Rhys spoke.

"For the past year this family has been to hell and back... Dani's rape, Jade's bulimia, Kirsty's drug overdose, then the shipwreck and now this... I have seen my daughters lives fall apart but there was always one thing that mattered more than anything - family. And when Kirsty... when Kirsty chose... Kane over the family it was unimaginable... after all we've been through she turned her back on the family... and it disgusted me. More so because of who Kane was... what he had done to Dani"

He breathes deeply. Kane and Kirsty exchange a sideways glance. Kirsty feels guilty, but undeterred. Shelley listens to her husband understandingly. Dani grits her teeth, hoping her father won't dwell on the rape. She is uncomfortable enough as it is.

"...but despite all that, over the past few days this family has been pulling together better than ever before..."

He cleared his throat. He has never been an expert at big emotional speeches.

"...the whole family has been happier and I don't want that to change..."

He looked to Kane and across to Kirsty.

"You've both made it clear how you feel and all I want is to be able to get the family back on track... and if that means accepting this... relationship... then I suppose I can't object - that is unless Dani does"

He glances down at his daughter. She looks uncomfortable. She is uncomfortable. Kirsty's happiness lies in her hands. She has started to see Kane in a new light, but she is still worried for Kirsty. She can see that he cares for her but she still doesn't want to be forced to see Kane around the family. One day he could even become family. Her brother-in-law.

"This is just stupid"

Josh stood, unable to hold his tongue for any longer. He turned to Rhys

"You're just going to accept this man into the family - after he destroyed Dani's life? I thought you were stronger than that. I thought you wanted to protect Dani - not make things worse by forcing her to watch that rapist all over her sister."

"Josh, I can speak for myself"

Dani's voice was weak. She couldn't stand all the arguing. Especially over her. Her head was all over the place as it was. All their family had done over the past year was argue. And just as they were getting back to normal Josh stepped in to cause trouble.

Josh ignored her and stood up to face Rhys. His voice was louder and more aggressive.

"This is just a farce. You believe all of his lies - you believe that he has changed? He's just trying to worm his way into the family and it's working - you've been taken in by his sob story. You're weaker than I thought Rhys"

Flynn stood up from his seat by the wall.

"Josh, this mediation isn't about dragging up the past or throwing around accusations - it is about trying to understand"

Josh refused to look at him. He was tired of Flynn's level-headed approach to everything. He was tired of the Flynn's counsellor talk. He had listened to enough of that when they were camping. Flynn sticking his nose in. Trying to manipulate him.

"Josh I think you should leave"

Kirsty was furious. She knew right from the start that Josh would interfere with this mediation. He was winding her father up and now he would be probably in a foul mood. And that would make him less understanding.

"Me leave? It's you that's betrayed this family Kirsty. It's you that's chosen a rapist over your own family - not me. All I've done is try and protect Dani..."

"I don't need protecting Josh"

Josh ignored her again. As far as he was concerned, his love for Dani meant that he had the right to defend her. Dani couldn't believe Josh's attitude. She thought that the break up might have taught him something. She could fight her own battles. That's what the first mediation had been about. Facing it on her own. She didn't need him then and she didn't need him now. Flynn stepped towards Josh

"Mate, could you please sit down"

"I haven't finished - you said everyone gets to have their say and I'm having mine now."

He turned back to Kirsty.

"Josh, this isn't about you - it has nothing to do with you. You're not part of this family and you're not even seeing Dani anymore."

Kirsty wanted to twist the knife. She hated Josh for trying to put Kane down.

"In fact, Kane's closer to the family than you are right now - closer than you'll ever be"

"You think so? You think the family are going to accept you after you betrayed them - after you hurt them so much. You're just desperate - just because I turned you down you had to go and hook up with anyone that would have you"

Kane leapt to his feet and walked menacingly towards Josh. He wasn't having anyone talk to his girl like that. Josh looks smugly at him.

"Truth hurts doesn't it?"

