It was now Friday morning-the day they headed to Summer bay, Charlie had called Peter to let him know and he assured her no one would blow her cover. Seeing Brax walking towards her place she looked down at her hand and smiled, thinking back to the morning her gave it to her she chuckled.
FLASHBACK; Charlie was still sound asleep, Brax looked into the bedroom he was up hours he'd been out and back, he'd gone for a surf, he'd dropped Casey and Kyle off somewhere and she still wasn't awake yet.
Shaking his head he couldn't wait anymore walking into the bedroom he climbed onto the bed beside her, "babe," he whispered and kissed her neck "come on wake up," he said.
"What time is it?" she mumbled sleepily.
"After ten," Brax replied "come on wake up, I have something for you."
Charlie rolled to face him "didn't you get enough last night?" she groaned.
Brax chuckled "it's not that…here," he said dropping a box onto her chest.
"What's this?" she asked looking down at it.
"Open it and see."
Charlie sat up and narrowed her eyes, opening the box she gasped "Brax!" she said and looked over at him "it's the ring I was looking at," she said and looked down at it again "it's beautiful thank you."
"Just like you," he said and kissed her on the head "I figured you did so well last night and I was a bit of an ass so you deserve it."
Charlie wrapped her arms around his neck "I'm not a glamour girlfriend I don't need presents every week I don't need you to buy my clothes, or anything else" she giggled "don't spend anymore of your money on me…you're all I want."
Brax chuckled and kissed her "so you're my girlfriend now?" he asked.
Charlie nodded "I am…you got a problem with that?"
"Nope," he replied and kissed her deeply. END OF FLASHBACK.
Brax knocking at her door pulled her from her thoughts, walking to it she pulled it open "hey," she said and walked back into the house.
"Hey babe you ready to….," he trailed off and stared at her "Lucy…your hair," he said pointing to it "what did you do?" he asked.
Charlie looked at herself in the mirror she had dyed it a dark blonde/light brown "you don't like it?" she asked.
Brax walked over to her "I do you just look so different."
Charlie turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck "that's what I was counting on, cops are looking for me there don't forget."
"Nice," Brax chuckled and kissed her " they'll never know it's you, we have to go soon are you ready?"
Charlie nodded "yeah, my bag is by the door."
"Just the one?" Brax chuckled and picked it up.
Charlie shoved him out the door "I'm not your average girl," she giggled and locked it behind her.
Brax chuckled "and that is what I love about you…ready to do this?"
Charlie nodded "I'm ready," she said and climbed into the car.
…..
The closer they got to Summer bay the more nervous Charlie got, she knew Peter wouldn't let her down but she still worried someone would let slip.
"You okay babe?" Brax asked squeezing her knee "you've been quiet since we left."
Charlie nodded "I'm fine," she smiled "just tired," she added.
"How about I take you for dinner in my new place tonight?" he asked as they got off the plane.
Charlie slid her hand into his and leaned into him "so Angelo's gone now?" she asked.
Brax nodded "everything was finalised yesterday it's officially mine."
"That's great," Charlie smiled and walked ahead of him to collect her bag.
Andy had asked they split up once they got there as not to draw attention to themselves so Brax had one of his boys drive is Ute to the airport and leave the keys "nice car," Charlie said when he stopped at it.
Brax shrugged "it's the only thing I have longer than a year," he said as he threw their bags in "do you want to check out the beach before we meet Andy?" he asked.
Charlie nodded "I love the beach here," she said and climbed in "I haven't seen it in a long time."
Brax slid his hand into hers "we can spend as much time on it as you want," he said as he pulled away.
"We're here to work," Charlie chuckled "not to play on the beach."
Brax chuckled "the work is one night-tonight actually, we're not going home until Sunday night we've plenty of time to have some fun."
As the Summer bay sign whizzed by them the knot in Charlie's stomach grew she was home and she wanted nothing more than to see her daughter and squeeze the life out of her. She looked over as her street came into view and sighed as Brax passed it.
Brax looked over at her as she sighed "something wrong?" he asked.
