The next morning Charlie rolled off Brax's bed and looked back at him, they'd fallen asleep on the bed in their clothes. Smiling she pulled on her shoes and leaned over him "see ya later," she whispered and kissed him on the head, grabbing the blanket from the end of his bed she threw it over him and slipped out of the room.

"Morning," she said to Lacey as she walked by the table.

"Hey," Lacey muttered.

Charlie turned to look at her to see her staring into her cup, sighing she poured herself a cup of coffee and dropped into a seat beside her "what's on your mind?" she asked.

"Everything," Lacey mumbled and sighed heavily "I'll admit half that fight last night was my fault, I shouldn't have just brought him here like everything was okay, but Brax had no right to launch at him like that."

Charlie nodded "no he shouldn't have gone that far…but he was right in what he was saying."

"Like what?" Lacey asked looking over at her "that he'll break my heart again? That I'm an idiot for even considering it? That I shouldn't trust him? I've heard them all."

"Look Lace," Charlie said moving closer to her "you can't help who you fall in love with I know that, but sometimes your head has to over rule your heart."

"I have thought about it you know," Lacey said seriously "I didn't just say okay let's get back together. I made him jump through hoops, I made him swear to me that she's out of his life and it will never happen again."

"They're just words Lacey he was just saying what you wanted to hear, what happens when he looks at another girl? Or talks to a girl? What are you gonna be thinking?"

"I'm not some crazy possessive girlfriend Charlie," Lacey replied.

"Do you trust him the way you did when things were good?" Charlie asked.

"No," Lacey replied instantly "and who could blame me? My guard is up Charlie, I'm no fool I am a Braxton after all, my brother raised me well. Nate knows this is his one and only chance he knows if I suspect even one tiny thing he's gone."

Charlie sighed heavily she seemed to have worked out everything "alright then," she said and stood up "if you've made up your mind then I'm happy for you, I just hope you guys can go back to the way you were."

"We'll never be the way we were," Lacey said and stood up "I'm still letting him back in at my own pace."

Charlie got an idea "since I'm willing to skip the third degree and let you get on with it, do you think you could cut me and Brax a break and let us go on a date?"

Lacey raised an eyebrow "is he a rebound?"

"No," Charlie replied honestly "I'd never do that to him or you."

"Good, because I'd hate to have to kill you…told you you had the hots for my brother!" she called.

"Is that a yes?" Charlie asked

"Go for it!" Lacey yelled.

….

A while later Charlie arrived at the station "hey Georgie," she said as she walked to her office.

"Hey Charlie…Charlie!" she called before she went into the office "some woman keeps calling for you, I told her you'd ring her back," she said handing her a piece of paper.

Charlie looked down at the number it didn't look familiar "did she leave a name or say what she wanted?"

"Nope, just that she needed and would only speak to you," Georgie said and walked off as someone came to the desk.

Charlie looked down at the number again before waking to her office "morning Pete," she said as she sat down.

"Hey Charlz," he said without looking up.

"You busy?" she asked waiting for him to look up.

He looked up and chuckled "sorry I'm so close to closing a case."

"Okay, work now talk later," she giggled and picked up the phone. "Hi, this is Detective Holden you left messages for me to call you back?"

"Charlie!" an unsettled voice said.

"Who is this?" she asked slightly alarmed.

"It's Kenzie," the girl replied.

Charlie sucked in a breath and gripped the phone, Kenzie was Chase's daughter from a previous relationship. Sadly her mother had died a few years back and she had chosen to live with her grandparents agreeing to move in when they'd married.

"What can I do for you Kenzie?" she asked calmly she'd been avoiding this girls calls in fear of her attacking her over her dad.

"I'm at the mall right- I came down to see my dad, and I noticed these two men following me," she said quickly.

"Are you sure they were following you?" Charlie asked.

"Yes! I took turns I didn't need to, I stopped at shop windows I even doubled back, they're following me wherever I go."

"Where are you right now?" Charlie asked grabbing her keys.

"In the toilets in McDonalds," Kenzie replied.

