When the car pulled up to Drover's, Stevie smiled. Despite what was happening with her love life, she was happy to be home. She was excited about seeing her horse and her dog. Her eyes lit up when turbo came charging for her the moment she stepped out of the car. When he had calmed down enough, she bent down on her knees to hug him.

"Hello boy," she greeted. "I missed you."

"We looked after him for you," Jodi said stepping into the driveway. Stevie smiled and hugged her. The other girls were nowhere in sight. Before she could ask, a large hand covered her eyes. She didn't need to ask who it was, there was only one person with hands that big and soft, they were beginning to become familiar. "What are you doing?" she laughed.

For a moment she forgot that Fiona existed.

"Just shut up and let me take you somewhere," he replied with good humor. She trusted him but she couldn't help herself from giggling as she let him lead her towards the backyard. He pulled her to a stop. "Okay, you can open 'em now."

When she did, a crowd of people screamed surprise. She didn't jump she smiled feeling a little overwhelmed by all the attention. It was certainly different from the way it worked in prison.

She hugged everyone there, some of the locals were there to tell her they never believed she'd done it, and she was grateful to them all. She spoke to as many people as she could until Alex tapped her on the shoulder. She looked around and saw no sign of Fiona.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

She nodded and followed him away from the party. He led her to one of the back paddocks, they were alone it was completely deserted.

She smiled at him as he brought her into his arms. They would be able to hear someone approaching and pull away if they had to, but it seemed safe enough now. "I'm glad your home," he said. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," she smiled.

"What do you want Stevie?" he asked getting straight to the point. He was tired of wasting time. He wanted to know where she stood.

"You get right to the point don't you," she laughed uncomfortably. She felt a little embarrassed talking about this. It was all new to her. As long as she'd known Alex they had discussed everything in detail right down to beer and chips, but they had never discussed starting a relationship for more than a minute and even then it was never something as serious as this moment. She felt a little guilty. Fiona was probably looking for him.

"I don't want to waste more time. Do you?" he pushed.

She shook her head. "No."

"So what do you want from me?"

"Why do I have to make the decision?"

"Because the ball is in your court, you know I feel. I've been telling you for a month now."

"So have I… maybe not as bluntly as you."

"What do you want me to do, Stevie?"

"I don't know. I want you to be happy, what if we start something and find out we hate it. I don't want to lose the relationship we have now."

"So you want to leave things as is?" he looked overly dis-appointed.

"No… I don't know. What do you want?"

"I want you. I always have. But if you don't think that-"

"Alex… I feel guilty."

"Why?"

"Because you're married and I've been waiting for this for a long time. I'm just scared it won't happen," she confessed. He was smiling by the time she was finished her sentence.

"Is that your way of telling me you love me," he grinned. "Isn't that what matters?"

"I'm not sure if that's enough. You loved Fiona didn't you?" she didn't smile at his joke. She was taking this way too seriously. She had to, because this wasn't just her life and his she was messing with, it was going to break up a marriage.

He shook his head. "I don't know what that was. But it wasn't what I feel for you. I love you. I can't bare the thought of loosing you again. I want you in my life. I don't mean next door, I don't mean getting to see you every couple of days when one of us has a crisis or needs to borrow a tool. I mean I want you IN my life. I want to see you whenever I want, without having an excuse. I want to come home and you be the one I come home to… do you want that too?"

She closed her eyes imagining it. Coming home and seeing Alex standing in the kitchen or sitting in the lounge room watching TV. She would greet him with a kiss and he would hold her for a while as they talked about their day. And when the day drew to a close he would take her hand and lead her to the bedroom and close the door softly behind them…

"What are you smiling at?" he asked pulling her back to reality.

She opened her eyes. "Us!"

"You mean you want to give this a shot?" he looked hopeful. She nodded. "All right." He went to kiss her but she pulled back. "You do realize that if you agree to us, you are agreeing to me kissing you whenever I want," he reminded her. "It might need getting used to but you'll come to like it, if you give it a chance." He was teasing her.

"Funny," she smiled. "If we're going to do this, I need you to end it with Fiona. Completely end it, not just for a while to see where it goes with us. I mean you have to let her know its over." She wasn't sure if he was willing to do that.

"All right, but you have to give this a real shot. You can't just decide it's not working after a week," he compromised.

"Alex… if you end it with her I'm yours. It'll work. I will make it work, because you're my best friend and I need you, and I don't ever want anyone else. Okay?"

"Sounds fair," he grinned. "Can I kiss you goodbye before I go and talk to Fi?" he grinned.

She hesitated and then looked around to see the place was completely deserted. "Make it quick," she smiled.

A second later his lips brushed hers. Her hands moved around his neck as he pulled her closer towards him. Their mouths opened and closed savoring the taste of each other. Stevie finally pulled away. "Is it always going to be like this?" she looked annoyed.

"Like what?"

"I give you an inch and you take a mile."

"You better believe it cowgirl."

"Let's get one thing straight, Alex. I'm the boss."

"Says who?"

"Says me,"

"Is that right?"

"Yeap."

"I don't agree," he pulled her into his arms and kissed her quickly and he pulled away before she had a chance to push him. "You want to know why?"

"Enlighten me?" she smiled folding her arms.

"I don't think you can resist me for too long. I know you well…"

"Is that right?"

"Yeah, it is."

She thought about it. "I'll give you that one. But you better lap it up cause that's the last time you ever win."

"We'll see," he turned to leave.

"Hey," she called.

"What?" he looked back at her.

"Don't take too long… I got three words I want to say."

His smile widened. "Can you say them now?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because you're not mine yet."

"I won't be long then," he promised. "I love you."

She said nothing but smiled.