Disclaimer : I don't own nowt!

XSARAH : My intuition tells me you want this to be a Connie/Guy story lol. Glad you like it. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

MEADOW567 : Thanks for your support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

HOCKEYGIRL90 : Well you were right, I ain't gonna answer that lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

TENSMCMCHICA :Thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

AGEL15 : I can assure you, she doesn't hate Charlie, but I don't think anyone would be too chuffed if there best mate decided to do what he did lol. Anyways, thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

BLONDE-BRAIN : I think your one of many that don't like Brian lol, in fact I have yet to meet someone who does lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

A : Oh I'm sure that she'll let them back in eventually lol – or maybe not, depends on how hurt or angry she is lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

Chapter 18

CONNIE'S P.O.V

No sooner had I got in, was I ripping the dress from my body, and stepping into some old baggy jeans and would you believe one of Charlie's hoodies. I turned on my CD player, listening to Evanescence, Pink and any other down beat, attitudy song I could find. I pumped the volume up, and for some reason found comfort in cleaning the apartment, almost as though I was cleaning away every molecule of Brian's presence there.

It became apparent that the ducks were hanging out, outside my door, when I heard them shout through the door. I replied, telling them to go away, not wanting or being able to face them at this point. I turned the music up even more, then headed upstairs to my room, bin bags in hand, and began throwing everything Brian had ever given or bought me in it. Then his clothes and other items followed, until I had filled 3 sacks and then one more that contained my dress, of which I never wanted to see again. Picking them up, one by one, I threw them over the banister, hearing the bang noisily on the floor below, conveniently next to the door. Immediately on the first bag plopping on the floor, I heard panicked knocking on the door. Choosing to ignore them, I continued to throw the bags down.

After the fourth had gone over, I headed back to my room, checking that there was no more of 'his' items left. I knelt down, feeling under the bed, pulling out a few miscellaneous items, before pulling an old photo album and a shoe box out, containing thousands of pictures. I knew exactly what pictures where in the album, and threw it to the side without even looking in it. The shoe box however contained other pictures of myself and the ducks, David, Nicky and Eve. I quickly leafed through the ones that 'he who shall not be named any longer' wasn't in. Replacing them back in the box, I picked the ones he was in and the photo album, up and headed to the kitchen.

I threw all the loose photo's into the old ceramic sink, before searching for the box of matches, then lighting one and tossing it on top of the photographs. I took delight in watching Brian's face crimple on the shiny paper, then turn black, never to be seen again. I hadn't realized, the deep, thick smoke that billowed out from them, but then again, I was past caring. The flames licked the insides of the sink, and once they started dieing down again, with one quick arm movement, the photo album followed. It began burning, and flames grew larger than before, but I just stared watching as the album and it's contents turned slowly black.

CHARLIE'S P.O.V

We had been stood outside Connie's apartment for about an hour now. None of us really wanted to leave, incase she decided to let us in eventually. Plus me and Guy couldn't exactly leave as all our things were in there. About 15 minutes ago, we had heard 4 big bangs over the loud music, and almost immediately had begun pounding on the door, in an attempt to get in there. I don't know what the others were thinking, but I immediately thought that she had hurt herself.

"I'm bored". Goldberg complained.

"Yeah, me too". Ken agreed.

"How long do you think we're gonna have to wait out here"? Portman asked.

"She'll let us in eventually, once she's calmed down". Julie stated confidently.

"So basically we could be waiting out here all night". Guy answered, emitting a little laughter.

"Maybe we should order a take away". Fulton joined in, trying to lighten the mood.

"Why don't we just break the door down". Averman suggested.

"Oh and that's gonna get us back in Connie's good books". Russ said sarcastically.

"It's better that just sitting out here". Averman retorted.

"Arguing isn't going to get us in there any quicker". I finally said, not wanting anything further to be said, that would cause a full on Duck argument.

I slid down the wall next to the door, running my hand through my short brown hair. I pulled my knees up to my chest, trying to make more room for the others on the small corridor. I kind of sensed we would be waiting quite a while before she let us in, then it would probably be reluctantly.

