Hey all, enjoy another new story...can't help myself, one ends a new one begins, let me know what you think.
Charlie walked quickly through headquarters she was nervous, no one ever got called to Inspector Joyce's office unless that officer was in real big trouble-normally meetings with him would be planned with plenty of notice, this wasn't a good sign. Last night he had called just before she left to go home for the night and asked her to be there first thing the next morning with no explanation as to what it was about. As she tried to remember what she'd done wrong her pace quickened until she found herself outside his door, knocking she blew out a breath when he called and opened the door "you wanted to see me sir?" she asked.
Joyce looked up from his file "yes Charlie I did, come in" he said and stood up.
Charlie closed the door behind her "is something wrong?" she asked as she sat down.
Joyce glanced back at her from his spot by the window "how do you feel about undercover work Charlie?"
Charlie frowned but was relieved she wasn't in trouble "uh, if it helps take someone off the street I guess it's worth it."
Joyce nodded and walked back to her "we've gotten word from the authorities in Bali, seems Daryl Braxton has sold his import business and has arrived home this morning," he said and sat on the edge of his desk.
Charlie nodded Daryl Braxton was the former leader of the River boys gang but had fled with his two teenage brothers when all his boys and his brother Heath had been caught on a dope crop, he was never linked to it but the police knew he was the leader and the brains behind it all "so he's here to stay?" she asked.
"That's not all," Joyce sighed "seems he's bought Angelo's from Rosetta."
Charlie shook her head "he told me he had a buyer overseas I wouldn't say he knows who it is…I better go tell him before any paperwork goes through," she said and went to stand up.
"No don't," Joyce said nodding for her to sit back down "let him take over and settle in, he'll slip up soon enough and we'll be there to catch him this time."
"Okay," Charlie frowned "so why exactly am I here?"
"I want you to go undercover and get close to Daryl Braxton," Joyce said and stood up.
Charlie nodded "and what about everyone that knows me around here? Surely someone will blow it-my daughter maybe or my dad."
"That's why we chose you, your name keeps being brought up, he's not coming back to summer bay just yet, he's just dropping in to see Angelo's sort out the paperwork before he takes off again."
"Oh?" she asked "and where is he going?"
"Perth, he's also rented a cottage on the coast up there-in Armstrong Valley."
"Ah," Charlie said copping on "and you want me to stay in my mums cottage while he's there?"
"For two months," Joyce nodded "he's rented the cottage next to you for the summer so you have plenty of reasons to drop in on him, I want you on him as much as you can he's not just up there for a holiday he's either planning something for down here or he's something already going on up there."
Charlie nodded again "when do I need to leave?"
"He's booked into the Sands for tonight- he may not stay the night, we've someone there watching him they'll call as soon as he checks out you'll need to leave when you get that call."
"So it could be during the night?" she asked.
"Yes, so I suggest you go home now and pack your stuff, and Charlie," he said looking down at her "one picture is all you're allowed, no cards with your name on them no id and certainly no badge- your gun you're allowed. A file is being sent to your house everything you need will be in it including your new identity and your background story- he will come back here at some stage but we'll deal with that when it happens. In case he's suspicious and looks into you there is a dummy file set up for you with a few petty charges so make sure you read it and learn it all you can't bring it with you. You'll be collected and dropped to the airport you're to hand over your phone badge and anything that connects you to this town."
Charlie nodded and stood up "I understand sir I won't let you down…am I allowed to tell my family where I'm going?"
Joyce shook his head "no, no one, Detective Baker will be your handler he'll let your family know after your gone."
"Can I say goodbye to my daughter?" she asked trying to hold back tears she'd never left Ruby longer than a night.
Joyce sighed looking at her eyes "just your daughter and don't tell her where you're going."
Charlie smiled "thank you sir…I guess I'll see you in a few months," she said and opened the door "please don't tell me Jack is taking over for me?"
