In the next few days Marcus, Nick and Alex prepare for their trip away. Not just the bikes but essential work around the farms has to be completed before their week away. Alex has no concerns as Stevie is back and with Rose and Moira around to help her with the children Kilarney is in safe hands. Nick is in the same place as Tess is more than capable of running Drover's. Marcus is concerned leaving Grace pregnant and with the girls being so little but everyone assures him they'll help too. Grace could easily run the farm but she still has morning sickness and Marcus is concerned she'll work too hard and not look after herself.

Finally the day arrives for the boy's road trip, they're leaving from Kilarney and Alex has been ready for ages but he's anxious as Bull has been sick during the night and he hates the idea of being away from them at the best of times let alone leaving him sick. Bull is sleeping and Alex has gone into to say goodbye anyway. Bull looks peaceful but his little face is flushed. Alex reaches down and kisses the little boys forehead and he's quite warm.

Alex smiles as Bull opens his eyes and says "Hello Daddy I thought you'd gone." Alex kneels beside his bed and says" I'm just waiting for Uncle Nick and Uncle Marcus to get here. How are you feeling Bull?" Bulls grins and says. "I'm ok. Mummy said you need a holiday and you'll have lots of fun on the Harley's."Alex brushes Bull's hair from his face and says. "Yeah we'll have fun mate but I'll miss you, Jakey, George and Mummy." Bull answers "We'll miss you too Daddy. You have to be brave ok." Alex reaches over and hugs him and says. "Ok mate, I'll be brave and I'll see you at the beach in a few days." Bull smiles and hugs his Father. "You try and go back to sleep mate and you'll feel better when you wake up ok." Alex says. Bull nods and turns over. Alex stands reaches over and kisses Bull's head, and quietly leaves the room.

Stevie meets him in the hall and asks. "How is he Alex?" Alex reaches to hug her and says "He's still warm but he says he's ok. I told him to go back to sleep and he'll feel better when he wakes up." Stevie looks at him and says. "He'll be fine Alex." He inhales deeply and says. "I don't want to leave Stevie." She hugs him tightly and says. "Yes I know but by the time you reach you're first nights stop he'll be better, I'm sure." They hear the Harleys coming and Stevie says "Too late now Alex they're here."

He reaches down and kisses her deeply, passionately and as he releases her he says. "Stevie promise me if he's not better when he wakes up you'll ring me, so I can come back." She grins and says "No Alex I won't do that. He'll be fine and you need this break. Four days with your brothers will be fantastic and you'll have a great time." She reaches up and kisses him and says "Get going and please ring when you get to your first stop so I know you're safe." They move downstairs to find Marcus and Nick eager to be on the road.

They have a quick chat and Marcus expresses his concerns for Grace and Stevie reassures him she'll keep close contact. The men are quite concerned when they learn that Bull's not well, he a hardy little boy and rarely gets sick. Stevie assures them he'll be fine. Alex reaches for her and his lips cover hers completely softly, gently she sees nothing, hears nothing only him and his safe strong arms and his beautiful lips. As he releases her Marcus quips. "Come on Romeo we'll never get on the road if you keep doing that." They all laugh. Stevie stands watching them as the three Harley's roar down the drive way she knows they'll have a great time together.

Matt has finished the bulk of the work on Drover's and says to Jodie and Tess. "Are you girl's right now? I promised Marcus I'd check on Grace. Oh and I'll take Adam for a spin if you like Jodes." Tess says "Yes we'll be fine Matt and there are three casseroles in the fridge that Meg made this morning for Grace so she won't have to worry about cooking and then she'll be here the night before we head of to Glenelg. Can you take those over to her please?""Matt grins and says. "It's such a simple thing but it will make a huge difference for her won't it?" Jodie replies "I would have loved someone to make me casseroles when we had Adam and Beth."Matt laughs and says. "Thanks Jodie I thought you liked my cooking?"The girls laugh and Jodie says. "I love your cooking but I meant I missed the gesture of having family help."