"Right stay there, go out and order something, sit where people can see you, I'm on my way don't react when you see me."

"Has this to do with my dad?" Kenzie asked.

"I don't know, hang up now I'll be there in five minutes, call me back if anything happens in the mean time."

"Okay…please please hurry Charlie I'm scared," she said and hung up.

"I'll be back soon," Charlie said and hurried out the door.

"Oi!" Peter yelled stopping her "tell me what that was about?"

"I don't have time Pete!" Charlie yelled "some guys are following Kenzie she's scared!"

"Where is she?" Peter asked as he climbed into her car with her.

"The McDonalds in the mall," Charlie replied as she pulled away thanking god she decided to wear trousers today, there was no way she could run after anyone in those skirts.

Peter nodded "you go in the front door I'll take the side door."

"we go for the guys first, Kenzie knows what to do," Charlie said.

"guys first," he repeated.


Arriving at the McDonalds Charlie walked in and spotted Kenzie sitting next to a birthday party, spotting Charlie she directed her with her eyes to the two guys.

Charlie turned and walked to the table they were at "boys," she greeted and slid into the seat opposite them.

"Can we help you lady?" one of the asked while the other watched Kenzie.

"Yeah," Charlie said placing her badge on the table "you can tell me why you're following a teenage girl."

Seeing her badge both men stood up "don't even think about it," Peter said blocking their exit.

Sitting down again they looked at Charlie knowing they were beat "just doing our job," the other man said.

"And what job is that?" Charlie asked "freaking kids out? Making them feel scared? Kidnap maybe?" she asked.

"No," the other scoffed "we're paid to watch her until she leads us to her dad."

"Well this is one job you won't be getting paid for...stand up and turn around," Charlie said beckoning the two officers over they'd brought with them. "Take theses two to the station for questioning-suspicion of abduction," she said and stepped closer to them "and if you were doing your job properly you'd see she already led you to her dad," she said and stepped back.

"I knew I recognised you," one of them smirked "you're his fiancée, we thought you two had cashed out and done a runner."

"The only running Chase will be doing is the hour he gets in the yard each day…take them," she said and walked to Kenzie.

"Thanks Charlie," Kenzie said and stood up "I didn't know who else to call."

"I'm glad you called me," Charlie replied "we need to take a statement down the station so after that I can drive you home."

"Actually," Kenzie said slowly "I was coming to see you after here, I was kinda hoping I could stay with you for a few days."

"I don't think that's such a good idea Kenzie," Charlie sighed "there's a lot going on and I have nowhere for you to sleep."

"Dad told me everything he's done Charlie," Kenzie said and grabbed her bag "I don't blame you for what you had to do…and I've kinda missed you," she said and looked away quickly.

"Aww," Charlie said and slung her arm around her shoulder "how can I say no then," she chuckled "I'll call Ruby and you can hang out with her for the day…and I've missed you too."

"I'm gonna say this now and get it out of the way," Kenzie said quickly "dad wanted you to know that he's sorry he never meant it to get that far, he'll always love you and he understands if you hate him, there, it's out, I said it…let's not mention him again."

Charlie chuckled and started to walk "too little to late and, it's in the past now, we're all moving on it'll be nothing but a distant memory soon enough."

…..

A while later Charlie looked up as Ruby knocked "hey sweetie," she smiled.

"Hey," Ruby replied "Kenzie is all done I just wanted to talk to you first."

"Okay, something wrong?" she asked.

"Nope," Ruby said and smiled widely "I just wanted to give you these and say you need to go to the new house later, okay gotta go we'll be about I love ya! She babbled as she darted out of the office.

Charlie chuckled and picked up her phone "hey," she said when Brax answered "I was thi…

"Can I call you back Charlie?" he cut in.

"Okay," she said slowly "is everything okay? You seem a bit pissed."

"Call it a hunch…I'll call you back," he said and hung up.

Charlie looked at her phone and sighed heavily "no date tonight then," she said out loud.

"A date?" Jack asked walking in "with who?"