"No," Charlie replied and looked in the mirror at the fading street "my dad's house was back there is all….what are you doing?" she asked when he pulled over.
"Look it's been a long time, why don't you go see how he is," Brax replied.
Charlie was surprised she hadn't pegged him as a caring family man-only to Casey and Kyle but that was more protectiveness than caring. "I can't," she said and looked ahead of her "it's been too long he probably won't even remember me…just drive," she added.
Brax sighed he hated the feeling he was getting looking at her so down "are you sure?" he asked "I don't mind waiting."
Charlie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek "thank you but yes I'm sure," she said and moved back to her own side "he probably won't be there anyway-he never was."
Brax pulled away there was someone he had to see here too but he had to do it without her knowing about it.
Later that evening Charlie and Brax had been to meet Andy and had the evening to themselves-Andy had called the job off until tomorrow night. Charlie stood leaning on the rail outside the surf club watching the water lap up against the sand.
Brax came up behind her and slid his arms around her "what ya thinking?" he asked.
Charlie sighed heavily "how good it feels to be home," she said and leaned back into him "I never thought I'd miss it this much."
Brax rested his chin on her shoulder "if Andy doesn't want us for a while we can hang out here for a few more days."
Charlie turned in his arms and looked up at him "you'd do that for me?" she asked.
Brax nodded and moved closer to her "I'd do anything for you," he mumbled and kissed her. "Come on," he said pulling away "dinner is ready," he said leading her back to Angelo's.
Brax led her to a table and pulled her chair out "I told Andy and his lot I'd meet them for a drink…I don't really want you to come-they're all idiots I don't want them near you," he added quickly as she raised an eyebrow.
Charlie nodded "I'm sure I'll find something to do."
"Maybe you could stop by and see if your dad is home-or go see one of you mates," he suggested.
"I don't know if I have any mates still here," she sighed "but you're right I should go see my dad."
Brax nodded and stood up "you never know he could be a different person now…I'll go get dinner," he said and walked off.
While she waited Charlie spotted Leah and Bianca walk in and turned her head she knew they'd make a scene.
Leah walked to the table in front of her and sat down so she was facing her, mid sentence she looked over and stopped her eyes going wide. Charlie saw Brax approach and put her finger to her lip Leah nodded and mouthed bathroom before going back to her conversation with Bianca.
"You know them?" Brax asked as she sat watching them.
Charlie looked over at him and smiled "yeah but they've forgotten all about me," she said and stood up "need the bathroom won't be a sec," she said and walked off.
Leah gave her a minute before she excused herself and followed "Charlie?" she whispered once she was inside.
"Lock the door," Charlie said from inside a cubicle.
Leah locked the door and walked to the sinks "you can come out now," she chuckled.
Charlie came out and smiled "good to see you Leah," she said and hugged her tight.
Leah hugged her back "it's so good to see you to-Pete called us altogether to explain you were coming home with him…Lucy," she chuckled "so that guy out there is your target?" she asked pulling away.
Charlie nodded "he is and boy have I been busy," she giggled "how's things here?" she asked.
"Great-Ruby's fine we've all been watching her," Leah replied.
Charlie nodded "and her birthday night?"
"Went off without a hitch," Leah chuckled "you better get back before he comes looking…will I see you again before you go?"
Charlie nodded "I'm here till Sunday so I'll find time to slip away."
Leah nodded and hugged her again "look after yourself…nice hair by the way," she chuckled and pulled the door open.
Charlie watched her go and sighed this was way harder than she thought-all she wanted to do was jump on them but she couldn't she had to pretend they weren't important to her.
…..
After dinner Brax walked Charlie to his car and told her she could hang onto it for the night. Now here she was outside her house looking in, she could see Ruby at the table doing her homework. Climbing out she walked to the backdoor and wasn't surprised to see the door wide open. Sneaking up behind her she wrapped her arms around her causing her to squeal "hello baby," Charlie giggled.
"MUM!" Ruby screamed and jumped up off the chair "you're home! You're home!" she squealed and threw herself at her "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too sweetie," Charlie said hugging her tight.
