Alice could hardly believe she had fallen for the ex-Chief Inspector of Ballarat police. Six months ago she had scratched behind the ear of his dog, Biscuit and that had led to coffee when she was off duty, then caring for him when he had had a run in with some youths then...

She locked her front door for the last time. She had agreed to move in with Matthew, they may marry, they may not, and they didn't care what the townspeople said, even Jean hadn't turned a hair, and if they were worried about anyone's reaction, it was hers. Rose was going to take over the lease of Alice's house, she said it was to give them some privacy, but she felt faintly as if she would be in the way. She would see them often and had assured Alice that she wasn't being pushed out. She had to stand on her own two feet at some point in her life and this was as good a time as any. It would be easier for her to see Charlie, anyway, rather than resorting to the back row of the cinema every time they wanted to be together.

Alice had stayed with Matthew on quite a few occasions, if they had been out to dinner, or she had just called round for a nightcap or, no reason really. She had become used to waking up in his arms, he was a gentle and giving lover and he found her eager in bed and loved the feel of her soft skin against his side as she dozed. So this was the next step, both old enough to know what they were doing and ready to live their lives together.

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Matthew knew next to nothing about Alice's family, he hadn't asked and she hadn't volunteered the information. For her the past stayed where it was, for the most part anyway. She had told him she had a brother, five years older than her, George. George lived in Sydney, he was a successful architect with his own business. Alice rarely spoke about her parents, although Matthew knew her father had walked out on the family when she was ten years old. She had a distant relationship with her mother, who had expected her only daughter to do the usual, marry, bring up children and look after her in her later years. Alice, George would have said, knew her own mind and had decided to make her mark in the world and had opted for a career in medicine. Her mother had not been happy, and rarely wrote to her, perhaps a Christmas card, but not much more. George wrote regularly, he too had fallen out with his mother when, to her horror, he had met a girl and had produced, out of wedlock, a daughter, Molly. Molly's mother had died in childbirth and George had brought her up himself. Alice usually took her annual leave with George and Molly, for whom she had a fondness, probably, George said, because Molly was rather like her aunt, stubborn, forthright and clever. Mrs Harvey refused to have anything to do with her only grandchild, for two reasons, one, she was illegitimate and two, she was half aboriginal. When Alice had written to him to tell him she had found someone to love and who loved her, he was very happy for her and told her he looked forward to meeting the man who could handle his sister. When she had informed him she was going to live with Matthew outside the bounds of marriage, George had told her that that was her business and, given his history with Molly's mother, who was he to judge? He invited the both of them to spend her next leave with him and his daughter.

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'You taking Matthew to meet your brother?' Lucien asked, as she finished the last autopsy before her annual leave.

'Yes.' Alice smiled, 'George wants us to stay with him and Molly. I might even inflict mother on him.' She had a wicked twinkle in her eye, one that Lucien had noticed appeared more often these days, Matthew must be good for her. He would have said she was good for Matthew, so maybe they were good for each other.

'Well, if he can stand that, you've nothing to worry about.' Lucien grinned, he'd heard stories from Alice about her mother and her acid tongue but knew Matthew would give as good as he got, politely of course. 'Have a good time.'

'We will, see you in a fortnight.' Alice left the morgue, smiling to herself.

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George waved to them as they descended the aircraft steps and Alice smiled, pointing out her brother to Matthew. As they greeted each other, Matthew could see how alike the two siblings were, same dark hair and eyes, same smile. George introduced his daughter to Matthew, Molly was immediately in Alice's arms. There was no denying who she belonged to, definitely a 'Harvey'; even with her heritage, there was a lot of Alice in her.

'Pleased to meet you Miss Molly.' Matthew said, holding out his hand to her. The child smiled shyly, but took his hand and shook it, like she had seen her father do.

