Hey all, a new one I couldn't resist, enjoy.

Charlie sighed as she looked around at the situation she'd gotten herself into, here she sat in the back of a car hands tied and a gun on her. Her undercover gig had blown up in her face, she was alone now no one knew she was in danger.

Looking ahead she saw red lights coming up, as the car began to slow down she racked her brain trying to think of one last plan to save her life, looking to the driver she saw him light a cigarette, looking to the passenger she saw him on his phone-they were distracted. Seeing the guy beside her with the gun looking the other way out the window she quickly threw a plan together, taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and said a quick prayer.

Moving to the window she leaned into it so she could reach the handle and move her legs, darting them over she knocked the gun out of his hand and threw the door open, as hands came on her she shot her head down and bit them hard. Once they pulled back she jumped out and ran as fast as she could.

As she turned down an alley she looked back to see all three jump out and run in her direction "shit," she panted and took off running. Running out onto a busy street she looked back to see them gaining on her, taking off again she looked around for somewhere to hide, she was out of breath she needed a few minutes to think.

"There she is!" the guy with the gun yelled as they got closer.

Ducking into a café she looked around quickly, she couldn't sit alone or hide in the bathrooms. Seeing a guy sitting alone playing with his phone she quickly pulled off her coat let her hair down and dived into the seat across from him "I'll give you a hundred bucks if you pretend I'm your girlfriend," she said before he could say anything.

The guy raised and eyebrow and sat back "why should I?" he asked not quite believing this was happening at all.

"I'll die if you don't," she said and quickly and looked behind her "three guys are gonna come through that door any second now looking for me…please?" she asked.

They guy sat forward and noticed her ties "you're serious?" he asked slightly panicked.

"Yes," she hissed and ducked her head as the door opened.

The guy looked up and saw three out of breath guys in the doorway, he watched as one gave orders and they all split up, moving closer to her he blocked her view and undid her ties. He noticed the guy watching him so he moved closer playing with her hair to cover her face, he smiled and leaned in to kiss her.

As he kissed her Charlie opened her eyes to see them all come back to the door shrugging, smiling into the kissed she closed her eyes…may as well enjoy it.

When he pulled back he smirked and stood up "I'll get you a coffee then," he said and walked off to the counter.

…..

A while later she was still sitting there with him, so far he'd made small talk staying away from why she was running no names had been given yet either "you know you didn't have to kiss me back there," she said.

He shrugged "only way to cover your face without throwing my jacket over your head," he chuckled. He leaned forward and lowered his voice "why are they after you?"

Charlie sighed heavily and sat back in her chair "because I screwed up-big time," she said and looked around "I'll give you five hundred if you can get me out of here and somewhere safe for the night."

He thought for a moment "okay," he nodded "I know a place, come on then," he said and stood up.

Charlie watched him walk to the door, grabbing her coat she stood up and followed him, stopping at the door she stuck her head out and looked up and down the street "they're gone," she said and stepped out.

Halfway down the street he stopped at a car "this is me," he said and unlocked it.

"A Ute…nice," she said and walked around to the passenger side.

"You know cars?" he asked as she climbed in.

"Yup," she nodded "my brother is a mechanic he thought me everything I know," she replied as she pulled her belt on.

He chuckled and pulled away "impressive, not many girls know cars…what's your name by the way?"

"Charlie," she replied as she sunk lower in her seat "and you?"

"Brax," he replied and looked out at an SUV parked up with three guys inside "that's them there," he said as he drove by.

Charlie looked out the back window once they were far enough "getting their next instructions no doubt," she said and settled back into the seat.

"You steal from them?" Brax asked a while later.

"No," she replied and looked over at him "how come you didn't question me more when I sat down? Does this happen to you a lot?" she chuckled.

"No, you're my first," he chuckled "but believe it or not I've seen worse-done worse," he added.

"Yeah?" she asked "like what?"

Brax looked at her and raised an eyebrow "like I'm gonna tell you, you could be a cop and have me done."

"I am a cop," she replied seriously "and trust me after what I've done handing you over for shit you've done is the last thing on my mind."

"For real?" he asked when she didn't laugh "you're a cop?"

"Yeah," she sighed "although I don't think I have a job anymore," she muttered.

Brax went silent, she was a cop, he had to be careful what he said around her, he looked over at her when she said something "what? I wasn't listening," he said.

"I said don't go all quiet and weird on me now, as far as I'm concerned I'm not a cop now and I really don't care what you've done," she said.

Turning a corner he parked the car and nodded to a house across the street "you'll be staying here," he said.

