Danny watched Alice go. God this was getting out of hand! She was kicking off coz he wasn't eating! God she isn't his mother and he is perfectly capable of taking care of himself! He looked at his watch. 11oclock. They were an hour in front of Britain. He rang the number James gave him, and took a deep breath.

"Hello." a gravely voice answered.

Danny felt rage build at the sound of the voice.

"Hello." the voice repeated angrily.

"Hello." Danny finally said through clenched teeth. "I'm looking for Joshua Templey.

"Who wants to know?" the voice said insolently.

"Daniel Trevanion."

The man on the phone hissed. "What the hell do you want?"

Danny should have planned what he was going to say before he rang.

"Due to …." Danny searched for a word. "Unforeseen circumstances, I need your help."

Josh laughed. "What's the matter Alice not happy? I'll be happy to oblige!"

"Shut your fucking mouth!" he shouted.

Josh laughed again.

Danny reminded himself. This is for your daughter, think of Lexi. You need him for your little girl.

"Look Josh, you - Alice… She has a fifteen year old girl who isn't mine. Do you understand?"

"So." Josh said.

God he wanted him to say it. He was playing dumb deliberately.

"Look you have a daughter ok!" he yelled. "She's 15 years old and needs something only you can give her!"

Josh was silent. All Danny heard was soft breathing. "I have a child? With Alice?"

Danny felt sick hearing those words. He sounded happy. "Do you have a passport?"

"Yes." Josh replied.

"I'm gonna arrange a flight. You need to get here as soon as possible."

"Where am I coming?" Josh asked.

"A place called Leopards Den. Near Jo'burg in South Africa."

"South Africa, what you doing over there?"

"None of you business Josh!" Danny spat.

"I think it is if that's where my daughter is living!"

"Don't act like a doting father Josh, it doesn't suit you! I'll ring you later with the details!"

Danny put the phone down and breathed. Resisted the urge to hyperventilate. Right he had taken the first step. Now he had to sort flight tickets, he rang the airport and was sable to secure one ticket for tonight. He'd arrive 10 o'clock tomorrow morning the plane left at 11pm but he wasn't doing anything to make his life easier. If Danny had his was Josh would drop dead! He rang him.

"Your flight is at 11 o'clock tonight. The tickets will be at the airport waiting."

"Where will I be staying?" Josh asked.

"On our land in a guest hut." Danny replied dryly.

"My wife is coming too. She wants to meet the girl. What is her name?"

"Alexis Trevanion." he said proudly.

"That'll be changed."

"Don't count on it. You no-one to her. I'm her father, remember that!"

He then disconnected the call. Who was he to say that Lexi's name would be changed. over his dead body! He's her father. Not Josh. He stormed out of the hospital. Got into a truck and drove to Jo'burg. Looked for a gym. He need to burn off some of this restless energy inside him. He finally found one. Well it was more like a boxing club. He ran himself into the ground onto the treadmill and lifted weights that were to heavy for him. Then he hired gloves and boxed the hell out of a boxing bag. He threw punch after punch until his arms screamed with exertion. He put all his strength behind the punches and before long he couldn't lift his arms anymore. He leaned against the bag and caught his breath.

"Hey how about a sparring match?" a young black man with bulging muscles asked.

Danny looked at him like he was out of his mind.

"C'mon twinkle toes, I liked how you moved around the bag. For a tall man you quick and lithe."

Danny thought for a moment. He was about to say it couldn't hurt but it was bound to hurt a little. If it wore him out enough he might sleep tonight. He'd do it. "Sure" he found his energy renewed and adrenaline coursing through him. You never know, the kid might knock him out. Help get rid of this rage he felt.

They gave Danny protective head gear.

The boxer grinned at Danny. "Fresh meat!" he goaded. His trainer was whispering in his ear.

Danny bounced slightly on the balls of his feet. The walked to the middle of the ring and touched gloves. Then went back into their corners. The bell rang. They both circled the ring.

"I'll go easy on you twinkle toes." the boxer said smiling.

