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

CHAPTER 5: WASH IT ALL OUT

Drovers Run was messy whole day as Stevie drove everybody crazy with organization of her birithday. All normal work was left behind as Stevie gave assignments to everybody right after lunch; her and Meg were baking cakes, Jodi went to buy drink at city, Alex and Nick were preparing barbecue, and Tess and Claire were preparing blankets, sleeping bags and few other stuffs - they were taking all that outside because Stevie definitely wanted to have a picnic birithday.

CLAIRE: "She got us all messed up whole day like three wise men are coming!", grumbled Claire, pretending that she is angry. Tess giggled:

TESS: "We all need break from working, dont ya think so, sis?", she gave her cheeky smile. Claire rolled her eyes and just as she wanted to tease Tess back, she saw Alex sitting in Nicks red ute.

CLAIRE: "Hey, Alex, where are ya going?"

ALEX: "Back at Wilgul to get Nicks guitar! I will be back in a sec! Wanna come along?"

CLAIRE: "Sure!", she headed toward car as Tess yelled:

TESS: "Hey, you two! Dont stay for eternity there! We have preparations to do!"

But, Claire and Alex just drove away, not paying attention on Tess. She was stunned and turned toward Nick who was washing the barbecue.

TESS: "Did ya saw them? With Claire there, I seriously doubt that Alex will come back in a sec! And there is so much to do and look at the time!"

Nick looked playfully at her, smiling:

NICK: Dont tell me that you are afraid of little work?"

TESS: "Of course not."

Nick took one of two hoses to wash fender of barbecue. He continued:

NICK: "Or are you afraid to stay alone with me?"

Tess felt her cheeks burning and she took watering - can to fill it with water.

TESS: "Dont be ridiculous", she replied.

Nick watched her carefully - she didnt wanted to look at him, but concentrated on working. But, he could see her blushing.

NICK (with smile) : "Hey, Tess?"

TESS: "What?", she asked, not looking up.

NICK: "You will get sunburn. You should go to shade."

TESS: "I am fine."

NICK: "No, you are not fine. Look at your cheeks. You already got sunburn."

TESS: "Butt out, Ryan!"

NICK: "Tess, seriously! I am worried for you. With that light skin of yours you will get sunburn in a second! You need refreshment! ", as he said that, he appointed hose toward Tess so water splashed all over her! Tess screamed and jumped up.

TESS: "Say your prayers, Nick Ryan!", she took watering - can and splashed its content on Nick, laughing to expression on his face. Nick wiped his face and laughing, he continued to splash water over Tess. She barely escaped just to take another hose.

TESS: "AHA! What are you gonna do now, Ryan?"

NICK: "Tess...you wouldnt dare..."

TESS: "Oh, no?", she opened water and splashed Nick from head to toe! He tried to take hose from her hands, but Tess ran around him laughing. Running and catching her arms, Nick got snagged on his own hose and fell on the ground together with Tess! They couldnt get up from laughing until Stevies voice broke their laugh:

STEVIE: "TESS! NICK!"

Tess and Nick jumped up, trying not to laugh. Stevie snapped:

STEVIE: "WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU TWO DOING?"

Tess and Nick shared glances , still trying hard not to burst to laugh.

STEVIE: "You two are terrible! You act like two kids! i can rely more on Charlotte than on two of you!"

Nick rubbed his eyes , pretending that he is crying. That was it - Tess bursted to laugh and couldnt stop! Nick joined her in laughing. Stevie just hopelessly slapped her hands on her hips and went back to house.

Still laughing, Nick said to Tess:

NICK: "Lets clear this up before Steves gets nerve break and kick our butts off!"

Tess laughed:

TESS: "Righto!"