"Pete said you're only home for the weekend," Ruby said and pulled away "you could have told me you were going undercover."
"I couldn't tell anyone Rubes you know how it is," Charlie said and sat down "and I didn't want you to worry either…did you get my birthday present?" she asked.
Ruby nodded "I wore it yesterday and the shoes are gorgeous too, my cardigan is so fluffy and comfy."
"What did Romeo get you?" she asked.
Ruby's face fell "nothing…we broke up the day after you went."
"Oh," Charlie said and wrapped her arm around her "but you knew there was always a chance he'd go back to Indi."
"I know," Ruby sighed "and I've accepted it," she said and stood up "have you time for a movie?" she asked.
Charlie nodded and stood up "I've always got time for you," she said and followed her into the living room.
"So this guy you're hooking up with," Ruby said as she put the movie on "he's not dangerous or anything?"
"This is why I didn't want you to know," Charlie chuckled "no Rubes he's just a dealer he's harmless."
"You say that like you'd say he's just a barman," Ruby said and dropped beside her "don't let him fool you mum."
Charlie wrapped her arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer "don't you worry about me Rubes I know exactly what I'm doing," she said and looked at the tv wishing her statement was the truth.
"I know you and guys mum," Ruby said and looked up at her "no matter how well he treats you or how nice he is you still have to take him down."
"Who's the cop here?" Charlie chuckled.
"I've learned a lot coming from a family of cops," Ruby replied and went back to the movie.
Later that night Charlie sighed as she tucked a sleeping Ruby in and kissed her on the forehead "bye bye baby…sweet dreams," she said and slipped out of her room.
Charlie needed a few minutes to dry her eyes and get herself together before she went to the hotel, she wasn't sure if Brax was there or not but she couldn't risk it. Pulling up at the beach she climbed out and started to walk along it tomorrow she'd go see her dad and brothers tonight Ruby was the important one.
"Lucy!" she heard someone call "Lucy!" they called again.
Charlie turned around and her face lit up "Pete!" she squealed and ran at him, as soon as she was close enough she leapt into his arms.
Peter chuckled and hugged her tight "good to see you Charlz," he said dropping her to her feet.
"I can't believe this is working," Charlie giggled "no one had stopped me-well except Leah in Angelo's but she didn't say anything."
Peter slung his arm around her and started to walk "just as well you told me you'd changed you hair, were you planning on coming to see your favourite big brother?" he asked.
"I was," Charlie said and leaned into him "but I wanted to see Ruby first."
"She was excited when I told her," he chuckled "have you seen anyone else?"
"No," she said shaking her head "I was gonna see you dad and Jack tomorrow."
Peter led her to a bench and sat down "how's the case going?" he asked.
"Yeah good, we've a big job tomorrow night-but I haven't been filled in yet, Brax will tell me all about it when he gets back."
"Why aren't you with him?" Peter asked.
Charlie shrugged "they were meeting for drinks it was just guys, I didn't wanna hang with them I knew Brax would tell me everything, and it was the perfect opportunity to go see Rubes."
Peter nodded "you gotta dig deep Charlz you gotta make sure he's not keeping anything from you."
"He's not," Charlie said quickly "I've learned to read him I know if there's something he's not telling me."
Peter chuckled "I wasn't expecting this, I was expecting you to be a nervous wreck-I'm proud of ya," he said slipping is arm around her shoulder.
"You should have seen me when he landed," Charlie chuckled "I was so nervous I thought I was gonna throw up."
"You're doing great Charlz," Peter said and sighed when his phone beeped "that's me back to work," he said after reading the message.
Charlie stood up "maybe we can meet up again before I head back?"
Peter pulled her into a hug "I'll make sure we do, even if I have to arrest you to get to see you," he chuckled and pulled back "look after yourself, stay focused…I'll call you," he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead before walking away.
Charlie watching him go before sighing and turning the other way unaware Brax stood up on the strip having seen it all.
…
When Charlie arrived back to the hotel she let herself into her room and frowned at the lights on, no one had been here since this morning. She looked over as the bathroom door opened and Brax walked out in a towel "hey," she said dumping her bag on the bed.
