Danny looked at the clock as he finally finished wiping down the last of his operating desk; he'd finally done for the day and what a day it had been. He couldn't quite believe what had happened this afternoon, he wasn't sure if it had even happened until he got the first text out of several from Alice. He sighed to himself; somehow he had to talk to Rosie and he knew this wasn't going to be easy. Still, he could walk that bridge when he came to it for now, he couldn't wait to get out of the surgery and into his car. He was already an hour late and so an hour late in calling Alice.

Quickly he threw on his coat and grabbed his Jeep keys as well as his briefcase. He had quite a lot of work to do tonight as well which wasn't exactly going to be fun!

"Bye John!" Danny called to one of the other vets as he walked out of his own surgery. He heard a muffled reply before walking through to the reception area and after saying his goodbyes he exited, heading towards the car park.

As he burrowed his head downwards to avoid the direct sunlight he didn't notice the figure leaning on his car, the very figure he'd just sent a text message saying he was going to be out soon. Even as he unlocked his car, he didn't notice her until he was within touching distance.

"Alice!" Danny exclaimed as he jumped before looking at her sheepishly, "Sorry! Was miles away... Anyway what you doing here? Charlie?"

"I took her to her evening drama class." Alice replied smiling, "Kind of thought I'd drop by, saves you ringing me and much more fun."

"Really?" Danny smiled raising his eyebrows.

"Really." Alice replied leaning up and kissing him gently upon his lips. Danny smiled as she pulled away.

"You know, if they spot us we'll be in trouble..." Danny told her quietly as he took her hands.

"I know... I guess you have a lot of work to do..." Alice sighed leaning on his bonnet and looking to the briefcase he'd placed on the floor, Danny too looked at it.

"Yeh though, I'm going to try speak to Rosie first." Danny admitted.

"I've spoken to Charlotte." Alice told him with a small smile. "She's happy about it, more than happy. Not told her much but she said she'd be cool with it and all. You know what kids are like at her age..."

"Yeh, wish Rosie was her age right now!" Danny laughed slightly, "Would make life so much easier!"

"Hey, I've got it to come! You'll be out of the stage and I'll still be stuck in it!" Alice chuckled, she checked her watch quickly and looked up to Danny. "Gonna have to love you and leave you I think."

"Hmm, I'll text you, ring you before nine thirty." Danny promised as he pulled her round to the boot of his car which hid them from the surgery, he raised the boot quickly put in his briefcase. "Tell Charlie I said hi yeh?"

"Yeh sure." Alice smiled. "You know, we should go out this weekend. We're both off Saturday cos of the manager meetings."

"Good idea, talk about it later yeh?"

"Sure thing. See you soon." Alice said to him as he looked into his eyes.

"See you later Alice." Danny replied before swopping down and kissing her deeply, holding her for a moment; close to him before finally releasing her. She simply gave him one last grin before heading to her car as Danny too climbed into his.

(x)

Rosie threw herself on the sofa, a music channel on the TV turned up loud and a full pizza to herself in front of her. Her dad was late so she knew he was coming home soon. Probably been with Alice she thought to herself bitterly. Sure enough, Danny walked through the door, immediately stomping into the front room.

"Rosie! I can hear that music from the bloody motor! Turn it down a bit! And what's all this?" He asked signalling to the pizza.

"Hungry." Rosie shrugged.

"I left you a salad." Danny replied as he turned the TV's volume down. "Anyway, good day?"

"Yeh freaking brilliant dad."

"Rosie." Danny sighed...

"How was yours?"

"Good..." Danny replied, "Busy."

"Oh and how come you've been busy dad?" Rosie asked him, a sarcastic edge to her tone. Danny shifted uncomfortably – her tone was openly very hostile and full of accusation.

"Emergencies made me late home, then paperwork still got loads of that too...

"and screwing Alice!" Rosie shouted standing up.

"WHAT?" Danny squeaked jumping up himself. He'd felt himself pale slightly. How could Rosie have any idea about him and Alice? They hadn't done anything like that, just kissed... passionately, but still, why?

"I saw you! At lunch... what was that the warm up for later?" Rosie screamed, "How long's it been going on for? I mean, she practically threw herself at you! Were you ever going to tell me?"

"Rosie! That was our first... well, look Rosie! We only really decided to see each other today! The only other time I have seen her was the date and yes Rosie I did kiss her on that! To be honest I didn't think I needed permission off my daughter!"

"Oh but I always need permission off of you!" Rosie bellowed back, "Michael!"

"He's not your type – he is in court next week for stealing cars and drugs Rosie! Anyway why weren't you in school! I'm sick of you skiving school Rosie!" Danny told her angrily.

"Well... you can screw Alice, I can screw Michael!" Rosie replied, she knew she'd be annoying her Dad with this. Of course she hadn't done anything with Michael but that could easily be changed...

"What?" Danny whispered harshly, "You know what Rosie! I'm up to here with you!" He signalled to his forehead. "Just..." Danny stopped and turned away, he was about to say 'Just Go' but he couldn't say it to his own daughter. "Just leave me alone for a bit ok. I'll talk to you later tonight, in particular about Alice... and for your information Rosie I haven't been as you put it... screwing her." Danny cringed slightly, he'd always hated sex referred to in that way and screwing and Alice in the same sentence... he shook his head.

Rosie stared at her father angrily.

"No."

"ROSIE..." Danny sighed, "Look, if you want to talk with sense then that's fine, if not... just leave me alone please..."

Rosie glared at him before stomping upstairs. Danny sighed and sat down once more upon the sofa, his head dropped into his hands. He thought he'd finally found happiness at last... he groaned, if he didn't sort this he'd have to tell Alice and he didn't have a clue what would happen then. His daughter of course came first but he didn't want to lose Alice... Danny shook his head, he'd do his work, calm down then speak to Rosie.