Chapter 6

He had indeed done what she told him to and gone down to the station with Ricky that very same day. But he hadn't done it because of Ricky nor Adam and not even for himself, okay maybe a little, but mostly he had done it because of Charlie. She had barely made any sense the day she had rushed into Angelo's rambling a thousand miles per hour and the little she had said that made sense wasn't all. He knew she had been holding out on him even though she had been all over the place and he needed to know the full story of what could rattle the strong woman he knew to such extent. The coppers had made more sense and the details had startled both him and Ricky, especially Adam's involvement in all of it. He had known some things that she didn't and she had known some things that he had not known. Ricky had turned ghostly pale almost immediately and did not say more than three words the entire time they were there. Which was unusual for her since she wasn't one to back away from a tough situation but he guessed it was natural to be a little apprehensive or scared of something someone in your family had done without your knowledge. Adam was after all her brother no matter what.

It had been four days since she had come by the restaurant and he had not seen nor heard from her since. The whole situation reminded him of the time she opened up to him at Stuart's point, he felt like they made progress and then she would go back to ignoring him and doing her best to avoid him. He had tried calling her several times but all he got was her voicemail and when he would go down to the station or around to her house she was not there. The first two days he didn't think too much about it but now he was growing slightly worried and irritated.

No matter how much he didn't want to admit it he had fallen for her all over again. Not that he had ever stopped but he had thought she was dead so and had somehow diminished his feelings for her and now that she was letting him in they had started growing again. They had since the day she walked into his hospital room really and he felt closer to her and his feelings were stronger somehow now that she had finally started talking more with him.

Sighing he pulled another beer bottle out of the fridge, not wanting to think about it anymore, before walking out to the backyard to join his family for the barbeque. Plonking down on one of the wooden sofas filled with pillows he looked around at his family. Kyle and Casey stood over by the grill goofing around, shoving each other out of the way to be the one to manage it. Ricky sat on the sofa on the opposite side of the fire pit talking to Denny and Bianca, they laughed every once in a while at the boys' antics and sometimes they would put their heads together and whisper conspiringly.

This was not an unusual sight and they did it almost every week but this time he couldn't find the normal joy and contentment in it, there was something missing and he was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to be able to relax. He didn't even notice Heath coming up and sitting down next to him, his eyes watching him intently.
"Are you still moping around?! Seriously, just go talk to her before I have to smack you around! You have been impossible to be around for days because either you look like a lost puppy or you're taking someone's head off."
"Then you should know better than to bug me about it!"

His face scrunched up in anger, not that it scared Heath but at least it made him back off. They sat next to each other in silence and sipped their beers for a while and just listened to the others talking around them. But Heath never really knew when to leave things alone.
"So, have you seen her?" He said quietly while continuing to watch around the yard casually and for once he sounded genuinely interested.
"Nah. I can't find her."
"She's hiding ay?" He chuckled.
"That's one way of putting it." He finished off the last of his beer and got up from his seat and walked away.

The rest of the day they spent in the backyard eating and talking. Kyle got out his guitar, Denny and Case cuddled up on one couch, so did he and Ricky, Bianca and Heath. But it didn't feel right, he could not stop from zooming out and his family noticed that. Ricky asked him several times what was wrong but every time he would come up with some excuse about work and a new delivery, so eventually she stopped asking even though she knew it not to be the full truth. Heath saw it too and he raised his eyebrow at him several times while wearing a mocking grin. The time dragged by but finally it was over and people started to scatter. Casey and Denny disappeared into his room, Kyle left for the restaurant while Bianca and Ricky disappeared next doors to hers and Heath's place, leaving him and Heath alone.
"So, couldn't find her was it."
"Leave it alone already, I have."
"Yeah right! You're so hung up on Buckton that you can't even see the longing stares the girl you claim to love gives you. I really don't get why you insist on being with Ricky when the copper is who you really want!"

Pushing away from the counter he rushed up in Heath's face, measuring him with his eyes as they had a stare down. "Really?! And Charlie not wanting to talk to me doesn't give you a clue?"
"If I were you mate I would go see Irene."
"What does Irene have to do with any of this."
"Go see her mate!" He said turning around to walk out the door. "At least it will stop your moaning, I can't stand it, it's pathetic."

Ten minutes later he had been out the door as well, barley remembering to shut it behind him and driving off in his car until he found himself at the diner, which was as usually packed with people a Saturday afternoon. Every table was occupied by gossiping teenagers that's enjoying a day out of school, parents with their kids eating a late lunch, couple's holding hands across the small tables and elderly ladies having afternoon tea. The staff ran back and forth between the kitchen and the tables or the counter with plates and orders. But out of all those people he could not make out Irene's face. He could see Leah though over by the coffee-machine coughing out orders, someone he realized he had not seen for a couple days either.

