This is my second fan fic. I used the original series dialogue as a jumping off point in order to bring a bit more depth to Nick's thoughts during this arc.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone or the original ideas, they are borrowed from Channel Nine and McLeod's Daughters.

CONFIDANT

By SSU-UCI-Mom

Chapter 1 - Chester

Nick was putting up a temporary yard when he saw Tess riding up on Oscar and leading another horse. "Hey, Tess." He called out as she approached. He looked again and saw the horse was Chester. "Didn't know he was still with us?"

"You said you wanted someone slow and gentle." Tess replied as she dismounted Oscar and looped his reins around the fence. "Saw some sheep loose in Drifter's Gully and fence needs fixing."

"What doesn't? Fencing, drainage, yards, house..." Nick said as he took Chester from Tess and walked the horse into the yards.

"I could help you out." Tess offered.

"So much to do, Tess. You'd never go home." Nick stated as he walked over to the fence and leaned down to look at Tess. He couldn't think of anything he would like more than spending time with Tess.

"And in the end, you'd be sick to death of me." She kidded back.

"Maybe." Nick smiled. But probably not he thought to himself. He liked the idea of Tess helping him but also wondered why she had the time. It seemed like Drover's would have plenty to keep her busy.

"Do you think this is a good idea?" Tess asked as she nodded towards Chester. Tess knew Nick was borrowing Chester to attempt to ride again.

"I really don't have a choice. You've seen the hills. Heaps of places only a horse can get to. You can't own a property like Wilgul if you don't ride." Nick was without solutions except this one.

"Take it easy then." Tess encouraged him. Nick could sense her apprehension with this idea.

" I don't have time to take it slow. If I don't do something soon, I won't be able to save Wilgul." Nick was determined to make this work. Somehow he felt that Tess understood in spite of her apparent worry for him.

As Tess returned to Drover's, Nick walked back to Chester. "How you doing ol' man? Ready to come out of retirement?" Nick stroked the length of the horse's back and patted him on the nose. "Be right back." Nick walked over to the fence to get his saddle and the blanket. As he returned to Chester's side, Nick whispered, "Help me out, Chester." Nick placed the blanket on Chester's back then put the saddle on top and cinched it up.

Nick put his foot into the stirrup and slowly attempted to swing his leg over the top. Having no luck on his first attempt, Nick proceeded to try again. He fell back for a second time and used his hand to take his foot out of the stirrup. "Come on, Nick! You can do this. You know you can." Nick geared himself up to try a third time. Chester waited patiently for Nick and this time he was able to mount. Nick settled into the saddle trying to find his seat after all these years and started to move the horse out of the yard. They slowly walked to the open paddock and Nick decided to have Chester go faster. It felt good to be on horseback again but how would his body react at the end. As they rode farther, Nick and Chester got into a routine. Nick remembered the feeling of being one with his horse and wondered if Chester was enjoying the ride, too. God, how he missed riding. Being one with the horse. It was difficult for him sometimes watching Claire and Alex on horseback. He wanted so much to be out there riding along side them just like when they were younger…before the rodeo accident. Now he just took it easy, no galloping this first time. "Let's see what we can do, ol' man. Nothing strenuous for either of us."

Nick brought Chester to a halt on a rise, looked out over the horizon and smiled at the sight. "Looks good, doesn't it Chester. Do you miss it as much as I do?" He loved this land and would never tire of it. He could see the possibilities in his mind and visualized those changes as he looked across the land--his land. Ranching was in an important part of who he was and riding only added to that enjoyment. He had put it from his mind because he never thought he'd be able to do it again. His thoughts returned to his earlier conversation with Tess. He wanted to make Wilgul a success and in order to do that he needed to ride. He squared his jaw determined that he would do whatever it took to accomplish that. The time was now. He thought of all that needed to be done…Should he take Tess up on her offer of assistance? Another hand would really help and he had no one else to go to right now. Harry was making it pretty difficult and Alex wouldn't understand Nick's reasons for leaving Killarney. Actually, he wasn't really leaving Killarney as much as setting out on his own journey to claim his independence. He wanted to feel whole again and owning Wilgul, making the decisions and trying out his own ideas seemed like the logical route to that independence. He had to break loose from Harry's control and from his mother's constant worrying about him. He was a man, fully capable of taking care of himself and determining his own life's direction.

Looking over the land reminded Nick again of all the things that needed to be done if he had a chance of getting Wilgul back into shape. Nick got to thinking again about Tess' offer. Was Tess really interested in helping him? He liked the idea of spending more time with her. She had an infectious laugh and her smile always brightened his day. And there was something about her eyes. She seemed to really listen when he talked and he wondered if he could confide in her his ideas for Wilgul. She was more than a one-off to him--she fascinated him. Her past comments on love and commitment intrigued him. Why would she feel that way? At times, she seemed so open but then whenever he had asked her more intimate questions, she seemed guarded, like there was a wall that she erected to keep distance between them. She said she was a free spirit and never wanted to settle in one place but Nick felt that she was putting down roots. Something was happening to her at Drovers. He remembered how excited she was to buy Madonna and all her internet research to learn how to care for her. She was becoming attached whether she realized it or not. Nick also didn't think that Claire would want her to leave. Claire was opening up more and more with her sister…or at least until the contract with Australian Bloodlines. Perhaps that is what Tess was referring to when she stopped by today with Chester. Was something else going on that Nick didn't know about? He wanted to know more about her and working together on the land might give him that opportunity.

Nick started to feel his hip stiffen up and decided to return to the yard. Chester certainly lived up to his request but riding such a gentle horse still was hard on Nick's body. Nick struggled to dismount. It took several attempts and even this took all his will power to endure the pain that came with lifting his body up and over the horse. Once down, Nick found it difficult to walk but he needed to cool Chester down and make him comfortable at Wilgul. Leaning slightly on Chester, Nick proceeded to brush him while Chester drank from the water trough. "Thanks fella. Looks like we'll be making this a daily habit. I'll take it easy on ya if you work with me. Enjoy the feed."

Nick slowly made his way to the house and fell on his bed, exhausted. He barely removed his clothing before falling asleep. One ride down.