Drover's Run… Just on Midnight….

Tess and Jodi sit in the kitchen drinking hot sweet tea.

On their return from Kilarney earlier in the evening they'd settled the children into bed before Nick and Matt had left them alone while they headed off to bed.

"Tiana is so much like you Jodes." Tess remarks.

Jodi nods her head but her face shows great sadness.

…..

Reaching over Tess rubs her arm and says. "Still in shock."

She cries again and in between her anguish sobs responds. "She waited so long for him Tess life isn't fair is it?"

Despite trying so hard to be strong Tess cries too.

"I never got to say goodbye." Jodi comments.

Tess shakes her head and ads. "We didn't either Jodi."

"She's doing ok isn't she?" Jodi remarks wiping her tears.

"Yes she is now but it's taken a long time. Dave has been wonderful with her." Tess replies.

Blinking through her tears Jodi asks. "Are they together Tess? There was more than friendship between them."

"Nothing official but yeah they like each other Jodi."

"I would never have thought they were each other's type but I'm not concerned at all so long as she's happy that's all that matters isn't it." Jodi muses.

Tess studies her sister's face and replies. "Yeah so long as she's happy we should be too."

Jodi stands to grab a tissue and puts the box on the table.

Tess retrieves a couple and blows her nose.

"It's so good to be home Tess."

"It's good to have you home Jodi, tears and all."

"Tomorrow we won't cry ok? "Jodi suggests.

Tess gives a small laugh and replies. "Well we'll try anyway."

Jodi sips her tea and then with a deep breath sighs. "I'm going to sleep like a log tonight."

…..

With the window open Stevie sits in the armchair with one leg tucked under her and the other resting over the arm of the chair.

Dressed in cotton shorts and a singlet top she feels the breeze playing with her hair.

The night sky twinkles at her and she concentrates on her own breathing.

Sensing movement behind her she glances back in time to see Dave's silhouette sits up and look around.

"Would you like me to go home?" He asks.

She looks back out the window and replies. "No."

The bed announces he has risen from it and the bathroom door and light intrude on her solitude momentarily.

A minute later the toilet flushes and the light returns the room to half-light.

"Are you ok?" He asks as he sits on the spare arm of the chair.

…..

Her hand rests on his bare leg and she replies. "I'm sorry about before."

"You only asked me to sleep over Pickle and that's exactly what we did." He responds with an attempt at humour.

With the arrival of Jodi, Matt and their baby the night had changed dramatically.

Tears and grief were shared between the two women and by the time they'd left to return to Drover's Stevie was a soggy mess.

Dave had suggested he should go home.

Stevie had pleaded for him to stay.

Alone in her room he held her as she cried and then they slept.

Their conversation from earlier in the evening forgotten.

Lifting her head she smiles at him.

Leaning forward he leaves a lingering kiss on her forehead.

Straightening up he asks. "If you need to talk I'll go and make us some tea."

Standing up she looks at him.

Reaching down she grips the bottom of her shirt in her hands and slowly peels it up her body.

"No more talking." She replies.

"You sure." He asks.

She doesn't answer but steps closer.

Picking up his hands she encourages them around her.

"No talking." She repeats.

He hugs her closely.

Kilarney… Early the following morning….

Dressed in a towel Stevie sits in front of the mirror brushing her hair.

Turning around she watches as he stretches and yawns.

"Morning." She offers softly.

He rests up on his elbow and smiling replies. "Top of the morning to ya Pickle."

She smiles but shakes her head and asks. "You're not gunna drop Pickle are you?"

He pats the side of the bed and replies. "I'm not sure yet perhaps you could convince me not too call you that with a good morning kiss."

…..

Sitting beside him she inhales deeply and leaning forward kisses him.

In slow motion he rolls her across his body back onto the bed.

"So last night was ok?" She questions.

"Are you serious last night was beautiful?" He responds.

She smiles at him.

"So you didn't think it was ok?" He asks.

"Well I'd give you full points for effort." She quips.

…..

He sits up and lets her go.

"Dave what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

She sits up and touching his arm asks. "Dave talk to me."

"I thought it was great and you didn't. I don't know how I feel about that. I mean if we're not matched in that department ….it's not good…"

She angles her head and with the sweetest smile replies. "I'm sorry that's my fault Dave. Alex and I were very competitive and we always had this running joke that made us try harder in all aspects of our lives. If I'd said that to him it was a clear sign I thought it was perfect and that he could do that again."

Dave looks at her and softly remarks. "I'm not Alex."

"No you aren't and he wasn't you. You are the sweetest and kindest person that I know and I'm so glad I have you in my life. "She offers.

He looks at her.

A smile slips across his face. "Can I try again?"

Her eyes light up and she shrugs her shoulder and replies. "I don't know do you think you're man enough?"

He laughs and drags her back down onto the bed.

Throwing his leg across her he positions himself to kiss her.

A loud knock on the door stops them.

"Stevie! One of the mares has run through the fence!" Marcus calls from outside.

"Righto I'll call the vet!" Stevie yells back.

On the outside of her door Marcus grins.

He'd already seen Dave's car parked where it was last night.

"We need a vet." Stevie whispers to Dave.

"Ok give me twenty minutes and I'll be there." He replies.

"Twenty minutes?" She asks.

"Or thirty. Shhhh no talking." He says on her lips.

….