Disclaimer: I dont own any of McLeods daughters characters!

CHAPTER 4: TAKE ME HOME

"…TAKE ME HOME, TAKE ME HOME,

TO THE PLACE WHERE I BELONG…"

Julia came downstairs with packed bags.

Peter: "Julia! Julia, what are you doing?"

Julia: "I am leaving you, Peter. I should have done that long time ago! Kids, lets go!"

Natalie: "But, Mummy..."

Julia: "I SAID GO!"

Peter: "Julia, you cant do this to me!"

Julia: "Watch me!"

And just as she wanted to open the doors, they slammed opened and Claire and Alex showed up!

Claire: "Where is she? Where is my daughter?", she ran upstairs exclaiming "CHARLOTTE!"

Before Peter could stop her, Alex punched him in face with his fist. Peter tried to fight back, but he didnt had a chance against Alex! Julia used whole mess and ran away with girls!

Alex pushed him against the wall and said through teeth:

Alex: "IF YOU HAD HURTED MY LITTLE GIRL, I WILL MAKE YOU FEEL SORRY FOR THE DAY YOU WERE BORN!"

Claire cam upstairs and yelled again:

Claire: "Charlotte!"

Charlotte: "Mummy!"

Claire tried to open the door, but it was useless! She wasnt strong enough. Child started to cry again.

Charlotte; "Mummy, help me…"

Claire swallowed tears:

Claire "Its okay, honey, we are here", she turned around and exclaimed "ALEX! IT IS LOCKED! I CANT OPEN DAMN DOORS!"

Alex tuned to Peter:

Alex: "Give me the key!", as Peter didnt reacted, Alex turned his hand on his back and Peter groaned in pain.

Alex: "GIVE ME THE KEY, YOU BASTARD!", exclaimed Alex.

Linda: "PETER, FOR HEAVENS SAKE, THATS YOUR CHILD!"

Peter: "No! She isnt! I dont want her!"

Something snapped in Alex and he started to kick Peter until he fell down on the floor unconscious. Alex searched his pockets, but couldnt find key.

Alex: "DAMN IT!", he ran upstairs. Claire was in front of Charlottes doors.

Claire: " Did you got it?"

Alex shook his head. Claire s eyes filled with new tears.

Claire: "What are we gonna do?"

Alex: 'Move away", he gently pushed her away from doors and than called Charlotte "BOM, can you hear me?"

Charlotte cried:

Charlotte: "Daddy! Daddy, get me out of here! I wanna go home!"

Alex: "I will princess, I promise you. Sweetheart, I want you to stay back from the doors cause I have to break in. kay? Go to bed. Stay back from the doors."

Charlotte: "Okay", she went to the bed.

Alex: "Are you in bed?"

Charlotte: "yes."

Alex: "Okay. Dont be afraid. Well get you out soon", he looked to Claire and she nodded.

Alex took few steps back and than kicked doors for the first time.

Charlotte watched the doors that were shaking, her whole being went to her eyes…

Alex kicked doors for 6th time and they slammed opened! Charlotte jumped from the bed and ran toward her parents! She crushed to their arms, sobbing loudly! Claire let out all her fear and worry and cried together with her daughter. Alex hugged them both, his eyes also filled with tears…

Claire touched her daughters forehead.

Claire: "Alex, she is burning! We gotta her to doctor. Get her stuff!"

Claire took trembling child in her arms and exited the room. Hen she came downstairs, Peter was still unconciuos.

Claire looked to Linda and coldly said:

Claire: "Ill send him call for court, with those words she went outside, with Alex following her.

Alex was walking nervously through hall of the hospital, while Claire was sitting, face buried in her hands.

Doctor came out from Charlottes room and they both rushed toward her:

Claire: "How is she?"

Doctor: "She will be fine. She has nasty touch of flu, but she should be fine in 2 – 3 days. You can stay with her if you want."

Alex: "Thank ou."

Claire: "Thank you sooo much, doctor!"

Doctor nodded and opened door to them. They both entered and came beside bed.

Alex took hair away from Charlottes forehead and child opened her eyes:

Alex: "Hey, sleeping beauty!", he smiled to her, as he sat beside her. Charlotte sat up in bed and hugged him tightly. She felt so safe – she knew that her dad will protect her from everything and everybody… In a minute, she fell asleep.

Slowly, that he doesnt wake her up, Alex put her down on the pillows and Claire tucked her in. They watched her for a while and than Claire took Alex hand in her hand and whispered:

Claire: Thank you…for everything."

Alex touched her cheek and said:

Alex: "Youre welcome", he leaned down and kissed her lovingly. They hugged each other and stayed like that for a while…

Alex: "Wanna cup of coffee?"

Claire gave him warm smile.

Claire: "You are reading my mind."

Alex kissed her one more time.

Alex: "Ill be back in a minute."

Charlotte stayed in hospital two days. Whole time, Claire and Alex were with her.

Doctor checked Charlotte and smiled.

Doctor: "You are free to go, little one!"

Charlotte jumped up from the bed exclaiming:

Charlotte: "Yeeeeeaaaah!"

Claire,Alex and doctor smiled. Alex went with doctor to atke care for recipies and hospital costs. Meanwhile, Claire helped to Charlotte to dress up. After theyve finished, Claire took her in her arms.

Claire: "Come on, honey, we are taking you home!"