Disclaimer: Don't own. Won't ever. Borrowing.

A/N: So, wow, Emily is going all guns! Three chaps in what, four days? Wow... Hoping not that many of you have died from shock.

CSIcrazy: Nah, haven't read most recent. Unless its an evil!susie/Jonesy one, I won't. Well, I'm surfing the muse's wave

Miki: I'm so glad you love it so much! I dunno about heaps more, but if you review earlier chaps coughhintcough then there may be more for the muse's to work with...

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:- CONVERSATIONS:
Jodi had tactfully left, claiming she needed to meet Luke. Stevie was camping the night with the stock, Kate and Dave had already left for their place, and Terry was feeling crook, so that left just the three of them.

"I was hoping this wouldn't happen." Claire's voice cut through the relative silence. "I thought it'd be Michelle, but she seems to have taken it all in her stride."

Tess looked towards her big sister, on some level still amazed that her Claire was alive, and back. "I don't think she's ever chucked a tantrum."

Claire bit back a laugh. "Neither did I, until you came along."

Tess did laugh. "I don't think they're called tantrum's when you're over twenty Claire."

"That's not what she meant, is it Claire?" Alex asked. "I didn't like it when Harry bought mum and Nick home from the hospital. Nick was interesting, when he was in the hospital, but when he got home, he trod in my territory." He smiled, sadly. "Hasn't stopped, really."

"So what do we do?" Asked Tess because, despite all the things she had picked up from her mother, this was unchartered territory.

"We watch them. And we wait."

"And hope they sort it out themselves." Alex finished.

The group on the veranda watched the small child with blonde hair lead the woman who's blonde was beginning to grey.

Claire stood, unsure of how to act, and what was coming. Meg shook her head, slightly, and followed Charlotte into the house. The two soon reappeared, laden with ice-cream, sprinkles, spoons and bowls. After serving everyone, Charlotte excused herself, heading inside to do… well she didn't say, and they didn't ask.

The adults looked at Meg, expectant. "Well, she's not too happy with you, Alex and Michelle, Claire. I think she had a wish as to what would happen when you came back and that's not what's happening."

"So what'd you do?" Claire asked, knowing the woman well.

"We made a deal. If she still hates you all in two days time, she's going to come and live with me and Terry." She saw their shocked looks. "You don't think I'll cope?" She pointed to Tess and Claire. "I raised the two of you for some years, I've raised Jodi and been there for all of Bom's life. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve still."

After the two small girls had fallen into a fitful sleep, Claire stood in the doorway, unsure of where her life was going. It broke her heart that one of her daughters hated her.

Meg came up behind her and gave her a hug.

"What if she still hates us then? What if she doesn't forgive us?"

"She doesn't hate you." Meg paused. "She's just hurt and confused. It may take her some time, but she'll find out that living with me isn't always as good as it seems." Claire laughed. "And she'll find that it's not as bad as she thought. She's always wanted someone to play with."

"I'm sorry." Said Claire, realising now what she had put the older woman, Ruth and her father through.

"It's okay. We understood. You needed time, and you got it. It's the same with Charlotte. She'll need some time." Meg looked into the room. "I'm worried about Michelle though. She's always only had you, and now she's got to share you not only with Bom, but with all us and Alex." Meg shot Claire a sly smile.

Claire shook her head with a smile. "Why are you all pushing us?"

"It took you so long last time, and we all ignored it, tried to let you figure it out yourselves. We don't want to watch you both go through all that again."

Claire wasn't entirely convinced. "What if it's been too long? What if it doesn't work? I can't do that to them. I can't put them through what Tess and I went through."

Meg gave her a one armed hug. "I can't promise it'll all be roses and rainbows, it never has been for anyone and never will be. The problem with Jack and Ruth was that they were too alike and yet didn't agree on anything. Everything that happened, each of them had to have their own way, not the others."

"And you didn't help?" There was no accusation in her tone, unlike what might have been there years earlier.

"No, it didn't help. Mind you, Jack and I weren't an item until after Ruth left." She took a deep breath. "Jack may have been a lot of things, but he wasn't a cheater." Her tone indicated that the discussion was over. Claire didn't ask, but had the feeling that there was more to the story.

She wasn't entirely sure she wanted to know.

A/N2: Well, you're gonna have to wait until after the next ep at least until the next chap. I've got some ideas as to stuff... to do with the whole $100000 and why Kev and Ruth left. Shall see where they go.