The day of Rowan's funeral

Danny looked across to Alice from the other side of the room as he fastened his cufflinks. He sighed as he saw her perched on the end of bed just staring the floor. He put it tie down on the bed before climbing over it to reach her. He was beside her in a moment and wrapped his arms around her. Alice let out a heavy breath before sliding her arms around him, holding him tightly. She turned into his chest slightly, closing her eyes tightly shut. Danny murmured sweet nothings into her ear, kissing her every now then softly in her hair.

"Where's your tie?" She eventually mumbled not moving from his embrace.

"On the bed." Danny murmured back, "You ready?"

Alice nodded as she slid their arms away from one another. Alice felt lost for a few moments, she wanted to rush back into his arms but she couldn't. Danny had the same internal battle as he placed his tie on. Both stood up together, Alice turning to face Danny.

"Alice... I know today is going to be... well." Danny paused. "Hard for you. But I'm here, ok? Just remember that. I'm with you every step of the way!"

Alice nodded as she straightened out his tie. He rolled his eyes and stopped her fiddling by kissing her gently before taking her hand and leading her out. Dupe, Caroline, Nomsa, Evan, Olivia and Thabo were already at the kitchen table. All dressed in the same morbid colour that was black. They all gave Alice a look of sympathy before turning back to their hushed conversations.

(X)

"Matt." Zoe gave him a look as he searched everywhere for the Jeep keys.

"It's not my fault!" Matt argued.

"Well it sure as hell isn't mine." She said dryly, bitterness in her tone as she looked at her crutches.

"Got them!" Matt smiled jingling them. Zoe smiled at him and stood up. He was by her side in an instant. He looked at her as they walked out slowly.

"You sure you are ok to do this?" Matt pestered.

"I'm fine."

Matt sighed before nodding, he wasn't going to argue with her, not today. He knew the truth. Of course was finding hard. Who wouldn't?

(x)

Zoe and Matt soon arrived to the miserable atmosphere that was hanging around Leopards Den. She was getting a lot swifter on her crutches and was out of the Jeep before Matt could even get round to the other side. He shook his head at her before walking slowly beside her. As they ascended the stairs, Zoe saw Vanessa stood on the veranda.

"Go inside." Zoe said softly, Matt nodded squeezing her hand before walking inside. Zoe timidly made her way over, she came to rest on the table that was situated near Vanessa. "You ok? Well..."

"It's hard... I mean, at least he's gonna be in the bush, on Mara land. I'm grateful to Peter for that." Vanessa smiled. It was true. Peter had agreed almost straight away for Rowan to be buried in the place he loved most. Peter, though no one had seen much of him, was a changed man.

"I understand. But hey, you're not alone remember. We're all here." Zoe smiled, she was about to hobble off when Vanessa called her name. Zoe turned round.

"Will you... I know this is something you might not want to do but... how would you feel... about... singing? If you're up to it." Vanessa asked.

"What song?" Zoe asked.

"Faith Hill...there you'll be?" Vanessa questioned.

"Sorted." Zoe smiled, "Though I can't promise I'll finish it."

"Thank you." Vanessa smiled, Zoe nodded softly before walking inside to Leopards Den. She saw Lyndon and Sam sat at the table in their small black suits. Georgia and Petal were in two beautiful floral dresses. Danny was stood beside Alice, looking smart in his suit. Dupe too, dressed in black as he stood beside Caroline.

"You ok Zoe?" Charlotte asked, she was stood next to Olivia. Charlotte was wearing a red and black dress, Olivia a blue and black dress.

"Yeh..." Zoe nodded, Matt walked over to her and put his arm over her shoulder.

"What you doing?" He murmured in her ear.

"Singing." Zoe replied quietly.

"What?" He squeaked. Everyone turned to face them.

"Matt." Zoe said giving him a look that told him a number of words!

"Sorry." He mumbled, "Over protective?"

"You got it in one." She laughed. She looked across to Alice, she seemed quiet. Danny had his arm around her back, she was leant into him. She smiled at her step sister softly. Alice smiled back, though it was obviously forced.

"Right time to go." Danny murmured. "Come on."

The family began to file out slowly, Danny, Alice, Zoe and Matt were all still stood in the kitchen.

"Go ahead." Zoe smiled at Matt, "Sam will be causing mayhem!"

Danny looked down at Alice, he questioned her with his eyes, Alice nodded, he kissed her gently.

"I'll wait til you're in." Danny murmured walking out with Matt.

Zoe looked at Alice from where she was stood. Alice's eyes caught hers. Both sighed.

"This is gonna be hard." Alice murmured as Zoe made her way over to her.

"I know." Zoe replied quietly. "I dunno if I'll be able to sing."

"He'd like that though, you trying..." Alice said softly.

Zoe nodded, Alice was looking down.

"There's so much..." Alice began, Zoe looked up and saw Alice's face screw up slightly as emotion hit her. Zoe bit her lips and sniffed slightly, suddenly both were locked in one another's embrace.

"We can do this." Zoe mumbled, "Come on. Collins spirit!"

Alice nodded as both walked out, they squeezed one another's hands before heading to their separate Jeeps. This was not going to be easy.

A/N – bit of a filler.