The storm.

A/N: Just a (very) sappy one-shot set after (and using lyrics from) the episode "The Show Must Go On" (s8 e20). Maybe a bit ooc and I own nothing.

I will be updating "Broken" soon for those lovely people who asked for more. Just low on plot ideas so any you have let me know!

It hadn't rained for months. The grass had long since withered and died, scrubby patches of brown were all that was left of the once green and lush paddocks. The gum trees were still alive but they, along with everything else were covered in a layer of dust, the air thick with it and an air of desperation and lethargy hung over the land, the livestock and the people.

Marcus woke early, the air was thick and hot already though the sun had barely risen. Striding across to the sheds to grab a saddle and bridle he gazed up at the cloudless blue stretching from one horizon to the other. 'Still no chance of rain' he thought despondently. They were already having to buy in feed for the stock in every paddock bar the creek paddock, though the creek was now little more than the occasional shallow puddle of standing water. If it hadn't been for the water saving initiatives of Drover's and Wilgul he'd be completely scuppered. If the drought continued he'd have to sell even more of the stock. As it was he'd already lost all the agistment contracts Killarney held – no one had grass or feed to spare.

Saddling Jericho he swung up and wiped his hand over his already sweaty lip and chin. He rode to the agreed spot in the boundary fence Killarney shared with Drovers. Grace was waiting there with her beloved horse, Baggins. She looked as uncomfortably hot as he felt and just nodded a greeting, in this heat anything else was too much effort. They rode the fence in near silence unusually for them.

Grace was chastising herself whilst trying to keep a rein on the elated giddiness she felt. Last week had been the performance of Phil Rakich's musical. Moira had fled with Phil in hot pursuit midway through the final number. Without thinking Grace had sung Moira's lines and pulling Marcus with her he took up Phil's part.

The lyrics were everything Grace wanted to tell Marcus but couldn't, they spoke of the love she wished they shared rather than the one-sided emotion she felt for, yet his from her best mate. The kiss, scripted into the play had been the subject of Grace's dreams for months, yet she was wholly unprepared for the flipping of her stomach and the tingle from head to toe as their lips met and melded.

She knew it was crazy, she'd always known that she had no chance. They were best mates. They shared beers and banter and drove each other up the wall with their stubbornness. She knew he saw her as "just-Grace", one of his mates, not as a woman. Well until Alex and Stevie's wedding. He'd been best man, she was a bridesmaid. They'd hung out all night, danced together and she swore she'd seen something in his eyes that was more predatory than friendly, he'd held her flush against him as his thumbs traced patterns on the satin that covered her lower back. Nothing had been said and then the bride and groom were leaving and the moment was broken.

But now, now they'd kissed. A scripted kiss, granted, but what a kiss, Grace had been swept away, floating as something she'd longed for finally became reality. She smiled inwardly and looked over at the man who had somehow become her everything.

Marcus was conflicted. Furious with himself, with timing, with Grace-though none of it was her fault he conceded reluctantly.

It was that bloody musical. If Moira and Phil hadn't run off who knows where in the middle he wouldn't have had to step in, he wouldn't have had to sing those words to Grace, he wouldn't have drowned in her eyes and he bloody certainly wouldn't have kissed her. His mind had played that kiss over again and again since it happened. He knew it was written into the end of the song, but it was meant to be between Moira and Phil.

What a bloody mess. He'd been caught up in the moment, kissing Grace without thought until his mind realised and his body froze. His eyes opened as she chased his lips to finish the kiss. This was Grace. Grace was his friend, his best mate. Yes, he acknowledged he had realised she was a woman, a very beautiful woman. His mind conjured up a picture of her at his brother's wedding looking bloody stunning in a purple dress. She'd smelled so good, of sunshine and whatever fruity shampoo she used, she'd felt so soft and warm and less prickly than usual. He hadn't even been aware how close he'd pulled them as they danced until he lifted his head from where it rested against hers and caught a very significant eyebrow from his father, Bryce. She'd looked stunning then, and since that day he'd noticed how her work jeans fitted her perfectly, almost like a second skin and those vests she wore under her work shirts did strange things to his pulse. He cursed the heat again, it was too hot for shirts so he saw her in those damn little tops more than was helpful.

