Charlie had just had a nice lunch with Brax and was just leaving "thanks for lunch," she smiled as they stood up.
"No problem, I'm glad I actually got it," he chuckled.
"Right I'm off to get out of this thing for the last time," she said nodding to her uniform. "So, I have the place to myself later and my new sofa came before I left, wanna come over if you're not doing anything?"
"Sure- I'll be by at about nine I have stuff to do here first," he replied walking to the door with her.
"Okay," she kissed him on the cheek "later," she called and walked down to her car.
Later that evening Charlie sat in her living room reading the cards she'd gotten off the guys from the station while the girls got ready upstairs.
"Charlie!" Louise yelled from the top of the stairs.
"Yes!" She called back.
"I'm freaking out I don't know what to wear, Rubes is in the shower can you help me?"
Charlie heaved herself up from the sofa and ran upstairs "whoa," she laughed as she walked into Louise's room and spotted the bed and surrounding floor covered in clothes.
"Charlie I've never went on a date before what do I wear?" She panicked.
"Lou calm down," Charlie rummaged through the clothes on the bed "it's only the movies so you don't wanna wear something too revealing or too tight," she grabbed a pair of denim shorts "be casual," she picked up a pick halter top "wear these with your black sandals- light make-up no dark eye shadow- and if he puts his arm on the back of the chair behind you lean into him a bit not too much just so he can slip his hand around your shoulder… but that is as far as it goes any further you have my permission to punch him."
"Thanks Charlie," she said and hugged her.
"You'll be fine sweetie just go and enjoy yourself."
Jack stood in the doorway and smiled, quietly he made his way back downstairs and went into the kitchen.
Charlie left Louise to get dressed and went to make herself a coffee, she jumped when she saw Jack at the bench "is this going to be a habit?" She asked once she got her breathing under control.
"What? Brax isn't home so I thought I'd stop by here and have my break you know spend some time with my girls."
"Call next time," she said walking to the press and grabbing a cup Jack had already helped himself. She made her coffee and sat beside him.
"So what are your plans tonight?" He asked.
"Nothing, Brax said he might drop over so I'm gonna enjoy having the place to myself."
"Uh-huh I'm sure you will," he laughed.
"Jack stop it," Charlie giggled and punched him in the shoulder "that is gross and weird for you to be even thinking about me doing that."
Before Charlie could say anything else her phone beeped hey got held up won't be flying back until tomorrow can we do lunch? Bxx' Charlie smiled "Bianca will be back tomorrow," she said replying to the text.
"That's good the girls will be happy to see April- I better get back soon or Peter will be on my back, are the girls staying here tonight?"
"I think Louise wants to stay at yours so I'm sure I can persuade Ruby to stay with her but I'll let you know anyway."
"Cool I'm just gonna go up and see them before they go- I'll see you later," Jack dropped a kiss on her forehead and made his way upstairs.
As soon as Charlie was finished her coffee she made her way into the sofa and collapsed onto it she didn't realise how tried she was. Laying down she curled into a ball and fell asleep.
Standing alone beside the two coffins that lay side by side Charlie looked around, no Jack- No Louise- no Ruby- No dad, where was everyone? Looking around again she let out a sob as the coffins lowered into the ground. Someone stepped beside her she didn't even bother looking up until he spoke.
"How's mummy doing?" He smiled.
Charlie gasped and looked up, before she could say anything he shoved her hard and she landed with a thump on her mother's coffin. "No no no," she screamed as he picked up a shovel and began to throw dirt on top of her.
"How is me killing you any different than you killing me? It was self- defence," He laughed and kept going.
When she couldn't move from the dirt he got down on one knee "you took my life Constable, you broke everything you stand for the oath you took means nothing now, you crossed that line once you drove into that warehouse- you deserve everything coming your way," he smiled and stood up "say hello to the girls," he laughed and walked off.
Charlie bolted up on the sofa panting it was now dark she was breathing fast and her heart was pounding, again her face was wet and her forehead sweaty. Sitting up she jumped and ran to the kitchen and threw up in the sink, running the cold water she splashed some on her face "get it together Charlie," she said to herself.
"Mum, are you okay?" Ruby asked rubbing her back.
"I'm fine sweetie," she said and grabbed a towel, she wiped her face turning around to Ruby she plastered a smile on her face "you look lovely honey," she said looking her up and down.
