Later that night Charlie yawned as she let herself into her house, her and Hayley had had a great day in the city…until they ran into Ricky that was. Dropping her bags to the floor she walked to the mirror in the living room and sighed heavily at the bruise slowly forming around her eye, Ricky had slapped Hayley when she ranted about her leaving Alex the way she did so Charlie shoved her…and said a few other things, she was rewarded by a punch from the guy that was with her.

Hearing the back door opened she quickly pulled her hair over her face "hey Rubes," she said and walked into the kitchen, seeing Heath she frowned "what do you want?" she chuckled.

"I'm bored…fancy coming over and watching a movie or play the x box?" he asked.

Charlie chuckled again "you could have called you know," she said and walked back into the living room "why don't we stay here?"

"Because you have no x box and all your dvds suck," he said and followed her "where were you all day by the way?" he asked "I looked around for you."

Charlie rolled her eyes and turned back to him "I told you I was going to the city with Ha…what?" she asked as his eyes widened.

"What is that?" he asked pointing to her eye.

"Alright," she sighed, she knew there was no point in trying to lie "don't freak out but…we ran into Ricky in the city," she said quickly.

"And started a punch up?" he asked walking to her and tilting her chin "how did you run into her?" he asked curiously as he examined her eye.

"We came out of a shop and started heading to the car, we saw her with some guy outside a bar. Hayls started yelling at her and she slapped Hayls, when I shoved her away the guy she was with punched me," she said forgetting who she was talking to.

"A guy punched you!" He yelled angrily "right, where did you see them?" he asked walking back to the door.

"Heath, they won't still be there," Charlie said and ran after him "just drop it okay, it's done, she was gone by the time Hayls helped me up off the ground."

"He knocked you to the ground!" Heath yelled.

"Well done Charlie," she muttered "look can we just forget about it and go to yours to play the stupid x box?"

"Fine," he muttered "but don't think I'm forgetting about this, I'm gonna track this guy down and beat the crap outta him."

"Sure you will…how's Brax getting on with Alex?" she asked changing the subject.

"You'll see for yourself when we get there," Heath said waiting for her to lock up.

"Is that good or bad?" Charlie asked as they walked to his truck.

"I said you'll see…alright it's good!" he yelled when she punched him in the arm.

"Good," she nodded and sat back into the seat, she had been worried but stopped herself from calling him.

Arriving at his house Heath let them in "you set it up I'll grab the beers," he said and walked on to the kitchen.

"Heath, I have no clue how to set it up…swap," she chuckled and walked to the kitchen.

"I've showed you a million times before," he sighed and walked by her.

"Well maybe that's a hint not to show me again," she giggled and walked back with two beers "where is everyone?" she asked sitting down.

"Case and Kyle god knows where and Brax is in his room with Alex," Heath replied without looking up.

Charlie stood up again "I'm gonna go see how he's getting on," she said and walked along to Brax's room. Knocking gently she pushed the door in "hey," she whispered seeing Alex asleep beside him.

"Hey how di…what happened to your face?" he asked sitting up.

"Nothing, fell over at home…how are you getting on?" she asked sitting on the end of the bed.

"Yeah, great," he said looking down on Alex "she sleeps a lot," he chuckled.

Charlie giggled and lay back on her elbows "what did you guys get up to today?"

"A lot of stuff…brought her to meet mum," he replied.

"And how'd that go?" she asked.

"She had a few things to say about Ricky," he chuckled.

"Yeah so did Hayls earlier," she said without realising it.

"Earlier?" he questioned "you two bitching again?" he chuckled.

"Uh, yeah," Charlie said and stood up as Heath called her "I better get back to him before he flips altogether."

Brax sighed as she closed the door behind her, he knew she was lying. Looking down at Alex he got an idea, once Heath was engrossed in a game he'd answer anything you ask without knowing he was doing it.

Rolling off the bed a few minutes later he put all the pillows around Alex and walked to the living room finding Heath exactly where he expected. Looking to see Charlie on the phone he walked to the back of the sofa "mate, what happened to Charlie's eye?"

"She ran into Ricky and some guy punched her," he said in a daze.

"What!" Brax yelled.

"What?" Heath asked looking up at him.

"Who punched you?" he yelled as soon as Charlie walked back into the room.

"You told him!" she yelled glaring at Heath.

