Finally the chapter you've all been waiting for! ;)

Nick just came home and searched for Alex, who heard him call his name. He didn't answer and slightly bend forward to lean on his arms against the shower wall. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, the water poured down his face and body. It was relaxing and comforting him, just what he needed. But suddenly he jumped up from his thoughts...

"Alex are you in here?!" Nick asked from the hallway.

He couldn't ignore his little brother any longer and answered with an annoyed tone in his voice. "Yeah. What's up?"

Nick answered. "Nothing really, I just wanted to have a drink with you. Talk about how the sales went." ….and about Stevie, he thought. He wanted to have that talk with Alex, there were so much rumours going on and Nick didn't really hadn't had his chance yet, to really talk to him.

"Just a minute, I'll be with you in a sec." Alex said and turned off the water so he could dry himself off. But he took his time to get ready, because after a drink with his brother he was going to get his 'price'...

… ...

With the scent of fresh after shave around him he entered the living room, the gel in his hair was still soft, he'd created a messy look.

"The sales went well." He said to Nick.

Nick nodded, he stood up to get the coffee he'd just made when he had to wait. "And how did it went with Stevie?" He asked just before he left to the kitchen, so Alex could think about it.

Nick was curious when he came back and put down two mugs with coffee. Alex was wondering if he was just being curious, or if it was more then that. "That went well too." He answered at last.

Nick sat down, held his mug and blew his coffee. Then he looked up. "I know there has been a lot of talking about this subject, but you and I didn't speak much about it."

Alex tried to keep his face straight. "Great, let's keep it that way."

"But I'd like to hear your version about this. I mean, the girls have their own thoughts and even I made up some sort of theory. But I want to hear your side of the story."

Alex leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Al right...Well, Stevie and I woke up in her bedroom, in her bed. And we both still don't know what happened." He paused. "There. That's the story Nick. Nothing juicy to tell ya." And he started sipping his coffee, staring at his disappointed brother.

Nick sighed. "Geez Alex, you must remember something. This is Stevie we're talking about."

"Yeah yeah, go on...I have feelings too, you know." Alex honestly said with one hand on his heart. He was in a very sarcastic mood.

Nick laughed. "Let this be a lesson to you, for all the one night stands you've had so far. For all of those lovely hearts you've broke."

Alex couldn't contain himself and laughed too. "You bastard! A lesson huh? Outch."

Nick put the mug on the table and then pointed out "I just don't believe you Alex."

"You're not the only one who doesn't believe me." He sighed and got irritated, which made his sarcastic mood turn, to become more serious. "Geez Nick, you'd really think I would lie about this for a week? It's not such a big deal. Let me tell ya, if Stevie and I spend the night together I would tell ya. You know me. Why the hell would I keep it a secret?"

"Because you're both scared to commit." Nick pointed out.

Alex sighed and shook his head in disbelieve. But he didn't deny it."So?"

"So you guys don't want to talk about it."

Alex laughed. "Mate, if you only knew..." He shook his head. "You don't know half of it...Oh what the heck, I don't care. You should know this:" And he opened up to his little brother. "I'm about to go to Drovers, right? The thing is, Stevie and I have planned to kiss each other. To try and bring back our memories."

Nick was kind of surprised and immediately knew his theory wasn't the right one.

Alex continued. "We kissed before, so it shouldn't be hard." he sipped his coffee again.

Nick almost choke in his coffee. "What?"

"Yeah that day when we went to town to get some things for your wedding. The car broke down and, well one thing lead to another..."

Nick was surprised "Was it just a kiss?"

Alex nodded, he would never use Stevie...

Nick thought out loud "You think that kiss might help to bring back your memory?"

Alex grinned. "Well it will always bring something good. You know the effect I have on women." He moved his eyebrows.

Nick shook his head and smiled. "Pervert. So there is something going on between the two of you."

Alex shrugged "I don't know"

After a short silence Nick said. "Ok I believe you, about your mysterious night. But maybe Stevie knows more then you do?"

Alex chuckled. "Let me guess, that was your theory?...Come on, she wouldn't fake the fact that she could be pregnant, now would she?" Alex threw back.

Now Nick was flabbergasted. "What?...Damn, that sounds serious."

"It is mate, chances are small, but believe me I would be glad if this was all over." He deeply sighed, then looked at the clock and saw that time was flying by way to fast. Alex finished his last bit of coffee and stood up. "I gotta go mate."

