Nick sees clearly through the fog...
Nick lies back on his bed and breathes deeply the fog slowly lifting.
In the last few days he heard foreign voices hovering over him but today it was an English ascent.
Alex's voice had woven its way through the fog and cleared a space for him to follow.
"That was weird." Nick comments.
Alex looks at him and says "What do you mean?"
"Well Dad and Tess, I could hear the emotion in their voices but I've been asleep and don't feel like they do. I'm sure I will once I fully take in what has happened."Nick offers sounding confused.
...
"We thought you were dead at first mate, and then Stevie convinced us you weren't." Alex replies.
Nick grins and says. "So you and Stevie? When did that happen?"
"What are you talking about?" Alex asks looking puzzled.
"Well you wanted to speak to her, you asked her about her dreams, she couldn't talk so you'll ring later and you sent her flowers. Nick answers.
Alex looks at him and shaking his head says "I'm engaged Nick."
Nick smiles brightly and quips. "Congratulations mate it's taken you long enough. I bet the old man wasn't thrilled?"
"Not to Stevie." Alex states.
Stunned Nick asks. "Who too?"
"Fiona Webb I met her in Melbourne."Alex offers.
"So how long have you known her for?" Nick asks.
"Well I've been here for two weeks so three weeks now." Alex offers.
...
Nick looks shocked and without thinking clearly states. "Poor Stevie."
Annoyed Alex asks. "What do you mean?"
"Well ...No it doesn't matter..." Nick replies.
"Yes it does Nick what do you mean?" Alex pleads.
"I always thought you were in love with her. Just by the way you spoke about her and all the time you spent with her. I just thought because you were such good friends you were holding back in case you messed it up. Plus watching her around you, she doesn't see other men because all she sees is you." Nick offers teasingly.
Alex looks pissed off while Nick is speaking and then with the last comment grins.
"She looks at me? And what do you mean messed it up?"Alex asks.
"Well think about it Alex. Stevie knows you better than any other woman you've ever known and she will always stand up for you and yet you've never slept with her. Or have you?"Nick states.
Alex grins and says. "No I haven't."
"Why haven't you? Aren't you attracted to her?' Nick asks.
Again Alex grins and says. "Isn't it time you had a nap or something?'
"That doesn't answer my question Alex. If Stevie moved away tomorrow how would you feel? Nick pushes.
...
Alex looks thoughtfully at his brother and says. "What normal man wouldn't be attracted to her, she's beautiful even in a t-shirt and jeans. Ya know we kissed once, before your wedding..."
Nick says. "Well you kept that a secret. Why didn't you take it further?"
Alex shrugs .."She was getting over Kane and I was still grieving and it shocked the hell out of both of us so we agreed to be just friends." Alex explains.
Nick quips. "What was it like?"
Alex grins and says "Why should I tell you?"
Nick laughs and answers. "You don't have to tell me, you just have to ask yourself was there anything in that kiss that could be built on or was it just a kiss?"
...
With the news on Drover's Run everyone's mood lifts to an all time high.
Harry makes his leave and Dave offers to help the girls drench the mob they have brought in.
Stevie and Tess sit back on the veranda and talk about the Ryan men in Argentina.
"Oh Stevie how can we go from such crushing lows to such exhilarating highs in a matter of two weeks?' Tess says smiling at her friend.
"At least you get the highs; all I get is lows and lower lows."Stevie says trying to make light of the situation.
Tess reaches over and squeezing her friends hand says. "He'll come to his senses Stevie. He has to see what is right in front of him."
Stevie gets a little teary and says. "I've been right in front of him for years Tess and he hasn't noticed me yet."
"Well you were scared maybe he is too? Maybe he thinks you'd laugh at him."Tess offers.
...
Days pass and Stevie gets the Ute off Harry and begins to move around doing odd jobs as best she can.
Tess has a smile so wide the girls begin to tease her about doing toothpaste commercials which makes her smile and laugh more.
Dave Brewer drops over before and after work each day to see if he can help with anything which the girls appreciate.
Kate takes a huge amount of teasing off Jodi but returns it just as quickly once she's realized Jodi fancies Kilarney's new overseer.
...
Alex flops onto his bed in the motel exhausted from the day spent at the hospital with Nick.
The last few days have been a blur with therapies to make sure Nick is strong enough to travel.
Tomorrow they'll begin the long journey home and his mind is cluttered with thoughts, doubts and questions.
He'd spoken to Fiona last night even though he was exhausted and all she had done was whine on about how much she'd missed him and how he should come to Melbourne and see her.
When he'd told her he was taking Nick all the way home and hanging around for a few days first she was filled with rage and hung up on him.
...
Later he'd picked up the phone and rung Stevie.
The minute she heard his voice, she had said how tired he sounded and maybe he shouldn't have rung but just gone straight to bed.
He felt the concern in her voice and he knew she was worried about him.
When he'd told her about Fiona's comments she'd said well I'm sure she has missed you.
Talk to her and make her understand that it's important to you to make sure your brother is safe after all the baggage and guilt you have carried for years about his rodeo accident. Bringing him home safe is a chance to put something right.
He had smiled at her words, she understood him and he didn't have to explain anything.
She even understood that he wanted to stay close by Nick and Tess for a few days.
Then they'd talked about her dreams again but he could hear her trying to change the subject and he understood she was trying to protect herself this time.
He was coming home.
But he was engaged and things had changed.
The flirting had to stop.
When she'd finally growled at him to go to bed because he sounded so very tired he'd smiled and wished her sweet dreams and she'd answered you too.
He felt light and eased into a deep, peaceful sleep.
He dreamed of her.
...
Harry Ryan stretched out on the couch with a small glass of whiskey.
He needed Alex back on the farm, and even though this new woman was from a wealthy family he really didn't like city princesses especially the type he surmised she'd be.
Just by the clothes she wore and the bag she carried he knew she had expensive taste and she'd spend the money as fast as they earned it.
She'd also be the kind to want half of everything if a divorce occurred and he was certain in would.
Fiona was too soft for Alex, her insipid whining would cause him to give in and let her have whatever she wanted just to shut her up.
Harry Ryan smiled knowing exactly how to get rid of her.
...