Alex steeled himself as he walked into Stevie's room. The last thing she need was him blubbering all over her. The doctor had said it looked worse than it was, but nothing had prepared him for what he saw.

Stevie's beautiful face was marred with scrapes and bruises. One eye was swollen shut and her lip was split.

"Oh, Steves, what happened to you?" Alex sank into the chair by the bed and took her hand in his. "Even your knuckles are bruised."

He kissed the poor swollen hand and wished her pain away.

"Alex, can we come in?"

Alex looked up to see Rose and Luke in the doorway. He had asked them to wait outside in the hall while he went in. He nodded and turned back to Stevie. Wires and tubes protruded from her and machines measured every breath and heartbeat.

"Has she woken up yet?"

"No. The doctor says her body's letting itself heal." Rose sat down on the other side of the bed and took Stevie's other hand. "Mom, I'm here. Luke's here to with Kaleb and Kana. Alex is. He's going to take us home."

Rose looked up at Alex. "You are taking us home, right?"

"Rose, of course I am. Why would I lie to you?"

Rose shrugged and Alex frowned. Had Kane lied to her? Had he lied to Stevie? Alex turned back to the woman lying in the bed and sighed. How was he going to explain this to Harry? The man had never liked Stevie.

"Alex, where are we going to stay?" Luke's question broke into his thoughts.

"Umm… still working on that," Alex said. "Not Killarney, that's for sure. Drover's might work but I think Stevie would like some privacy while she's recovering."

"Well, what about Wilgul?" Luke said, setting Kaleb on the floor.

"Luke, you are a genius." Alex stood up. "I'm going to call Tess. She can get the place set up for all of you."

With a lighter step Alex walked out into the hall in search of a phone. That smoke he had inhaled when the shack burned down must have done something to his brain. Lucky for him Jodi was around to drag him out of there or he might be gone. How could he have forgotten about Wilgul?

Dropping change into the phone he dialed Drovers.

"Hello, Drovers Run. Jodi speaking."

"Hey, Jodes, it's Alex."

"Alex, where are you? Are you okay?"

Alex laughed. "Jodi, calm down. I'm fine. I'm with Stevie."

He heard Jodi's intake of breath and then a moment of silence before she managed to choke out, "Stevie? Where is she?"

"Hospital in Darwin," Alex said grimly. "It's pretty bad, Jodes."

"Oh, Alex. I'm so sorry," Jodi whispered. "What can I do?"

"I'm bringing her and Rose home. Can you tell Tess and see if you guys can get Wilgul cleaned up?" Alex closed his eyes and leaned against the phone booth. "I don't know what else to do."

"Alex," Jodi said gently, "bring her home where she belongs."

"Thanks, Jodes. I really don't know what else to do." Alex took a deep breath. "We'll be home in a few days."

"I'll see you then. Bye, Alex. Come home soon." There was a gentle click and then silence.

Alex hung up the phone and walked back to Stevie's room. Rose was sitting on the bed, holding her mother's hand. Kana sat quietly in her sister's lap and Kaleb lay across Stevie's legs, patting them gentle with one small hand.

"Wake up, Mommy. Wake up. Play with me," the little boy begged.

Luke stood behind Rose, one hand on her shoulder. "It's alright, little man, your mommy's going to be fine in a few days."

"Wake up now," Kaleb whimpered. "Read me story. Ride on Banjo. Wake up, Mommy. Wake up."

Kaleb's words ended on a cry and tears rolled down his cheeks. Kana, on seeing her brother crying, started whimpering.

"Take the kids out," Ales said. "I'll stay with her."

Luke picked up the now screaming Kaleb and helped Rose off the bed. He nodded at Alex and led his family away.

Alex sat down in the chair next to the bed and once again picked up Stevie's hand. He held it close to his cheek and closed his eyes. A shudder ran through his body as he thought about how close he had come to dying and losing the only woman he loved.

When he was in the shack with smoke seeping under the door, his only thoughts had been with what he had lost. If he had just told her what he truly thought then all this might have been avoided.

"I'm sorry, Cowgirl. I never meant for this to happen," he whispered.

"Alex?"

Alex opened his eyes and found Stevie's hazel ones opened and staring at him.

"Stevie, you're awake." Alex shifted closer. "You scared me, Cowgirl."

Stevie moved and then groaned. "What are you doing here?"

"Luke called me. I came as soon as I heard." Alex stroked her forehead. "I've come to take you home."

Stevie shook her head. "I can't leave. What about Kane?"

Alex shrugged. "We don't know where he is. That's why I'm going to take you away from this place."

Stevie closed her eyes. "I can't leave Camelot, Alex. It's my home."

Alex shook his head. "Stevie, you can't go back there. Too many bad memories. I'm going to bring you home to Gungellan. You can stay on Wilgul for awhile."

Stevie opened her eyes and tears pooled in them. "Thank you."

"Don't cry, Cowgirl. It hurts me. I'm so sorry this happened."

Stevie tried to smile. "You couldn't have stopped this. I should have left him. I should have taken the kids and run."

"Well, you can now, Cowgirl." Alex leaned his head against hers. "All of you."

"Even Luke?"

"Even Luke."

"Why did you call me Cowgirl, Alex?" Stevie squeezed his hand. "I'm not a cowgirl. I can't even get up and take care of myself."

Alex smiled. "You're a tough one, Stevie, just like any cowgirl should be. Don't worry, I'll take care of you now."

"Like any chivalrous cowboy would do?" Stevie's mouth stretched into a grin and then she groaned again. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts too much."

With a laughed, Alex leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up again."

Stevie nodded and drifted away. Alex watched her sleep, counting each breath, each rise and fall of her chest. She was still alive and he was going to keep it that way.