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The house was large, too large, George had said, for two, but it was Molly's home, the only one she had ever known, so they stayed put, making use of a live in housekeeper to keep things going. When Molly's mother had died, George had closed his office in the city and converted a large room into his office so he could work from home while Molly was a baby. It had worked so well, he didn't entertain the idea of moving back to the city and his practice had continued to thrive. Generous to a fault, he had even suggested his mother come and live in the house, he could make part into an annex for her but, stubborn to the last, she refused and bought a small house so he could attend to her needs, but she still grumbled about how her family had let her down.

Molly was given the task of showing Aunty Alice and Uncle Matthew to their room and explaining that there would be tea and biscuits in the small sitting room when they had freshened up.

'Quite the lady of the house, isn't she?' Matthew kissed Alice when they were alone. 'How old is she, did you say?'

'Four. Yes she's a bright little thing and has always seemed older than her years. I suppose it's because George has never treated her like a baby, he talks to her like a young adult.' Alice smiled, 'I wish mother would put aside her prejudices, she's missing so much.'

'You're very fond of her, aren't you?' Matthew still had his arms wrapped round her.

'I'll never have children of my own, Matthew, It was never something I had on my list of things to do.' However, was a faraway look in Alice's eyes.

'Things happen for a reason, Alice.' Matthew kissed her head, 'If I hadn't done my leg in, do you think we would have been together?'

'I don't know, perhaps, if you'd still adopted Biscuit.' Alice looked up at him, 'Anyway, enough maudlin thoughts, Molly will wonder if we've got lost.' She smiled and kissed his chin, without her heels on she could just reach. Matthew like it when she wandered round the house in her stocking feet, it made her seem almost delicate, and she made no effort to put her shoes back on as they went downstairs.

Molly asked her aunt if she would pour, as daddy wouldn't let her lift the tea pot, when it was full, in case she scalded herself. George came in and apologised for keeping them waiting, he had just to finish a plan for a client who would be calling tomorrow to talk it over.

'How is business, George?' Alice asked as she sipped her tea. 'Last time you wrote you were very busy, I take it that's still the case.'

'You're right. Much of my clientele comes from word of mouth so it's a steady stream, which is good.' George agreed. 'How is your work going? It can't be much fun opening up dead bodies.'

Alice was surprised he should be so open in front of Molly, but Molly had asked what Aunty Alice did and he had told her.

'Fun is not the best description, but it is interesting, trying to work out how someone has died, and why and sometimes, where.' She admitted.

'That must be very sad.' Molly whispered, she moved closer to Alice on the couch. Alice put her arm round her,

'It is, sometimes. But we have to find the truth for the families. They need to find peace and that can only happen if we can give them a reason for losing a loved one.' She hugged Molly and thought it was a strange conversation to have with a four year old.

'So, this Dr Blake you work with, your letters seem to say he's...' George couldn't put his finger on what he had got from her correspondence.

'Some say he's a renegade, but I think 'driven' is a better description. Matthew has know him longer than me though, haven't you?' She turned to her lover.

'Yes, we were friends as children, until he went away to school. We still kept in touch though, when he came home for holidays and before he went to study medicine. He joined the army and served in the far east.' Matthew grinned as he thought of the pranks he and his friend had got up to.

'That must have been awful.' George had escaped service due to a minor heart condition.

'Yes, he was a Japanese POW, so he's been through it. It's probably what makes him so 'driven' as Alice says.' Matthew admitted.

'Why do you have a stick, Uncle Matthew?' The bluntness of the child was amusing.

'I was run down by a criminal in a car. It broke my leg and damaged my knee, so I had to retire from the police.' He smiled at her.

'Does it hurt?' Molly needed to know, but her father leant over and put his hand on her arm,

'Don't be nosy, Molly.' She looked down.

'It's alright, George.' Matthew intervened, 'it does sometimes but Aunty Alice helps me.' He was totally unprepared for the obvious thought of a four year old.

'When I get hurt daddy kisses it better, does Aunty Alice kiss your leg better.'

Alice spluttered over her tea and went red. If she did, one thing usually led to another.

'She massages it.' Matthew managed to keep a straight face, just!

Alice started to choke, Matthew took the cup off her and slapped her on the back.

