Chapter 3: I'll always be here for you

Claire watched as doctor took care of her father. There was nothing he could do. Doctor's sentences were banging in her head:

"I am sorry, Miss McLeod. There's nothing I can do for him..."

Claire watched how doctors took Jack's body in ambulance van. Her sight was blur, her breathing went faster than normal. She held for the doors, crying her life out.

"Jodi! Quickly, get some water!" , exclaimed Meg.

Meg rushed toward Claire when Alex showed up out from nowhere! He caught Claire in his arms just before she fell on the floor.

Meg looked surprisingly to Jodi who came back from the kitchen. She handed glass of water to Meg and whispered:

"I called him."

Meg nodded; her eyes told to Jodi that she did the right thing.

As Alex caught her in his arms, Claire cried even more.

"Alex...", she whispered his name through tears.

"I'm here, Claire", he gently rocked her in his arms "I'm here."

"Don't leave me, Alex, don't leave me..." , she cried silently.

Alex tightened his hold on her and kissed her forehead:

"I won't, Claire. I'll always be here for you."

As Claire continued with crying, Alex looked to Meg.

ALEX: "Give me water."

Meg handed glass to Alex, and Jodi said:

JODI: "I've put some sugar in it."

MEG: "Good. Hopefully it will calm her down a bit."

Alex brought glass toward Claire's mouth, but she wasn't aware of it.

ALEX: "Come on, Claire, drink it up", he helped her to drink water and handed empty glass to Jodi. He put his arms back around Claire, hugging her protectively, still rocking her slightly and trying to calm her down.

Few days after Jack's funeral, Claire was walking through the fields, lost in her thoughts.

Her father's testimony said that both her and Tess get part of Drovers Run. And now, 20 years later, her baby - sister was back.

Claire was overwhelmed with feelings. At first, she fought against those feelings 'cause she didn't wanted to get hurt again. She didn't wanted to get attached to Tess again and than facing one more time with her leaving. She knew it would break her heart.

But, it didn't took long until Tess captured her heart. When Tess said that she wants to stay, Claire considered it and after two days she showed up with present for Tess - workshoes.

Claire smiled remembering how Tess's eyes sparkled and how big grin she got on her face. She jumped and hugged Claire.

Claire leaned on the fence and watched on the road. In that moment, blue ute pulled over and she heard strange voice:

"What is beauty like you doong all alone in this wilderness?"

Claire snapped from her trance and gazed to young man in front of her. He smiled.

"Hi, I'm Peter, Peter Johnson."

Not totally aware of what is she doing, but overwhelmed with some magic, Claire accepted his hand, smiled and replied:

CLAIRE: Claire McLeod.