**I unfortunately do not own McLeod's Daughters. I also do not own the first part of the story.**
This is a 'What if' story that occurs at the end of Season 2 when Nick and Tess are at the Gungellan Show. Hope you enjoy it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tess and Nick at the Gungellan Show:
["Forget Mum, forget Sally, let's do it know, you and me!" Nick Ryan stood there staring into Tess McLeod's eyes.
"Do what?" Tess was confused by Nick's remark.
People walked past Tess and Nick, enjoying the Gungellan show, unaware of what was happening.
"Come home with me, live with me. Just get your stuff and go right now!"
"Now?"
"Right now. Take it or leave it." Nick waited for her answer, secretly wishing she would take his offer.
"Nick, I would but I can't."
Nick sighed. "There's always a reason to hide isn't there?"
"No you don't understand." Tess tried to explain to him why she couldn't leave Drover's Run or her sister, Clare McLeod.
"See," Nick started, "at least Sally knows what she wants. I don't think you've got a clue."]
With saying that, Nick slowly walked away, upset that he had to end that way with Tess. He really liked her and was certain it would have worked.
Tess stood there. She tried to get everything into her head of what just happened. Before she knew it she was calling out to Nick.
"Nick! Nick, wait." She ran up to him. "Can we go somewhere private?"
"Not much privacy around here." Nick said, not looking very happy.
Tess grabbed his arm and pulled him along until they were almost out of earshot.
"If I tell you the truth, do you promise not to tell anyone else?"
"Yer!" Nick sniggered as if she was being childish.
"This morning we got a letter from Australian Bloodlines." Tess started to explain to Nick. "They didn't receive Claire's letter of resignation when she resigned. They're going to take Drovers away from us. The second thing is… Claire's… pregnant."
Nick smiled but it soon dropped, "Peter's!"
Tess nodded. "Please don't tell anyone. She doesn't want him to have anything to do with the baby."
"Sure no problem. Sorry about Drovers."
"Thanks." Tess smiled. "Now that you know what's going on, what do you have to say?"
"About what?"
"About us."
Nick stood there and thought for a moment. "Oh it's definitely over." He laughed.
Tess smirked and slapped his arm.
Nick took a step closer to her.
Tess looked up into his eyes. She could feel his arms coming around her waist.
He leaned in and their lips met. He kissed her as she kissed him back. After awhile they broke apart and looked at each other.
"I think we can post-pone you moving in." They both laughed. They were both happy again.
Nick kissed Tess again and then said "Come on, let's go enjoy the show together."
As they began walking to enjoy the show, Tess saw Liz standing in the near distance. She had a sour look on her face. Tess grinned and kept walking with Nick's arm wrapped around her and both of them feeling happier than ever.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
