Chapter 1

Present day.

Axel sits in Max's house in Wood Oak City with his back sunk into the couch. Max pulls out a bottle of Red Label and pours them each a glass.

Axel takes a gulp of his drink. "I still don't understand why. All she left behind was this". He passes a note to Max saying-

I'm sorry Axel, I can never give you what you want x

Max: "Do you think this is about the whole having a baby thing one day?"

Axel: "Honestly, I don't know. We never discussed anything like that. I mean, we were only together a few days but I thought things were solid between us."

Max: "What about the whole being on the run thing? Did Blaze know that Mr X escaped? Or that the feds would be on her case?"

Axel: "Yeah… wait… our last conversation was about Adam being taken by the syndicate and Mr X escaping. Possibly she ran away because of this or she didn't want to drag me into being on the run. We would have worked it out though".

Max: "I'm sorry".

Axel continues: "Blaze knew that it was a safe place out of sight. Where else could she have gone to?"

Max: "Blaze could be anywhere now. Whatever happens, she's made her decision. Clearly everyone else here still thinks she is dead, how could she have stayed?"

Axel: "I wish I had the answers. I feel exactly like I did on the day of the funeral".

Max: "Look your welcome to crash here as long as you need".

Axel: "Thanks Max. I'll take the apartment off the market tomorrow and will return to work soon enough. But right now, I need to clear my head". He downs the rest of his drink.

Adam and Keri gather up their belongings and move out of the safe house and they decide to drive back home. Keri says goodbye to Angelina and Cesar who have been staying with them at the apartment for the last two days. At least now, they will have more space and can keep it for the time being where they will be safe.

Keri turns to Adam in the passenger seat of the car. "Are you sure you wanna go back home? Is it safe?"

Adam: "I'm done with running away every time there is a threat. I've handed my notice in to Chief Clark. In a week's time, someone else will be Captain of Green District and I'm off operation syndicate. Instead I will take up the role of training other officers and they are putting me in charge of the cadet programme."

Keri: "Are you sure this is what you want?"

Adam: "The nine to five role three days a week means I can stay home longer with you and the kids. The pay is not too bad either and no more long hours and weekends at work".

Keri: "I appreciate the help and company but you have worked so hard to be where you are. You loved your career".

Adam smiles: "I love my family more". He takes her hand on the steering wheel "I almost lost you and you almost lost me. Our kids and Sammy, the fact that they were put in danger because of me and my work speaks volumes. If I'd have lost one of you I don't know what I would have…"

Keri: "Me neither. I'm just glad you are still alive to be sitting here with me. You know, when I think about what happened to Blaze, it really scares me how life can be gone in an instant like that. She was so young to die and she had everything going for her, she just couldn't see it".

Adam: "Keri I er… I need to talk to you about something".

They pull into their familiar neighbourhood where Keri notices Max's car along with Sammy outside with Luca and Zan. It appears as if he is trying to teach them how to break dance.

Keri: "Sure, what is it?" They pull into the drive way as the others wave to them.

Adam has second thoughts "nothing, it can wait".

They step out of the car and are greeted by Max first with a warm hug.

Max: "We thought we could help you and the kids settle back in".

Sammy: "Yeah, we've tidied up and have rewired the place. It's completely securer than it was before".

Keri laughs at him: "what you've tidied up? Words I'd never thought to hear". Her laugh then turns into a smile "thanks Sammy".

Axel and Luca call Adam and Keri over to the brand new surveillance system connected to their phones. Anyone coming within a few metres of the perimeter of the house will send an alert through to each of their phones along with an image and live video of anyone standing outside the door.

Luca: "If you feel as if you are in danger, this button here will alert the cops and they can be here in less than two minutes.

Axel: "Clark has also arranged for two officers to be on standby at that kiosk over there 24 hours a day. They will also patrol the neighbourhood".

Keri: "Wow, this is as safe as the white house then! Thanks guys!"

Sammy: "well since we are all here now, let's get our butts in the house Max cooked dinner!"

Adam smiles at him "aww thanks man! I hope you didn't mess up my kitchen!" He jokes.

Max: "No but that apron of yours is now ripped!"

Keri's mother has taken Sasha and baby Christopher for the time being so the seven of them at the house sit around the long dining table with Adam on one end of it and Axel on the other. Max serves up his speciality- spaghetti and homemade meatballs. "I hope you guys are hungry!"

Sammy smiles: "yep starving!"

Zan also cracks open a bottle of wine and the group make a toast "welcome home".

As they start to eat and drink they notice the odd chair missing. Everyone is pretty much thinking the same thing but they feel afraid to talk about it. About the fact that they miss Blaze and that she should be here sat around the table with them.

Adam: "There's something I have to discuss with you all". He locks eyes with Axel who is sitting opposite him at the other head of the table.

Adam: "It's about Blaze. She er, she…" Max also looks on with caution.

Axel interrupts: "It's ok. I know that last couple of weeks have been extremely difficult and we all miss her very much. Blaze died fighting for us and fighting for freedom, let's never forget that". He glances over to Max and catches his gaze for a second as the rest of the group raise their glasses. Adam sighs in confusion. Axel knows exactly what is going on in his head 'why has he suddenly decided to keep this a secret?'

After they finish dinner, Adam finds Axel outside sitting on the bench in the garden.

Adam: "What was all that about? I was going to tell them the truth".

Axel: "Adam she's gone".

Adam: "What happened to a fresh start? A new life for you both?"

Axel: "I don't know but she left and I don't think she is ever coming back. I figured there's no point in telling the others the truth. They will only be more upset and God forbid, they will try and find her".

Adam: "Maybe she was just trying to keep you out of harms way".

Axel: "Maybe. But one thing is for sure, you were right. My anger kept breaking out and she was there to witness it. I took all my fury out on my aunt's husband, I could have killed him. Blaze never admitted it but I could see that look in her eyes, how scared and on edge I was making her feel. This is my fault".

Adam: "No, Blaze is a loose cannon she probably freaked out if you two were getting serious all of a sudden."

Axel: "No, it's not that".

Adam: "Don't be so hard on yourself then, you've never been angry at her have you?"

Axel: "No, no way".

Adam: "I remember her telling me about the last serious relationship she was in years ago. She was only 19 when she met this guy at University back in London, Tim's younger brother. He was the one that bought her to Wood Oak City just before she became a cadet. I think she was with him for over four years".

Axel: "What Tim Murphy's brother Jake? Wow that is a long time".

Adam: "Yes but this guy, he was something else. He controlled her and broke her down piece by piece until she had nothing left but a jar of anti-depressants. He took her away from her friends, her hobbies. I even remember the amount of times Blaze use to call in sick to work then she would come in with bruises under her sleeves."

Axel: "Blaze is strong, she wouldn't take shit from anybody".

Adam: "He was also a cop, and like her a fighter. They probably use to beat the crap out of each other when they argued. It took a long time for Zan and I to convince her to get out of the situation she was in until she realised things would never change. She had to get help. But Blaze grew stronger and came out of it all as a different person. Not the shy, sweet geeky girl I met when we were cadets".

Axel: "Wow, I never knew any of this".

Adam: "Don't beat yourself up just give her time until things are settled. She will come back when she is ready to".

The door to the garden opens as Max steps outside to call Axel. "Hey er I'm just getting the car ready now for us to head back. Are you ok to leave now?"

Axel nods: "Yeah that's fine". He turns to Adam "I'll catch you later yeah?"

Adam: "Take it easy bro and thanks for helping us out here. I know that in time, you will move on with your life. It is inevitable".

Axel places his hand on Adam's shoulder as a gesture of thanks before he leaves.