She took small careful steps with her crutches and firmly grabbed the door handle. Stevie felt unsure and hesitated when she glanced around the corner. She saw the bed, but couldn't see Alex' face from this distance. Carefully she let the door handle slip trough her fingers and started moving towards the bed. Noises of all the machinery surrounding him, made her feel nervous, but somehow she was relieved. Relieved because of the good news she just heard. The bullet in Alex his shoulder was removed successfully, that news finally made her go see him. The only thing left to do now, was waiting. The girls and also Nick agreed to let Stevie go in alone. The drama was already a day ago and Harry hadn't showed up yet, which was clearly bothering Nick, he had called him several times.

Stevie stood next to the bed, leaning on her crutches, observing Alex. She wanted to call his name and hold his hand, but for a moment it felt like she was nailed to the ground. So much had happened...Suddenly she couldn't hold the tears any more, it felt like she broke, her heart ached. She sobbed and thought maybe it wasn't such a good idea visiting Alex by herself. She lowered herself onto a chair next to the bed and bend forward to cry it all out. Memories of the passed few days and nights were whirling through her mind. After a while she sat up straight and wiped her tears. When she looked at her best mate again she found out he was staring at her, his eyes half open. A tiny smile appeared on her face, Stevie felt a bit uncomfortable. Her hand trembled when she reached it out and gently touched his arm. His eyelids moved, he was only half awake.

She whispered. "You're going to be just fine Alex." The expression on her face wasn't as convinced as she said it. Alex fell a sleep, new tears came up. It felt good when Tess came in to support her.

Stevie stared at Tess and burst out in tears. "He's so weak Tess..."

Tess knelt down by her chair and hugged her friend. "Hey...It's ok Stevie. He's safe now and so are you."

Stevie cried. "Yeah I know, but look at him. He's just lying there."

Tess looked at Alex then to Stevie again with a concerned look on her face. "It's the best for now, you know. In his condition this is all he should be doing."

"But this is not Alex. He's not even strong enough to say something..."
Tess looked into her eyes and a tiny smile appeared on her face. "What do you mean? Was he awake?"

Stevie nodded and just sat there staring at her best mate.

Tess stayed calm and pressed the alarm button. When she observed Stevie, Tess looked curious. "Something happened between you two out there..."

Stevie wiped her new tears and shook her head. But Tess insisted. "Come on, tell me."

Stevie carefully smiled, then she looked at Alex. "Not here."

Tess smiled again. "Why not?"

"Because I have to talk about it with Alex first. Maybe it was just the moment. We needed each other."
Tess waited before she responded. "Well...Was it?"

Stevie shrugged and shook her head. She wanted to drop the subject and walked towards her best mate again. She caressed his forehead and came closer to whisper something in his ear. "Get better soon, ok?" She sighed and then added. "I miss you." Then she left the room, sending Nick back in.

"Nick, wait a second. Did Harry show up already?"

Nick shook his head, the expression on his face told her he was furious. Now Stevie got furious too. "That bastard." She barely used her crutches when she quickly limped towards Jodi and Kate. "Kate I need the keys."
Kate was flabbergasted. "Should you be walking like that?"

"The keys to the Ute, Kate." She opened her hand and waited for the keys. Jodi and Kate looked at each other.

No on heard Meg who came walking around the corner, she was getting everyone a coffee. "You're not driving anywhere."

Stevie's eyes almost spit fire. "Says who? Meg? I'm perfectly able to drive. That bastard needs to hear how stupid and cruel he is and he needs to hear it now."