"Kane, leave it, please"

Kirsty didn't want another fight. It would only give more reason for her family to criticise him. Josh smirked.

"I'd take her advice if I were you."

Kane knew as well as Kirsty did that it was essential for him to keep his cool. Giving Josh what he wanted, another fight, wasn't going to impress anyone. He spoke calmly. Part of his motive for doing so was to wind Josh up.

"You're just jealous because no one wants you anymore Josh."

Kane knew he had the upper hand now. He was sure he had the Sutherlands onside and Josh was only making the situation worse for himself.

Josh swung back his arm but Rhys grabbed hold of him.

"I think you ought to leave Josh"

Josh looked down at Dani. He was sure that she would back him up. She couldn't even look him in the eye. She spoke coldly.

"Just go Josh. It's all over."

Humiliated and defeated Josh took one last glare at Kane before shaking Rhys off and storming out of the room. An uneasy silence followed. Even Flynn didn't know what to say. He cleared his throat.

"Where were we?"

Dani stood up.

"Kirsty... I don't want to lose you and I don't want to see you get hurt... but I know it'd hurt you more to lose Kane right now... and I'm slowly coming to terms with that. Look, this isn't going to be easy but... but if it's what you want then I'm not going to come between you... I just hope it works out"

She smiled at her sister. If she was being honest she would have asked them to be subtle about their relationship - at least until she was more comfortable. She wan't keen on seeing them together all the time. It would just worry her. Kirsty could see in Dani's eyes what she was thinking. Even after all that had happened she could still read her sister like a book.

"Do you want us to be discreet?"

Dani nodded slowly, smiling at her sister, relieved. Kirsty stood up and walked over to her Dani.

"Thank you Dani... thank you so much"

Kirsty threw her arms around her sister, taking her by surprise. Everything was going the right way for a chance. Kane and dani's eyes met. He wasn't sure what to say. An eery silence had fallen on the room. He forced a faint smile of gratitude.

"Thanks"

Dani nodded uneasily and returned a faint smile. Shelley stood up, breaking the tension.

"We'd better be off - Max will be home from Caitlin's by now and he'll be wondering where we are... should I expect you back for dinner Kirst?"

Kirsty pondered over the question for a moment. She knew she should probably go back for a family dinner but she'd prefer to go out with Kane and have the celebratory meal they had planned. Shelley spoke again.

"I'll see you tonight then... we'll do the family dinner tomorrow"

Kirsty smiled gratefully as her Mum left the room.

..................................

RESTAURANT

Kane stares across the candlelit table. She looks beautiful. More beautiful than the time when she had entered the crew room on the ill-fated cruise. How had things turned out like this? How had a disaster like that led to this?

Kirsty gazed across at Kane. She couldn't believe how well everything had turned out. She was dating Kane with the consent of her whole family. She knew that this was going to work out now. They had overcome the biggest imaginable obstacles to their relationship. And they were still together. They were still happy.

Their lives had never been going so well. Kane had a phone call that afternoon and was told he would be accepted back into TAFE. Kirsty had been to see Mr. Fisher about going back to school and although she had to go back a year she was returning in a week. It was all they had dreamt of. A secure future. Together.

..................................

BEACH

Kane and Kirsty walk arm in arm along the dark, peaceful beach, nestled in one anothers arms. Kirsty hadn't wanted to return home straight after dinner. She just wanted to spend more time with Kane. The love of her life.

"Kirst?"

They pause and move their bodies slightly apart so that they are gazing into one anothers eyes.

"I love you"

Kirsty smiled, her heart overflowing with emotion. She had only just realised that this was the first time he had spoken those words.

"I love you too"

They gazed at each other, taking in the special moment. A moment no one could ever take away from them. They leaned in towards each other and kissed passionately. A kiss that lasted for what seemed like forever. Finally, they parted and sunk into one anothers arms, breathless, content. Staring out over the moonlit sea.

***THE END***