Drover's Run…The wildlife corridor where the National park meets Drover's.

Tess, Stevie and Jodi scour the bush along the river near where the stranger was found.

"Tess! Jodi! I found his car!" Stevie calls from along the river.

By the time the other girls reach her she is scrounging through the glove box and his bags.

"Ex –Army…Riley James Ward." Stevie tells them.

"Riley! Hmm yeah that fits." Jodi grins.

Tess shakes her head at her.

….

"Why was he out here?" Tess asks.

Jodi rips back the tarp from the Ute and exclaims. "Horse gear!"

"Medals." Stevie offers.

"What kind of medals?" Jodi asks.

"Valour…Bravery." Stevie replies quietly.

"What in the hell is a decorated ex- serviceman doing out here?" Tess exclaims.

"Protecting Stevie mainly." Jodi remarks.

"I don't know him! I've never seen him before in my life." Stevie retorts defensively.

"Calm down Stevie Jodi wasn't accusing you of anything. Relax." Tess mediates.

…..

Following a well-worn path the girls come across an enclosure with fresh horse manure on the sandy ground.

"He's been catching horses?" Tess remarks puzzled.

"Brumbies Tess. Wild brumbies." Stevie adds equally puzzled going through a small back pack they found nearby.

"Are we taking his stuff back to the house or leaving it here?" Jodi asks.

"I think we should leave it here." Tess suggest.

Stevie agrees.

Climbing back into the Drover's Ute they head home.

'Why didn't you go with Alex?" Tess asks.

Stevie glances over at her and remarks. "You're married to Nick and you didn't?"

"I didn't want to see Harry alive so I have no desire to see him laid out in the morgue." Tess replies truthfully.

"Same." Stevie responds.

…..

"Do you think Riley killed Harry?" Jodi asks from the driver's seat.

"Nah I don't Jodes. He's ex-army and decorated at that. He's no coward, if he had a beef with Harry he would have faced him head on." Stevie replies.

"I agree with Stevie. No, whoever did that to Harry waited for him to be asleep." Tess adds.

"Still doesn't tell us why Riley was out there." Jodi says.

….

"I think he was looking for peace and quiet." Tess offers.

"What you think he was out there sitting with his legs crossed chanting while he meditated? You're a bloody hippy McLeod!" Stevie teased.

"It could happen!" Tess grins looking over at her friend.

Stevie smiles and shakes her head.

…..

Drover's Run…Dinner time….

Stevie is in the kitchen showered and changed when the backdoor slams.

"Hey!" His voice calls softly.

Stevie turns and wiping her hands moves towards him.

He stands holding her for the longest time without uttering a word.

She's more than happy to just hold him.

….

"You ok?" She asks softly.

"No! Not really." He replies.

Looking up at him she sees the sadness reflected there.

With her index finger she gestures for him to lean closer.

….

A tiny smile slips across his face just before she delivers a butterfly soft kiss.

Moving back she holds his gaze as her hands caress each cheek.

"I guess you must be tired. Dinner won't be ready for another hour if you'd like to have a nap." She advises sweetly.

Despite the gravity of the situation the invitation isn't lost on Alex.

….

Mischievously he replies. "I'll take whatever comfort you're offering."

"I wasn't offering anything.' She replies shocked by his response.

"Stevie I'm grieving remember." He states.

She looks annoyed.

….

Tess and Nick arrive back inside breaking the conversation.

Stevie makes a pot of tea and the four sit and discuss the afternoon's events.

Kate arrives and gives them an update on the patient who has finally kicked off the fever but is still quite weak.

"Thanks for not dobbing him in to the police." Kate remarks.

'Has he said why he was out there?" Nick asks.

Kate nods and replies. "He was just taking a bit of time out. He said he just needed to get away from everyone and everything and re-evaluate his life and its direction."

Stevie and Tess exchange glances.

Upstairs…..Just after nine pm…

Stevie is stripped getting ready for bed when a soft knock heralds the arrival of Alex.

She's still annoyed at him for propositioning her on the day his Father died.

It doesn't sit well with her at all.

...

"Who is it?" She calls despite knowing full well.

Opening the door he smiles and asks. "Can I come in?"

Stevie is standing facing the door holding her shirt up to her bare chest.

"Looks to me like you already are so I guess it doesn't matter what I say! You'll do as you please." She replies without emotion.

….

"Nice panties." He offers smiling at her.

Glancing over her shoulder she realizes he's looking into her mirror and has a full view.

"Alex don't you think you're being disrespectful to Harry." She chastises.

"No I'm not, I don't just want sex Stevie. I need more tonight. I need your comfort and the closeness of you! Of us." He replies seriously.

"Oh." She answers swept up in his words.

Stevie turns her back to him and looks into the mirror.

From behind her he smiles as she drops her shirt.

She inhales deeply as he moves behind her.

His large hands and arms sliding around her body.

….

She watches for a moment as his hands slide up to cup her breasts and his face nestles into her neck kissing the soft skin he finds there.

"I love you Stevie and I'm so glad you're here.' He whispers.

Closing her eyes she lets him take all the comfort he needs.

….