Disclaimer: I don't own McLeod's Daughters. This is still my first sory, so I'd be glad if you would help me improve my writing. Please be kind, though.

Chapter 4

Meanwhile, Stevie and Rose arrived at Claire's grave. Since Rose wanted to talk to 'aunty Claire', Stevie left her and went a bit further to the side in the shadows of some trees, hoping Alex would come soon. Now she realized how parched she was. It didn't whether they would just sit here and drink a beer or if she could get a cold one from the fridge of Drovers. Or some water. She had even thought about going down to the damn. She needed some liquid and fast. She started feeling dizzy. But she didn't want to worry Rose. Rose was worried enough as it was, and it felt like she had failed her daughter. Because daughters shouldn't have to worry about their mothers. Especially not in their teenage years.

At Drover's main house, Tess, Kate and Jodi prepared a party. Since they were sure, Stevie and Rose would actually talk to one another this time. They wanted Rose to know that Drover's Run has her home if she so chose. Except for Nick they hadn't invited anyone else. But then again, the Ryan's were practically family. Even though Nick and Tess were still at a stalemate, they still were friends. And Nick knew only Stevie might get Alex to open up. Plus, he guessed Rose hoped there was something between Stevie and Alex. So he came to welcome Rose to their makeshift family. Even though not every one of their makeshift family would meet Stevie's girl, for now, they wanted to make sure Rose knew she was a welcome addition.

Alex wasn't sure how long it had been since Stevie and Rose left. He knew he was faster with his bike, but he didn't want them to wait. Yet, he needed that time to think. Rose's comments were swirling through his mind and just as Rose had needed that morning. Now he had needed some time away from his best mate and her daughter. So, he took off on the bike to the gravesite. What he found there shocked him.

Rose was talking to Claire's grave. She wanted to tell her that she now knew the truth. Claire had been so close to her mom and she had very fond memories of 'aunty Claire' playing tea party with her, telling her she used to do that with her sister until she had left. Claire's hard exterior, which she undoubtedly needed to protect herself, wasn't what Rose remembered. No, she remembered that Claire was the one teaching her, how to ride safely that afternoon. Right after the aforementioned tea party. Michelle had been so angry. Had screamed that Rose was too young to learn how to ride, that Stevie and Claire were irresponsible in teaching her. She remembered now. Stevie had left her with Claire, and Claire had taught her. Today she could imagine what Stevie had told Michelle, maybe even with what she had threatened her with.

Honestly, the birthday party had not had many guests, only Stevie, Claire, Alex, who came in shortly. And her grandparents had been there before Stevie turned up. Knowing what she knew now, she could think of several reasons why Claire wouldn't have let Stevie stay alone.

Rose turned around, calling out to Stevie." Mom? Mom?" But she didn't react. After searching the area she found Stevie close by in the shadows of the trees. Unconcious. She started screaming for help and fortunately, Alex just came into view.

Alex point of view:

I came closer to the gravesite, yet nobody was there. I wanted to drive further to Drovers, knowing that would probably be where they'd be when I heard screaming. What I saw shocked me. Rose, in tears, whining, screaming and in near panic while Stevie was lying still next to her. From where I stood, it seemed as if she was dead. I hoped I was wrong. It would be so unfair to Rose. They had both just found each other again, and losing her mom so soon after reuniting with her might just destroy Rose. In a second, I was there. I knew Rose wouldn't want to leave her mom, yet I needed her gone if it turned out to be the worst possible scenario. She shouldn't have to see her mom helpless like that. Plus, I worried for her as well.

When I arrived by Rose's side I reached for Stevie's arm, feeling a pulse. It was there, even if it was faint. Next, I checked her breathing. Rose had been in such a panic I couldn't get her to tell me if she had already checked it or if she just expected the worst. Stevie's breathing was ok. It was regular. So there was no problem there.

Rose's point of view:

I couldn't believe him. He hadn't looked after mom. And now it seemed like she was dead. Or wasn't she. I screamed as loud as I could, hoping he would hear me, hoping he was close, really hoping anyone would listen to my cry. Alex heard. By the time he arrived, I was in full panic mode. But I grew angry. So very angry. I had asked him to take mom inside. To take her out of the heat, and he hadn't come. I felt lost. Lost in my fear, in my anger, maybe even in jealousy 'cause he and aunt Claire had so much time with mom, and I didn't seem to get any. Alex tried reaching out to me, but I wouldn't I couldn't answer him. I thought it was his fault and mine. Self-doubt crept into my mind. If you hadn't insisted on seeing your Claire's grave, her mom would have been inside, probably in Drover's living room or in the shade of the veranda ages ago, was what doubt whispered in her mind. Again and again. And while it was a whisper the first few times it grew in intensity and volume until it was a shout in her head. She felt her thoughts swirling, her mother telling her it was her fault and that one sentence over and over again shattered her.

Rose broke down. Finally, it had just been too much.

Back in the main house:

Everyone began to worry that either Alex or Rose and Stevie hadn't turned up yet.

So they started forming groups to search for them. Kate and Jodi went to the fence line on Skinny Jim's. Tess wanted to ride to the shed and afterwards to Claire's grave. Nick was going to Killarney to get the helicopter. It was clear that if Kate, Jodi and Tess hadn't found them by the time Nick returned, they'd need the chopper. Guessing, they might also need water and maybe even something to eat the girls packed snacks.