"You know how I get when someone talks to me when I'm on this, I don't be thinking…sorry," he muttered when she sent him another glare.

"I wanna know where you saw them and who this guy is!" Brax hissed.

Charlie shook her head and sat down "forget about it," she said and kicked Heath "like I told this idiot, she's well gone and I don't remember what he looked like….it doesn't matter."

"Doesn't matter!" Brax yelled "a guy hit you, we find her and we'll fine him."

"Oh for god sake!" Charlie hissed and jumped up "neither of you will be doing anything! It happened, it's done, you're not gonna find her so drop it!" she yelled and stormed through the kitchen and out the back door.

"Leave her," Heath said as Brax made a move to go after her.

"I need to know where she saw them," he added and kept walking.

"Brax," Heath said and stood up "I know Charlie pretty well, when she storms off you don't follow her unless you want an injury…let her calm down, she'll come back in when she's ready."

...

A while later Charlie still hadn't returned and neither had followed her, Brax sighed and stood up "she's been gone long enough," he muttered and walked into the kitchen.

"Grab a beer and start with that!" Heath called after him.

Brax grabbed two on his way and slipped out the back door, walking over to the sofa's he sat down beside her and held it out "thanks," she muttered taking it from him.

"I didn't mean to upset you," he said a minute later.

"I'm not upset, I just wish you'd listen to me the first time," she replied.

Brax played with his bottle and sat in silence for another few minutes "tell me what happened?" he asked.

Charlie looked down at her hands "it was my fault," she sighed "we came out of a shop and saw her standing there talking to some guy. She spotted us and waved like we were friends and I snapped, before I could start my rant Hayls jumped in and started yelling at her. She slapped Hayls when she called her a bad mother, so I pushed her…then the guy shoved me back and punched me."

Brax nodded "what happened after that?"

Charlie shrugged "all I remember is the pain in my eye and Hayls helping me up, they were gone when looked up."

Brax nodded again "where exactly did you see her?"

It suddenly dawned on Charlie why he was so interested…it wasn't her or what happened to her, he wanted to find Ricky. "I'm such an idiot," she said and turned to him "Brax I'm sorry I wasn't even thinking about you wanting to find her, I was thinking about you and Heath going looking for that guy."

"We'll get to him, so where'd you guys see her?" he asked again.

"The bar beside the mall," she replied "she looked like she'd settled in there anyway."

Brax nodded yet again and stood up "can you watch Alex tonight?"

"You wanna go now?" Charlie asked and stood up "I think you should leave it till the morning Brax."

"The sooner I go the sooner I find her…can you watch her?" he asked again.

Charlie nodded and followed him "what exactly are you gonna do when you find her? What are you gonna say?"

Brax stopped and thought about it, thinking for a moment he shrugged and started to walk again "I'll figure that out when I find her," he said and walked into the living room "fancy a late night drive?" he asked Heath.

"Huh?" Heath asked frowning.

"I told him where I saw Ricky…he wants to go track her down now," Charlie said and sat beside him.

"Ah," Heath nodded "and you're watching Alex? I'm in," he said when Charlie nodded "…just gonna grab a few things," he added and walked into his room.

…

The next morning Charlie groaned as Alex began to cry, sitting up she looked around to get her bearings…she'd fallen asleep on Brax's bed. Looking over at Alex she smiled and rolled off the bed "morning princess," she said and picked her up "someone's hungry," she chuckled and walked out to the living room "morning guys," she said once she'd spotted Casey and Kyle at the table.

Casey and Kyle looked at one another and frowned "did you come from Brax's room?" Casey asked looking towards it.

Charlie nodded "I did," she yawned and sat beside them with Alex.

"Uh…is he getting up now too?" Kyle asked a little awkwardly-he never thought Charlie and Brax would hook up-he expected her and Heath seeing as how close they'd become but never her and Brax.

Charlie wrinkled her nose and laughed- she knew what they were thinking "he's not in there, he and Heath went to the city last night," she said and brushed her hair out of her face.

She looked up when both gasped "Charlie, what happened to your face!?" Kyle yelled.

"I tripped over a path in the city…it's nothing," she said quickly.

Casey scoffed "you didn't fall…was it Brax!" he yelled wide eyed but deep down knowing his brother would never hurt a woman.

"No it wasn't Brax," she said quickly "alright, you're gonna find out sooner or later," she sighed. "Me and Hayls ran into Ricky and got into an argument resulting in the guy she was with punching me."

