Okay, so here it is - my new C&A story! This is set four months after Tess came back to Drovers Run. And Tess and Alex arent together, never were and never will be!

I hope that you will like this story and that I wont start to be boring with my stories about Claire and Alex! Sorry, I am just addicted to them! It will be a little about Tess and Nick maybe, but mainly its about Claire and Alex!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of McLeods daughters characters.

Chapter 1: Sisters back together

It was already four months since Tess came back to Drovers Run. Claire already got used to have her little sister around and she realized that she likes to have her around. Tess was a chatter, happy and nice person; when she would laugh, Claire couldnt suppress smile on her lips cause it was the most warm smile she had ever heard.

Tess was full of crazy ideas, little eccentric, but Claire discovered that she adoresthose things at her sister. She was soooo happy that she was back!

Very soon Tess got friendly with everybody on the property and rode away to neighbouring properties to meet people who live near her. Claire found it funny.

"Really, Tess, dont ya think that it would be much more easier if we made a barbecue?", asked Claire through laugh one day while they were mustering sheeps.

Tess shrugged and replied with warm smile on her lips:

"Aw, this way I got to know Oscar much better!"

Claire laughed with Tess following her into it.

Car passed by the fence.

"Oi, McLeod! Who would think that you have such a nice sister - with manners and all!"

Tess turned around to see who is yelling those words and she recognized their first neighbour Alex Ryan.

"Oh, ha - ha, Ryan, get someone to tickle me so I can laugh if yout hought that was supposed to be funny!", Claire shooted back, continuing with her work.

Tess smiled and greeted Alex:

"Hey, Alex!"

He greeted back driving away:

"Hey, Tess! Dont worry, McLeod can be nasty some time, but she has golden heart", with those words Alex drove away.

"Youll show you butt here very soon, Ryan, and may God help ya than!", laughed Claire, shaking her head "Crazy Alex!", she said to herself.

Tess turned back to her sister, noticing her huge smile. Tess raised one eyebrow.

"Whats up between you and Alex?", asked Tess.

Tess watched how Claires cheeks flushed as she replied:

"Nothing. Weve been mates ever since I can remember. Hes a good friend", Claire quickly replied.

'Friend. Right.", thought Tess and than asked "So, do you always have such nice talks like this one?"

Claire cracked up from laughing.

"Yeah, we usually do", she replied and rode off.

Tess watched her riding away, than gazed to the road.

"Right", she murmured. After a moment she clicked her tongue "Come on, Oscar", she said and followed Claire.