Something had changed between him and Grace, they were closer than ever yet further apart. All he knew was that she was becoming inconveniently more and more important to him, and decidedly not as a mate.

They continued their ride through the thick air, no hint of a breeze to offer them respite. Eventually they reached the broken fence through which the stock had escaped. Combined Drover's sheep and a Killarney flock had broken through the fence line into the National Park that bordered the properties to the west. No doubt they were in search of better grazing than even Killarney could offer them these days. Whatever the reason it now meant Grace and Marcus had the unenviable task of trying to find as many as possible in the thick scrub and forest, rounding them up and returning them to the paddock they'd once called home. Both had their swags knowing it could take more than the hours of daylight inn they had left to get everything done. Stopping to rest the horses in a rare patch of shade they ate their sangers quickly and drank a little of their water supply. They reached the borders of the park early afternoon and rode deep into the vegetation in the hope of spotting the escaped sheep. By evening all they'd seen were 'Roos on a sparsely treed clearing in the distance and not a trace of the sheep.

Taking out his sat phone Marcus called Drovers to update them and confirm they wouldn't be back that night. They made billy tea and ate baked beans cold from a tin. Building a fire more for safety than warmth they settled atop their swags hoping for the drop in temperature the night often brings. The stars were spectacular, the Southern Cross clear and bright and the Milky Way a pale streak overhead, but all anybody wanted to see were clouds. Rainclouds. A hope that things would improve, that their farms would continue to survive.

The following morning dawned slightly cooler, a relief after a restless night spent listening to the unfamiliar sounds of the bush.

They rode most of the day until a call came through on the sat phone.

Hearing Marcus' curse from behind her Grace returned to his side with a concerned frown.

"Alex." he explained. "Apparently there's a storm front coming in unexpectedly fast. He said the sky is still clear as far as they can see but you know how quickly the weather can change."

"Rain?" She questions, desperately hopeful, she almost can't remember what rain is.

"Yes, and lots of it."

"When?" She asks.

"Probably tonight, if they see clouds he'll call."

"We're at least a day's hard riding from Drovers or Killarney, we'd never make it back in time." Grace chewed her lip. It absolutely didn't make Marcus wasn't to kiss her again, no definitely not he tried to convince himself.

"He says there are old huts out here, he and Nick found them when they were kids, hiding out from Harry. He reckons the closest one is about an hour and a half ride northwest of where he thinks we are"

"How does he know?"

"We just passed through a burnt area, Nick knows where they were burning fire breaks for the CFS so he had a fair idea. C'mon. I don't wanna get stuck in the open in a storm."

Grace shivered despite the heat. She knew what the rain alone could do and just hoped the rain would arrive before any lightning. Everything was dry as tinder and would catch in a heartbeat. They'd have no hope if that happened.

"Let's go." She said with a determined tilt to her chin that Marcus absolutely didn't find cute he told himself. Wheeling around they changed direction and headed out.

The wind began to pick up and hairs rose on their arms and the backs of their necks. The wind was still hot, the pressure was changing around them and the air was charged. The storm was coming. The phone chirped again and Alex's voice broke through the unnatural stillness that had fallen over the bush.

"Marcus mate, can ya hear me?"

"Go ahead Alex."

"It's moving fast. Jodes just called from Fisher, said the clouds are moving fast and they're black as night. They've had a sprinkle but it's mostly still up in the clouds. The horizon is purple and it's bloody dark here. How close are you to shelter?"

"Think we've got another half hour or so." Grace spoke after checking her watch.

"Get your skates on mate, it's gonna be a big one. The quicker you get there the better. We've got more to tie down here before it hits so better go. Be safe little bro."

