PART FOUR

Disclaimer: Mt. Thomas and all characters belong to Blue Heelers, Southern Star and Channel 7.

As Tyson spun her around, Amy found herself reveling in the feeling of exhilarating freedom and reckless abandon that she doubted she had ever experienced before. She didn't know whether it was the Scotch, the dancing, the risk she had taken on Tyson or a combination of the three that gave her this feeling. But she quickly came to the conclusion that she kind of liked it. It was different, but good. Maybe it was time for a change. Amy had spent her life in hiding from the world, hiding behind the barriers she had erected for herself in order not to get hurt. It was a foolproof plan really – don't reach out and you won't get burnt. And this was a theory that had worked well. The one time she had reached out into the heat with Garth she had been burnt - badly. And from then she had vowed never to do it again.

But maybe it was time for a new theory. Maybe her theory sounded good but did it really work in practice? Despite not reaching out, she still got burnt. Not in the same way, but burnt nonetheless. And meanwhile, what was she missing out on? What had happened to the old proverbs of 'live your life to the full' or 'the greatest risk is to take no risk'? Maybe it was time for the new Amy.

"Hey I've got something to show you outside." Tyson whispered in her ear as he spun her into his arms.

"Oh yeah? And what would that be?"

"Ahh it's a surprise. I think we need a bit more of a lead up before the big event. How about another drink?"

"Scotch?"

Amy was beginning to think that Scotch was the answer to all her problems. It had certainly helped in the last few hours.

"How about something different? I'll be right back."

Almost the second Tyson left for the bar she felt another pair of hands take her shoulders. Amy turned to see Alex looking at her in a strange way.

"Amy? Are you okay?"

"Kirby!" Amy felt a goofy grin slip its way onto her face.

"Foxy, are you drunk?" Alex asked seriously, looking hard into her eyes.

"No…of course not."

"Amy-"

"Alex, just because I'm having a good time does not mean I'm drunk. What right do you have to ask me that? Aren't I allowed to have a good time?"

"Yes of course you are but-"

"So dance with me Kirby. You said you would be here for me so dance with me."

Alex sighed. She was drunk. But he figured at least if he was dancing with her, he had a hold on her and could make sure she wouldn't do anything stupid.

"Alright Foxy, you've won me over."

"Great!" She cried, her voice slightly slurred.

Alex put both arms around her waist to steady her and they swayed to the heavy beat for a few minutes, although granted she was swaying a lot more than him.

For a moment he relished the feeling of being so close to the woman he cared for so much. He immediately felt guilty though – his job, at least for now was to protect her – and not anything else.

"Amy!"

Alex looked up to see the tall, dark guy back on the scene.

"Tyson! They you are….was starting to think I'd be stuck with this guy all night!" Amy grinned clapping Alex on the shoulder.

Tyson held two open bottles in his hand.

"Take a swig of this, darling. You'll never look back."

Alex's guard came down. There was something in this guy's words, in his gestures, in his smile – something wasn't quite right. Why wasn't Amy picking up on this? After all she was the detective, not him.

"Thanks."

Alex looked on in disbelief as she chugged it down with as much vigour as someone stuck in a desert would chug down water.

"Mmm."

It burned all the way down her throat, but Amy kind of liked the feeling and took another swig.

"Amy – you don't look so well. Do you want me to drive you back to your place?" Alex asked tactfully, giving her what he saw as an easy way out.

Obviously Amy didn't pick up on this. Either that, or she just didn't want his help.

"Nah, I'm right mate. Might stick around here, night's still young!"

"And I'm still here….wouldn't want to go without me, would you?"

Tyson squeezed he waist and she started to giggle.

"So mate…I guess she doesn't really want you around here anymore right?"

Tyson's grin turned sinister for a moment and the look in his eyes made Alex's blood run cold.

"Are you sure she's sober enough to make those kind of decisions?"

"Well if even if she wasn't, I doubt she'd choose you over me. I'd clear off if I was you mate."

Alex yanked his collar so they were standing inches away.

"You better not hurt her, or there will be hell to pay."

Alex shoved him.

"And I'm not your mate."

Alex didn't give the situation time to escalate, rather he just stormed back over to the table, the wheels turning in his mind.

"Grasshopper,"

Alex sat back down next to Jonesy.

"She's gonna get herself into trouble."

Jonesy's head snapped up from where he had been engrossed in Susie and PJ's championship game of pool.

"Susie? What? How?"

Or maybe he was just engrossed in Susie.

"Not Susie, Amy."

Jonesy glanced cavalierly at the direction of Alex's thumb to see Amy holding a bottle of grog and swaying in time with the music.

"Mate, she's just having a good time. A couple of drinks and a dance. Just cos she's serious at work doesn't mean she's not allowed to let loose and have a drink. Lighten up."

Alex turned his attention back to the dancefloor. Maybe he was just overreacting. Maybe she didn't need him. Chris had a tendency to exaggerate and maybe Amy was just having some good, innocent fun. And who was he to stand in her way?

"Yeah…I guess."

Part five to come. Tell me what you thought!