Games are played and all cards are on the table or are they? ...
Stevie and Alex work efficiently together and the corner fence stays are finished quickly.
Holding her he says. "I suppose I have to let you go don't I?"
Smiling she replies. "Well we could miss the dinner party."
Kissing her several times he finishes with two soft, short kisses and says "No we have to follow this through Stevie. We both know it will be tricky getting passed Harry but we have to too, don't we."
She nods in agreement then hugs him closely.
...
Knocking loudly Alex calls. "Hey Brewer are you going to answer the door?"
Dave Brewer opens the door, shirtless and looking sleepy and dishevelled.
Alex grins and asks. "Not like you to have an afternoon nap Dave?'
Dave looks at the floor and says "Yeah I had a bit of a headache so I thought I'd have a lie down."
Alex grins and asks. "Is that what they're calling it now?"
Dave looks at Alex.
"I saw Kate's car out the back." Alex offers grinning.
...
After Kate scurries away Alex and Dave sit and have a beer.
"So Dave when did you and Kate get together?" Alex asks.
Dave grins and replies. "Alex I'd appreciate you not broadcasting this just yet."
Alex laughs and says. "Hey Brewer you're the gossip here! I'm the one that can keep secrets remember."
Dave grins, nods and says. 'Yeah I suppose. Just a week Alex so it's early days but I've asked her to come to Africa with me."
Alex nods and asks. "Do Tess and Stevie know you're stealing one of their workers?"
Dave grins and says. "No we haven't told anyone yet."
...
"So Fiona's gone...When are you going to pursue Stevie?" Dave asks grinning at his friend.
Alex quips." Bloody hell she only flew out this morning and you know already."
"Good news travels fast." Dave replies.
"Brewer that's a bit harsh I could be heartbroken."Alex comments.
"Yeah you could be but you're not are you?" Dave laughs.
"No I'm not, I'm actually relieved Dave. Thanks for the wakeup call. I never knew Stevie cared about me like that... You know..." Alex laments.
Dave stands and grabs another couple of beers and handing one to Alex says. "Anyway what are you doing here?'
Alex looks at him and says. "A dinner party invite on Kilarney tonight bring Kate if you like."
Dave grins and says. "So are you bringing a date?"
Alex grins and says. "Maybe!"
...
Nick, Tess and Stevie arrive on Kilarney together and Dave pulls in behind them with Kate beside him.
After a small amount of heckling they all move inside.
Harry has turned it all on and even though he doesn't say anything it's actually a celebration of Fiona's departure.
He's a happy man.
...
Rhonda has prepared a beautiful meal and everyone thoroughly enjoys the meal, the wine and the conversations.
Even Harry appears to enjoy himself although everyone is wary of a happy Harry.
Alex asks Stevie to help him clear the table ,she wobbles along behind him and once in the kitchen he grabs her pushing her up against the wall.
Kissing her thoroughly.
Delighted she giggles and says "Excuse me you're a bit rough you almost bowled me over then."
"I want to do more than bowl you over Stevie." He quips grinning at her.
Giggling again she asks. "Maybe we should keep this a secret. Stolen kisses and fencing with you earlier was the most fun I've ever had."
Pulling her to him again he kisses her urgency and want in his touch.
Startled they pull apart as someone clears their throat behind them.
"I've missed something haven't I?" Nick offers grinning at them.
"Geez mate you frightened the shit out of us." Alex says.
"What's going on?" Nick asks.
Alex says. "Just playing games with Harry at the moment Nick. Stage one of my plan worked now I'm onto stage two and hopefully after tonight Harry will actually encourage me to date Stevie."
Nick laughs and says. "Yeah and pigs will fly Alex."
Stevie grins.
Alex offers. "We've watched Harry manipulate people our entire lives Nick. Just because we don't agree with doing that doesn't mean we can't use it against him. Watch and learn little brother, watch and learn.'
...
The evening meanders on and Alex puts his final plans on the table.
"While we're all here. I've got something I want to tell you all about. " Alex states.
