Drovers Run…

"I'd best be going home Tess will you be ok?" Nick asks as he stands.

Looking worried she answers. "I thought we'd hear something by now Nick."

"No they won't get there until early tomorrow afternoon Tess. It's a thirteen hour drive at least and they'll have to stop for a sleep and to eat. Would you like me to stay?"

She gives him a sweet smile and replies. "I would but only if you don't get in trouble off Harry."

"I'll give him a ring and let him know I'll be home tomorrow afternoon sometime. "

Placing her hand on his arm she offers." He won't be happy because Alex has gone so if he carries on too much just go home I don't want to cause trouble."

He smiles at her and taking his phone from his jacket pocket he moves outside.

…

Eight hours into the journey to rescue Claire …

Stevie and Alex sit with their backs against the cabin on the back of the Ute.

Alex has finished his hamburger when Stevie offers the last part of hers that she's unable to eat. "Here do you want this I'm full."

Taking the burger he replies. "Yeah ta."

Wiping her hands and mouth on a wet wipe she asks. "Want to have a beer with me before we have a snooze?"

"Yeah sounds good."

Stevie hands him a wet wipe before jumping off the back of the Ute to retrieve two beers from inside the Ute.

"There ya go ." Stevie states as she clambers back onto the ute and gets comfy.

"Ta." Alex answers.

…..

"Cheers."

"Yeah cheers." He responds clinking their beers together.

After a mouthful Stevie sits playing with the label.

"She'll be alright Stevie don't worry."

Looking at him she replies. "I just wonder how badly he hurt her Alex. She could have broken ribs, a broken nose black eyes. It won't be pretty."

"I don't understand how she could get tangled up with someone like him. She's a smart woman." Alex muses.

Stevie inhales then softly states. "Because men like him promise you the world and you believe them and once they have your trust they belittle you to a point where you think you're worthless, then they slowly cut you off from your friends and family. Then they've got you exactly where they want you and heaven help you if you try to stand up to them or worse still you try to leave."

Alex studies her then asks. "How long did it take you to leave Jarrod?"

Stunned that she's opened up so much to him she quickly answers. "No it wasn't Jarrod."

"So who was it?"

Nervously she looks around then in a voice that sounds so small and frightened explains. "His name was Vince I worked an opal mine with him. "

Alex reaches out and draws her under his arm.

In a whisper he states. "You've had no luck with men have you?"

Glancing up at him he sees her tears as she replies. "No I haven't."

Inhaling deeply he offers. "Until you met me of course."

A brief smile arrives on her face as she replies. "Goes without saying doesn't it."

With his thumb he wipes her tears.

…

Half an hour later they're tucked up in the swag.

"It's a beautiful night isn't it?" Alex offers.

Inhaling Stevie replies. 'So many stars and it feels like you could reach up and touch them."

Moving his arm around her neck he whispers "We'd best get some shut eye."

Turning to face him Stevie snuggles into his chest without comment.

She wonders what kind of condition they'll find Claire in and more importantly how Alex will react.

He's assured her he is over Claire but the pit of her stomach tells her a different story.

Alex hasn't seen Claire for over a year, being face to face with her may change how he thinks he feels.

…

Alex moves around and softly kisses her before saying goodnight.

"Night. Sweet dreams" She replies.

With both arms around her he gently tightens his embrace before relaxing.

Tomorrow they'll see Claire.

He's not sure how he feels about that.

It's been easy to push her from his thoughts from a distance.

…..

Stevie has helped fill a void that he so desperately needed.

So much of who she is was hidden from him when they were just friends.

She is so much more than he ever knew.

Sweet, kind, considerate and so much fun to be around.

Stevie had changed him in ways he never expected, now he could see her being in his long term future for sure but she had her doubts about their relationship.

That troubled him.

His Mother was surprisingly ok about him dating Stevie and even Harry on occasion seemed to almost enjoy her company which made life with her easier.

They both expected negativity and were surprised by Harry and Liz's acceptance.

Sleep he tells himself I need to sleep.

Pushing all thoughts aside he lets himself fall into a deep sleep.