Thank you guys so much for the reviews and to those of you who have asked for me to update this fic (Feels good to know people are enjoying this fic) I am so sorry for how late this update, I'm hoping to start getting regular updates up sometime soon. For me this is probably the weakest chapter out of the ones I have posted so far, I know where this story is going but getting there is proving a little difficult so please bare with me. Will try and get an update up as soon as possible


He hadn't heard much but he had heard enough to know Angelo had hurt Charlie bad. Sighing he took one last look at the entrance before walking over to the coffee machine

No one discussed what had transpired early that day at the hospital. Neither Angelo nor Nicole's name had been mentioned and even Irene avoided the topic as she stocked up the kitchen with the food she had brought over. They had all talked a while, brushed a little on the topic of her chemo mostly for Irene's sake and the rest of the night was spent discusses idol things as they tried to keep the conversation on lighter topics

Time had seemed to fly by and it had now just gone past ten. Charlie watched as Irene stood to her feet and placed a kiss on Ruby's head before she stood to her feet

"Thanks for this Irene" Charlie smiled at the women who had brought over enough food to last them a week and then some, Irene had always been like a mother to her and Ruby and she was grateful for that

"I'll be back later on in the week and don't even try protesting" Irene stood by the door of Charlie's place her hand in hers

Charlie smiled "Wouldn't dream of it"

Irene sighed and she spoke softly giving Charlies hands a light squeeze "Doll you know everyone in this town will want to be there for you. We all care a great deal about you"

Charlie nodded she knew this and that's what scared her "Yeah I know I just, I guess I'm still taking it all in. I just need a little time to adjust to everything"

Irene nodded understandingly before thinking of Leah "You should at least let Leah know. She'll want to be there for you"

Charlie sighed knowing Irene was right, She didn't want Leah hearing it from someone else "I will do I promise and thank you again Irene for everything, it means a lot"

Irene pulled her into a hug "No problem darl" pulling away, Irene looked at Bianca and Ruby "I'll see you guys later too"

Bianca stood to her feet "I'll walk you Irene" she turned to Charlie "I won't be long"

As Bianca shut the door behind her, Charlie went and sat next to Ruby "You know you don't have to be home with me all the time...I dont want you copped up in this house all weekend" Charlie spoke softly as she placed a stray hair behind Ruby's ear

"I know but I want to. You've been away for so long and then…this" Ruby sighed

Charlie exhaled and pulled Ruby into her "We'll be fine you'll see, this time next year you'll be thinking of ways to get away from me"

Ruby chuckled lightly "I hope so"

Charlie sat, her mind drifting back to the scan that Nicole had held in her hand. She took a deep breath trying to clear away the grief that over took her at the reality of how much Angelo had betrayed her, how much he had betrayed their family.

Both hers and Ruby's head shut up at the sound coming from the other side of the door

"I just want to talk to her"Charlie instantly recognised Angelo's voice and she winced a little at the venom in her best friends voice as she replied him

"So help me God if you don't leave Angelo you will regret it" She heard Bianca footsteps stop outside the door

"Bianca why don't you let her decide if she wants to see me" Angelo sounded frustrated

Bianca scoffed loudly "Oh now you thinking about what she wants. Maybe you should have tried that before you knocked Nicole up. There is no way I am letting you anywhere near her or Ruby"

Charlie sighed; Bianca had always been this way since they were teenagers, since Charlie's life started crumbling around her. Bianca having watched all the challenges Charlie had faced now she had become a little protective of both Charlie and Ruby

Ruby stood to her feet "I can't believe he would come here" she moved towards the door but Charlie quickly stopped her

"Ruby don't" Charlie shook her head as Ruby ignored her pleas, removing her arm from Charlies hold and swinging the front door open

Bianca turned around and Angelo looked at Ruby "Rubes"

"Go away. Just go away and leave us alone" Ruby glared at him, her voice low but firm

"Rubes please"

"Stop calling me that" Ruby exhaled as she stepped forward slightly, she had so many thoughts that had been running through her mind and she refused to keep them to herself

"Were we not good enough? Did you never care?"

