Alex shifted in his seat as the pilot prepared for takeoff. Perhaps it was a bit over the top, chartering a private plane to fly to Darwin, but Luke sounded desperate and the thought that he would see Stevie again made him slightly reckless.

As the plane took off Alex settled in his seat. It had been a long time since he had talked to Stevie. Even longer since she had called him friend. That last day before she left he had told her he thought she was a fool.

"He's no good for you, Stevie. You know what he does." He had taken her shoulders and shaken her.

Stevie pushed him away. "I know what's good for me and what's not, Alex. Kane promised he wouldn't steal cars anymore. He'll take care of me."

"What are you two going to do, Stevie?" Alex leaned against his ute. "He's not a farmer."

"I'll teach him. We're going to go buy a farm somewhere. Alex, please don't hate me."

Alex sighed and walked towards her. "I don't hate you. I just wish you'd think this through."

Stevie squeezed his hand. "But I have. I love him, Alex. I want to be with him."

"Does he love you?" Alex tilted his head and studied Stevie's face. "Does he?"

Stevie shrugged. "He hasn't said the words but I know he does."

"Alright. But if you ever need help, call me." Alex stroked her face and pulled her in for a hug. "Be careful."

Stevie hugged him tight and nodded. "I will. You'd better go. Kane's coming."

Alex had smiled and wished her luck. Then without a farewell glance he got into his car and drove off.

Now he wished he had persuaded Stevie to stay. But if he had, she probably would hate him. Now he was riding, or flying, to her rescue. He only hoped he got there in time. If Kane had hurt her...Alex squeezed his hand into a fist. No, fighting wouldn't help. But Luke would. Luke had called for help, so he must have some plan.

Hours later the plane touched down in Darwin and Alex disembarked. Putting his hat on, he strode to the taxi stand. He slipped into the back seat and told the driver to take to the nearest car rental.

After choosing a black Ute, he drove to the post office. Parking the car he went inside and joined the line at the desk.

"Can I help you?" the attendant asked.

"Yeah, I'm looking for Kane Morgan's place. I'm an old friend and thought I'd pop into see him since I was in the area."

"Kane Morgan?" The lady looked up at him. "He runs Camelot with Stevie Hall. Yeah, they're out of town a ways."

"That sound like the place." Alex smiled at her. "Can you tell me how to get there?"

The lady fluttered her eyelashes. "Of course, sweetie. You just head left out of town and drive until you hit Road 3. Take a right and keep going. Camelot will be on your left."

"Thanks, ma'am." Alex tipped his hat and walked out of the building.

A man at the end of the line stopped him. "You looking for Kane Morgan?"

Alex shook his head. "Stevie Hall actually. You know them."

The man nodded. "Stevie's a good one. Can't say the same about Kane. The man's bad news."

Alex sighed. "I know. Who else is out there?"

The man thought for a moment. "Kane's brother, Luke, Stevie's girl Rose. That's about it. No one helps them. Kane won't let Stevie hire on anyone."

"Does he farm?" Maybe it was time for Stevie to come home.

The man laughed. "When he's not drunk or ripping off cars. Good luck to you."

"Thanks. Alex Ryan." Alex held out his hand and the man took it.

"Henry Fain. If you need anything while you are here, look me up. I'm down the road from Stevie and Kane. My place is Fain's Hope."

"Thanks for that. I'll be seeing you."

"Is that a threat or a promise?" Henry laughed.

Alex chuckled. "A promise."

Back in his Ute, he headed out of Darwin and turned left. It seemed an age before he reached Road 3. The feeling of urgency that had been growing since the plane landed filled his stomach and he felt sick. Something about the way Henry Fain's eyes darkened when speaking about Kane scared him. Whatever was wrong was really bad.

Finally he saw the sign for Camelot. It hung at an angle from one chain above a rusty gate that was wide open. Carefully steering the Ute over the cattle gate, Alex peered around. A small cluster of sheep grazed in the paddock next to the drive. Farther on some cattle stared at him curiously. The place looked decent but run down.

Parking the Ute by a tree, he turned it off and studied the house. The sagging porch and front door gave the whole place a depressed look. It was like the people living there couldn't care less anymore about things. Alex stepped out of the car and headed for the front porch. A growl stopped him. Two dogs rose from the shadows and stood at the top of the stairs. They growled again and showed their teeth.

"Easy, boys. I'm not going to hurt you." Alex stood still and held out his hand.

But the dogs wouldn't back down. Where was Turbo? Alex swivelled his head trying to find Stevie's faithful dog.

"Turbo? Here, boy. Come see Alex. Turbo?" His calls were in vain and the two dogs on the porch started slowly down the stairs.

"Hardy, Dagger, sit." Someone in the house called out and the front door opened. "Come here, you two."

A girl stepped out onto the porch, a baby on her hip. "Sorry, about that. They're very protective."

Alex took a step forward and then another. "I can see that."

"Can I help you?"

"I'm Alex Ryan. I'm looking for Luke Morgan." Alex started climbing the porch.

"Alex? Oh, thank goodness. Luke, Alex is here!" The girl turned and ran back into the house.

As the sun hit her face he recognized her. It was Rose, Stevie's daughter. "Rose, is that you?"

Rose spun around and smiled. "Yes, it's me. I'm so glad you're here. Luke, where are you?"

"Coming. Kaleb, stop it. Kaleb, drop that now." Luke came out of the house with a little boy in his arms. "Alex."

"Luke." Alex stepped forward and grasped the man's hand. "How are you?"

Luke shrugged and dropped his head. "I've been better. Let's sit down. Kaleb, stop squirming. Here, go play with Hardy."

