Title: All Grown Up

Author: Chickiee-Dee

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own McLeod's Daughters or anything associated with it.

Summary: AU. Charlotte's a teenager, how has her life been affected by the absence of her mother?

Authors Notes: This is only my second attempt at a McLeod's Daughters fic. I mostly write Alias fics (if anyone's interested in reading them, I'd love to now what you think). If anyone wants to read my first McLeod's fic, its called 'Final Thoughts' and I'd appreciate feedback on that as well. I LOVE constructive criticism but any other comments are welcome. I wanted to dedicate this fic in its entirety to my friend, Kimby, whose a huge McLeod's fan and was the one who gave me the idea for this in the first place. OMG AN UPDATE!!!!! I'm sorry I haven't updated in ages, but I've had exams, so I took a break from writing so I could study a bit.

Emsta-thanks for reviewing :D but I have to ask, you said that the class scene was unrealistic, in what way?? Cos that's what its like at my school…

Sarah-thanks for reviewing :D

Kimmygal-thanks for reviewing :D glad that you like it, cos I'm havin a bit of trouble writing it.

Kylie Bauerhuit-wow!! Thanks for the review. :D it made me smile, although I really don't think that the writers would like Charlotte like this… :P

Proud2BeABitch-LOVE THE NAME :P thanks for reviewing :D

Jordan-thanks for reviewing :D

Drovers Run-thanks for the review, and I'm sorry I couldn't update sooner… I have a valid excuse… :P

Solia-to tell you the truth, the names thing wasn't intentional… I didn't even realise I'd done it till you pointed it out. And yes Charlotte is very un-Claire like, but I explained all that before, she just rebelled against Peter (who wouldn't). Thanks for reviewing :D

LieutenantjgMegAustin-thanks for your reviews…plural. I wanted to update sooner but I didn't have an idea for the next chapter. Now I do. :D

Chapter 4

The school bus crawled along the gravel road on Friday afternoon, as the remaining students waited in anticipation of the upcoming weekend. Many had already fallen asleep, the early mornings taking their toll on many of them. Charlotte and Andrew were up the back of the bus, surprisingly alert despite their fatigue. "What are you doing this weekend?" Andrew whispered into Charlotte's neck as he placed gentle kisses at its base. "Mmm, I dunno…" she replied, trying earnestly not to let a loud moan escape from her lips. She playfully shoved him away to prevent further assaults, and to keep the other occupants figuring out what they really wanted to be doing at that moment. The bus pulled up at Kingsford's gate and Andrew reluctantly stood up, leaving Charlotte alone at the back of the bus. She sighed as the bus continued its journey towards Drovers Run.

Several minutes' later Charlotte climbed down the steps and onto the dusty road. Rose was waiting next to the Drovers Run sign. "Hey Char," she called. Charlotte flashed her a semi-fake smile and crossed through the dust of the now departed school bus. "Hi Rose," she mumbled, slipping her sunglasses on to dull the glare of the bright afternoon sun. "What are you doing this weekend?" Rose asked brightly. Charlotte shrugged and climbed into the Ute next to Rose. They headed towards the house and Rose dropped Charlotte off at the front door as she mumbled a quiet thank you, and ran into the house and upstairs to her room.

Throwing her bag amongst the chaos that she called her bedroom, Charlotte threw herself on the bed, pulling her mobile phone out of her pocket and noting that she had a new message. It was from Andrew, asking her to meet him at a certain spot along the road. Writing a quick reply, she shoved her phone back in her pocket and grabbed her hat and boots before running down to saddle Phoenix. After giving her horse a quick brush, she threw the saddle and bridle on, quickly mounting and speeding off.

Half an hour later she slowed down along a stretch of fence near the road. Allowing Phoenix to have a rest while they waited for Andrew to show on his motorbike. A few minutes later she heard the sound of an approaching bike, and jumped down off her horse, leaving her standing in the paddock while she climbed through the fence and onto the road to greet Andrew. "Hey," she said before grabbing him in a passionate kiss. When they pulled away moment's later Andrew spoke, "Mark and Tarlia are going out tonight, they wanna know if we'll come with."

"Sure, where are they going?"

"Wouldn't have a clue. Mark just said that they'll meet me at my place at 9:30."

"Do you want me to meet you there?"

"No, we'll come and get you about 9:45, I'll let you know where to meet us later."

"Sounds good. I better get back before anyone notices I'm gone. I'll see you later." Charlotte gave him a quick kiss before climbing back through the fence and mounting Phoenix, who'd stood there while Charlotte and Andrew talked.

An hour or so later Charlotte stopped in the horse yards and tied her horse up, unsaddling her quickly and giving her a small feed before letting her go. Once she'd taken care of her horse, she went back down to the house. Grabbing a glass of water from the kitchen, she went up to her room to fish through her boxes, trying to find something to wear that night. She quickly decided on a pair of jeans, but was unable to choose a top to go with them. Giving up on that task for a moment, she began experimenting with her hair, clipping it on top of her head, then deciding against it, letting it loose to fall over her shoulders. There was a knock on her door and she quickly gathered her hair up in a ponytail again, and stashed her tops under the bed, "Come in," she called. The door opened and Tess came in. "Hey Char, how was school?"

"It was great," she said, sarcasm evident in her tone. Tess either didn't recognise her sarcastic comment, or chose not to comment on it. "What are you doing this weekend?"

"Homework I guess," Charlotte said, trying to keep up the 'good girl' persona she'd always put forward when she visited her Aunt on Drovers. "Well if you need any help, let us know."

"I'll do that Aunty Tess, thank you."

"That's fine sweetie, dinner will be ready soon if you wanna come down."

"I'll be down soon, I just wanna get cleaned up a bit." Tess nodded and left her niece alone. Once Tess was out of the room Charlotte pulled out her skimpy tops again, still trying to decide which top she would rather wear.

Charlotte padded downstairs forty-five minutes later, dressed in her pyjamas, putting up the front that she was going to 'get an early night.' She sat next to Kate at the table, and began to pick at her dinner. She listened to everyone's conversations but no one spoke to her, she sort of faded into the background. "Charlotte how was school?" Meg asked politely, interrupting Charlottes' thoughts. "It was great," she exclaimed, giving them the same response that she gave Tess earlier. "You having an early one Char?" Kate asked, noting Charlotte's pyjamas. "Yeah, I'm really burnt." Kate nodded and turned to listen to Jodie and Rose who were discussing going to Gungellan for a few drinks. "That sounds great, I'll come too," Kate said and the other girls quickly talked Tess and Stevie into coming with them, Meg refused their offer, "I'd rather stay in tonight, I think I'm getting a bit old," she told them. Charlotte smiled to herself, it would be easier to get out tonight than she thought.

Everyone left for Gungellan shortly after dinner, leaving Charlotte alone in the house after she assured them that she'd be fine home by herself. Meg left soon after, heading down to the cottage to settle down for the night. Once she was completely alone, Charlotte went to her room to get ready to meet Mark, Tarlia and Andrew. She glanced over at the clock noting that she had an hour and forty-five minutes to get ready. 'How am I going to be ready in time?' she asked herself, before heading into the bathroom for a quick shower.

A/N: I'm gonna leave it there. Next chapter should be up sooner. Let me know what you thought. Until next time…LOL Alyce :D