"Ruby, you guys meant everything to me you still do"

"We couldn't have"

"Ruby…" Angelo went to speak but she wouldn't allow it

"No. You have always banged on about honesty. You taught me to always tell the truth regardless of the consequences but it turns out you're too much of a coward to live by your own principles. You lied and cheated and honestly, never having to see your face again would only be a good thing"

Angelo stood unsure of what to say, he knew he had hurt her and her words were more than deserving but still it hurt. But she was right he was a coward

Pushing Ruby gently into the house Bianca stood by the door "You heard her… just leave Angelo"

"Wait" Bianca and Ruby turned to Charlie as she spoke "Just give us a second please"

"Mum" Ruby looked reluctant to leave Angelo alone with Charlie

"I promise I won't be long"

Bianca and Ruby sighed "Fine. Come on" Bianca gently pulled Ruby down the hall and into the guest room with her

Angelo hesitated before he stepped forward but he didn't enter the house. He peered at Charlie trying ot read her expression but she faced him with a blank and cold gaze, not giving anything away. Charlie walked towards the door and stood at the foot of the door clearly indicating that she had no intentions of inviting him in

Charlie exhaled trying to keep calm before she spoke her thoughts "I loved you. With everything I had I loved you and the thought of having you with me every day for the rest of my life really did make me happy. But now I look at you and I find it hard not to resent you, but that's not want I want" she shook her head shifting her gaze or a moment before looking at him again "So from now on you stay away from me and Ruby. You live your life and you let us live ours; that's the only way I can stop myself from hating you. I don't want to see you here at this house ever again, I don't want your help Angelo, and I sure as hell don't want your sympathy"

"Charlie please…"

"No Angelo, from now on you don't know me and I don't know you. You broke this… so now you have to live with it" not allowing him to speak she shut the door firmly. She exhaled as she turned and leaned against the door only to see Ruby and Bianca slowly retract out of Bianca's room "He won't come back again" Charlie was sure he had received the message loud and clear

It had been three days since Charlie had shut Angelo out of her life completely and by now she could feel the side effects of the chemo starting to kick in; the last couple of days she seemed to tire quicker than usual and her appetite came and went like a yo yo; however she had kept it to herself knowing Ruby and Bianca would only worry more if they knew... she wanted things to be normal for as long as possible.

It was now Monday and she had finally forced Ruby and Bianca out the front door to school. Deciding to get some air, she shut the front door behind her and slowly walked the path to the beach. She smiled as she slipped her thongs off and buried her feet between the smooth sand; it felt like a lifetime ago since she had been able to walk contently along the beach with the ocean enveloping her feet in greeting. She had been on the beach no longer than twenty minutes when she felt herself getting tired; she sighed in frustration at how quickly the chemo had started to affect her health. Knowing not to push herself to hard she slowly welcomed the sand below her as she sat down, her legs curled underneath her.

She had her eyes closed as she focused on the sound of the waves lapping against one another as they moved further up the sand. Her eyes fluttered open as she felt a presence around her. Looking up she squinted her gaze trying to avoid the sun as she meet his eyes

"Brax" her eyes roamed his face before she gave a light smile hoping he hadn't identified her slightly weakened state

Walking out of the surf club Brax had watched her from behind as she slowly lowered herself to the ground. To others she would seem like she just wanted to relax and enjoy the view of the ocean but experience had taught Brax exactly what her body language meant even without seeing her face. Slowly making his way down the beach, he waited for her to notice his closing footsteps but she didn't turn around. Reaching her to see her eyes were closed, he edged round her and stood in front of her but before he could speak she had opened her eyes. He smiled lightly as she called his name

"Charlie" he replied "Mind if I sit?"

Charlie smiled weakly "Are you going to ask me that every time we see each other?"

Brax shrugged and lowered to her side "Maybe" Brax peered at her "You ok?" he asked

Charlie knew by his voice that he could see what she had hoped he hadn't "If I say yes would you believe me?" she looked over at him

Brax chuckled "No, probably not"

Charlie sighed and tucked the hair that the small wind had blow to her face, behind her ears "I've only had two sessions and I'm already starting to feel like I have had ten" She tucked her hands into her folded legs "I felt perfectly fine last night but today…" she exhaled "I feel like I haven't slept in a week"

Brax nodded " That's normal"

"Is it" asked Charlie looking at him uncertainly but he nodded again

"Casey would have days where I actually found myself wondering if there was anything wrong with him, he would be pretty much his normal self and then a few days later even sometimes the same day he would change. He grew tired and sometimes food was a big no… he still has days like that. It's just what the treatment does to you" he reassured her

For the first time since he sat beside her Charlie gave his face a proper observation. It seemed the bags and dark circles she had seen under his eyes a few days before had only worsened; and then she remembered Casey and that Brax had said he had, had to stay at the hospital

"Casey" she spoke his name "How is he?"

She studied him with curiosity and noticed his left eye twitch at her question. He seemed to tense although he obviously tried to hide it. A moment of silence passed before he finally answered

"Still at the hospital"

Charlie swallowed trying to clear her now dry throat; she almost was too afraid to ask "Is he still not feeling well?"

