Liv pulled up outside Leopard's Den first thing that morning, everyone was still at breakfast. "Liv!" shouted an excited Robert who was being coaxed by Alice to sit and finish his cereal.

"Hey Robbie" She grabbed the spare seat and looked round the table, "Where's Rosie?"

"Not here yet." replied Charlotte not looking up from the doodling she was doing on the paper beside her. Liv nodded too deep in thought to miss the pointed look Alice gave Danny.

"Phone her." Alice muttered to him under her breath.

Danny snorted, "She needs space, she'll be here in a bit anyway." Alice was about to argue back so Danny struck up conversation with Dupe.

Alice rolled her eyes and turned to Liv. "so how's the bar doing?"

"Absolutely fine." replied Liv rather quickly.

"And Fatani?" Alice pressed.

"Fine." Right there, right then Alice knew something was bothering Liv. She'd obviously picked up Danny's habit of saying everything was fine when it really wasn't.

"I better head down to the hospital." said Danny groaning as he stood up.

"You're definitely getting old Danny." quipped Liv.

"Just cause you don't live here doesn't mean I can't ground you cheeky!" he said to her, she laughed. "I'll feed the animals." He said kissing Alice's cheek.

The rest of the family filtered away too, leaving just Alice and Liv. "Come on spill!" Alice said.

"What?" said Liv acting dumb.

"Liv I know there's something on your mind and we both know you want to talk about it so come on. What's up?"

Liv exhaled, "It's Fatani."

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah it's great and I really like being with him. But last night he-" Alice waited, Liv had to say it herself. "...he told me he loved me Alice."

Alice smiled and took hold of her step daughter's hand, "What did you say?"

"Nothing I just smiled like an idiot. But the panic I felt...or I'm still feeling. What was I meant to do? Say it back?"

Alice laughed softly, "Do you want to say it back?"

"I don't know." Liv's face was full of uncertainty and confusion.

Alice nodded, "That'll be a no then."

"I do really like him Alice."

"I know you do and just because he said it doesn't mean you need to. You'll know when you're ready to say it, trust me you just know."

"But what about right now. I'm worried he'll be, I dunno annoyed?"

Alice shook her head, "If what he says is true then he wont mind. It's more important than if and when you say it you really mean it." Liv nodded. "And Liv, talk to him about it. He'll understand."

"Thanks Alice." They stood up and hugged.

"Try not to worry Liv." Alice whispered in her ear.

"I know, I better get back. See you later."

"Ok, why don't you both come for dinner later on!"

"Sounds good, see ya." she waved climbing into the jeep.

"Bye!"

Alice made her way down to the animal hospital. She found Danny sitting at the table in the office. He was wincing as he rubbed his shoulders. "Sore?" she asked replacing his hands with her own massaging gently.

"Yeah, probably from carrying four year olds." He said leaning back into her touch. "Liv away?"

"mmmhm, I told her she and Fatani have to come for dinner tonight." she said.

"Rosie hasn't showed." he said bluntly.

"Have you tried phoning?"

"No." Inwardly Alice groaned, father and daughter matched each other in their stubbornness.

"It's up to you, but Danny. You should call her." Danny didn't reply just continued to enjoy the feel of Alice's hands. "Right, now, what's needing done!" she snaked her arms round his neck giving him a quick kiss before getting to work.

Danny stood up and caught sight of himself in the mirror. God, maybe Liv was right. He did look old.

The morning had been pretty quiet when Dupe radioed saying he's found one of the lions collapsed, not looking good at all. Both Danny and Alice grabbed their bags.

"We'll be there as quick as we can." replied Danny as they jumped into the land rover and Alice floored the pedal.

They found Dupe, "Over there." He pointed out the young lion.

"Yeah he's not looking good. I'll dart him, have you got the gun?" she turned to look at him. "Danny?" He looked pale and slightly spaced out. He heard his name and snapped out of it.

"what?"

"The gun."

"Oh yeah, I'll get it." Alice and Dupe shared a look as he turned to fetch it.

Alice pulled the trigger, perfect shot. They ran over. "Pulse is weak, we're going to have to get him in and quickly."

They grabbed the hammock thing they used to lift the animals and between the three of them managed to lift the animal into the back of the jeep."

Dupe climbed in, "Get you back at the hospital and- Trevanion you ok?"

Danny was doubled over clutching his stomach. He was gasping unable to get a breath. Alice ran to him, "Danny!" He was gasping now. She grabbed his hand and placed it on her chest and forced him to look at her. "With me Danny, in and out. Big deep breaths." After a minute his breathing returned to normal. "You ok?"

He nodded, "fine."

"right, come on lets get back. Dupe radio Rosie tell her she's needed." They climbed into their trucks. "I want you to go straight to bed. I knew you still weren't well." Alice said to Danny as she drove them back. His head was resting back against the seat, his eyes closed.

"OK."

Again thanks for the reviews. And keep all the thories coming I want to know what you guys are thinking :D