Kilarney...

After finishing dessert the group enjoy coffee, wine and port.

Liz Ryan ignores Stevie completely and as far as Stevie is concerned that's fine.

Retiring to the living room Fiona positions herself beside Alex.

It's glaringly obvious but Stevie doesn't bat an eye.

She's feeling secure and confidant after Alex's earlier conversation.

...

"We'll have to buy more chairs Stevie." Alex remarks.

" Hmm I guess, completely up to you though." Stevie replies.

" They'd have to be classic and tasteful." Liz says interrupting their conversation.

Alex ignores her and looking at Stevie suggests." In fact when we get back from Sydney I think we should redecorate Stevie like you did on Drover's."

Liz is about to interrupt but Stevie replies." That style wouldn't suit here Alex but we could give the place a freshen up if you like."

"It's your home now too Cowgirl and we need to make it our own." He pushes.

"What do you mean it's her home too?" Liz questions.

" Stevie lives here now, she lives with me." Alex answers.

Looking back at Stevie Alex asks." What colours should we use?"

"It's probably best if we get some colour swatches of materials and paints then we can see which ones we like best." Stevie answers.

Liz seethes.

...

" I forgot you were going to Sydney this weekend I was going to ask if you'd come to the Drive In with me." Marcus comments.

" Where's the Drive In?" Jocelyn asks.

" At the footy oval its a fundraiser.." Jodi offers

Looking back at Marcus Jocelyn says ." I'd love to go Marcus, I've never been to a Drive In, Mum and Dad have talked about when they used to go when they were younger and it sounds like fun."

Marcus smiles at her and offers." We could make it a date and have tea at the pub first if you'd like?"

" Better still I'll do up some salad sandwiches and we can have a picnic." Jocelyn suggests.

Marcus answers ." Done."

...

" When and why are you going to Sydney?" Liz asks.

" Friday afternoon we fly out. We're going to the Opera." Alex answers.

Liz chuckles." You at the Opera? And you're taking Stevie."

He opens his mouth to speak but Stevie snarls." That's enough Liz keep your comments to yourself. How we live our lives is none of your business."

"Stevie!" Nick cautions.

Standing up Stevie is unrepentant as she fires up." No Nick we've all crept around like we're walking on egg shells as she's waged her one woman war against me for whatever reason and I won't be quiet any longer."

Liz smiles smugly.

...

Stevie turns and squares up to Liz.

Liz doesn't look the slightest bit concerned .

"Who in the hell do you think you are? And what gives you the right to treat me this way?"

" See Darling she's showing her true colours now." Liz offers sounding amused.

Alex has moved beside Stevie.

Touching her arm he says . " Leave it."

She shrugs him off and steps closer to Liz

"What have I ever done to you? "Stevie questions.

"You don't belong here." Liz spits and snarls.

"Neither do you but that doesn't stop you turning up and tormenting all of us." Stevie says.

Liz bristles.

...

Stevie looks around the room and says ." I've said way more than I should and I'm sorry for ruining your night. I think it's time I went to bed Goodnight."

Liz chuckles and quips." Theatrical isn't she ? Our hostess without the mostest?"

Stevie glares at her but holds her tongue, turning she leaves the room.

Alex watches her go then looking at his Mother snarls. " Forget staying for a couple of days I want you gone in the morning."

...

Liz isn't fazed at all by the anger directed at her.

"Alex I just want what's best for you." She offers.

He shakes his head and replies." Once you knew what was best for me but you're out of touch with who I am or what I want."

Looking at his friends he says."I'll be back in a minute I'm going to see if she's ok. "

" We'll get going Alex I've got an early start in the morning. Thanks for having us." Damon comments.

Alex nods and walks from the room.

Damon , Jodi and Jocelyn make their way outside.

Fiona and Marcus sit quietly,neither knowing where to look or what to do.

Liz makes a few more remarks.

"Be quiet Mum you've said more than enough." Nick states.

Liz scoffs." You're not defending her Nick? She's only after his money."

"You're wrong Mum she's after something way more valuable. Don't you get it she loves him and he loves her. Come on Tess we're going home." Nick answers sounding disgusted.

" Wait Nick I just want to make sure she's ok." Tess tells him as she heads upstairs.

...

Upstairs.. Alex's room...

Stevie is in the bathroom removing her make up when a soft knock draws her attention.

The door opens and Alex appears.

"Hey!"

Without an expression on her face she says." Im sorry Alex I shouldn't have said anything."

"I'm not angry with you. I wanted to make sure you're ok."He replies softly.

She shakes her head.

" Maybe this is a mistake Alex.. I mean maybe we should stop." She admits.

He steps closer and gives her the sweetest look and says." No Stevie I've never felt more sure of anything in my life. We belong together you know it and so do I ."

Her resolve crumbles.

As his arms embrace her she whispers." Ive never wanted anyone more than I want you...us..You shouldnt have to deal with all of this."

"I don't have to anymore Beautiful I told her to go." He tells her.

Looking up at him with glassy eyes she says." Im sorry for making you choose."

With a smile of understanding he reassures her." It was no contest Stevie even without what happened tonight I choose us."

"Are you sure?" She questions.

His kiss is soft and tender then he hugs her tightly.

Nothing else needs to be said.

...

Back in the bedroom Alex answers the door.

" We're heading off Alex but I wanted to see if Stevie is ok." Tess states.

He steps back opening the door further.

"I certainly know how to end a party." Stevie states sadly.

Tess grins at her and quips." Why not go out in a blaze of glory. You only said what we all thought."

"Nick must hate me?" Stevie questions.

" No he doesn't Stevie he's angry and embarrassed by her behaviour. He's just had words with her himself." Tess answers.

