9 am the Following Morning.

Bob dropped Lexi off at Leopards Den and she walked up the dusty path. She was dead on her feet. Pardon the pun. She'd had to stay on for another shift and now all she wanted was her bed. She didn't hear the car approaching behind her as her Ipod was jammed in her ears. To stop her from keeling over and falling asleep on the dusty ground. Ethan appeared at the door as she approached.

"Hello gorgeous!" he said looking in her direction. She was shocked but hid it well. Ignored him. Ethan then walked towards her with a smile. Walked straight passed her and into the arms of a petite blond haired blue eyed angel who clearly belonged on a magazine cover.

"Hello handsome!" she replied warmly. "I can't believe you took off and didn't tell me!"

Lexi snorted.

"Ignore her she's sleep deprived!" Ethan said dismissively.

"Go to hell Ethan!"

"That's preferable to your company!" he put his arm around Natalie's shoulders and led her inside.

Lexi stood and fumed outside.

"What was that?" Natalie whispered.

"That was Queen Lexi!"

"THE Lexi, your Lexi?"

He nodded. "You weren't joking about her attitude. She doesn't wanna start on you when I'm here. I owe you a lot and I won't allow her to disrespect you. AT ALL!"

"Nat's you don't owe me anything. Honestly. Plus you didn't catch her at her best. She's not usually so short and I did provoke her."

Natalie looked at him. "Your feelings are still there then."

He didn't bother to deny it and nodded.

"You don't let her tie you up in knots. You're a good man. And I know plenty of woman back home who are ready and willing to help you forget her!"

He ignored her final comment. "Come meet Alice." he said stopping the conversation there.

(X)

Lexi stomped into the house. How dare he bring his girlfriends to HER home. That was just so wrong! So NOT fair! I mean that girl is so stunningly gorgeous and Lexi is just plain. Plain boring old Lexi! She hated him. Really hated him! No actually hate indicated a strong emotion and she felt nothing. Nothing at all! Truth be told she felt a little hurt. Why would he wanna hurt her like that? By showing off his super skinny super gorgeous super everything girlfriend. She stopped her thoughts right there. Shower then bed. She had her shift changed so she started work in a few hours instead of an hour ago which had been decided. She walked into the bathroom.

(X)

Alice was introduced to Natalie when Ethan's phone rang.

"I'll be back soon." he mouthed.

"Ethan has told me so much about you. And your husband!" Natalie said.

"Did he, all good I hope!" Alice joked.

"He loves you. And your husband. I'm sorry for your loss."

Alice nodded.

"He's very deeply in love with your daughter too! He was a mess when I met him." she said bitterly.

"I know his father…"

"Lexi." she said simply. "O his father too no doubt but it killed him leaving her. He had a death wish. It's the reason why he joined the fire service."

"He feels things deeply." Alice said. "How did you meet?"

"He hasn't told you? Typical Ethan. He does this great thing and tells no-one!" Natalie said. "My husband and son were trapped in a forest fire in New Zealand. He was still training at the time. I remember I was going out of my mind with worry. He saw me and asked what was wrong. I told him. He vowed that he'd keep his eyes open. Ethan eventually found their tent and of course took his hose and searched. After he found them he went against orders and gave his jacket to my 4 year old son. They had been told under no circumstances to take them off. A gust of wind came and caused a circle of fire to surround them. He ushered Chance into the black. An area which had already been burned. The fire jumps over it. Told him to stay under the jacket no matter what he heard! He and my ex fought the dire. Somehow got out of it and my weasel took the jacket from my baby and ran off with it trying to save his own skin. Ethan didn't tell me what happened next but he brought my son home safe and sound. Later on as he the last fire was put out he collapsed. Had 3rd degree burns all down his neck and back. My ex was found dead. My son later collapsed in hospital and died. Ethan was ill for a long time. I got to see my son thanks to him. Tell him I love him and hug him. Before he passed away."

"O Natalie you poor thing."

"I was pregnant with Bonnie at the time though. So I couldn't fall apart. Then I helped Ethan get his citizenship. Was the least I could do."

"I noticed the scar on his neck. He's very self conscious of it." Alice murmured.

"He doesn't like people making a fuss of it. There was a media circus over there when they found out what he did. See me and my husband are models over in New Zealand. We were the golden couple with the golden marriage and the perfect kid. It was all crap though. Because of who we were Ethan's name got pulled into it and they dug into his past thankfully he was unconscious when all this happened. And I ensured that no journalists got anywhere near him when he awoke. I wish my husband had been more like him. My husband was willing to sacrifice his sons life for his own whereas Ethan was willing to sacrifice his for complete strangers. What I believe happened is that a burning tree limb fell on him and he held it aloft. Giving Chance the opportunity to get away. Specially since its his shoulder. Like he hefted it or something!"

"OH my poor baby!" Alice gasped

"He told me you'd say that! That you say it often."

"Are you and Ethan?" Alice hinted.

