Brax walked along to Charlie's room and stopped outside her door, looking in through the glass he sighed heavily. It had been almost a week since she'd been shot and today she was going home, when he asked when she could fly the doctor had told him she'd need to rest for a few days. He had hoped he'd be able to take her straight to the airport, he couldn't do this much longer.

Sighing again he pushed the door in and walked inside.

Charlie turned her head and smiled "hey, you just missed Casey."

"I know," he replied and dropped into a chair "I passed him on the way in."

"Am I going home now?" she asked.

Brax nodded "when the doctor comes by with your papers."

Charlie nodded and watched him look around "are you okay?" she asked after a few minutes.

"Yeah," he said and rubbed his hands over his face "haven't really been sleeping," he said and stood up "did Casey pack your stuff up?" he asked walking to the other side of the bed.

"Yeah, I'm ready to go…are you sure you're okay?" she asked.

"I'm tired I'll be fine after a few hours sleep…I'll go see where the doctor is," he said and walked to the door.

"Brax," Charlie called and waited for him to look back "I love you," she said.

Brax nodded "I'll be back in a sec," he said and walked out of the room.

Charlie sighed and sat back against the pillow something was defiantly wrong.

As Brax walked the hallway he thought back to the conversation he'd had with Casey two nights ago. He'd come home from the hospital to find them cleaning the kitchen after the cops were done.

FLASHBACK; Brax dropped his keys onto the table by the door and walked into the kitchen, he stopped in the doorway when he spotted Casey and Kyle on the floor scrubbing it "what are you doing?" he asked.

"We didn't want either of you coming home to this…How's Lucy?" Casey asked standing up.

"She's fine," Brax said and turned around "don't bother with that she won't be back here, as soon as she's released we're moving on," he said and walked out the door.

Casey and Kyle looked at one another and frowned "what's with him?" Kyle asked.

Casey dropped his brush into the bucket and pulled off his gloves "you finish this I'll go see what's up," he said and walked towards the bedroom.

Casey got to his room and pushed the door in there he saw Brax sitting on his bed looking down at Charlie's ring "she's okay Brax," he said walking into the room.

Brax glanced over at him then back to the ring "she's okay we're not okay," he sighed "she won't be back here."

Casey sat beside him "did she say something to you in the hospital?"

Brax stood up and tossed the ring on the counter "she's a cop she's been playing me…we're moving on without her," he said and walked out of the room END OF FLASHBACK

….

At home Casey was thinking about the same conversation, FLASHBACK: Casey stared after Brax in shock, once it had worn off he jumped off the bed and ran after him "what do you mean she's a cop?" he yelled.

Brax sighed and rested his hands on the sink "she's been building a case on me since we met no doubt she was sent here."

"How long have you known?" Casey asked.

"Few weeks," Brax replied and slammed his fists on the sink "how could I have been so stupid? Why didn't I leave her there when I found out?"

"Because you love her maybe," Casey answered.

"No Case I did love her!" he yelled "she was leaving, she was out the door- we had a fight beforehand, but she came back and saved my life-that's how she got shot…why did I let this woman close to me! She's ruined everything!" he yelled.

"But that doesn't change how you feel about her," Casey said.

Brax shook his head "it doesn't matter she doesn't feel anything for me," he said and walked by him.

"That's not true," Kyle said blocking him from leaving the bathroom "she loves you it's real, I see the way she looks at you the way she smiles at you she's in love with you Brax."

"No she's not," Brax scoffed "she played me and has been putting it on since we met!" he hissed and shoved Kyle out of the way. "Go pack her stuff up, bin it leave it there give it away I don't really care," he said and walked out of the room.

Casey and Kyle sighed and watched him go "he's only hurting because he loves her too," Kyle said.

"I know," Casey said and walked by him "we need to fix this…leave her stuff," he said as he walked out of the room.

Finding Brax sitting out by the pool he leaned on the rail beside him "you know you cant walk away from her."

"Watch me," Brax scoffed.

"Brax she's just been shot she doesn't know anyone here who's gonna look after her?"

Brax sighed "I'm taking her straight to the airport when she gets out."

"She won't be able to fly for at least a week…we can't leave her Brax I know you haven't got it in you," Casey said.

Brax closed his eyes "what do you suggest I do then?"

Casey sat down on the step beside him "bring her back here Kyle and I will go on as if we know nothing, if you still feel the way you do now when she's able to fly you take her home, but Brax really think about this, I know you love her," he said and stood up. "She loves you too…don't let a job she's clearly already given up for you ruin your happiness," he said and walked off.