"Not confirmed yet so no one," she replied and stood up "did Kenzie's interview go okay?"

"Yep," he said holding out a folder "who's the date with?"

"I said no one," she chuckled and looked over Kenzie's statement.

"Come on Charlz if you're not here it's dads or Lacey's, where would you meet a new guy?"

"Who said he was new?" Charlie smirked.

"So I know him," Jack said and began to think "is it that waiter at Angelo's?"

"No," Charlie giggled "and he's about eighteen."

"So?" he shrugged "A woman your age can't hang around, and it's not frowned upon to have a toyboy," he chuckled.

"That is gross Jack, and I'm not that old" she chuckled and slapped him "okay I'll tell you," she said and closed the door "but you have to promise it stays between me and you."

"Ooh sworn to secrecy this has to be good," he said and sat down on a chair "spill," he added the second she sat down.

"It's Brax," she said and waited for his reaction.

Jack frowned "Brax? My Brax?" he asked surprised he figured after the whole Ricky thing he'd steer clear of women for a while.

"Yes 'your' Brax and don't go saying anything to him because as I said nothing is confirmed yet, a date mightn't even happen."

Jack nodded while he took it in "and Lacey is okay with this? we all know it didn't end well for Heath."

"Well," Charlie said slowly, she was still yet to tell anyone about what had gone on between her and Brax "she kinda caught me kissing him a while ago and flipped…but since she's back with Nate she can't tell anyone what to do."

Jack's eyes went wide "she's back with him? Is she crazy?"

"Unfortunately she is," Charlie sighed "and we've talked about it, she's serious about staying with him."

"Well she'd wanna think again because he's still with Ricky," Jack said.

"He what now?" Charlie asked hoping she'd heard wrong.

"They're still together Charlz, I've seen them twice this week going into the motel she's staying at."

Charlie sighed and jumped up "I'll kill him," she hissed and stormed out the door.

"Good luck to you mate," Jack chuckled and walked out to the desk.


Brax stood behind a tree watching Ricky and Nate, he'd been standing there for fifteen minutes now. Something was off they were up to something, they were too jumpy for normal people having a conversation, he frowned as he saw Charlie stalk towards them.

She started screeching and shoving him before she just launched herself at him and punched him in the face. When Ricky tried to hold her back she shoved her away and punched her too, Brax was surprised but intrigued as to what caused her outburst. Stepping closer he listened in as Charlie ranted on unaware he was there.

"You son of a bitch! What the hell is wrong with you?" she yelled angrily.

"What's wrong with me?" Nate yelled back as he held his nose "what the hell is wrong with you? I was just talking to her!"

"You're still seeing her!" she screeched pointing to Ricky "you never broke up with her at all! How could you do this to Lacey again?"

"I don't know where you're getting your information from but we're not together," Ricky said.

"Oh really?" Charlie asked "then why have I footage of you leaving her room yesterday morning after staying the night? After telling Lacey you got called to the city hospital?"

"I didn't stay the night," Nate said quickly "I dropped by to collect some things on my way home from the city."

Charlie rolled her eyes "do I look stupid?" she asked "I'm a detective I did my digging, you weren't at any hospital you were with her-where you've always been when Lacey thinks you're busy. I got into your phone records I have every call and message you two sent each other-deleted or not I have them all."

"Here's what's gonna happen," she said taking a step closer to him "you are going to break up with Lacey-today, you will not tell her what's being going on she doesn't need a broken heart again. You'll tell her you've been made permanent in the city and you think it's a good idea if you went your separate ways. You tell her by the time I get home, then you two are gonna disappear and leave the Braxton's alone we clear?" she asked.

"What happens if we don't leave?" Ricky asked.

Charlie took a step closer to her "you'll find out what I'm all about and trust me you don't want that, I won't have my best friend made an idiot out of," she said and looked over at Nate "be gone by the time I get home," she said and walked off.

Brax could not believe what he had just heard, at what she'd just done for Lacey but most of all he was proud of her. Watching her walk into Angelo's he started to follow her.

….