Meg put the coffee on the side table and walked up to Stevie. "Yeah right, for someone who's been up for more then 48 hours with a twisted ankle, you're perfectly able to drive. Listen to yourself Stevie! I won't allow you to drive." Jodi and Kate followed the conversation closely, they respected Meg's way of talking to Stevie. Meg wasn't going to give up...
"I know Harry is a bastard and you're totally right, he should be here by now and someone should tell him what a heartless jerk he is. But he's not here and that's his business. Going there won't make things any better, he won't listen to you. He was rude to me too."
Stevie sighed and nervously looked around her. "He's rude to anyone who comes in his way. I just can't believe it. He let Alex down and he's doing it again! He just doesn't want to see he's loosing his son like this."
Meg came closer and put one hand on Stevie's shoulder. "And there's nothing you can do about it. Harry is the one who should know better."
Kate interrupted their conversation. "Speaking about the devil..." Jodi pushed her in the side. Stevie saw him walking towards them.

Harry frowned his eyebrows. "Where is he?"

Stevie had to keep her anger in. "I'm fine, thanks. "He" is in there." She pointed at the door.
Harry was about to walk in to the room, as he turned again to face Stevie. "How could you let this happen anyway? You were suppose to help him move the cattle, not getting yourselves into trouble."
Stevie was raging inside, she moved closer towards Harry. The other's where afraid of what would happen. Stevie tried to contain her anger, aware of the fact it was inappropriate to yell in the hospital, she directly looked in his eyes. "Now you listen to me old man. He was out there alone because of you! We both worked our butt's off to get your bloody work done! Alex is only acting the way he does because he cares about you. Now, if I were you, I would go in there and act like a father, 'cause that's all he wants. A father who cares." She stared into his eyes, her whole body fought against the upcoming tears, she didn't want to show her weak side right now.

Harry was pretty stunned by Stevie's lecture, but he also felt assaulted. "I don't know what the hell he sees in you. You're nothing but trouble, Hall." Then he turned and opened the door of Alex' room. He immediately faced Nick, who wanted a talk, outside. The girls were amused when they saw Nick in the hallway, giving Harry another lecture.

"He deserves it." Stevie says, still filled with anger. Meg, Jodi and Kate went in Alex' room. Stevie went outside with Tess. They talked about everything that had happened and about Tess her problems with Harrison and Sally. She wanted to be there for Nick, but Nick seemed to find more comfort in spending time with his son and ex-girlfriend. Tess was feeling lonely and because of that and Stevie's story, she tried to encourage Stevie to be honest about her feelings for Alex.

...

A few days later Alex was released from the hospital. It was a surprise for him when Harry was there to pick him up. Everyone thought that was great and positive that he was making an effort to restore the relationship with his son.
"You need some help to get up?" Harry offered.
Alex shook his head. "I'm not an invalid. But I appreciate your help."

Harry looked proud. "Good, 'cause I had Ronda made your bed and everything you need will be in order."

Alex frowned his eyebrows. "Well that's great, but I was planning to do some work."
Harry laughed. "Yeah right. You won't be working for the next few weeks, maybe some administrative things, but that's it."
"I could do some light chores."
"No way, you need rest. That wound isn't healed yet. By the way I'm going to sue that bastard. Sid should be in a nursing center, but he had his chance, jail is the best place for him right now."
"Oh come on, leave it. We've already talked about this. Let the poor old man live the last part of his life on Drovers. Stevie and Tess are ok with it."
"Off course that red head will agree with that, reckless woman. She's not the one who's been shot."
Alex looked angry now. "What is it with you and Stevie? Just leave it Harry."
"I just don't like her."

"Well I do. Can we go home now?"

...

The first days went ok, but after that the irritation got bigger and bigger. The old fights with Harry came back..Alex wanted to do some work but Harry wouldn't let him do a thing. Alex was lonely and Tess visited him with Charlotte.

"Hey there little princess."
Charlotte gave him a big hug, which was a bit painful. Tess immediately grabbed her to hold her on her lap instead of being with Alex.
"I'm sorry, I thought this might help." Tess looked sad.
Alex smiled. "It does, really...But I don't think it helps you."