Brax shook his head "He's a little better than he was on Friday but yea… he is far from a hundred per cent"

Charlie nodded with relief but still unsure of what to say, nothing could possibly stop him from worrying about Casey. She was grateful when Brax spoke

"What you said to him the other day about making your own destiny… thanks" Brax wanted to aad more, he wanted to ask, to know if she was the same girl who had spoken the words to him but he left it at that

Charlie looked at him and shook her head "I didn't do anything"

"You did more than you know. He has repeated that quote about a million times, apparently he thinks I should take to your advice as well"

Charlie smiled "Well I'm glad; it may sound stupid but that quote as helped me more than once"

Brax shook his head "No it doesn't sound stupid. I know exactly what you mean" he thought back to the changes he had started making to his own life after that day

Brax watched Charlie intake a deep breath and a bead of sweat form on the upper part of her left eyebrow

"You hot?"

Charlie nodded "Aren't you?"

It wasn't a particularly cold morning but it wasn't boiling either. And with the little layer that Charlie had on there was no reason for her to be sweating apart from one thing. Brax had a feeling he knew what was happening

"On a scale of one to ten how hot do you feel?"

"A definite twenty" Charlie shifted feeling uncomfortable in her own skin

"Did you drive down here? He asked her

She shook her head

"How far away is your place?"

Charlie looked at him confused as to why he was asking these questions but answered him anyway "About 20 minutes on foot" she exhaled as she felt her body heat up a little too quickly "Seriously you're not hot?" she asked him as if he was crazy not to be

Standing to his feet Brax slowly pulled her to her feet "We have to get you home. Come on I'll drive you"

Charlie shook her head "No I can walk its fine. I feel fine now"

Brax sighed "Trust me I really should drive you"

Charlie looked up at him quizzingly and then it dawned on her. She swallowed the growing lump in her throat before she spoke "It's the chemo isn't it?" She hadn't expected to start feeling any side effects so quickly and she knew her face now fully expressed how terrified she was

Brax placed his hands on either side of her arms "It's most likely just a passing hot flash. You might not even get one again. Casey only got them a couple of times and that was age ago" he watched the colour rising from her neck towards her cheek indicating the hot flush was getting worse. Looking back at the restaurant he sighed not wanting to have to take her to the restaurant after what he had seen at the hospital but knowing he needed to get her water straight away. "Follow me"

Charlie felt her skin prick with heat as she let Brax guide her up the beach. His hands still on her arms; she let him lead her into the surf club but stopped as they came to the steps that led up to Angelo's.

"I can't go up there" She didn't want Angelo seeing her at her best never mind as she was in that moment. before she had barley finished speaking Brax spoke

"He's not up there" Brax replied and Charlie turned her now reddened with heat face to Brax causing him to worry as to why the hot flash had yet to pass.

Charlie opened her mouth to ask how Brax knew of Angelo but Brax simply peered at the stairs as he gave her a gentle nudge up the first step

"You really need to drink some water Charlie" he practically pushed her up the rest of the steps her feet scrapping each step in protest but yet following his lead

Sure enough upon entering the restaurant it was completely empty. Brax led Charlie to a shaded booth before pacing into the kitchen. Charlie let out a deep sigh as her skin stopped its prickling heat and her body seemed to slowly return to normal temperature. Brax was in and out of the kitchen in a flash and she widened her eyes slightly as he placed the huge mug in front of her

"Drink this" Brax let out a breath has he noticed her once redden face and neck had begun returning to its normal tanned shade

"I err… I feel fine now"

"Yea but you still need to drink it"

By the pointed look he was giving her she knew he wouldn't take no for an answer. Picking up the mug she placed it to her lips and took several gulps. She couldn't lie, the cold liquid felt good. Finally placing the still half full mug down Charlie looked up at Brax who's gaze seemed to have never left hers

Did it help?" asked Brax

Charlie nodded "Yea…Thanks" she chuckled lightly causing one of Brax's eyebrows to raise

"What's funny?" he asked he remained standing in front of her

Charlie looked down at the mug then back up at Brax "You couldn't find anything smaller to bring me water in?" she smiled up at him

Brax shrugged with a small smile "All the glasses where to small and you looked like you needed a lot… I actually considered filling up on of the pots"

Charlie chuckled lightly "I think the mug did the job" her gaze shifted from Brax and she once again registered where she was. She couldn't help but stiffen slightly; her gaze roamed around the place but it felt different in a way, looking at the chairs she noticed the colours had changed from the original plain white to a nice shade of red, the layout of the tables where also different. She couldn't deny it looked a lot better; but she then remembered what Brax had said before he led her up the steps; looking back over at him she asked

"When you said he wasn't here, who was you referring to?"

