Chapter 10 Falling

Alex needed to go to Drovers. He had promised to help Nick and Tess packing for Argentina. Surprisingly he had slept pretty well that night. Realizing he had feelings for Stevie hadn't upset him that much, it seemed quite logical now he thought about it. She was his best mate and she was beautiful.How on earth haven't he noticed that before? Well he had, otherwise they wouldn't have kissed, but he wasn't ready back then. Though he wasn't sure he was ready now. Anyway, he needed to talk to Stevie. She probably would be worried.

Stevie had hardly slept. Kate had tried to talk to her in the car when they drove home that night, while Jodi stayed over at Luke's. But Stevie was to daze to say something that would make sense.

She had wondered how Alex was and she knew he would come over the next day. Nick and Tess would leave tomorrow morning and they still had a lot to arrange.

Alex had moved some boxes to the living room, which would be send to Argentina. 'And ... had a nice evening last night?', Tess asked. Alex waited for a moment, placing a box on the table. 'Yeah, I had', it sounded like he just had concluded it for the first time and it seemed to surprise him a bit. 'I wish we could have been there', Tess sighed. She knew she would gonna miss this place so much.

Stevie took a deep breath. She had heard their voices and stood in the doorway. 'G'day', she said uncomfortable, looking at Tess. 'Hey', Tess said cheerful. 'I'm done with the troughs', Stevie smiled shyly. She quickly looked at Alex. He didn't seem upset anymore. 'Good, come in, I have something to give you'. Tess gave her a picture of her and Nick. 'So you won't forget us'. 'Aww, that's so sweet. Of course I won't forget you'. Her eyes got a bit teary and she hugged her friend. For a moment she looked at Alex who smiled softly. She closed her eyes.

Tess left the room to make some tea. Alex and Stevie looked uncomfortable at each other. 'I uh', Stevie showed an uneasy grin on her face. 'I better help Tess'. She turned around immediately. Alex saw her leave. This was harder than he thought it would be and he didn't know exactly why.

'Ladies, I have to leave you. I really need to go to Wilgul. With Nick going to town ... they need me there', Alex said when he had entered the kitchen. Tess nodded. Alex left watching Stevie for a last time. This was not what he had hoped, but it seemed to be the right move for the moment.

He drove to Killarney. He had lied about the work at Wilgul. It was all arranged. He stared, still sitting in his Ute and regretted the fact he had left Drovers. He just needed to talk to her; otherwise he wouldn't be much use for the rest of the day. He decided to get his motor and take a ride back.

Stevie had drunk her tea quickly, hoping Tess hadn't noticed the awkwardness between her and Alex. Normally Tess would have but with the move to Argentina she had a lot on her mind. Stevie could really use a moment for herself. She went to the stables and saddled her horse. Riding to where ever. She needed to be alone. The fact she couldn't really face Alex had hurt her.

She rode along the Drovers homestead and she speeded up. The faster she went the more it felt like she could leave it all behind. Though thoughts were still running through her mind, not really paying much attention to her riding.

She hadn't noticed the hole in the field. Her horse neither and tripped over it. A second later she got thrown off and with a hard fall she hit the ground.

Alex had Stevie in his eye-range and noticed she was riding really fast, he could hardly come much nearer. But that changed when he saw her fall. Oh no ... he could feel his heart beat speedup and as fast as he could he got to her. 'Stevie!', he shouted. He lay down his motor and ran to her.

Her eyes where closed and she had a wound on the left side of her forehead. Blood was dripping through her hair. 'Stevie!' He kneeled next to her and took her face in his hands. 'Stevie wake up, it's me Alex'. He breathed heavy and tried to wake her up, but he didn't got any reply.

'Stevie, please open your eyes ... don't do this to me ... not again'. He smacked her cheek with his fingers. 'Please'. The despair had take over his voice. There were tears in his eyes. 'You have to Stevie!' He yelled.

Stevie's head was hurting badly. In a distance she could hear him scream. She started to moan as she softly opened her eyes. 'Alex ...', she softly uttered. 'Stevie', Alex eyes brightened and a soft smile appeared on his face. 'Oh gosh, you scared me.' The headaches made her close her eyes again.

Alex looked at her, brushing away some curls of her hair around her wound. 'Please Stevie, stay with me.' She opened her eyes again. He smiled. 'You're ok ... you're ... you have a head wound ... do you feel anything else?' She tried to figure out if there was anything else wrong, for so far she only felt the pain in her head. She softly was moving her limbs. 'I think I'm ok, but my head'. 'It's ok', he caressed her face softly. She could only see his teary, caring eyes.

He was so glad she didn't got hurt too badly and gazed into her eyes. He couldn't think of loosing her too. She was so beautiful looking at him like this, like an angel. His fingers softly touched her face and he moved closer, wanting to kiss her.

The headache was hurting her, but Alex' touch had lightened it and she saw him move closer.