Chapter 31 No one heals me like you

'Have you seen Jodi?', Stevie asked once more, but still there was no satisfying answer. It was a week after the party and Stevie couldn't remember seeing Jodi after early this morning. 'Maybe she went to Rob?' Kate suggested. 'Wouldn't she just say so?'

Maybe when she was younger Jodi would have done that, but now as a part owner she had her responsibilities. And how much she loved being with Rob, it hadn't affected her work. Stevie had checked her room, but there was nothing special about it and decided to go to Killarney.

'Have you seen Rob, or Jodi?', Stevie asked a bit in panic, having a weird worried feeling in her stomach. Alex stared at her, a bit questionable. 'I thought Rob would be over at Drovers.' 'No', Stevie shook her head heavy, while noticing that feeling getting stronger. 'I haven't seen her since this morning and it's almost diner time.' 'Well maybe they just decided to spend some time together?' Alex could see Stevie nervously looking around, playing with her lips; try to keep herself under control.

'Relax', Alex said while laying his hand on her shoulder. She glared straight at him. 'I've got a bad feeling about this Alex.'

They had searched Rob's place, no specific sign, though his mobile was still there. It was an hour later, still without having any news about Jodi or Rob. Calling to Jodi's phone didn't help either, even after another try, probably the tenth time. They had gathered around the kitchen table and Alex could see how worried Stevie was. He still thought there could be a logical explanation for it, though Rob wasn't the man to just leave like this, only if there was something wrong.

'Can we just go and search for them?', Stevie said while playing with her cup. They looked at each other and everyone seemed to agree. Stevie and Alex took the Ute to search the area, so did Marcus and Regan. Kate and Taylor took the horses to check out the paddocks before it would get too dark. Rose and Moira stayed at Drovers in case someone would call. Patrick did the same for Killarney.

Stevie kept glaring out of the window, while Alex drove. 'I think I see, oh no, it's nothing'. Another disappointment left her lips. It happened a few times before tonight; no sign. Alex wished he could calm her down, but he wasn't sure of Jodi and Rob being save either. With Rob's past anything could have happened.

'Maybe we should just stop and stay the night here', Alex said. 'This ain't much useful and driving back will take us long.' Stevie looked at him, giving in, though she wanted to search longer. They took the back of Alex' Ute. He made sure there were blankets and as the weather was pretty much okay they could sleep there.

Stevie was sitting silently at the back, looking down at her fingers playing with her shirt, sighing. Alex joined her and looked at her, searching for comforting words. 'Maybe they have a good reason', he said softly, not really convinced of his own words. She gazed at him, tears appearing in her eyes. 'They wouldn't just leave. They wouldn't'. She kept glaring at him, looking sadly, biting her lip. 'Come here'. It was all he could do, holding her in his arms. Saying that everything would be okay, wouldn't really work.

'What if something bad happened?', she spoke softly, her head leaning to his chest, her hand near, playing with one of the buttons on Alex' shirt. 'Don't think about that. It's no use'. 'But I can't stop thinking about that', she mumbled, looking up again, while tears left her eyes. He caressed her hair away. 'I know', he whispered and placed a kiss on the top of her head. 'We can call the police in the morning if they're not back. They will be gone for 24 hours than.' Stevie nodded, brushing away some of her tears. 'We should get some sleep'.

They were lying close, covered with blankets, still watching into the twinkle of their eyes. Alex took Stevie's hands in his and softly kissed them. Once again he wished he could say 'It all be all right', but he couldn't fool himself or Stevie. 'Can you hold me?', she said while looking intensely at him. He softly smiled. 'Of course'. He pulled her closer, an arm holding her close, while she felt the warmth of his chest. She was sobbing softly and Alex felt a bit helpless. 'Please don't cry'. She looked up, tears covering her eyes. He caressed her cheek softly.

Open the door
And show me your face tonight
I know it's true
No one heals me like you
And you hold the key

He placed a kiss on her forehead, as she even snuggled up to him closer. It even made her smile a bit, and he was glad to notice it. They tried to get some sleep, but it took them long to really fall a sleep.

Never again
would I turn away from you
I'm so heavy tonight
But your love is alright
And I do believe

That not everything is gonna be the way
You think it ought to be
It seems like every time I try to make it right
It all comes down on me
Please say honestly
You won't give up on me
And I shall believe

When Stevie woke early in the morning, she immediately felt Alex' strong embrace. 'Hey', he softly spoke, when he saw her open her eyes, moving her body. Alex had been watching her sleep; he couldn't resist and didn't want to wake her. She softly smiled at him, while she started to remember the situation they were in. 'Is there any news?' She could already read Alex' face. 'No'. They had taken the SAT phone with them in case, but still no sign, so they decided to drive back and let the police do their work.

There was an awkward silence on Drovers, some sadness spreading over it. Everyone tried to keep their hopes up, but when the night came they knew it would be two days without hearing anything of Rob and Jodi. Rose stayed on Drovers these days, to help and to keep informed. Stevie wanted to have her daughter close.

Stevie and Alex were sitting on the bench before the Shearer's quarters, gazing into the distance. Another day had passed and the police didn't have much hope for any news soon. 'I have to call Meg and Tess. They're gone for too long, I have to tell them'. Alex had put his arm around her and looked at his mate. 'I can do it if you ...' Stevie immediately shook her head. 'No, I will, I don't know how to tell them that Jodi left without a sign, but I have to.' She breathed in deeply, already being reluctant to the conversations with Jodi's mother and sister. Alex' hand leaned on her shoulder and played with her hair.

'Strange, isn't it? Just gone like this. I can't even remember what my last words to her were', Stevie spoke softly and the conclusion made her so sad. Alex pulled her close. 'I just hope they are save. Maybe they had to escape without telling us where they go, so no one can be a treat to us?' All kind of scenarios had passed their minds these days. 'They would have taken something with them', Stevie said. 'I guess so'.

Rose walked up to the two and Stevie smiled softly. 'I don't know what to do around the house', she said. She sat down next to Alex, who put his other arm around Rose. 'It's so quiet without Jodi'. 'I know', Alex said, holding the two girls close, who felt save with him. 'We just have to keep believing'.

Come to me now
And lay your hands over me
Even if it's a lie
Say it will be alright
And I shall believe


Sheryl Crow – I shall believe