Ruby looked at her for a moment, she looked towards the stairs and walked to the door, closing it she walked back and stopped in front of Charlie "okay mum we need to talk I am getting worried now, that guy in the city what the hell happened? And don't try tell me he was let out because I was there remember? He was in the back of your car I saw him, I saw you hit him, I saw him hit you, I heard you shoot him."
"Baby please not now," Charlie said her eyes filling with tears.
"When then mum? Since that night you've been fobbing me off with not now Ruby I'm tired Ruby! Mum you're a wreck you're not sleeping, you're not eating, you're throwing up- please just tell me what happened."
"He was the one that killed Nan and D okay!" She hissed.
Ruby looked shocked and took a step back "so you killed him?"
"He said some things and I snapped I'm not proud of it but the bastard deserved everything he got and he should have got more he was never charged with their murders… he got away with it."
Ruby didn't know what to say what she saw was a man attacking her mother and her mother fought back it was perfectly legal but now…. she didn't know what to say. "Mum you need to tell Jack what you've done."
"I can't Ruby he was the reason I snapped and shot him in the first place the things that guy said to me he enjoyed it." Charlie said disgusted.
"Why mum? I know you, I know we've been through the mill never in all we've been through have I seen that look on your face you were terrified… you still are."
"I'll be fine don't be worrying about me."
"How can I not worry when you're acting like this? And now I know why, mum please tell Jack it might ease the guilt I know you didn't mean to kill him."
"Well I did and nothing can change that."
"Mum," Ruby moved to her "I know what he did to Nan and D and I don't blame you for doing what you did I was there I saw him hurt you, but still you took a life- cop or not you took a life."
"I know," Charlie cried "there's nothing I can do to take it back."
"Talk to Uncle Jack he'll understand." Ruby turned her head at a beep outside "there's Casey I'm gonna stay At Jack's to give you time to think- I'll see you in the morning."
"Have fun," Charlie mumbled as Ruby kissed her and ran out the door.
"Lou!" She yelled up the stairs "Aden said he'll meet you there Casey said he'd give you a ride!"
"Okay thanks I just wanna say bye to Charlie!" she yelled and ran down and into the kitchen "Charlie I'm going now… are you crying?" She asked hurrying to her.
"I'm fine sweetie I'm just being silly with you two going on dates."
"Aww Charlie," she laughed "we have to grow up sometime," she said hugging her.
"I know but I wish you could stay as my babies forever- go on then I'll see you in the morning."
"Love you!" she called as she ran to the front door.
"Yeah love you too," she muttered and went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of wine.
An hour later she realised she'd drank a whole bottle of wine to herself, standing up she stumbled and giggled. Walking to the front door she didn't even bother to take her phone or keys, just walked out and stumbled along the street until she came to the path leading down to the beach.
Seeing Angelo's she checked her pocket and laughed when she pulled a fifty out, stumbling towards the entrance she tried to act sober, standing up straight she walked inside her vision was blurry but she kept going. Slowly taking the stairs up she peaked in to see if Brax was there before she walked up to the bar "a bottle of whiskey please," she smiled.
The guy behind the counter handed it to her "thanks keep the change."
"Hey it's thirty dollars change I can't accept that!" He yelled after her.
"Aww give to Brax tell him it's Charlie's I'll get it tomorrow," she slurred and continued down the stairs.
The guy knew something wasn't right he hurried to Brax's office and knocked "I'm sorry I know you're busy, but some girl was here, she asked for a bottle of whiskey it was only after I gave it to her I noticed she was completely wasted."
"Happens all the time don't worry about it mate," Brax said lifting his head from his paperwork.
"That's not it, she gave me a fifty and told me to keep the change when I told her I couldn't take it she told me to give it to you and say it's Charlie she said she'd get it tomorrow and took off."
Brax jumped up "just how wasted was she?"
"Very- she was swaying all over the place and slurring."
"Shit," Brax grabbed his keys "I better find her, you look after the place and lock up if I'm not back," he said slipping on his jacket and running through the place.
Charlie threw the cap on the sand and guzzled as much as she could, she felt the liquid burn her throat she didn't care she stumbled along sipping as she went. She walked until she found herself on the edge of the pier, she stood as close as she could without falling in and looked down and her reflection. "You killed him out of rage, he's right you deserve everything coming your way, they're bound to cop it wasn't self-defence," she laughed and took another swig.
