Chapter 2.
Regan and Jodi slowly walked towards the door of Stevie's bedroom, seeing it slightly open. Pressing her finger quickly onto her lips, Regan looked over her shoulder to give Jodi the sign to be quiet. Through the small opening she saw Stevie twirl in front of her mirror, breathing in deeply as she gazed at her own image. A quick look on the framed picture on her night table made her shift unsure. 'Someone's looking great', Regan suddenly let out with a big smile, pushing the door open.

Startled Stevie held her hand on her chest and gazed at the two women who entered her room. 'You think it's too much?', she asked after a consoling breath.

'Of course not, you look great', Jodi answered, quickly making her way to the bed to sit down, earning Stevie's approving amused smile.

Staring back into the mirror, seeing Regan's face show all approval behind her, she tucked at her violet top. Her short denim skirt underneath showed her fine figure. Brushing over it she stared down. 'It's the first time I wear this, since ...', her voice dropped, only to realize the last time had been during a night out with Alex.

'You look fine Stevie', Regan interrupted her memory, squeezing her shoulder gently. 'Russ will love this'.

'Not sure if I want Russ to love it.'

'I thought it was just a night out, as friends?', Jodi smirked a bit.

Stevie rose on her feet, breathing in deeply. For a moment turning her face towards Jodi; 'I just ... it's just a drink. No official date, but ... he won't wait forever.'

'So you do like him that much', Regan stated amused, quickly licking her lips as she folded her arms across her chest.

Stevie turned around, looking at one of her best mates. 'He's a good guy.'

'And?', the dark haired woman asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

'Attractive okay, he's attractive ...', she sighed. Pulling her lips together her gaze fell back onto the framed image.

'But he isn't Alex ...', Jodi added to her words, following her friend's gaze towards the photo.

Stevie gave her a look, pressing her lips tightly onto each other. That, and the look in her eyes was enough of an answer.

'Doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a chance Stevie', Regan told her, seeing how another deep breathe left her friend's tense body.

'I know', she replied, brushing her red curls back, which hung loosely over her shoulders. 'Alex wouldn't want me to stay alone'. Shortly she gave Regan an intense look through the mirror. 'But is it fair towards Russ?' Breathing in deeply, her hand moved towards her chest, still searching for some sign, for courage she was doing the right thing. It was something that came automatically and unconscious.

She and Xander would be all right, right?

Jodi and Regan exchanged looks. 'Stevie .. you never know unless you try', Regan finally let out.

The blonde McLeod shifted on the bed; 'and like you said, Alex would want you to move on. At least be with someone who is good to you'.

'And Russ knows where you're coming from', Regan quickly added, seeing how their words made sense to Stevie.

'Right', she pressed her lips into a smile, letting her eyes fall over her reflection in the mirror. She looked good. Russ would think she looked good, and God she needed that male attention.

'By the way, we have something for you', Jodi now let out pleased, catching Stevie out of her inner struggle. Instantly Regan glared at her, which made the blonde shrug her shoulders not getting what Regan was pointing at, so she focused as quickly on Stevie who gave her an asking look. Smiling she lifted the little shiny piece out of her pocket. 'We found something'. Opening her hand, showing the ring in her palm Stevie immediately fell into a big aww. Eyes wide open, a mouth searching for air, for words. 'My wedding ring ...', she finally managed to let out as her fingers circled over her chest, her left hand reaching out for the found item.

A weak feeling took over, emotions welling up, making her eyes teary as she felt the ring between her fingers, holding it to see every little detail. 'It's untouched', she spoke out, seeing it shine like never before. Regan's eyes followed her friend's moves.

'We just found it in the paddock, Jodi cleaned it. We're still looking for the other', she stated.

Stevie turned, facing her, and Regan was taken by the gleam in her friend's brown eyes. 'It's great', she muffled out, taking a deep breath to calm down. 'Thanks Jodes', she now quickly threw to her left. Before she knew it she had slipped it onto her finger, wondering if it still felt the same. Her fingers separated up into the air, making it so clearly visible.

Her friends looked at each other once more. Regan doubting if it was the smart thing to give it to her right now, to even have found it. It obviously sucked Stevie back into her memories, memories that would hold her back. But Jodi gave her a weak smile, and she knew they couldn't have hold it back any longer. It made them for now oblivious for Stevie's struggle, trying to get the ring off her finger.

'It's stuck'.