Alice stood there hands on her hips waiting for Terry to come and rip her head off. She was scared, she'd never admit that to him though so she forced her cocky persona to stay in place. When he finally reached her he would knock her unconscious and it wouldn't matter any more…..as long as Rosie and Charlotte were safe. He was advancing upon her slowly.

"What's taking you so long Terry? Did it take you this long with Danny or was the fact there was 4 of you and one of him a reason why you were fast? Is one on one too much for you?"

He narrowed his eyes and ran at her. She ducked but he still managed to grab her by the neck and squeeze.

Alice pushed at his face. Kneed him, kicked and scratched. Blackness was coming, she lost her footing and slipped downwards. He tightened his hold, shaking her. Spots appeared almost clouding her whole vision. He wrestled her to her knees. She kicked out but was rapidly losing energy. She closed her eyes and he dropped her to the floor.

"Easily done." he muttered.

Alice opened one eye and saw him starting to turn. Although breathing heavily she got back up to her feet. She moved far too quickly and fell back against the wall. Moving so fast made her lose her balance, he heard her and spun.

"Oh Alice you weren't this feisty when we were married." he purred. "But see I need to get Charlie so I'll just dispose of you now." he grabbed her neck and flung her in the direction of the stairs.

Alice grasped out she grabbed the banister it slowed her down some but it didn't stop her falling. Her hand grasped the banister and her back hit the wall, she turned in mid air still holding the wooden pole, her back hit the stairs and her hand opened instinctively. No longer holding the support she bounced down three of the steps and hit the bottom. She was beaten, she couldn't move, her whole body felt like it was on fire. There was a red hot poker attached to her lower back. And her head, there was something pressing down on her head.

"Rosie! Charlotte!" Terry yelled.

Alice yearned to tell him to shut up but her tongue felt to big and heavy for her mouth. The kids were safe though, all this was worthwhile if the kids were safe, her mind went black

(X)

Terry prowled through the house. "Rosie! Charlotte!" he growled. "There is no where to hide….."

It was then he heard the sirens. DAMMIT! He had to get to Charlotte before they did! If she told them what he did he was finished!Then he spotted Alice, lain in a heap at the bottom of the stairs he paled. They couldn't find her like that. He grasped her under the arms and dragged her to the living room. She didn't stir at all, hopefully he had broke her neck and she'd be out of the picture permanently! He arranged her body so it looked like there had been a struggle. He then clawed his own face and mussed his hair. Looked at Alice as she lay so still. "You have really done it this time!" he told her. "You have no idea the trouble your in!" As the police car stopped outside of his front door he inhaled deeply "HELP!" he cried running out of the front door.

(X)

Rosie ran outside of the garden and saw some men walking down the street. She ran back inside the garden and saw Alice's form still unmoving at the bottom of the stairs. The police still weren't here.

"Rosie! Charlotte!" Terry yelled.

God she wasn't mature enough for this! Any second now she was gonna lapse into hysteria! If this was a bad dream she really wanted to wake up now, coz this was just too much! She heard raucous laughter and ran into the back yard, put Charlotte down.

Charlotte opened her mouth.

"Get on my back!" she told her.

Charlotte nodded, Rosie bent down and Charlotte looped her hands around her neck.

"Wrap your legs around my waist!" Rosie told her.

Charlotte nodded and her legs curled around her.

"Hold tight, I'm gonna hop this fence but I won't be holding you so no matter what don't let go ok?"

"Ok." Charlotte whispered.

"No matter what look right ahead ok. Don't listen to anything!" Rosie told her seriously.

Charlotte buried her head into her shoulders.

"I just hope I can do this!" Rosie added as a whisper then reached up and grasped the ledge. Her feet scrambled but somehow found some traction and she heaved herself up.

"Get back here!" an unknown voice roared.

"Rosie!" Charlotte screamed. "Someone has found us!"

Rosie flung herself over the top and felt herself falling. She landed on her hands and knees, thankfully Charlotte felt no impact.

"Don't move!" the person ordered.

Rosie was on her feet breathing heavily. She picked up Charlotte once again and ran, having no idea what direction she was going!

(X)

Terry saw the police. "Please help me!" he cried. "She tried to kidnap my daughter." he led the policeman inside and pointed to Alice. "I stopped her but her accomplice has taken her! Please get her back!"

Alice was out cold on the floor unmoving.

"Sir calm down." he then ordered the other office to check the area.

"Would you like some water sir?" the officer asked.