Brax sighed why did love have to be so complicated? END OF FLASHBACK.


Brax found a doctor and got Charlie's papers walking back to her room he found her sitting on the bed dressed "sign these then we can go," he said and placed the papers down beside her. He looked up at her when she grabbed his wrist.

Charlie's eyes filled with tears as she looked back at him there was nothing there his face was just blank "if you don't love me or wanna be with me or whatever just leave me here," she said and wiped her eye. "I can tell you don't wanna be here so don't let me hold you back, I'll be fine on my own."

Brax gently pulled away from her and dropped onto the bed so he was facing away from her, sighing he closed his eyes and looked up at the ceiling "we can't go on like this Lucy," he said and looked over at her "our tempers don't go well together."

Charlie nodded and looked down at her hand "so go," she sniffed.

Brax stood up and turned to face her Casey was right he couldn't just leave her, closing his eyes he shook his head, leaning over her he titled her chin up "I'm taking you home with me….I love you."

Charlie wiped her eyes "what are we gonna do about us?" she asked "you're right we can't go on like this."

Brax moved away and grabbed her bag "we'll work on it at home…sign the papers."

Charlie quickly signed her name and eased herself off the bed "gimme a minute it's kinda hard to walk," she said as she started off slow.

Brax walked back to her and wrapped his arm around her "lean on me," he said and started to walk slow.

Charlie wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned into him "are the boys home?" she asked.

"Uh no they're out," he replied "I asked them to give you a bit of space."

"Just me and you so," she replied.

"Yeah, me and you," Brax repeated.

Casey and Kyle were right he loved her cop or not he was crazy about her and would do almost anything for her…but the plan still had to go on, her brother was waiting for his call he couldn't back out now.

Charlie still knew something was wrong not only was he acting weird the last few days he hadn't kissed her held her hand or even sat close to her he'd always sat by the window or down the end of the bed. Looking up at him she smiled when he looked down at her "I'm not stupid I know something is still bothering you…is it the fight we had before I got shot?"

"No," he said and looked ahead of him "that was my fault, we're fine," he added and dropped a kiss on her forehead.

Charlie sighed "I'll let it go for now but next time I ask have a real answer for me."

….

When they arrived home Brax helped her into bed "is there anything you need?" he asked.

"You're not staying here with me?" she asked as he picked up his keys.

"I've to pick up Casey and Kyle I won't be long," he replied.

Charlie nodded and lay down "I'll be fine here then," she said and closed her eyes.

Brax walked to the door and stopped looking back at her he sighed 'you have to do this Brax' his brain told him 'it's the only way' sighing again he closed the door over and slipped out the front door.

When Casey and Kyle climbed into the car he pulled away without a word.

"Where's Lucy?" Casey asked.

"At home asleep," was all he said.

"So what happens now?" Kyle asked.

Brax sighed "the plan still goes ahead, once she's better I'll be taking her to the airport."

"So she doesn't know you're not going with her?" Casey asked

"No and she's not gonna until I have to leave her," Brax replied "just act normal when you get home she's already asking questions about my mood."

"Well then shouldn't you be the one acting normal?" Kyle asked.

"You think this is easy for me?" Brax yelled.

"So don't do it," Casey said.

"I have to," Brax muttered "if I don't I'll be banged up by the end of the month."

"Why don't you just tell her you know she's a cop?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah coz that will work out well," Brax scoffed "she'll have me in cuffs before I finish."

"He's right," Casey said "if she knows you've known for that long she'll see you love her…you said yourself she's stopped reporting back maybe she wants to stay with you."

Brax scoffed "she's building a case on me until she has enough, she's going home and that's the end of it I can't risk it," he said and pulled into their drive "I don't wanna hear anymore about it," he said and climbed out.

Casey jumped out after him "Brax you're being an idiot!" he yelled "the woman loves you why are you making it so hard for yourself?"

"Because I love her too alright!" he yelled back "I am crazy about her I can't think straight! How do you think it makes me feel to find out the woman I love is after me for her job! She doesn't love me-she's never loved me this is just another job to her!" he yelled and stormed into the house.

"Brax!" Casey hissed "think about this," he said and pulled him away from the bedroom door "she risked her life for you she got shot to save you, do you really think she'd do that just for a job?" he asked "she has a kid at home do you really think she'd risk it all for you if she didn't love you?"

Brax sighed "I've never been in love before… you have no idea how much this hurts, I'll deal with it the only way I know how," he said and walked into the bedroom.


