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Danny stood stationary, frozen to his solitary spot. He watched as Sarah got into the taxi, a huge pain ran through him, it tore his heart apart. He realised that this pain wasn't for Sarah, the spiteful woman he once loved could go, but what broke his heart was to see his step children, Evan and Olivia leave.

As they got into the taxi, and the taxi pulled away, a single tear from Danny's eye. He loved Evan and Olivia has his own children. He turned round to see everyone but Alice had left. She'd stayed with him, where everyone else had decided to give him space. Her blue eyes held immediate comfort for Danny.

"Thanks Alice." Danny whispered, his eyes met Alice's. Alice avoided is gaze, she began to blush gently.

"You're welcome, hey, come on Danny..." Alice put her hand on his back, as he covered his face and breathed heavier.

"I don't want Evan to go, or Olivia!" he wailed, sitting on the steps, Alice sat beside him, she stared straight ahead, still listening to Danny. She had to be there for him, she tried to understood but she knew it was impossible to imagine when you hadn't been there.

"I know you don't." She began. "But, you know what, I bet they'll come back one day. You're their dad Danny, not their father, anyone can be a father, it takes a special someone to be a dad."

Danny looked straight at Alice. She continued to stare ahead. Alice cared, Alice seemed to understand? Would Sarah have understood if he'd babbled all this to her?

"Really?" Danny croaked, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.

"Yes. Here tissue, don't do that with your shirt." Alice handed him a tissue from her back pocket. "Now, do you want me to do the animals today? I know this has been hard for you..."

"No." Danny stopped Alice in her tracks. "I want to help you... you don't deserve to bear the brunt of my problems. Thanks Alice."

"What friend's are for." Alice replied standing up and walking towards the hospital... Danny watched her, he couldn't take his eyes off that gorgeous figure, Alice was perfection.

His thoughts were interrupted by Dupe. As Danny stood up his best friend grabbed him by the shoulders.

"Are you okay Trevanion?" he asked, full of concern for his friend.

"I'm fine, you know, its been coming for a while now Dupe." Danny sighed heavily.

"Caroline's pretty shocked." Dupe commented.

"Im sorry." Danny replied.

"Danny, its not your fault. Listen man, if you need anything."

Danny smiled at his friend, before patting his shoulders. "Thanks Dupe, im gonna go help Alice with the animals."

Dupe smiled knowingly, he knew that Alice and Danny had grown closer, he'd noticed their constant playful banter. They understood each other, they were... they were perfect for each other.

(It's about 4 weeks later... No one ever mentions Sarah, Caroline has gone back to England for a while, Dupe was happy with this as he understood. Evan had kept in constant contact with Danny, and Alice and Danny were growing increasingly closer.)

Danny woke up for the 4th week alone. He stared blankly at the white ceiling. He knew that only next door, through the paper thin walls was Alice. He could hear her gently getting ready, he heard her gently singing. He listened harder, trying to make out what Alice was singing. He heard the words 'Will he ever love me the way I love him, or is this just a distant dream..' Danny stopped breathless, he felt that way about Alice, only with her's instead or him's. A huge grin broke out across his face, he was over Sarah, he had been for ages, before they split up. Danny felt something else for Alice, he didn;t love Sarah, he never did, she was just there, no, Danny knew what love was now, he loved Alice.

Alice sat down on her bed, she was singing a song she'd made up, the words that came into her head. It was about Danny... she knew it was way to early for him, he probably didn't even feel the same way. Alice grabbed the photo frame she kept under her pillow, it showed her and Danny smiling, releasing a lion. She loved it, she treasured it more than anything. She gently stroked Danny, before whispering "I love you."

--

Danny and Alice were finally up and working. Alice had noticed Danny was a lot happier today, this pleased her considerably. He was cheerfully whistling, she smiled as he ran around doing all the jobs with a new found enthusiasm. This was the Danny that Alice knew and loved. Alice walked over to him, the sight of Danny made her melt.

"Hey... You seem happy Mr Trevanion." Alice commented looking at the tall man that stood in front of her.

Danny looked at Alice... he wanted to tell her why, he wanted say it was all down to her, but he knew he couldn't... what would Alice take him for, if he said what he felt for her.

"I had a phone call off Evan, and I think I'm nearly fully over Sarah, and I decided I needed to give someone a huge thank you."

Alice looked at him in confusion. Danny soon put her out of her confusion.

"You. You've been, brilliant, totally brilliant, you've been an amazing friend, you've helped me so much. Thank you Alice."

Alice blushed slightly, no-one had ever thanked her for anything, she'd always felt useless. Suddenly she felt arms draping around her shoulders, she opened her own arms, Danny was hugging her. She melted into his touch. They held each other tightly, maybe far to tightly, and for far too long for a friendly hug, but neither wanted to let go.

(It is now 4 months down the line – Caroline is still not back, Evan still rings Danny, and Alice and Danny are becoming inseperable.)

Dupe sat looking at the four walls that surrounded him. He missed Caroline a great deal, but he knew better about Danny and Alice. He realised that they needed each other, he saw the way they looked at each other. He knew they had to get together.

He stood up, if they didn;t hurry up he would get involved!

--

Danny smiled as Alice walked into the hospital. He looked at her with adoring eyes. She wore tight fitting blouse, tucked into her khaki ¾ length pants. She looked beautiful with her hair tightly plaited.

Alice turned round to see Danny, she was struggling to live with this silent love. The phone rang quickly, Alice ran to grab it.

"I'll be there soon, no worries Rowan."

"What's up?" Danny asked concerned, he too was struggling with his feelings for Alice, he just wanted to feel her arms around him.

"Mara's ellies arn't feeling great. Dont worry, ill go."

"Radio!" Danny grinned, he couldn't bear it if anything happened to Alice. Even though they wern't together as such, it didn't take away how he felt for her.

"Got it, see you soon yeh?" Alice smiled, leaving the room, Danny listend to her Jeep go.

"Sooner rather than later" He murmered carrying on with his days work, consumed with thoughts of Alice.

Next chapter soon !