When he stood up he looked at himself, vain as he was he petted his shoulders, then looked up to his brother who was staring at him from his chair.

"What do you reckon? Do I look kissable enough?" Alex teased.

"You smell kissable enough." Nick said to tease him back, but tried to look serious. Alex his aftershave indeed still filled the room. Alex took it kind of serious and sniffed in the air, looking at himself again. It was kind of funny.

"You think it's to much?" He seriously asked.

Nick chuckled. "I'm just kidding."

His brother shook his head, but he could laugh about it. "You are hopeless Nick."

Nick laughed and teased. "Hey I already got myself a girl. You, on the other hand. You are nervous."

Alex immediately defended himself. "Am not!"

"Nervous as hell." Nick said to add some more fuel to the fire.

Alex had a look on his face like he was trapped. "I never plan my kisses." He turned to walk away.

Nick smiled and shook his head, he yelled after him "Now who's hopeless!" Then he sipped his coffee, staring out of the window. He was wondering what Tess was doing, but didn't feel like calling Drovers, he might stir things as Tess always knows to ask the right questions. No, he believed his brother and wanted to give him a fair chance to sort things out.

... ...

Stevie had already been waiting, she was ready for a while and ended up sitting on the porch, staring in front of her. She was thinking and wondering if Alex would show up, she didn't hear him walking up to her.

He softly announced himself. "Hey."

Stevie startled and looked up immediately. "Hey." She said when she looked up, but then turned her head to continue staring in front of her. Alex was kind of amazed that she didn't look nervous, in fact she looked calm.

But before they got a chance to talk to one another, they got disturbed.

"Good evening." Tess greeted. "You want a beer?" She asked Alex, but he was unsure what to do. He was still standing, his hands in his pockets. He shrugged but Stevie looked at him, she noticed he didn't answer right away. Then she gestured him 'it's ok'.

He stammered. "Uhm sure. Yeah, thanks Tess." He took place next to his best mate, in the same pose as she was sitting. Stevie giggled.

Alex knew it was because he stammered. "Go ahead. Make fun of me."

Stevie stared in his eyes. She seemed calmer than he was. "I reckon that beer is more then welcome." She had that special gift; being able to read him.

Alex didn't knew how to respond, he just glanced at her and said something with his eyes, something like 'shut up', obviously not like he meant that.

Stevie moved her eyebrows and giggled again, while she playfully pushed her side against his. When she wanted to say something, Tess came outside again and handed Alex his beer. "There you go."

"So ehm, I heard the sales went well?" Tess asked.

He nodded. "Yep, very well."

Tess thought it would be nice to drink something together, but noticed there was one too much.

Alex saved her. "Nick's home alone. He looked kind of boring to me when I left." While he said that he winked at Stevie. Tess immedeately stood up and couldn't wait to leave. "Right." She grinned. "Thanks Alex."

Alex smiled at her. "Yeah I thought you'd like to know." Tess widely smiled and left.

He looked at his side. "So that makes just the two of us."

Stevie smiled. "Just what we wanted."

"Hm-hm" Alex replied and sipped his beer.

They sat there, kind of quietly, Stevie inhaled the scent of his aftershave a few times.

"You smell nice. Is that the same you wore as on the cocktail party?" She referred.

Alex looked kind of surprised and nodded. "I thought it might help." He also wore the same clothes, Stevie did the same thing.

Stevie smiled a bit sheepish. "Well I'll be dammed if we can't remember anything now..."

Alex looked at her and kept just staring in her eyes for a few seconds, he sighed. "You almost finished your drink? I think we shouldn't wait to long."

But Stevie now got nervous too and thought she could use another drink. "Just to encourage myself." She explained.

"I'm that unattractive to ya huh?" He teased to brake the ice and they both laughed.

Stevie now was nervous too, but agreed with him and after they had finished their drinks they went upstairs. No one saw them, because Meg was busy writing, Terry was finishing something in the Truckstop and Jodi and Kate were playing a game in the Shearing Quarters. Perfect timing.

… ...

They sat down on Stevie's bed. She felt her heart pounding in her throat. She turned towards him and moved a bit on the bed, to try and sit more relaxed. He did the same thing, so their body were opposed, one leg resting on the bed and the other still with the foot resting on the floor. It was quiet for a moment, he observed her face, to try and discover how she felt. He had noticed her energy had changed since they went upstairs.