Riding down the road the three men are deep in their own thoughts. They ride for almost two hours and Nick gestures for them to pull over at the next wayside. Äs the Harleys engines stop Alex says "What's up Nick?" Nick laughs and says. "I needed a pee." Alex quips "Bloody hell mate we've only been on the road two hours! I hope this doesn't become a regular thing or we'll never get there."They all laugh. They walk around and have a stretch and Marcus rings Grace "Hi Grace, No everything's fine. Yes I just wanted to make sure you're ok yes. Oh terrific oh ok hey that's nice yes ok I will I love you too.' "So everything's alright Mate?"Alex asks. "Yes Matts there helping her, and Tess and Meg sent three casseroles over so she doesn't have to cook at night. Nice hey?"Marcus says smiling. Nick asks "Are you going to ring Stevie Alex?" Alex grins and says "No she made me promise I wouldn't ring until we got to our first motel." They all laugh.

Back at Kilarney Moira has kept an eye on the children as Rose and Stevie quickly did all the days chores. Stevie is anxious to get back to see how Xander is. Walking in the back door Stevie calls. "Moira where are you?"Moira replies "We're in the living room Stevie."Stevie moves quickly through the house and is met by Jake she picks him up and he wraps his arms around her neck "Hello Mummy."She smiles kissing him and says "Hello Jakey have you been a good boy?" He nods his head and she kisses him again. Placing him back on the floor she picks Georgia up and kisses her and hugs her tightly "Hello bub."Georgia snuggles into Stevie's neck.

"Moira how's Xander?" Moira grins as Xander jumps from behind the couch and says."Boo!"Stevie pretends she's shocked and hands Georgia to Moira. Stevie kneels and Xander runs into her embrace, she hugs him and kisses him. "I'm so glad you're feeling better. I was worried."She coos. The phone begins to ring and Moira moves to answer it and Stevie says "Moira it's probably Alex let Xander answer." "Hello Kilarney Bull Ryan speaking. Hello Daddy."He says with a big grin on his face. "Yes I'm better. Did you have fun? Yes I did. Yes Aunty Moira, Rosie, Jake, George and Mummy yes she said she was worried ah ha. Are you being brave Daddy? Good boy. Yes. Jakey Daddy wants to say Hello."The boys chat for awhile and then the phone is handed to Stevie she puts the phone to Georgia's ear and she smiles.

Stevie says "Yes she is Alex big smiles. Yes I told you he'd be fine."Moira and Rose take the children into the kitchen. "Yes Rose and I just got back. Yes it was I didn't want to leave him but we had to do the work, Moira says he slept most of the time I was away. Yes."She smiles listening to him then asks "So what are you being brave about?" She inhales and on the other end of the phone Alex says "Stevie are you there?"Stevie? Come on Cowgirl. It's ok."He knows she's crying or close to it so he waits.

"Are you alright now? Yes I know I felt the same way. I love you so much Beautiful. Ok kiss them all for me. No we're about half an hour away yeah Nick's bladder needs looking at. Yes you tell her. Righto Bye" As he hangs up he's smiling. Nick says. "Everything alright Alex?" Alex replies "Yes the little fellows on the improve and the others are all good and Rose and Stevie got all the work done." Marcus says "It sounded like Stevie was upset Alex?" Alex breathes deeply and says "Before I left I told Bull I'd miss all of them and he told me that I had to be brave. Stevie asked why Bull asked if I was being brave. When I told her she went quiet on the other end so I assumed she was either crying or close to it."

Nick says "I'm sure that little fellow has been here before he's like an old man in a little boy's body. It's been difficult for all of you being apart hasn't it?" Alex looks thoughtfully and then says. "I don't sleep properly when she's not beside me and neither does she. I guess the kids pick up on that somehow. When she's been away and the kids get upset I tell them we have to be brave and I guess that's where he got it from. But when he said it to me this morning it ripped at my heart you know."

Nick says. "Yeah Tess and I are the same not that we're apart much these days. I just miss holding her." Marcus grins at them and says "Bloody hell do you want to go home now ya sooks."Nick and Alex look at each other and tackle Marcus at the same time knocking the wind out of him as they go. He struggles for breath and they try to look concerned. Eventually he gets his breath and says "Steady on you two, one of you is bad enough but both of you it's like being hit by a train."They all laugh. "Hey the accommodation Stevie booked is a bit flash." Marcus says. Alex says "It can't be too flash Marcus it's a brewery." Marcus hands Alex the brochure with their directions and says." It's a boutique brewery Alex." Alex shakes his head and says "What in the hell is a boutique brewery?" Nick laughs flips the top of Alex's head and says." Maybe they'll give you a facial while you're drinking." They all laugh.