"Okay, thanks…who owns it?" she asked.

"I do," he replied "but I have to do something first so I'm not going in yet."

Charlie panicked slightly "can I trust you? How do I know you're not going back to them?" she asked pulling at the door.

"Hey, hey," he said and rubbed her shoulder "calm down, you can trust me I'm just going to get my shift covered I'll be back in fifteen minutes."

"Where?" she asked calming slightly.

"Angelo's, my restaurant down on the beach…promise," he said and held his hand up.

Charlie sighed and sat back "sorry…trust issues," she said and looked over at him "you don't need to get cover over me, I'll be fine on my own."

Brax chuckled and pulled out a key "I'll be back, alarm code is six, four, eight, four," he said handing them to her.

"Your birthday?" she asked,

"Maybe…why?" he replied.

"Mine too…except eighty six for me," she replied.

"So you're not even thirty?" he asked "wow," he added when she nodded.

"This year…why?" she asked as she climbed out and closed the door.

Brax lowered the window "well you're incredibly hot for starters," he said before he could stop himself "uh, sorry, that wasn't supposed to come out," he said and looked away quickly.

Charlie chuckled and started to back away "you're not so bad yourself…I'll see ya in a while then," she added and ran across the lawn towards the door.

Brax watched her let herself in, sighing he pulled away-he was in trouble.

Charlie walked around Brax's house and smiled at all the pictures mostly of him and three boys-two of them in their later teens at most. Walking to the bathroom she turned the shower on and walked to a room hoping it was Brax's, sniffing she caught scent of the aftershave she'd smelled off him earlier-she was in the right room. Grabbing clothes and locating a towel she went in and closed the door behind her. Shower food a nice cup of tea and then it was bed for her, she needed to figure out her next move and sort this mess out, she didn't know how much time she had.

Down at Angelo's Brax sat at his computer trying to figure out who could do his shift, he'd called all the staff that were off but got no luck they were all busy, it was Saturday after all. Sighing he sat back and racked his brain looking for a way out of his shift.

A few minutes later he looked up when the door opened and in walked his brother "hey Case," he said and watched him sit down.

Hey, uh, I know you're busy and all but…" he trailed off and scratched the back of his head.

"Spit it out," Brax chuckled "you want money?"

"Yeah," Casey nodded "but I was here to ask for extra shifts not for you to give it to me…but in advance," he chuckled.

Brax chuckled and stood up 'bingo' he thought "this evening five to close?" he asked.

"Yeah that'll be great, thanks Brax," Casey smiled.

Brax reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet "I'll pay you now for today and tomorrow is that enough?"

Casey nodded and took it from him "for Ruby's birthday thanks bro, you're the best!" he called and ran out the door.

…..

Arriving home Brax went to let himself in "ouch!" he hissed when he bounced back, trying the handle again he rubbed his nose and frowned "why is the door locked?" he asked himself. Remembering Charlie he shook his head and tapped at the door "it's me!" he called so she'd answer.

Charlie stuck her head out from the kitchen that was the third time someone had tried the door and banged it down "Brax?" she said walking to it "is that you?" she called.

"Yes…can you let me into my house please?" he called back.

Charlie hurried over and undid all the locks and opened the door "sorry, people kept knocking and trying to open it," she said as she walked back to the kitchen.

Brax locked it behind him "I always leave it open, people come and go…wow," he said stopping in the doorway "what's all this?" he asked looking at the laid out table.

Charlie shrugged "a thank you," she said and pulled him in "you're just in time," she said pushing him into a seat. Coming back with a plate she put it beside him "eat up," she said and walked back to the stove.

"You didn't have to do this Charlie," he said as she sat beside him.

Charlie shrugged and looked down "you saved my life…it's just dinner," she replied.

Brax sat watching her in amazement you wouldn't know what happened earlier had happened at all, she had showered and now wore his clothes, she had made dinner and cleaned up to anyone else this was just two people sitting down to dinner like they did every day "thanks," he said and smiled "I can't remember the last time someone made dinner for me."

Charlie smiled quickly and picked up her fork "does anyone else live here?" she asked "I was thinking I'd take the sofa if that's okay with you?"

Brax nodded "my brothers Casey and Kyle," he replied "you take my bed," he added.

"I can't do that, you've done enough for me already," she replied.

"It's fine I end up there most weekends anyway," he chuckled "and I'll assume you don't want anyone else to know you're here?" he asked.

"No, guess not," she replied "I promise I'll be gone once I come up with a plan."

"No rush," he replied and left her to her thoughts.