Brax walked quickly along the beach looking for her she couldn't have gotten that far." Charlie!" He called. When he got no answer he walked again calling her over and over again. He came to the boardwalk that led to the water and looked to the end. He saw a woman staring into the water swaying from side to side "shit," he said it had to be her he picked up his pace until he was right behind her "Charlie," he said softly as not to alarm her. "What are you doing?"
"Go away Brax you shouldn't be here," she slurred and took another gulp of from the bottle.
"Neither should you and you should defiantly not be drinking anymore."
"Why?" She laughed "I'm poison Brax you shouldn't be near me, I've done things you could never imagine… you can find someone better than me someone who deserves you."
"We all have a past Charlie and you're not poison, and I think I might stick around to see where this with us goes" he said taking a step to her "you need to take my hand and come back from the edge," he said holding his hand out to her.
"Do you know what I did? You'll hate me for it and you'll never speak to me again I'm pretty sure Jack will kill me and my girls… Let's just say this will destroy them," she sniffed and drank from the bottle again "if I go now it'll be less heartache as when they come for me."
"Charlie I don't know what's going on but please step back or I'll have to call Jack," Brax pleaded.
"Call him he's going to kill me anyway," she shrugged "may as well be now."
"Okay that's enough," Brax took the bottle from her and threw it in the bin beside them "I am taking you home."
She shoved him away taking a step back "I'm not going home," she laughed "I can never go home Brax don't you get it, I am poison no one should be near me," she took another step back.
Brax was beginning to panic "Charlie don't take any more steps you're pretty close to the edge," he said moving forward slowly.
"Stay back Brax I mean it!" she yelled.
"Charlie please can we talk about this."
"No all you need to know is I did something terrible and I can never forgive myself- he deserved it though, and in a way I'm glad I did it but it still doesn't make it right! I took his life because he took two lives from me!" she screamed.
"What did you say?" Brax asked stepping back hoping he was hearing things.
"Yeah bet you don't like me now," she laughed bitterly "I killed a man Brax, I killed the man who killed my mum and sister- that is how I ended up in hospital. It wasn't self-defence, I took him down to an abandoned warehouse took his cuffs off him- threw away my badge and made a deal with him.
Brax couldn't believe what he was hearing "w-what deal?" he sputtered.
Charlie sighed and turned to him "if he took me down he could go free and if I took him down he had to admit to killing them." She wiped her eyes and turned away from him again. "He told me how much he enjoyed it… killing mum, he said D begged for her life and mum's he didn't listen, she watched as he raped and killed mum then moved on to her… I killed him for it… not so cute now am I?"
Brax stood in silence he really didn't know what to say but he did know he had to get her home. "Charlie," he said and moved to her "who else knows about this?"
"No one," she lied leaving Ruby out "I told my boss and Internal Affairs it was self-defence and stuck to the story about him being let out of my car and me giving chase."
"Charlie," Brax sighed and put his hand on her shoulder.
She jumped back "no no don't Brax, you don't get to feel sorry for me. I told you the truth so go do what you think is right," she cried "hand me in or walk away from me- it's up to you."
"Shut up Charlie!" He yelled causing her to jump back. Her foot went over the edge and she tried to grab Brax before she fell but he was too far away "CHARLIE!" Brax yelled, as soon as she hit the water he frantically looked around before pulling off his jacket and diving in after her.
A minute or so later he pulled her from the water and back up onto the pier she began coughing up water and gasping "breathe Charlie breathe," he said turning her onto her side and holding one side of her face "Jesus you scared the crap outta me."
"What's going on here?" Brax looked up to see a police officer shining a light on them "Charlie?" Jack dropped his flash light and ran to her "what the hell happened, is she drunk?" He asked pulling her closer to him.
"Yeah I found her here she was totally wasted and fell," Brax said leaving everything else out. He grabbed his jacket and threw it around her "she's fine Jack I'm going to take her home and get her out of these clothes."
Jack stood up as Brax pulled her to her feet "what's gotten into you?" he asked.
Charlie looked down at her feet "I've had a rough day I'm sorry."
"You'd wanna grow up Charlie, what if Brax hadn't been here?"
"I'd be better off if he wasn't," she muttered.
"Leave it mate she needs to get home," Brax said pulling her into him.
"Don't let her drink anything else this was how it started after mum and D," Jack said and stormed off.
"Come on let's get you home," he said walking her towards the beach.
Ten minutes later she was back in her house Brax led her up to her room and turned on the light "where's your pyjama's?" Charlie pointed to the box full of shirts, he pulled one out and walked over to her. Unzipping her hoodie he looked into her eyes, slipping it off he threw it to the floor "arms up" he said.