Walking up to the bar he found her running an ice cube across her knuckles "what did you do?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said quickly and dropped it into her glass "just stings a little…I scraped it off the wall getting out of the car."

Brax rolled his eyes and turned her stool out to him boxing her in he moved closer to her "that's funny, I just saw a girl that looks like you out on the beach, do you wanna know what she was doing?" he asked.

Charlie shrugged "normal beach stuff?"

Brax chuckled "no," he said stepping closer to her "she was punching my sisters boyfriend and my ex."

Charlie shrugged again and looked away from him "maybe they deserved it."

Brax pulled her off the stool and led her to his office, turning her he backed her up against the door "I saw and heard the whole thing Charlie, I wasn't far away from you-that's where I was when you called me."

Charlie's eyes went wide "I'm so sorry Brax you weren't supposed to hear that-no one was."

Brax slid his hands onto her cheeks "what you just did for Lacey is the only reason I didn't intervene, you are an amazing woman Charlie she's lucky to have you in her life."

"She's my best friend I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he doesn't screw her around again."

"You're so hot when you're all defensive and pissed," he said and nipped at her neck.

"Brax not here," she giggled.

"Why not," he said pulling her closer "no one comes in here but me."

"Well I have stuff to do Braxton so back it up or else," she giggled.

"Or what? I'll find out what you're all about?" he chuckled.

Charlie rolled her eyes "I'm not gonna live that down am I?"

"Why should you? You were awesome out there, you had them almost wetting themselves," Brax said wrapping his arms around her.

"Brax you can't tell anyone what happened," she said seriously "Lacey will be crushed not to mention all the gossip."

"Oh I won't I wanna see how this goes…do you think they'll follow through?" he asked.

"Guess we'll find out when I get home from work…which I better get back to, I just stormed out of the station they'll be wondering where I am," she said and pulled away from him.

"Nu-uh," he said pulling her back to him "you're so hot right now you're not going anywhere, you can't let me go back out there like this," he said nodding between them.

Charlie burst out laughing "smooth," she giggled.

"So what's it gonna be Holden?" he asked clicking the lock off the door "you bailing on me?"

"You're just lucky you're cute," Charlie replied and clicked the lock over "let's show you what I'm all about," she said unbuttoning her shirt.

"Yes mam," he chuckled and kissed her hard before shoving her onto his desk sending it's contents flying everywhere.


Afterwards Charlie helped him sort out his desk "I really gotta go," she said and leaned over to kiss him "I'll call you when I'm done."

"Looking forward to it already," he said and fixed his shirt "am I presentable?" he chuckled.

"Doesn't matter," she said smoothing out his shirt "you have no one to impress."

Brax chuckled and wrapped his arms around her as they walked out to the bar "don't worry babe you're all I'm gonna think about."

Charlie turned back to him "babe? Really?"

"How about Rocky then?" he chuckled

"Oh Brax, you're such a moron," she giggled and kissed him "I'll see ya later."

"Bye Detective!" he called after her, watching her go he chuckled and smiled to himself this woman was a godsend.

Charlie arrived back at the station and walked into her office "there you are," Peter said looking up.

"I wasn't gone that long," she replied as she sat down.

"I've been calling you the last hour," Peter said.

Charlie looked down at her phone that still sat on her desk "left it here," she said holding it up.

"I was calling to let you know that you could head home early if you want, apart from you throwing up twice today the case I'm working on is just about closed so there's nothing else-Jack took the two guys you brought in earlier to lock up."

"Okay," she nodded and stood up "and I'm fine, I told you it was something I ate…guess "I'll go home then, are you sure there's nothing else I can do?"

"No, we're good," Peter replied "you get off…maybe you could go grab an early dinner with Brax," he smirked.

"Jack told you!" she shrieked.

"No," he chuckled "I was outside the door-I didn't listen to everything," he added quickly "I just got a name and I left."

Charlie groaned "fine, out with it now then, what's wrong with him? Why should I stay away from him?"

Peter crossed his arms with an amused look on his face "I have nothing to say," he said "Brax is a great guy, I know he'll treat you right and look after you."