Tess shook her head and caressed Charlotte's hair. "No, it doesn't. I miss him so much Alex."
"I know you do. He misses you too, but he's having some trouble dealing with all this and I can't blame him."
Tess wiped her tears, as Charlotte looked at her. "Tessy sad?" She said, Tess and Alex laughed, it sounded very cute.
"Alex grabbed Charlotte. "Yeah Tessy said...Come here you. Uncle Alex is a bit hurt, but still able to hold his favorite little girl."
Tess didn't want Alex to hold Charlotte at first, but soon her mind changed when she saw those sparkles in his eyes.
"You know, you're not the only one who's sick and tired of doing nothing...You should come over for diner tonight, why don't you call Nick to give you a lift?" Tess thought out loud, because he had those same sparkles in his eyes when Stevie's around.

Alex looked surprised. "Is Nick coming too?"

Tess nodded and smiled.

Alex called Nick to give him a lift to Drovers, to catch up with the girls. As a surprise he decided to take his two-way-radio for Stevie, so she had something to do. Dave let him know several times how bored she was, Kate wouldn't stop complaining about it as well as Stevie herself. Alex and Stevie called each other a few times and had some shallow conversations, but they needed to see each other to really talk about things. Tess had done a great job arranging this, Stevie couldn't believe it.

"What do I wear?"
Tess laughed. "Something that matches the plaster."

Stevie forced a smile on her face. "Very funny."
"You look good Stevie, he loves you just the way you are."
Stevie shyly smiled. "Who says he loves me."

"Oh come on, it's all written on his face...and yours too."
Meg and Jodi came in. "What's written on who's face?" Jodi blabbered, Meg punched her. "Ouch! Mom?" They all had to laugh.

Stevie saved herself. "It's nothing, we were talking about Nick." Meg and Jodi wisely shot their mouths, as they started to prepare diner. Kate finished the chores of the day and after she freshened herself up she joined the others in the kitchen.
"I believe they're early..." She said.
Stevie and Tess looked at each other.
Kate sighed. "They're already here, I saw Nick's Ute coming up the drive way.

Stevie got all warm inside when Alex entered the room. He smiled and was happy to see her. The sparkles in his eyes, where Tess was talking about earlier, were there.

Stevie felt so good being in his presence. "Hey you...How's your foot?" He couldn't stop smiling and playfully touched her shoulders when her passed behind her.
"Hey there. I'm fine, just a bit bored. You?"
"Same here." Alex said when he lowered himself on the chair. Stevie turned a little bit more towards him, so they could finally catch up.
"How's Harry doing? You're still able to handle him?"

"Still nagging. Same old story, let's not talk about him."

Jodi and Kate left the room to help Tess with the table and the two mates decided to stay in the kitchen and catch up.
Alex asked. "So you sleep better now, or do you still have those nightmares?"
Stevie nodded and looked down. Suddenly Alex put his arm around her. "Maybe you should get some help."
She looked mad. "Oh you mean a shrink? I'm not crazy Alex."

Alex looked serious, he wasn't joking, only worried about her. "Hey ease up will ya? What if it helps?"
"It will probable fade away by itself..." She sighed, Alex shook his head.

"Hey I've got you a little something..." He said, Stevie was surprised. Alex grabbed the bag from under the table and shove it towards her. "Open up."

Stevie giggled. "What is it?" She opened the bag and found the two-way-radio, Alex explained how it worked and they drank a few beers together. When diner was ready Meg sent them to the dining room.

...

So where were the sparks? No romantic feelings? or are they just hidden? Stevie thought she could be right, maybe it happened just because they needed eachother.

They all had a nice diner together and talked about everything that had happened, accept the problems with Nick and Tess. While they were eating desert Tess didn't feel well, she needed some air. Tears came up and she sighed and stood up. Everyone became quiet and unsure of what to do. Tess fought against her tears. "I ehm, I think I need some air." It was just to much for her, with Nick being there as if nothing had happened. No one said a word or did something, so Alex stood up, but Stevie punched him in his arm and mouthed "sit down". She looked at Nick, who felt very uncomfortable with everyone staring at him. He sighed and quickly left the room.
"Let's hope they find a way to get through all this." Kate said.
Meg looked determined. "They will, Jodi can you help me clear the table?"
Kate left too and so Alex and Stevie were the only ones left, which they didn't mind at all.

