Alice sat in her house, the old house. She couldn't face going to Leopards Den. Clare said one word to her about losing the kids and she smash her condescending little face in! This was all her fault, if she hadn't got her all riled up about Danny then she wouldn't have went to Terry's in a mood and she'd have her kids with her! Now she was sat in this old, empty, far too quiet house missing the kids so much it hurt. The furniture stood alone and sad. She had nothing here of theirs, everything was in their rooms in Leopards Den. She refused to go back there without them. She felt so empty. Picked up her phone and looked at her screen saver of Max and Charlotte. They smiled up at her so happy and carefree that she wanted to scream at the injustice of all of this!

She had felt so much hope when she heard the should of Max's voice and then it just disconnected. She'd raged at the phone not realising it didn't matter . All she needed was another minute then she'd have an address to get her boy. Then she'd find a way to get Charlotte and the 3 of them could disappear. She could take them to Glasgow. No one was taking her kids away from her - NO ONE! She stood up, she was going to Terry's. She wanted to see her daughter, screw the restraining order!

She walked down the path and climbed into her car. Drove to Terry's quickly when she arrived she sat and stared at his front door a minute. Charlie would be asleep right now. Better that way, she wouldn't understand why mum was crying and leaving her. She knew Terry well enough that if he allowed her to see Charlotte she wouldn't be seeing her again soon! She hopped from the car needing to see her daughter so much and approached his door. As she raised her hand to knock her phone rang. A face flashed indicating the caller as Rosie. She picked it up. "Hello Rosie."

"Alice it's you, thank God I've left countless voicemails."

"I know look Rosie I can't really talk right….."

"Look Alice I know about Max…." Rosie cut her off.

As Rosie said that the door flew open.

"Alice!" Terry growled.

"Gotta go!" Alice disconnected. She didn't want Rosie knowing she was here. She was conscious of the threats Terry had made against her!

"What are you doing here?" he hissed. "I was told you had to stay away."

"I want to see my daughter."

He smiled widely. "Your not allowed." he answered jovially.

"Terry she is asleep. All I want is one look. Please."

Terry stared at her. "You know if I allow this then you won't see her again?"

Alice didn't blink. "That is your plan anyway and I know that if you set your mind to it you'll win." Alice was defeated. He had her at every angle. Her kids - gone. Danny - beaten up.

Terry shrugged and stepped aside.

Alice closed her eyes and exhaled. "Which room is hers?"

"Same as always."

Alice walked passed him and up to her daughters room. Terry looked at her. "I'm feeling generous. You have thirty minutes." as Alice disappeared into the room he pulled his phone out. Alice ignored him and walked to her daughters room. It hadn't changed since they moved out. It was still decorated bright pink with pale pink drawers and wardrobe. Her baby girl lay in her bed under a duvet adorned with characters from her favourite TV program, her light brown hair spilling over her pillow haphazardly. Alice's heart contracted painfully at the thought that this might be the last time she saw her little girl. She knelt down beside her and smoothed some stray hair from her face, she loved Charlotte so much she was the best thing she had ever done. Could hardly believe that she could create something as magical as her. Alice gently pressed a kiss to her forehead. Whispered almost silently.

"Look Charlie mummy loves you always but you'll be staying with daddy for a while and I don't know when I'll see you again. I might not see you for a little while but I'm always thinking about you and I promise, I swear on my life that I'll fight to my last breath for you. Be good for daddy and be good at school. I'll always be close." she pressed a final kiss to her head.

Charlie's eyes fluttered and opened. "Mummy?"

Alice smiled, it didn't hide the gut wrenching devastation she was feeling. "Hello baby."

"How come I didn't go home with you? The lady wouldn't let me come when you shouted."

Alice shook her head. "Doesn't matter. For the minute you will be staying with daddy ok."

"Will you and Maxie be staying too?" she asked hopefully.

Alice swallowed hard. "No."

"But where will you and Maxie be then? Why can't we all be together?" Charlotte's eyes were shuttered.

All Terry wanted was to ruin her. "You and daddy are gonna be spending some daddy daughter time alone. Be good for him and school."

Charlotte nodded solemnly. She then wrapped her arms around her mums neck and kissed her. "Love you mummy."

Alice held her tightly. "Love you too." she squeaked passed the lump lodged in her throat. "Now lie down and close your eyes."

"Will you stay with me til I'm asleep?"

Alice nodded and again smoothed the hair from her face. "Close your eyes" she crooned.

Charlotte did, Alice laid her head on the bed close to her daughters just listening to her soft breathing. This was the worst possible type of hell and she honestly didn't know how she was surviving it!

(X)

Rosie pulled some clothes on. She had recognised Terry's voice on the phone. Terry had Alice! She pulled her hair into a bobble and jammed her feet into her trainers. As soon as she was ready she ran from her room and grabbed the keys to the truck. Then she crept down the hallway towards the front door holding her breath as she opened it. As soon as she was out and safe without caring about the noise she made sprinted to a truck. Her dad had taught her how to drive…..well the basics.

She hopped into the waiting truck. She put her key in the ignition and turned it hesitantly. The truck roared to life beneath her and she squashed a yelp. She could do this! She knew she could! She put the truck into drive and inched along slowly. As her confidence increased so did her speed. She hit the main roads and due to the time at night they were thankfully quiet. Without warning the truck spluttered, then jerked then spluttered louder and died. Rosie tried to start it and it sort of coughed at her. Her eyes drifted down to the fuel gauge and she saw the pointer at empty. How could she be so stupid? She jumped from the truck and sprinted to Terry's. She'd look around and see if Alice was there. If she was she'd phone the police. If not then she'd ring her asking for a lift home. She dialled Alice's number. This definitely wasn't the best idea she ever had, but what else could she do?