Charlie did as she was told and held them up as he slipped her wet shirt over her head and threw it on the floor with the hoodie "I'm sorry," she mumbled and placed her hands on his chest. She wouldn't look up at him and kept her eyes focused on his chest, she didn't even seem to notice she only stood in front of him in her bra and shorts "I meant what I said Brax, I want you to do what you think is right- whether you hand me in or walk away I'll understand. I told you the truth, you're the only one who knows so it's up to you what you do," she sighed "it's a shame coz I really like you I can't get you off my mind… I just blew it for myself."
Brax stood looking down on her yeah he couldn't believe she killed a guy other than she had no choice but this was Charlie we're talking about here, sighing he tilted her chin up to meet his eyes "you drive me crazy Charlie all I can think about is you and I've only known you a few days, and I find myself falling more and more for you every day so if you think I'm gonna walk away over this you may think again," he stepped closer to her and dipped his head while slipping his hands around her waist.
"Brax what are you doing?" Charlie whispered.
"Doing what I think is right," he whispered back and closed the distance between them capturing her in a slow kiss.
The kiss heated up quick and Charlie walked him backwards until the back of his knees hit the bed and he fell back onto it taking her with him. She climbed on top of him and deepened the kiss, Brax's hand ran up her back until it reached her neck and held her there. Charlie ran her hands down his sides and brought them back up taking his wet shirt with her slipping it over his head she threw it to the floor.
Brax rolled her underneath him and kissed her while trailing his hands to the button of her shorts, his brain was telling him this wasn't right and he knew it, sighing he broke away and looked down on her "we can't do this Charlie," he murmured "it's not right- you're drunk and upset you'll regret it in the morning and I'm not the type of guy to take advantage." He sighed and rested his forehead against hers.
"Stay with me?" she asked.
He looked up at her and saw the pain and vulnerability in her eyes and smiled slightly "of course I will but I need to run home and get out of these wet clothes," he climbed off her and pulled her up "you finish getting changed and I'll make you a coffee before I go."
"No you just go I'll be here when you get back."
"Okay," he kissed her on the forehead "I'll be back in five minutes," he said and hurried from the room.
As soon as she heard the front door close she ran into her bathroom and threw up again, her stomach was in knots her breathing was getting heavier she just wanted it to stop. Stumbling into her room she pulled off her wet shorts and underwear and slipped on dry underwear and bottoms and the shirt Brax had left out for her.
Making her way downstairs she pulled the fridge open and took out another bottle of wine, she opened the cap and drank straight from the bottle.
Over at Brax's he went to his fridge and grabbed a beer going up to his room he pulled off all his clothes and stepped into his shower. As he let the water flow over him he thought about what Charlie had said 'she killed a guy- she lied about- she killed a guy- with good reason- still she killed a guy- she's cracking and I can see it- how long until they work it out?' Sighing he turned the water off and stepped out, grabbing a towel he dried himself off and slipped into a shirt and sweats before downing the beer and making his way downstairs, dumping the bottle in the bin and leaving a note for Jack and the girls he made his way out the front door and back over to Charlie's.
In her kitchen she stood over the sink watching as the red liquid swirled down the drain, she looked up and smiled when Brax walked back in he looked from her to the bottle to back to her again "I'll only drink it," she said looking into the sink again "and if I don't stop now there'll be no going back."
Brax sighed and walked over to her slipping his hands around her waist he pulled her against him "I'm here for you Charlie, you just need to promise me you can handle this. I knew something had been bothering you for a while, and now that you've told me you need to be careful about how you act around the girls and Jack- they all know something is going on but Jack thinks it's just the move here."
Charlie nodded against him he turned her in his arms when her shoulders began to shake "it'll be okay I promise it'll be okay I'm never gonna tell anyone."
"I've no one to blame but myself Brax, I killed a man- I killed someone's son, I never even knew if he was a dad himself… I killed him."
"Sweetie, you need to calm down- we're in this together me and you okay?"
Charlie nodded against him and buried her head in his chest "do you know what he said to me while he was choking me?" She mumbled.
"You don't need to tell me Charlie," he said rubbing her back.
"He said 'she begged me to get off her to leave mummy alone but it was so good, the way she squirmed under me'" Charlie began to cry and clung onto Brax's shirt "he said all that while he choked me and tried to open my bottoms… he could have raped me if my anger hadn't taken over."
