Alice stomped down to her surgery fists clenched tightly. If Rosie wasn't thirteen and family she'd…..reluctant to finish the though she released a calming breath, followed by another. How the hell they were related Alice had no idea! Had she been that obnoxious at thirteen? If so then her dad should have done away with her and be done with it! Unlike Rosie she hadn't had her mum at thirteen, she and her dad split when she was ten Alice decided she wanted to stay with her dad when she was eleven and from then on it was like she didn't exist. They had regained contact when Alice was sixteen and her mum had never missed an opportunity to make her feelings known, especially about Alice picking her dad over her.

Her dad on the other hand had been great especially since he'd had little involvement in raising her sin ce he worked away a lot. It had been awkward at first, he having no idea how to raise and almost teenage daughter they had settled though and she had learned that she preferred her dad. From being small she'd had the feeling that her mum didn't really want to know her and therefore didn't try, her dad tried at least, he took an interest in her hopes and dreams and helped all he could. Sadly her dad was no longer with her, he passed away when she was seventeen in an accident on the oil rigs, she'd been sole beneficiary of his life insurance policy and compensation from the rigs. To be honest the loss of her dad had been too steep a price to pay, she would give it all away just to see him once more. He had been there for her since the day her mum left and suddenly she was alone in the world.

She burst through the doors into her surgery finding the similarities between her and her dads situation almost amusing, here she was, having to somehow raise a thirteen year old girl. She had tried to get in contact with their mum but the phone just rang and rang. It seemed like their mother was avoiding her, and if her mother was hiding in the UK and didn't want to be found then Rosie was here for the duration…..and she had no idea what to do! She couldn't raise a teenager! She had to sort out her school, that started again in a few weeks and there was medical care and God knows what else. Maybe she should give Rosie some responsibility in the surgery, but what? She pondered this as she lifted a jackal from its cage surveying its injuries. A nest of these had been found by a predator and Alice had found this little guy barely hanging on to life. He had fought so much Alice couldn't leave him to die. She murmured to the animal as she peeled off the bandage, she didn't hear the door open…..

Danny wandered around the land wondering how he'd got so lost, he had stayed on the track! He kept on walking wondering whether his decimated corpse would be found in the wilderness one day when thankfully the house appeared in the distance….but he didn't really want to see Alice…..and she had been in there….just ahead of him he saw another building. Maybe Caroline or Nomsa was in there and could direct him back to his cabin.

When he reached the door he knocked gently, receiving no reply he pushed the door ajar and saw Alice stood at an operating table holding a baby animal of some kind. She was looking the animal over, most specifically a scar murmuring to it softly. A lock of hair had fallen over her forehead just above her eyes which her glowing with intensity. She was using her free hand to re-bandage the animal. His breath caught as he saw how gentle her touch was, this was his Alice, this was the girl he fallen in love with. He knew he should walk away, he didn't want to see her never mind talk to her but she looked so much like the girl he used to know in the past that he decided to risk it. He closed the door over and knocked again, louder this time.

"Come in, I'll be done in a minute…." she called.

Danny opened the door and pretended to be shocked when he saw her, "Um…Sorry, I'll….."

Alice saw him and a frown immediately creased across her forehead. When Danny saw it the girl he used to know disappeared and he knew this was a bad idea.

"Guests aren't allowed in here." he voice flat and emotionless. She looked back at the animal fastening the bandage in place the concern for the animal returning.

When he saw the concern in her eyes as she looked at the animal it reminded him of the time she used to care for him when he was hurt. "I….I know…." he whispered. "I got lost and thought there might be less chance of running into you here than at the house, I didn't know this was a vet surgery."

"Actually." she began placing the animal back in its cage. "you're more likely to find me here than anywhere else. This is my domain, Caroline and Nomsa don't come in here often. They call it my torture chamber." Alice found a small smile forming and halted it.

He nodded, "Ok, I'll remember that." and he backed away turning towards the house.

"Caroline and Nomsa are generally busy at this time of day so I'll direct you." she called impulsively.

