Liv's POV

Okay, sneaking around Vern's place was not the easiest or nicest of tasks. The stench of decaying flesh consumed the usual pleasant air, and his equally vile troops marched around like robots following their masters every command.

Dupe had pointed to what seemed to be a dark cellar, the stench coming from that place was untrue, it was even worse than the one which already swallowed the air. The mixture of death and the stagnant bodily fluids of animals filled the air, as well as the disgusting aroma of off food.

"Down there…" Dupe whispered.

"It stinks!" I moaned, but Dupe just shook his head.

"Down there are the animals, we'll have to be quick, get our pictures and go!" He whispered, he nodded at me before making a run for it. As we hit the darkness, the overwhelming smells and sites knocked me back, my senses twitched and I felt sick. I felt my hand go to my mouth, the lack of fresh oxygen was slowly killing me, the deadly gases consuming us. I quickly took the pictures before running out, I coughed continuously for a while. Even Dupe looked white!

"That's bad man." Dupe sighed as we climbed back into the Jeep, "Poor things, don't tell Danny and Alice yet though, god help us all if they find out."

"But they are suffering Dupe!" I argued, but Dupe shook his head.

"Lets save Leopards Den first." He smiled, for once Dupe had some wisdom to his words, and so I reluctantly nodded and agreed as he drove into town.

Alice's POV

We were finally done, Danny was sat on one of the chairs looking down.

"Hey." I smiled softly, as I walked over.

"Hi." He replied, looking up and smiling a small pushed smile. I walked towards him and sat on his knee, his arms automatically wrapped around me, as I slid my arms around his neck.

"Danny, do you want me with Caroline? Like you know to be there?" I asked, sensitive to his feelings, maybe he'd want to speak to his elegant late mother in law alone.

"I want you there." He said quickly, his tone reminded me of a school boy. "Please Alice, don't leave me… especially not with Caroline!"

"I won't… so you ready?" I asked.

"No… I never will be. I can't tell her I forgot, but… well she's not exactly someone to talk to is she?" Danny sighed. "And I'll probably mess it up."

"You won't mess it up! And even if you do, I love you." I smiled, caressing his face with my hand.

"I know, I love you too." He replied before kissing me chastely. "Come on then, let's just get this over and done with."

"Yep." I replied standing up as Danny linked his arm through mine as we walked towards Leopards Den for a potentially deathly chat.

Dupe's POV

We'd got it. Dirt on Vern! This plan was working! Tomorrow we'd get a confession on record! Me and Liv make a team!

Oh, you don't know what we found do you? Sorry man!

Well, obviously we found the animals, but when we looked at his plans and the ones he put forward and his tax something or others, I dunno do I? Well, he's illegal and not paying for loads of his buildings, oh and Liv found he still has a ban in place forbidding him keeping animals of any kind. Even if he got out of it by saying the mistreated ones weren't his… he still had his four dogs.

"Right, what now?" Liv asked.

"We go home and act normal. It doesn't take this long to do fencing." I replied, realising that suspicions could arise.

"You are right! Tomorrow we'll sort it." Liv smiled, I patted her shoulder before making the familiar drive home.

Caroline's POV

I noticed Danny and Alice walking up arm in arm. They were headed in my direction. I sighed, of course, Danny well Danny and Alice wanted to talk to me.

I observed them slightly, they looked so in love. Even in these hard times, they were both putting on a brave face, supporting each other, helping one another through. Even in times when most people were breaking down they were somehow managing a smile. I can't say I believe they haven't broken down, but they'd hidden it well, and it was obvious with the amount of time they were spending in their room they were finding it tough.

"Caroline?" I heard Danny's northern accent float through the air.

"Yes?" I asked, putting down the book I had been reading.

"Erm, do you mind if we talk now?" Danny asked, signalling to the study. I noticed Alice give his hand a slight squeeze, that said it all, this wasn't going to be a leisurely chat.

"Sure." I replied, following them through. As we got into the study, Alice closed the door before standing behind Danny's chair leaning on it slightly.

"Listen Caroline, um… well… sorry." Danny mumbled as he struggled to find his words, I expected an awkward silence, but instead, as if by some form of magic, Alice picked him up.

"We know it's been hard for everyone, especially you with all this stuff with Leopards Den and Dupe." She paused now, she was good, she was clearly assessing the situation. "But Danny wants to talk to you about…" She cut off, Sarah. She obviously felt it wasn't her place to say it.

"Sarah." Danny finished. "Caroline, I know her resting place is on Leopards Den, it's where she belongs, and you know we just want to say, well…"

Danny was struggling I could see it, and Alice evidently could too. Her hands squeezed his shoulders and although she thought I couldn't see it, she was massaging his back with her thumbs.

"It's hard." I croaked, for goodness sake Caroline don't lose it! "but I understand. I just wish it wasn't this way. It's the hardest part, losing part of Sarah." I looked down. "But I really do understand if we do lose it. Because Danny, she always with us, right here." I signalled to my heart. Alice smiled symphetically at me. "And Alice, thank you… for everything you do. Not many people would stand and watch their fiancée speak about his late wife with his late mother in law." I felt a sadness arise, I know Sarah wouldn't have.

"It's fine, we just wanted to check you were coping okay." Alice grinned.

"Yes, well thank you again, now if you don't mind I really must help Nomsa." I lied, really I had to get out of there, I had to lock myself away and let all the unreleased tears fall. It ripped me apart, my beautiful daughter if it wasn't bad enough she's dead, I might lose her again, in her resting place, and all because of the man I love. The second dose of pain? Although I fully supported Danny and Alice, and loved Alice much as a daughter and Danny as a son, it still killed me at times to see them together, so strong. It hurts it's not Sarah standing there, and it hurts that Danny and Alice are better for each other than Danny and Sarah were. It kills me that Danny obviously loves Alice more… but at the same time I feel happiness for them. Its like a battle, every little part of my life tugging on the strings of my heart, the forces so strong, it feels like my heart should rip apart, but instead it just stretches to unbelievable pains.

Danny's POV

Alice and I had been left alone in the study. Alice had moved round to sit on my knee once more, I held her close to me, my arms were wrapped around her slender body, as my face rested on her shoulder, I closed my eyes savouring this precious moment, my heart was racing and my stomach held butterflies, it was just the effect Alice had on me.

Alice had her arms wrapped around me, as we manoeuvred so her head was resting on my shoulder, she smiled, as she stroked my chest lovingly, her feather touch sending sensations down every inch of my body.

"Well done Mr Trevanion… just one more and it's over… nearly." Alice said, she sighed, before whispering. "I'm so proud of you."

"I'm proud of you too." I replied, "I love you." My voice had become a whisper by this point. I felt Alice's face moving closer to mine, her lips began to devour my own as they worked in time with hers. Some people might argue it was wrong to kiss right now, but to me, it was the ultimate comfort. Alice's love, was the best thing she could ever give me, it was the only thing I truly cared about.

When we pulled away Alice smiled and grabbed my hands, she began to play with them as I watched her. I heard Dupe's jeep pull up.

"Give her a few minutes." Alice mumbled, sensing my tension… God, she was amazing.

Alice and I were lost, completely lost in our own world, Alice was still playing with my hands, as I pressed my lips to her cheek, but it was awoken as the door opened.

"Danny, Alice?" Liv came in and closed the door. "Can I talk to you?"

A/N - dum dum dum!

Sorry it wasn't that exciting, but oh well :') xx