Another new one since I had some time on my hands I decided to post this to keep me busy, enjoy.

Charlie ran into Angelo's panting and stopped at the bar "I'm here what was so important you couldn't say over the phone?" she asked her fiance Angelo.

"Um can we go into the office?" he asked nervously.

Charlie frowned "are you okay you look like someone died…oh my god did someone die?" she asked wide eyed.

Angelo shook his head and walked out from behind the bar "just come with me please," he said and took her hand.

Leading her to the office she started to worry he'd been hot and cold with her for weeks now "Angelo what's going on?" she asked as he pulled her into the office.

He turned and kissed her deeply backing her up against the door, when he pulled back Charlie giggled "if you wanted a kiss you should have just asked, did you really call me down here from work for that?"

Angelo sighed and stepped away from her he turned his back on her and put his hands on the table leaning on it "I can't do it anymore," he said and turned to face her "I can't live a lie anymore Charlie."

Charlie stood watching him "what do you mean?" she finally asked "what's a lie?"

"Us- I can't do it anymore… I'm in love with someone else," he said quickly.

Charlie was stunned-stunned was an understatement, she took a step back confusion and every other emotion crossing her face "w-what do you mean you're in love with someone else? Angelo we're getting married in seven weeks!" she yelled.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean for it to happen it just did, I'm sorry Charlie I don't wanna hurt you but I can't do it, I can't marry you," he said taking a few steps to her. "It wasn't supposed to work out this way it was supposed to be a once off."

"You've been cheating on me?" she asked she felt her heart break in two she actually thought she heard it snap "with who?" she whispered.

"Doesn't matter," Angelo sighed and sat on the desk "I couldn't keep lying to you Charlie I love you I do and the thought of hurting you is killing me but I have to tell you the truth… it just happened I need to be with her- I always thought I'd be with you for the rest of my life really I did, me you Rubes and more kids."

"So what changed?" she asked and came to sit beside him it was slowly sinking in so she hadn't reached her anger stage yet.

Angelo sighed again and turned to face her "this girl I met we just clicked- grew closer…when we first….you know, she pulled away and said she couldn't hurt you that it wouldn't happen again- she stayed away for a few weeks and I tried to stay away from her too."

"So I know her?" Charlie asked Angelo nodded "is she my friend?" she asked closing her eyes.

Angelo nodded and cleared his throat "yeah, it's Nat," he mumbled.

"Natalie!" she yelled and jumped up "you've been sleeping with my sister?"

"Babe I'm so sorry it just happened," he said and stood up.

"Do not call me that!" she hissed as tears welled in her eyes but she refused to let them out-not in front of him "I can't believe you've done this to me! After all I've done- after everything we've been through, you bastard!" she screeched and threw herself at him.

Angelo let her hit him for a few minutes until her punches became weaker and she just stepped back "how long has this been going on?" she asked calmly.

"Few months," Angelo replied.

"How long!" she yelled.

"Seven months," he said quickly.

Charlie gasped how the hell did it go on for that long without her suspecting anything- without them slipping up? Pacing in front of him she turned to him she felt like such a fool, they had only been engaged for four months- all this time he'd been sleeping with her, all his late nights- the nights he didn't come home he was with her "this place is mine," she said seriously "I own seventy per cent you'll sell your bit- I don't care to who, it's gonna be a quick sale and you'll get the hell out of my life!" she hissed.

Angelo nodded "that's the other thing…Nat's Pregnant, she wants to move back to be near her aunt I can't let her go alone…it's my baby I wanna be involved."

Charlie ran her hand down to her stomach little did he know she was eight weeks pregnant she was going to tell him at their date night tonight-she'd even wrapped up the test and had it all planned out screw it now she thought-he's not gonna know. Sighing she pulled the door open "I hope you're very happy together you deserve each other!" she yelled and walked away "out of my house out of my restaurant by the end of the day!"

Angelo hurried after her "Charlie that's too soon it's already lunch time where am I supposed to go!"

Charlie scoffed and whirled to face him not caring that she was in the main area now and the place was packed "you cheated on me with my sister!" she screamed making the place go silent "you'll get your stuff and get the fuck out, the next time I wanna see you is you walking away from me after signing away your share of this place!" she yelled.

"But Charlie-" he started.

"But Charlie nothing! if you're not gone by tonight so help me I will kill you!" she started to walk away then stopped, shaking her head she turned back to him, taking off her ring she flung it at him "this is my place get out!" she yelled and walked back to the bar.

