Chapter 16

Brax finally woke up from his surgery the next morning, feeling groggy.

Brax was met with two worried faces: that of his girlfriend, Ricky and the other of Casey.

"Don't tell me you two have been here the whole time staring at me while I've been in here?" Brax groaned.

Ricky held Brax's hand in hers and gave a smile.

"Don't flatter yourself," Ricky joked, "I came back this morning."

"What about you mate?" Brax mumbled, turning to Casey.

Casey nodded as he watched his big brother lying in the bed.

"He was more worried than the rest of us; he didn't even want to leave when the doctors said you were in good hands," Ricky explained, "Ended up staying here all night; didn't you Case?"

Casey nodded, "Yeah out in the waiting area. I wasn't allowed to stay in your room."

Brax smiled up at his brother.

"Good bloke," Brax praised.

Casey gulped as he looked down over his brother.

"You scared the hell out of me Brax," Casey confessed.

"I'm sorry Case, I didn't mean to. Just know: I'm not going anywhere; it takes more than a hospital stay to get rid of me," Brax said in his drugged up tone.

Struggling, Brax took a glance around the hospital room.

"Kyle and Heath not here?" Brax asked.

Casey froze and avoided Brax's gaze, not wanting to be the one to tell Brax that they had gone off to finish the job.

Ricky shrugged.

"I haven't seen them since last night. I stayed with Bianca at Irene's and when I didn't hear anything, I assumed Heath stayed at yours with Kyle and Phoebe. I was surprised to find Casey here this morning and he'd told me he'd managed to stay all night," Ricky answered.

Casey awkwardly shifted from foot to foot.

Even in his drowsy state Brax could sense something troubling his brother.

"Case, is something going on?" Brax asked as firmly as he could muster, considering his aching chest.

Ricky glanced up towards Casey with curiosity.

"They told me not to say anything," Casey started.

"Why?" Brax ordered.

Casey looked between Brax and Ricky.

"Heath and Kyle were together last night, but not at the house."

Brax frowned slightly as he tried his best to remain attentive to his brother.

"Where were they?" Ricky asked.

Casey stared downwards.

"They went to settle things with the two thugs..."

"What!" Brax exclaimed, following it up with a gasping cough as he pushed himself up in his bed.

"Brax!" Casey shouted; his eyes widening at the worry over his brother.

Ricky jolted up with a start and tried to calm the stirred up Braxton.

Brax gave a hard look towards his brother.

"What do you mean they went after those two blokes? Did Kyle not remember what happened to him last time? And look at what they did to me?!" Brax stated.

"Brax, please relax," Ricky soothed.

"Relax? Ricky how can I: when I find out two of my brothers have gone to kill themselves!" Brax gasped.

"They only went because they had too. They had to rescue Phoebe," Casey explained in a quiet whisper, already feeling the guilt for riling up his injured brother.

"What happened to Phoebe?" Ricky asked.

Casey shrugged, "Think they must have kidnapped her."

"Unbelievable, could anything more happen?" Brax stated and again coughed heavily.

"Brax, please stop," Casey said, feeling worried over his brother's health and quickly kneeled at Brax's bedside.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you and why Heath told me not too; only to stay and keep an eye on you."

Brax shook his head with an aching feeling over his body.

"Well that's just perfect. How am I supposed to help them lying around in here?" Brax spat, with sarcasm etched in his voice.

Brax attempted to push himself up from the bed again but found himself to be too weak, ending in a fit of heavy gasping breaths and coughs.

"Brax, what's happening?!" Casey yelled in panic.

"I'm going to get the doctor," Ricky exclaimed and stood up from Brax's bedside.

"No!" Brax ordered and winced as he let out a final hearty cough.

"No," Brax repeated; glancing at his girlfriend.

Ricky had tears welling in her eyes as she stepped back towards Brax's bed.

Brax gave a weak smile at Ricky then turned his gaze onto Casey, where he could see the worry written all over Casey's face.

"I'm fine," Brax assured, resting himself back down on the pillow.

Casey stared hard at his big brother, trying to remain convinced by his brother's words of assurance.

"Heath said he would message me, when they are on their way home," Casey said, leaning his arms beside Brax.

Brax raised his brow.

"And?" he prompted.

Casey looked away and shrugged.

"I haven't heard anything," he mumbled.

Brax shifted up as he coughed again.

"They are still out there?" Brax questioned frantically.

