Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!

PrincessH : I'm glad you're like it. Thanks for the support and review. Cheers mi dears!

Joshysgirl : Arrr thank you lol. I promise there's more Charlie in this chapter lol, can't have you going through withdrawals lol. Yeah, it is sad, but he's still surrounded by love, and that's what matters. Anyways thanks for the support and review. Cheers mi dears!

Ghostwriter : PDD is a real disorder, I'm not sure how many sufferers there are though. Anyways thanks for the support and review. Cheers mi dears!

Meme-Ann : Yea, Charlie has magical powers lol – or so we can believe lol. I personally think it's his smile that acts like a magical wand lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. Cheers mi dears!

Sphinx005 : Well thank you lol. It is heartbreaking, but it's worse when people ac like they aren't even there. Now THAT'S heartbreaking. People can be incredibly cruel sometimes. Anyways thanks for the support and review. Cheers mi dears!

SweetNJuicyX0 : Yea the disorders are real, I don't know how many sufferers there are, but they are definitely real. Anyways thanks for the support and review. Cheers mi dears!

Chapter 7

Charlie sat opposite Connie in the living room, as she told him everything about what the Doctors had said. Though Charlie knew about Shane's problems, he'd never pressed Connie for the more in-depth details, but now he was intrigued to hear everything the two had gone through. They'd changed Shane's diagnosis every year, and were never able to tell Connie much more than a few answers, which in his opinion, wasn't enough. He kept thinking that if Shane had been his son, he'd want the Doctors to move heaven and earth until they found more answers, and he would demand even more answers then.

"So now, they're telling me he's got pervasive development disorder, and again they don't know whether he'll ever get any better". Connie spoke softly, trying her hardest to keep her composure.

"But you know he is getting better Con, you see that for yourself every day". Charlie soothed.

"No, he's improving. There's no way of telling whether or not I'll have to work with him for the rest of my life, or whether he'll be able to go to school, like normal kids". Connie told of her fears. "Do you have any idea what it's like to be told your own flesh and blood has acute deafness, autism, ADD or PDD? Every year do they change their mind, and no matter how much you expect it, it hits you like a kick to the stomach. It takes you a few months to fully process it, then another few months to read every last bit of information you can find, then finally you accept it. Just when you've accepted it, does it start all over again". Connie told him, tears trickling gently down her cheeks.

Charlie was stumped at what to say to comfort her. Finally settling for pulling her into a tight embrace, where they remained for some time. Charlie could have sat there all day holding her, she fitted perfectly into his arms.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be off loading all my problems onto you". Connie sat up slightly, and wiped her tears away.

"I wouldn't be here if I minded Con". Charlie reminded her.

He gazed into her eyes, he began loosing himself in them, only this time he didn't care. He slowly leant forward, allowing his lips to brush against hers, feeling electric sparks run throughout his body. As the kiss heated up, Connie placed hand on his shoulder gently allowing her hand to slide up to the nape of his neck. Feeling her touching him, sent tingles racing and he felt a low growl bellow in his throat. The kiss was growing in intensity, their lips pressing hard against each other in a hungry motion. Their tongues were dancing the sensual rumba with each other, slowly caressing then twisting in circles. Charlie held Connie firmly against his chest, he could feel her every breath, the close proximity, sending shivers up and down his spine.

"Charlie". Connie murmured.

Within seconds, Charlie realized what he was doing, and pulled away. His hand slid down from her back on to her leg, his other arm resting on the back of the sofa. He couldn't read her expression, and immediately looked away. He knew what he'd just done was wrong, she'd been upset about Shane, the last thing she'd need was him complicating things.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have"… Charlie began quietly, but was stopped by Connie pressing her lips softly against his own. "Are you sure"?

"Shut up Charlie". Connie stopped him abruptly, as she pulled him into another hungry kiss.

Connie's heart thumped in her chest, as adrenalin pounded around her body. Charlie's hands roamed her back freely, as she slid one hand into his hair. Every so often she could hear a low growl in his throat, as if beckoning her for more. She knew things between them were going to go further than kissing, and she wanted it to, but there was a tiny voice in the back of her head, reminding her, of the last and only time she'd ever slept with anyone. Charlie on the other hand had probably slept with a number of women, probably of whom would be better than her.

"Charlie". She pulled away then kissed him gently once more. "I um, I have something to tell you". She continued planting gentle kisses on his lips between words.

"We can stop, it's ok". Charlie reassured her, pulling back some more, but keeping eye contact.

"No, no it's not that". Connie gave him a small kiss as if to prove her words. "It's just that, God how do I put this". She struggled for words.