Angelo picked up the ring and walked over to her and placed it on the bar "Charlie please don't end it like this," he said in a low tone darting his eyes to see everyone watching-mostly people they knew-people that were invited to their wedding in a few weeks' time. "I know I hurt you and trust me you'll never know how sorry I am but please don't end it like this you might never see me again."

Charlie laughed bitterly and walked around the bar, without thinking she pulled her arm back and punched him so hard in the face he fell to the ground, "get that thing away from me and get the hell out of my restaurant if I ever see you again it'll be too soon!" she hissed and threw the ring on his chest "you have ten seconds!" she yelled and stepped back.

She looked up when claps and whistles erupted around the place she smiled quickly and walked behind the bar as Angelo pulled himself up and hurried out the door holding his nose. Watching him go she bit her lip as her eyes filled with tears, she turned her back on the on lookers and picked up the books pretending she was looking at something praying someone would break the silence that had fallen.

Hayley her best friend had being having lunch with a friend from work in the corner she had seen Charlie come in but didn't call her she looked like she was in a hurry. She walked behind the bar and placed her hand on Charlie's back, leaning forward she moved so she could see her face her heart broke at the sight-she was truly heartbroken "you want me to shut this place down?" she asked softly.

Charlie sighed and shook her head she looked at Hayley and smiled quickly "thanks but I'm fine," she said and turned to the bar "boys?" she asked as two guys stood awkwardly waiting to be served.

"Uh two beers please," one of them said and put money down on the counter.

Charlie slid it back to them and got two beers "on me sorry for the interruption there- in fact!" she yelled louder "all your lunches are on me I'm so sorry for that little incident!" she said and looked around.

"Charlie!" Hayley shrieked and hurried over "you can't do that do you know how much you'll lose?" she yelled.

Charlie shrugged "see it as Angelo's wages and his leaving package," she said and smiled as she handed a woman over a soda.

"Charlz I know you're hurting right now but I think you should reconsider."

"Can you man the bar for five minutes?" she asked and walked by her.

Hayley sighed and walked to the till as Sid and Indi walked to the bar "you heard the boss," she said.

"We did," Sid nodded "but we're not listening," he said and placed money on the bar "and if there is more decent folk in here they won't take advantage!" he said loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Is she gonna be okay?" Indi asked.

"I don't know that asshole has a lot to answer for….Sid is there anything I can give her if she flies off the handle later?" Hayley asked she knew her best friend she knew this was all an act for all to see it would be a different story when she got home where no one would see her.

"I wouldn't recommend giving her anything yet, it's a shock it'll take a while for this to sink in, if she's any worse in a day or two call me and I'll come over and see what I can do," he said.

"Thanks," Hayley replied and handed him his change. Silently thanking god as a queue formed with people willing to pay for their food.

...

Charlie sat on her desk and sighed she had just made a show of herself- she wasn't really worried about that, everyone would find out what he done eventually she just wished she'd kept her cool. Looking at the photo on her desk she scoffed and shoved it into the bin she wouldn't be needing it anymore. Looking at the time she cursed and pulled out her phone "Liam buddy old pal," she said sweetly.

Liam chuckled "what can I do for you boss?"

"Know the way you love me and I'm such a good friend…wanna come in for an hour or two, I need to finish my shift at the station and I'm at Angelo's on my own…I'll pay you for a full day," she added.

"Isn't Angelo supposed to be on for the day?" Liam asked.

Charlie cringed at the mention of his name "yeah something came up he had to leave I'll explain later… can you come in?"

"Sure I'll be there in about ten minutes…are you okay you sound off?"

"I'm fine just stressing I'll see you soon and thanks Liam you're a life saver and I promise I'll be right over after my shift," she said and hung up.

Walking to the mirror she looked at herself her eyes were red and puffy, although she never allowed a tear to escape it looked like she was about to burst, taking a few deep breaths she turned towards the door no man was gonna put her down squaring her shoulder she pulled the door open and walked out to face everyone.

Hayley had cleared the queue and the place had died down "are you okay?" she asked as Charlie got herself a bottle of water and sat on a stool.

"Yeah," she sighed "still just wrapping my head around it."

Hayley came to sit beside her "anything I can do?"

"Yeah," she chuckled "go beat the crap out of my pregnant backstabbing sister-break her nose even."

"She's pregnant!" Hayley yelled in shock.

"Yeah," Charlie sighed again "and because she's pregnant he's leaving with her…good riddance to both," she muttered.