Stevie quickly sighed. "So now what?" She looked insecure and smiled a bit uncomfortable.

Alex answered. "Well, we do what we agreed to do."

Stevie nervously giggled. "If you were a stranger, that would scare me."

He chuckled. "I know. I guess I can't find the right words any more. Why don't we just shut up and get on with it?" Stevie shook her head and laughed, Alex added "Hey, us guys are better in actions then in doing the talking."

Stevie laughed again, she was a bit shy. "Alex?! You're a lot less nervous then you were before. Where is your patience? I mean, we're not in a hurry are we?"

Alex grinned staring in her eyes and moved his eyebrows. "I reckon you talk to much Stevie." He indeed wasn't nervous any more and he explained why. "It's because I feel comfy with you."

That made her sigh. "I feel comfy with you too, than why am I nervous?"

Alex teased. "I promise as soon as we start that kiss, that problem is solved."

Stevie chuckled. "Oh really? You're very sure of yourself."

"I just know I have that effect on women." He added.

Stevie looked appealing when she seduced him with a lusty glance and her gorgeous smile, as an answer on his comment. Though she was nervous, she didn't forget how to flirt...

Somehow they both felt weird, there was that pretty warm feeling and on the other hand there was that awkward feeling about the fact that two mates were flirting with each other. But the urge of wanting to find out what happened a few nights ago was there motivation which kept them going.

"What are you waiting for then?" She suddenly said, to provoke him. He was surprised when she closed her eyes and just awaited, for him to make a move. Alex waited while Stevie quietly kept her eyes closed.

He moved closer to her, her heartbeat quickened...She slightly opened her eyes for a sec and sensually whispered. "You promised me you would take the lead." it made his heart skip a beat.

He blinked his eyes to confirm he remembered that and then he tried to concentrate on her sensual voice. He inhaled through his nose and closed his eyes, he loved that familiar feminine scent...He slowly bend in and softly pressed his lips onto hers. It made Stevie froze, but Alex didn't, he carefully moved his lips over hers. He was so gentle. It felt like the heater suddenly went up 5 degrees, but the warmth they both felt was comfortable and intense. His hand automatically went up, to put her hair back and hold her face, his other hand moved to her back.

She felt safe with him and started to loosen up, just as Alex had predicted. Her lips now also started moving, which made the kiss more intense. She shivered and took a passionate deep breath when he deepened the kiss with his tongue. Her belly got filled with butterflies, it was an amazing feeling, but yet so unexpected. 30 seconds felt like 5 and suddenly he stopped kissing, resting his forehead against hers to catch some breath. She smiled and had her eyes still closed, totally in the afterglow of the kiss. They both seemed to forget why they were doing this. She slowly opened her eyes and stared right into his amazing blue eyes. They both were quiet.

Alex was overwhelmed with feelings he thought he wouldn't be able to feel any more. He had been hurt so much, hurt by Tracey and then later on his heart broke after Claire had died. He had always believed that part of his heart had died...All the feelings they were feeling right now made them both feel like they were in some sort of dream at the moment. And Alex couldn't contain himself any longer, in one fast movement he started to kiss her again. Stevie didn't expected another kiss and was a bit shocked by his action. In her response she pulled back, but Alex carefully held her right where she was with his strong arms and kept on kissing, he knew she wanted this too. She didn't struggle because the way he held her made her feel so loved and so she kissed him back. When he felt she didn't resisted, he even pushed her more tightly against his body. Butterflies were floating through their bodies...

But, all of a sudden now he pulled out of the kiss and looked at her "Are you ok with this?" he asked very charming.

Stevie blushed and said in a funny way. "I am if you remember something."

He looked delighted. "Hmm, I think I will, if we continue..." He grinned. " How about you? You remember s...?" But he couldn't finish his sentence because Stevie grabbed a piece of his shirt on his chest and pulled him close again.

She felt so good about the kiss and wanted more. More of his warmth and more of these butterflies who'd turned her belly upside down. And it all felt crazy in a good way. He was surprised and laughed while they kept kissing. Stevie put both of her arms around him and caressed his back with her fingertips. When she did that he deepened the kiss and gently grabbed her to lay her down. Stevie just let him and they didn't stop kissing...They both were longing for each other and it got even worse when they felt their bodies touching each other. Automatically she clung onto him, he moaned when she did that and ran with his fingers through her beautiful curly hair, still kissing her.

