This is my first, well second McLeod's Daughters Fanfiction (the first one was a shot one shot, I didn't post here). I really loved the show until Claire… well you all know the story. My favourite couple.. of course.. Alex and Claire. They were so cute…

Anyway…

Set around almost the end of Seasons 2 but Claire didn't get back together with Peter for this one night... so Charlotte is not in the picture … yet.

Disclaimer: I don't own them.. not at all, If I did Claire would be alive by now

Thanks to my great Beta

On with the story

More than anyone

"Claire, he is married for God's sake." Tess told her sister, raising her voice.

"I know Tess, there's no need to remind me of this stupid fact over and over."

"Apparently I have to; otherwise you wouldn't even think of going back to him."

"I am not... well maybe... but not really. Ah jeez, can't you just mind your own business for once and stay out of mine?"

"Even if you aren't thinking of getting back together with him… you shouldn't be thinking of him at all, he's married! With children!"

Claire sighed. She knew her sister was right, she just had a hard time fully letting go of him.

"Maybe you are right." She confessed

"Maybe? I am bloody right!"

"You're annoying!" Claire said storming out of the kitchen.

As she stood outside, breathing in the cold air she started to think about Peter. The good times, but also the bad times. She thought he was "the one..." but he wasn't. He cheated on his wife. Once a cheater, always a cheater and as if that wouldn't be enough, he lied to her. A couple of times actually. First about being married and then about his children. Her heart broke when she found out and she let her head made the decision for her, and with that she left him. It had been the right decision, she knew that, but somehow she was still broken up inside. She missed the feeling of being held in a man's strong arms and being kissed, but she didn't want that with Peter, not anymore. She wanted it with someone else…

"Penny for your thoughts."

Claire jumped when she heard the familiar voice.

"Alex, you scared me, I didn't hear you coming."

"I figured, you were totally lost in thoughts. Thinking about that Bloke again, aren't you?"

Claire smiled to herself. Alex knew her too well. He always knew what she was thinking about or when something was up with her.

"I really don't know why you keep thinking about this knob. He sure as hell isn't worth it."

"Yeah yeah, maybe you should go and have a chat with Tess, she just told me exactly the same thing."

"Well for once I actually agree with your sister."

"Great." Claire crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"C'mon Claire, you know I have always been on your side, but this time I just can't."

"I don't know what to do. One the one side, my feelings for Peter changed… I know that he is the wrong person to be with, but on the other hand I feel loved when I am around him."

"Claire you don't need him, there are plenty of other people who love you." Alex tried to comfort her.

"Sure, there is Tess, Meg... oh and don't forget… Roy."

Alex sighed. He wanted so much to tell her that there was at least one more person who loved and adored her, but he couldn't bring himself to confess his feelings to her. It was all new to him that he had fallen for Claire McLeod, his best mate, and he didn't want to ruin their friendship.

"Want a beer?" Alex asked trying to lighten the mood

Claire nodded and sat down, starting to rub her arms with her hands.

Alex disappeared into the kitchen getting two beers out of the fridge, and grabbed a blanket for Claire on his way out.

"Here, don't want you to catch a cold."

"Thanks." She smiled taking the blanket and put it around her before taking the beer out of Alex's hand.

5 or 6 beers later

"So… tell me, who's the lucky, or should I say… poor woman who's next on the Alex Ryan list?"

Alex almost chocked on his beer.

"What?"

"Well there has to be a girl you want to be with, you have never been single for more than two months."

"That's not true... there was one time…"

"Boarding school doesn't count!"

Alex shut his mouth and started to laugh.

"You know me too well."

"Too well and too long." Claire replied, taking another sip of her beer.

Alex cocked an eyebrow, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Claire noticed his sudden change of mood, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"No, that's not what I meant... I… I just wanted to point out that we've known each other for a very long time." Claire tried to defend herself

"Funny way to look at it." He mumbled looking away.

"Come on Alex, don't be mad. I'll even get you another beer." She smiled, batting her eyelashes.

He just couldn't resist her. It bothered him that she could get him to forgive her for everything, with just a little smile of hers.

"Fine." He looked away, still trying to sound mad.

Claire got up feeling a little shaky on her feet. She walked a few steps and almost stumbled.

"I don't think you should get another beer." Alex grinned

"Oh shut up. I'm all grown up, I bloody well know what I'm doing, mate."

Alex raised his hands in surrender and Claire made her way to get two more beers out of the fridge in the kitchen. Alex grabbed a cold beer from her just a few seconds later.

"Thanks... I guess that will be my last."

"Whatever you want." Claire replied, plopping down on her chair.

"Ok... so... where we left off?" Claire asked, taking a sip of her cold beer.

"You offending me" Alex scoffed.

"Not true..." Claire's mind started to wander "Ah, now I remember. I wanted to know who you plan to date next?"

"No one" he replied, feeling uneasy.

"There has to be someone Alex, you aren't meant to be single you know?"

"Righto." He smirked "Maybe I changed? Maybe I love being single right now?"

"Not in a million years. Come on, spill, who is she? I know that there's someone."

"Oh yeah, and how do you know?"

"Because you are acting weird lately… weirder than usual I mean. That girl must be really special."

Oh she is. Alex thought, starting to grin like an idiot.

"Ohmygod, you are smiling! Alex Ryan you are in love. Bloody hell I never thought I would get to see this."

"I´m not in love." He tried to deny it but failed miserably. He just couldn't get this stupid grin off his face.

"You so are." Claire filled the air with laughter.

"That's too good to be true, I have to tell Tess."

"Oh no, you won't." Alex jumped up as Claire mentioned her sister. He didn't want anyone to know about his feelings, especially not Tess. She would maybe figure it out... or at least she would bug him with questions and Alex really wasn't a good liar.

Claire noticed his strange reaction when she talked about telling Tess, and then it suddenly hit her. It was Tess… Tess was the woman Alex was in love with!

TBC

that was the first part. I hope you liked it. Please leave a review if you did. Reviews make me smile :)