"Oh Charlie I'm so sorry," Hayley said and placed her hand over hers "did you um…" she trailed off.

Charlie knew what she was asking "no I didn't tell him I was pregnant- not gonna either, I'm not giving him an excuse to stick around," she said and stood up when Liam stopped beside them "thanks mate," she said and kissed him on the cheek "I'll be back after six," she said and grabbed her keys.

"Where are you going now?" Hayley asked and jumped up.

"I'm going back to work Liam is gonna cover until I get back, feel free to help out if you like- rest of the staff won't be in until four- I'll pay you too," she replied and started to walk.

"Charlie you can't be serious!" Hayley called and took a step after her.

Liam noticed she was upset but putting on the act "what am I missing here?" he asked, he Hayley and Charlie along with a few others had gone to school together and had remained close. As everyone out of their group fizzled out to do their own thing only a few stuck around and we're still around- that's who Charlie classed as her real mates.

Charlie walked back to him "Angelo has been having an affair so he's not allowed in here and I don't want him in my office- near that safe…actually lock the door and keep the key on you-tell him I have it, thanks Liam you're a good mate," she smiled and hurried out the door leaving Liam looking after her in shock and Hayley shaking her head.

A while later Charlie sat at her desk with her hands on each side of her face staring out the window. She couldn't focus on work all she could think about was Angelo and what he'd done to her- why her sister? sure they weren't exactly close but still, she was so absorbed in her thoughts she didn't even notice her eldest brother leaning on the doorframe watching her with concern.

He had gone to lunch with his girlfriend Georgina-also a cop and friend of Charlie's and had overheard a couple telling others how the cop that owns Angelo's had a show down with her fiancée and flung the ring back at him and punched him-cheated on her they said. Sighing he pushed himself off the door and walked in, closing the door he walked over and sat in the chair opposite her.

She looked over at him and smiled quickly she knew by the look he was giving her that he had heard "I'm fine Pete," she said.

"You don't look it," he said looking at her dazed look and genuine sadness on her face "Charlz I'm so sorry," he said leaning forward.

"Have you heard the best bit?" she laughed.

Peter shook his head "all I know is he cheated on you-he's dead, you punched him and threw him out."

Charlie sighed and sat back in her chair "he's being cheating with our lil sis and now she's pregnant and he's leaving with her-she wants to go...running away from me is what she's doing."

Peter shook his head "our own sister did this to you?" he asked wide eyed, shaking his head he shot up "that moron has a lot to answer for!" he yelled "and she does too I'm gonna go see her."

"No Pete please just leave it," Charlie said and grabbed his hand before he stormed off "he's been told to go he's selling his bit of Angelo's I just want him gone please just leave it," she begged.

"Charlie you were supposed to marry the guy in a few weeks you've been with him for nearly five years he can't do that to you and walk away!" Peter yelled angrily.

"Please?" she asked again "Pete I don't wanna see him again I don't wanna see him around I just want him outta my life so I can move on."

Peter sighed and sat back down "fine I won't say anything but you need to-don't let him just walk away scott free."

"He's not," Charlie said and ran her hand over her stomach "he gonna be missing out on this little guy."

Peter shook his head he didn't know either "…do you want me to take you home?" he asked.

"No," Charlie sighed and looked down at the file she had been trying to finish since she came back from Angelo's- all she needed to do now was sign it. Signing it she stood up and closed it "I'm done now anyway- time for my shift at Angelo's."

"You're going there to work?" Peter asked and stood up.

"Uh yeah what else do you suggest I do? Thursday is the day Angelo is there till close on his own," Charlie replied.

"Ask someone to cover really Charlie I think you should be at home now, you need to let it sink in," Peter said.

"What I need to do is keep my restaurant open, I'm fine I need to keep busy- anyway Ruby is on tonight too I need to talk to her about it…if she hasn't already heard," she added.

Peter knew not to argue with her there was no point "alright," he sighed "but I'll be stopping in to check on you later," he walked to her and dropped a kiss on her forehead "I love ya kiddo," he said and walked out of her office with one thing on his mind…Angelo was gonna pay.

…

A few hours later the night time rush had kicked in Charlie was rushing from table to table and the bar in between, Liam the great friend he was offered to stay on with her- but she knew he just wanted to know how she was doing.

She was now behind the bar covering Liam's Lunch break everyone had been seen to so she had a few minutes to herself. She looked up and saw a group of guys she'd never seen before she watched them as they got closer, the one in the middle was hot she thought, he wore a dark check shirt with jeans he was tall very good looking-body to die for dark skin dark hair, she was almost drooling at the tattoo peeking out of his open top button. She shook her head clear as he stopped in front of her "what can I get you guys?" she asked.