'You alright, darling?' He could barely hide the smirk.

Alice just nodded and hid her face against his chest until she could compose herself.

George watched to interplay between the two, it was nice to see Alice had chosen someone who could cope with odd questions, but then as a former police officer he should be able to take it as well as give it, and it would appear he could.

They had an early dinner so Molly could be included before she went to bed. She asked if Aunty Alice could read to her like she usually did when she came to stay. Matthew grinned, he liked this side of Alice, the side that Ballarat had no idea existed and thought, briefly, that she would have made a wonderful mother if things had been different. He joined George for an after dinner drink while Alice performed her duties with Molly, and he learned more about her childhood, her determination to succeed at everything she tried, her refusal to be cowed by her mother's anger at her choosing a career over a husband and family. George felt he could ask Matthew a favour.

'I need to speak to Alice, alone, tomorrow.' George put his drink down, 'Would you be able to entertain Molly out in the garden while I do so. I don't want Molly to hear what I have to say, it will upset her.'

'Of course, but...' Matthew couldn't hide his curiosity.

'Alice will explain everything afterwards, and she will need your support.' George went to the window and looked out on the garden. 'I can see you love her, Matthew, and I am so pleased she has met you, she will need you.'

'Right...' He was about to try to get more out of George, he had that faraway look in his eyes, the one Lucien had when he was thinking of Jean, but Alice chose that moment to join them.

'She's fast asleep.' She went up to Matthew and sat close to him.

'Thanks Alice. That's all she talked about when I said you were coming to stay.' George smiled and offered her a drink, which she declined.

'No thanks, George.' She smiled.

'So, apart from spending time in my illustrious company, what do you two intend to do during your stay?' George joked.

'Don't flatter yourself.' Alice grinned, he was always teasing her, 'I thought I'd show Matthew the sights of Sydney and then, if he has the stomach for it, introduce him to mother.'

'Poor you, Matthew.' George smirked, 'make sure you've got a good supply of retorts for the old harridan.'

'That sounds a bit harsh.' Matthew was surprised at his candour in front of a stranger.

'Wait 'til you meet her.' Alice warned, 'she has a vicious tongue.'

'She'll want to know your intentions towards my dear sister.' George told him.

'Oh absolutely dishonourable, of course.' Matthew raised his glass and smiled.

'Good, I'm glad to hear it.' They all laughed at the idea of any conversation between Matthew, Alice and the formidable Mrs Harvey.

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Alice watched Matthew limp into the bedroom as she lay in bed. A slight smiled played at the corner of her mouth as she recalled the conversation earlier, with Molly.

'Does your knee ache, dearest?' she asked, a sultry tone to her voice.

'I think it needs a massage, or kissing better.' He winked and removed his robe, revealing his smooth chest, toned from years of subduing ne'er do wells and those up to nefarious activities.

Alice threw back the covers revealing a long elegant leg, the view of which ended at the base of his pyjama jacket she habitually wore, and invited him in to bed. He lay next to her and she ran her hand down his injured leg, pulling up the fabric of his pyjamas and wriggled down to kiss the knee. She moved up his body and leant over to kiss him, at first softly, then, as he pulled her closer, deeply, long and passionate. He reached one hand down and ran it up her leg, over her hip and up to her breast, teasing the nipple with his thumb and forefinger. Her breath hitched and she ran her hand down to feel him ready to love her as only he knew how. Matthew ran his hand over her backside and lifted her onto him and they moved together in a delicious rhythm to an ecstatic release. Alice arched her back then let herself fall onto his chest, sighing. Matthew loved her like this, draped over him like a blanket, warm and satisfied. He put his arms over her and kissed the top of her head. He felt her smile as they both drifted off to sleep.

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The next morning dawned bright and clear. Alice woke first and looked over at her lover. His face relaxed, a light smile playing round his lips, peaceful, rested. She smiled, so often she wondered how she had got this lucky. Matthew kept his eyes shut as he felt her watch him then move over to trace her fingers over his face. As her finger touched his lips he kissed it.

