When Alex approached Stevie, she looked up at him knowing that it was really over with his wife. He was hers now. She could say the words loud and clear and know that they never had to be apart again. He didn't wait for anything. He didn't look to see if someone was watching, he drew her into his arms and kissed her passionately.

"Hello," he smiled when he pulled away.

"Hi," she replied. "Your wife dropped by an hour ago. We had a bit of a chat," she told him titling her head as she looked at him.

"Soon to be ex-wife," he told her.

She smiled. "I know. She said that."

"Did she upset you?" he asked looking worried. He cared about how she felt and he didn't want anyone to hurt her, or upset her. He wanted to protect her now, more than ever.

Stevie hesitated. "I guess a little. She said that I am the reason you have such bad luck with love."

"How'd she figure that out?" he asked sounding amused. Stevie smiled. It was exactly how she had replied to Fiona.

"Claire died a day after my arrival. It didn't work out with you and Fiona because I was-"

"No," he stated matter-of-factly. "You listen to me, what happened to Claire was horrible… but it was no one's fault. You said it yourself, they hit a pothole. Don't be stupid. You didn't do anything. And what happened between me and Fi was never meant to be, I loved you long before I met her, I just assumed you only wanted to be friends."

"I did," she confessed. "But it was because I was scared… the girl with all the guts gets a little scared sometimes," she smiled.

"I know." He kissed her again. "Hey what's this three words you have to tell me…" he grinned.

Her face turned warm instantly. She could say it now. But it still scared her. "I don't think you deserve to know just yet," she teased.

"Oh come on. I asked for a divorce, I bet you weren't expecting that?"

"See that's my point. These surprises aren't very nice."

"Oh, well I can always tell her I changed my mind and that you and I were never going to work."

She punched him in the arm. "Don't you dare," she laughed. She still hesitated.

"Would these words be the same ones you said at the courthouse when they arrested you?" She nodded. She had forgotten about that. "I'll never get tired of hearing it… if you want to say it again, I'm listening."

"Alex…"

"Yeah?"

She laughed. "I… love… you."

"I love you more," he grinned.

"Oh," she laughed again. "So this is how we're going to play it."

"You better believe it Stevie!" she said nothing in reply. "Aren't you going to argue with me?" he looked a little disappointed.

"Nope," she smiled.

"Why not, there's no fun in that."

"I don't need to argue with you over who loves who more. I know I win."

"And how do you-"

"… Figure that out?" she interrupted. She shrugged. "The way I see it, if I love you more I won't have to tell you. Besides, I love you, I love you, I love you."

"So what? I love you."

"And I love you."

"This could get confusing," he said.

"How?" she asked.

"Because if I say I love you, and you love me, how do you know who loves each other the most?"

Stevie frowned trying to make sense of what he had just said. Alex laughed and pulled her closer to him. "I told you I loved you more,"

"And I said, you're not allowed to win anymore."

"Come on, I have to win sometimes."

"Nope."

"Stevie…"

She stepped out of his arms and started backing off, but he grabbed her quickly and swung her over his shoulder. "Alex put me down!" she ordered with a laugh. Clearly they were having fun.

"Say I love you more."

"I love you more," she shouted.

"No, say Alex loves Stevie more."

"No!"

"Say it!" he demanded.

"Never. I love you more."

"If you don't say it…"

"What?" she challenged as the blood began to rush to her head. He pulled her back down and her feet hit the ground, but he didn't release his hands from her waist.

"Say it or I'm never kissing you again," he looked serious for a moment. But she didn't believe him and she wasn't giving in. She liked to win everything and he had better get used to it.

"Fine," she shrugged. She was still smiling. His smile came back and he tickled her, she squirmed and tried to escape laughing as she struggled to get away from him. "Let me go."

"Say it."

"No."

He stopped tickling her and ran his hands through her hair. "I love you more."

"I love you more."

"There's always one way to prove it?" he grinned raising his eyebrows. Stevie's smile faded and she could feel her face growing warmer, she must have been the color of beetroot. Her hands moved to cup his face, she wasn't joking this time and Alex feared he had upset her, or scared her. He was in no hurry to move too fast if she wasn't ready.

"Do we let it happen or do you want to make a date?" she asked.

"Stevie I was just-"

"Well I'm not. I'm not scared Alex… I love you."

He nodded. "What are you doing right now?"

"Now?" she asked a little surprised at how quick he was.

"If it's too soon then-"

"I don't think five years is too soon… do you?"

"I think we've waited too long already," he agreed. "I don't want to push you on this, if it's too quick for you all you have to do is tell me. I'll wait."

"I know," she touched his cheek and then kissed him. "Your place or mine?"

"We're already at your place," he shrugged.

She nodded. She grabbed hold of his hand and led him towards the house. The girls were busy working; hopefully they wouldn't come looking for her for a little while yet. They reached her bedroom.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"You sound scared, are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Alex," he looked down at her as she reached for the door handle. "I told you I always win."

The door closed behind them.