"Four beers and a word with the chick that owns this place," the guy in the check shirt replied and smiled at her as he pushed some money towards her.

Charlie grabbed four beers from the fridge and started to open them "what do you want her for?" she asked before she told him it was her he was looking for.

"Need a word is all…is she here?" he asked.

Charlie slid the beers to him and took up the money "what's your name?" she asked as she handed him back his change.

"Brax," he replied "so are you gonna tell her I'm here?" he asked and handed the beers behind him "I'll catch up to you lot in while," he said and watched his mates go to a table. He turned back to her "any time tonight," he chuckled. He had to admit this bar chick was very attractive, tall long legs worked wonders with that skirt she was beautiful too…wonder if she's single he asked himself.

Charlie looked around "Mol!" she called "can you cover the bar until Liam gets back?" she asked one of the waitresses.

"Sure," Molly replied and hurried over.

"Thanks I won't be long," Charlie said and walked out "let's go out back," she said to Brax and started to walk.

Brax followed her and went into her office "so is she even here?" he asked when the office was empty.

Charlie sat on her desk "I'm Charlie I'm the chick that owns this place so what do you want and do not waste my time," she said seriously.

Brax's eye widened slightly the way this guy went on about her he was expecting someone older not her at all "I ran into a guy called Angelo earlier," he started.

Charlie sighed and stood up "whatever he sent you to do or ask you can forget it I'm not interested," she said and walked to the door "I told you not to waste my time," she said and pulled the door open.

"Hang on you haven't even heard what I have to say," he said and turned to face her.

Charlie closed the door "come on then out with it," she said and walked back to her desk.

"He said he was selling but he wanted to make sure you were okay with who he sells to," Brax said and walked over to her "he'll signed the papers I have here… if you're happy with me, I've to sign them in front of you-you too then give them back to him to finish," he explained.

Charlie nodded and stood up she took the ppapers from him and signed where she had to "I told him I didn't care who he sold his bit to I just wanted him gone, so you can sign them now and come see me at a more convenient hour," she said and opened the door.

Brax walked over to her "you get right to the point I like it-we're gonna get along just fine," he said and walked by her.

"We'll see, goodbye Brax," she said and walked back behind the bar "thanks Mol," she smiled and took over from her.

A while later Charlie smiled as her brothers walked up the bar "hey guys," she said and walked over to them "what can I get you?"

"Two beers," Peter said as they both slipped into stools "how are you?" he asked.

"Great," she smiled and handed them beers "Jack what happened to your hand?" she asked looking at his cut knuckles.

"Uh nothing," he said and pulled his hands off the bar "hit rocks while surfing," he lied.

Charlie's head snapped up at a scuffle out on the floor "back in a sec," she said and ran around the bar as two girls tore strips off each other "Oi! Break it up," she yelled and got in between them "not in here, you wanna kill each other take it outside!" she yelled.

"What are you gonna do about it?" one of them hissed and got up in her face.

"You'll find out pretty soon if you don't get out of my face," Charlie replied.

Brax watched her from the other end of the bar, he watched the girl pull her arm back ready to punch Charlie-but she was quicker, before the girl could move her arm Charlie had grabbed her spun her around and now had her pinned to the table. He walked closer so he could listen to what she was saying his eyes widened when she pulled cuffs out of her waist band.

"You're under arrest," Charlie yelled and cuffed her.

"Get of me you freak you can't arrest me!" she yelled and struggled against her.

"Oh yes I can," Charlie chuckled "you're under arrest for breach of the peace oh and attempted assault on an officer," she said and pulled her up straight.

The girl snapped her head to the girl she had been fighting with "since when are you a cop?" she snapped.

Charlie shook her head "I'm the cop you idiot," she said and pulled out her phone "Sergeant Buckton here I need a car for transport at Angelo's, alright, thanks Georgie," she said and hung up. She walked to the bar with the girl "sit," she ordered and pulled out a stool.

The girl sat down "do you think you could take these off?" she asked "look I didn't think you were a cop…still don't," she muttered.

"Well you should have thought about that before you started a fight in my restaurant and that mouth will only get you into more trouble so I suggest you sit there quietly until your ride arrives." She turned to Jack and Peter "I know you're finished but will you watch her will I clean up the mess?"

"Go on Charlz we got her," Jack chuckled and moved to the stool beside her.