Joyce chuckled "I'm afraid so, weren't you the one who appointed him acting sergeant?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
Charlie giggled "yeah I did but I never thought it would come into affect…tell him not to wreck my station," she said and slipped out the door.
Later that night Charlie paced her living room waiting on Ruby to get home from her shift at the diner "Ruby?" she said and ran to the kitchen as the back door opened.
"No just me," her brother Peter said "just came by to see how you were," he said closing the door.
Charlie sighed "I'm asking myself why I agreed to this what if she's not home in time?"
Peter pulled her into a hug " we have till morning, she'll be home she can't know anyway but don't worry she'll understand and we'll look after her…are you all packed?"
Charlie was about to reply when Joyce's words came back to her "I know she can't I just want to see her before I go and yes it's in the bushes outside."
"And you've read your back ground story you know your new name and that?" he asked.
Charlie nodded "I've read it five times I know it all," she said and stepped back when both phones beeped.
Peter reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone sighing he looked over at her "it's time to go Watson will be here in ten minutes."
"But he's booked in for the night he can't be leaving already," she said trying to delay things.
Peter sighed again "I know Charlie but we've gotten the call which means he's on the move you have to go now."
"But Ruby," she whimpered and looked at the door as it flew open.
"Hello," Ruby said happily "hey uncle Pete," she said and kissed him on the cheek "I'm beat mum I'm just gonna head to bed," she said and kissed Charlie on the cheek "see ya in the morning, love ya" she said and walked up the stairs.
Charlie looked after her and looked over at Peter "call me when Watson gets here," she said and hurried after her. Getting to Ruby's room she knocked on the door and walked in "hey sweetie I need to talk to you," she said and sat on the bed.
"Okay," Ruby said and threw her pyjamas down "what is it?" she asked sitting beside her.
"I have to go away for a while-for work," she added quickly.
Ruby's eyes went wide "how long?" she asked she'd never been without her mum for more than a day.
"Not long- a week maybe," Charlie replied not wanting to upset her.
Ruby nodded but didn't say anything for a moment "you'll miss my birthday," she said looking over at her.
Charlie nodded she hadn't even thought about that "I will but I'll call and I'll send you a present."
"It's not that." Ruby muttered "I haven't been away from you ever for a birthday I won't know what to do."
Charlie moved closer and slipped her hand into hers "you'll do what we do every year, the girls know what to do and they'll make it even better so you won't miss me."
Ruby smiled sadly "I'll still miss you," she said and leaned in to hug her "it won't be the same with you not here," she said and wrapped her arms around her.
"You'll still have fun," Charlie said as a tear dropped from her face "granddad and the others will spoil you as usual," she said after a minute.
Ruby nodded "as long as Jack and Pete don't wear the hats again," she giggled "…so you're going now?" she asked and stood up.
Charlie stood up too and nodded "just got the call before you came in they have an opening on this course and I can't miss it or I'll be waiting a few months."
Ruby nodded again "guess we hug now," she giggled and walked into her arms "I love ya mum," she sighed.
Charlie closed her eyes and held her tight against her "I love you too baby I promise I'll be home as soon as I can ."
Ruby cleared her throat and stepped back "don't worry about me once granddad and the girls know you're gone they'll be all over me," she giggled.
Charlie chuckled "that's why I'm so glad they care so much, I couldn't bare it if you were alone…I left my bank card down in the kitchen drawer you know the pin take what you need."
Ruby nodded "I have a job mum I'll be fine don't worry about me."
Charlie nodded "I know but it's there if you need it…I love you," she said and walked to the door.
"Have fun mum," Ruby said.
Charlie turned back to her "you look after yourself and if you need anything granddad and the others are there…I'll call as often as I can."
Ruby smiled "I'll be fine…call me when you get there."
Charlie nodded "I will…bye baby," she said and hurried out the door before she burst into tears.
When she got back to the kitchen Peter was leaning on the door "your bag is in the car," he said and walked outside.
