AN: So you all know what happened between Brax, Ash and Dean in the outback. I haven't actually rewritten those scenes because I figure they played out exactly the same. What I have written are the 'in-between' bits. Still not sure about what Sam did, haven't decided yet if I'm gonna use that or not. Dunno if Brax needs the shitstorm that will bring. Anyway, for now enjoy!
Kyle was only half focused on the job at hand. As he restacked the glasses behind the bar he kept an eye on Denny who'd just been joined at her table by Andy. It seemed like an impromptu decision of Denny's to ask him to join her for lunch but he wondered if he should say something. He'd promised Ash he'd watch out for her. It was funny how determined he was to keep that promise. Maybe it was because Case wasn't here to answer to and Ash was, or maybe it was because he didn't trust Andy either. Andy did seem to be keeping his distance though. They talked and laughed together but that was it. He didn't try to touch Denny, she didn't look in any way upset. In fact the bright smiles she gave Andy made Kyle a little uneasy, they were too much like the ones she gave Ash. He decided not to intervene though as along as the status quo didn't change. If Andy tried anything, or she began to look uncomfortable he'd be over there in a heartbeat, but for now he'd just keep an eye out.
xxx
Brax had never seen Ash like this. Drunk wasn't something that happened in lock up and the few times Brax had seen him pissed since his release Ash had been in a relatively good mood. This was different. They'd managed to track Dean down but there'd been no sign of Billie and Dean said she was gone. Ash was a mess. Apart from suspecting something sinister had happened to his sister, Brax knew how shitty it felt to let your family down and Ash was feeling that right now. Brax also knew what it felt like to have nothing left to lose and he was worried about what Ash might do. So he put his foot down on ordering another round and hauled his drunken friend up. Ash argued but Brax managed to persuade him it was bedtime and they headed for their rooms. Brax unlocked the door to Ash's room and guided him in.
"I wish he was here," Ash slurred.
"Who? Dean?" Brax questioned as he deposited Ash onto the bed.
"Well yeah, I could kill him then. But no, Kyle. He wanted to come with me you know, but I couldn't let him, not out here, not with Dean. What if something happened to him?"
"Good thinking mate..."
"He fell asleep next to me once," Ash continued. "Right beside me on the same bed. He knew about me. What do you think that means?"
"I dunno mate, maybe you should ask him that." This wasn't a conversation Brax needed to have.
"You reckon I should?" Ash asked eagerly. Brax hadn't been serious, he was just trying to appease a drunk.
"Dunno. Maybe you should sleep on it?" Brax suggested while easing Ash back down.
"Maybe..." Brax pulled Ash's boots off but that was as far as the service extended.
"Sleep it off mate and we'll start looking again in the morning. We'll find her."
xxx
Ash felt like shit the following morning. Jesus, he'd really tied one on last night. He didn't even remember how he got back here. Judging by the sun it was already getting late. He checked his phone. It was well after ten. Fuck! He was supposed to be out here looking for Billie, not writing himself off and sleeping half the fucking day away. There was also a message from Kyle, checking in to see how they were getting on. He didn't have time for this so he just punched in the word 'fine' and hit send. He pulled his boots on and headed next door. He bashed on Brax's door to no avail.
"He's not there," came a voice from behind him, "your vehicles gone."
"Shit. Do you know where he went?"
"Na," Sam the bartender told him, "but he must have left before sun up."
"Bloody idiot..." Ash muttered.
"Hey, you want some breakfast?" The bartender offered.
"Sure," Ash accepted. He couldn't do anything without a vehicle, and at least this way he might get some intel on Billie if the bartender was as friendly as he seemed.
xxx
Lingering looks, not-so-casual touches, what the hell was she thinking? The status quo had definitely changed since yesterday but not in the way Kyle had expected. His phone beeped. Fine. That was the entire message from Ash. Well he was Brax's mate, Kyle shouldn't have expected anything more than that. Still, he hated not knowing what was going on with Brax and Ash out there in the desert. He knew the last time Brax had gone outback he'd run into trouble. He knew because he'd been that trouble. Andy got up and left but Denny didn't, here was his chance.
"Hey Denny. I'm taking my break. Wanna come with?"
"Sure," she agreed with a smile, getting up to follow him outside.
It didn't take long for him to wipe that smile off her face.
"I noticed you've been hanging out with Andy a bit..."
"Yeah, so?" she shot back, immediately on the defence. It fired Kyle up too.
"So how can you do this to Ash? He's been an amazing friend to you."
"Ash? What's this got to do with him? This is about Andy. Case gave him a second chance and I can't do any less."
"And look where that got him." She shot him a dangerous look. "Look, we only want the best for you Den. Me and Ash, we just don't wanna see you get hurt. We care about you."
"Really? Because he isn't even here, is he? He didn't even bother to say goodbye." What did Kyle say to that? It wasn't that Ash didn't care, it was just that he didn't worry about stuff like that if he thought everything was okay. And she'd said she was okay. But if push came to shove, he'd be there when she needed him. Of that Kyle was certain.
xxx
When Brax finally rolled back into town he had a surprise for Ash, in the form of forty grands worth of stolen cash. Brax was cagey about the details but what it boiled down to was that he'd dealt with Dean, Ash had his loot back if he wanted it and Billie was still nowhere to be found. Ash didn't want the money. All it had ever done for him was buy a prison sentence, well that and turn his sister against him. Ash hated having to leave not knowing where she was but Brax insisted it was time to go home. Ash couldn't argue with that, Brax had gone above and beyond for him. Besides, not everyone's family was missing, and Brax had his to get back to.
"Give me five minutes, then we can go." Ash grabbed a fistful of cash and marched off down the dusty street.
It was indeed five minutes later when he came back. He climbed into the ute beside Brax.
"Here," he said, tossing a jewellery case into Brax's lap.
"What's this?"
"Open it." Brax lifted the lid to find an opal pendent. It was nice, striking blues and greens in a fancy silver setting. It also looked expensive.
"Oh Ash, you shouldn't have..." Brax teased. Ash rolled his eyes.
"Give it to Ricky. Chicks like shiny things right?"