Alex only ever called him little bro when he was worried. Marcus felt a spike of adrenalin and concern. His brother had lived here all his life, he knew the raw power of Mother Nature far better than he or Grace. Grace! His heart skipped a beat. She was in danger. He felt a wave of protectiveness crash over his heart, he would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

He couldn't tell her this, she was fiercely independent and easily as stubborn as him but she was also tiny, he snuck a glance. There was nothing to her, she looked like a stroppy pixie. He was never telling her that but he picked up their pace nonetheless.

Suddenly it was upon them. The raindrops fell, huge, cold and relentless. Their clothes were sodden in minutes. The thunder cracked louder than either had ever heard and they had to dismount and lead the frightened horses. Lightning flashed around them, sheet and forked, both hoped the rain was heavy enough to prevent a fire. Visibility was down to about a metre ahead of them and water streamed off the brims of their hats.

"I see it! Marcus!" Grace yells, turning behind to check on him.

Out of the rain, illuminated intermittently by the lightning they find the hut. There's a space for horses and they quickly unsaddle the animals and shut the doors. They'll be safe if not happy about the storm.

Wrenching open the door Marcus quickly tugs Grace inside before the wind carries her away of the rain drowns her he thinks. It's pitch dark until she finds her torch. There's a sort of fireplace which is already laid for the next visitor and miraculously still dry despite the torrential rain. Grace lights it and looks around. It's tiny, room for one, two at a push. Basic would be a generous description. There's a sort of table and a sort of seat, a slightly raised wooden rectangle in one corner is probably meant to be a bed.

"Home sweet home!" Quips Marcus.

"It's all I dreamed of darling!" Grace coos sarcastically, hands on hips that Marcus is doing his best not to notice.

"It's dry which is all I've dreamed of for the last hour or so." says. Marcus with feeling.

"We've been hoping and praying for rain and a break in the heat for so long," Grace muses. "Now we're cursing it and desperate for somewhere dry and warm! We're never happy!"

Marcus is already shirtless and undoing the button on his jeans. Hanging his shirt over the sort-of-chair he tugs off his boots and puts them close to the fire with his socks.

"Come on Grace, get your gear off, it's soaked, you'll get sick."

She scowls and peels her shirt off to join his on the chair. Lowering her lashes she reaches for her swag. Leaning down to remove her boots she gets an unintentional eyeful of Marcus as he shimmies out of his jeans. They're stuck to his skin and he's 'Oh!' squawks Grace's mind noticing his boxers are just as wet and plastered to his skin. She swallows and concentrates on removing her boots and socks. Once they're lined up next to his by the fire she chances another look at Marcus. Torn between disappointment and relief she sees he's sat on the floor wrapped in the blanket from his swag. Turning away she peels her vest over her head and lays it on the table-like structure. She can feel Marcus' eyes on her back, her bra is sodden and cold too but she leaves it on for the moment. Peeling her jeans down her legs she catches his eyes on her. Flushing deeply "Ya right?!" She snaps.

In response a slow smile breaks across his face. "Just fine. Don't stop on my account."

Unnerved by this from her mate, is he trying to flirt with her? She huffs. Laying out her jeans to dry and wrapping her own blanket around her shoulders, she unfastens her bra to lay it to dry too.

"Pretty undies Grace." He teases catching another glimpse of her bright blue bra.

"Rack off Turner."

"Just teasing Kingston…though they…"

"Don't finish that sentence." She growls.

She's going for threatening, he reads it as cute.

Sitting next to him she can feel more heat radiating from him than the fire.

Teeth chattering she clenches them shut. She's so cold thanks to the rain it's hard to believe she's spent the last weeks trying to imagine how cold feels. Marcus brews billy tea over the fire and turning to hand Grace hers he sees her hands shake. Glancing at her face he sees she's deathly pale.

Pulling her closer to the fire, he draws her knees up and ignoring her protestations, settles behind her. Her blanket covered back pulled close against his chest, his arms around hers, his knees bracketing hers, his blanket enveloping both of them.

She sips her tea. It warms her from the inside as Marcus body heats her cold flesh. She leans against his chest, his blanket smells deliciously of him and the dizzying scent is all around her. She snuggles closer unconsciously until her head tucks under his chin. She starts and goes to move but he settles her head back in place with a stroke of her hair.