Charlie followed him "Pete," she said shakily.
"Don't worry," he said "I'm gonna stay here tonight she'll be fine we'll keep an eye on her."
Charlie hugged him "I love ya," she said and pulled the door open "bye," she smiled and climbed into the car.
Peter closed the door and leaned on the window "I love ya too, you can do this Charlie, I'll be in touch," he said and kissed her on the cheek "remember what I taught you," he said and stepped back "bye," he smiled and walked into the house.
Charlie sighed heavily and watched her house as Watson pulled away- for now Charlie Buckton Baker was no more.
Charlie boarded her plane and went to find her seat when she got closer her eyes widened, who was in the seat beside her? Only Daryl Braxton and one of his brothers. When she got to the seat she smiled quickly at him when he looked up at her, he smiled back and looked back down at whatever he had in front of him. Opening the overhead compartment she stood on her toes to try shove her bag in "damn it," she muttered after it fell out for the third time.
"Need a hand?"
She looked to see him standing up "yeah thanks I can't reach up to shove it back."
"They are high," he smiled and stepped out into the aisle. Taking the bag from her he put it up "do you need anything from it before I push it back?" he asked.
"No thanks I have my book here," she replied.
Daryl nodded and shoved it back "done," he said closing the door down, smiling quickly at her he sat back down.
"Thanks," she said and sat beside him.
"Don't mention it," he replied and turned to his brother when he tapped him.
Not long into flight Charlie's eyes began to get heavy closing her book she lay her head back and closed her eyes, she was asleep before she knew it.
"Hey Brax," the guy in at the window whispered "that girl let her book fall."
Brax looked over to see she'd fallen asleep, looking down at the floor he spotted the book, picking it up he shoved it into his bag by his feet "remind me to give it to her when she wakes up Kyle alright."
Someone a seat in front of them scoffed "please that's just an excuse to talk to her again-I saw the way you looked at her when she sat down," he chuckled.
"Yeah I saw it too," Kyle added.
"Shut up Case," Brax said and looked quickly at her.
"She's still asleep Brax but be sure not to drool on her," Casey said and turned back in his seat.
Brax looked over at her again she was pretty hot "nah," he said to himself "she's too hot she wouldn't be interested in me." Looking up when the seatbelt sign came on he looked at Charlie again to see she'd no belt on. Thinking for a moment he leaned over and pulled one side up over her-pulling his hands back quickly when she jumped up "sorry, the seatbelt sign came on, we're landing…I didn't want to wake you," he said.
"It's fine," she yawned and grabbed the other side of the belt "is it that time already?" she asked sitting up properly.
"Yeah," Brax replied "five minutes I think they said."
Charlie nodded again "which side are the taxi's on?"
"Not sure, never been here before…where are you going?" he asked.
"Armstrong valley," she replied "I have a cottage up there it's my home away from home," she chuckled.
Brax nodded "um I may be over stepping the mark here but I'm heading there too, I've rented a car if you want a lift," he offered.
"No I couldn't do that, I don't even know you for starters," she smiled "I'll be fine I'll get a taxi but thanks."
Kyle leaned over the seat after been listening in "you know a taxi will cost you about thirty dollars and we promise you'll be safe with us."
"This is my brother Kyle," Brax said "and I'm Brax," he said holding out his hand.
"Lucy," she replied and shook it "um I guess I could take you up on the offer…if you brother doesn't mind," she added.
"We don't," Casey said sticking his head through the seat "I'm Casey, his other brother."
"Okay hi Casey," she smiled "I'll give you something towards petrol then."
"You'll do no such thing," Brax said quickly "we're going to the same place you may as well get a lift."
"I have to do something," she replied.
"No you don't but if you're up for it we're having a few drinks tomorrow, you know if you don't fancy sitting alone for the night," Brax said shooting a look at Kyle when he chuckled.