After dinner Brax stood up and went to take her plate "I'll do that," she said and stood up quickly.

"You go sit down you cooked I'll clean up," he said taking the plate from her.

"It doesn't matter it's the least I can do," she said and took it from him again.

"Charlie," he warned "you don't need to do anything, I helped you because you needed help…go sit, I'll get you a beer when I'm done."

Charlie stepped back and held up her hands, watching him for a moment she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek "thank you," she said and walked to the living room.

A few minutes later Brax joined her on the sofa and held out a beer "any plans for tonight?" he asked.

"Nah, have this and get some sleep…you?" she asked.

"Nothing, I was supposed to be working tonight," he replied.

Charlie nodded and picked at her bottle "you know I'll be fine on my own if you wanted to go out or something."

Brax placed his hand on her knee "if you need to talk I'm here, sometimes it makes you feel better to get it off your chest."

Charlie sighed "I have no idea where to start Brax, the only ending I see to this is me ending up dead."

"That's not gonna happen," he said moving closer to her "I won't let it happen," he added.

Charlie smiled and looked over at him "you can't help me if they find me."

"I don't think you know just what family you're dealing with here," he chuckled and moved closer again "Charlie once you're under my roof no one will touch you…I promise you," he said seriously.

Charlie tilted her head and studied him "why are you doing this?" she asked "I mean you could have dropped me off got six hundred bucks and went on your way."

Brax shrugged "my gut is telling me to hang onto you…I don't want your money either, I wanna help you."

Charlie leaned in and kissed him-how could she not after he said that? Pulling back she looked to see his reaction, once his eyes darted to her mouth she kissed him again.

Brax slid his hand onto her cheek and deepened the kiss, he couldn't believe this was happening, he slid his hand onto her waist as she moved closer and pulled her to him. Just as she moved to straddle him someone tried the handle and banged into the door.

"Ouch!" they hissed "Brax!" they yelled and banged on the door "why's the door locked?"

Charlie giggled and pulled back "I'll be in your room," she said and slid off him.

Brax chuckled and walked to the door waiting for her to close the bedroom door, opening it he stepped back "alright mate," he said as his friend Jack walked in.

Jack rubbed his nose and leaned against the sofa "why was the door locked?" he asked "I didn't even know it had a lock."

Brax chuckled and walked to the kitchen "Heath was looking for me to do something I didn't want to so I locked it…what's up?" he asked and handed him a beer.

"I just saw Casey down Angelo's he said he was covering your shift tonight," Jack said.

"Yeah," Brax said slowly "so?"

"So you were meant to be having a drink with us for my birthday remember?" Jack asked.

Brax closed his eyes and cursed himself he had forgotten all about that "I know," he lied "I had stuff to catch up on I was gonna drop in when I was done."

Jack scoffed and drained his beer "I'll see you there at nine then-and don't forget!" he called as he walked out the door.

….

Brax stood against the counter trying to think of a plan, walking to the door he locked it and walked to his room. Pushing the door in he found her lying on the bed looking at the ceiling, sitting beside her he lay back and put his hands behind his head "you should go," Charlie said a minute later.

Brax looked over at her "I don't wanna leave you on your own."

"I'll be fine," she said and sat up on her elbows "I'm probably just gonna go asleep anyway-go," she replied.

Brax thought for a moment "alright," he said and sat up "but it'll only be for an hour, I'll take my key and lock the door behind me, I'll try keep Casey and Kyle out until I come home."

"You don't need to keep them away I'll be staying in here, you go have some fun," she said and lay back.

"Better get ready then," he said and walked to his bathroom, coming back after his shower he pulled on clothes and sat on the end of the bed.

Charlie opened her eyes and sat up "you're leaving now?" she asked.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," he said turning back to her "yeah, just gonna leave you my number just in case."

Charlie kissed him on the cheek "have fun," she chuckled.

Brax watched her for a moment walking to her side he sat down "you know you could come with me."

"Nah," she yawned "apart from the fact I'm on the run I'm kinda tired…you scrub up well," she said smoothing out his shirt.

"Got it," he chuckled and dropped a kiss on her forehead "I left my number on the dresser no one should knock and if Casey and Kyle do come home they have no reason to come in here."

Charlie nodded and kissed him quickly "stop worrying about me and go play with your friends," she giggled and lay back.

Brax chuckled and stood up "see ya later, call me if you need me!" he called as he walked out the door.

Walking outside Brax locked the door and leaned against it he felt really bad leaving her there on her own, he shook his head and pushed himself off the door "just an hour Brax she'll be fine," he said out loud and climbed into his car.

