Thabo sighed as he leant on the pen, admiring the zebra that had been brought in earlier that week with some form of leg injury. He was almost ready to release back into the wild; just three more days of antibiotics according to Danny. Thabo watched him as he moved around, nibbling at bits of hay as he continued in his normal care-free life. Thabo shook his head.

"Wish my life was as care-free as yours..." Thabo murmured to the zebra.

"Well, he does have lions to think about..."

Thabo spun round and blushed slightly as he saw Liv stood there. She smiled as she saw him and walked towards him, standing beside him and looking into the pen.

"He's getting better huh?" Liv said softly as the zebra wandered up to her, nosily trying to poke his nose through the wiring. She laughed and tickled his nose gently. "He's soft for a wild one."

"Danny said that." Thabo grinned, "He really is a character though... taken a distinct liking to Alice!"

"Really?" Liv laughed, "Why?"

"He stalks her... like seriously, whinnies when she comes in, then his eyes remain on her and moves in his pen so she's always like you know in his eyeline... it's seriously amusing!"

"I bet! Being stalked by a zebra!" Liv giggled.

"Yeh, I mean Danny tried to tell him to back off Alice is his but you know I don't think he's scared of Danny..." Thabo laughed and Liv once again giggled. It was then he realised the zebra was now interested in Liv. "Hey! You can stop looking at Liv too Mr Jack! She's mine! You little ladies man!"

Liv shook her head and rested her head on his upper arm. He laughed and kissed the top of her head gently – he wasn't going to let Evan come between them... no way!

(x)

Evan grunted as he downed the drink at the B&B in town. Since being barred from Fatani's he'd decided he'd buy the slightly more expensive stuff at the B&B. The small bar there was empty, Fatani had all the custom but at least he got served.

"Don't you think you've had enough?" The barman asked as Evan flung his eleventh bottle down clumsily.

"No." Evan replied resting his head on his arms as the barman handed him another unsure drink.

"Woah! Wait man!"

Max walked forward and pushed the drink away from Evan. He looked at the barman and handed him a letter.

"Came to Leopards Den instead of here, stupid postman..." He then looked at Evan, "Come on, let's get you home!"

"Home... Pfft." Evan grumbled before standing up, Max rolled his eyes as the pair made their way to the car Max was driving. Evan fell into it – Max bit his lip as he started the car and began to drive.

(x)

Alice was stood flicking through a magazine when Rosie walked into the kitchen. Danny was sat down feeding Daniel, having quick ten minutes with his son before he had to rush back to the animal hospital. Rosie noticed Alice looked down, yet her dad didn't seem to be bothered. She shook her head, Evan had definitely got the wrong end of the stick, whatever he'd done that warranted Alice grassing him up hadn't been revealed and it seemed unlikely that it would.

Rosie wandered over to Alice and began to cast her eyes over the magazine. Alice smiled at her and moved over slightly so she could join her in looking at it.

"Ah we falling asleep?" Danny asked Daniel, Alice turned round and smiled softly at Danny who stood up and began to walk into their room.

"Alice..." Rosie began as her father left the room.

"Yeh?" Alice replied as she flicked the page of the magazine.

"What happened with Evan?" Rosie asked her softly.

"Nothing." Alice replied immediately keeping her eyes well and truly fixed on the magazine. Rosie sighed.

"I knew you wouldn't have grassed him up to Dad..." Rosie murmured leaning on the side.

"What?" Alice asked standing up straight, "Of course I didn't... I don't want to tear them apart, if he has a problem with me then it should stick with me."

"I know that... Evan doesn't quite get it..." Rosie replied shaking her head.

"Can we talk about something other than Evan?" Alice asked in exasperation, "Every conversation has led to him today and to be honest as much as I love him there's only so much someone can take."

Rosie watched Alice walk away from her and across the room before leaning on a chair. Rosie knew that it had a double meaning... she wasn't just sick of hearing Evan, she was sick of Evan. Of course it was understandable, Alice should have been resting, getting her energy back and having fun with her newborn child... instead she was contending with stress and worry and a disgruntled stepson who blamed her for all his problems. Her and Thabo anyway.

"Ok... but Alice, we don't all share his views you know." Rosie admitted softly, her cheeks warmed slightly. Alice looked at her intently. "Me, Liv and Thabo, we all think a lot of you... you're always there for us and you've done a lot for us all and we love you for that... if Evan can't see what you've done for dad and the family then that's his problem..."

Alice's eyes filled, she gulped and nodded walking up to Rosie and wrapping her arms around her. Rosie smiled and hugged Alice back.

"Thank you..." Alice whispered, "It does mean a lot."

"So... me, you, shopping day in Jo'Burg... when?" Rosie asked laughing as Charlotte walked in to the kitchen and sat down.

"Soon! We really do need to go." Alice agreed as Danny walked back out, Daniel still in his arms.

"I can't put him down..." Danny admitted sheepishly as he and Alice sat down together. Alice sighed and nudged him gently. She looked across to Rosie and both shared a look before going back to what they were doing.