He stopped and walked towards the door again. He knew he shoiuld ask Nomsa, it was only directions though, what could go wrong?

Alice washed her hands and headed to him as she dried them on a paper towel, "Ok." she said tossing the towel in the bin and going outside. "Just follow that trail." she pointed down a path. "But when the car path turns left, you go right and follow that trail. After walking a minute or two you should see the roof of the huts in the distance." she looked at him wearily.

Danny didn't even have to look at her to know what she was thinking. "You think I'm gonna get lost again don't you?" he asked, not a hint of accusation in his voice, more like humour.

Alice studied him, unsure of how to reply.

"Well I'm capable of it." he carried on. "I got turned around on my paper round, remember we had that new address which led us down a different street and somehow we went the wrong direction….."

"What's this we?" she asked without thinking a smile on her face. "I told you we should have backtracked…."

"I was trying to save time!" he protested.

"Yeah, well we ended up half an hour late as you insisted just another minute and we'd come onto the opening we needed. We were only in a bloody cul de sac! Good thing I was there or you'd probably still be walking!"

Danny was smiling at her, the same way she was smiling at him….until it hit her that she didn't wasn't to be talking to him never mind about the past…..her smile disappeared, when it did it seemed to bring him down to the ground too.

"I'm sure I'll be fine." he told her curtly. "Thanks for the help." and began to walk towards the trail.

"No problem." she replied and walked back into her surgery. Memories of happier times floating around making her feel terrible. One good thing came form that though, she was able to be civil with him, just two weeks of that and then she'd never have to see him again.

Alice was setting the table for tea that night, about twenty minutes prior she'd had another altercation with Rosie. Alice had stomped out of the house counting all the ways she could kill her. Now she was slamming cutlery down.

"Rosie?" Nomsa asked carrying glasses out.

"Teenagers!" Alice growled.

"We've all been there." Nomsa told her. "They grow out of it for the most part."

"Why is she so…ARGH!" Alice asked grinding her teeth.

The older woman laughed.

Alice began sorting the cutlery again.

"You need two more sets, Leon and Danny are coming up for tea." Caroline told her walking out of the house.

Alice froze and looked between them. "You're kidding?"

Caroline shook her head.

"So not only do I have to put up with them on my land I have to eat with them too?" she was too tired to try and be civil with him right now!

"You don't usually mind." Nomsa remarked. "Has one caught your eye?"

Alice rolled her eyes, "I would rather have my eyes gouged out then go there!"

"No wonder you aren't married girl!" Caroline chided.

"I was remember?" Alice muttered placing plates down.

"Oh yeah, I'd forgot about that." Nomsa added.

"Somehow I doubt that." Alice told her walking into the house to collect more cutlery. They hadn't asked her about it at least, they must be listening to Dupe for a change!

As she left the house she saw two figures in the distance, she didn't really want to greet them, "I'll go get Dupe and Rosie….." Alice stomach plummeted, Rosie! She looked again at the people approaching and swore. Nomsa pulled a wooden spoon from no where and rapped her on the head, "Alice, language!"

Alice rubbed her head, "Do you keep that thing in your back pocket or something? OW!"

"I never know when I'll need it!" Nomsa retorted.

"Yeah, well I'm gonna get you done for vets abuse!" still rubbing the spot.

"The language which comes out of your mouth is not suitable for a lady." Nomsa told her sternly.

Alice narrowed her eyes, normally she would have been locked in an argument with Nomsa about this not being the stone age but the figures were slowly getting closer. "Look I need to do something, I'll be back out soon ok?" then without leaving them time to make any remark and draw her into an argument she walked into the house towards Rosie's room.

Alice reached her door and inhaled deeply wondering how much this gonna cost her, she entered quickly, everything forgotten when she found Rosie smoking. Alice's jaw dropped, she stomped inside, took the cigarette and stubbed it out. "Where'd you get this?"

"You ever heard of knocking?" Rosie asked looking at her belligerently.