Half an hour later they pull into the brewery. Nick goes into the office and is gone about ten minutes and returns with their room keys. As they move through the grounds one of the workers has spotted them and is watching their path. Pulling up in front of their room they turn the bikes off and all stand stretching and looking around. "This looks great."Marcus says. Alex agrees "Yeah not bad at all." They quickly move inside taking their belongings with them. "Bloody hell this is a bloody nice room." Alex quips. Marcus yells from outside" Hey we've got a massive spa out here." Nick and Alex look at each other and laugh. As Marcus walks inside he asks "What are you laughing about?" Alex grins and says. "Mate you get embarrassed if I mention my tackle do you really want to see it?" Marcus laughs and says "There called shorts Alex and you can leave them on." Alex grins and says" Well usually if I'm in a spa Stevie's with me." Nick and Marcus laugh and Nick says" Beer let's find the beer."

They wander around and find the pub, the décor is heavily wooded and it has a brilliant atmosphere. The tables are barrels and there's a large pool table in the far corner. Several beers later the sun has gone down and the tourists have thinned and only guests remain. The three men are very relaxed and have begun to play pool. Alex has ordered more beer, paid and headed for the toilets. "G'day Nick I thought it was you." Nick turns to find Kane Morgan behind him. Nick holds out his hand and says. "Hello Kane. What are you doing here?" Kane grins and says "I work here."

Nick says "Kane this is my brother Marcus. Marcus, Kane Morgan." Marcus shakes his hand and says "Hello pleased to meet you."Kane looks puzzled and says "I thought it was just you and Alex?" Nick grins and says "No there are three of us, it's a long story. So what have you been up to?" Kane smiles and says "Staying out of mischief mostly." Nick doesn't sound convinced and says "Right." Kane laughs and says. "No true story I'm behaving myself after the incident with Luke I really pulled my head in. Even got myself a woman, and a baby." Nick says "You're married?" Kane says "No I haven't settled that much Nick but we've been together a couple of years. Long, enough to have a kid."

Nick says "Well that's good Kane and how's Luke?" "Yeah he's good too, did his time and hasn't put a foot wrong since. Hey you guys are staying here aren't you?" Nick nods. "Well we've got a bit of a party tonight for the young bloke he gets married on Saturday. You should join us." Kane has noticed Alex with the beers and moves over to help. "G'day Kane." "G'day Alex it's been a long time." Alex puts the beer down and shakes Kane's hand and says "About seven or eight years I'd say."

Kane replies "Yeah it would be that long. Listen I've got to go and do a few things and I've told Nick about a party we're having tonight. I'll see you in about an hour ok?" Alex nods. As Kane leaves Nick fills Alex in on their conversation. Alex asks "Did he ask after Stevie?" Nick shakes his head and says. "No but we didn't talk for long."

Marcus asks "Does he know Stevie too." Nick says. "Kane was the last man to break Stevie's heart until Alex trampled all over it." Alex punches Nick in the arm and says "That sounded like I meant to hurt her." Marcus shakes his head and says. "No I can't picture her with him at all." Alex says "Well that's what I told him and he left. Stevie didn't talk to me for ages after that." Nick laughs and says "They were our best man and maid of honour and a couple of days before the wedding they had this huge fight and she wouldn't speak to him."

Marcus says "Bloody hell Alex I'm surprised she ever spoke to you ever again." Alex grins and says "Well I think the only thing that saved me was we'd kissed the day of the buck's night and agreed to be friends. So she was probably already falling in love with me by then." Nick says "You kissed her?" Alex laughs and says "Well that's debatable I think she kissed me! But you're sworn to secrecy no one knows. She would kill me."

Nick says "What the day the veil went in the mud and the old Mercedes broke down you kissed her? I knew something had changed, I bloody knew it. What was it like?" Alex grins and says. "Mate, up until that point in my life I'd never been kissed with so much passion." He holds his arm up and shows the goose bumps on his arm and says. "All these years later and I still have that reaction just talking about it." Marcus says "So why did you just stay friends?" Alex says "She'd just split with Kane." They continue drinking and playing pool and the venue begins to fill.