"Ah no I don't want to intrude but thank you," she replied trying to play it cool.
"You're more than welcome," Kyle said.
"Thanks but I have stuff to do tomorrow," Charlie said and stood up as the seatbelt sign went off.
…..
A while later they turned onto Armstrong valley "which number?" Brax asked.
"Seven," Charlie replied "just up here on the left."
"Hey we're in eight," Casey said "right next to each other."
"What are the chances of that?" Kyle said.
Brax pulled to a stop and climbed out, going to the boot he pulled out her case and placed it on the ground "anything else you need before we go in?" he asked.
"No I'm just going to fall into bed now, thanks for everything," she said and grabbed her case "I guess I'll be seeing you around Brax," she smiled and walked up to her door-he didn't seem so bad but she knew that was just the charm he was so good at.
"Night Lucy!" he called and followed Casey and Kyle inside.
"She is so hot Brax," Casey chuckled as soon as the door had closed.
Brax shook his head "yeah she is but she has to me married or something she's way too hot to be single."
"She might not be she could be single," Casey said.
"So you're not gonna do anything?" Kyle asked and looked at Casey.
"No," Brax replied "what's the point? She wouldn't look twice at me anyway."
"Because on the drive here you two were flirting oblivious to the fact that we were both there," Casey said.
Brax scoffed "we were not," he said and walked to his room "we were just making conversation," he added.
"Oh Brax stop you're so funny," Casey said and a girls voice.
Kyle chucked "go for it Brax she'll be gone soon so will we-night guys!" he called and walked into his room.
Brax leaned against the door and sighed there was something about her-something that made him want to see her again and she'd only just gone, looking at Casey grinning he shook his head "shut up," he chuckled and closed the door.
Over at Charlie's cottage she threw her bag on the sofa and pulled out her new phone, going to the only number she had in the phone she pressed call. "Hey," she said when a sleepy voice answered "I was hoping it would go to message bank."
"It's fine," Peter yawned "so you made it in one piece?"
"Yeah and you'll never guess who was in the seat beside me."
"I know," Peter replied "we got the manifest before we booked your ticket…so you talked then?"
"Yep, he offered me a ride from the airport I kept shrugging him off saying I was fine with a taxi before I gave in and agreed."
Peter chuckled "you sound like a pro already."
Charlie giggled "anyway just called to check in I'll let you get back to sleep night Pete I love ya."
"Love ya too be careful Lucy," he chuckled.
"Yeah about that, I'm guessing you picked that name?"
"Charlie Lucy Buckton Baker, what do you think?"
Charlie chuckled "could I not just be Charlie?"
"No," he replied "you can't have anything connecting you to here, go on get some sleep I'll call in a few days, keep your eye on him and spend as much time with him as you can without it being too obvious."
"I will, night," she replied and hung up. She frowned as there was a knock at her door. Walking to it she opened it "Brax," she greeted.
"Hey sorry I know it's late, I just came over to see had you water we don't have any," he said leaning on the frame.
Charlie moved back to let him in "have you turned on the mains?"
"Uh no am I supposed to?" he asked following her to the kitchen.
"Well yeah, did they not tell you that when you booked it? They don't leave the water on because no one is here half the time," she said and pulled open the press under the sink "it's that nozzle back there," she said pointing to it.
"Right," Brax chuckled "I feel like an idiot so I'll just say goodnight," he said and walked to the door.
"Yeah big tough guy like you should have checked the mains first," she giggled when he raised an eyebrow "I'm kidding it's an easy mistake," she said and walked to the door "night Brax," she smiled and leaned against the door.
Brax leaned on the other side "you going to come over tomorrow night?"
Charlie smirked "I'm not sure yet …what's in it for me?"
"Well apart from spending the night with me I'll feed you you'll get an endless flow of beer and if you're really lucky you might get a bed for the night," he chuckled.
"Alone?" Charlie smirked.
