A/N: I'm sorry for the delay with this chapter. I know a lot of you have been hanging out for it. I've been on a bit of a holiday for the last few weeks, as well as being sick. Hopefully this meets with everyones expectations. The Nick and Tess fans should enjoy this. And for those of you who love Meg, well she may surprise you here!.

The Strength to Carry On - Part 7

It was coming up to 7am. Nick had found a roadside motel. He was ready to dive into a bed and sleep for eternity. Driving throughout the entire night had really knocked it out of him.

Nick looked over at Tess and Charlotte. To his relief, they were both sound asleep.

Tess was really run down. He could still see it in her face. She had barely had a wink of sleep till 5am. She'd been too busy fussing over Charlotte, or looking over their shoulders for any sign of Chris.

Quietly Nick got out of the car and retrieved Charlotte from her seat. Careful not to disturb her, he took her and placed her in the portable cot which he had set up in their room only moments earlier.

Seconds later he was back at the car. This time he had Tess in his arms. He didn't have the heart to wake her, and she hadn't stirred when he had lifted her out of the car. Sleeping beauty needs her sleep, Nick thought to himself.

It was several hours later when Tess woke up. It took a moment for her to work out that they were in a motel room and that Nick must've carried her in.

Tess looked to her left and found Nick asleep by her side. Running a finger down his cheek, she silently thanked a higher being for keeping him safe. Nick had stuck by her through thick and thin, even after she had given him the run around so many times. She didn't know what she would do if Chris had succeeded with his plan.

Nick's eyes flickered open at Tess' touch, "Hey."

"Sorry," She whispered, snapping her hand away from his face quickly as she squeezed her eyes shut. She felt like an idiot, lying there, waiting there for him to strike her, when she knew he would never do that to her.

"What is it?" He asked softly, picking up on her distress and seeing the look on her face.

"I ah..." She opened her eyes and trailed off for a moment, realising just how messed up she had become. "Sometimes if something I did woke Chris..."

Nick understood now. He took her hand and kissed it. "You're safe now, Tess," He assured her "You know I'd never hurt you like that."

Tess nodded. She knew that. But it didn't seem to matter. Chris had warped her way of thinking. She was so used to being bashed that she expected it from every man she got close to, even though she knew Chris was the only man that would ever stoop so low.

"I know. I know. And that's the problem, Nick," She explained, taking her hand back and resting it on the bed beside her. "I know that you would never lay a finger on me, but sometimes I can't help but expect it."

"What can I do?" Nick asked softly. He wanted to help her feel safe again, restore some of the old Tess that he knew so well. "Tell me what I can do to help," He was almost pleading.

Tess smiled at him and reached out for his hand. Her hand shook as it rested on his, "You're already doing it," She answered.

"You've got a bloody nerve," Alex said as he met Chris in the driveway.

"Mate," Christ got out of the car "What are you talking about?"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about!" Alex couldn't help but yell. The fact that Chris was playing Mr innocent was getting right up his nose.

"What's Tess been saying?" Asked Chris. "Alex I've been worried about here. She's not well."

"Oh," Alex laughed. "Right so she's unbalanced now, is she? Making it all up?"

"Come on mate-"

In one quick movement, Alex took hold of Chris and pinned up against the car, "You listen to me. You and I may have been mates once, but we aren't anymore, right!"

Chris finally decided to fight back. He began to throw punches at Alex, hitting him in the left eye and knocking him to the ground. Immediately Alex bounced up and knocked Chris to the ground. Dragging him up by the collar, Alex pinned Chris up against the car again.

"I ought to kick your head in for what you've done to Tess," Alex growled fiercely at Chris. He wanted to strangle the bastard to death! "She's too good for you, Chris. She always has been too good for you."

"Everything alright here, Alex?" Meg asked, coming to stand beside Alex with the rifle. She was pointing it directly at Chris.

"Chris and I are just having a friendly chat," Alex answered as he stared Chris in the eye. "One false move and she'll blow you right away."

Chris laughed, "Old Meg wouldn't hurt a fly."

"Don't you be so sure," Meg said unwaveringly. "Tess has been like a daughter to me. There's nothing I wouldn't do to keep her safe. If I end up having to go to jail because of my actions, then so be it. At least we'll all sleep easier knowing that you're not around to cause her any more harm."

"Where's my wife!" Chris demanded angrily.

"She's left town. If you have any sense, you'll sign the divorce papers she left for you and bugger off," Alex answered. "Yeah, that's right, she wants a divorce," Alex wanted to rub Chris' slimy face in it.

"Alright," Chris surprised them all. "I'll sign the damn papers."

"Now we're in business," Alex said, letting him go, and pulling the papers out of his jacket.

Once Chris had signed the papers, he got back in his car. "If Tess wants out, it's her loss."

"I think you'll find that its her gain, Chris," Alex replied. "Now get outa here and don't come back."

Chris did as he was asked and sped off down the road. As soon as he was gone Alex turned to Meg with a grin, "Ya wanna stop pointing that thing at me now, Meg?"

"Oh sorry," Meg chuckled. "Good riddance to bad rubbish."

"Too right Meg, too right."

"Mr and Mrs Johnson, did you enjoy your stay?" The receptionist asked as Nick and Tess stood at the counter, ready to hand In their room key.

Tess looked at Nick oddly. He smiled at her then looked at the receptionist, "Yes thank you. We'll be paying in cash."

The receptionist smiled, "That's no problem. That'll be 65 thanks."

Nick handed over the money, and waited for the change.

Upon receiving their change, Nick and Tess said their thank you's again, and left.

"Johnson," Tess laughed, in the car. "That was original. And when exactly did we get married?"

"Don't you remember?" Nick asked her softly. "You were 4 and I was 6. Alex married us under a gum tree."