She didn't even realise that her hand was resting on his chest, or that Alex's left hand was moving to the back of her head. A moment later her mouth found his. Her arms moved around his neck and Alex coaxed her lips apart to deepen the kiss, then he lifted her gently into his arms, his left arm under her knee, his right arm supporting her back. A few steps later he lay her down on the bed, her head hitting the pillow.

Stevie looked up at him, desire and passion in her eyes, it was hard to believe any of this was happening, she thought she was going to wake up at any given moment and find herself alone. She reached her hand up to touch his face, she wasn't even sure he was there, but her heart pounding and the knots in her stomach said that he was.

"I love you," he whispered kissing her again.

Stevie's hand went to undo the buttons on his shirt, but she was suddenly reminded of all the things she wanted to forget. He was married and her future lay in the hands of a lawyer. What if something happened between them and then he was taken away from her. She wasn't sure she was willing to add the extra pain on herself. Loosing him would be the last straw.

Her hands stopped at the second button from the top and she sighed with regret. "I can't do this," she told him. He nodded and pulled himself up right, still sitting beside her on the bed. She watched him for a moment before speaking. He looked disappointed, she wanted to remember him with a smile, but she knew that when she was alone she'd wonder why she hadn't followed through with it. It was what she wanted to.

"I'm not asking for anything Stevie," he told her honesty. "I didn't tell you any of this so that you'd sleep with me."

She touched his cheek. "I know you didn't."

"What now?"

"Will you lay here with me?" she asked shyly. He smiled and without hesitation he lay down on the bed rapping his arms around her waist. She comfortably laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes. If only everything could be so easy, she'd have the world at her feet. He tightened his grip on her waist and she moved her hand to gip the material of his shirt as if she was afraid he might move away from her. She had never felt so safe.

"I made a mistake," Alex began. Stevie's heart rate sped up, not because she thought he was regretting anything that had happened between them, but because she knew he was thinking of his wife. She knew by the tone of his voice when he spoke her, and there was something in the way he looked at her so intently, as if he was trying to memorize her every expression. "I should be with you."

She squeezed her eyes tighter trying to understand what was happening between them. Had he loved her as long as she loved him? Stevie realised that something had happened to her when he kissed her for the first time, the eve before Nick and Tess' wedding. It was as though the whole world stopped and made complete sense. But she had been too scared to let anything happen, she wanted to be friends first, now they were, they were best friends. She'd never had a closer bond with anyone, like the one she shared with him.

"What's going to happen if you get off these charges?" he dared to ask. "I mean, between us."

"I don't know," she whispered.

"Do you want me?"

There was a silence before she answered and when she did, she spoke so softly that Alex wasn't even sure he had heard her right. "Yes."

He didn't understand why she held back so much. He was the one who was married he was the one who knew loss like no one else. But he knew she'd always been cautious. Giving up Rose had changed her she had never been the same after that. She was willing to take risks that could kill her, but when it came to matters of her heart she held back. She believed in love and taking chances, but when it came to actions it was a whole other story.

They soon fell asleep in each other's arms. The emotions of the day had taken their toll. When Stevie opened her eyes she was surprised to find that Alex was still holding her. She smiled to herself watching him sleep, he looked so peaceful, she touched his face and his eyes flew open.

"Hello beautiful," he whispered.

"Hi," she smiled. All of a sudden Stevie remembered why she was there, what had happened between them and what tomorrow held for her. It hit her like a ten-tone truck. The sun was setting the day was almost over.

Her smile faded, and as if her expression was his own, Alex's own happiness vanished. He was going to have to walk away from her and leave her alone. He wanted to protect her he would have liked to wake up to her smile every morning. Trying to hide his pained disappointment of knowing how slim his chances were, he sat up.

"How'd you sleep?" he was deeply worried about her.

"Surprisingly, really good. The last one I'll have in a while," she commented.

"Be positive," he offered her his hand and she took it. She wanted to be with him as long as she could. She wasn't going to be stubborn about it, not if they didn't do anything wrong.

She forced a smile, it was hard to be positive when the world was against her, her life could be taken from her in a matter of hours. But she said nothing else she only held his hand in hers and looked at him. She wanted to remember his face clearly, every wrinkle, every freckle, every flaw.

"Will you remember that I love you," he said. Stevie didn't understand how he could be so calm and cool about all of this, but then again the only thing that ever showed in his face was his temper.

She blushed. "Yes."

"When the trail is over and you come home, can we discuss this properly? I want to work this out."

"What's there to work out?" she answered.

"I want to be with you," he looked hurt by her comment. She nodded. "I thought that's what you wanted to."

She lowered her head. "I do. I'm just scared that it won't ever happen. It doesn't work out for me Alex, it never has."

"It will this time," he assured her. He forced her face on his and then kissed her softly on the lips. Her hands moved easily to the side of his face and his hands ran down to her hips. A moment later she pulled away.

"What about Fiona?"

He shook his head looking annoyed. "Does she have to come into every conversation?"

"Yes," she shot back. She pulled herself away from him and climbed on the bed. "You are married Alex. Us even talking about this is wrong."

"I said I would get a divorce Stevie and I will."

"And she's just going to let you walk away without a moment's hesitation?" she wanted him to understand what he was up for.

"I don't know," he shrugged. "I don't care. All I want is you."

"And what if I go to jail?"

"Stop talking like that."

"No Alex, it's going to happen. Your not even prepared for it."

He sighed. "Your right I'm not. Because if I start thinking of not seeing you I'm gonna lose it. So can we talk about something else please?" his face was red.

"I'm going to ring the girls," she told him. This time when she reached for the phone Alex didn't stop her.