"Where have you been?" he asked as he pulled clothes on.
Charlie shrugged "around, I was at the beach for a while, I called to my dads and what a surprise he wasn't home," she lied.
Brax looked over at her as she walked to the bathroom "who's the guy?" he asked.
"What guy?" she asked looking back it him "Brax!" she yelled when he pushed her into the wall.
"I saw you on the beach all over him so don't fucking lie to me!" he yelled "who was he?"
"No one!" Charlie yelled and struggled against him "just someone I know from here!"
She closed her eyes as he punched the wall beside her "do I look fucking stupid!" he screamed into her face "who was he Lucy! I'm not gonna ask again!"
"He's my brother okay!" she yelled and shoved him off "he found me not the other way around! I've missed him I was so happy to see him!" she cried and slammed the bathroom door.
Brax sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose there he was again letting his jealousy and temper get the better of him. Reaching for the door handle he sighed when it was locked "Lucy open the door babe," he said softly.
"No!" she called back "I'm getting shower alone!"
Brax sighed as he heard the water come on, walking to the bed he dropped onto it and turned on the tv.
A while later Charlie came out of the bathroom ready for bed, pulling back the covers she climbed in and faced away from him.
Brax had watched her come out sighing he turned off the tv "look I'm sorry alright, I saw some guy all over you and my jealousy got the better of me."
"You could have just said you saw me and I would have explained," she muttered.
"I did give you a chance to explain and you lied what was I supposed to think?" he snapped.
Charlie shot up and turned to face him "I didn't lie!" she yelled "I just chose not to explain my personal business!"
"You're supposed to be my girlfriend Lucy you should trust me," he replied.
"What like you trust me?" she laughed "it works both way Brax!"
Brax shook his head "I do trust you and you know that, do you think I'd be bringing you along if I didn't!"
"Whatever," Charlie muttered and pulled the covers over her.
The next morning things were frosty between Charlie and Brax they moved about the room ignoring each other. Brax grabbed a beer and went out to the balcony, sitting down he sighed heavily he couldn't go on like this. Watching her through the window he stood up when she threw herself back onto the bed.
Walking inside he walked to the bed and leaned over her, without a word he lowered his head and kissed her sweetly "I'm sorry," he said when he pulled back "I promise I'll keep my temper at bay."
"I don't know," Charlie said wrapping her arms around his neck "I kinda like when you get jealous over me, it's sexy," she giggled.
"It's only because you drive me so damn crazy, I can't stand to see another guy touch you," Brax replied.
"Brax you have nothing to worry about," she said seriously "I wanna be with you and only you…I don't want you to change I just want you to trust me, there are some things it hurts to talk about-and my brother is one of them."
Brax kissed her slowly and pulled back "just know that whenever you wanna talk I'm here."
"I know," she said and leaned up to kiss him "and that works for you too."
Brax moved and sat on the end of the bed "the other night when you asked was it just us three," he said looking back at her "I lied."
"Okay," Charlie said and scooted down beside him.
Brax played with his hands for a few seconds "I have another brother," he finally said.
"Where is he?" Charlie asked.
"Here-in prison," Brax replied.
"Oh," Charlie said and looked over at him "what did he do?"
Brax sighed and stood up "he got greedy and messy all he had to do was get something from A to B."
"He messed up?" Charlie asked.
Brax nodded and sat beside her again "he changed the route without telling me, got himself and all but two of my boys busted."
Charlie nodded "why did he change it?"
"Because he wanted more for himself and knew a place off route where he could stash it-a place I already told him the cops knew about."
Charlie already knew about all this "well since we're here you could go see him."
Brax sighed again "I called him when he was sent in, he blamed me and told me I had screwed up his life…he said he never wanted to see me again and hung up, I haven't heard from him since."
Charlie scooted closer to him "it's not your fault Brax he changed the route he got himself caught, he's no one to blame but himself."
Brax sighed "I still let him get put away," he said and slid his hand onto her cheek "I'm gonna go clear my head before we go," he said and kissed her "be ready when I get back," he said and stood up.