Meanwhile, under the trees closest to the gravesite: Alex was trying to comfort Rose while making sure Stevie wouldn't take a turn for the worst. Stevie was still unconscious, but her eyes had fluttered a little. Alex took that as a good sign. Rose was inconsolable, believing it was her fault, yet taking her anger out on Alex. She screamed, shouted and swore at Alex. "This is Your fault, Alex. I Told You You should come directly behind us and bring mom inside, but You didn't come. You took Your time. If something happens to mom, I will hold You responsible. "

With that last sentence, Alex' patience was gone. He tried to hold his tongue, but he couldn't. Not anymore. He cared for Rose a lot, and the moment he saw her panicking over an unconscious Stevie, he realized he had fallen in love with Stevie somewhere down the track from Claire's funeral to today. He shouted back: " Don't You think I hold myself responsible anyway? Don't you think if your mom wouldn't recover I would be able to forgive myself that? Don't you think that whatever you just told me, I haven't already told myself? "

That got Rose's attention.

And three other people heard the commotion as well. But neither Alex nor Rose realized that yet.

"You do love her, don't you? I've seen it in your eyes. And I've seen it in her's as well ", Rose interrupted Alex softly.

At that moment, a hoarse voice whispered: "Oh Rosie, I'm so sorry. I didn't want to worry you."

Alex was the first to react. "Stevie, how are you feeling? How much did you drink? I know water would be better, but I've only got beer here."

"Alex, stop rambling, get the beer here and let mom answer. By her voice, I'd say she needs much liquid right now, and the coolness of the inside of the house," Rose commanded. Right then, Kate and Jodi arrived, finding them under the trees. " We've got water. That'll be better than beer. By the way, we called off the search but Nick is still on his way with the chopper." Jodi told them in a matter of fact voice, which reminded both Stevie and Alex of Claire and Tess. " And you will go to the hospital, Stevie because that's where Nick is taking you and no Alex you won't fly the chopper or drive yourself there. I think Nick might have convinced Harry to give him Sandra's plane from the airfield on. So Nick will take Stevie with the chopper to Fisher hospital or to the airfield, depending on which plane he can get. If he can only fly out Stevie, Tess or I will drive both Rose and you to the hospital. But we don't want any more accidents or any more catastrophes, today." Kate added to Jodi's statement in one breath before both finished with: " Are we clear? "

Alex, Rose and Stevie could only nod. "By the way, we will need to call Michelle or Stevie's parents since Rose is a minor and can't make medical decisions if Stevie turns for worse and cannot make those on her own ", Jodi added in an afterthought.

"No, that won't be necessary," answered Stevie. "Alex will be able to make those decisions. Just tell the doctors he's my fiance." She said it so casually that even Rose began to stare." Your what, now? A few days ago, you denied even being an item. Now he's your fiancé? Not that I will not not be glad about it. You guys belong together. Everyone can see that. And finally, you guys seem to see it yourselves, as well."

" Not what I meant, Rose, though I admit I'm not sure I'd be against being an actual couple."

"Okay, Mom, care to explain? Because I still don't get it. But what I get is that you guys still need to talk. "

"What do you mean still" Jodi asked curiously. She was always someone for gossip.

"Jodi, not now," both Stevie and Alex said warningly. But Rose answered anyway. " I told them before that they needed to talk to each other and be honest about their feelings. Not that that helped. It ended with Alex staying behind when I was talking to 'aunty' Claire or her grave. I requested that only so they could talk...

But that didn't happen. Instead, I found mom unconscious and Alex nowhere in sight. "

Rose had rattled that off at such a speed that Stevie and Alex couldn't do anything to stop her.

But before either Kate or Jodi could ask any questions, Tess arrived, being told where everyone was by way of the walkie-talkie Kate carried. Since Kate had also quietly informed her how Stevie was over the walkie-talkie, Tess jumped off of Oskar, handing the reins to Jodi, who quickly tied them to a branch and hugged Stevie, almost crushing her. While hugging Stevie she asked the question that was on everyone's mind. "'aunty Claire'? "

Before Rose could answer. Stevie promised:

"Later."

At the same time, Nick arrived on Sandra's plane. So everyone tried helping Stevie get there. But Alex was the fastest. He picked her up gently and carried her to the plane. Placing her in the back seat and planting himself next to her. He would not let her out of his sight. At least not in the foreseeable future. The Drover's and Killarney crew except for Kate used to see Alex protective of Claire like that, knew Rose was right. While Alex had always been protective of all of his friends, this was different.

This was like with Claire. And they would damn well make sure it wouldn't end as it did with Claire. They would make sure that Stevie and Claire didn't waste as much time as Claire and Alex had. And knowing the history of Nick and Tess, Kate and Jodi swore they'd play matchmaker for them as well. But all of their thoughts weren't voiced. Because their priority needed to be Stevie. So Nick just said he'd fly to Fisher and if the hospital there couldn't do anything, further to Adelaide.

While Alex was willing them to hurry up, Nick asked Rose to climb in, telling the others to take care and to wait where he was bringing Stevie, before driving to Fisher hospital.

So Stevie's on her way to the hospital. Alex is in overprotective mode and neither Stevie and Rose nor Stevie and Alex have really talked. Plus there's that prepared party...