He talked to her with a hoarse voice while their lips still touched. "What are you doing to me?"

Stevie didn't answer, because she didn't know. And she was just as overwhelmed as he was.

She opened her eyes for a moment and caressed his face and then his hair to let him know she heard him. They were continuing the kiss and after a while they were kissing like crazy, their tongues slowly playing with each other. He caressed her cheeks, her arms and started to kiss her neck very careful. From her neck he went back to her lips, Stevie moved her hands underneath his shirt, her fingertips caressing his back and softly pressing to keep him right where he was. They both didn't want to end this, but the kissing got them a bit out of control. And before things would get out of hand, Stevie suddenly moved her hands to his chest and gently pushed him up, so they stopped kissing.

Stevie gasped for air, she looked dreamy as well as confused, like she just woke up from a very complicated dream. "God, Alex." she paused to catch some breath "What are we doing?"

He pulled away from her and looked puzzled, he softly said. "We're kissing"

Stevie pushed him away and when she sat up she rubbed her hair, she became restless and talked fast. "That. That wasn't just a kiss."

Alex pulled down his shirt when he sat and smiled, looking at his side. He was 'dreamy' in a good way. "Well it felt good, if that's what you mean."

Stevie didn't look at him, she sighed and stood up from the bed "What the hell is happening?" Then she walked to the other side of the room and stared through the window. Alex followed her. When she stood still he was standing behind her and didn't hesitated to put his arms around her. He still had that warm comfy feeling.

"No." She said and pulled away from the embrace to turn and face him. "Alex please don't do that. This isn't right." She said it like she wanted him to confirm she was wrong.

Alex answered. "Well, based on our memories, it isn't. Based on our friendship, it is." He said with a soothing smile, standing in front of her.

"Friendship?" She said kind of emotional. "Well let's not hope you kiss Dave like that." she said to avoid to get into a serious talk about feelings and all...

Alex shook his head and laughed. "What do you reckon?" Then he looked in her eyes again "I swear, I love you just a little bit more then Dave." He joked, but in fact he knew they didn't had 'just' a friendship. They both knew there was more.

Stevie turned away and started walking up and down the room. She was obviously annoyed. "Ohh this kiss was supposed to clear things you know? But now...things got even more confusing."

Alex was calm, it didn't bother him what just happened. He felt good about it. "Hey, ease up. It's not like we committed a crime."

Stevie didn't thought about how she felt, all she did was worry. "Well do you remember something?"

"No unfortunately not. But I will never forget what just happened." Alex honestly said and added a question "Tell me something Stevie, is that really the only reason you just kissed me?"

"You kissed me." She defended to avoid his question.

He started to tease her. "Hey? You kissed me back, remember?" He grinned. "And you kinda liked it too." He paused. "A lot."

Stevie giggled, she looked shy. "What do you know about that?"

"I was there." Then he became more serious. "Now listen, I asked you a serious question, I would really appreciate a serious answer."

Stevie stared at him, thinking about how to answer. She suddenly turned away from him again and walked to the window to stare outside. She wanted to say something about the pool game, that the kiss was his price. But Stevie knew that wasn't an honest answer...She realised although they might not remember something, they didn't end up in bed because it was a coincidence. And right at this moment she should have shared her thoughts with her mate, but she didn't.

"I think you should leave." She suddenly said instead.

Alex now got real confused. "What?" He waited for her to turn and look at him, but she didn't. "That's it?" He sighed because he felt anger coming up.

"That's not an answer to my question!" He raised his voice.

Stevie now turned and snapped. "Stop pushing me Alex. I don't have the answer!" Deep inside she felt sorry for him but it was just to much. "Listen, I'm tired ok? There has been a lot of tension lately and I just had enough."

Alex didn't understand her, he was disappointed. "I thought we got rid of that tension right here. Why should we continue to care about that night we've slept together? Why being so hard on yourself?" He paused, he looked angry. "I refuse to go on like this! If we slept together, then so be it! I want to leave all this nonsense behind us Stevie." He walked out and left Drovers Run.

Next time, the last chapter...Finally, answers to this 'mystery'