Brax had been watching her as her eyes roamed around the restaurant and he had been waiting for her to ask "Angelo" he answered

He heard her sigh "I should have figured you would know. Nothing ever stays quick in this town"

Brax nodded in agreement not wanting to tell her what he had seen at the hospital the week before "Yea I guess"

Charlie wondered how he was able to just walk into the restaurant with nobody else there, she remembered Casey saying he now had his own restaurant in the bay so that ruled out the possibility of him working at Angelo's.

"How do you know Angelo?"

The questioning look on her face make it clear to Brax that Charlie had no idea what was going on. He thought of a way around it but came up short

"I err… I brought this place off him" he watched her eyes widen slightly before she blinked

"Angelo sold the restaurant?"

Brax wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement so he remained quiet waiting to see if she was going to say anything else

"Why would he do that?" she asked no looking directly at him

That was a question Brax knew the answer to but there was no way he would be the one to tell her. He may not know much about Charlie's and Angelo's situation but he knew enough to know that Angelo should be the one to tell her' he should have told her by now

"You'll have to ask him"

And as if on cue footsteps were heard entering the restaurant. It was obvious Angelo had yet to notice Charlie as he held his phone to his ears

"Love you too and pip" the smile could be heard in his voice and although Charlie had her back turned to him, his words stung her sharply.

Dropping the phone Angelo looked up at Brax with a smile "I was hoping you would be here, I…" now close enough he stopped talking as he saw Charlie

For a moment or two Charlie refused to look up at him. She hated how he affected her and she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing how hurt she really was. Rearranging her expression she slowly lifted her gaze to meet his

Brax stood awkwardly glancing between both Angelo and Charlie. He had felt a small burst of anger when Angelo had been on the phone and Charlie's eyes clouded before she quickly lowered them to the table and out of his sight. He couldn't understand how Angelo could have hurt he as much as even he could see and yet still find no shame in smiling.

"Charlie" Angelo spoke first, he looked down at her then up at Brax then back down to her "I didn't know you would be here, I…"

"I didn't come to see you" she spoke over his words

Angelo looked back up at Brax then again back down at Charlie he hadn't known that the both of them knew each other. Rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand he nodded "Right err… how are you feeling?"

Charlie shook her head "That's none of your business" She cringed at her tone and words. She hated that she was being so hostile to him but she couldn't help it… and his words on the phone a few minutes before had only made matters worse

"You sold the restaurant?" she asked her gaze never wavering from his, she refused to show any weakness

Angelo exhaled shifting his gaze in a guilty manner "Yea…I did"

Brax shuffled on his feet "I err…I've got some things to do" he nodded to behind the bar but before he could move Charlie spoke

"Actually Brax I'm going to head off" she glanced back at Angelo "You don't owe me an explanation"

"You said you didn't want to see me again so I figured this was the best thing to do" spoke Angelo

"How does your selling the restaurant help that?"

"Because I'm leaving the bay… I figured it was the right thing to do"

That was more than enough to erase all train of thought from Charlie's mind. Angelo winced inwardly at the anger now displayed on her face

"How did I never see you for who you are?" Charlie glared at him "I know for a fact Brax had already brought this place off you before you came round on Friday and yet you stand there claiming you did it because I said I I never wanted to see you again. You really have this whole lying this down don't you"

"Charlie it's not like that"

"Ruby was right, you are a coward. You did this for you Angelo… everything you have done as been about nobody but yourself so just stop using me as an excuse"

"Charlie I care about you…"

That was it, somehow those five words and been the last straw "I have to get out of here" Charlie stood abruptly to her feet but she felt the room suddenly fuzz around her as she staggered. She felt a pair of arms around her and they lowered her with care into her seat. She shut her eyes and gave herself a moment before she re opened them and was met by Brax's gaze

"You ok?" his eyes searched her face and she took a deep breath

"Yea… I, I don't know what happened"

"You need to rest that's what happened" she sensed the tone of care in the voice of the man she barely knew. She could have sworn Angelo was closer to her and yet it was Brax who had caught her. Shifting her gaze from Brax she looked up at Angelo who stood almost as if he was frozen to the spot

"I'm sorry I should have caught you, I…" Angelo wasn't sure why he hadn't leapt forward he just seemed glued to the spot

Charlie ignored his words and turned to Brax "I should get home. I think you were right I need to rest"

Brax nodded not even haven acknowledged Angelo's words "Do you still think you can walk it or are you going to take me up on my offer to drive you now" he smiled at her warmly almost cheekily and Charlie couldn't help but be thankful he was there