"Just say it, I won't care whatever it is". He rubbed her back affectionately.

"Ok… Ok, so um, this whole, um, situation, well um, I've only ever actually, um been in it, um once". She stuttered nervously. "It was with Brett, and even then, it wasn't anything special, except maybe Shane being the conclusion". She blurted, feeling slightly embarrassed. "What I'm saying is, is that even with Brett, it wasn't I dunno, right! It lasted like the whole of 5 minutes, an I don't want you to um, have high expectations or anything, and um, I wouldn't blame you if um, you didn't want to".

"Connie, shut up". Charlie kissed her again, feeling her immediately reciprocate.

With all her thoughts out in the open, Connie relaxed more, and began to actually enjoy their moment together even more. Part of her couldn't believe that this was actually Charlie she was kissing, though she'd had a small crush on him back in high school, she'd never dreamed that in years to come, they'd be where they were now.

"Come on". Connie stood, and took Charlie's hand in her own.

She lead him upstairs slowly, and into her room. She closed the door behind them, then turned back to Charlie. She had to stand on tiptoes to reach him, where she planted small tantalizing kisses on his lips. They slowly stepped toward the bed, where Charlie sat on the edge, making it easier for Connie to reach him.

"Are you sure"? Charlie questioned again.

"Yeah". Connie replied softly, reaching down for another kiss.

Connie knelt on the bed in order to lower herself slightly, before tugging Charlie's shirt off over his head. Charlie reciprocated her action, their lips never parting for long. Next their pants tumbled their way to floor. As their remaining items of clothes hit the floor, Charlie being nuzzling her neck, his hand holding her hip. Connie began stroking the back of his calf with one of feet, feeling his hard muscles that were kept toned with skating. Slowly Charlie began planting small lingering kisses from her neck, between her breasts to her navel, then gently made his way back to her lips.

He kissed her with such intensity, yet each were gentle and lingering. She'd never wanted to kiss anyone as much in her life, he was intoxicating, and she couldn't get enough of him. Charlie had just moved from the base of her neck, to her shoulder, when she leant forward slightly, planting a kiss in the hollow of his neck, before letting out a slow breath. With that, he shuddered, made his way back to her lips.

They made love slowly, with an unleashed passion. Charlie burrowed his face into Connie's neck, sucking on her pulse point, and with every thrust he gave, he could feel her heart beat double. Her hands ran freely through his short brunette locks, her warm breath surfing it's way onto the hollow of his neck. With the last few pumps, Connie inhaled, feeling herself go to new dizzying heights.

"It's over, come back to me". Charlie whispered huskily. "Come back to me". He ran a hand down her side, kissing the side of her mouth gently. "You ok"? He asked softly.

"Yeah". Connie whispered in return, kissing him with gusto.

They laid silently in each other arms. Charlie ran a finger idly along Connie's upper arm, kissing her forehead every so often. Connie cuddled up beside Charlie, feeling the warmth of his body next to hers. It was as though, her arms were meant to be wrapped around Charlie.

"I think I'm falling in love with you". Charlie whispered in her ear, followed by a few soft kisses.

"I think that's a good job, since Shane's in love with you too". Connie chuckled. "And so am I". She added, leaning up and kissing him.

Half an hour later, they dragged their selves out from under the sheets, and headed downstairs to get some dinner. Even though Connie was now dressed in an old baggy t-shirt and cropped blue jeans, Charlie thought, she still looked radiant and struggled to keep his eyes and hands off her.

"I haven't got much in"… Connie turned around from the sink, noticing Charlie watching her. "Why are you looking at me like that"? She chuckled.

"Can I help it if your beauty blinds me". He laughed in return.

"How corny are your pick up lines gonna get"?

"Much worse than that". Charlie laughed, as he crept up behind her, wrapping his arms snuggly around her waist, whilst nuzzling her neck.

"Charlie, I'm never gonna be able to make dinner with you doing that". Connie stated, though she really didn't want him to let her go.

"How about then, we order pizza, then go back to bed". Charlie wiggled his eyebrows mischievously.

"Oh really"? Connie eyed him, with a slight smile playing on her lips. "Then you'd better get ordering then hadn't you". She laughed, before dashing up the stairs.

25 minutes later, Connie watched in amusement, as Charlie dashed out of the room, dressed in her fluffy white toweling robe, that didn't pass his knee and barely wrapped round him, to pay for the pizza. After she'd heard him bound down the stairs, she tiptoed to the top of the stairs just in time to see him swing the door open. The pizza delivery guy, couldn't have been any older than 17 and looked extremely embarrassed by Charlie's lack of coverage.

