Jodi and Kate are arguing about Kate's car as Jodi tries to instruct Stevie on how to walk the catwalk.
Behind the makeshift curtain Stevie nervously paces, wobbling now and again on her heels.
In front of the curtain the argument continues as Kate refuses to be silenced.
"Ladies is this part of the show or an added extra?" Alex chuckles as he sits with Tess.
….
Nick arrives looking serious.
Alex and Tess glance up at him.
Alex jokes. "Take a seat mate this is better than jelly wrestling."
Nick doesn't smile.
…..
Jodi pushes Stevie out in front of the curtain.
"Stevie! Very nice." Alex states smiling as he gets a lovely glimpse of her figure and legs.
"She's gunna knock em dead." Tess exclaims.
Alex doesn't hear her.
…
'Tess we need to talk." Nick whispers as he takes her arm and leads her outside.
Alex is still glued to Stevie.
She hasn't noticed his attention as she's watching Tess and Nick leave the shed.
Stevie stops as she tries to find the curtain opening with her back to Alex.
…
"Stevie go again!" Jodi grumbles still arguing with Kate.
"Why?" Stevie growls.
Jodi pokes her head out and sees the look on Alex's face.
"Because your audience is waiting for more." Jodi grins.
Shaking her head Stevie turns to do another lap.
…
At the end of the practice runway Stevie wobbles.
As her heal catches on the edge of a crack in the flooring.
A loud snap is all that is heard before she begins to fall.
Jodi and Kate hear it and fling back the curtain.
…..
Alex is on his feet quickly and grabs Stevie's arm with one hand and scoops her up with the other.
The thin fabric and the softness of her on his hands sends a warmth through him.
Stevie is shocked, hurt and mildly amused as she looks at him.
"Thanks." She offers.
"You ok?" He asks.
She searches his face as he looks at her.
'I think so." She utters.
…..
Kate nudges Jodi.
Jodi grins back at her.
The argument temporarily forgotten.
Both slip back behind the curtain but can still see.
….
'You can put me down Alex." Stevie suggests.
Still looking at her he doesn't move.
"Alex?" Stevie questions.
"Oh yeah." He replies as he gently stands her back down.
…
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Stevie groans.
Looking worried Alex picks her back up.
"You're hurt." He says.
"I think I've sprained my ankle.' She explains.
….
"Jodi!" Alex calls.
"Yeah?" Jodi replies as if she hasn't seen anything.
"Stevie's hurt herself I'm taking her back to the house.' Alex states.
"Oh no Stevie are you ok?" Jodi gushes.
"I've hurt my foot Jodi." Stevie explains then adds. "Plus my shoe broke."
"Oh that's no good we'll have to find you another pair." Jodi answers.
"Come on let's get some ice on this foot it's swelling already." Alex offers.
…..
Leaving the girls in the shed Alex carries Stevie towards the house.
"I wonder where Nick and Tess went?" Stevie states looking around.
Glancing back at Alex she grumbles. "Are you right?"
He grins and says. "Well they're bouncing around in my face it's kinda hard not to look Stevie."
She places her hand across the v in her dress.
…
"Spoilsport." He grumbles.
She laughs.
'You smell nice Stevie. You always smell nice." He tells her.
She feels really uncomfortable by his comments but strangely thrilled by them too.
….
Entering the kitchen he kicks the chair out with his foot and lowers her onto it.
Her face so close to his.
She stares at him.
He inhales and holds his breath.
Exhaling he says softly. "Stevie do you think we should..."
…
She touches his face.
He leans forward.
She does too.
"Alex." She whispers as his lips collide with hers.
…
Dropping onto one knee he wraps his arms around her.
She slides hers around his neck.
The back door banging parts them.
Both breathing deeply.
He stands and moves over to the fridge searching for ice.
…
Jodi and Kate arrive.
The moment lost.
Tess rushes through behind them in tears.
Nick nowhere to be seen.
….
Alex hands Stevie the ice pack and says. "I'd better go and see where he is!"
She nods.
"I'll see you soon mate." He offers.
"Yep you'd better bring me a beer I don't think I'll be going far." Stevie answers trying to sound normal.
He smiles and replies. "You're on."
….
Upstairs Tess is lying on her bed.
"Tess can I come in?" Stevie calls.
"It's open." Tess calls.
Stevie hobbles over to the bed and sits down.
…..
"He's left me Stevie. I thought he'd choose me but he's chosen Harrison. He said he can't stop seeing him so he thinks we need some time apart." Tess sobs.
"Oh Tess no!" Stevie exclaims as she holds onto her friend.
Leaning against her Tess lets her pain and sadness wash over them.
Stevie feels torn, offering comfort to Tess she wonders about what just happened downstairs with Alex.
Most importantly she wonders if it will it happen again.
…..