Grazing a kiss on her crown, "Warmer?" He asks softly.

"Mmhmm." She agrees and feeling safer than she can remember she drifts off in Marcus' arms. He chuckles softly as her breathing evens out and moving his swag closer without jostling her he eases down onto it, Grace still in his arms. As she nuzzles her face into his neck in her sleep he can't think of anywhere he'd rather be.

A few hours later they wake. The storm is raging even more furiously around them but caught inside their own little bubble they barely notice it.

Marcus hand is trailing up and down Grace's arm, she thinks maybe she should stop him but really doesn't want to, instead she places a hand on his chest and lets her fingertips trail like his. Up over his collarbones and out over his opposite shoulder. He catches his breath as her thumb traces the dip of his clavicle and the hard muscle of his pecs.

"Grace…" his voice is rough, she feels its rumble as she raises her face to look at him.

His eyes fix on hers, hot, compelling. His gaze drifts to her mouth and she subconsciously darts her tongue over her lips.

With a groan his mouth slides over hers. His lips move, sure, determined to get what he wants from this kiss. She kisses him back, determined to pour the words she can't say into it. He's surprised, pleased when her tongue laps at his lips and he opens to her. Their tongues slide against each other frantically. He tears his mouth from hers and kisses down her neck.

"I've dreamed about this since I kissed you at that bloody musical." He says into her neck. "Couldn't stop thinking about kissing you Grace. You made me lose my mind." he murmurs against her ear, catching the lobe between his teeth.

She sighs out a shaky breath, "I couldn't stop thinking of you either," she admits, "Why did you freeze?"

'Oh no, not that question' he thinks.

"Hmm?" She presses. "It surprised me too."

"It knocked me for 6, Grace," he begins. "You're my best mate, gorgeous but my mate."

'Gorgeous! He said gorgeous!' She thrills at his words.

"It was a short, scripted kiss and as soon as our lips touched it, well it was…"

"Was it too weird?" She asked nervously as his words petered out.

"No!" He pulled back to look at her. "That's why I froze I think. I suddenly realised I was kissing my best mate and weirdly it wasn't weird. It just felt…"

"Kinda right?" She offered.

"Yes" he whispered. Lowering his lips to hers again he breathed "all I could think of was that I wanted to kiss you again," as he kissed the corner of her mouth, "and again" he pressed a kiss to her the other corner, "and again" he kissed her slow, deep and long.

They eventually broke apart breathing heavily.

"Somehow, you've become the most important person in my life. The person I always want to see, always want to be with."

"What are you saying Marcus?" She looks through her lashes and bites her lip.

"You drive me crazy when you do that." he says, nipping her lip himself.

"I'm saying I'm falling for you Grace, and I don't ever want to stop."

"Ever?" she questions.

"Never ever." He confirms smiling.

"Oh good," she says softly kissing him.

"Good?" He says half teasing, "I bare my soul and get 'good' in return?"

She ducks her head into her chest and says very quietly "I love you Marcus, I never meant to but I do."

She feels his heart race beneath her cheek.

"Grace. Look at me."

She moves her face up and meets his eyes.

"I wasn't completely honest before. I didn't want to scare you, but you've been so brave with what you said…I love you Grace. I never want to stop falling more in love with you, but I'm already all in."

She hugs him tightly, glued to him everywhere their skin touches. "Always me, always you?" She glances at him with a slight smirk.

"Are you quoting Phil Rakich to me?"

She nods, a full smirk in her lips now before they both laugh.

"Real romantic aren't ya Kingston! Quoting another man's love song! He was right though."

"Yeah?"

"Forever in my heart."

Tears fill her eyes as she teases "Sook."

He kisses away her tears and murmurs, "I'm not the one crying!"

She kisses him with everything in her. Singing those words to him she'd meant each one but never dreamed he'd mean any of them back. To hear him say she was forever in his heart had her falling in love with him all over again. She knew he was her hope, her joy, her greatest love, forever.