I let out a huge sigh, feeling more than miffed that my plan had gone pear shaped. As I breathed in, I could smell a hint of smoke. At first I put it down to a neighbor being a heavy smoker, but the smell was getting stronger and stronger, and it didn't smell anything like cigarette's.

"Do any of you guy's smell that"? I asked, taking big sniffs.

"Hey it wasn't me this time". Goldberg defended himself quickly.

"No, I'm not talking about that kinda smell, I can smell smoke". I replied.

"I smell it too". Ken who was sat beside me, agreed.

There was a chorus of 'me too's', before we all climbed back on our feet, checking either end of the corridor for an idea of where it was coming from. As I headed away from Connie's door, the smell seemed to deteriorate, but when I headed back, it got worse. By the looks on the other's face's I could tell they were thinking the same thing as me.

"You don't think"? Luis said opening.

"I do". I mumbled.

"C'mon Fult". Portman gestured for us to step back.

Within one swoop, they both jumped shoulder first into the door, immediately it broke open. The whole apartment seemed to be filled with smoke. Not a thick smoke, but it was thick enough. To be honest I was relieved to find the whole apartment was still in tact. I made a mad dash for the kitchen, where I suspected the smoke was coming from, hoping she was just burning food. On the way I tripped over one of the 4 blacks bags that had been 'dumped' near the door.

"Connie". I shouted on my way into the kitchen.

I skidded in there, to see her, stood near the sink, with what I could only guess was a book of some sort, burning steadily in the sink. She had tears streaming down her face, and she seemed some what out of it. Julie who had followed me, dashed forward to her whilst I attempted at turning the faucet on without burning my fingers. Eventually, the small fire was put out, and I could see clearly from the remains, that they had been photo's of her and Brian that she had been burning.

"Connie, I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt you". I turned to face her.

"It doesn't matter, it's over now". She said dejectedly, as she headed up to her room, passing the ducks.

Julie began to follow, but I reached for her arm, stopping her, before following myself. I was the one that had created this mess, and I was gonna be damned that I was going to let someone else fix everything for me. Plus, hopefully, leaving the ducks out of most of it, might make it easier on them, by making it look as though they weren't that involved.

I knocked gently on the door, but got no reply, so slowly entered, closing the door silently behind me. Connie was laid on her bed hugging her pillow, crying silently. I hated the fact that I had hurt her like I had, but I didn't regret stopping the wedding, not one little bit.

"I know I'm probably the last person you want to see right now, but I can't leave you alone until you've heard me out". I told her. She said nothing and I took it as agreement that she was at last going to hear me out. "I know I should have told you way, way before now about my suspicions about Brian and Tammy. But I was scared that you wouldn't believe me and then never want to speak to me again. I couldn't stand it, if that were to happen, and I suppose the closer the wedding got, the more I feared that you wouldn't believe me until I had proof". By now, she was looking at me directly.

"You still should have told me Charlie. You should have known, that I would have taken your accusations seriously, you're my bestest friend for Christ sake". She replied.

"I know. I know I should have. But I was so scared of loosing you, and I thought that if I could just get some proof to back myself up, then you would believe that I wasn't just making everything up".

"You didn't need proof for me to believe you Charlie. I would have believed you because I trust you". She had sat up and was looking into my eyes. Tears still pouring down her cheeks. "And because you're my 'big brother' and I love you".

"I love you too". I grabbed for her, pulling her in a tight hug. "And I'm so, so, so sorry". I spoke into her hair.

I must have sat there for about 20 minutes, just hugging her tightly. Feeling relief and guilt wash over me at the same time. I knew she wouldn't just forgive and forget, but at least things were out in the open between us, and the slate had been wiped clean. Eventually, there was a knocking on the door, and Julie let herself in, carrying a cup of hot chocolate for Connie. I excused myself, knowing Julie would probably be a lot better and the 'feel better' talk than I would.

I went back down to the guys who were waiting expectantly for me. They all looked like expectant fathers, awaiting a verdict. I just nodded my head simply and sat down, finally relaxing. The guys didn't ask any questions, as I had made it quite obvious that everything was, well better than it had been earlier, still not great, but better.

So what do you think? PLEASE R&R!!!!