Inside Charlie watched him go and sighed, she'd screwed up big time, she was in enough of a mess with out dragging Brax into it…she couldn't stay here for long, she couldn't get him involved. Walking to his room she closed the door and walked to the bed, she needed a plan and fast.

Down at Angelo's Brax had joined the others, Jack moved closer to him "why do you smell like a girl?" he asked.

Brax chuckled "what?" he asked "how do I smell like a girl?"

Peter moved over and sniffed him "he's right you smell like perfume."

Brax frowned and sniffed himself and smelled Charlie, he shrugged and looked at Jack "must be the shower gel I used."

"Yeah" Jack drawled "I know that door was locked for a reason…who is she?" he smirked "was she there when I called over?"

Brax chuckled "no one was there, I do not smell like a chick and I told you why the door was locked."

Peter scoffed "were not stupid man we've worked it out-and Noah saw a girl get out of your car and go into your house earlier."

Brax sighed what did he say now? "Alright," he muttered "she's a friend from the city she was only here today, she's gone nothing happened she won't be back-move on."

Casey walked up to Brax with the landline "Kyle is at the door he can't get in he said it's locked," he frowned.

Jack and Peter burst out laughing "gone is she?" Jack laughed.

"Shut up," Brax chuckled and walked away "Kyle?" he said.

"Hey, I just got home and the door is locked I need my laptop….do we even have a key for it?"

Brax chuckled shows how much their door was locked "I have one here you can come to Angelo's for it or I can drop it over."

"Uh' I'll walk over," he said slowly.

"Something wrong?" Brax asked he knew by the tone of his voice.

"No," he said slowly "well I don't think so, a car keeps driving up and down our street they slowed down every time they passed me now they're just sitting across the street watching me…never mind they're gone, I'll be over now," he said and hung up.

Brax walked back to the bar and grabbed his keys "taking off already?" Peter asked.

"Someone is following Kyle I'll be back," he said and took off before anyone could stop him. Locating Kyle he pulled in and waited for him to climb in "did they come back again?"

"No…is this something you've done?" he asked.

"No," Brax replied "can you and Case stay at Heath's tonight? I need to figure this out," he said as they pulled into his drive.

"Uh, sure," Kyle said and followed him into the house, grabbing what he needed he walked to Casey's room and just took the clothes that were on the bed "I'll be off then," he said watching Brax pace the living room.

Brax nodded "take the back way, call me when you get there."

Kyle nodded and walked to the back door "call me if you need us," he said before slipping out.

….

Brax paced for another while trying to remember if he had any unfinished business he'd forgotten about, sure how could he? He asked himself he'd dealt with everything in Mangrove river and moved the boys down here to the bay two years ago-he'd been clean since.

Remembering Charlie he locked the back door and walked to his room tipping the door he stuck his head in and found her asleep on his bed, looking to the tv he walked over and turned it off before walking to the bed and pulling blankets over her.

Sitting down he let out a heavy sigh and dropped back onto the bed maybe he was worrying over nothing, maybe it was just guys looking for another house.

Charlie stirred when he lay back and opened her eyes "something wrong?" she asked and glanced at the clock "you're not even gone an hour," she added.

"Nah," he replied "just wasn't in the mood."

"Brax," she said and sat up "I don't know you that long but I can tell you're lying…what's up?" she asked scooting to sit beside him.

Brax sighed heavily "Kyle called me, he said he was at the door with no key, he said someone was driving up and down the street and kept looking at him."

Charlie nodded and rolled off the bed "they're looking for me, I shouldn't have come here, I've put you all in danger," she said as she gathered up her clothes "I should go," she said and walked by him.

"Hey!" Brax called and ran after her "you can't go out there," he said pulling her back "we don't even know it was them, it could be anyone looking for a house or something."

Charlie walked back to him "if you believe that why did you come home?"

"Kyle had no key I had to let him in he needed stuff for school," he replied and led her back to the room "you're not going anywhere?" he said and closed the door.

"Why are you trying so hard to keep me here?" she asked.

Brax shrugged and looked at her "because I don't want you to go," he answered.

"Why? Because I'm hot?" she giggled and walked closer to him "because you wanna kiss me again?" she asked cornering him against the door.

Brax chuckled and slid his hands onto her waist "I think it's you that wants to kiss me."

Charlie stood up on her toes she didn't want to get attached to him but she couldn't help it "you'd be right," she said and kissed him hard.

Brax pulled her against him and deepened the kiss, swinging her around so she was at the door he moved onto her neck "you sure you want this?" he mumbled against her.