Brax chuckled and pushed himself off the door "well if you don't want to be alone I'm sure I could arrange something…Night Lucy!" he called as he walked back to his own place.
Charlie watched him go with a wide smirk he was so into her "I'm gonna have so much fun taking you down," she said and closed the door.
The next morning Charlie yawned and pulled the front door open stuffing the money Joyce had given her into her bag she grabbed the keys off the car he'd also left her and walked out of the house. Walking around back towards her car she stopped when Casey came around walking towards her "hey Casey," she smiled "what has you up so early?" she asked.
"Hey Lucy," he smiled and stopped beside her "we're all early risers but today I seem to be the first…you heading out?" he asked looking at the keys in her hand.
"Yeah my car does be here I'm going to get some food the place is empty," she replied.
Casey nodded "me too, Kyle left the food we did have in the airport."
Charlie chuckled "do you want a lift?" she asked.
"No I'll be fine the walk will do me good, tanks anyway," he smiled and stepped around her "hopefully we'll be seeing you later!" he called back.
"Maybe!" she called after him she was beginning to feel bad because from what she'd seen Casey and Kyle were really nice boys, she wondered did they know what Brax and Heath had been up to. She jumped back when she hit something solid "sorry," she said once she spotted it was Brax "miles away."
"Yeah you looked it," he replied "where are you off to?" he asked also looking down at the keys.
"To get some food for the house," she replied "I haven't been here in a while, what are you doing up?"
"Looking for Casey I heard him yelling about going to the shop, I was trying to catch him before he went," Brax replied.
Charlie nodded "yeah he just passed me I offered him a lift but he said he was fine."
Brax nodded "Casey likes to walk."
Charlie smiled "do you need anything in the shops?" she asked.
"Ah don't worry about it, it was just stuff for later chips and dips that kinda stuff," Brax said.
Charlie nodded "right well I can get that," she offered.
"Nah really Lucy it's fine they can do without it," he said.
"Well I can't," she smirked and stepped around him "see ya in a bit!" she called and climbed into her car.
Brax chuckled and watched her go, "she is so into you," he turned to see Kyle smirking from the doorway.
"Oh shut up Kyle," he scoffed and walked back to the house.
"Have a little faith Brax!" Kyle called as he walked by him.
"I said shut up!" Brax called again.
Kyle chuckled and followed him "she is into you though and don't pretend you don't see it."
"I don't see anything," Brax muttered as he moved about the kitchen "and don't act like the creepy guy you are now if she comes over later got it?" he asked.
"She's coming over?" Kyle asked "I thought she said she had stuff to do."
Brax shrugged and walked by him with a coffee "she said maybe so we'll see later…we're going for a surf when Case gets back!" he called.
Kyle smirked as an idea came to mind "I think Casey and I will suddenly be busy tonight," he said and walked to his room, he had to plan this properly.
In the room Brax sat on the bed and sighed as a name flashed up on his screen "not yet Brodie," he said and pressed cancel.
…
Later that evening Charlie pulled on a denim skirt and a sleeveless shirt walking to her mirror she pulled her hair out of it's tie shaking it about a little she smiled "tight short clothes without revelling too much-perfect for a neighbourly gathering," she said and walked to the bag on the table "please don't let me screw this up mum," she said as she walked out the door.
Walking over to their cottage she knocked on the door "hey," she smiled when Casey answered.
"Hey Lucy, you made it, come in," he said and stepped back to let her in "Brax is just in the shower he should be out soon."
Charlie nodded "guess I'm a little early then," she said and sat down "I brought some stuff," she said and held up the bag.
"Hey Lucy," Kyle said coming out of his room "beer while you wait for Brax?" he asked.
"Sure," she nodded "here, take the chips and dip with you," she said holding out the bag.
"You didn't have to bring anything but thanks," Kyle said and took it from her.
Grabbing her a beer he walked back and sat beside her "how come you're here all alone?" he asked "haven't you got a husband or boyfriend you could have brought with you?