"We're not getting married Pete," she chuckled "I just met the guy…but thank you for remaining calm."

Peter chuckled "like I said, he's a great guy…go on, get off," he said nodding to the door.

Charlie leaned in and kissed him on the cheek "thanks Pete, I'll see ya later," she said and walked out of the office.

Remembering what Ruby had said before she ran off she reached into her bag and pulled out the key. Going to her car she climbed in and pulled away.

Arriving at the house she let herself in and gasped, the living room had been painted just like they wanted. Walking to the kitchen she saw that was done too, going up the stairs she looked into the bedrooms and bathrooms all freshly painted "Ruby," she smiled she had the best daughter in the world.

Pulling out her phone she went back downstairs, someone was getting spoiled tonight.

….

Arriving at Lacey's (after throwing up again on the way) Charlie hurried in to get changed, she'd arranged to meet Ruby Kenzie Summer April and Bianca at Angelo's for dinner and drinks.

Coming back out of the room she jumped back when Lacey appeared "hey," she said "just on my way out," she added when she wouldn't move.

"Well call and say you're gonna be late," Lacey said and pushed her back into the room "why are you doing this to me Charlie?" she asked.

"Doing what?" Charlie frowned "I'm not doing anything."

"I saw Nate's face!" she yelled "he told me you threatened him to break up with me and leave town, why Charlie why?" she yelled.

"Because he's still with Ricky!" Charlie yelled before she could stop herself "I'm sorry Lace," she said in a calmer tone "I got footage of the motel she's at, he's been going there when he's telling you he's in the city."

"Nate said you'd say that," Lacey said and laughed bitterly "there old tapes Charlie I know what you can do with the time stamps."

"They're not old they're two days old, why would I risk hurting you if it wasn't true?" Charlie asked.

"You don't want me with him no one does," Lacey replied "but I never thought you'd go this far, I thought you were my friend."

"I am you're friend Lacey," Charlie said walking to her "you're my best friend I love you I don't wanna see you go through it again."

"We're fine we're happy, he's not with Ricky just leave us alone," Lacey said and opened her door "I mean it Charlie, next time you make up stuff like this I won't be containing my anger," she said and walked off.

Charlie sighed and groaned in frustration doctor Nate what ever his name was is in big trouble. Grabbing her phone as Bianca called she hurried out of the room "I'm coming I'm sorry I'm leaving right now just order me anything."

She jumped back when the front door opened and Brax walked in "hey, girls just arrived before I left, did you forget to tell me something?"

"Yes," she giggled as he pulled her to him "dinner with my daughter, almost step-daughter, sister, sister in-law and Niece…sorry, last minute thing," she said and kissed him. " I went by my house earlier and Ruby has the whole place painted, I was so happy it looks just amazing, it's perfect."

Brax tried to hide his smile "she did it all by herself?"

"I don't know but I have an awesome daughter," she said and looked down at her phone "I'm sorry I'm already late I better go."

"Seems all you're dong today is bailing on me, do you want a lift? I'll assume you'll be drinking?"

"Yes thank you, and yes I will be drinking…so you better wait up," she giggled.

"You look gorgeous by the way," Brax said and opened the door "but you better hurry up before that dress is on the floor."


A while later Charlie came out of the bathroom after throwing up yet again to see Nate and Lacey sitting down, Nate looked over at her and smirked before sitting down beside Lacey.

Rolling her eyes Charlie walked back to her table "feeling better?" Summer asked.

"Yeah," Charlie nodded "must have been something I ate yesterday I'm puking all day."

"Maybe you should get Lacey to check you over," Bianca suggested.

"No I'm go…" she trailed off as her mouth watered again "back in a tick," she said and hurried to the bathroom.

Ruby sighed "Pete said she puked at least three times in work, I'm gonna have a word with Lacey," she said and stood up.

"Hey Lace," Ruby smiled "I'm sorry to interrupt," she added.

"It's fine Rubes, is everything okay?" Lacey asked.