(X)

There was a loud insistent ringing in Alice's pocket. She was jerked from a black sleep by the sound and buzzing vibrations. She stood up and stretched. She had been without sleep for too long if she could sleep in the house with him! She walked to the door and heard Terry's voice.

"I can see Trevanion's kid outside my house, she's looking around."

Alice frowned and put her ear closer to the door.

"Yeah him we beat up, you liked her, here's your chance to come and get her!"

Alice's heart plummeted. She looked down at her phone and saw it was Rosie ringing her. She connected the call as Terry walked into the room. "Rosie you need to….."

"Alice are you at Terry's?" Rosie shouted.

"Rosie get out of here!" Alice told her panicked.

Terry saw Alice and smiled. He lunged for her and managed to grasp her neck. He flung her from Charlotte's room.

Rosie heard a heavy thud. "Alice!" she screamed. Terry's voice loud and booming came over the headset, then static. The phone died. "Oh my god oh my god oh my god!" she breathed. "What do I do?" she looked around like the answer was gonna magically appear from nowhere. She decided to try Alice again but the line had been disconnected. "C'mon what do I DO?" she yelled looking at the sky. She called the police, she'd go and help Alice. Two against one would deter Terry, at least until the police arrived! She tried the front door and found it looked so she went round the back and broke a window. As she ran around the downstairs looking for the stairs she heard thuds coming from up there. "DADDY!" Charlotte screamed.

Rosie found the stairs and ran up them.

(X)

Alice's head snapped off the wall as her back impacted off it forcefully. She fell forward and landed on her knees. Terry stomped towards her and picked her up by the back of her top. She yanked away and tried to hit out. He replied by grasping a fist full of her hair and yanking her to the towards the top of the stairs.

"Do you know how long I have waited to get rid of you?" he hissed.

"Go to hell!"

"Daddy what are you doing?"

Alice looked up and saw Charlotte stood at her bedroom door rubbing her bleary eyes.

"Charlie baby go to bed yeah." Alice told her softly.

"Mummy?" she asked suddenly frightened at the rage on her fathers face.

"Listen to mum baby. Go to your room and close the door. Lie on your bed close your eyes and "Alice exhaled. "Just don't listen ok."

"But…."

"Charlotte I warned you earlier girl!" Terry boomed.

Charlotte jumped and stiffened. "I'm sorry daddy."

"I'll deal with you after your mother. I thought you learned your lesson earlier, obviously not!"

What? Alice fumed inwardly. He hurt her daughter? She saw red and found the strength to pull from his grasp.

Terry anticipated this, his fist already clenched tightly swung and impacted her face full force.

Alice felt her entire face shift to the right and she fell to the floor clutching her face. "Charlotte run!" she shouted after groaning in pain.

"Daddy!" she screamed frozen to the spot. "Mummy!"

Rosie appeared at the top of the stairs and her jaw dropped at the scene.

Alice saw her. "Oh no." she breathed. She looked at Terry and saw his back turned. She was on her feet in seconds and pushed him forcefully into the bathroom. Pulled the door closed.

Charlotte ran to her mother and clutched her leg.

Terry roared in the bathroom and Charlotte screamed.

Rosie looked ashen as she stared at Alice.

Alice looked at Charlotte. "Sweetie go with Rosie." her body jerked as Terry pulled the door. She was holding it with everything she had in her but Terry was stronger than her on his worst day never mind enraged!

"Rosie take her out of here. Both of you GO!" she pulled the door her face twisted with exertion she braced her hand against the frame.

"But Alice he could really hurt you!" Rosie declared.

Alice looked behind her, pulled her purse from her pocket and tossed it at Rosie. She once again braced her hand against the frame. "I don't care I need you both safe."

Rosie caught it. "NO!" she came and helped her hold the door closed.

Alice pushed her away angrily. "Do as I tell you! The men who hurt your dad are on their way Rosie. They know about you! If they will do that to your dad what will they do to you?"

"I've called the police."

"I can't run the risk they'll not get here in time!" her body launched towards the bathroom as the door opened more. She only just pulled it closed.

Charlotte was looking between them with wide eyes.

"As Charlottes mother I am giving you permission to take her somewhere safe. When you get there call the police and tell them you have her."

Rosie stood for a second then picked up Charlotte. Without warning Alice's body flew forwards, she slid across the bathroom floor. "GO NOW!" Alice screamed looking at them.

Rosie ran for the stairs covering Charlottes face with her hand.

Terry stomped towards them. Alice was on her feet. "Forgot someone?" she asked cockily.

He spun and looked at her smiled.

"C'mon then!" she stood there head high, back straight hands on her hips.

Terry didn't say a word just walked towards her.

(X)

Rosie ran down the stairs heart pounding so hard her chest felt like it ached. As she was going down the stairs she heard Alice telling Terry to come get her.

"Please don't let Alice be too hurt!" she prayed.

As she ran out of the front door she heard a chorus of thuds. She looked behind her and paled. Alice lain in a heap at the bottom of the stairs, eyes closed completely unmoving, she stumbled.

"Alice?" she whispered and stopped running for a second. It was moments hesitation when she heard Alice's voice in her head telling her to get Charlie to safety. She closed her eyes and once again began to run.

A/N - OMG!