"Hey," she called after him "don't let him bring you down, we have work to do."
Brax chuckled "you sound like me," he said and slipped out the door.
….
When Brax arrived back Charlie knew he was in a bad mood "you okay?" she asked watching him slam around the room.
"I'm fine Lucy! Just fine!" he yelled.
"Okay," Charlie said and pushed herself off the door "no need to bite my head off."
"Babe wait," Brax said hurrying to the door "I'm sorry," he said and pulled her into him. Sighing he rested his forehead against hers "I went to see my brother and he refused to see me."
Charlie wrapped her arms around his waist "I'm sorry it turned out this way…maybe you could try again before we leave," she suggested.
"No," he sighed and pulled back "he's done with me I just have to accept that."
"Don't give up on him Brax," Charlie said "you don't know what's thinking while he was in there, if he's anything like you he'll be afraid to admit that he misses you that he's scared."
Brax walked back to her "you always know what to say," he chuckled and kissed her "we better make a move," he said and walked to the front door.
Charlie followed him maybe she could change Heath's mind.
When they arrived Brax took her hand as they went inside, Charlie looked around there were far more people here than the last meet.
"There you two are," Andy called walking to them "seems I'm over by one," he chuckled and looked at Charlie "she stays here with me."
"No way man she comes with me," Brax said pulling her closer.
"I've already put you with Benny," Andy said "she stays or neither of you go."
"Him?" Brax scoffed looking over at him "he doesn't know how to hold a gun let alone use one, she comes with me!" he hissed.
"Babe it's okay," Charlie said tugging on his hand "I'll wait here for you, I'll be fine."
Brax looked at a smirking Andy "you touch her and I will kill you," he warned.
"I'll keep my hands to myself," Andy chuckled "you leave in five!" he called back.
Brax looked down at Charlie "are you sure you're gonna be okay here?" he asked.
Charlie nodded "I'll be just fine, don't worry."
Brax pulled his gun off his belt and stuck it in her jeans "you need to use it you use it you hear me?"
"But you need it," she replied shoving it back.
"I don't I have another one in my car, just watch him okay," he said kissing her quickly when Benny called him "I'll see ya soon babe," he called on his way out
"Be careful!" Charlie called after him.
"Alone at last," Andy chuckled.
Charlie watched Brax pull away and sighed stuck with this moron for god knows how long "keep your distance and we'll be just fine," she said walking to a set of chairs.
An hour had passed and no sign of Brax or anyone else, Charlie looked at her watch and sighed.
"Bored?" Andy chuckled.
"Could think of better things I could be doing," she replied and looked up at the ceiling.
"Well I know something we could be doing," he said walking towards her.
Charlie had been sitting with her arms crossed and the gun in one hand, pulling it she aimed it at him "I'd stay over there if I were you."
Andy chuckled and dropped back onto the table "so what is a girl like you doing with a guy like Brax?" he asked.
"Mind your own," Charlie said in a bored tone.
"You're tough I'll give you that," Andy said and stood up "money is it?" he asked "you look like a girl that likes her luxury."
Charlie scoffed "because life is about money."
"To some people it is and I'm pretty sure Brax is one of those people," Andy said walking to her.
Charlie stood up and aimed her gun again "I won't say it again."
Andy smirked "you're not gonna shoot me," he said and walked closer to her.
"Don't tempt me," she said beginning to panic she knew she wouldn't shoot him unless she really had to.
Andy laughed loudly and stopped in front of the gun "I see girls like you every day, I've had girls like you," he said lowering her gun "you all like to play the game but I know what you're really about."
"Oh yeah? And what would that be?" Charlie asked taking a step back.
Andy stepped closer to her and slid his hands onto her waist "you jump from one guy with money to the next guy that has more money," he said into her ear. "Isn't that what you're at?" he asked pulling her closer to him "you want me, admit it," he whispered.
Charlie laughed and shoved him back "in your dreams mate…I think I'm done here tell Brax I went home," she said and went to walk towards the exit.