"Well it's mum," she started "I don't wanna make a big deal out of it but she's been off her food lately and she's throwing up all day, do you think you could check her out? When you've eaten of course," she added.

"We haven't even ordered yet," Lacey said standing up and looked at Nate "I won't be long…you go back to the girls," she smiled and walked to the bathroom.

Hearing Charlie throw up she walked to the sink and reached into her bag, pulling out a pregnancy test she sighed heavily. When the door opened she turned around "here," she said and threw it at Charlie as she came out of the cubicle "do it now and get it out of the way."

Charlie caught it and looked at the box "but I'm not pregnant," she said quickly.

"You're off your food, you're off coffee, you're restless at night, you're puking," Lacey said "I'm a doctor I know the signs…go do it," she said again.

Charlie sighed heavily and walked back into the cubicle "it's not gonna be positive," she said as she ripped the box open. Being pregnant never even crossed her mind…then she remembered her first time with Brax, it was one of those nights when nothing else mattered but what they got from one another not even thinking about the consequences.

"Well then that'll be something to mark off the list," Lacey replied and sat up on the sink.

A few minutes later Charlie walked to the sink and placed the stick down.

"So?" Lacey asked peering over at it.

"Three weeks…should I even have any symptoms yet?"

"Everyone's body reacts differently…is it Brax's?" Lacy asked.

Charlie nodded and wiped her eyes "what the hell am I gonna do now?" she sniffed.

Lacey sighed heavily she knew they'd slept together Heath had ratted them out, scooting closer to her she placed her hand on top of hers "I'm gonna tell the girls you have a bug and you need to go home. Brax is there alone you need to tell him Charlie."

…..

Over at Brax's he had just sat down with a beer and turned the tv on, he turned his head when someone knocked at the door. Groaning he stood up and walked to it, pulling it open his face went blank "what do you want now?" he sighed.

"I need to talk to you," Ricky said and walked by him.

"Well I don't want to talk to you so," he said nodding out the door.

"We need to talk and I'm not leaving until we do," Ricky said and sat on the arm of the chair.

"We have nothing to talk about, just get lost Ricky," he said and pulled the door open wider.

"I'm pregnant Brax," Ricky replied.

"I don't see how that concerns me," he said seriously "shouldn't you be telling Nate this?"

"I worked out the dates," she said and walked to him "it's your baby Brax."

"You expect me to believe that?" he scoffed.

Ricky reached into her bag and pulled out a stick "I'm eleven weeks pregnant-I got pregnant while Lacey and Nate were in England."

Brax took the stick and stared down at it, he couldn't believe this was happening, he thought he'd gotten rid of her for good.

"Brax say something," she said after a few minutes.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked and walked around her.

"We need to talk about this, what are we going to do?" she asked.

Brax threw his hands behind his head "what the hell do you want me to say Ricky?" he yelled "I have no idea what to say here!"

"Do you want it?" she asked.

"I don't know!" he yelled and dropped onto the sofa "I don't know what the hell I want, you can't just drop this on me and expect answers right away."

Ricky sat beside him "I want it," she said taking his hand she placed it on her stomach "I want you and this baby more than anything in the world…we can make this work Brax I know we can."

Brax looked down at his hand and couldn't help the warm tingle that ran through him, he had created a life inside there his baby was in there. Sighing he pulled his hand away and stood up "I swore if I ever had kids I'd never be like my dad, I'd always be there for them, I'd give them whatever they needed."

"You cans till do all that," Ricky said standing up "we can be a family."

Brax walked to the door and pulled it open "I can't," he said "I got Charlie now I can't just dump all this on her…I need time to think."

"Take all the time you want," Ricky said and walked by him "I'll be in touch," she said and walked off. Looking back to make sure the door had closed she pulled out her phone and made a call "hey babe," she smirked "part one complete…I'll see ya at home," she said and hug up.


Charlie arrived about ten minutes after Ricky had left, letting herself in she saw Brax sitting at the kitchen table in a daze "hey," she said nervously.

"Hey," he muttered and took a swig of his beer.