Natalie shook her head. We dated for a little bit but nothing beyond that. He's a great guy but firstly I'm 28 and he's 23 and secondly he's not who I want. I love him deeply but I'm not IN love with him you know?"

"I'm glad he had you to take care of him. I worried about him so much. That he was alone or dead!"

"He mentioned to me that you lost your husband when he left." Natalie said softly.

"Yeah I did. This Ethan reminds me a lot of young Danny actually. His attitude." Alice told her.

"Ethan told me that he tried to act and live like him. He didn't have no other role model so used him as a template."

Alice smiled "He was a good man/ he lives on in his kids but I'm sure Danny would be chuffed that Ethan tried to be like him."

Ethan appeared. "Nats will you join me on the veranda?"

Natalie nodded. "It was nice talking to you."

As soon as they wee outside. "How soon can we go home?" he asked.

He heard Lexi on the phone laughing an giggling. Talking in low tones. He was off. A car pulled up. Evan climbed out with a satisfied smile on his face. They heard footsteps.

Natalie grabbed his face. "Respond!" she whispered. Then pulled her to him for a kiss. He stiffened for a minute then kissed her back. She melted all over him. As soon as Natalie knew Lexi was outside she pulled back and pout her hand on his chest.

"See." she purred. "Isn't that the hello you expected?"

Natalie's eyes raked over his body.

"I'm looking forward to our diner later. Me and you alone!" she lowered her tone. Still loud enough for Lexi to hear. "We never get time alone with the kids." smiled seductively and winked.

He was shocked. She was turning on the seduction and he was just in compete and utter disbelief. He played along. Smiled. "Yeah."

Natalie gave him a lingering kiss.

"I better phone mum. Make sure Bonnie and Chase are ok."

"Give them my love." he told her.

She nodded. Looked at Lexi and dismissed her.

Lexi glared at him.

"Problem?" he asked.

She ignored him. Walked over to Evan and kissed him. When she pulled back Ethan was no where to be found. She wasn't even aware of what she was doing.

"How are you?" Evan asked.

"Well I worked at 21 hour shift on my first day and I should be in bed but I can't sleep so…" she paused. "I'll crash tonight when I get home."

They sat and she rested her head on his shoulder. Closed her eyes.

"How'd your first shift go?"

"Ok actually. My partner Bob drove coz I don't know the area. I mainly just patched up cuts. A broken bone and suspected heart attack. Text book. Easy."

He snuggled her closer.

"When you next at work?"

"3 hours time." she mumbled.

Evan noticed the change in her straight away. Her breathing was slow and dep. Her body limp. He looked and her head was nestled on his shoulder. Eyes closed.

"Lexi." he whispered.

No response. She was very deeply asleep. He picked her up and carried her to her room. Turned on her alarm clock. Kissed her lips softly.

"Sleep tight. I'll call you."

He closed the door to her room and didn't hear her murmur I love you Ethan.

Evan had to talk to Dupe about their new business. But ran straight into Ethan in the hallway. They both decided to play it cool.

"Hello Ev, I never got the chance to greet you properly before."

He extended his hand. Evan took it and shook it curtly.

"You look good wherever you have been!" Evan said coldly.

"What's up with the attitude Evan? I try to be cordial and you give me attitude. When I actually I should be the one with the pissed off attitude!"

Evan frowned angrily. Looked at Lexi's door. "You left her!" and your child he added silently. The child was the reason for the attitude. "And now I have her. Jealous?"

"No, coz I know I could have her back anytime I want!" he goaded. "It's said that no woman ever fully gets over her first love."

"Is that a threat?" Evan asked.

"No it's a promise. Stay away from me and I'll stay away from you and Lexi!"

"Your deluding yourself Ethan if you think she'll go anywhere near you again. Not after what you did!"

"Hey I could still convince her. Soft words. Music. Maybe pull her in my arms and dance. Murmuring in her ear. I'd make it up to her. So BACK OFF Ev!" he warned.

The phone rang. They both went to pick it up.

"Go on then big shot!" Ethan said.

"Leopards Den Evan speaking." Evan said as he picked up the phone.

"Ok, you want a booking." Ethan went to get the book.

Evan grabbed the file off Ethan.

"2 weeks time. For 2 weeks. Yes that is just fine Mr Robinson."

"I'll just confirm then. A hut. 2 beds. For 2 weeks. We look forward to meeting you."

Evan out the phone down. "Peter Robinson. 2 weeks hut. He doesn't need picked up at the airport."

Ethan scribbled down the details "I'll input them in the computer too." Ethan said.

Evan went to walk away. "Take care of her better than I did Ev!" Ethan told him softly and walked into the study.

A/N oh ethan don't provoke evan like that! silly person. he is a good person tho saving a young boy in a fire at new zealand. aww bless him :) x

my apologies if i havent reviewed any1's stories in ages. i'm actually uploading pretyped chapters wen i have 5 minutes unbeliavably busy atm gt too much to do. i'm runnin out of chapters too with no time to type :( will try to get 2 the reviews 2moro afta uni x