Charlie chuckled and looked down on her beer "just out of an engagement actually," she said and looked over at him "my family and friends are smothering me so I needed time away."
"Really?" Casey asked joining them "..what happened?" he asked.
"That is none of your business," Brax said walking out of his room "sorry Lucy they're worse than girls when they get talking," he said and grabbed himself a beer.
"It's okay," she chuckled "everyone else knows it's not a secret," she said and turned back to Casey "he cheated on me with a girl that worked for him."
"Oh…sorry," Casey said.
"Is that why you're here?" Kyle asked "so you don't have to see him?"
"Kyle!" Brax hissed and slapped him on the back of the head.
"Brax really it's okay I'm over it all, and to answer your question Kyle, yes it does suck seeing them together but as luck has it I heard he just sold his restaurant so he can move away with her."
"Brax just bought a restaurant," Casey said.
"Yeah, Angelo's or something," Kyle added
"No way," Charlie laughed "that's him-that's my ex."
Kyle smirked to himself "what are the odds of that eh Brax?" he asked "so you're from Summer bay?" he asked.
Charlie nodded "all my life," she smiled.
"That is so cool," Kyle said and stood up "we wanna hear more about it but right now we have to meet these girls we met on the beach earlier don't we Case?" he asked pushing him out the door.
"Uh…yeah," Casey said having no clue what was going on.
"Later!" Kyle yelled and closed the door behind them.
"Well, they're not so subtle," Charlie giggled.
Brax chuckled "they have it in their heads that I like you and you like me," he said and sat beside her.
"I do like you," she said and took a sip of her beer to hide her smirk she was moving fast.
…
A while later Brax chuckled and stood up "so you're the reason I have to pay for a new wall in my new office?"
Charlie giggled "he's lucky he moved out of the way or I'd have killed him with that chair."
"And he was just doin' it on the desk where anyone could walk in?" Brax asked as he walked back with more beers.
"Yeah," Charlie giggled "he said he thought the door was locked-like that would have mattered."
"Okay, I don't know how it goes getting over cheating exes and all but you don't seem too cut up about it," Brax said.
Charlie nodded "I'm not it happened two months ago, I've moved on, I just have family and friends-all way over protective, that won't let him within two feet of me even after all this time."
Brax nodded "they're just looking out for ya."
"I know," Charlie nodded "but I just wish they'd drop the bodyguard routine and let me get on with it, if I didn't want to talk to him I wouldn't he knows himself what I'm like he'd have just walked away."
Brax nodded "so I'll be seeing you when we get back there?" he asked changing the subject.
Charlie nodded and moved closer to him "and if you wanted you could see a little more of me."
Brax chuckled and leaned in closer to her "oh I'd defiantly be looking forward to that," he said and kissed her.
Charlie scooted closer and wrapped her arms around his neck…she was actually enjoying this he was such a good kisser 'taking him down Charlie' her brain reminded her.
Charlie pulled back and kissed him quickly "we sure work fast," she giggled and picked up her beer "we only met last night."
Brax chuckled and picked up his own beer "and look how much fun we're having."
Charlie looked at her watch and decided it was time to head "before we have more fun," she said raising an eyebrow "I think I'm gonna call it a night," she said and stood up "thanks Brax I haven't had this much fun in months."
"Aww, leaving me here on my own," he pouted.
Charlie leaned down over him "you're a big boy you'll survive," she said and kissed him slowly.
Brax pulled her down onto him and deepened the kiss "whoa!" Kyle yelled as he and Casey walked in "we can come back," he said pushing Casey back out.
"It's fine guys I was just leaving," Charlie said and stood up "night," she smiled and stopped beside them "I'll be seeing you in the morning," she said looking back at Brax.
Once Charlie made it back to her own cottage she closed the door and leaned against it, should she be moving this fast or should she take it easy for a week or two.
A/N so...thoughts?