Danny was slightly hunched with his fists close to his face and his elbows in his ribs. The boxer jabbed him a few times. Danny got in a hit or two as well. They had got in the same amount of hits. The kid was acting like this was game which pissed Danny off. He could tell his opponent was getting bored quickly. His punches became quicker. Danny ducked and feinted. He got some punches in Danny's ribs but they didn't affect him. 10 seconds before the bell rang his opponent dropped his left fist from his face. Danny took his shot and punched him. He connected well. The boxer looked at him stunned. Danny grinned cockily, the bell rang and Danny took out his tooth guard and swished his mouth the water.

The bell rang again. The boxer came out determinedly this time. All fun was gone. His face was focused. He got in a couple of good punches. Danny felt them this time too. He got in a few at Danny's ribs and face.

"We can finish this now twinkle toes." the boxer suggested.

Danny uppercut him, it grazed him slightly as the boxer moved quickly.

"No?" his opponent replied. "Fair enough you asked for it! He gave Danny a couple of hard rib shots which caused the breath to whoosh form his lungs. Danny's fists dropped leaving his head unprotected. There boxer gave him a left and then a hard right.

"Say night night twinkle toes!" he said before he connected.

Danny saw stars and felt himself hit the deck. He felt nothing more.

"Hey twinkle toes." the boxer asked peering over him.

"Oarrrrr, who pummelled me?" Danny asked. "I feel like I've been 10 rounds with Mike Tyson!"

The boxer scoffed. "He's rubbish, you wanna talk hard men, lets talk Ali!"

Danny sat up. Shook his head. "How long was I out?"

"A minute or two."

Danny rubbed his jaw. "You got a mean right hook!"

The boxer grinned. "You should come back. Spar with me again. You surprised me!"

"I might. I'll bring my son too. He'll kick your ass!" Danny said proudly.

"I have no doubt! See ya twinkle toes." the boxer walked away and started taking his gloves off.

"Hey kid what's your name?" Danny asked, pulling at his own gloves.

"Thabo." he replied.

"I'm Danny."

"See ya Danny."

Danny left the gym feeling like an old man. That kid had talent. Or he was just too easy to beat. Probably a combination of both. One thing for sure he was never boxing again. He'd bring Ethan down though. Get him trained up. Might teach him some discipline. He'd get a kick out of that and give him something to channel all that excess energy into. He drove home. Eased himself out of the car. God he really shouldn't have boxed. What were you thinking you're a 30 year old man not a teenager. Try telling his body that though! He walked into the house and straight into the kitchen. Got some ice cubes and put them in a tea towel. Then walked down to his surgery. He'd neglected that today. He found Alice with the clipboard checking the animals.

"Your stitches are looking great. Home for you soon I think." she said to the dog he operated on in her musical tenor. She saw his reflection in the metal refrigerator which was opposite her.

"So your home I half expected you not to come back. You threatened to leave before. This time I figured you just went! Just like you to do a runner when the going gets tough! What's the saying? When the going gets tough Danny gets going! Wouldn't have been the first time you left me, your family." she scribbled on the clipboard.

Danny ignored her tirade. She spun and looked at him. Saw him holding the tea towel to his jaw.

She frowned worriedly. Her anger forgotten. "What happened to your face Danny?"

"Nothing." he said softly.

She walked over and out her hand over the one holding the tea towel. Moved it away from his jaw. Saw a small red bruise on his jaw. Her small hand rested over it. He winced. Then he closed his hand as her soft touch. Her hand was rested on his cheek. He savoured the contact. She brought her lips to his and they shared a kiss. It was a soft tender kiss, full of emotion and love. With a touch of restrained passion.

"Alice you make me weak." he admitted in a soft murmur.

"Danny." Alice asked.

"Mmm hmmm." he replied nuzzling her neck.

"What's up with Lexi. Tell me what's wrong?"

He froze. "Get off me Alice. that's not funny. How far were you willing to let it go for me to tell you?" he asked in disgust.

"I have a right to know she's my daughter!"

"And I can't tell you Alice. Nothing you say or do will convince me to change my mind. So leave me alone Alice!"

"Danny I want us to be happy but we can't if your keeping secrets from me. This is going to destroy us if you don't tell me!"

"Alice please believe me this is for your own good!"

"My own…my own good? How is withholding information regarding my daughters health good for me?" she yelled.

"It just is!" he answered calmly.