Casey gazed up at Brax and slowly nodded, showing his scared expression.

Brax sighed and shifted in his bed.

He was so riled with emotion and the urge to protect his family yet at the same time felt riddled with helplessness.

"I have to do something," Brax announced.

Casey's eyes widened, unsure of what to do by Brax's determination, but thankfully Ricky was quick on the mark.

"No Brax; there is nothing you can do. You need your rest. I can't risk losing you for real," Ricky begged.

Brax looked to both sides of him, at Ricky who was on his left then at Casey kneeling down on his right.

Brax squeezed Ricky's hand.

"You're right," he whispered.

"Have you tried to call them?" Brax asked Casey.

Casey nodded, "Yeah, but neither are answering."

"Brax, I'm really worried," Casey admitted.

Brax reached out his hand to pat Casey's arm in comfort.

"Ease up Case," Brax whispered; though inside, Brax sighed heavily, only hoping that his two brothers would come back alive.

Heath's eyes widened as Dave held the gun directly at his younger brother.

Heath saw Dave cock the trigger on the gun ready to fire, and without a moment's hesitation, jumped up, releasing his hold on Gunno and pushed Kyle to the ground hard, just as the gun was fired.

An agonising scream echoed in the warehouse following the blast and Gunno had a tight grip on his thigh where Dave had fired the bullet from the gun; having missed his target of Kyle completely.

Dave stared in shock at Kyle and Heath on the ground and his mate suffering from the shot that he had fired.

Dave composed himself and raised the gun towards Kyle and Heath again, but before he could pull the trigger, Heath shuffled up and punched Dave under the chin with a stiff upper-cut, causing the gun to loosen from the criminal's hand.

Sirens wailed in the distance and Heath rushed to help Kyle off the floor.

"Let's get out of here before we get put as accessories to a crime," Heath spoke.

Kyle and Heath rushed outside and saw Phoebe near the entrance.

"Phoebe!" Kyle called.

Phoebe stared with her mouth gape.

"Kyle! I thought you got shot!" she exclaimed.

Kyle hugged Phoebe tight.

"Nah, all thanks to Heath," Kyle praised.

Heath smiled and slapped his brother on the back.

"That's what brother's do: they risk lives for one another. Now come on let's get out of here; the cops are pulling up."

Kyle, Phoebe, and Heath got into Heath's car and watched as the police burst into the warehouse.

"What did you say to the police Pheebs?" Kyle asked.

"I said that these guys kidnapped me and that they were attacking you two," Phoebe replied.

Heath sighed, "Why did you say we were there, now the police will be looking for us," Heath said.

"I'm sorry, I was scared," Phoebe pleaded with tears in her eyes.

"Forget it Heath," Kyle ordered.

Heath shook his head.

"Well I hope I don't get charged for my part in this; you too Kyle," Heath affirmed.

As Heath started up the engine and slowly backed away from the warehouse they could see Dave being escorted out in handcuffs and Gunno following behind with a tourniquet around his leg being treated by ambulance officers.

Back at the hospital, Casey and Ricky remained beside Brax's bed, anxiously waiting on news from Heath about what was happening.

"Is Bianca aware of where Heath is?" Ricky asked.

Casey shook his head.

"Maybe I should tell her; she is probably getting worried now, not having heard from him all night," Ricky suggested and stood up, making her way outside the hospital to call Bianca.

"What do we do if something happened to them Brax?" Casey asked.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it Case. If I know Heath, keeping people updated is not his forte," Brax replied, trying to hide his worry for Casey's sake, for the youngest Braxton had enough to last for the both of them.

Not a moment later, Casey's phone beeped in his pocket.

Casey beamed a wide smile as he read the message.

"It's from Kyle. He said they are on their way back and everything turned out fine," Casey told his brother, cheerfully.

Brax nodded, "Well that's good, but they can bet they are both gonna cop it from me," Brax replied.

Ricky walked back into the room.

"I told Bianca and she's pretty upset. I think I better go over and see her; you going to be okay here?"

Brax nodded.

"I think I don't have much chance getting away with this one worrying over me," Brax joked and raised his hand to point to Casey, as he smiled.

"Well good, because you need your rest," Ricky said firmly.

"Kyle said they are on their way back," Casey announced. Ricky smiled, "They okay?"

Casey nodded, "Didn't say much but I think so."