Charlie dug her nails in and threw her head back when he bit her "yes," she panted out and pulled him back to her kissing him roughly. Tugging at his shirt she ripped it as she pulled it over his head and flung it to the floor.

Brax pulled back "you like it rough?" he asked as he pulled his shirt up on her.

Charlie walked him to the bed and pushed him down "oh you have no idea what I'm about to do to you," she said and climbed onto him.

"Bring it," he replied and pulled her down to him.

Later they both lay in silence on the bed trying to control their breathing, Brax looked over at her "what?" she laughed.

"I have no words," he said and looked at the ceiling.

Charlie chuckled "you give as good as you get, I like that."

"You're kidding right?" he said and leaned up "you were in control I was afraid to move," he said and kissed her quickly.

Charlie giggled and sat up "need water," she said grabbing the sheets and walking to the door.

"Wow, that woman will kill me," he said and rolled off the bed, pulling on bottoms he followed her "you know," he said wrapping his arms around her "you could stay here for another night," he said and kissed her shoulder.

Charlie giggled and moved back into him "I could, but then I'm afraid I won't leave," she said turning in his arms.

"I think," Brax said pushing some hair behind her ear "I could put up with you for a little longer," he said and kissed her slowly.

They both broke apart when the door opened "Brax!" Jack called.

"Damn it, wait here," Brax said and walked out "what are you doing here?"

"I came to see if Kyle was okay I called you like ten times…am I interrupting?" he smirked as Brax glanced behind him.

"No," Brax said quickly "and Kyle is fine he wasn't followed after all…you can go now."

Inside Charlie knew that voice how could she not, biting her lip she stepped out.

"What?" Brax asked as Jack's eyes went wide.

"Charlie?" he finally said.

"Jacky," she greeted and smiled quickly.

Brax looked at her then to Jack "you two know each other?"

Charlie looked over at him and nodded before looking at the floor.

Jack sighed "she's my sister…what are you doing here Charlz?" he asked walking to her.

Sister?" Brax asked shocked.

"I screwed up Jack," she whimpered.

Jack shook his head and hugged her "you shouldn't have come here Charlie, you should have called like we planned…we'll fix it…why have you no clothes on?" he asked and turned to Brax "dude did you sleep with my sister?"

"No," Charlie said quickly "I was just about to get a shower."

Jack took a step back "Martha is waiting outside, stay here I'll be back in the morning and you," he said pointing to Brax "have a lot of explaining to do," he said before walking out and closing the door.

Brax stood looking at her for a few minutes "so brother?" he asked "why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think you knew him," she replied and looked at him "I'm sorry," she added.

"What's this about calling like planned? What does he know?"

"I always have a plan when I go undercover just in case, he's always the one I call," she answered.

"And why not this time?" Brax asked.

Charlie walked by him "I've never been made as a cop before, I caught off guard I didn't have time," she said as she walked into the room.

….

A while later Brax walked back into the room to find her fully dressed sitting on the bed with her chin on her knees "wanna talk about it?" he asked.

Charlie smiled quickly "in the morning?" she asked.

Brax lay back beside her "do you wanna get some sleep then?"

Charlie sighed and lay back on his chest "I have to be gone before Jack comes back tomorrow…he can't be involved in this."

Brax brought his arm down around her "I thought you had a plan with him."

"I did," she nodded "but I'll be dead soon and I can't have him getting hurt," she said and looked up at him "or you."

Brax wiped away a tear that slid down her cheek "no one is gonna touch you I promised didn't I?"

Charlie sniffed and smiled up at him "I really wish I could believe it Brax."

Brax pulled her closer "no matter what happens I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you…get some sleep."

Charlie blew out a breath and leaned up to kissing him, pulling back she kissed him a few times and rested her head against his "I'm really glad I high jacked you this morning," she giggled.

Brax chuckled and kissed her on the head "yeah, me too, I got a feed and all."

Charlie's face turned serious "I need you to do something for me if I don't make it out of this one."

"Charlie stop," he said and nudged her off him "you're not going anywhere no one is gonna get near you while I'm around," he said sitting up.

Charlie sat up beside him and held out a letter "just give this to my daughter and tell her I love her so much."

Brax looked down on the name and looked at her "Ruby is your daughter?" he chuckled when Charlie nodded "she's Casey's girlfriend," he added.

Charlie chuckled and slid onto his lap facing him "about that sleep," she said and kissed him slowly.

Brax slid his hands onto her hips and pulled her closer before lying back with her never wanting to let go.

A/N hope you all enjoyed that, I know I've another story going but I couldn't resist this one, cya soon JJ