in this," she turned back to the boys. "Whose your choice?"

"Alex!" Riley offered.

Alex looked as uncomfortable as Stevie did but he didn't refuse the game. "Fine let's get this over with Stevie," he demanded. He handed her a pool cue and waited for her to break.

"What are you waiting for?"

"You!"

"You can break!" she shrugged. "You remember how don't you?" She was being very cold towards him. But Regan didn't blame her for that. He had been cold when she told him she loved him. She had been humiliated. It was him that needed to make the first move to start mending their relationship, mates or otherwise.

"Nuh you break," he insisted.

"Alex will you just take the damn shot!" she snapped. She stood back with the pool cue in her hand and a frown on her face. This was the last thing she needed. All attention was on them, the chemistry was as thick as smoke in a house fire, everyone could see how much they were in love. Stubbornness and pride, as always, got in the way.

Alex groaned and took the shot sinking two balls. He took another shot and sunk another. And another. Until all that was left on his side was the eight ball. He smiled to himself and took one last shot sinking the ball easily into the corner pocket. Stevie hadn't even taken a shot.

"I guess that means you'll be buying me dinner in Fisher," he announced. Everyone around them smiled, everyone except Stevie. Stevie just shook her head and headed for the door dropping her unused cue on the pool table. Regan glared at Alex.

"Go after her!" she ordered.

He hesitated and then nodded and hurried out the door.

Stevie was opening the door to her Ute. He made it just before she closed the door. He held it open with his hands so Stevie couldn't go anywhere.

"Get off Alex!" she yelled. She tried to pull the door from his grasp but he was far too strong for her. There was no hope at all.

"What was that all about?" he asked.

"Nothing!" she replied coldly. "Get off my door."

"We have to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about."

"I think there is…"

"Alex let go of my door!" she screamed. He wouldn't budge.

She angrily got out of the car and slammed the door shut. She took one look at him and then started to walk off. She'd walk home if she had to. Alex only followed her.

"Go away Alex."

"There are things to say. I can't leave it like this."

"I have nothing to say to you!" she barked.

"Then just listen," he bit back.

She stopped and turned around to face him, keeping the anger and rage in her eyes so he couldn't read the love that she still had for him. She had never been good at hiding her emotions. Everyone at the pub could see how much she loved him.

"Why Alex? Because it will change things, there's nothing left, we can't even be mates anymore."

"Good." He stated plainly. "I don't want to be mates."

She felt a tightness in her chest and struggled to breath. Her cheeks were burning red and she knew in a moment or two the anger in her eyes would fade and he would be able to read her like an open book. She shook her head in frustration and started walking again.

"Stevie I'm not finished with you yet!"

"Well I'm finished with you."

"Your never finished with me."

"You are so arrogant. You think that everyone loves you!"

"No Stevie, just you."

She blushed heavily but couldn't help turn around and look at him. "You seem sure of yourself." Her voice was calmer now and her tone wasn't as icy as it had been a second ago. She was warming to him quickly. He had that power over her.

He sighed. "Stevie we have to sort this out. I don't want to fight with you all the time."

"You think I enjoy fighting with you. Alex I told you I loved you and you pushed me away. How do you expect me to react?"

"You lied to me!" he pointed out.

"Because I was scared. You've lied to me before,"

He scoffed. "When?"

"With Kane. You told him to stay away remember?"

"That was different. I was protecting you. You lied to me to protect yourself."

She sighed. He was right. "Only because I knew that… that you wouldn't want me."

"Don't you think that was up to me to decide?"

"If you'd given me half a chance to explain myself you'd realise I didn't do anything with him."

"You kissed him Stevie. That is something, it's not nothing."

"He kissed me Alex. I pushed him away and told him it wasn't happening. But I guess that doesn't count for much does it?" she laughed. "See we can't even have a conversation without arguing!"

"But that's what we do… we argue. Do you think any two people that love each other as much as we do don't fight?"

She smiled. "I guess not."

"We can make a go of this if we just try harder. Every relationship has its fights. It's problems. We'll be the same, but we can work it out. All right?"

"So what are you saying?" she whispered trying to hold back her tears.

"I'm saying… I love you Stevie. I want to be with you and only with you. So what do you say?"

"Only if you promise to pay for dinner!" she smiled.

"How 'bout I compromise with a rematch," he offered gently pulled her into his arms.

She smiled showing off her perfect white teeth. "Your on. But this time I get to break." Then he kissed her.

Please R&R... did you like it or hate it?