"Not so fast," Andy said and pulled her back roughly "where do you think you're going?"
"Get the hell off me!" she yelled and struggled to get away from him.
"Now now," Andy chuckled wrapping his arms around her "if you don't struggle it will be a lot easier."
Charlie pulled her fist back and punched him in the face as soon as his arms fell away from her she ran
"You little bitch!" he yelled and ran after her, catching her he swung her around and slapped her hard in the face.
Charlie grabbed her cheek as it stung "get off me!" she yelled as he pushed her back onto the table. "No no!" she yelled as he forced her legs apart.
"No squirming," Andy laughed and moved closer to her.
Charlie gave it one last go and shoved him away with all her strength, hearing her shirt rip away she jumped off the table and ran as fast as she could the tears flying rapidly down her cheeks.
…
"Whoa!" Brax yelled and jammed on as someone ran out in front of his car.
Charlie fell slightly on the hood of the car and jumped off it just as quick.
"Lucy?" Brax frowned and jumped out "babe what are you doing out here?" he asked hurrying to her.
"Just take me home!" she cried.
Brax took in her state her red cheek, her ripped clothes, her teary eyes, her trembling body "babe what happened?" he asked taking a step to her.
"Don't touch me!" she sobbed and jumped away from him.
Brax's face turned to anger "what did he do to you?" he growled.
"Please just take me home!" she screamed and climbed into the car.
Brax walked to her door and crouched down in front of her "baby I can't help if you don't tell me," he said softly "did he do this to you?"
Charlie nodded "he said I wanted him!" she cried "when I tried to get away he slapped me!"
That was enough for Brax "lock the door," he said and stood up.
"No Brax please," she said reaching out to pull him back "please can we just go?"
"No!" he yelled and pulled away from her "I promised you I wouldn't let him near you, I warned him, he's gonna pay," he hissed as he stormed into the warehouse.
"What did you do to her!" Brax yelled and shoved him.
Andy turned around "whatever she told you she's crazy man, look what she did to my face," he said pointing to his black eye.
"She didn't hit you hard enough!" Brax hissed and punched him in the face "you ever so much as look at her again it'll be the sorriest thing you'll ever do!" he hissed.
Andy chuckled and wiped his lip "she wanted me she came onto me she just couldn't handle it."
Brax laughed "she wouldn't look at you she has standards…money for this job right now," he demanded.
"Like you?" he chuckled and threw him a bag "that's your cut be back here tomorrow morning at ten am."
"You're kidding right?" Brax yelled "I won't be back I told you man, money drugs whatever I'm in, you go near my girl and all bets are off, you're lucky I haven't killed you!" he hissed and started to walk away.
Andy pulled out his gun "don't you walk away from me! No one walks away from me!" he yelled following him with the gun.
Brax scoffed "well let me be the first!" he called back-freezing when a shot went off. Looking down at his shoulder he cursed and started to run.
Getting to the car he jumped in and screeched away "get down," he said grabbing her head as Andy ran after the car letting off shots.
"What's' going on?" Charlie yelled as the back window shattered.
"I told you no one touches you," Brax said and skidded around a corner.
When they knew they were safe Brax pulled over "fuck!" he hissed and grabbed his arm.
"What is it?" Charlie asked looking over at him.
"Nothing it's fine he just grazed me with a bullet," Brax replied.
"Let me see," Charlie said scooting closer to him "Brax it's not a graze you've been shot!" she yelled I can see the bullet, we need to get you to a doctor."
"No it'll be fine I'll pull it out once we get somewhere we can't go back to the hotel."
"Are you crazy," she yelled "you could catch lead poisoning or an infection by then, please let me take you to the hospital," she begged.
Brax sighed and grabbed her hands "babe calm down," he said softly "we can't go to the hospital it's the first place they'll look we gotta keep on moving."
"Then we leave tonight we go back to the boys," Charlie said not quite believing she'd said that.
"No, they'll be expecting that," Brax said and pulled out his phone "I better call them and tell them to move on."
"Then what are we gonna do?" she asked "sit here all night?"
Brax chuckled "you know any nurses that you can trust? Alright mate," he said when the phone was answered.