They went outside to sit on the porch.
"So, how's your shoulder?"

"I'm fine, can't wait to get back to work."

Stevie smiled, she knew how bored he was. "In a few weeks we'll both be fine."
Alex smiled. "We should go for a ride then, to celebrate."
Stevie nodded. "Ok. But first a ride, then we celebrate."
"Riight...How?" He winked.

Stevie looked into his eyes and at the floor. Butterflies were adding up and she got a little shy. "Oh I don't know...In a special way I guess."

Alex got exited and teased her. "Oh and how special would that be?"
She looked up to him. "Alex Ryan, I think you're not used to all that alcohol anymore."
They watched the moon and stars for a while and enjoyed being together. Then Alex suddenly became more serious.
"You know I've really had it with Harry..."

Stevie looked worried. "You're not still thinking of leaving, are you?"
"I'm not sure about that, but I'm not happy they way things are right now."
Stevie sighed and looked in the distance. "I'd hate it if you left." Alex looked at her and said nothing. He waited until she looked at him. "I really would Alex." She added, looking away again.

Stevie was thinking, so much had happened, but a few weeks ago when they kissed, it was like everything around them stood still. It had felt so good. And she loved him, she loved him so much. Not just a mate, but her soul mate. Alex had been thinking too, he thought a lot about Stevie. Something happened inside, something changed. He cared for her and Stevie was special to him. He wanted to touch her, hold her and maybe kiss her. But some how these fights with Harry were keeping him from that. Like Harry stood in between them, he disliked Stevie and had said it more then once. Alex needed a woman of his own standard...And although he hated Harry for saying those things he did think about it. What if Harry was right? What if a "Ryan" wasn't meant to be with someone like Stevie?...It almost confused him, but deep down inside he knew it was crap and he should follow his heart. And the thought of following his heart, was exactly what scared him. What if he let himself go for it and lost Stevie too?

"Stevie?"

She looked at him and was amazed he looked sad. Stevie didn't knew what to say.
"We need to talk." He added.
Stevie was surprised. "We have been talking all night." She smiled.

"I mean a serious talk."

"About what?"
"About us. About what happened." Stevie suddenly felt very insecure and didn't know what to say. "Oh come on, we were both there." Alex was obviously talking about their night in the old cottage. He added. "It's the second time it happened."
Stevie's heart became heavy, there was something wrong in the way he said it. "What do you mean Alex? That it's all a mistake again?"

Alex looked at her. "Friends first right?"
"That's not what you wanted? Just say it."

"Stevie? You wanted to be friends, to be exactly." She pointed at him.
"Yeah so? You did too...and after that we kissed."
"Twice." He winked and smiled.
Stevie smiled too and shook her head. "Once, after we agreed on being friends."
Alex added. "So...That's why we need to talk. 'Cause we already were friends, that makes it twice."

"This is confusing, but I'm listening." Stevie smirked. They talked about what happened when they were out mustering, not just about the kiss or their feelings. Alex had hoped Stevie would open up her heart. That she would tell him how she felt and what she wanted, so it was easier for him to open up too. But Stevie was to scared and after a while Nick came outside to get Alex to go home.

Stevie was finishing her beer on the porch when Tess came outside.

"Hey, how are you? Must feel good, finally catching up with each other." Tess said.

Stevie stared at the stars. "Yeah, sure. How about you an Nick?"

Tess sighed. "Still the same, he talked a lot about Harrison."

Now Stevie looked at her with an annoyed look on her face. "Really? That's unbelievable...Exactly not what you wanted."

Tess stayed positive and put her chin up a bit when she smiled. "But. We had diner and drank something together, it was a relaxed evening and he didn't mentioned Sally at all, he did got that part."

Let me know what you think...Next chapter will be the last, I promise :P Don't miss out on my other story "Mysterious night" ;)