Everyone stops what they're doing and listen to him.
"Fiona flew out this morning after telling me she didn't want to marry me and believe it or not I'm more than happy about that as I really didn't love her. I've been in love with someone else for a very long time and I found out the other night that she feels the same way about me?" Alex states.
Harry looks angry and says "You'd better be joking Alex!"
Reaching over to take Stevie's hand Alex says "No Harry I'm deadly serious. I love Stevie and we're together."
Tess, Nick, Kate and Dave congratulate them and the mood lifts until Harry growls.
"Over my dead body Alex will this happen on Kilarney." Harry snarls.
Nick waits for whatever it is Alex is going to do next.
He doesn't have to wait long.
...
Looking at Dave, Alex says. "Dave has some news too."
Dave grins and nods his head and says "Yes I do actually. I've been offered a job in Africa and Kate has agreed to come with me."
Everyone including Nick is shocked but happy for the new couple.
Harry grumbles and says "Great Brewer who is going to look after my stock?"
Nick chastises him and says "What about congratulations Harry on their relationship and Dave gaining a job he's always wanted to do?"
"Oh congratulations Brewer. I'll be sad to see you go Kate you're an excellent worker and a top little wool classer."Harry offers.
Kate smiles. "Well thanks Harry that's lovely to hear."
Tess says. "Oh Kate I'm really happy for you but I will be so sad to see you go."
"Thanks Tess, I'll miss you too. I've learnt so much from you and Stevie." Kate replies.
Tess looks at Stevie and says "We'll have to find another worker Stevie."
"Actually we have to find two Tess. You'll need a new overseer as well. Alex and I are going with them."Stevie answers sadly.
"What?" Harry yells.
Glaring at Stevie. Harry growls "So now you're taking him away!"
"Harry I'm not the one doing the taking! I only want to be with Alex and he said you wouldn't approve and he organized for us to leave." Stevie replies calmly.
Nick tries not to grin listening as the conversation goes backwards and forwards between Harry, Stevie and Alex.
Finally Harry states. "Alex you can't be serious. Nick has finally come home and you belong here too."
Alex replies. "If there was another way I'd take it Harry but Stevie and I belong together end of story."
Harry begs Alex to reconsider and promises to be on his best behaviour if he'll stay and manage Kilarney and will even do his best to make Stevie welcomed onto the property.
Finally Alex agrees to discuss it with Stevie later and give Harry an answer in the morning.
Harry bids them all goodnight and retires to bed.
...
Nick high fives Alex and quips "Nicely played Alex he actually begged I've never seen Harry beg before."
Tess asks. "What's going on?"
Alex explains how they have no intension of going to Africa but used that as leverage to put Harry offside.
Tess states. "Alex you manipulated Harry."
"Yeah I did! Didn't I?"Alex laughs.
Leaning over he kisses Stevie and says. "Are you alright?"
Smiling she answers. "Yes I am. It was almost painless telling him wasn't it?"
He nods and kisses her again.
They group finishes the last of the wine and discuss everyone's plans for the future and organize a farewell for Dave and Kate.
"So Stevie are you coming home with us tonight?" Nick asks.
"No she's staying with me." Alex replies for her then adds. "The sooner Harry gets used to her being here the better."
...
After everyone leaves, Alex takes Stevie's hand and leads her up to his room.
"Alex is this a new bed?" Stevie asks.
Nodding he replies. "Sure is cowgirl. This one is ours no one else has ever slept in it."
She giggles as he moves towards her.
Holding him at arm's length she asks. "Do you think this is going to work Alex?'
"Positive. Harry wants me, I want you. If he wants me to stay he has to accept you. I win."He answers.
"Nicely played Alex nicely played." She states.
Chuckling he whispers. "Now I get to play with you."
...
Down the hall Harry Ryan places his book and glasses on the bedside table.
Grinning he thinks nicely played Alex, you're still the apprentice but I am the master.
Round one to you...
...
The End...Review please...