Charlie sat racking her brain-bingo she thought "I know where we can go," she said looking over at him
Brax looked over at her and frowned "okay Case remember what I told you two, yeah I'll meet you there tomorrow night alright," he said and hung up.
"Swap seats and I'll drive," Charlie said pulling off her belt.
"Where are we going?" he asked as he opened his door.
"I know a nurse I can trust," Charlie said and pulled him out.
Brax chuckled and walked to the passenger side "is she any good?"
"She's in training but she's never wanted anything more in her life so she'll be fine," Charlie said as she pulled away.
Pulling up outside a house Charlie blew out a deep breath "you wait here until I go see if she's home."
"Who's house is this?" Brax asked "it's nice and big," he chuckled.
Charlie shook her head and climbed out "won't be long," she said and ran across the lawn.
Slipping in the back door she found Ruby on the sofa watching a movie "hey sweetie," she said from the doorway.
"Mum," Ruby smiled and stood up "you're back."
"Why are you watching that alone?" Charlie chuckled "you hate horrors."
"I'm not alone, April is in the bathroom she's staying over," Ruby replied.
"Oh," Charlie said "okay," she said pulling her into the kitchen "I'm gonna ask you to do something for me okay?"
"Mum what's going on you're acting weird?" Ruby said slowly.
"For starters you can't call me mum alright?"
"Mum you're scaring me," Ruby said worried.
Charlie sighed "I need you to keep April upstairs Brax is outside he's been shot and I need you to remove the bullet," she said quickly.
….
Ruby stared at her in shock "is this a joke?" she finally asked.
"No," Charlie sighed "I wish it was…we've nowhere else to go, I need you to do this for me."
"You better bring him in then," April said from behind them "don't worry Lucy," she chuckled at the look on Charlie's face "we won't rat you out to him…go get him."
All Charlie could do was nod, she ran outside and pulled his door open "okay come on," she said helping him out.
"I can walk you know," Brax said then winched in pain.
Charlie got him to the kitchen and sat him down "don't worry okay she knows what she's doing," she said as Ruby and April walked into the kitchen with whatever they needed.
"Kids?" Brax said and stood up "no thanks I'll do it myself," he said and went to walk.
Ruby shoved him back down "you're bleeding on my floor," she said and pulled gloves on "sit there hold still and be quiet," she said and picked up her tweezers.
"Lucy," Brax said "are you sure this a good idea?" he asked.
Charlie nodded "I trust them with my life…hold still," she said and Ruby moved in with the tweezers.
"Will you hold still!" Ruby yelled ten minutes later "you keep jiggling like that and I'm gonna hit something I shouldn't!"
"You've been at it ages!" Brax yelled back.
"Because you keep moving!" Ruby huffed and flung down the tweezers "April hand me the vodka," she asked holding out her hand.
"I think he has enough on the wound," April said as she handed it over.
"I didn't say it was for him," she said and took a sip.
"Oi," Charlie said and took the bottle from her "no drinking," she added.
"Right this is the last time, Brax stay still do not speak-don't even breath," Ruby said as she picked up the tweezers again.
Another ten minutes later Ruby pulled the bullet out "got it," she said and dropped it into a bowl "I'll just clean it up and cover it, it should heal on it's own, it doesn't look likes it's infected but change them and have a look everyday until it's closed," she said and walked to the bandages.
"Drink Brax?" April chuckled and held out the vodka bottle.
Brax took it from her and took a sip "remind me never to go to whatever hospital you get in to."
Ruby chuckled "if you're gonna be a baby about it then please don't," she said walking back with the bandages.
"At least it's out now, well done Rubes," Charlie smiled.
"Mum hand me the tape there," Ruby said without thinking.
"Wait what?" Brax frowned "mum?" he asked looking at Charlie.
The room fell silent, Charlie Ruby and April just stared at each other no one knowing what to say next "Damn it Ruby," Charlie sighed to herself and looked at Brax who sat staring back at her waiting for an explanation.
A/N soooo Ruby let slip...what's gonna happen now?