Ricky smiled and leaned down to kiss Brax on the forehead.

"I'll be back later; I love you."

"Love you too," Brax answered.

"Keep an eye on him Casey," Ricky ordered.

Heath's phone beeped in the car and he pulled over to check out who it was from. Seeing the distressed words of his wife, Heath was well aware of what he would have to deal with once they got back to the bay.

"Case, you blabber mouth," Heath exclaimed as he read the message.

"What?" Kyle asked.

"Casey told about us being out last night going after the thugs, it's a message from Bianca," Heath explained.

"You want me to drop you two at the hospital or just take you both home; by the looks of this I have to get back home and face the wrath with Bianca," Heath stated; glancing briefly towards Kyle and Phoebe.

Kyle glanced at Phoebe and watched her solemn, withdrawn face; her soft features and cheerful personality hidden by the look of dread: something had changed.

"Yeah, we'll go home," Kyle requested.

Heath dropped Kyle and Phoebe off at the Braxton house and Phoebe was quick to get out in silence.

"Take care bro; catch ya later," Heath said.

"Yeah; and thanks again for helping me get Phoebe back," Kyle replied.

"No problem. Now get on back to her; she seems pretty shaken up," Heath urged.

Kyle and Heath watched Phoebe wait at the door from the car.

"I agree. I feel so bad for her with what she had to go through because of me."

"Hey: this ain't your fault bro," Heath assured.

Kyle however wasn't fully convinced; everything that had happened to him and those he loved was because of some criminals he knew from prison.

Kyle shut the door of Heath's car and gave his brother a wave before heading towards the house as Heath drove off, making his way back to Irene's.

Kyle went to wrap his arms around Phoebe, but the young woman had fallen into a state of emotional shock, having the adrenaline now worn off.

Phoebe pulled away from Kyle.

"Kyle, don't," she ordered softly; leaving Kyle with a look of confusion.

"I'm going to take a shower," Phoebe announced.

Kyle nodded and watched attentively as Phoebe left for the bathroom.

Kyle attended to his own wounds and bruises until he heard the water of the shower stop.

Phoebe glanced into the bathroom mirror at herself, picturing the image of Gunno fondling his hands over her, being back in the house where it had all begun: the attack and kidnapping, then through to being held hostage.

Phoebe felt a hot tear escape down her cheek, as her body shuddered over the images playing in her mind.

This was something she couldn't deal with; didn't know how to deal with.

Phoebe was at a loss for what she should do.

Heath pulled up into Irene's driveway and saw Ricky's car there, coming to the conclusion that Casey must have told Brax everything, and then Ricky was the one who told Bianca.

Heath shook his head in mild frustration but knew it was a tough call for Casey to keep his mouth shut when Brax was out asserting himself.

I hope Casey hasn't made Brax blow a gasket over this, Heath wondered; imagining his big brother's temper at hearing the news of him and Kyle going a bull at a gate towards hardened criminals.

Heath walked through the door and saw Ricky and Bianca sitting at the dining room table with two mugs placed out in front of them.

Ricky's eyes glanced up as Heath walked in; alerting Bianca to turn around.

Bianca took less than a few seconds to jump up from her chair and rush over towards Heath, hugging her husband tight.

"Thank goodness!" she exclaimed.

Bianca pulled away and hit Heath on the chest.

"How could you do that to me? You scared me half to death when I found out what you were doing! It was stupid and dangerous going after those guys Heath!" Bianca ranted; with Heath allowing every little bit of verbal reprimand bounce off.

"I'm sorry babe; you know it's my duty to look after my brothers, and besides I wasn't going to let Phoebe get hurt either," Heath said in his defense, and tried to hold Bianca close.

"Then you should have told the police not gone after them; you could have gotten hurt!" Bianca yelled distressed.

Heath pulled Bianca into a hug.

"But I didn't; I'm here now," Heath assured.

"You do look a bit beaten up; you sure you're alright?" Ricky asked.

Bianca pulled out of Heath's hug and looked at her husband's wounds.

"Yeah, but you should have seen the other guys," Heath smirked, however Bianca gave him a stern glare.

"This is not a laughing matter," she stated.

"Don't worry about me babe. I'm a tough Braxton and I'm built to last. It's all over now anyway: Kyle and I saw the blokes get arrested," Heath explained.

"And Phoebe?" Ricky prompted.

"Shaken up, but no damage done," Heath replied.