"Really?" Stevie questions.

Tess nods and says ." Everything's fine and we're about to head off but I just wanted to make sure you're ok."

" With a friend like you why wouldn't I be ok." Stevie answers.

The two women hug .

" I'll be back in a few minutes Stevie I'll just see Tess out." Alex says.

Stevie nods and watches them leave.

...

Drovers Run ...The following day...

Nick places the phone back in its cradle and with a huge smile on his face goes in search of Tess.

Outside Tess , Jodi and Kate are standing talking to Stevie who has ridden over on Banjo.

Walking towards them Nick calls."Escaped for the day have you?"

Stevie smiles at him and replies." It was a bit uncomfortable so I thought I'd make myself scarce."

" So they've gone?" He asks.

"Liz should be gone when I get back but Fiona asked if she could stay on." Stevie replies.

" I hope you said no." Nick asks.

" It doesn't worry me and its only for another day ." Stevie answers.

"She's trying to get her claws into Alex you should have said no." Nick remarks.

"What was he supposed to say Nick she came to get away and walked straight into hurricane Liz it's not her fault." Stevie replies.

"Watch her Stevie she had her eyes all over him last night." Jodi warns.

"I trust him Jodi." Stevie replies.

" Yeah but if it's handed to him on a platter." Jodi remarks.

Stevie frowns and replies." He's not like that Jodi and I can't believe you would think he was."

" I didn't mean anything by it Stevie I just want you to be wary." Jodi offers.

...

"Anyway I'd better get back I'm supposed to be helping with drenching today."Stevie explains.

"I just got off the phone to the solicitor Stevie can you tell Alex everything is signed sealed and delivered in regards to the Old mans will." Nick says.

Stevie smiles and replies." Oh that's great news Nick it's taken so long , Alex will be thrilled."

"It will finally give us financial freedom."Nick replies.

" He'll be able to pay Bryce back which will take some pressure off him." Stevie answers.

"Actually I might drive over there now I wanted to talk to him about that ." Nick says.

...

Kilarney..

Stevie walks in the back door with Nick close behind her.

"Well this looks bloody cosy." She snaps.

Fiona hair is a sodden mess and she's standing with a towel around her and Alex is in his boxer shorts dripping wet.

Alex looks at Fiona and grins before looking back at Stevie and saying ." It's not how it looks."

" No? How does it look Alex?" Stevie questions.

...

Marcus walks out of the laundry dressed only in his jeans with a couple of towels in his hands.

Tossing one at Alex he quips."Sorry I took so long when I opened the cupboard the clip holding the shelf up came loose and they all dropped onto the floor. I had to pack all the bloody towels back in."

Alex raises an eyebrow at Stevie.

She grins and looks guilty.

" So what happened?" Nick asks.

" We were out watering the horses and the old tank stand collapsed." Alex explains.

Fiona laughs and says." It was like a mini tsunami."

Marcus chuckles and says." You should have seen it from where I was standing. One minute they were upright and the next minute they were like fish out of water flapping around on the ground."

Alex grins and says ." Yes and he was so concerned about our safety he fell on the ground laughing."

...

Marcus gets the giggles as he pictures the two of them being swept up in the torrent of water.

They all laugh just from listening to him.

" So we need a new tank stand?" Nick questions.

" I might go and get changed ." Fiona injects into the conversation.

" Yeah me too ." Marcus manages to say.

...

Alone in the kitchen Nick explains about the will .

Alex wraps the towel around his waist and sits down while Stevie makes them all coffees.

" Ah that's such a relief Nick. Even though we've cleaned the place up it really needs so much more to be done to bring it back to how it was before the fire." Alex says.

"Have you thought about Kinsella ?" Nick asks.

" Yeah I have and I think we should try and hold onto it. The pastures there are superb and we can rotate the stock through the farms plus we'll be able to rest paddocks a lot easier." Alex replies.

Nick nods and says." I agree. Hey I wanted to ask you something else. Tess and I were talking about your trip to Sydney and we thought we might join you."

"Oh Nick that would be great fun." Stevie gushes.

" No Stevie that weekend is just for you and I." Alex urges.

She looks at him and says." I don't mind Alex and it'll be fun."

" No Stevie it was a gift for your birthday and I want it to be just us." He pushes.

Looking at Nick Alex says." Sorry mate any other time would be fine but not this weekend because I've already made plans for us."

"Fair enough it was just an idea." Nick replies then says." Any way I'd better be getting back ."

Stevie looks miffed but Alex decides he'll deal with her later.

...

Walking Nick out Alex apologises and says." Nick you ok about not coming to Sydney?"

" Yeah of course. "

Alex smiles and says." I want to spoil her and just spend time together. She deserves this weekend and I don't want to share it with anyone else."

" You don't have to apologise Alex I understand." Nick says as he climbs into his car.

With the window down he asks."How'd ya go with Mum?"

Alex shakes his head and says."She won't be back here in a hurry after what I said to her this morning."

" I hope you didn't upset her too much." Nick comments.

" Stevie has brought so much positive stuff into my life and I told Mum if she can't except Stevie then she isn't welcome here." Alex says.

Nick nods but feels sad that it's come to this.

Maybe in time Alex will come around but at the moment it's too raw to even contemplate negotiating with him.

Time heals and Nick hopes that Liz re-evaluates the stance she's taken and what it has cost her.

...

Alex stands watching as his brother drives away.

Sensing movement beside him he turns and smiles.

" Hey."

" Hey! You ok?" She asks.

" A little cold and wet but nothing a hot shower and a cuddle from you won't fix." He comments.

" Want some company in the shower ?"

" Always know the right things to say don't cha." He answers as they walk back into their home.

...