"Everything okay?" she asked and sat beside him "you look miles away."

"Sorry, I'm fine," he said and slid his hand into hers "how was your dinner?"

"Yeah, good," she nodded "the girls decided to stay out."

"And you didn't want to?" he asked and stood up "figured you'd be falling through the door at all hours," he said leading her to the sofa.

"No I'm kinda tired," she lied.

Brax chuckled and pulled her closer to him "let's get you to bed then," he said and kissed her slowly.

"Brax wait wait," Charlie said and pulled back "I need to talk to you about something."

"Seems everyone wants to talk to me about something," he muttered.

"What was that?" she asked.

"Sorry, nothing…what did you wanna talk about?" he asked.

Charlie scooted closer to him "okay, I don't know what way to say this and I know you're gonna be pissed and I don't blame you. I don't know how this happened-well I know how it happened, I mean I don't know what-"

"Babe you're babbling," he chuckled "what's going on?"

Charlie blew out a deep breath "I've been throwing up for a few days now and I've been off my food so Lacey looked me over."

"You have a bug or something?" he asked concerned.

"No," she sighed "Brax I'm pregnant, Lacey gave me a test at Angelo's…I'm three weeks…I'm sorry," she added. "I know you don't want this and it's so soon."

Brax stared at her for a few minutes before he ripped his hand from hers and jumped up "is this some kind of sick joke?" he yelled angrily "do you think this is funny?"

Charlie frowned she had no idea what he was going on about "why would I joke about something like this?" she asked standing up.

"Are you all out to get me or something?" he asked.

"Brax what are you talking about?" Charlie asked puzzled.

Brax sighed and ran his hands through his hair "Ricky just left before you got here, she's pregnant and insisting it's mine."

"That can't be true," Charlie said shocked.

"It is," Brax replied "she showed me the test and said she'd matched up the dates…it was when Lace and Nate were away."

Charlie nodded as her eyes filled with tears "and now I've just made it all worse."

"Yeah, yeah you have," Brax said and walked to the door "I can't think about you right now I just can't…can you please go?" he asked and pulled the door open.

"I live here," she sniffed

"Well I don't want you here!" he yelled "I don't wanna look at you! I don't wanna think about you! I don't ever wanna see you again!" he yelled and pushed her out the door "do one!" he hissed and slammed it.


The next morning Charlie sat on the beach looking out over the water, she'd gone to Jack's last night and just told him she'd locked herself out and everyone else was out late. Sniffing she wiped her eyes she couldn't believe he reacted like that, that he'd said all those horrible things she did not expect that at all. He hadn't even called her to see was she okay or to even apologise, blowing out a breath she stood up…she had to go back to the house to get clothes for work.

Arriving at the house she felt sick when she spotted his car in the drive, looking at the time on her phone she sighed again he wasn't due in work for half an hour. Walking to the door she wiped her face and slipped in praying he was in his room.

"Where have you been all night?" Heath asked as he and the boys looked up.

"Too much to drink I went to Jack's with Bianca…I better get ready for work," she said and ran to Lacey's room not even looking at Brax.

Brax kept his eyes on his cereal he was so ashamed of himself and the way he reacted. Now he had the whole night to think about it he realised it was Charlie he wanted-Charlie and their baby, he'd be a father to Ricky's baby but that's as far as it would go "I gotta get ready for work too," he said and walked to his room.

Bypassing his door he stopped outside Lacey's, she hadn't come home last night so he knew Charlie was alone in there. Knocking on the door he waited for her to call out before pushing the door in "can we talk?" he asked.

Charlie wasn't upset anymore, now she was angry "no," she said and pulled on her shoes "I came to talk to you last night and you threw me out, that gave me my answers there's nothing to talk about…I'm late for work," she said when he wouldn't move.

"I'm sorry babe," he sighed "it was too much to take in after Ricky being here."

"So she gets to walk out the front door and she's the one that cheated on you, but yet I'm the one that risked losing my best friend to be with you and I get thrown out?"