"Dropped them both at home to freshen up, so I guess you might see them a bit later."

"Well I might head back to the hospital then," Ricky suggested.

"You going to be alright Bee?"

Bianca nodded, "Yes, thank you Ricky."

"See ya Rick,"

Heath fare-welled.

Ricky gave a smile and walked out the door, leaving Heath and Bianca standing in the living room; Heath's arm firmly slinked around Bianca's waist.

Heath leaned down to kiss his wife.

"Don't think that is going to make up with what you done so easily," Bianca stated.

"Worth a try," Heath smiled.

"How about I grab a quick shower, then I can make you a nice smorgasbord of treats and sandwiches and we can take it down to the beach," Heath suggested.

"That does sound nice," Bianca said with a smile.

"All settled then," Heath added and kissed Bianca again.

"What about your brother?" Bianca asked, "Don't you need to visit him?"

"The big fella has enough on his plate with Case and Ricky fussing over him. I'll give him a break and pop in later."

Kyle watched as Phoebe walked down the hall into the living room.

"How are you feeling?" Kyle asked.

Phoebe avoided looking at her boyfriend as she whispered her reply.

"Kyle, we need to talk."

Kyle took a seat on the couch and Phoebe sat beside him.

"What's wrong?" Kyle asked softly and made an attempt to hold Phoebe's hand in his, however the withdrawn women slipped it out.

"Kyle, this experience scared me..."

"But you're okay now," Kyle interrupted quickly.

Phoebe sighed, "Kyle it's not that simple. How am I to know something like this won't happen again?"

"It won't Pheebs, I promise," Kyle almost pleaded.

"I love you so much Kyle, but I just can't do this anymore," Phoebe confessed sadly.

Kyle frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean us. I need a break," Phoebe clarified.

Kyle felt like his heart had been ripped out all over again.

"Phoebe you can't break up with me; I love you and I swear nothing will ever hurt you again," Kyle pleaded.

"I'm sorry Kyle, I need to deal with this and get my head around things," Phoebe finalised and stood up from the couch; holding back the tears of hurt inside.

"Pheebs, Phoebe please," Kyle begged and grabbed Phoebe's hand.

"I can't Kyle, not right now; I'm sorry."

Phoebe pulled away and made a quick dash to run out the door.

Kyle still in shock slowly pulled himself up from the couch and wanted to get his mind off the shocking revelation of potentially losing the women he loved, Kyle made his way out to go visit his older brother in hospital.

Brax and Casey glanced up as Kyle entered the room.

"Nice of you to show," Brax said sternly.

"Case, can you give us a minute?" Brax ordered.

Casey nodded and stood up from his seat.

"Where's Heath?" he asked.

"At home with Bianca," Kyle replied.

"Casey, go get my wallet from my bag and grab a twenty and get yourself something to eat," Brax instructed.

Casey siphoned through Brax's wallet and cash, pulling out a fifty dollar note.

"I said twenty, Case, not fifty," Brax exclaimed and tried to make a grab for his money.

"Rob a guy in hospital," Brax smarted, as Casey returned the fifty and replaced Brax's wallet.

Casey cheekily smiled and dashed out of the room.

Kyle took Casey's chair beside Brax.

"How are you?" Brax asked.

"I'm fine and Heath's fine, just a few cuts and bruises," Kyle explained.

Brax carefully shook his head.

"It was a stupid, stupid stunt you pulled Kyle, and don't you ever do something like that again; you could have been killed, or you could have gotten Heath killed," Brax scolded sternly.

It was a very unusual occurrence for Kyle to have any beef with Brax, but in all honesty he knew he deserved it, for he knew what he had been up against.

Kyle sat with his head down in repent, not bothering to deny anything.

"What went down?" Brax continued.

"Heath pushed me out of the way when one of them pointed a gun at me and after...shot Gunno, the police came that Phoebe had called and we got out of there," Kyle explained.

"Phoebe okay?"

Kyle didn't speak and only nodded sadly.

Brax took note of his brother's withdrawn demeanor.

"Something else the matter?"

Kyle looked up at his older brother.

"Can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure, knock yourself out," Brax replied and gestured with his hand.

"When we got home Phoebe seemed really distant, and after she took a shower we had a talk and she told me she doesn't think she wants to be with me; said she couldn't handle it," Kyle explained sadly.

"Ah, mate," Brax sympathised.

