History Repeated 25 Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?

Alex watched as Tess slept in his arms. He'd been awake for almost an hour just lying there, watching Tess, thinking.

She looked at peace when she was asleep, and that satisfied him to no end. He was so glad that she could escape the torment of the real world and go to a better place, even if it was only for a little while.

There had been no more nightmares since the last, and for that Alex was thankful.

She began to stir, her eyelids eventually flicking open to meet Alex's soft gaze. She smiled at the sight of him, "Still here?"

"Yeah. The others can handle the work," He told her.

Tess smiled at Alex's willingness to look after her. He was wonderful to her despite the fact that she was asking him to keep a life changing secret from his own brother.

"So how are you feeling?" Alex asked the obvious question. He wondered if her state of mind had improved after time to settle down.

She looked away, "I still feel a bit off in the stomach... the cramps have stopped though, Alex. And yes, I still want to go home... that dream was too real... I can't ignore it."

"Tess," Alex turned her to look at him, his hand stroking her soft, pale cheek, "This is home, remember?"

"Not anymore, Alex, it hasn't been home for a long time. All I feel is pain when I'm here"

"Drovers isn't the source of the pain though, that brother of mine is. You gotta remember the difference," He explained, stroking her hair. He needed to remind her where her heart was, where her soul was.

Tess was silent, so Alex continued, "You know he doesn't deserve your love. He's never deserved it... the things he's put you through..."

"Alex?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for being here. Thank you for picking up the pieces every time I shatter... I've never had anyone look out for me the way you do," She whispered, meeting his eyes, "No matter what, you're always there for me... I mean you're keeping this enormous secret from Nick for me... Thank you..."

"It's good to know I'm good for something," He laughed, rubbing her shoulder.

"Would I make this moment to soppy if I asked for a hug?" Tess asked softly.

"Well just as long as you don't go spreading the word that I'm an old softie, right? And no crying!"

Tess laughed as she moved into Alex's arms and rested against his warm chest. He enveloped her tightly, still wanting to protect her from everything that could harm her in the world.

A small sob escaped Tess before she could stop it.

Alex chuckled, "You've got to be joking."

Tess sobbed again, burying her face in his shirt with shame, "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it," She laughed through her tears, wrapping her arms around him more tightly, "You're just so great."

Alex rolled his eyes at her emotional state. Running his hands over her back, he whispered "You're not so bad yourself."

For a moment they rested, holding each other, happy to be somewhere that wasn't the real world. But they were both brought back to reality with an awful thud with a knock at the door, and a comment from Nick, "So this is what it's come to? You're sleeping with him because you want to get back at me"

Tess struggled out of Alex's arms and looked at Nick, bewildered, "Nick this-"

"Oh it never is what it seems, is it?" Nick puffed

"Mate you need a reality check," Alex got out of the bed, moving towards his brother.

"If anyone needs a reality check it's you, Alex!" Nick fired back, "You don't mind being with her knowing that I have as well?"

Alex shook his head in disgust, "Nick shut up, would ya!"

"I should have expected this from both of you," He looked over at Tess, "Especially you. Thank god we don't have another brother for you to bed! Every time I think we're getting somewhere you go off and screw someone else!"

Tess shot out of bed, emotion rising through her body, ready to flood the room.

"You take that back, Nick. Things aren't always what they seem," Alex was fired up now.

"Take it back!" he bellowed once more.

"Why the hell should I?" Nick questioned, "I put lost my marriage over you, Tess! I thought you were worth it!"

Alex shook his head, and before he knew it his fist was connecting with Nick's face. The bastard had no one to blame but himself for the mess he was in.

As Nick fell to the floor, Alex pounced, going in for more.

Nick was up, pulling Alex off the floor, ready to swing.

"Nick stop it!" Tess tried to come between them. The men were so fired up that Tess got caught up in their tangled mess and was sent flying back into the wall behind her.

She slammed against it hard.

Sliding down to the floor she gripped her stomach tightly.

Alex managed to break away from Nick almost instantly.

Tess looked up at him. That same look of terror that he saw the night before had returned to her face.

Tears began to fall, pain began to strike.

"No," Alex shook his head in utter shock, "Not again"

Tess sobbed, clutching at her stomach in terror and in pain, "Alex, I'm bleeding."

Alex felt his heart breaking as he heard her shaky voice repeat those words again, "I'm bleeding."