"What happened after that?" Brax asked, he didn't know this part.
"I felt sick I felt like I couldn't breathe, my hand slipped down to my belt and grabbed my gun I placed it between us and said deals off and put one in him… it all happened so fast I didn't even remember getting my gun."
"Well then it was self-defence Charlie he could have killed you."
"Why are you doing this for me?" she asked looking up at him.
Brax smiled down at her "because I care about you… I know it's only a few days but I can't help how I feel, I feel a massive connection to you and it's something I've never felt before."
"And I care about you too and I feel it too…Brax if this falls back on me you have to promise me you'll never tell anyone you knew anything."
"It won't come to that I promise, no one else will ever find out," he dipped his head "I'm not letting no-one take you away from me- no-one," he said and kissed her.
At her date Louise was nervous now Aden had put his arm around her and she leaned in just like Charlie told her to. He walked her along the beach with his arm around her shoulder "I wasn't mad about that film the first one was better," he said as they walked up the pathway to the street.
"The originals are the best the only good second film I've ever seen is Pirates of the Caribbean and Transformers oh and diehard," Louise replied.
"Do you like the final destinations, fast and furious?" He asked.
"Yeah I love fast and furious- I actually have them all on dvd, not so sure about the final destination's I loved the first one again because it was the original I kinda liked the second one but the rest… no there's no point even looking at them they're crap."
Aden chuckled "I know what you mean you can predict what's about to happen" he stopped at Jack's door "so I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah we can meet up when you finish work if you like?"
"Sure I'll text you when I'm done."
"Okay good night and thanks I had a great night," she smiled at him not knowing if she should just go inside or wait for a minute.
"Yeah me too," he smiled.
Louise's breath hitched as he moved closer and slowly titled his head, she closed her eyes and felt his lips lightly touch hers she smiled into the kiss.
He pulled back and smiled at her "well I'll let you get in night Louise," he smiled and watched her go inside.
Casey and Ruby sat outside the house Casey had promised Aden he'd meet him here so he could give him a ride home "okay they've broken apart," Ruby said and turned in her seat "I'll let you go I had fun tonight Case."
"Yeah me too that film was funny and the company wasn't bad either."
"Hey," she slapped him "I was gonna kiss you but you can forget it now," she laughed.
"Aww I'm sorry," he pouted and moved closer to her.
"Casey Braxton don't you forget my mother is a cop no means no dude," she laughed as he pulled back and looked at her funny, laughing she leaned into him "I'm kidding- come here."
He smiled and leaned his head in kissing her softly, it didn't last long due to it being a first kiss neither wanted to rush into it "I'll see you tomorrow," he mumbled and pulled back
"Yep tomorrow… I better go- night," she smiled at him and climbed out of the car "night Aden," she called to him as he walked towards the car.
"Night Ruby," he smiled and climbed in beside Casey. She waited and waved as they drove away before running across the lawn and into Jack's house.
She opened the door and sent Louise falling to the floor "have you been there since he left?" She asked pulling her up.
"He kissed me!" she shrieked excitedly.
"So was it good? Ruby asked pulling her to the sofa.
"Yeah it was sweet I know I was never into guys in the city they were all idiots but Aden he's different, he's really sweet and we like the same movies he likes the same ice-cream as me… how did your date go?"
"Yeah good Casey's great the perfect gentleman," she laughed "how about we get into our Pj's and watch a movie Jack left us popcorn and ice-cream."
"Sounds good," Louise said and jumped up off the sofa.
Back in Charlie's they both lay on the sofa Charlie snuggled into Brax "I'm sorry," she said a while later.
"You've got nothing to be sorry for, did it help talking to someone about it?"
"A bit, but it will always be with me it's still so raw and fresh and it will be for a long time."
"Charlie any time you feel you need to talk I'm always here," Brax replied rubbing a hand up and down her arm.
Charlie sighed "I know thank you, I need to tell Jack but I can't it'll crush him.
"He'll come around I think you should tell him though."
"I know he'll come around but he'll be pissed at the situation I've put myself in. He doesn't know who I was fighting with I asked my boss not to tell him."
"I know I was there when he gave Jack the run down. About that night in the hospital I was thinking after I met you for the first time you knew who I was didn't you?"
Charlie giggled "yes I did I saw you two come in and I'm sorry, I was a mess I was still shaking my uniform was still covered in blood I couldn't face Jack, I knew he didn't remember how to get to the house with the all the new roads so I went there."