"Hey Leah, is Irene around?"
"No, I'm sorry she's not on for about another hour. Something I could do?"
"Maybe. You don't happen to know where Charlie is by any chance?"
"Yeah," she said smiling tiredly. "She or rather we are staying at Irene's for a while." Now that explained a lot. The empty house and no one answering the home phone, but what it didn't explain was her absence from work.
"Why?"
"A lot of things has happened in that house to the both of us so we have decided to renovate and Irene offered us a place to stay. Not that it has helped Charlie though."
"Why, what's wrong?"

"She's not sleeping, Brax! Ever since her bosses reopened her case her head has been in overdrive and haunted by pictures of people she has never met, she's determined to put them all behind bars and finish this once and for all. She lives on coffee because she doesn't want to sleep for some reason! I don't know what to do… Have you spoken to her lately?"
"Nah, she's too bloody stubborn that she won't believe a word of what I'm saying! But she-uhm she told me about Ruby's dad." Leah's face broke out into a wide smile and then she put two blueberry muffins in a bag and handed it to him.
"That's a really great thing Brax. Why don't you take these over to her, I recon you're probably the only one that can get through to her right now."

He would have loved to relish in the warm feeling he got when other people thought that he was the one person Charlie trusted in a scary situation, but he couldn't get the ugly picture Leah had painted him out of his head. All he could think about on the way over was Charlie sitting crossed legged with bags under her eyes on her bed surrounded by papers and case files. Empty coffee mugs on the bedside table and dried tear marks on her cheeks. Her skin pale and her form skinny from not eating for days, which could not be good for her already thin body. When he hesitantly knocked on the door it was opened by a very relieved looking Irene.

"She's in there doll!" She pointed behind towards the sofa where he could see Charlie's tiny form curled up in one of the corners. "Try to cheer her up and maybe eat something, I'm starting to get worried."

Everyone sure had high hopes on him today to do miracles. He seriously doubted that he of all people would be able to get through to her when he had had little success in the past. She's one stubborn woman that can make up her own mind and if she didn't want to do something she definitely did not do it. After a few more quiet words with Irene went upstairs and left them to it.
"You don't need to check up on me Brax, I'm fine!" She had not lifted her gaze once from the papers in her hand since Irene had let him in the house but he could tell from just her composure that she was worn out. Her shoulders were slumped, her hair was a mess ball on top of her head that she was resting slightly against the back of the couch. He didn't need to see her eyes to realize that.
"Why don't you let me be the judge of that ay?" He placed the paper bag down on the coffee table and sat down next to her on the couch. "Look at me Charlie. Look at me please!"

She slowly lifted her eyes from the papers to meet his and he couldn't stop the chocked gasp that escaped him at the sight, her eyes were bloodshot and there were heavy, dark bags under them. Leah had not been exaggerating when she said was not sleeping but the sight was far worse than he the picture he had converted in his head. Without a second thought he picked up the bag again and handed her one of the muffins.
"Eat!"
"I'm not hungry Brax and I seriously don't have time for this right now. I have to finish these papers before I have to go into work tonight so why don't you just leave and save us both a whole lot of time!"
"You are not going into work tonight, you're exhausted! And you're going to eat this, I won't leave until you do."
"Don't you have someone else to hover and drive crazy, like Ricky or Heath?" She sent him an irritated glare that he just shrugged off.
"Nah, and besides I'm rather here with you than at work really." In fact he rather be with her than anything but he wisely kept his mouth shut. "So stop bickering and just eat the damn thing!"

She pinched small pieces from the muffin and put it in her mouth slowly to bug him as he watched her in silence. Once she was finished she turned her attention back to the papers but he snatched them from her and dumped them on the floor.
"So what's really going on Charlie?"
"How many times do I have to tell you that it's nothing, I'm fine!"
"And how many times do I have to tell you that I don't buy it?! So we are going to take it again and this time you are going to tell me the truth!" He studied her face as she did her best to avoid his eyes, like she didn't want to risk him seeing something that she did not want him too and that's when it came to him. The reason he was here. "It's about Joyce told you about Jake and Adam isn't it? And the fact that the person who tried to kill you is still out there?"