"So that's how it is? Your willing to let this split us up. Coz I'm leaving if you don't tell me!"

He froze stared at her. Alice please don't do this. I CAN'T tell you!"

"If your keeping secrets then I refuse to be with you so tell me Danny!"

Danny took a deep breath. Exhaled. Looked at her and shook his head stiffly.

She stiffened her back so it was ramrod straight. "Fine then Danny. It's over. We're over!" she said quickly and walked from the hospital.

The words reverberated round his brain.

"Breathe Danny!" he murmured to himself. "Slow breathes!"

He took slow deep breaths, then it hit him. He hadn't warned her about their visitor tomorrow he walked out of the hospital towards the house. Jogged up the stairs towards his bedroom. Passed Lexi's on the ay. Her door was open she looked at him when he passed, the look on her face was one of sadness. Ethan was sat with her. He glared at him. His face was full of emotion. It looked like hate. He got up and slammed the door. He reached his bedroom. Alice was sat in their room. Her shoulders shook slightly she was bent over a picture.

"Alice." he said softly.

"What do you want?" she asked her back to him. She didn't turn to look at him.

"Just to tell you that…. A visitor will be arriving tomorrow. He'll be at Jo'burg airport at 10 o'clock."

Alice froze. She was so stiff she looked like she was going to break.

"Is that ALL you have to say?" she asked coldly.

"Yes."

"Then get the hell away from me! Actually no answer me one question. I wanna know why you feel the need to hurt your family this way. Tear us apart!"

"If I could…"

"Cut that bullshit excuse Danny coz it's getting old!" she screamed in anger.

"I don't want this to break us." he said calmly.

"This isn't breaking us. YOU are. I'm not the one keeping secrets and telling lies!"

He go angry at that last comment. "Yeah well who tried to manipulate information out of me huh? He retorted.

"What like you've never manipulated a situation before. Maybe I learned from you!"

Danny opened his mouth to reply then shut it.

"I'll leave you alone!" he said through clenched teeth. "One of us has to be an adult and think of our kids. The 3 of them don't need to hear this. And stress isn't good for little man!" he went to leave the room.

"Don't even dare use my kids against me!" she warned.

"Why not? Your using Lexi against me at every opportunity. All hear is how she's your daughter. You used to say ours! So if you can use them so will I!"

Alice felt her anger rise. It built and built. Demanded to be released she opened her mouth and the words tumbled out before she could stop them. "Well she isn't your daughter is she!" Alice covered her mouth with her hand in shock. Her eyes were wide.

Danny took a step back like she'd physically hit him. His breathing was ragged and his eyes were glistening his brow furrowed. He swallowed.

"Nice to know you feel that way. It only took you 10 years to tell me. Why didn't you just tell me at the beginning, or was I a convenient daddy for her? I've got a comeback one that will hurt you as much as you hurt me but I'm not gonna say it. You see I LOVE you! And because it isn't true!"

His comeback was she was driving him away so he missed the beginning of his sons life like he did Lexi. He wouldn't say that to her. He knew it wasn't true.

"That hurt Alice. But I'm happy I know the truth now. Remember Josh 10am. I'll be here to deal with him. It might be best if you get out of the house. Go shopping or something." he said softly.

"Danny wait…" she said

He'd already left the room.

"I'm so sorry honey!" she whispered to the empty room.

God why had she aid that? Why did she have to hurt him like that? She buried her face into her pillow.

(X)

Danny left the house and walked blindly. He felt such conflicting emotions through his body. The only thing stopping him from cracking up and laughing hysterically was the fact that inside his heart was breaking. God she knew how to get him. How to hurt him. How to destroy his soul! That was way below the belt. He loved her so much and she flung Lexi's parentage at him. She knew how much Lexi meant to him. How the fact that he wasn't her biological father didn't matter to him. It never had. He came up to some trees and wondered how he got there. He turned back towards the house. He was definitely cracking up. Going out of his mind. This thing was tearing his family apart, not to mention his sanity. He couldn't tell anyone though. Not Alice or the kids, he was alone! He arrived the house and sat on the veranda with his head in his hands. He felt like if his heart pumped any harder it would explode. But then again who cares about blood pressure when the most important people in your life, the people you love more than anything can't stand the sight of you!