Brax chuckled "I knew you looked familiar did anyone ever tell you how alike you and Jack are?"
"Yeah we've been mistaken for twins heaps of times, I'm just the better looking one," Charlie said with a grin.
"That you are," Brax said and leaned down to kiss her "wanna watch a movie?" he asked after they broke apart.
"Sure thank god Ruby sorted them all out you pick I'm cool with anything."
Brax got up off the sofa and picked up her favourite film he had heard Jack mention it when they watched it at their place one night. "How about this?" he said waving it in front of her he knew by the smile he was right.
"Yes I love this film I'd watch it ten times in a row," she giggled.
Brax laughed and stuck it in the dvd player. Halfway through the movie he looked down on Charlie to see she was staring in the opposite direction "hey what is it?" he asked.
Charlie sniffed and sat fully up "nothing- telling Jack what I did is just playing on my mind."
"Sweetie if you don't want to tell him right away I understand," Brax replied rubbing her back.
"No I need to do it sooner what if someone shows up from the city before I tell him?"
"So what are you going to do?"
"Sleep on it although I don't think there will be much sleeping, I'll go see him first thing after the girls come home," Charlie rested her head back on his chest "thanks for being here."
"Wouldn't be anywhere else," Brax pulled her closer and dropped a kiss on her head as they went back to the film.
Back in Jack's house he had just arrived home from work he was still pissed at Charlie for the state she was in he was worried things were taking its toll on her and she would revert back to her old ways. Sighing he got a beer and sat on the sofa
Ruby heard movement downstairs and looked to see Louise asleep beside her. Sliding off the bed she tiptoed out of the room and downstairs "Uncle Jack?" She called as there were no lights on "Brax?" Panicking she picked up a lamp and tiptoed across the floor.
"Put that down it's me Rubes," Jack chuckled from the sofa.
"Jack!" Ruby shrieked and turned on the light "you scared the crap out of me! Why are you sitting in the dark?" She asked coming to sit beside him.
"Nothing just a rough day," Jack looked at his niece for a minute "Rubes can I ask you a question?" she nodded "and I want you to be completely honest with me."
"Okay," Ruby said slowly.
"How has your mum being doing the last few months?"
"Well it's been hard on her I know that, she's been coping until she…" Ruby trailed off and looked at the floor.
"Until she what?" Jack asked sitting forward.
"Until her last few days in the city and we moved here. I'm worried about her Jack she's not eating she's throwing up she's going around like a zombie from the lack of sleep she's a mess." Ruby knew she was betraying her mother but she needed help and Jack could be the one to help her.
Jack sighed "that's what I was afraid of, do you know any reason as to why she'd be acting like this? Has she had a fight with anyone or has anyone said something to her?"
"No!" Ruby said quickly then cursed herself.
A little too quickly for Jack's liking "Rubes you know something don't you?" Ruby looked at the floor and played with her hands" if you know something you have to tell me I am worried about her I need to do something to help her."
"I don't know anything Jack- all I know is what I told you. I'm going back to bed I just came down to check on things- night," she hugged him and quickly bolted up the stairs.
Jack knew she was hiding something "what the hell has she gotten herself into?" He mumbled to himself and lay on the sofa he had to talk to her he just had to things were getting bad.
In Charlie's the film was over when she didn't move Brax looked down to find her asleep, smiling her lifted her into his arms and made his way up to the room. Placing her under the covers he was about to make his way back down to lock the doors and turn off the tv.
"Where are you going?" Charlie mumbled.
"I'm just going to turn off the tv you go back to sleep," he whispered and slipped out of the room.
Two minutes later he was back Charlie was lying awake looking at him. He smiled as he pulled his shirt and jeans off and climbed in beside her.
She moved and snuggled into him he played with her hair as he looked down on her. She looked up at him and smiled leaning up a bit she kissed him softly and pulled back. Looking into his eyes she ran her hand along his face "I know I've said It before but thanks for everything you've done for me not just tonight everything."
"Charlie I told you it was nothing stop thanking me and go to sleep," he dipped his head and kissed her, when he went to pull back she gripped his neck and pulled him back to her deepening the kiss.
Pushing him down she climbed on top of him, he slid his hand up her back and pulled her closer. After a minute he flipped them so she was under him, kissing her once more he pulled back "are you sure you want this?"