"I said I was sorry my heads all over the place, I don't know what to be thinking, we need to sit down and talk," he replied.

"No," she said and shoved him out of the way " I've been through enough shit already Brax, I'm here for a fresh start you're not gonna ruin it for me. You said you never wanted to see me ever again, so you won't see me again!" she yelled and slammed the door behind her.

"What the hell was that about?" Heath asked as they stared at Brax.

"Nothing, finish your breakfast," Brax huffed and stormed into his own room…he'd only himself to blame.

….

Charlie arrived at the station and went to her office to see Peter looking over a file looking stressed "tough case?" she asked sitting on his desk.

"Hey," he smiled "and no, I need someone to come to L.A with me but no one's available."

"What's in L.A?" she asked.

"Drug squad there need me to assist them on a case, a guy I caught here a few years back but I'd need a hand," he replied.

"I can do it," she offered without a second thought.

Peter smiled widely "forgot you had drug squad training…you sure?" he asked "I don't know when we'll be back."

Charlie nodded "sure, I'll ask dad and Jack to look after Rubes and Kenzie, they'll be fine for a few days."

"Okay," he said and stood up "go home and pack then, I'll book the flights and pick you up in an hour…don't forget all your identification," he added and walked out of the office.

Charlie smiled to herself time away was just what she needed. Walking out of the office she jumped back as Lacey pushed her back in "did you tell him?"

"Lace, I have to catch a plane soon I have to go," Charlie replied.

"Did you tell him?" Lacey asked again.

"Yes, and he threw me out yelling a load of abuse at me," she replied.

"He what?" Lacey shrieked.

"When I told him he went all weird and told me to get out that he never wanted to see me again."

"Why would he say all that?" Lacey asked "that doesn't sound like Brax at all."

"Charlie! Flights are booked you've an hour! come on!" Peter yelled.

"Seems Ricky got there before me, she's claming it's his…I'm going to L.A to work a case, I don't know when I'll be back," Charlie said making a move for the door "I better go pack, I'll call you when I get there," she added and left a stunned Lacey in her office.

A few minutes later Lacey stormed into Angelo's on a mission, spotting Brax by the delivery door she stormed towards him "Brax!" she hissed.

"Lace?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

Without warning Lacey punched him in the face knocking him off his feet "I don't care what Ricky said," she growled leaning over him "how dare you say any of that to Charlie! How dare you throw her out of her own house!"

"Lacey I," he started.

"I don't wanna hear it!" she hissed "you have no excuse for what you did to her, get up and go see Charlie right now and sort it out before she's gone!"

"What do you mean gone?" Brax asked pulling himself to his feet.

"She's going to L.A to work a case you have about half an hour before Pete picks her up," Lacey replied and walked off "don't let her leave thinking she's nothing to come back for!" she called over her shoulder.


Brax screeched to a stop outside his house and jumped out "Charlie!" he yelled running inside "Charlie!" he yelled running to Lacey's room. "Please don't go," he asked grabbing her case off the bed.

"Are you crazy!" she yelled "give that back!" she added trying to grab it from him.

"You can't go like this," he said holding the case away from her.

"Brax I'm going to work, I'll be back in a few days, now give it, Peter will be here soon."

"You promise you're coming back?" he asked.

"Why wouldn't I come back?" she asked and grabbed it from him.

"Because of what I said, then you said I won't see you again," he said.

"I just meant I wouldn't be staying here anymore," she said and looked out the window as Peter beeped outside "I have to go," she said and walked by him.

"Can we talk when you get back?" he asked following her to the door.

Charlie stopped and turned back to him "after what you said to me last night I don't know if we can go anywhere," she said seriously "that hurt so much Brax you have to understand I can't juts forgive you like that."

"I don't expect you too, please just give me another chance?" he asked.

Charlie sighed as Peter beeped again "I'll see you when I get back," she said and hurried out the door before he could say anything else.

Brax sighed and watched her through the window, he had screwed it all up and possibly ruined the best thing that had come his way in a long long time.

A/N soooooo did anyone see that coming? Hope you enjoyed it J