Alice saw the box on the beside cabinet, picked it up and crumpled it into her fist.

"Hey!" Rosie yelped jumping to her feet.

"Smoking is bad for your health and I won't allow you to do it while you are here!"

"Mum let me!" Rosie spat.

"I don't care what mum said and did, I'm your guardian while you are here and you play by my rules! You got it!"

"You don't tell me what to do!" Rosie seethed.

"If you're living under my roof you do!"

Rosie straightened her back, "I'll tell them!"

"Tell then what? About you being my kid? You've done it. About Danny? You've done it! What else is there to tell. You used your bargaining chips too early kid!" Alice's heart was pounding wondering whether or not Rosie actually knew about…

Rosie stared at her darkly then swore at her, almost identical to what Alice had said on the veranda. Nomsa was right, it sounded awful, too bad she didn't have her own wooden spoon!

"If you're here to tell me about tea…." Rosie began glaring at her.

"No, I came to ask a favour." Alice admitted.

Rosie laughed, "You want a favour after what you just did, Good luck!"

"We are having visitors for tea and I don't want you to say anything to them."

"Who are they? Royalty?"

"No, guests. One of them is called Danny and well….I know him." she said shiftily.

Rosie's face lit up, "The Danny? Your Danny?"

Alice exhaled and bowed her head, "Yeah."

"Oh this is too good to be true! My mum and dad…."

Alice hit the end of her tether, "For Christ's sake I'm not your mum and he definitely isn't your dad ok!" Slice shouted. "Can you just do this for me?"

"Why?"

Alice was silent for a moment, "Look Rosie I know I haven't been much of anything to you but I'm here now and I'm asking you to do this one thing for me."

Rosie scrutinised her then shook her head, "Sorry that isn't quite a good enough reason."

Alice shrugged, she'd expected as much. "You know there is a saying Rosie, what goes around comes around, karma can be a bitch! One day I hope you don't need me too much coz next time I might not be here to bail you out."

After saying that Alice left Rosie alone and headed back outside.

Danny and Leon were say with a bottle of beer, Dupe passed her, motioned his head up and patted her cheek, 'Chin up.'

Alice smiled a ghost of a smile at him and nodded. Walked over to the table and poured herself a glass of iced tea.

Danny stole a glance at Alice as she stood by Dupe on the veranda. Saw the affection between the two. Dupe said something to her and she shook her head with a smile and rested her head on his shoulder a moment. She was loved here anyway, that was something he thought.

Nomsa brought out steaming trays of food and people began to take their seats. Danny and Leon followed suit. Pleasant conversation began to swirl around, Alice stood up, "I'd better go get…."

As Alice stood a young teenage girl walked out of the house. Danny felt like he was looking at the image of Alice when he first met her. The slow saunter, the way the girl held herself and he could feel the attitude from across the veranda…. Rosie ignored the guests and took her seat beside Alice.

Leon smiled at her. "Hello, I don't think we've met you yet."

Rosie turned her head slowly to look at him, "You haven't." and began spooning potatoes onto her plate leaving his statement at that.

Danny had to bite back a smile, that was so totally Alice…..but how was this girl so much like her? Who was she?

"Well what is your name?" Leon asked.

"I'm Rosie, Alice is my big sister. My mum dropped me off last night."

"Rosie?" Danny murmured surprised, last time held seen her she was in nappies! Now look at her, a teenager, just like Alice too!

"Hello." she smiled cordially.

Alice couldn't eat, she was waiting for Rosie to drop some sort of bombshell!

Rosie looked at her, "You not hungry?"

Alice mechanically picked up her fork and scooped up some broccoli.

"Don't know how you eat that stuff. Mum was wrong, I guess we're not that alike huh Alice?" Rosie asked.

Alice had no idea what to say, Rosie was being nice to her and all Alice could think of this was the calm before the storm, she was gonna drop a bombshell when Alice was least expecting it, so all she had to do was keep her guard up!