Brax closed the door and leaned against it, looking over at her fast asleep he leaned his head back and closed his eyes part of him wanted to go lie beside her and never let her go. The other part of him wanted to drag her from the bed and demand to know why she had turned his life upside down.

Walking to the bed he dropped onto his side and lay back, putting his hands behind his head he looked up at the ceiling and allowed himself to think what it would be like if he didn't go ahead with this plan and all he could see was her. He looked down as she scooted over to him and lay on his chest, automatically his hand came down and around her waist…this was normal to him.

"You ready to tell me what's going on?" Charlie mumbled sleepily.

"Nothing…just the thought of losing you," he said truthfully "it's getting to me," he added.

Charlie opened her eyes and tilted her head "I'm still here."

Brax brought his free hand to her cheek "it's not just you being shot," he said "when you left after that fight I felt like I had a hole in my heart-I stood staring at that ring for ages," he said and looked up at the ceiling "I thought you were really gone."

Charlie sat up on her elbow "I was pissed I was always gonna come back."

"You shouldn't have," he said honestly "the way I treated you I wouldn't have blamed you if you didn't….then you wouldn't have got shot at all."

"Brax listen to me," Charlie said and sat up on her knees "once I calmed down I realised I was walking away from the best thing that has ever happened to me," she said and moved closer to him. "I love you aright, sure we're gonna fight but don't ever doubt how much I love you, I'll always come back," she smiled.

Brax blew out a breath "you should be resting," was all he could come up with.

Charlie shook her head and moved closed to him "I've rested enough," she said and kissed him sweetly "I've missed you," she added.

"Doctor said you have to take it easy," he replied.

"Oh like you did when you got shot?" she asked throwing her legs over him.

Brax's hands found their way to her hips "you couldn't even walk earlier."

Charlie shook her head "you don't want me?" she asked and went to roll off him.

Brax gripped her hips and held her there, looking into her eyes he lifted his head "do you want me?" he asked seriously.

Charlie took one of his hands and placed it over her heart "this is yours and it's always gonna be yours."

Brax moved in slowly his heart was betraying him, kissing her hard he pulled her closer and lay back nothing else mattered right now.

….

The next morning Brax stretched out and opened his eyes, looking beside him he found Charlie's side empty. Frowning he sat up "babe?" he called out, when he got no reply he rolled out of the bed and went to check in the bathroom. When that was empty he walked to his wardrobe and pulled on clothes, walking to the kitchen he stopped in the doorway, there she was by the back door looking out wearing nothing but his shirt-it looked so good on her.

Walking up behind her he slid his arms around her "morning beautiful," he said and kissed her neck "what has you up so early?" he asked.

Charlie leaned back into him "in the hospital the doctors started going around now so I'm used to it I guess."

"Why don't you go back to bed and I'll bring coffee back with me," he suggested.

Charlie turned in his arms and looked up at him with a smile "where's my boyfriend and what have you done with him?" she giggled.

Brax chuckled and kissed her "he's gone so I'm afraid you're stuck with me," he said pulling her closer "fresh start babe," he smiled.

"I can live with that," she said and pulled away from him "don't be too long," she called as she walked back to his room.

Brax watched her go and walked to the coffee pot missing Casey watching him from the other door having seen their loved up moment.

Casey walked into the kitchen and sat at the table "can you honestly tell me you can do this?" he asked.

Brax sighed and turned to face him "you're right she does love me," he said.

"So you're not going ahead with it?" he asked hopeful.

"I don't know what I'm doing," Brax said and walked to the door "she could still hand me over," he added and walked into his room.

Placing the cups down he crawled up the bed and kissed her deeply "I need to talk to you about something," he said as he settled back against the pillow.

Charlie scooted onto his chest "about what?" she asked wrapping her arm around him.

"I'll be heading back to Summer bay soon," he started "but I have to hang around here for a bit so I've booked you a ticket home for this Friday."

Charlie pulled away from him and sat up "I'll be going on my own?" she asked.

Brax nodded "I have to stay here there's a few viewings on this place and we've to pack it up and put stuff into storage…we'll be there by Sunday the latest."

Charlie nodded "okay," she said and lay on his chest again "but promise it won't be any longer than Sunday?"

Brax tightened his hold on her and dropped a kiss on her head "I promise," he said and closed his eyes wishing it was a promise he was gonna keep.


It was now Friday and Brax hadn't slept a wink, looking down at Charlie tucked up into him he sighed heavily he couldn't believe he was actually going through with this. Gently rolling her off him he climbed out of the bed and pulled on clothes, walking to the kitchen he looked at her bags ready to go and dropped into a seat.

