(The next day)

It had taken Danny some time to persuade Alice to go home and rest, never mind for her to have her wounds sorted out. Eventually though she'd agreed, and together they'd made their way back to Leopards Den with the news that they had. They'd been unable to find anything on Rowan. The receptionist was new and in subtler words than Alice's useless. Vanessa had returned to Mara with just a broken arm and a slight head injury. She'd been lucky, protected by Rowan.

"Alice." Danny said stopping her outside the hospital and taking both her hands. "Don't internalise or push me away if... what I'm trying to say is... I'm here for you. Use me."

Alice was speechless for a moment as she thought about his words. It's true, she probably would have pushed him away in fear of using him. Trying to be superwoman. She nodded and squeezed his hands gently.

"Thanks Danny." She smiled softly. She sighed and looked to the doors of the hospital. Beyond those doors lay two people she loved. One of which she didn't have any information on.

"You ready?" Danny asked. She nodded, keeping hold of one of his hands as they walked forward to the information desk. "Rowan first?" Danny asked looking down at Alice.

"Yeh." Alice replied as they came to the desk, she receptionist turned to them. "Hey, erm, my brother Rowan Collins was rushed here after the collapse of the building at the game reserve?"

"Erm... I'll get the doctor to come see you. If you could go to the waiting room."

Danny and Alice nodded and walked off, hands clasped tightly together. Matt was sat in the waiting room. He looked knackered, his face weary, the proven evidence of a sleepless and restless night.

"Matt, any news?" Danny asked.

"She came through surgery. She's in the critical twenty four hours." Matt replied. "Rowan?"

"We've to wait here for a doctor." Alice replied.

Matt nodded watching as Danny and Alice sat down. His mind drifted to Sam.

"How's Sam?" Matt asked.

"He's fine... was asking for you and Zoe but we just made up that you were out in the bush." Danny admitted, "He accepted it."

"Thanks." Matt replied.

Suddenly the waiting room door opened. All three people were in shock as they realised who the man walking through the door was.

"What do you want?" Danny asked angrily standing up, Alice reached up, placing her hand at the bottom of his back.

"I wanted to know if you're all ok... any news." Peter admitted uncomfortably.

Danny grunted and sat back down as Alice pulled on his jacket gently, however, she still disregarded Peter. Matt too ignored him, leaving the businessman stood awkwardly.

"You're not welcome." Matt finally said.

"I care." Peter sighed.

"Get out of here." Matt insisted.

"Why?"

"Go." Danny said standing up.

Peter looked at him menacingly. He was tempted, highly tempted to put Danny to the test. Family man, loving husband, the protector of his precious family! He looked around then thought better of it, stalking off moodily.

"Sit down Danny." Alice whispered looking up at him.

Danny did so, a frown set on his features. Truth was, he blamed Peter for what happened, to both Zoe and Alice. Alice still hadn't told him about those cuts, she'd been too upset and tired last night. He'd literally had to force her into bed, then she'd fell asleep wrapped up in his arms.

Alice was fiddling with Danny's fingers as he watched her, she had a distant look as she thought about what could happen. She thought about her and Danny. Lyndon and Charlotte. Olivia, Evan, Rosie. Thabo, Max. Dupe, Caroline, Nomsa. She sighed and gently pulled Danny's left hand to her lips, kissing it gently.

Danny was about to let her know how much the gesture meant to him when Zoe's doctor walked in. Matt stood up full of anticipation.

"Zoe's doing very well. You can go see her now. Two at a time maximum."

"You first Matt." Alice said as Matt looked to her and Danny. "We have to wait for the other doctor anyways."

"Ok." Matt smiled, leaving the room. "So, is she going to be ok?"

"Well, she's not out of the water yet but she's got a very good chance. Just no planning sky diving anytime soon." The doctor smiled.

"How about a wedding?" Matt asked quietly.

"You should use that to help her get better. Patients always respond better when they have something to look forward to." The doctor admitted.

"That's why I didn't ask for a deathbed wedding. We both discussed it a while back..." Matt admitted.

"Nice thinking." The doctor replied. "Anyway, I'll leave you be."

Matt shook his hand before walking in.

Meanwhile, Danny and Alice were awaiting the doctor. Another family had joined them in there. Two adults having a blazing row, three kids running round worse than some of the animals on Leopards Den and a distraught elderly man who was telling them to stop it.

"Awkward." Danny murmured in Alice's ear.

"Doesn't matter." Alice replied leaning into him gently. She grabbed his hand that was over her shoulder. She smiled as she rubbed his wedding ring tenderly.

"Best day of my life." Danny smiled.

"Mine too." Alice replied. "Bar the usuals."

"Lyndon, Charlotte and for me Rosie." Danny replied smiling.

"Hmm..." Alice replied. "I wonder where this doctor is. God, Danny I hope Rowan's ok."

"Want me to go pester?" Danny asked her.

"No, no... we'll give him some time." Alice said. "But, he's my brother Danny... what if..." She stopped and buried her face in Danny's chest.

"Hey, ssh, we don't know that for sure yet." Danny said hopefully, he stroked her hair softly. She nodded against his chest.

Their moment was broken by the opening of a door. A doctor unbeknown to them walked forward. Well they thought he was a doctor. Seemed very well dressed...

"Erm, are you the couple here for Rowan Collins?" The doctor asked.

"Yes." Alice replied as she and Danny stood up.

"Follow me." The man said. They did so. Alice presumed they were on their way to Rowan's room, where he'd be recovering. She had so much to tell him.

"What?" Danny asked as the man stopped, opening the door to a tiny white room.

Alice looked up at Danny then to the doctor, fear flashing in her eyes as realisation hit her. She pulled Danny forward gently, both sat down opposite the doctor.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you that Rowan died on his way here. He'd suffered a severe head trauma and many severe breaks as well as internal bleeding. We're so sorry."

"No!" Alice cried. "No!" She insisted as tears began to fall. Danny pulled her into his embrace as she wrapped her arms tightly around him. Crying into his chest. Danny rested his lower face in her hair as a few tears trickled down his cheeks.

"I'll leave you a few moments." The doctor softly told them.

"I'm so sorry Alice." Danny murmured in his broken voice.

"Not Rowan Danny! No! Just... not my brother. Why?" Alice sobbed. Danny held her as tight as he could, his heart breaking for her as she cried in his arms.

A/N – I killed Rowan off :'(

How mean am I?