She sighed and stood up from the couch and started to pace around the room, while running a hand through her hair in frustration and she looked like she was ready to explode.
"It's pathetic, I'm a cop for crying out loud! I shouldn't be afraid of some thug out there and I should most definitely not be afraid of a bloody house!"
"But you have never really been shot to death in your own home and still have the killer on the loose either Charlie!"
"So what?! I'm still a cop, Brax. I shouldn't be scared or I could just give up now."
"Why didn't you tell me?" He said in as soft of a voice that he could muster while trying to keep their eye contact.
"Haha tell you? Are you serious, why should I tell you?"
"I could have been there for you, I could have helped! But-But you won't let me!" He stood up now too with a wild expression on his face, his eyes filled with emotions, the frustration of only being let in halfway to then be shut out again. "Nothing's changed has it? You won't let me in and as soon as something gets too hard or too personal you push me away!"

He was yelling now too and in the heat of the moment with all of their emotions running wild they had gotten some what close so now there were less than three feet separating them.
"You're right, nothing has changed! You still make decisions and interfere with my life whenever it suits you and then I have to live with the consequences. You got bored and sent me away but left me to deal with the nightmares. But you're not allowed to do that anymore, Brax. You gave up that right the minute you agreed to let them take me away from my daughter. So you tell me Brax, why should I let you in?"
"Because I care about you damn it! Despite what you think I have done or what you think of me I still care. God knows why but I do!" He dared moving and invade her personal space to cup her cheek, forcing her to meet his gaze, holding her there so that he could lose himself in her blue eyes. "You meant everything to me Charlie. You still do!" He could feel her relax again and lean in to his touch but then she froze.
"Haven't you forgotten something?"
"Ricky, Brax. What about Ricky?"
"What about her? I've told you before that I would leave her in a heartbeat if it meant getting you back Charlie!"

At that she didn't say anything, she just looked him straight in the eye and made it impossible for him to look away, he couldn't stop staring even if he wanted to. She had such a power over him and was able to draw him in with just a look that would make him do just about anything and he was pretty sure she didn't know she had such a hold on him. All he wanted to do was shake her so hard until she gave in and became his. Her eyes showed an internal struggle, she was fighting against the same urge he was. He was trying his best to not act on the lust and longing he so strongly felt and have her right there in the living room but standing so close to her made it impossible. The smell of her and the heat that radiated from her body made him lose it.

He closed the remaining distance between them with the speed of lighting and attached his lips to hers, she didn't respond at once but after a second or two she let out a sigh and let her lips move along with his. Her arms traveled up his chest, leaving a trail of heat in their wake, as the wrapped themselves around her neck and his found their way around her waist to hold her close. She opened her mouth a little, giving him room to deepen the kiss and as it intensified they moved towards her bedroom. He lay her down gently in the middle of the bed and let his lips wander down her jaw, down her neck to her collarbone, causing her to let out a moan. His hands roamed all over her body, taking in every little thing about the body that he hadn't touched for a really long time, but yet he remembered everything about it. Soon both of their shirts were discarded on the floor and he was trailing kisses down her chest to her stomach as he hover over her. As he reached the two scars left from where the bullets hit her, her whole body tensed and caused him to look up with pleading eyes.

"Please don't ask me to stop, because I don't think I can!" He said pathetically hoarse voice.
"No it's just… the scars Brax! I don't-"
"What about them? They're hot, you're hot!" He pulled himself up higher on his elbows so that their faces became only inches apart. "I bet you like having me hover you now ay?" He smirked down at her, hoping to draw a blush out of her and make her eat her words. But she just smiled sexily up at him, making him gulp instead.
"You have no idea baby!" She pulled him down by his neck and kissed him, then all of the sudden she had flipped them over, making him lie on his back with her on top. "But now it's my turn to hover you!"
"No complaints here. None at all!" He murmured quietly before leaning up to attach his lips to Charlie while continuing to pounder in his head how he became so lucky to meet someone like her. As soon as he had touched her, every other thought flew out the window. All the stress involving his relationship with Ricky, the doubt of her involvement in Charlie's case, everything was just gone. All that mattered was Charlie, that's the way it's always been. She was the one he wanted and would probably always be. "God I've missed you!" They later on fell asleep in each other's arms and for the first time in a really long time it didn't feel wrong or weird to have someone next to him.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

For the first time in months she had slept through the entire night, without waking up screaming and sweating in the middle of the night from a nightmare. That had never happened before, but she had an ire suspicion that it had everything to do with the warm body that was pressed up to her back and not the house she was in. Warm, strong arms were wrapped around her waist, holding her close, arms that belonged to Brax and she had never felt as safe or at home as did in that moment. But he must have noticed her stirring and woken up because the arms around her waist drew her in closer and light, butterfly kisses landed on her shoulder.
"Good morning Beautiful!"
"Mm good morning!" She turned around in his arms to face and smiled up at him sleepily when his hand came up to her face and stroked her cheek. They just lay there for several minutes starring into each other's eyes, until he sucked in a sharp breath before he leaned in and kissed her squarely on the lips.
"Mm, god I've missed this!" He mumbled against her lips. "Waking up to your sexy ass every day…"
"Me too!" She grabbed his neck and pulled him in for another kiss. It felt like she was on cloud nine, she couldn't remember a time when she had felt happier or more content. She slipped her tongue into his mouth, and when he pushed the fight back into her mouth, a moan escaped her lips. He rolled them over so he was hovering over her and as she looked into her eyes again, another thing slipped through her lips before she could stop it.

