BABYSITTING DAYS

Disclaimer: I do not own any of McLeods daughters characters – but if Alex needs comfort?;)

Okay, here it goes – my second fanfic story! It is still not finished, I am working on some details, but I promise to all of ya Nick&Tess fans – YOU ARE GONNA LOVE IT!

Okay, so after Dave showed up, Tess and Nick broke up cause Nick thought that something still happens between her and Dave. Very soon Dave left from Drovers, but Nick never did something to be back together with Tess – typically Nick, hiding away from issues, grrrr:)

So, Charlotte is now four years old and she adores her family! I dont know about ya, but until now, I really like the scene in the kitchen where Alex is choking from laugh!;) You will see in the 3rd chapter what am I talking about:)

I used some ABBAs lyrics for this story cause their songs inspired me to write this fanfic!

Okay, so, here it goes! Please R&R!

CHAPTER 1: SECRET FOR NICK

TESS: "Did you took your documents, Claire?"

CLAIRE: "Geez, I forgot!" , she ran to house and Tess smiled to herself:

TESS: "She is a lost case!", she said to herself while put suitcases in the car.

In that moment, Tess saw Nicks red ute approaching down the road. Her heart started to thump, but she tried to calm down.

Her and Claire were traveling to Melbourne to Farmers Council. Meg and Terry went on their honeymoon, and Jodi went to visit Becky and Jake. So, it were Nick and Alex who will be watching over Charlotte while Claire and Tess are in Melbourne.

Nick stopped the car and him and Alex went out. Seeing Tess, Nick felt warmth coming over him. Still, he did not dare to say anything. Just few minutes ago he got lecture from Alex about Tess. Alex was – as well as Claire tired of that hesitation that was the problem with Tess and Nick. It was amazing how two of them could talk for hours and not mentioning their love for each other! Claire thought it was "amazing", but Alex commented that the real word would be "ridiculous", and, of course, Claire agreed with that.

TESS: "Hey!", she greeted them, putting on smile to cover her blush "Isn t it hot today!"

Alex tried really hard not to burst to laugh cause it was one of the coldest day that spring, it was raining whole night!

ALEX: "Yeah, must be because of a rainbow!"

Luckily for Tess, Claire and Charlotte showed up in that moment. Charlotte ran toward Nick and Alex and they hugged each other. Claire went toward them.

CLAIRE: "Thanx, I really appreciate this", she kissed Alex and he kissed her back.

Charlotte touched Nick shoulder with her indexfinger and motion to him to lean closer and than she seriously said:

CHARLOTTE: "I have to tell you one secret when Mummy and Auntie Tessie leave."

Nick smiled to child:

NICK: "Really?"

Charlotte nodded. Tess heard it and approached them. Kneeling to be Charlottes size, she asked through whisper:

TESS: "Will you tell it to me?"

CHARLOTTE: No. I will only tell it to Uncle Nick.

Tess looked a bit astonished, but than smiled:

TESS: "Okay, it is between two of you. Well, will you at least give me a hug?"

Charlotte hugged her Aunt and kissed her cheek.

Claire came toward them and took Charlotte in her arms:

CLAIRE: "Be a good girl for your Dad and Uncle, okay?"

CHARLOTTE: "Okay", she hugged her mother and Claire hugged her back. She gave BOM to Nick and went to the car, followed by Tess. Charlotte, Nick and Alex wawed until car got out of their sight.

Claire put radio on. She looked to road, than to Tess, again to road and back to Tess. Her sister was totally quiet, which was pretty odd for her.

CLAIRE: "Allright, whats going on?"

Pretending that she didnt understood the question, Tess replied with another one:

TESS: "What are you talking about?"

CLAIRE: "You are quiet."

TESS: "Just tired."

CLAIRE: "And you are blushing."

Tess rubbed her cheeks.

TESS: "I am not. It is hot today."

Claire giggled. Tess looked at her annoyed.

TESS: WHAT!"

CLAIRE: "Tess, today is probably the coldest day this spring!", she looked to her sister "Why dont you tell me whats wrong?"

Tess gazed through window to fields that were passing by in front of her eyes, her chin rested on her palm. Than, slowly, quietly she admitted:

TESS: "Its Nick."

Claire nodded.

CLAIRE: "I reckon so."

TESS: "And Charlotte."

CLAIRE: "What about her?", she asked confused. Tess sighed.

TESS: "Well, before we went, I heard Charlotte talking to Nick and saying to him that she has a secret to tell him, but after you and me go."

CLAIRE: "Aaaw, dont worry! It is probably something about her friends or horses or Roy "

TESS: "And what if it is something she heard?"

CLAIRE: "Like what?"

TESS: "Like me talking about Nick."

Claire laughed.

CLAIRE: "Tess, I think that you are overreacting!"

TESS: "What if I am not?"

CLAIRE: "What could BOM possibly tell him? You did not talk to her about Nick!"

TESS: "But, she was in the dinnig room eating breakfast with us while you and me talked about him!"

Claire thought about it for a minute.

CLAIRE: "You are right."

TESS (panicked) : "See?"

CLAIRE: "Tell ya what, why dont we stop here and you go to buy us some water and I will call Alex to let him know about…this", she caught Tesss look "Dont worry, I wont tell him what is it all about, just that he makes sure BOM doesnt say something she shouldnt."

TESS: "Good! Pull over here!"

Claire stopped the car and Tess quickly went out. Claire giggled and took her cellphone.

Alex reached for his cellphone that was ringing.

ALEX: "Alex Ryan."

CLAIRE: "Hey, stranger!", she smiled.

ALEX: "Hey!", he smiled "Miss me already?", he tease her.

CLAIRE: "You can not imagine how much!", she teased him back "Listen, I need you to do something."

ALEX: "I am listening", he listened carefully , smile appearing on his lips. After few second, he slowly said "Dont ya worry, Claire, Ill make sure that she doesnt forget to tell that secret to Nick!"

CLAIRE: "I knew I can count on you!"

As they finished their conversation, Claire put her hands up in the air exclaiming happily:

CLAIRE: "YYYYEEEESSSS!", she took ABBAs cassette from locker and put it on and "Watterloo" started to play and Claire sang:

My, my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way
The history book on the shelf
Is always repeating itself

Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - Promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo

My, my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight
And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose

Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - Promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo

So how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose -

Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo

In that moment Tess came back. As she came in , she asked:

TESS: "Did you worked all out?"

Claire nodded with slight smile and slowly answered:

CLAIRE:"Oh, yeah!"

TESS: "Thanx, Claire!"

CLAIRE: "Aaaw, dont mention it!", she started and engine, smiling to herself and they continued their way to Melboutne.