Conversation swirled as people ate and Alice was surprised that Rosie was polite not causing a scene at all, until the subject of Danny's previous marriage came up….Alice began silently saying prayers to whatever higher power was up there. She took a drink to hide her shaking head, this really had gone far too well….but then how was Leon, Nomsa and Caroline to know that Danny's previous marriage was hers too?

"So either of you boys married?" Caroline asked as she placed her cutlery neatly by her plate.

Alice recognised the gleam in her eye and wanted to strangle her. She opened her mouth, Nomsa saw it and went for her wooden spoon pre-empting her, Alice glared, "Hit me with that thing and you may not see it again." she said with false sweetness.

Danny looked at her and couldn't help but smile at her tone and expression.

Caroline shared a conspiratorial wink with Nomsa.

"Anyway boys?" Caroline enquired.

"Nope, footloose and fancy free." Leon spoke up, he didn't mention he had an almost teenage son at home, well he lived with his mother.

"I'm not married either." Danny added softly staring down at his plate. He had hoped Caroline wasn't as tenacious...just his luck she was.

"But he was married!" Leon spooned the last bit of food into his mouth and smiled at Nomsa. "Thank you that was wonderful."

"You're very welcome." Nomsa replied.

Leon nudged Danny, "Anyway this one here he's damaged goods. He's not only divorced but he's just come out of a long term relationship."

Alice pretended not to care but she didn't like the sound of long term relationship, her jaw clenched.

"Leon…." Danny murmured.

"Sorry mate but you are damaged goods right now, still on the rebound from Sarah." Leon looked at Caroline, "He was all ready to take the plunge and propose when she just ended it needing space. All this man wants is to settle down and have a family."

"Really?" Caroline and Nomsa asked obviously interested now, especially since his aims matched their own!

Danny exhaled refusing to even look at Alice, why did the subject of Sarah have to come up?

Leon was nodding at the older women obvious to the growing tension between Danny and Alice. "Sadly his first marriage has left him a little jaded but all he needs is the right woman to bring him around."

"Alice was married before too you know!" Rosie spoke up grinning.

Alice glared at her darkly sending her a silent warning.

Rosie took it and shrugged, "I'm done can I be excused?" her tone telling Alice she was doing this only as a courtesy, if she said no she'd still leave.

Alice nodded resolving to go and see her later and thank her for not causing a massive scene.

Leon was looked at her eyes glowing, "So you were married?" he smiled at her seductively. "The man was a fool to let you go, if I had you I would have held on tight."

Alice glanced at Danny who was pushing gravy around his plate feigning disinterest.

"What happened?" Leon asked. "If you don't mind talking about it."

"I don't think….." she began to say knowing Danny wouldn't want to talk about this….until she remembered how easily he seemed to move on from her, even considering getting remarried, and he couldn't call her and talk? That annoyed her far more than she cared to admit. Danny looked up at her in that moment and she changed her statement. "My ex and I were young and stupid and both made a big mistake." then she picked up both her and Rosie's plates, "Excuse me." and she left leaving the rest of the people to talk.

After filling the sink with hot water and suds she placed the dishes inside Alice walked into the living room, instinctively her eyes strayed to the window, her gaze found Danny's and neither looked away, just held it for a minute. Alice finally turned her back unable to look into the eyes she had once loved, just two weeks she reminded.

A/N this was supposed to be a short chapter...3000 words later...lol
anyway danice had a teeny moment reminiscing, awww bless them, but she seems very moody - cant really blame her right now :/
dont want to give too much away about coming chappies but one thing i can tell you is that Alice is gonna very irritated by danny in he next chapter and may do something not very nice :/ he may pretend not to care but as we all know he does.
this isn't a typical danicey get together story as you'll soon find out, don't want to say too much about this but alot of the BIG stuff hasn't even been revealed yet - thats 2 poss 3 chappies away yet and YES it does involve Rosie and for all the Rax lovers Max is in this fic too! not yet though, but i have set it up! Keep reading for all this and more :D x