Disclaimer: I have no influence on the show „McLeod's Daughters" what-so-ever, including the characters. All rights belong to Nine Network, Channel Nine and Millenium Television. This fanfiction was written for fun, not for profit. All characters and events are fictitious, similarities to any living or deceased individuals are coincidental and were not intended by the author(being me). In humble respect to the makers of the show, should they under some strange circumstances ever come to read this and feel offended by it…don't sue me, there wouldn't be a lot to get.

Age Rating: PG, young children might not "get" this story entirely, but there should be no harm done.

Genre: General/Humour

Summary: Set around the time of the first season, when the show wasn't all about who had the most drama in his/her life: Aside from the usual flirting triangle between Alex, Tess and Nick(well, Nick and Alex don't flirt, obviously!) and the unacknowledged jealousy on Claire's side, everything's fine on Drover's Run, all positions are clearly defined. When Alex finds a rather explicit note from Jodi, however, this leads to some bewildered reactions from many sides and confusion breaks loose…

Author's Note: I'm not quite sure where I'm going with is, to be honest. It was just a random idea that popped up in my mind and I thought it would be nice to try writing something more cheerful, for once. No great drama or cheesy romance planned, so don't read any further if you're looking for that! ;) Don't expect me to change the grand course of events of the show, either. I'm thinking it's going to be about five to ten parts long, depending on my "inspiration". Have fun reading and, as always, let me know what you think.

The Power of Assumptions

"…I'll see you tonight, then?" Tess asked, getting up from her chair to walk him to the door.

"You bet…I can't wait…" Alex replied with an unambiguous smirk. He leaned forward and planted a passionate kiss on her lips. Tess wrapped her arms around him in one final embrace of goodbye, as if she wouldn't see him for months.

Claire rolled her eyes in annoyance and cleared her throat audibly. "Excuse me, did you two teenagers notice that I'm carrying a bucket full of mash for Blaze?"

They ignored her for another moment, until it was Tess who broke the mouth contact. "What?"

"You're in my way."

"Oh, sorry." Tess laughed when Alex moved closer to instead of away from her to make room.

Claire squeezed through the tiny gap between his back and the oven, letting the bucket brush his legs on purpose.

"Ouch, that hurt!" he exclaimed dramatically, feigning great pain.

"Oh, did it now? I'm sorry. Just send me the doctor's bill."

"Whoa, someone's in a bad mood…"

"That might be because someone thought that her sister would help with the drenching."

Tess smiled apologetically, with only a hint of guilt. "I really think it's time for you to leave now, Alex. Harry's gonna wonder-"

"Who cares. I'll see you later, then."

At that moment, Jodi entered the kitchen through the back door. "Has anyone seen my handbag?"

"The black one?" Tess asked.

Jodi shook her head, rummaging through the stack of jumble sale items they had set up on the table.

"The beige one?"

"No, the blue one, but not the denim one, the more elegant, leather-ish one - well, it's not made out of leather, but you know what I mean…"

"I don't know, sorry, but maybe you should look in your room rather than here."

"I've already done that, but it's not there and here's where I last remember having it."

Claire shook her head, incredulous at the number of useless items Jodi possessed and her talent of losing them. "I think we're paying you too much. What do you need a handbag for right now, anyway? And why are you dressed like this?" She surveyed her "fancy jeans", the green jumper with the V-neck and the silver necklace critically.

"Gonna meet up with Craig…what's wrong with my outfit?"

"Jodi, we're drenching the sheep today, you can't just run off and meet some guy!"

The younger woman looked at her boss, baffled. "You can't be serious, Claire, you gave me the day off, remember?"

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did, I came into your office and asked you and you said-"

"…that you could have a day off on the eighteenth because we have nothing big planned then, I know. That's tomorrow."

Alex chuckled and Claire threw him an angry look, as the truth was slowly starting to dawn on her. The eighteenth…it couldn't be.

"Um, Claire…" her sister asserted tentatively. "Actually, that's today."

She could feel the embarrassment burning in her cheeks, and it angered her. She had no reason to be embarrassed, this was her farm and if she decided something, people would just have to accept that. But she would stand by her word. "Alright, take the day off then. We'll be fine without you." She said it matter-of-factly, without any resentment or cynicism.

"Thanks, Claire!" Jodi flashed her most persuasive smile and left quickly, before her boss could change her mind. "See you later!"

"What about your handbag?" Tess called after her.

"Oh, I think I'll just take the beige one, it matches better with my jumper, anyway. Bye!"

Alex grinned. "What do women need handbags for, anyway?"

"They don't" Claire replied dryly, picking up the bucket again.

"Well, when I said 'women', I didn't mean-" Tess nudged him gently, shaking her head. "…you know…"

"Me. Well, here's some news for you, Ryan – I'm a woman, get used to it." With these words, she left the kitchen, heading for the paddocks.

Alex turned to Tess, baffled. "What's up with her today?"

"I don't know. We had better not get in her way anymore, I guess."