A/N: I'm losing the plot here! lol. Let me know what you think. I'm really not sure if I am going in the right direction

Emsta - Nick can ride. He got back on a horse in season two, and then in season three Sally helped him further.

Part 5

"Nick!" Tess cried as she pounded on the door. She didn't wait for an answer, instead she went in and began to search for him, calling his name all the while.

Nick came rushing out of the laundry after hearing her desperate cries.

"Tess? What's happened?" He took hold of her. Tears were streaming down her face.

"You have to pack, we need to go, we have to get out of here" She said all in one go.

"Hang on. Slow down, Tess. Sit down and start from the beginning," He gently lowered Tess down onto the nearest chair.

Immediately she shot back up, "I don't want to sit down. I want to get out of here! I want to get you out of here, Nick!" She wailed. "He wants you out of the picture, he wants you dead and if we don't get out of here that's exactly what he'll get!"

Nick stood there in shock. He didn't know what to think of Tess' outburst. Would Chris really commit such a crime?.

"Tess I-"

"Nick, I'm serious," Tess said firmly. "Blade... he asked Blade to do it. We have to go, Nick."

"Are you sure you-"

"I don't want anything to happen to you, Nick," Tess whispered as she ran a hand down his cheek. "Please, trust me," She begged "It isn't just a threat, it's real."

"Where will we go?" He asked, looking into her eyes "What will we do?"

"I don't know. I just know that if we don't go then you'll end up like all the others that have gotten in Chris' way," Tess told him.

Nick nodded, "I'll get some things together."

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"Blade said he's organised a car for us, we can pick it up in fisher. He gave me directions," Tess explained as she placed her suitcase in the back of Nick's ute.

They both looked up as they saw Alex' ute pull up. He climbed out bringing Charlotte with him.

"You two got a plan?"

"We thought we might concentrate on getting out of town. Then we'll think of something," Answered Nick. It wasn't like him to be so impulsive. Usually he needed a plan before doing anything. He felt a bit out of his depth because of this.

"Listen, take this," Alex produced an envelope from his pocket. He held it out to Nick, "It should be enough to get you to wherever you need to go, as well as set you up on a property, or in a house... or something."

"Alex, no" Tess whispered.

"Nick you'll probably kill me for doing this but I sold Wilgul to Harry," Alex said. He waited a moment, expecting Nick to go off at him, but he didn't. He simply nodded. Alex took this on board and continued, "Harry reckons you can buy it back for the same price when things settle down. You just need to sign the papers and that's that."

Nick nodded again as he took the envelop, "So that's where you got the cash?"

"Yeah," Alex told him. "Listen I've given you my half as well. You can pay me back when you can." Alex pulled another envelope from his coat. "Need your autograph there, mate," Alex said pointing to the dotted line where Nick needed to sign.

After Nick had signed his papers, Alex turned to Tess, "I've got something for you too." He handed her the final envelope in his possession.

"Divorce papers" She gasped after pulling out the papers.

"Harry's lawyers are pretty quick when they have to be," Alex commented.

Tess just stared down at the papers. Could she do it? Could she divorce him, just like that?.

"Don't think about it, just do it, Tess," Alex said gently. "From what Blade's told me, it's the best thing. Everything's filled in... it just needs your signature and we'll lodge it."

Tess wondered how much Blade had told Alex. She also wondered what would happen to Blade if Chris ever found out that he double crossed him.

"Alex I'm not sure if-"

"This is your only way out, Tess," Nick spoke up. "You need to take it."

Tess sighed. She knew they were right. She just needed to find the courage to take the pen from Nick's hand and do it.

Nick's hand was on her shoulder. He stroked her skin softly. It was a gesture of encouragement.

Taking a deep breath she took the pen and signed the papers. "There," She whispered. "We better get a move on... it's getting dark."

Alex looked down at a one and a half year old Charlotte, "You take care of this one," He whispered before handing her to Tess.

"I promise, Alex" Tess held Charlotte close. "We'll be in touch when we can."

"Don't do anything stupid, right? Don't use your credit cards or anything that'll give yourselves away... he may be a bastard, but he's not stupid. He'll find you if you leave the slightest clue behind." Alex couldn't bear the thought of that happening. He needed to make sure that it wouldn't.

"It'll be okay, Alex," Nick placed a hand on his shoulder.

Alex nodded and moved Charlottes belongings from his ute to Nick's. "What will I tell people... at the funeral?" He asked.

Tess looked at Nick as a look of pain covered her own face. She was going to miss Claire's funeral... her own sister. She would look like such a heartless being to others.

"You'll think of something, Alex," Was all Nick could say. And he would. If anyone could come up with a good story, it was Alex.

Tess peered into Nick's ute, "Looks like I'll have to sit in the middle... Charlotte's car seat will be in the way if we put her in the middle."

"It'll be a bit squashy, but you'll be right" Alex commented.

After setting up Charlotte's car seat in Nick's ute, it was time to say their goodbyes.

"Just watch your back, right?" Alex said as he took Tess in his arms. He was careful not to hug her too tightly, knowing her bruises were still tender.

"And you," Alex turned to Nick and hugged him "If you need anything, let me know. I'll do what I can to help."

Nick nodded, "Righto, will do."

Alex turned his attention back to Charlotte, who was still in her aunties arms, "Prices, I love you. I'll come and see you the first chance I get. Now don't give these two any trouble, right?"

Charlotte just squealed in delight. The girl had no idea what was going on. She was as happy as larry.

Tess placed Charlotte in her car seat before climbing into the ute as well. Once they were all inside, Alex popped his head through the window. "And Terry told me to tell you that if you wanna buy a place, you should buy it under his name. Keep Chris off the scent, ya know? I think it's a good idea."

"Okay," Both Tess and Nick called.

"We'll see you later, Alex," Nick said as he started to drive off.

"Look after Drovers," Tess called.

Alex watched them drive off into the sunset, hoping like hell that they made it to safety.