'Morning, lover.' She murmured, wriggling closer.

'Morning to you, too, you wicked woman.' He turned his head to kiss her lightly, on the end of her nose.

She lifted her head and propped herself up on her elbow. 'Are you really going to tell my mother your intentions are completely dishonourable?' She recalled the conversation from the previous night and wondered whether he would have the nerve to carry out the threat.

'If she asks, yes.' He grinned, 'Let's face it, Alice, this is not a platonic relationship.'

Alice giggled, she imagined her mother's reaction, and the idea amused her.

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Alice didn't notice George use his eyes to indicate to Matthew that he should take Molly out into the garden. Breakfast over, he had to talk to his sister before he lost his nerve.

'Molly,' Matthew held out his hand to her, 'why don't you show me the garden. It looks so much bigger than ours at home. You can show me your favourite flowers.'

'Ok.' Molly took his hand and skipped next to him out of the door.

'Molly seems to like him.' George observed. 'While they're out, I'd like to talk to you, in my study.' He indicated she should precede him and in the room offered her a seat.

'What's the matter, George?' Alice and he often had conversations about what they wanted from life, where they thought they had gone wrong or right, but his manner was different from those times. Although most people agreed Alice could be a bit clueless, socially, she knew her brother, and she knew something was not right.

He sat down opposite and looked into her eyes, 'Alice.' He sighed, deeply, 'you know I've been living on borrowed time for some years now, my heart is getting weaker.'

Alice took his hands in hers, it was one of the reasons she had decided to study medicine, George's heart condition. He had never let it get in the way of him enjoying life, living it to the full, but she had always been mindful of the fact it would take him while he was still too young. Molly had given him further reason to live, even without her mother, who, Alice knew, he had loved beyond all reason. Alice had only met her once and could see why he had fallen for her. She had an open face, a smile at every turn and a positive view of life. She had loved George as much as he had loved her and when she had found out she was expecting his child they couldn't have been happier.

'George.' She wasn't sure what to say. She couldn't really in all honesty, reassure him, and knew the vast amounts of medication he took would lose their effectiveness eventually.

'The doctors say I have, at the most, twelve months.' His eyes filled with tears, as did hers. He carried on, he didn't want her to interrupt him while he still had the courage to face her, 'All my affairs are in order. My will is made, in it I have asked that the house is sold and the business closed. In fact the client I have now will be my last. Once his job is underway I will stop working. A small bequest will go to my housekeeper, to you and something to mother. But the bulk is for Molly to be held in trust until she turns twenty one. Alice, I want you to look after Molly, take her and raise her as your own. I know it is a lot to ask, but I can't think of anyone better and I know that you and Matthew will make the best of parents for her.' He stopped. Tears had run, unchecked, down Alice's face.

'I'm sorry, George.' She whispered, 'Knowing that you would pass early has always been in the back of my mind, but I kept hoping new advances in medicine would help you to live longer. I will look after Molly for you, we, me and Matthew will do our best, but I still hope the doctors are wrong.'

'Not this time, dear sister, now I feel it more than ever, more tired than I used to be, not really enjoying life, but I still love Molly and don't regret her for an instant, I think she's kept me going for longer than everyone thought.' George smiled at her.

'You don't want us to take Molly this time, do you?' Alice needed time to get used to the idea, and to talk to Matthew at home.

'No, if you take her now, regardless of the fact that you will love her, it will see me off all the sooner, and I'd like to have as much time with her as possible, so that she remembers I love her.' George stood and looked out of the window, watching his daughter show Matthew the flower beds she loved best, 'when the time is near I will ask you to come, if you can, and stay. It's a lot to ask, Alice, but there is no one else I can ask, and no one else I would want to ask, to do this last one thing for me.'

'You are my brother, you have protected me from all that mother threw at me, stood by me when things went wrong, were a father to me when dad left, of course I'll do this for you, and I will let Molly know how much you love her and how much we love her.' Alice stood next to him at the window and smiled as Matthew explained something about a plant she was showing him. He was a good gardener, she could have that when she came to live with them.