Meanwhile the other office spotted movement in the back yard he jogged into the back and saw a young girl perched on a fence with a little girl clutching her back. "Get back here!" he roared.

The little girl cried something and then the older girl disappeared over the fence.

"DON'T MOVE!" the officer ordered as he climbed up the fence. When his head appeared from the other side there was no trace of either girl.

When he returned to the living room he found the father of the young child in tears. The woman on the floor was starting to come to. The two policeman flanked her and picked her up, they each had one of her arms.. She flopped forward.

Alice felt herself being lifted roughly to her feet. She couldn't stand on her own steam so she was being held aloft. Her mind was fuzzy, she looked up and saw Terry crying crocodile tears. His mouth was moving but she couldn't decipher what he was saying. Nothing made sense she looked at one of the man holding her and saw it was a police officer. He was talking at her too. She frowned confused. There was a pounding in her skull she wished would go away. She tried to stand on her own but her legs had no consistency.

"Charlie. Rosie. My daughters." she breathed.

"We advise you not to say anything until you speak to a solicitor Miss. Your in big trouble."

Alice frowned. "Huh?"

"Child abduction is a serious charge! You're looking at jail time."

Alice understood that one all right! Oh my god was her only thought before she passed out.

(X)

Rosie ran as far and as fast as she could. Somehow she found her way back to the truck. She finally stopped running and sat Charlie down on the seat. She remained standing, rested her head on the bonnet trying to catch her breath.

"What was daddy doing to mummy?" Charlotte asked through tears.

Rosie was upright now, still breathing heavily from the fear pounding in her body. Her hand was on her head considering her next move.

"Rosie?" Charlotte asked.

"I need to think." she told Charlie sharply then inwardly cursed her self. This wasn't her fault! She knelt down in front of her. "Don't worry ok. You are safe."

"But mummy…."

"The police will help her." Rosie nodded. "And I need to find a way to get us home so can I think for a minute please?"

Charlie nodded and sat quietly rubbed her arms.

Rosie took her jacket off and wrapped it around her. "Better?"

Charlie nodded.

Rosie rubbed her forehead. She couldn't phone Clare, she'd go mental. Her dad was in hospital, Dupe and Caroline there too. She had no one, not even Max! She was alone with no options. God what was she gonna do? She couldn't sit out here all night! She went to sit beside Charlie when she felt Alice's purse in her pocket. She had money! She could get home! She rang a taxi. It arrived quickly.

"Leopards Den." she told the driver.

He frowned at her.

"I'm her big sister."

Charlotte nodded solemnly.

He shrugged and began to drive.

In no time at al they were home. She paid the driver and took Charlie's hand, led her inside.

"Is mummy coming home?" Charlotte whispered.

"Soon." Rosie promised.

"I'm not supposed to go anywhere without mummy or daddy."

"Your mum said I could take care of you remember?"

Charlie nodded.

"Now I'm gonna make you some warm milk and you are gonna go to bed."

A door opened down the hallway. Charlotte clutched Rosie's leg.

"Rosie who are you talking…..whose that?" Clare asked pointing at a frightened Charlotte.

Rosie smoothed her hair down. "Don't worry Charlie this is my aunt." then she looked at Clare. "Look she should be in bed it's late."

"WHO is she?"

"Alice is her mother." Rosie cupped Charlottes head and gently guided her to the kitchen.

"Are they home?" Clare muttered in disgust.

"No, just her."

"What do you mean Rosie?"

Rosie walked down the hallway. "We'll talk later I need to get her to bed."

"Where is her mother?" Clare's hands on her hips.

Charlotte began to cry softly, Rosie glared at Clare and picked Charlotte up. Began to talk to her softly.

After the milk had been warmed, Rosie settled Charlotte in bed. She smoothed down the covers. "Close your eyes and the sandman will come and send you to sleep." Rosie coaxed having no idea what to do.

"Mummy?"

"Mummy is ok, she'd want you to be asleep now right?"

Charlie nodded.

"And tomorrow you'll be able to see mummy." she hoped!

Charlottes eyes brightened, she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. 10 minutes later Rosie walked from the room. She was exhausted. She stood still in the hallway and raised her head upwards. She couldn't wait to get to bed!

"Rosie!" Clare told her icily.

Rosie looked and saw her sat in the kitchen waiting expectantly. So much for bed!

"Why is she here without her mother?"

"I brought her here, she needs to be safe and this is the safest place I knew."

"How did she get here?"

Rosie walked into the kitchen. "I picked her up."

"You….how?"

"I took a truck."

Clare's face turned almost purple. "What on earth?"

