Hi guys! Here is part two. Sorry it has taken me so long to update. Please let me know what you think. I have written up to part six, so i will be posting them over the next few days.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this fic. They are the property of Channel 9 Australia and McLeod's Daughters.

History Repeated Part 2: Family Ties

The pair collapsed into each others arms, both exhausted and breathless from the intense passion which had just erupted between them. They clung to each other, shielding themselves from reality. Both knew that soon, they would have to face it. It was as though it was their last night on earth.

Neither of them uttered a word, they simply fell asleep knowing that for a moment, they had stepped back in time.

Tess felt warm, warm all over, in fact she hadn't felt this warm in a long time. Her eyes flickered open and were instantly greeted by Nick's sleeping face on the pillow beside her.

She looked down to discover that her body was in a tangled mess with Nick's. No wonder she was warm.

She began to panic and struggle out of his arms.

"Shit," She said as she climbed out of bed and began to put random items of clothing on.

"Shit, shit, shit!" She said again.

Nick opened his eyes as Tess pulled her shirt down over her head. He couldn't help but stare. She was beautiful. Even when she was upset, she was beautiful.

"That was a mistake, Nick," She told him as she began to pick his clothes up off the floor.

"It didn't feel like one," He propped himself up on his elbow, "In fact I think it was pretty amazing."

Tess threw Nick's clothes at him, "Get dressed, and get out" her tone was ice cold.

"Just like that?" Nick asked as he began to dress himself.

Tess nodded, "Yes, just like that."

She turned to look out the window. If she watched Nick dress, she might fall into that trap again, and she couldn't do it. She couldn't let herself do it ever again.

She had made such a mess of things. Her life was fine the way it was. Why did she have to go and sabotage it? She was beginning to see a pattern. Whenever things were going well for her, she would always do something to change that.

"Tess," She felt his hand on her shoulder.

Tess shook her head, "Just go, Nick."

"It doesn't have to be like this," He spun her around in his arms so she was facing him. "We can-"

"No," Tess put a hand up to silence him. "We can't do anything, Nick. I don't want to talk about it, I don't want to remember it, I just want you to leave."

Tess felt herself getting weaker as Nick's hands ran along each of her hips. She knew that if she didn't move, she would give in to that burning desire that she felt for him.

But she couldn't move, she was paralysed. Paralysed by the yearning she felt for him. She wanted him kissing her, stroking her, making her feel alive again.

She felt his hands glide underneath her shirt as his mouth moved in towards hers. There was nothing she could do, no way out. She kissed him.

Wanting quickly turned into needing as their hands rummaged beneath their clothing.

"No," Tess said between kisses "We can't... not again"

But Nick couldn't stop, and he didn't want to stop.

Tess still couldn't bring herself to pull away, so she did the only thing she could. She lifted her knee, took aim and struck.

She saw the look change on Nick's face as he recoiled. She heard him curse between gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry, Nick," She said breathlessly "But it was either that or making the same mistake twice."

"I think I would've chosen the mistake," Nick said as he sat down on the bed. He was in agony.

"Well I know that," She spat, "That's why I did it! In case you haven't noticed, you are married and two kids!"

Nick stood up, he appeared to have recovered, "I want you, not her, Tess."

He reached for her, but she shuffled back.

Staring at him in disbelief she said, "Well you can't have me"

"I was only ever happy with you, Tess," Nick continued.

"You were only ever happy with me?" Tess repeated

"Yes," Nick confirmed.

"Is that why you walked out on me and married Sally? I must've made you really happy, Nick!" Tess snapped. She thought she was over the pain, but she was wrong. The pain still ran deeply through her veins.

"You divorced me, had another kid with her, and now you're standing here, telling me that I was the only woman who truly made you happy!" Tess' voice was raised as hot tears of frustration slid down her face. "Can you even hear yourself, Nick?"

"You were the one who said you couldn't accept Harrison!" Nick finally lost his cool. "You were the one blind with jealously!"

"Well I had a bloody good reason to be, didn't I?" Tess' tone was quiet, but firm. "Tell me, how many times have you been unfaithful to Sally?"

"This is pointless," Nick hissed as he did up the buttons on his shirt and headed for the door.

"You know I worked really hard to get you out of my head and out of my heart, Nick" Tess told him. "And it took you less that an hour to wreck everything that I've worked for!"

Nick spun around angrily, "You weren't complaining!"

Tess glared at him, "I'm not into being anyone's mistress. Go home to your family."