Drovers Run…

Tess wakes, yawns and stretches.

A smile slips onto her face as she feels a body beside her and a whispered

"Good Morning."

Flipping onto her side she replies." Yes it is."

Smiling at her he lifts his arm.

She snuggles in.

….

Kissing the side of her face he asks. "You ok about us now."

"Hmm yeah I am. Although I feel a bit guilty too."

"Claire?"

"Yes.'

"Tess good and bad things can happen at the same time you have no reason to feel guilty ok. We've been heading for a relationship for ages." Nick soothes.

With a big smile she props herself up onto her elbow and teases. "Oh I'm in a relationship am I?"

He tickles her then smothers her in kisses.

….

A loud banging on the bedroom door stops their play.

"Hang on!" Tess calls as she quickly rises from the bed and grabs her dressing gown.

Opening the door she finds Meg with a smirk on her face.

"Stevie's on the phone for you. Nick having breakfast with us is he?"

Tess grins and as she rushes passed Meg answers "Yes he is thank you Meg."

….

Reaching the phone in record time Tess answers. "Stevie! Where are you? Right. Oh Nick thought you wouldn't get there until early this afternoon. Ok can I do anything? Yes ok and how's Alex? Oh Ok bye and Stevie take care please."

"Alex how are you? Uh huh. Are you nervous about seeing her again. No well that's good. Does she know you're with Stevie now? Ok, ok . It was just a question I'm worried about all of you Alex. Stevie and I didn't start out on the right foot as you know but she's my friend now and I don't want to see her get hurt that's all. Hey calm down I never said you were going to hurt her but Claire might be none too pleased about her friend dating her ex. Yeah I guess so. Yes goodbye and Alex be really careful if he's still around things could get ugly. Ok let me know when you get there. See ya." Placing the phone down Tess is deep in thought when Nick speaks.

She jumps and then laughs "You frightened the daylights out of me Nick."

"What are they up too?"

Taking a deep breath Tess replies. "They only slept for a couple of hours and decided they can sleep when they get to Claire and they know she's safe."

"Makes sense."

"Yeah."

"But?"

Looking up at him she replies. "But I'm worried about how it will all go Nick. I mean Alex is with Stevie but he hasn't seen Claire since she left."

"Relax Tess he hasn't gone into this with his eyes closed. They've talked about the entire Claire and Alex thing. He's much more relaxed about them than Stevie is."

"What do you mean?"

"She's worried he'll go back to Claire."

"Me too."

"Really?"

Slowly nodding her head she answers. "What if Stevie is the rebound?"

Shaking his head he responds. "They didn't start dating for months after Claire left Tess. They've taken things slowly and the fact he took her home to Mum and Dad is huge. You can count on one hand the times he's done that and you know he liked to play the field but he hasn't. He's older and wants to settle. Anyway it sounds like Claire has been shacked up with Danny Faulkner so she's moved on."

Tess nods her head slowly and muses." I guess you're right."

…

Alex's Ute….A couple of hours later…

"Slow down Alex it should be just up ahead." Stevie voices.

Dust billows around them as Alex pulls over to the side of the road.

"Why are you stopping?" Stevie questions sounding anxious.

"I want to talk to you before we go in."

"What about?"

"Us." Alex offers.

"Oh.'

Reaching over he takes her hand and looking at her begins. "I want to know how you see our future Stevie."

"Our future?"

"Yeah I mean we've been dating for what about 7 months and I've had the best time. I really can see you in my future. I want to know if you can see me in yours. I want to be absolutely positive that you aren't going to run away thinking I want Claire. I need you to know that's not how I feel at all."

"Really? But I thought once she came home you'd hope to start where you left off."

Shaking his head he wonders if he should tell her how his relationship with Claire ended.

Stevie has been honest with him every step of the way and he decides he has to do the same.

"The reason we split was because I asked her to marry me Stevie and she said no."

Letting go of his hand she places her hand across her mouth and then exclaims. "Oh Alex I'm so sorry that must have broken your heart. "

"Well it wasn't a pleasant experience that's for damn sure." He answers truthfully.

Her expression changes and she snarls. "So I'm the rebound!"

"No not at all."

"Alex you loved her enough to ask her to marry you. That's not something you just get over. "Stevie argues.

"Believe me you are not a rebound Stevie. First you were my friend and then things changed and how I felt about you changed. When you aren't with me I miss you. I have so much fun when we're together and …."He searches for words.

"And the sex is awesome." She offers.

He grins and quips. "Yeah and then there's that but seriously Stevie I really think we have a future together. Don't you?"

Nervously she looks everywhere but at him.

"Stevie."

He waits as she thinks about his question.

After a minute he pushes. "Times wasting Stevie either you want to be with me or you don't."

Stevie inhales deeply then letting her breath go she swivels around to look at him. "Yes I can see you in my future Alex."

A huge smile arrives on his face.

Leaning forward he places his hand on the back of her head and pulls her face to his.

The kiss he delivers is different, then parting he tells her. "Great now we're on the same page lets go and get Claire and Charlotte."

With a quick nods Stevie slips back into her seat and answers. "Yes let's."