(Time jump - it's the next morning at breakfast)

Alice's POV

The tension in this room was like the smell you get when Dupe walks past if he's missed out on his yearly bath… it lingered, stagment in the air, catching on each particle. It was a bit like an oil spillage, spilt into the air, extreme caution needed around it, as any naked flame could set the tension alight. The atomsphere at Leopards Den? Well in case you hadn't guessed it's hardly great. Dinner last night had been, silent. Only the clatter of cutlery, and odd request of passing the salt could be heard. No body looked to one another, as their heads dipped deeper into their meal. If Dupe had got any closer to his food, it would have been in his face.

So it's breakfast now and times are no better, no they are worse, because people are actually talking, and that is the danger, they are the naked flame that could trigger the explosion… a ticking time bomb as Danny put it last night as we lay in bed, thinking about the day, and Dupe and Liv's explanation of Vern's offer.

"Anders…" Caroline's elegant and so typically English voice cut the air.

"Caroline." He replied, it was almost snidy… god, what happened to the days when Danny and I used to think if we'd be like that when we were older? I know we'd certainly not like to be like em now!

"Do you have to have that attitude?" She spat, "All I want is the water if it's not to much hassle to move."

I glanced uneasily at Danny who shot me back an equally awkward look. Charlotte also looked to me, I nodded that she could leave as Liv followed. Nomsa had already finished and was out sorting the guest huts. That left Danny, me, Dupe and Caroline.

"No it's not too much hassle to bloody move! You want everything Caroline! Do you realise what me and Liv are doing to try and save this place?" He yelled.

"Oh so you've dragged my granddaughter into this mess!" She spat.

"Please!" Danny interrupted.

"No man! We have been slogging our guts out trying to save this place! I'm doing it for her, not that she cares!"

"You never tell me anything any more, what's happened to you Anders?" Caroline's voice broke and with that she literally ran off. I looked at Danny, and then to Dupe. Danny and Dupe began to stand but I put my hands up.

"Let me go, but you DuPlessis, need to consider your wife's feelings. I do recall you once called me, said I had the people skills of a warthog? I think you need to look closer to home Dupe."

I ran after Caroline. She needed someone to talk to her. I know she's righteous, and very erm… traditional, is that the word? But behind that elegance and grace, she is just as human as you and me (unless you're a monster?) and everyone needs to spill their heart out at some time.

Danny's POV

"She's got a point." I said to Dupe.

"Ach, you should teach your woman to keep her mouth shut!" Dupe spat back. I literally growled. My woman? Her name was Alice, and keep her mouth shut? Why the hell should she, she had a point.

"So should you, oh, and her name is Alice, so use it! At the end of the day Dupe, you only want her to keep quiet because she voices your wrongs that everyone else is thinking!" Dupe went to argue but I just shook my head. "Maybe you should be more considerate about your woman eh Dupe?"

"I'm sorry man." Dupe added, but I was disgusted with him, it wasn't just Alice, although that got me angry, it was the fact he could do this to his wife, the family… it frustrated me!

I looked down to see Alice talking to Caroline… god it actually looked like Caroline was spilling. I smiled, Alice was so amazing! She caught my glance and winked as Caroline wiped her eyes. I felt my grin beam. She was incredible!

Carolines POV

"Caroline!" I turned round forgetting about my tears, Alice was running up to me.

"Alice, I'm sorry." I mumbled, wiping my eyes but Alice just smiled, and rubbed my shoulder.

"Hey, no need to apologize." She smiled.

I needed to tell someone and Alice was here, comforting me. She didn't have to but she did. She was fantastic really. So caring for everyone, perfect for Danny, although that sometimes hurt, and just generally inspirational. I don't know much of her history, I guess that's something only she and Danny know about, but the bits I do know, well it shocks me how she's turned out how she has. Must be the old 'Collins spirit' she often uses as an excuse when shes up to no good.

"He's so exasperating Alice!" I sighed sitting down on a bench.

"Can't disagree." Alice smiled. "But you know he loves you."

"It doesn't feel like it used to." I sadly whispered, I felt Alice's hand nervously rub my arm.

"It's a hard time for us all, he just… he needs you Caroline. You know, when you weren't here, when I first came, he was different. He was distraught when he learnt you weren't coming back, and when he left, well it shocked me. I hadn't expected Anders DuPlessis to be a lover! But he adores you Caroline." She spoke with such genuine tones, she looked into my eyes - truth. That was the one thing I could safely say about Alice, she was truthful, and it was proven by the fact she always looks in your eyes when shes telling the truth.

"But what can I do for him?" I asked, wiping my eyes , I noticed Alice look to the veranda.

"Just be there." Alice smiled.

"Thank you Alice." I grinned hugging her, she hugged me back.

"You're welcome." She replied. "Agony Alice at your service."

I couldn't help but laugh at her, she was daft at times, but it was these little comments that made you laugh when you were down. As we stood up I saw Danny leaning on the veranda, no wonder she'd looked up, Danny had been there, wearing his natural lovestruck grin and puppy eyes he had every time he saw Alice. I glanced at Alice, she was smiling almost naturally when she saw him, and her eyes, wow,they were filled with such love! Their brilliant blue colour glistened as the light caught them.

"All okay?" Danny asked as we finally approached.

"Aye aye!" Alice laughed, smiling at me.

"Everything's fine. Thank you again." I smiled before leaving them to it.

Alice's POV

When Caroline was safely out of site, Danny took me in his arms and kissed me deeply as my arms fell around his back.

"Hmm, and what was that for?" I teased.

"You deserve a medal dear! Caroline open up to anyone? Never been known!" He replied sarcastically.

"Well well… this is me we are talking about!" I winked.

"Aww, you're my little agony aunt! Agony Alice!" He teased.

I looked up at him, and his green eyes caught me, trapping me like a net trapping a fish.

"Why do you need a one to one?" I smirked.

"Yes, I'm having such problems!" He played along, before giving me that look, that look which always made my knees melt, always got him what he wanted!

"I'll book you an appointment?" I said pretending to get a diary.

"I think now's a better time." He mumbled, wrapping his arms around me and crashing his lips against mine… my resistance? Non existent!

A/N - Baduum

Next chapter you find out Danice's descion on Verns offer - will they accept, decline or find a way?

;') xx