Alice went to wash her face and repair her makeup. She had to be composed in front of Molly and be cheerful for George. Only Matthew would see how much she was breaking apart.

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Alice took Matthew for a walk that afternoon, she couldn't tell him what George had wanted to talk to her about, not in the house, little people, she said, tended to eavesdrop. They sat on a park bench and Alice explained everything. Matthew didn't interrupt her, he had long ago worked out that sometimes she had to be left to say what she wanted to say in one go.

'Alice,' He looked her straight in the eye and brushed a stray wave of hair off her brow, 'I'm sorry. Of course we can raise Molly, she is a lovely kid, George has done a great job so far. You say the word and I'll be right there, at your side. Together, you and me, I've found you and I don't plan on letting you go.' He pulled her to him and kissed her, in public, and neither of them cared.

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For the next few days Alice appeared happy, calm and composed during the day, but allowed herself to cry at night when Matthew could offer comfort. George knew he had upset her but he knew she would be even more upset in the long run, if he hadn't told her. Perhaps she could get part of her grieving over now, and cope better when the end came.

'Matthew,' Alice said at breakfast towards the end of their first week, 'do you feel ready to meet mother.'

'Always ready, my dear,' Matthew grinned, 'I've faced some rum 'uns in my time...'

'Well, perhaps we could go over this morning, then out for lunch.' Alice helped herself to an extra piece of toast, one needed sustenance to face Mrs Harvey. 'I'd like to get a gift for Jean, she does so much for us.'

'Jean?' George queried, Alice had told him she was Dr Blake's housekeeper so what did she do for Alice and Matthew.

'You know I'm hopeless in the kitchen, George, Jean often drops round with a meal for us.' Alice smiled, 'Matthew's a good cook but sometimes, if his knee is playing up...'

'Sounds like you have some good friends in Ballarat.' George commented.

'We have.' They chorused.

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The door to Mrs Harvey's house was opened by the lady herself.

'So you're here again.' Tersely and coldly she greeted her daughter.

'You know if I'm in Sydney I come and see you, mother.' Alice smiled, 'I've brought Matthew to meet you.' Alice had written and told her mother she would be visiting that week and that she would be bringing a friend with her.

'Hm.' She stood to allow them entry, 'well I suppose you'd better come in then.'

Matthew thought he'd had better welcomes from someone he was about to arrest but he smiled,

'Pleased to meet you, Mrs Harvey.' He held out his hand, she barely touched it and said nothing, looking him up and down.

The conversation over tea, grudgingly offered, was stilted. Mrs Harvey skirted round the issue of what Matthew was to her daughter so they talked of his career in the force and Alice's post as Pathology Registrar. Mrs Harvey could not, for the life of her, see what she would find do interesting in opening up dead bodies instead of ministering to the living.

'The dead don't answer back, mother.' Alice gave her stock reply, 'or ask foolish questions.'

'Never saw you as the caring type.' Her mother responded icily.

'Alice is very caring and sympathetic when she should be.' Matthew took her hand and smiled at her.

'...and your intentions towards my daughter? You seem rather familiar with her.' In her day, men didn't take a girl's hand unless there was something to the relationship.

Alice stiffened she had no doubt Matthew was going to give his prepared answer, and he did, with a grin. She bit her lip to stop herself from laughing at the shocked expression on her mother's face.

Matthew stood up, reckoning they had outstayed their welcome,

'Well, we'd best be off, don't you think?' He offered his hand to Alice, 'Don't you want to find a gift for Dr Blake's housekeeper?'

'Yes, we really must go. Thanks for the tea, mother.' Alice smiled, graciously, 'we'll see ourselves out.'

They closed the door behind them and Alice burst out laughing.

'Honestly, Matthew.' Alice gasped, 'I didn't think you'd really go through with it.'

His answer was to lean over and kiss her.

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This is quite long for a first chapter, of two. Hopefully we'll find out more of Alice's background when S5 airs. But for now...