Brax still stood watching her impressed was not the word, she was a cop too-the boss-that he liked, he walked over to her "so a cop huh?" he said and sat at the table she was clearing.

"Yeah," Charlie replied "that is my real job," she said and stacked plates into her arms.

"So how often do you be here?" he asked.

Charlie looked behind her as her name was called "um we'll talk later get rid of your mates and come back after close," she said and walked to the officers that had arrived.

….

Closing time had finally come the place had been cleaned the staff had gone home, normally Ruby would hang around but Charlie had told her not to come in after she called her crying- someone had told her about the Angelo thing. She now sat alone counting the till, as soon as she finished she walked to the office and put the money in the safe, locking it she yawned and stood up. Turning around she jumped when Brax stood leaning against the door "geez, creep much?" she asked holding her chest.

Brax chuckled "sorry thought you heard me come in."

Charlie yawned again and walked by him "guess I was lost in thought…do you want a drink?" she asked grabbing herself a bottle of water.

"Beer," Brax replied and sat on a stool at the bar "nice place, I could really see myself in a place like this," he said as he looked around.

Charlie slid his beer to him "so what exactly did Angelo tell you?"

Brax shrugged "he wanted a quick sale because he was moving away with his girlfriend…were you two close?" he asked he didn't miss her face drop at the girlfriend part.

Charlie held up her left hand "what do you notice?" she asked.

Brax leaned in closer "uh a ring mark," he said looking at the white bit of skin on her wedding finger.

Charlie nodded if he was gonna be her new partner he may as well know the full story "up until today he was my fiancé."

Brax frowned "but your one is pregnant…he said he was moving with her."

Charlie sighed "yeah he is…cheated on me-with my damn sister," she muttered.

"Ouch," Brax said "…sorry," he added.

Charlie waved it off "I'm over it, so what do you wanna know about this place?" she asked changing the subject.

"Everything," he replied "If I'm gonna be your partner I wanna know how to do everything I wanna know what way the books and that go."

Charlie nodded "since I own the most part of this place I am in charge got it?" he nodded "I have four rules that are for you and me only."

"Okay," Brax nodded "go on."

"…Five, I'm adding a new one right now," she added.

Brax chuckled "alright what is it?"

Charlie looked at him "before I make this new rule…have you a girlfriend?"

"Nope living the single life," he chuckled.

"Okay well then it's five rules, one," she started "you cannot fire or hire anyone without asking me first. Two, you cannot take any money from the till or safe for anything without asking me first. Three, you're mates or family members are not to be in the office at any time. Four, you work around my shifts at the station- you are free to come and go as you please any other times-once I know and finally five, no girls are ever and I mean ever to be in the office-no sex anywhere in here...same rules apply to me," she said and leaned on the bar.

Brax chuckled "I think I can work with that."

"That was just the rule for us now here's the rules for everyone," she giggled "no freebies to mates-family eat and drink free…within reason. You're mates are not to be hanging around all the time, if someone is sick they must be replaced, every six months there are training courses and guess what Brax- we have one next week so you can join us…oh and no dating the staff," she smiled and pushed herself up.

"What about dating the boss?" he asked curiously.

Charlie smiled and turned back to him a smirk crossing her face "Angelo dated the boss didn't he?" she said and walked out from behind the bar.

"So there is a possibility?" he asked.

Charlie chuckled "you do realise my fiancé cheated on me today right?"

Brax nodded "I'm just asking no harm right?" he said and stood up as she yawned again "right that's like the tenth time you've yawned since I got here how about we continue this tomorrow?"

"Yeah that'll be great I'm dying for my bed, I was in the station at six this morning," she replied and grabbed her keys.

Brax looked at his watch it was after one "are you on tomorrow?"

"No not at the station, my mate Liam opens up here on a Friday-he's the manager I'll be in whenever I'm up and ready," Charlie replied.

"Right," Brax nodded as they walked towards the exit "so give us your number and I'll call you to see what time to come by."

Charlie pulled out her card and handed it to him "don't forget to sign those papers and give them back to Angelo…night Brax," she said as they stepped outside.

She locked the door and turned to see him still there "no home to go to?" she chuckled.

Brax shrugged "walking you to your car is that a crime Serge?" he teased.

Charlie chuckled "it's right there I think I can manage," she said and walked to her car. She climbed in and started up the car, pulling her belt across her she pulled out and waved at him as she went by wow he is so hot she said to herself as she headed home… this will defiantly be interesting.