"I think a lift sounds great" She stood to her feet with his help and lifted her gaze to Angelo "I hope you're happy wherever you go" and with that she proceeded towards the stairs

Brax turned to Angelo "Can we discuss whatever you wanted to talk about over the phone"

Angelo simply nodded and Brax followed closely behind Charlie

"You ok?" Brax glanced at Charlie as he followed the direction she had given him

Charlie looked at him "As ok as I can be" she found it somehow a little difficult to lie to Brax; his eyes always seemed so honest and even though they hardly knew each other he had gone out of his way to help her

No other words were spoken until they finally reached her front door. Brax turned the ignition off and quickly made his way to her side of the car and opened the door helping her out

Charlie smiled at him "I'm feeling a lot better now"

"Yeah well I don't wanna risk it. I have a feeling Ruby is the type of girl who would hunt me down if you even so much as broke a nail in my presence"

"Is she that obvious" Charlie chuckled lightly as he walked her to the door

Reaching for her keys she jumped as the door swung open with force and Ruby threw herself at her "Hy…hy" Charlie pulled back to look at Ruby "You ok?"

"Oh thank God" Charlie looked turned around to find Bianca almost pacing up the path towards the door "Where have you been?" Bianca let out a sigh of relief as she spoke

Charlie glanced back at Ruby then back at Bianca "I just went for a walk… why what's wrong?"

"You not picking your phone that's what's wrong" answered Ruby "We've been calling you all morning. You didn't pick and then you weren't picking the land line"

"So we kind of may have panicked a little" finished Bianca

A guilty look settled on Charlie's face knowing the sort of thoughts that would have been running through their heads "I'm sorry… I just wanted some fresh air… and shouldn't you guys be in school"

"Well after the hundredth call I had to come and check on you and well… your daughter is as persistent as you are; plus she wouldn't have stopped worrying if she didn't come with me. Don't worry Gina understood"

"I was only out for a little while"

Bianca cocked an eyebrow "Charlie we've been trying your phone and the land line for nearly an hour"

Charlie glanced through the opened door and at the clock on the wall. She couldn't believe the time she had been out for almost an hour and a half"

"I'm sorry. I promise to keep my phone with me at all times"

It seemed both Ruby and Bianca were now calm enough to register Brax's presence

"Hy Brax" Ruby greeted him with a confused gaze

"Hy Ruby" he smiled at her and then at Bianca before turning to Charlie "I err I should get going… need to close up the restaurant and then go see Case… you should get some rest" he smiled at all three girls before looking at Ruby as she spoke

"Is he still at the hospital?"

Brax nodded "Yea" shifting his gaze from hers "He's better, but they're just being cautions I guess"

Ruby nodded "Do you know when he'll be out?"

Brax shook his head "No, but for the sack of his sanity hopefully soon; the only people he's seen are the doctors, a few nurses and me and Heath" Brax smiled "I'll see you guys later"

Ruby glanced at Charlie before speaking "Brax?"

Brax turned around to look at her "Err do you think he would mind if I went to visit… maybe tomorrow? I don't really think it's fair he as only you and Heath to look at all day" Ruby smiled and Brax grinned up at her

"I can't argue with you there" he nodded "I think he would be more than happy for you to come visit" he turned to Charlie "If that's ok with you?"

Charlie nodded "Yea of course it is"

"Right I will see you guys later" giving them a final smile and a nod of the head, Brax walked away towards his car. Once he had driven off the girls entered the house

"Err aren't you guys going back to school?" Charlie asked as Bianca and Ruby sat down on the couch

Both girls shook their heads "Gina said to have the rest of the day off don't worry April's gonna bring Ruby any work she missed today"

Charlie sighed "Guys that's not unnecessary, you've found me now and I'm fine"

"Why did Brax drop you off home and why did he tell you to get some rest?" asked Ruby

Charlie hadn't expected that question and she wasn't about to tell them what had happened that morning " I bumped into him on the beach and he offered to give me a ride back and I guess he just knows how things can be. You know with Casey and all, so he probably just thinks I should take things easy "

Bianca and Ruby nodded haven brought her excuse "Well I agree with him" added Ruby and Bianca nodded

"How about we have a bit of a lazy day, movies, ice cream the works?" Bianca looked up at Charlie

Lacking any energy to argue against them not returning to school Charlie sat between Bianca and Ruby "Fine but I get to pick the first film"

"Deal" Bianca and Ruby replied simultaneously before Ruby went into the kitchen and Bianca raided through their DVD collection