He looked up when he heard footsteps "morning," Charlie yawned and kissed him on the head as she walked by "you were tossing and turning all night are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," he yawned "just have things on my mind," he added.

"Like what?" she asked as she poured them both coffee.

Brax stood up and walked up behind her "leaving you for starters," he said pulling her back into him.

"Quit been a baby," she giggled and bumped him "it's for two days I think we can survive."

Brax chuckled and kissed her on the shoulder we'll see babe we'll see," he said and walked back to the table "you all packed?" he asked.

Charlie nodded and walked to the table "I think so but if you do find anything you can just bring it with you."

Brax nodded and looked down at his cup "I'll keep some space in my case."

"That reminds me," Charlie said "I haven't seen you or the boys even start to pack, have I to do it for you?" she chuckled "because you saw how much trouble I had doing my own."

Brax leaned over and kissed her "no babe I'll do it myself," he said and stood up "I'm gonna get a shower, you should eat something we've to leave in an hour," he said and walked to his bedroom.

Charlie followed him and pulled off her shirt "we better have one shower and save some water."

Brax chuckled and pulled her to him "now why didn't I think of that," he said and kissed her while pulling her under the water.

Brax had now loaded up his car and closed the boot, turning around he saw Casey and Kyle glaring at him. Shaking his head he climbed in to let her say her goodbyes.

Charlie hugged Casey "don't look so sad," she chuckled "I'll see you in a few days," she said and pulled back.

Casey sighed "see ya soon Lucy…look after yourself," he said and stepped back.

Kyle hugged her "we'll see ya soon Lucy," he said and stepped back.

"Bye guys!" she called as Brax pulled away.

"So here we are," Brax said as they stopped in front of her gate.

"Here we are," Charlie nodded "…I'm gonna miss you," she said wrapping her arms around his neck.

Brax wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer "I'm gonna miss you too babe," he said and pulled back "I love you," he smiled.

"I love you too," Charlie said and kissed him deeply.

"You better go," Brax said stepping back "I'll see ya in a few days," he added.

Charlie walked to her gate and looked back "call me later!" she called before handing over her boarding pass.

…..

Brax walked back to his car and climbed in closing the door slowly he let out a heavy sigh, thinking for a second he pushed the door open. Jumping back out of the car again he raced back inside, he couldn't do this he couldn't let her go "wait! Wait!" he yelled as the woman closed the gate he'd just left Charlie at.

"I'm sorry sir the plane has pulled away," she said.

"Damn it!" he yelled and threw his hands behind his head "can't you call it back?"

"I'm sorry there's no way I could do that," the woman replied "we can get you on the next flight if that helps," she added.

Brax walked to the window and watched as the plane went up into the air "no," he sighed "she's gone," he muttered and watched it until he couldn't see it anymore.

When he arrived back at his house he stopped when Casey and Kyle hurried to the hall "you actually did it?" Casey yelled angrily "you're an absolute moron!"

"What happens now?" Kyle asked.

"Pack up…we're going back to Bali," Brax said and walked into his room.

"Bali!" both Casey and Kyle yelled.

"Brax we can't go back there what about Angelo's?" Casey asked.

"Selling it…we won't be going to the bay," Brax replied and slammed his door.

When Charlie landed she walked out of arrivals and pulled out her phone, turning it on she smiled as a message from Brax came through safe flight I love you babe, see ya soon xxx.

"Charlie!"

She froze when she heard her name, turning around slowly her eyes widened "Pete?" she asked walking to him "what are you doing here?"

"I'm here for you," Peter said and took her cases from her.

Charlie frowned and started to follow him "I don't understand, no one knew I was coming home."

"Jack is outside waiting he'll take you home I have to get back to work," Peter said and started to walk again.

"Wait," Charlie said and pulled him back "how did you know I was here?"

Peter sighed and turned back to her "Brax called me when you got shot…it's done, you're home now, he's not coming here," he said and walked outside.

Charlie stood rooted to the spot in shock, she couldn't believe what she'd just heard. Running after him she shoved him "what do you mean he's not coming!" she yelled "he said he'll be here on Sunday."

"Get it through your head Charlie!" Peter yelled "he doesn't love you! He set this up, he sent you home, we lost him we got nothing on him the case is over!"

"Peter!" Jack hissed as her eye filled with tears "come on Charlz," he said leading her to the car.