Luke set Kaleb on the porch and the boy toddled over to one of the dogs. Alex followed Rose and Luke to a set of wicker furniture and took a seat. Rose settled the baby on her lap and smiled at Alex.

"Who's are the kids?"Alex asked. "And where's Stevie?"

Rose bit her lip and looked at Luke.

Luke sighed. "The kids are Stevie and Kane's. Kaleb's just over two and the baby girl, Kana, is nine months."

Alex took a deep breath and leaned back. "Wow. That's a surprise. And where is Stevie?"

"She's in the hospital. We brought her in just after you called."

"What? How bad is it?" Alex gripped the arms of his chair. "Where's Kane? I'm going to beat him to a bloody pulp if he's hurt her."

"Kane's gone. Henry Fain was worried and got the cops out here. They got here just after I did. I tried to stop him but he's stronger than me. He took off and they haven't caught him yet." Luke touched his cheek gingerly and Alex saw the bruising there.

"How bad?" Alex asked hoarsely.

Rose shrugged. "A couple broken ribs and lots of bruises. Mostly on her arms and chest. She has a minor concussion."

Alex closed his eyes and willed away the growing anger. Right now he needed to keep a cool head. But if he ever saw Kane Morgan again, the man would wish he had never been born.

"Alex," Rose said softly. "She can't stay here anymore. Kane's been charged with murder without intent, grand theft auto and physical abuse. He'll be in jail for a long time."

Alex nodded. "I think it's time you all came home."

Luke nodded. "Henry Fain offered Kane a good deal on this place last year. He might still be willing to take it."

"I'd rather the money goes to Stevie," Alex said.

Rose laughed. "Oh, it will. When they bought the place, Kane was gone so Stevie signed the papers. Not Kane. Stevie owns it all."

"Good." Alex stood up. "Can I see Stevie?"

"Sure. We were just about to leave when you came." Luke got to his feet and took Kana from Rose. "We just have to get some things together for the kids."

Alex followed Rose and Luke into the house. Inside it was dark and cool. Kaleb was running up and down the hall giving his best impression of a wild dingo. He ran into Alex's leg and howled louder.

"Kaleb, stop that noise," Luke said. "It is defiantly time for your nap."

Alex scooped up the boy and held him. Kaleb had Stevie's eyes and smile. "Come on, young man. Do you want to ride in my car?"

Kaleb bobbed his head and babbled something.

"I'll take that as a yes." Alex laughed and headed into the kitchen. "Yikes, what happened here?"

There was blood on the floor and some had dried on the walls. Chairs had been knocked over and dishes lay shattered under the table.

Rose picked her way through the room and set a diaper bag on the table. "They had a bit of a fight here."

"A bit? Looks like a pub brawl." Alex shook his head. "Your mom always knew how to fight."

Rose smiled a little. "Didn't help her last night or the night before."

"What happened the night before?" Alex set the wriggling Kaleb on his shoulders. "You sit still, Kaleb."

Rose bit her lip and closed the diaper bag. "Kane got mad about something and you know Mom. Can't leave until she has the last word. He threw her up against the wall and she lost the baby she was carrying. She was only about eight weeks. He didn't even care. He left and didn't come back until late yesterday afternoon." The tears began to flow from Rose's eyes. "I couldn't stop it. I couldn't do anything."

Alex strode over to Rose and pulled her close. Sobs racked her body and Alex held her close. He rubbed her back and murmured to her. "It's alright, Rose. Don't blame yourself. I'm here to help. I won't leave you alone."

Kaleb leaned down and touched Rose's head. "No sad, Rosie. No sad."

Alex smiled. "That's right, Kaleb. Rose doesn't need to be sad anymore. I've come to take you all home. Although, there will be a few extra. But Gungellan has lots of room."

Rose wiped her face and pushed her hair out of her face. "Are you really going to take us back? You don't hate her?"

Alex tipped Rose's face up and stroked her cheek. "Honey, I've never hated your mother. She was my best mate and always will be."

Rose nodded. "Let's go see her then."

Luke came into the room with Kana. "Is everything alright here?"

"Yes, everything is going to be perfect, Luke." Rose ran to Luke and threw her arms around his neck. "Alex is taking us home."

Luke looked at Alex. "All of us?"

Alex nodded and stepped over to the young man. "Luke, I wouldn't dream of leaving anyone behind. You deserve some looking after for once. I have a feeling you've been doing a lot of looking out for people. Thank you."

Luke swallowed and nodded. He wrapped an arm around Rose's waist and pressed a kiss to her head.

Alex set Kaleb on the floor and the youngster toddled towards his big sister. He grasped her leg with his arms and held tight. Alex watched the small group. Something about the way Luke and Rose looked at each other, reminded him of two other people. They had looked at each other like that, like the world revolved around the other person and here he was rescuing half of that couple. The only difference with these two was that Luke wasn't a bad bloke. He just followed his big brother around. Maybe make something out of himself.

"So let's go," he said.

"Go, go." Kaleb clapped his hands and ran back to Alex. "Me drive car."

Alex laughed and swung Kaleb up in his arms. "Yeah, you drive car in about, oh say, fourteen years. That sounds about right. Oi, love birds, we have a sick woman waiting for us."

Rose and Luke stepped apart. Rose took Kana from Luke and grabbed the diaper bag. "Let's go."

She left the house and Alex followed her. Luke walked beside Alex.

"Can I ask you a question, Alex?"

"Sure."

"How did you know?"

Alex grinned. "Know what?"

"About me and Rose. I don't even think Stevie knows." Luke closed the door behind him.

"Oh, she knows. She must like it or she would have said something."

"Oi, you two, hurry up."

Alex shook his head and hurried to the car.