"Alice needed me. Max needed me!"

"I did the right thing then." Clare declared.

"You've rang dad haven't you? Could that have not waited?" Rosie exhaled.

"No I called the police."

Rosie shrugged. "That's fine I was gonna do that anyway."

"They will be here to pick her up soon."

"What?" Rosie frowned.

"She isn't our responsibility."

"She's family!" Rosie hissed.

"No she isn't!" Clare countered.

"I won't let them take her!" Rosie told her stubbornly.

"You have no choice. You are not her guardian!"

Rosie stood there. "I can!"

"I knew her being here without her mother wasn't good! We could get in serious trouble Rosie. We aren't supposed to have her."

"Alice gave me permission."

"I seriously doubt Alice will still be able to do that legally."

Rosie frowned.

"If Alice's parental rights have been terminated then you have just kidnapped a child."

Rosie's jaw dropped. "But….but….." then she remembered the fear in Charlottes eyes, on her face. The way she clung to Alice. "I don't care I would have taken her anyway. Terry threatened her and me!" her face mutinous.

Clare shrugged.

A loud knock punctuated the air.

Clare stood up.

"Don't answer it and they will go." Rosie told her.

Clare walked straight passed her.

What a cold bitch! "Alice is ten times the person you are!" Rosie hissed.

Clare disregarded her and opened the door.

The officer walked inside. "Rosie Trevanion?"

Rosie nodded head held high.

He walked towards her. "You are arrested for the abduction of a minor." her hands were cuffed behind her back as they told her her rights in monotone. As they did she looked her aunt dead in the eye. "You call yourself family!"

Clare didn't reply at all. Her brown eyes shuttered.

An officer was checking the rooms looking for Charlotte. More upheaval for her poor kid! As Rosie was led down the hallway she heard Charlotte shriek.

"Let me calm her." Rosie looked at the officer pleadingly.

"No."

"Please she only a little girl who is scared. I'm a familiar face she trusts. You don't have to unlock the cuffs just let her see my face."

The officer looked reluctant, Charlotte started screaming.

"LISTEN TO HER!" Rosie shouted. "It's killing me hearing her so scared please!"

"Ok, if I hear you say anything suspicious and I'm dragging you out of there."

Rosie nodded. She stepped in the room still cuffed, her hands hidden behind her back.

"Charlotte was rolled in a ball in the corner squealing when ever the officer went to touch her.

"Charlie."

Charlottes eyes were shut tight, screams erupting hysterically.

"Charlie its Rosie!" she told her loudly.

Charlotte opened her eyes. They were awash with tears. "Why are they taking me away?"

Rosie sat on the bed. "They are taking you somewhere safe."

"But you….."

"I'm too young sweetie."

"I'll be really good!" Charlotte promised.

"I know you would, but it doesn't work like that. You need a big person to look after you."

"They won't take me back to daddy will they?"

"No." Rosie promised. "If you tell them what he did." she looked at the officer. "He hits her, she's terrified of him. Take her somewhere til her mum is sorted please." she whispered. "It is for the best." she looked back at Charlie.

"Can't I stay with you?"

"Sorry Charlie. But tell you what, I'll get in touch with Maxie ok?"

Charlotte nodded.

"So be good and brave and one of us. Either your mum or Maxie or me will see you really soon." she looked at the officer who was gonna take her. "See him there?" she cocked her head towards the officer. "He's like Danny, big and tall and scary but cuddly too. He won't hurt you."

The officer smiled and waved.

Rosie stood up and backed off til she was beside him. He walked towards Charlotte slowly. Charlotte offered her hand.

"That's my girl." she whispered full of pride. "She has a coat in the wardrobe. A bag in there too. Might be good to pack her some stuff." Rosie told the officer.

The other officer packed some clothes and Charlotte was taken.

Rosie exhaled. The officer who spoke to her grabbed her arm and she was led away.

"Thank you." he told her.

"I did it for Charlie." saw her aunt watching her as she passed. Rosie stopped and looked her in the eye. "I want you gone by the time I get back!"

The officer jerked her arm and she walked from the house.

A/N now Rosie is arrested off to prison for child abduction,
Charlie is being taken into care.
Alice is out of it and in BIG trouble for attempted kidnapping.
Danny is still laid up and has no idea what is going on
along with Max who is locked in a bedroom in a foster home
And finally Clare what a bitch!

How on earth am i gonna get them out of this one? They are dotted all over the map! Anyway PLEASE stay with it, this doesn't last forever and the next chapter is interesting :D x