"It's been three hours Matt."

Matt rolled his eyes as Zoe gave him a stern look. They were currently arguing about whether they should make their way to Leopards Den or not. Zoe was overly eager to see everyone and to most likely shoot Vanessa and was now bored of waiting. Matt was protesting he did not want to walk in on Danny and Alice but as usual Zoe was arguing back saying that she knew best. Charlotte watched them with amusement. They were quite cute in their own way, arguing yet still so obviously in love it was untrue.

"Fine." Matt sighed eventually throwing his hands in the air as a gesture of surrender.

Zoe grinned at him, he shook his head and walked off. Charlotte looked at Zoe with amusement too which Zoe simply winked.

(x)

"Thanks for all of this Danny." Alice told him as he pulled her closer to him. They were sat upon the sofa, curled up together. The bath they'd shared had been long, luxurious and romance had been plentiful. They were now enjoying their final moments of time alone.

"You're welcome, you deserve it." Danny told her. He was pleased that she had enjoyed what he'd done for her, and he could tell it had helped. She was a lot more relaxed and in general seemed slightly happier. He pondered on whether to tell her that she was going regardless of Vanessa to the funeral of her brother which was to be held in four days time, and he wondered if she should just tell her what he did. He sighed, maybe not.

Alice pulled herself closer to him, inhaling his scent. Allowing herself to melt into his aura as he wrapped his arms further around her. She smiled with content as she rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes as she relaxed completely. They were sat in a companionable silence, no words were necessary.

(x)

Zoe and Charlotte were sat in the passenger seats of the Jeep as Matt drove leisurely down the old tracks that led to Leopards Den. He'd purposely took the long way round just to prove his point. Zoe had of course told him he was stupid in a light hearted manner, and he'd called her an idiot in the same teasing tone, which had led to banter. Charlotte was sat between them... just the best position to be in... NOT!

Charlotte watched the bush pass in a blur of yellows and greens. She saw a mass of grey momentarily... elephants. She smiled, she loved the bush. Sometimes she'd hate it. I mean, it's not exactly normal to live out here, or to have a cheetah as your pet... but it was her home, and she loved it. She rolled her eyes to herself, how could one small talk get her thinking so much? She smiled to herself dumbly.

Her world was brought firing back though as Zoe's voice pierced the air as Matt drove.

"Matt, stop the car now." Zoe ordered him, he did so in confusion. It was then he noticed Vanessa sat on a tree stump, Georgia and Petal not far away from her playing. Her car was hidden in the bushes.

Zoe grabbed her crutches and began walking over. Charlotte went to go distract the twins as Matt stood helplessly. He wasn't even going to attempt to stop Zoe from doing what she wanted to do.

"Vanessa." Zoe said, her voice betraying no emotion as she came up to her. She was moving steadily on her crutches.

"What do you want?" Vanessa sighed, never turning to face her as she tried to hide her emotional appearance.

"I want to know what you think you are playing at? Yes you've lost your husband but we've lost our brother. None of it was Alice's fault Vanessa, why are you making her pay for it. If you want to make anyone pay for it, make me pay for it. But don't take this out on Alice." Zoe told her, her blue eyes slightly darker.

"I want it to be family." Vanessa mumbled.

"But we are his family. Alice is his sister! Full sister!" Zoe emphasised the word sister. "Look... put yourself in her shoes, how would you feel?"

"That's irrelevant."

"Just do it. You'd feel pretty crap and betrayed. I know what Danny did, and yes I suppose it was a bit sly but at the end of the day she's his wife and he's going to protect her and do what he can to get her to that funeral. He's the one who knows how she's really coping and if Danny, the man who wouldn't hurt a fly or if he did would probably hold a funeral for it, has resorted to those measures, then that tells me all I need to know."

"He shouldn't have done what he did." Vanessa argued weakly.

"He's doing what he has to do. But Vanessa, why don't you just make this funeral, how a funeral should be. A celebration of Rowan's life, where all his friends and family come to celebrate the man that he was. Just cut yourself some slack Vanessa. You're only making this harder on yourself."

Vanessa looked at her for a moment. Their eyes met. Zoe had a stern look on her face. Her eyes showed she was annoyed but using a different technique to approach Vanessa. Vanessa sighed, Zoe was right.

"Fine. I'll do it." Vanessa mumbled.

Zoe nodded, patting her shoulder. Before walking back to Matt calling Charlotte to hurry up.

A/N – Woo super Zoe to the rescue! This stories nearly done :'(