Disclaimer: Well, obviously, the idea behind this story belongs to me, as do any characters you don't recognise. My spin on some characters that you have seen before belong to me, but thats where my property ends. Everything else came from the creative mind of Posy Evans and her talented writers, and of course the wonderful actors who spend a lot of their time developing the characters we know and love.
A/N: Ok, so I hope you have all figured out by now that Natalie is in fact not some created character, but Claire. How did that work? You're going to have to stay tuned for that. So until you do find out, please keep reviewing and all that stuff.
Meggie-moo-has-fun: Ok, so i will, at some stage, try a continued version of your fic. However, thats not going to be until I have finished this one, and at least Phonecall. So, yeah. In the mean time, would you like me to spell it out to you? Natalie doesn't know Claire, she is Claire.
genevra: Yet again, thanks for the long review. Loved it. The Big Teeth isn't a true story, but I thought it sounded cute. Feel free to use it, just tell me where so I can read it! Um, as you might have missed, the trip took 20 hours, so do she had to change a couple of timezones. As you said, I had to make it vague guys, it would give too much away if I had come right out and said: "Claire didn't die." Oh, and I'm 16.
LiarEpicteller: Yep, I can tell you're excited. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets those sorts of reactions to fics.
Kimmygal: Glad you got money out of this venture, cos I didn't. (And I'm not supposed to either). Yeah, well about updating, if you think it takes me awhile to update this, try reading one of my Blue Heelers fics. They take really long to get the juices going.
droverssunrise: Thanks for loving the fic.
So, now thats out of the way, on with the story:
After they had gotten their luggage from the luggage carousel, Natalie left Michelle on a seat, the small girl still half asleep. As she waited in line to rent a car, she pondered as to her plan of attack. In the short time since Tom had Okayed her idea of returning, she hadn't thought much about how she would approach this. She was tempted to just turn up, like her sister had after so much time. Only, she hadn't thought that her sister was dead. . .
Natalie was spared from any more deep thoughts by reaching the head of the que. She filled out the forms, giving the girl a copy of her drivers' licence (hoping that she'd never have to use it again), and crossed out the part in the contract about not taking the vehicle off the road.
"How long will you be wanting it for ma'am?"
"I'm not quite sure. Shall we say two weeks?" Natalie paused, thinking briefly. "Would I be able to phone somewhere if I'd like it longer?"
"Sure, not a problem. The number's here on the key ring. The brochure in the car tells you where you can drop off the vehicle. I hope you enjoy your stay in Australia Miss-" the woman paused as she checked the paper in front of her "-Durham."
"I'm sure I will." Natalie smiled back, wondering when she could leave, then remembered that it didn't matter anymore, she was a tourist here, and she was expected to be rude. 'As long as they don't all die of shock' she added as an after thought to herself.
(A/N: Bonus points to the person/people who first work out the significances in Claire's new name.)
"Baby girl? Time to wake up." Natalie shook the small girl awake. Michelle looked up at her through sleepy eyes. "You can go back to sleep in the car, I promise."
Natalie lifted the small girl out of the bed they had shared for the night, as Michelle grabbed for her teddy bear. The two of them made their way out the door, reaching the car that Natalie had re-packed with the few things that she had taken out of the suitcase, and the few groceries she had bought since they arrived the night before.
Walking around to the driver's door after helping the small child into the high-set 4WD, she mentally checked off the things she had taken into the motel room. she reached her seat, and climbed in, starting the engine and driving to reception, where she stopped momentarily to drop off her room key.
As Natalie pulled the big car out onto the road and headed south towards the highway, she looked in the rear vision mirror, smiling when she saw the small girl hugging her bear close to her chest, fast asleep.
"Sleep well my darling. Today is going to be a long day."
"Mummy, I'm hungry." Natalie had been wondering how long it would take until Michelle woke up.
"Good morning. Can you wait for about half an hour? We're almost there." Natalie knew she was pushing her luck, but it was worth a try, wasn't it?
Michelle's stomach answered the question with a loud rumble. Natalie slowly moved the car to the side of the road, glancing behind her at the empty road before opening her door. She went around to the passenger side, where she rummaged through some of the shopping for some fruit.
Handing Michelle an apple, she re-arranged the small child's hair, and began rummaging again, looking for something to occupy the child. Spying the clothing bag, she thought back to a wonderful memory she held from her childhood.
"Have you ever tried to get changed in the car before?" She asked, knowing fair well that the child hadn't. The small child shook her head, and swallowed the mouthful of apple. "What do you want to wear today, a dress or skirt?" Natalie asked, silently wondering how she had come to raise a child who wouldn't wear pants or shorts. She glanced down at what she herself was wearing- jeans and a cleavage-showing top. If she hadn't been living this way for a few years, she wouldn't have recognised herself.
"My blue skirt and Barbie shirt." Michelle smiled, then asked the inevitable question- "Where are we going Mummy?"
"Well, honey, we're going to visit some old friends of Mummy's." Natalie knew enough about her daughter to realise that this would satisfy her curiosity, but only for a short time. She handed over the desired clothes, and closed the door, making sure that Teddy hadn't fallen out. Michelle would forgive her for a lot of things, but she would never forgive the loss of her favourite teddy bear.
Settling herself in to her seat, she glanced in the rear-vision mirror, and reached around to retrieve the apple core from her daughter's hot grasp. She eased her way back onto the road, driving slowly until the child was fully changed.
A/N: Well dudes. Coming up in the next chapter, Natalie and Michelle get petrol and drive to Drovers'. We see Bom, Tess and some other characters are alluded to. pause Now that's out of the way, why don't you review and tell me what you thought of this chapter, and if you feel really generous, want to see in the next chapter or so.