Charlie climbed in without a word as tears spilled over, how could he do this to her?


Brax finally came out of his room and walked to the kitchen to find Casey and Kyle sitting at the table "I thought I told you two to pack up."

Casey scoffed "we're done listening to you."

Kyle nudged him and looked at Brax "sit down we need to talk."

Brax sighed and sat down "spit it out then."

"We're not stupid Brax," Kyle started "we know you're a drug dealer."

Brax was gob smacked he thought he'd hidden it well "no," he said slowly "I'm an antiques dealer that sells dodgy stuff you know that."

Casey scoffed again "and you can afford everything you have by selling dodgy furniture, come on Brax how dumb do we look!" he yelled and shot up "I'm going to see Ruby and if I run into Lucy I'll be seeing her too! I told you you never should have let her go!" he yelled and stormed off.

Kyle sighed "look Brax," he said getting his attention "whatever is going on with you and Lucy that's your business," he said and stood up "but we do think you made the wrong choice, she could have made you happy if you let her but you had to go and screw that up…you're on your own, I'm heading away for a while too," he said and walked to his room.

Brax sighed and dropped his head onto the table, losing Charlie was hard enough how was he supposed to cope without his boys?

It had been a few hours since Charlie had arrived home, she hadn't said a word to anyone she walked right by a stunned Ruby and locked herself in her room. Wiping her eyes she sat up she'd been crying that much her eyes stung, looking to the window as she heard movement she sighed "does the locked door not give it away?" she asked as Ruby fell in.

Ruby scrambled to her feet and walked to the bed "I climbed a ladder, I was worried about you," she said and sat down. "Mum you can't believe what Pete said he could still show up."

Charlie looked down at her hands "no," she sighed "Pete's telling the truth how else would he have known what flight I was on or that I was even coming home?"

Ruby slid her hand into Charlie's as a tear fell "I'm so sorry mum, I really wanted things to work out for you."

Charlie smiled sadly "yeah me too…guess he never loved me at all."

"Oh mum," Ruby sighed and pulled her into a hug as she started to cry harder.

Charlie gripped her tighter "I thought I was finally gonna be happy," she cried.

"Let's go make it happen then," Ruby suggested.

"What?" Charlie asked pulling back.

"Let's go find him and find out why he did this."

"I don't know," Charlie said unsure.

"Do you love him?" Ruby asked.

"Of course I do!" Charlie yelled back

"Then what are we waiting for?" Ruby asked as she walked to the door.

….

Brax walked out his house for the last time and closed the door behind him, Casey and Kyle had left this morning at least they hung around long enough to have one last breakfast with him and say goodbye. He had given them money to tie them over in return they stay in touch to which they agreed. Turning around when a car pulled up he walked down to the car as a man climbed out "place is all locked up and ready for viewing Mike, here's my new number, call me anytime mate but don't give it to anyone," he said handing over the keys and a piece of paper.

Mike nodded "you know you can trust me man, I'll be in touch as soon as someone makes an offer… so where are you going now?"

Brax shrugged and looked down as his phone rang seeing Lucy flash on the screen he sighed as his heart stung. Cancelling the call he turned it off and tossed the phone into the bin by the sidewalk "no idea mate somewhere with a nice beach," he said and started to walk to his car "time for a fresh start, I gotta find somewhere to settle down without cops or anyone else on my back…later," he said and climbed in. Taking one last look at the place he smiled as a few memories came back…mostly of him and Charlie "bye house," he muttered as he pulled away.

Charlie sat on the place with Ruby by her side wondering why Brax had played up so much if he knew all along he was gonna do this. She'd spoken to Peter before she left and boy that wasn't a pleasant conversation, but she had found out a few things-like, he'd called Peter and told him she was coming home then night she'd been shot. She didn't understand that, he'd been distant for a few days but then he'd told her he loved her and the thought of losing her killed him. Why did he act like he really did love her? Why did he make her love him more? Why did he send her that stupid text message?

She then thought about what she would do and say when she found him-if she found him, he was very good at hiding and making himself invisible. There was just one problem with that…Charlie never gave up and she wasn't gonna start now she'd find him if it killed her.

She knew she'd probably yell at him for a whole five minutes before she threw herself at him telling him she loved and missed him.

"You okay mum?" Ruby asked pulling her from her thoughts.

Charlie looked over at her and smiled quickly "yeah I'm fine sweetie," she said and looked back out the window as she once again left Summer bay to go chase Daryl Braxton, but this time there was no case, no cop, no one to update, just a girl in love who was determined to get her man back.