Charlie nodded "I'm not drunk- I'm not upset- I know what I'm doing and what I want," she said leaning up on her elbows. Brax studied her for a moment she giggled and lay back down "or you could just get off me."
Brax chuckled and moved forward slipping his hand around her neck her kissed her slowly rolling so she was back on top. Sliding his hands up her sides he pulled her shirt over her head and flung it onto the floor. Charlie giggled as he rolled them again.
Afterwards they lay together Brax ran his fingers lightly up and down her arms "everything will be okay you know that right?" he asked.
Charlie snuggled deeper into him "I know- as long as I have you Jack and my girls I'll be fine."
"Night baby," he whispered and kissed her softly.
"Night," she mumbled back and drifted off to sleep.
During the night she began tossing and turning when she sat up she was happy to know it wasn't another one of the dreams she'd been having. Looking at the clock she was it was nearly five am rolling out of the bed she decided to go for a run to think about what she was going to say to Jack. As she pulled her clothes on Brax sat up.
"Where are you going babe?" he asked sleepily.
Charlie walked to the bed "I'm just going for a run you go back to sleep," she kissed him quickly and left the room.
After her run she walked along the beach thinking she had planned on what she was going to tell Jack- she would tell him everything including the nightmares. Walking up to the diner she decided to grab breakfast for her and Brax.
When she arrived home she went into the bedroom to see an empty bed disappointment hit her until the bathroom door open "there she is," Brax said and pulled her against him "did you enjoy your run?"
"Yeah it cleared my head I know exactly what I'm going to say to Jack."
"That's great when are you going over?"
"Well I have breakfast downstairs so after that I guess. You get dressed I'll be downstairs," Charlie kissed him quickly and went back downstairs.
She had just sat down with her coffee when there was a rap at the back door, looking out the side window Jack gave her a small wave. She unlocked it and let him in "hey I was just going to have breakfast and then come see you."
"We need to talk Charlie," he said brushing by her.
Charlie looked at the floor "I know that's what I was coming to see you about."
"Well I'm here now," he took a few steps closer to her "I've been really worried about, Ruby told me you haven't being sleeping or eating and you're throwing up what's going on Charlie?"
"Jack please can it wait for a bit Brax is upstairs just until he's gone?"
Jack sighed "hurry it up," he said and stalked into the living room.
Charlie sighed and leaned against the door she was panicking now.
Brax joined her in the kitchen "hey what's wrong?" her asked walking to her.
"Nothing Jack is in the living room he wants to talk he got here first," Charlie sighed "I feel sick."
"You'll be fine babe," Brax grabbed the coffee she'd brought him off the counter "I'll leave you to it."
"No we can have breakfast first."
"The quicker you get this over with the better- come over to me after if you want," Brax kissed her and pulled back "you'll be fine okay."
Charlie nodded "I'll call you in a while," she smiled weakly as he slipped out the back door.
She walked into the living room and sat beside Jack "before I tell you this I need to explain something," Jack nodded turning to face her. She took a deep breath and took his hand in hers "you have to understand what he said to me hurt so much it was like a dagger in the heart it hurt so much at the time I didn't care what happened," she played with their joined fingers as tears fell from her face. "I'm sorry Jack I had to do it I just had to, he was getting away with it for so long I regret it now but at the time I was glad I did it," she sniffed.
"Charlie what are you talking about? You're scaring me now," Jack said worried.
Charlie took a deep breath and closed her eyes "I killed someone," she whispered.
Jack laughed "no you didn't you don't have it in you wouldn't Charlie there has to be a mistake somewhere."
"It was Cosgrove," she whispered again biting her bottom lip.
Jack couldn't believe what he was hearing… no- he wouldn't believe it. "Charlie what did you just say? What does that mean- explain," he panicked, the look on her face the guilt written all over it told him she wasn't lying. He got off the sofa and dropped to his knees in front of her "Oh Charlie what have you done?" he said as his own tears fell.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm so so sorry," she cried.
Jack stood up and paced the room "walk me through it," he said calmly. The front door opened and the giggling girls ran in "GET OUT!" Jack screamed.
"What's going on?" Ruby asked looking to her mum and then to Jack.
"Please girls go back to Jack's," Charlie sniffed.
"What's wrong Charlie?" Louise asked with a worried look.
"Nothing we just need to talk go on we'll be over soon."
"Come on Lou," Ruby took her arm and led her back out she knew exactly what was going on.
"Walk me through it," Jack said again as soon as the door was closed.
