Rosie stared aimlessly at the white tailed mongoose as it wandered around it's cage, exploring it's limited surroundings thoroughly. Dup had found him abandoned and he was evidently quite young - her Dad had said that he'd probably wandered away from the nest and got a little lost, that was after he'd adopted him as his latest mascot. Rosie sighed as she watched the innocence of the animal and how simple it's life was in spite of everything. No love, no marriage, no friends, no family, no job. What Rosie would give. She was still reeling from Max's utterances earlier. How could he even question the fact she loved him - sorry, was IN love with him. She groaned - this whole situation was a mess and the only person who'd know what to do was lying in a hospital bed un-

Rosie's musings were broken by the phone ringing. Almost growling in frustration, she walked over towards the office and quickly picked up the phone.

'Hello Leopards Den Animal Hospital." Rosie drawled.

"Rosie." Her dad's voice seeped through.

"Dad! Is it Alice, is she ok?!" Rosie panicked, "Please don't tell me she's-"

"Rosie!" Her dad chuckled, "I was calling to say Alice is awake."

"What?! That's great news!" Rosie exclaimed, "How is she?"

"Groggy, obviously tired and suffering but I'll know more later. Could you tell everyone for me please and bring Charlie up?" Danny asked softly, "I promised I'd be here when she woke up."

"Sure, I'm glad she's awake Dad. I'll see you later." Rosie smiled warmly.

"Thanks Rosie, see you tonight."

(x)

Danny returned back to his wife's bedside. Robert was now fast asleep and despite the fact Danny knew he'd pay for that later, at this moment he truly didn't mind. Alice was finally awake and he was going to make sure she knew how much she meant to him. He was going to put her first above anything or anyone. He was going to appreciate her properly - treat her the way she deserved to be treated. He took her hand, running his thumb over the tiny ripples of bones before raising it to his lips.

"Nothing matters but you." Danny whispered as he lowered her hand.

"Is that true?" Her hoarse whisper came, her eyes peeling open.

"Yes." Danny said with pure sincerity. "From now on, everything changes. I've been a fool." Danny whispered, his green eyes shining, "You deserve better than me."

Alice looked at him, her blue eyes boring into him. She reached her hand towards him, smiling as he took it, "Forget what you think we deserve." She whispered, "You might be an idiot, but you're my idiot."

"Alice, after the way I've treated you..."

"Danny." She croaked, coughing slightly before continuing, "We nearly died, I don't care how you treated me or how I treated you. Let's just focus on the future."

"You amaze me Mrs Trevanion." Danny told her, holding her hand in both of his, a tear escaping. "I rang Rosie, she's bringing Charlie up later."

"Good." Alice smiled, "Thanks Danny. Now, tell me all the gossip before the nurse realises I'm awake and forces us into tests."

(x)

Rosie was stood leaning against the fridge as everyone filed into the kitchen. Charlotte was the last to come in and sat down nervously in front of Rosie. Rosie smiled reassuringly at her, gently bending down and whispering to her. Charlotte gasped before smiling widely and wrapping her arms around Rosie's neck. Rosie laughed, holding her close before standing up and watching as Charlotte rushed off more animated than she'd been for a long, long time.

"Ok." Rosie began, looking at everyone in turn bar Max, who she was still fuming at. "I've got some good news."

"Is it Alice?" Nomsa asked.

"Yes. She's awake. Now I'm taking Charlotte up tonight but I'm sure there'll be no problem with the rest of you visiting tomorrow." Rosie smiled, "That's about it really."

"This is great news!" Nomsa exclaimed, "I'll put her some grapes up."

"Thanks Nom!" Rosie grinned.

"I'm so glad she's ok!" Liv exhaled,

"Pass on my best stukkie." Dup smiled before padding off with Caroline who also passed on well wishes.

Rosie was about to walk away when Max stood up, his chair scraping across the floor. Rosie spun to see what the painful screeching was caused by but instead of stopping continued walking.

"Rosie!" Max called, "Rosie! Can we talk?"

"No Max, we can't." Rosie spat, "I have my younger sister to take to see her Mum. You and your doubts really aren't top of my priority list!"

"I'm glad Alice is ok."

"Ok? Oh bleeding kay?" Rosie snapped, "Max! She's awake, that's all! Awake! She's far from ok and you can quit with the fake sympathy! I don't need it. Don't try using Alice to get your claws back into me!"

"What?!" Max squeaked, "That's ridiculous! You know I care about Alice!"

"Sorry, maybe I don't know because I'm apparently not aware of when I'm in love!" Rosie shouted, "Just do one Max yeh?"

Max exhaled defeated as he watched her walk away. He had absolutely no idea what to do.

(x)

Alice's tests had been completed and she'd spoken to the doctor about how she was feeling and now she was sat talking with Danny. She was giggling as they reminisced on old memories.

"I remember your face." Danny chuckled.

"I didn't exactly expect you to drape chocolate over my chest and then lick it off! When you said I was sweet in the most literal term, I thought you were being well... sweet!"

"You enjoyed it." Danny grinned in a school boy fashion, "You stole the chocolate after a bit..."

Alice laughed once more, "I remember the straw."

"Not the straw!" Danny exclaimed almost dramatically, "I swear that was the most nerve wracking experience of my life. The nerves didn't end with Dup and Nomsa almost walking in on us, I swear to God, how we kept quiet is beyond me but the nerves really came about when that bloody rash came! I mean seriously, it lasted for three days!"

"I didn't get a rash." Alice beamed cheekily.

"No, you had a blanket and I wasn't throwing straw all down your clothes."

"You look cute with straw in your hair."

"Hair! Hair being the operative here Alice!" Danny exclaimed.

"You have hair all over, you're a man. Legs, back, sack and crack."

"No I don't." Danny protested, "You really need to make your mind up. One minute I have no hair hardly and the next you reckon I'm a bear!"

"You're my big teddy bear?" Alice beamed sweetly.

"Hmm, I think the pain killers are making you delusional." Danny murmured, running his hand down her cheek.

"Shut up and kiss me."

"If you so wish." Danny grinned leaning in, he was only stopped by a booming voice coming from the doorway.

"Well," The man said walking in to the room, "This is cosy."

A/N - I've had this written for ages but not put it up! Who's the visitor? Danice are doing well but is he going to shake things up a little? Is Alice going to be ok psychologically? Stay tuned ;) x