One Week Later

Charlie and Ruby made their way back up the street towards Leah's house, Charlie keeping a protective arm around Ruby to steady her on her feet. She looked at her in concern. Ruby was breathing heavily, gasping for breath and sweating profusely. Shaking, she clung to her mother as they tried to get back to Leah's as quickly as possible but every step just seemed like an agonising mile. Ruby stumbled but Charlie caught hold of her and eased her back into her stride.

Arriving at the back door, Ruby leaned against the wall as Charlie unlocked the back door. When she had opened it she turned back to Ruby and put her arm around her. Leading her into the kitchen. Charlie pulled out a chair and sat her down. She then walked to the medicine cabinet and grabbed Ruby's painkillers and a glass of ice cold water. She watched as Ruby gripped the glass with both hands trying not to stop her shakes.

"I knew it. I knew we were pushing it. We should have consulted a doctor first", Charlie said sitting down in the chair next to Ruby.

"Charlie...Rachel told me I need to get out exercising after a couple of days to build back up my strength. I can't do that lying around all the time. So maybe I wasn't ready to take on a big walk like that but at least now we know what I'm capable of right now", Ruby tried to reassure her.

Charlie looked as Ruby who was staring at her with a smile trying to ease her worry. But Charlie wan't convinced. After watching Ruby struggle so desperatly to get to the end of the street she could feel it in the pit of her stomach that something wasn't right and for those few moments those dreadful feelings she had to live with while Ruby was in hospital came flooding back and it scared her. At that second she realised that she was officially a mother. She always cared for Ruby's wellbeing before but now it just seemed even more intense.

"Still, I think we should go to the hospital and consult a doctor", Charlie replied.

Ruby rolled her eyes and rubbed her forehead in frustration.

"Look, you need to have a check up anyways for your diabetes and it would really put my mind at rest if a doctor checked everything else out too", Charlie said with pleading eyes.

Rubey looked at her mother and acknowledged her concern. She took hold of her mothers hand and nodded. She did think having a doctor check her out was necessary but if it would keep Charlie calm she would do it.

"Ok, if it will give you piece of mind", Ruby said to her.

"It would, it really would", Charlie said.

Charlie and Ruby sat there chatting for about a half an hour. It had been a while since they had just sat and talked about just random stuff like they used to and it felt good. It felt like old times. All was going well when suddenly...ring ring...ring ring...Charlie looked down at her phone and glanced at the screen. It was Angelo. She had told Angelo that she needed space for a while until she could cope with Ruby's care but made it clear that she wanted to be informed on anything to with Derrick and his arrest.

"I have to take this, I'll be right back", she said smiling at Ruby and with that she made her way into the living room. She pressed answer.

"Hello", she answered.

"Charlie, your not going to want to hear this, Derricks escaped", Angelo said wearily.

"WHAT How did he get out??", Charlie shouted and then lowered her voice when she realised Ruby could hear her from the kitchen.

She walked over to the entry way and saw Ruby stand up from the kitchen table. A look of fear evident on her face. Charlie listened to Angelo ramble on about somebody blowing the window out of the cell he was locked in driving off in a getaway car. She couldn't believe what she was hearing and she tried to hide her emotions for Ruby's sake but she couldn't and she knew she would have to tell her daughter the truth.

"Angelo I have to go, call me when you hear anything", she said hangining up.

Charlie stared into space, trying to get over the shock. She twisted the phone around her hand and pulled her emotions into line. She couldn't tell Ruby anything if she couldn't calm herself first. She heard a noise behind her and turned around. Standing by the entry way was Ruby, clinging to the frame and looking at her mother, tears welling up in her eyes. Charlie's heart sank, how could she tell her the truth?

"Mum, what's going on and please, don't lie to me", Ruby said with a fierce look.

Charlie inhaled a log deep breath. She walked over to the door and led Ruby over to couch to sit down. She cupped Ruby's hands in hers and after a couple of seconds, found the strength to look her daughter in the eyes and tell her the terrifying truth.

"Rubes, Derrick, they guy who held you, Geoff and Nicole hostage.....", Charlie swallowed hard a lump in her throat as she forced back tears. ".....he's escaped from police custody", she fininshed. Searching Ruby's eyes for some sort of emotion.

Ruby looked in utter shock, her mouth hung open and tears slid down her cheeks. She started to breath intensly, getting faster and faster until she couldn't catch her breath. Her head started to spin and she felt dizzy. Charlie put her hand on her back and rubbed. It was happening again. The panic attacks. She felt a tear slid down her own cheek and she felt helpless. All she could do was try to ease her daughter through the attack.

"Come on baby, breath deep breaths, come on breath...breath...breath..", she encouraged.

She watched her daughter in distress and wondered how they would get through this. Derrick was on the loose and nobody had any clue where he was. All Charlie's fears had come true. Was Ruby's life in danger again? She pulled Ruby into her embrace and caressed her arm. She leaned her chin on top of Ruby's head and closed her eyes. For the first time since he can remember, she prayed for her daughters safety.

Sorry it's been so long, have been rather busy lately!!