"I was at home after dropping the girls to that party. Wilson called and said he needed a cover for the night shift one of the officers had an emergency at home. When I got there everyone was already out so I was solo."
"How did you run into him?"
"The nightclubs were all closing so I took a short cut through the alleyway, a man and a woman were walking through it I beeped for them to move when they did I saw the guys face. I knew he looked like him but his hair was different so I stopped for a minute before I took off."
"What happened next?" Jack asked as he still paced the room.
"About half an hour later I was call to a disturbance in that same alley. When I got there the same girl was being comforted by another woman while a man held the guy from earlier down on the ground. He told me him and his girlfriend had walked into the alley to see him trying to rape her, as I got closer to him he looked up at me and laughed he said long time no see Buckton how's mummy doing," Charlie wiped her face "I wanted to punch him there and then."
"What happened after that?" Jack asked sitting back beside her.
"I cuffed him and put him in the back of my car and took statements as soon as others had arrived on scene I took him to the station… well I was planning on taking him to the station."
"No one let him out of the car did they Charlie?"
"No I lied about that, he just kept talking and talking. He said you bailed on me and dumped your kid on me and some brother you were."
Jack cringed as he listened.
"He started talking about D and mum he said if they had of minded their own business they'd still be alive." Charlie took a shaky breath "he told me mum cried and begged for her life- he laughed while he told me this."
A few more tears fell from Jacks eyes and he still said nothing.
"After that I snapped I saw the warehouse and just turned into it. I drove all the way to back so no one would see me."
"What did you do?" Jack asked not wanting to know at all.
"I pulled to a stop and climbed out I walked around to his door and pulled him out I pulled my gun on him I said if he kept talking about mum and D he'd be sorry. He laughed and said I couldn't shoot him for nothing." Charlie took another deep breath "I said wanna bet and shot him in the foot I didn't even hesitate I just did it."
"Charlie," Jack sighed.
"I know I know it was stupid I know Jack, if you had of hear what he said the tone he used he enjoyed every minute of it."
"What did you do next?"
"Something I'm not proud of," Charlie stood up and walked to the window she crossed her arms over her chest as the tears fell again. "I went on a little rant asking him did he feel anything for what he'd done to us about how he'd left Lou without a mum he just kept laughing. The he said he'd go to the cops about me shooting him I said I'd gladly go away knowing I got him."
Jack looked over at her he wanted to hug her but he couldn't move.
"Then I went completely against what I stood for I told him we were going to play fair and un-cuffed him telling him if he took me down he could go but if I took him down he had to admit to what he'd done, I threw my badge to the ground and told him I wasn't a cop now."
"Jesus Charlie how could you be so stupid?"
Charlie went on as if she'd never heard him "we fought- he got the better of me- I got the better of him. After I banged my head I was dizzy and had to lie there for a minute he crawled on top of me," she let out a sob.
Jack felt sick he hoped she wasn't going to tell him it was what he was thinking.
"He said I think I win but I'll tell you something before I go. He slid his hand up the side of my leg and asked me did I want to know what the last thing D said before he killed her."
Jack's head shot up "what did she say?"
"He kissed my neck and laughed, he told me she said 'please stop- my baby, my fiancé doesn't even know yet,' Charlie said sadly.
"D was pregnant?" Jack whispered.
"So he says," Charlie mumbled.
"What happened next?" Jack asked shakily.
"When he said that something inside me snapped it was worse than blind rage it just took over. As he reached for the buttons on my trousers and choked me with the other hand going on about mum's last words I pulled my gun between us and shot him dead without a second thought."
The room fell into silence as neither spoke or dared to look at each other. Charlie stood by the window for another ten minutes before she looked over at him he had his head in his hands "you understand now why I didn't want to tell you this?"
Jack nodded and looked up at her "I love you Charlie so much you mean everything to me but I can't ignore the fact you took a life and covered it up I'm a cop so are you for Christ sake!" He yelled and jumped up.
"I know what I did was wrong in so many was and believe me Jack if I could go back to that night I would do it differently, and I want you do what you think is right I'm not asking you to keep this to yourself I know I've already put you though enough- just remember I love you whatever you decide to do."
Jack stood looking at his sister- his baby sister who meant everything to him who was always there for him who raised his child without question he didn't know what to do "don't," he said taking a step back when she moved forward.
Before she could say anything he ran out the door slamming it behind him. For the first time since it happened Charlie collapsed into a ball on the floor and cried louder and harder than she had ever did before.