"I think he's a hockey fan". Charlie announced, when he re-entered the bedroom, where Connie had quickly returned.

"What makes you think that"? Connie asked, trying to keep a straight face

"Well he looked a bit star struck".

"Are you sure he was star struck and not just embarrassed"? Connie asked seriously.

"How'd you mean embarrassed"?

"Well, did you happen to notice, how you were dressed? Poor kid, he was probably scared of getting an eye full". Connie cracked out laughing, as Charlie looked down, noticing how little the robe actually covered.

"Well, we'll just not have to order from their anymore". He chuckled.

The following morning, Connie awoke to an empty bed. In her half dazed state, it didn't really click, that Charlie should have been laid beside her. For the last 5 years, since she'd moved in this house, she'd woken alone. She rolled over to look at her bedside clock, seeing it was only 7 am. Normally by now, Shane was usually climbing under the covers with her, for an extra half an hours sleep.

She heard the mail man, closing her mail box, which was no doubt full of junk and bills. Realizing she should get up, and finally noticing Charlie's absence, she slipped from the bed, pulling on her jeans and t-shirt, before stumbling down the stairs.

"Charlie"! She called softly, her voice still rugged.

She checked the living room, and kitchen before realizing his car wasn't in the driveway. Though in her heart, she didn't believe Charlie would have treat her as a one night stand, but her mind went into over drive. He hadn't left a note, woken her to tell her he had to be anywhere. She knew he wouldn't be at practice, since they had a game that evening. His disappearance was a mystery, but she forced herself not to dwell on it, there was probably a perfectly good explanation. To keep herself occupied, she began making a small list of what she needed to get from the grocery store later.

"Hey, what are you doing up"? A voice startled her, causing her to let out a yelp.

"Oh my God, don't do that". Connie caught her breath back, feeling her heart pound in her chest. "Where've you been anyway"?

"I went to get breakfast. I was gonna surprise you with breakfast in bed, but"… Charlie placed the bag down on the table.

"Arr, you're so sweet. But you didn't need to. I've got some cereal in the cupboard. I haven't got much of anything else but that I have got". Connie stepped toward him, kissing him gently, before holding him closely.

"I wanted it to be special, not just cereal". Charlie pouted jokingly.

"And what's wrong with my cereal". Connie joked.

"Nothing, it's just I'm a growing boy, plus cereal sucks compared to bacon, sausage and eggs". Charlie informed her. "Ok, so since you're not in bed, you have to sit at the table, and let me cook for you".

"I could get used to this". Connie commented on, as she allowed Charlie to guide her to a chair.

Over the following half an hour, Connie watched in amusement, as Charlie tried his hardest to cook her breakfast. He burnt the tips of his fingers more than once, and dropped 2 eggs on the floor. When she offered to help him, he ordered her to remain in her seat, and that he was fine. When he burnt his fingers for the 3rd time, whilst trying to serve everything up, Connie climbed to her feet and managed to help him, before he'd actually realized she'd moved.

"This isn't too bad". Connie chomped down a piece of burnt bacon. It honestly wasn't all bad, there were small burnt bits that left a foul taste in your mouth, but for the most part it was edible. Charlie looked at her sarcastically.

"You making fun of my cooking"? He eyed her, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"No, no, I'm just saying it's ok. Better than Fulton's anyway, and after a bit more practice, you can make me breakfast anytime". Connie leant over and kissed him gently.

That night, whilst Connie was at work, Larry put the hockey game on the big screen, for everyone to watch. Though Connie was meant to be working, she frequently found herself stopping to watch the game, especially when she knew Charlie was on the ice. Her heart fluttered when she saw him be checked against the boards, then slowly skate back to the bench holding his elbow. He didn't skate for the rest of the 2nd period, causing Connie to become flustered and uptight. It was only when she saw him skate back on the ice at the beginning of the 3rd that she relaxed a little. She knew his arm was still hurting, since his game was now off and he didn't have as much ice time.

The player who had checked Charlie, spent much of the 2nd and 3rd periods in the box for hooking, tripping and slashing. Though for some unknown reason, the ref's failed to send him off permanently. After he checked Mike Peron, the team Captain, he barged into Ron Shudra. This of course got both Mike and Ron's backs up, which escalated into a fight. They both got 2 minutes for the fight, but the opposing player was finally given a game misconduct.

The game soon finished, with the Wild's winning 1-0. With the game over, Connie ultimately relaxed and managed to work the rest of the night, without her mind wandering. She returned home late that night to find Charlie sat on her doorstep awaiting her arrival.

So what do you think? PLEASE R&R!