Four days later Alex is almost back to normal his leg is plastered and he's finally managed to walk on his crutches without feeling like he's about to fall over.
Fiona has been very attentive to the point he is annoyed with her.
He feels like a caged animal as she pets, strokes and feeds him.
"Hey baby I have to go into town would you like to come with me and we could have lunch at the pub." Fiona asks.
Alex has been thinking about visiting Stevie and without thought offers. "I'd really prefer go and see Stevie, Fi."
He watches as Fiona's demeanour changes and she snipes. "Fine we'll go there then."
Looking at her he replies. "No I'll get Riley to drive me I'd rather go on my own you go and do your errands."
"Why do you need to see her on her own Alex? What's going on?"Fiona accuses.
Alex feels his stomach churn as he smiles at her and lies. "Nothing is going on she's my mate and I just need to get out of the house for awhile."
Fiona says "Well why won't you let me drive you then?"
"For crying out loud Fiona we're not tied at the hip. I am capable of doing things without you." He growls annoyed by her whininess but at the same time wondering why he feels like she's smothering him.
Stevie never made him feel like this.
Fiona snaps. " I give up Alex . You're supposed to want to spend time with me not her."
Standing he yells. "It's not a competition Fiona."
"Well why do I feel like it is Alex tell me that?" Fiona urges.
"Because the green eyed monsters got you that's why." He accuses.
"Pfttt" She scoffs. "Me! Jealous of her? What's she got that I don't have more of."
Alex looks at her and is so close to filling her in but decides against it and just hobbles out.
...
As Riley and Alex pull up at Drover's, Riley leans over and opens the glove box and hands Alex Stevie's t-shirt.
Alex looks puzzled when Riley offers. " Stevie will probably want this back."
"Where did you get that from?" Alex asks.
"It fell out of the swag the day we found you so I hid it so Fiona wouldn't twig." Riley offers.
Alex looks at him and asks. "Twig to what?"
"I've been in the army mate I know how you treat Hypothermia." Riley grins.
Alex looks at him and tries not to smile at the memory and just offers. "Oh thanks."
...
Kate, Moira, Regan and Taylor are sitting in the kitchen having morning tea when the back door slams and they hear Alex yell. "Oi anyone home."
"Yes we are! Want a cuppa?"Taylor replies.
The girls greet Alex and Riley.
"Where's Stevie?" Alex asks noticing her absence and his gut rolls when he thinks he's missed her.
Moira offers. "She's upstairs in bed has been for days."
"I've never seen her so ill." Kate adds.
Riley asks. "What's wrong with her?"
"Flu we've even had the Dr to her she was so bad delirious and everything we thought they were going to admit her." Regan explains.
"What to hospital?" Alex asks concerned.
"Yes." Moira says nodding.
"Can I see her?" Alex asks.
The girls look at each other and Regan offers. "I don't think that's a good idea at the moment Alex."
Alex looks stunned that he's been refused so he asks. "Regan can I speak to you for a moment alone please."
Regan rises and moves into the dining room and Alex hobbles after her.
"What's going on Regan why can't I see her?"Alex asks.
Regan looks uncomfortable and replies. "She's confused Alex."
Alex shrugs his shoulders and says "Well you said she was delirious."
"She's confused about you." Regan says staring straight at him.
"Oh." He says and then offers. "She told you?"
"Kind of and I put two and two together. " She explains.
"Please let me see her Regan it's been four days." He states.
Regan looks annoyed and says. "Alex you're engaged you can't treat Stevie like this, it's not fair to either woman."
Alex growls. "I'm not doing it deliberately Regan."
"No! Are you sure about that Alex , you've got the perfect society wife to be, that comes with all the trimmings and then you've got your best mate who happens to be the perfect package for a bit on the side ." Regan accuses.
Regan watches as Alex's face reddens and he snarls "I would never treat Stevie like that you're out of line Regan."
"Am I Alex? Stevie is my friend and I thought she was yours too. If someone else put her in the position you have you'd be furious." Regan growls.
"Can I see her or not?' Alex questions.
Regan shrugs her shoulders and says "Yeah go right ahead Alex but just remember if it wasn't you, how would you like her to be treated."
...
Stevie is finally starting to feel a little better her headache has eased and the coughing has slowed.
She's slept fitfully overnight and has fallen into a deep peaceful sleep.
Her dreams are full of Alex.
She feels a warmth and contentment as he whispers to her and as his lips softly brush hers she inhales and reaches up to hold him.
His lips are full, soft and taste like heaven, she holds the kiss and then he snuggles into her neck and whispers "God I've missed you."
"Alex." She says softly smiling.
"Stevie." He says and she can tell he's grinning "Are you dreaming about me?"
Shocked she opens her eyes and lets him go.
"Oh god Alex what are you doing in my room? Who let you in?" She squawks.
Grinning he pushes. "You were dreaming about me weren't you?"
His smile disappears when he sees the sadness and confusion on her face "Alex please go."
"Stevie we need to talk." He offers.
"No Alex we need to stay away from each other. Please get out of my room." She urges.
He stands and offers. "Stevie when we aren't together I miss you."
Stevie wants to cry, throw something at him, hug him, and kiss him.
"Alex please just leave me alone. I'm tired." She urges.
Looking directly at her he asks "Tell me you don't miss me too and I'll go Stevie?"
"I don't miss you Alex. Please go." She states trying to make her voice steady.
As he hobbles to the door she wants to run after him.
"Alex." She offers and watches as he turns to look at her. "Thanks for visiting me."
He walks back beside her bed and reaching into his jacket pocket pulls out her t-shirt and says." I thought you'd like your favourite shirt back."
As she reaches for it his hand touches hers and she asks "How did you know it was my favourite Alex?"
He smiles and replies. "I know everything about you Stevie."
She pushes her doona back revealing she's only wearing knickers and a small singlet top.
Nice he thinks to himself very, very nice.
With a wobble she stands and she wraps her arms around his waist and offers. "I do miss you Alex."
He holds her so very tightly and understanding passes between them.
He bends down and brushes her lips so very gently and then holds her until he offers. "I have to go Stevie but I'll be back."
Stevie slowly walks over to her door and locks it and says "I don't want you to go Alex please stay."
"Stevie I'm still engaged and we've already overstepped the mark we can't sleep together." He says and then quips "As much as I'd like too."
She chuckles and says "I wasn't offering sex Alex I just want to talk to you without interruptions."
He smiles at her and says "I knew that."
"Yeah of course you did."She says grinning.
...