"Stay here with me today."
"I thought you would never ask, but on two conditions though!"
"Oh yeah, what's that?"
"One, I get to kiss, touch and have my way with you how much I want. Two, I get to cook for you and you're going to eat it."
"You've got yourself a deal mister!" He let his lips claim hers again and groaned when she let her hands travel down his chest. Just as things were heating up again, Brax's phone went off and interrupted them, effectively killing the mood.
"Mm Brax… your phone!"

He groaned but pushed himself off her to reach for his phone. She pushed herself up on one of her elbows, while pulling up the sheets to cover up her bare body and listening to one side of the conversation. Brax was sitting on the edge of the bed with his back towards her, his head supported by one of his hands.
"Yeah?... I'm sorry Ricky, I had some things I had to take care of in the city. I didn't mean to freak you out… I'll call you later when I get back alright?... Yeah, you too. Bye!"

The mention of Ricky's name was like a slap to the face. During their time together she had totally blocked out the outside world, all their problems and complications. She had totally blocked out and forgotten about Ricky. With Brax's back still facing her she got out of bed and pulled the sheets with her. When he felt the weight of the bed shift, he turned around and gave her a half smile that she couldn't find herself to return.
"I think you should leave!"
"What?! No come on Charlie, don't do this! I-"
"Don't Brax, just go! Go home to Ricky." Her tone was dangerously low and it took him slightly by surprise.
"Don't use that judgmental tone Charlie! You wanted this as well, and you know that it takes two to do what we did last night. It was great, more than great and I don't regret it and I know that you don't either." He rose from the bed and pulled on his jeans before he rounded the bed and reached for her. "We're finally in a good place Charlie, don't ruin it! So let's just spend the day, in this bed like we said and just be with each other. Because we haven't done that in a really long time and I miss being with you."
"Yeah, well that call kind of killed the mood, so I think that it's better if you go."

He let go of her and took a step back with a frustrated groan while pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why is it, that every time we get closer you back away?" His voice sounded almost as pained as the look in his eyes. "Why can't you just let go for five seconds and just accept that we're good together, we're so darn good." It pained her to hear plead with her, sounding so hurt and desperate, especially as she knew she was the reason he was hurting.

"Because I don't want to get hurt Brax. I'm finally moving on with my life, somewhat at least, and if I let my guard down, accept what I'm feeling for you when you're still with Ricky, I'm going to get burned so hard. And I can't- I just can't got through all that pain again Brax. So go be with Ricky and let me live my life. It's not that I don't care about you or don't want you, because god help me I do! I just can't get hurt again."

He nodded his head, picked up his shirt and shoes from the floor and put them on before walking over to her bedroom door. When he moved past her she didn't turn to continuing looking at him. She just stood frozen on her spot, clutching the sheet to her chest as if she was clutching her heart, to keep it from flying out from her chest. She waited for the sound from the door opening and closing, but it never came and less than two seconds later he was in front of her, kissing her hard and pouring every ounce of emotion he had into it.
"I'm not giving up Charlie! I won't let you push me away again, so I'll see you soon ay."

She didn't say anything, she just gave a quick nod and watched him walk out of the room. As soon as she heard the door close she sank down on the bed and let out a shaky breath, trying her hardest not to cry and luckily she was dehydrated and didn't have any tears left. It pained her when she asked him to go back to Ricky. But she knew that if she didn't, she would get hurt and then she would be alone with a broken heart, while longing for a man she knew was bad for her. A man she shouldn't have been involved with from the start, but there was something about him that made her want to stay and never leave.

Well, well, well another chapter in less than a week! It truly must be a miracle! But this is a special chapter with a special edition. "Look at me. Look. At. Me." Can anyone guess where it came from? SCANDAL. It's got to be the most awesome show in history and so does the love of my life, my best friend, my sister, my everything think. A couple of months ago she left the UK, that's an hour away, and moved 1110 Swedish miles away to the pineapple island Hawaii. Today is her birthday and since we can't meet, this is my birthday present to her. Happy Birthday Kitty Cat, I love you Haole!

Hope you guys like it and thank you for all your reviews. Do you guys watch Scandal?

Xx Lexie