"She's the only girl I've ever really loved, Brax. I don't know what I'd do without her. I just don't know how to get her to stay with me," Kyle said desperately.

"You can't force her, mate; she needs to make this decision on her own. Look at me and Ricky: we've had our ups and downs and we've gotten through it," Brax encouraged.

"Yeah, but Phoebe isn't as understanding as Ricky. I just don't think she's going to move through this," Kyle said solemnly.

"You have to trust your gut instinct there mate, if it's meant to be it will fix itself, and if all else fails, you'll always have your brothers, 'ey," Brax smiled and gently tapped Kyle on the hand.

Kyle nodded, "Thanks Brax."

Casey made his way back eating a sandwich from the cafeteria but remained outside as he saw Kyle and Brax still talking.

Ricky walked down the corridor and met Casey outside.

"What's going on?" she asked, wondering why Casey was situated outside.

"Brax is talking with Kyle," Casey replied.

Ricky peered in through the window and saw the two brothers.

Brax and Kyle glanced towards the door and saw Ricky peering into the room.

Kyle stood up at the same time that Ricky had turned away and within minutes the door was opened and Kyle walked out with a sad look on his face.

"Kyle, are you alright?" Ricky asked.

"If its Brax's telling off that's gotten to you, it's not so bad; he'll still stick by you, I should know," Casey commented.

"No it's not...Yeah I'm fine...Just lost without Phoebe," Kyle muttered with his head facing down as he took a seat.

"What happened, Kyle?" Ricky asked.

"Didn't she come back unharmed?" Casey added.

"Yeah she did, but then she broke up with me," Kyle explained.

Ricky rubbed Kyle's shoulder in comfort.

"I'm sorry Kyle," she whispered.

Kyle shrugged and went back to wallowing in his misery.

Ricky made her way back into Brax's room and kissed him, causing Brax to smile.

"Hear about the news with Kyle and Phoebe," Ricky said, sitting beside Brax.

"Yeah it's a tough one, especially after what he's recently been through. Tried to talk to him about it and said it's basically Phoebe's decision now."

Casey sat beside Kyle, wanting to offer his brother an ear.

"Maybe she was still in shock and just said it by mistake?" Casey suggested.

Kyle shook his head.

"No she sounded pretty clear," he answered.

Casey shifted awkwardly, not quite sure on what to say next.

"Don't think of it as the end Kyle, maybe she just needs some time then you could try talking to her again."

Kyle glared at Casey; his hurt now over-powering his insides.

"What's the point Casey? I stuffed everything up; all because of my stupid past! I hurt my family and lost the women I loved!" Kyle snapped; catching Casey by surprise.

Kyle jumped up from his seat and stormed out of the hospital.

Casey feeling like he could do nothing else made his way back into Brax's room.

"How's Kyle?" Brax asked.

"I tried to encourage him but then he got upset and stormed out of the hospital," Casey explained.

Brax groaned; another thing he was going to have to sort out once he got out of hospital.

The three were greeted by Nate who walked into the room with Brax's records.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been stabbed and stitched back together," Brax commented.

"Well I'll do a check of your vitals and if all goes well I'd say you'd be right to go home in a few days," Nate said.

"Good, I'm already sick of this place," Brax smarted.

Nate went ahead with checking Brax's wound, heart, and lungs.

"When you are discharged I expect you to remain rested for another six weeks," Nate instructed.

"It's a bit hard to keep him down," Casey commented.

"Well, you are gonna have to, unless you want to end up back in hospital in worse shape," Nate explained, giving Brax a stern gaze.

"Guess I can't argue with that," Brax replied.

"I'll make sure he does, Nate," Ricky added.

"Good, well I'll let you get some rest and I'll organise those discharge papers for a few days time."

After Nate left the room, Ricky decided she would head off too and see if she could find Phoebe.

"I'll be back later," she told Brax and kissed him.

"You staying for the moment Case?"

"Yeah, I'll hang out with Brax for awhile," Casey replied.

"What did I ever do to deserve that?" Brax joked.

Casey frowned, taking a moment to pick up on Brax's joke.

"Hey!" Casey exclaimed.

Brax gasped a laugh, "So easy Case."

"Yeah well if you weren't in that bed all banged up..." Casey left his joking threat hanging.

"But I am," Brax replied with a smirk.

As Casey sat back down Brax bumped his brother's hand with his fist and gave a smile.