Casey and Kyle looked at one another now knowing where their brothers were and what was going on. "Brax and Heath went to look for her last night?"

"And the guy?" Casey added.

Charlie nodded "Ricky-not the guy," she said quickly and stood up " they won't find him, I'm gonna feed her then take her to mine so I can get changed."

Casey chuckled "we know our brothers Charlie, even if they find Ricky the wont come back with out finding the guy."

Charlie sighed heavily "that's what I'm afraid of," she muttered and walked back to the room with Alex and her bottle.

Kyle waited until the door closed "what's the odds Both come back with busted knuckles?"

"No odds," Casey replied and stood up "you know Brax he won't come back unless he finds what he wants…gotta get to work," he added and walked out the front door.

"Yeah," Kyle sighed and stood up "just wish Charlie wasn't landed with the baby again," he said and walked his room to get ready for his own shift.

…..

Heath yawned and groaned as Brax led him into yet another bar "Brax mate, we've been out all night can we please have a break?"

"No," Brax said and continued to walk to the bar "the last two have seen her they just don't know her name, this is the last bar in the area…mate!" he called waving down the bar man

"What can I do for you boys?" he asked.

"Have you seen this woman around?" Brax asked sliding the photo of her across the bar.

The barman took it up and examined it "yeah," he said and handed it back to him "it's Erica, she's always in here."

Brax looked over at Heath "she's going by Erica now?" he asked "does she be in here much?"

The barman nodded "she was here yesterday with her brother, they come in every few days…what do you want with her?" he asked curiously.

"Nothing," Brax replied "just have a few things I'd like to return to her…would she be here tonight?" he asked.

The barman shook his head "nah mate, they wont be back here till Friday…I'll tell her you dropped by, do you wanna leave your number?" he asked.

Brax sighed it was only Tuesday "nah, we'll be back on Friday, don't tell her we were here it's a surprise," he said and walked on "come on Heath!" he called and slipped out the door.

Heath followed him "so it was Adam that hit Charlie," he said once he'd caught up to him.

Brax nodded and climbed into his car "do you wanna head home now or get a room for a few hours kip?"

"Home," Heath replied instantly "what happens now?" he asked as they pulled away.

"We come back on Friday and see Ricky," Brax said as if it were that simple.

Heath scoffed "come on Brax, even you're not that stupid-I'm not that stupid…she'll take off the second she sees you."

"Which is why we have three days to come up with a plan," Brax replied.

A few hours later they arrived home and let themselves in "Charlie?" Brax called looking into the kitchen.

"Going to bed, later," Heath muttered and walked by him.

Brax shook his head and watched him go, deciding it wasn't a bad idea he yawned and started to walk down to his room. Pulling out his phone to call Charlie and let her know he was home and see was she okay to take Alex for a while longer he pushed his door in and stopped in his tracks.

Alex was asleep in her cot and Charlie was asleep on his bed…she'll wake him if she needed anything. Closing the door over he walked to the other side of the bed and kicked his shoes off, lying back he yawned again and closed his eyes for a few hours of much needed sleep.

…..

A while later Charlie opened her eyes and went to sit up, looking down when something stopped her she saw an arm,. Looking behind her she saw Brax asleep wrapped around her, in her hazy state of sleep she yawed and rolled over onto his chest closing her eyes again.

"You okay?" he mumbled sleepily bringing his arm tighter around her.

"Mmh," she mumbled "still tired," she added.

"Then go back to sleep," he chuckled and rested the side of his face on her head.

"Did you find her?" she asked a few minutes later.

"Kinda…we'll talk later," he replied.

Charlie lifted her head "what do you mean kinda?"

Brax opened his eyes and looked at her "we found a place she goes to but she won't be there again until Friday."

Charlie nodded "so you're going back on Friday?"

Brax nodded "I need to see her."

"Are you planning on giving Alex back to her once you've talked to her?" Charlie asked slightly alarmed.

Brax looked over at his sleeping daughter and smiled when she moved in her sleep "no," he replied she's staying here with me."

"Oh thank god," Charlie sighed and dropped her head onto his chest "she doesn't deserve her."

Brax chuckled "I'd never let her have her back, I just need to talk to her about a few things."

Charlie nodded and lifted her head "you know I'm always here if you need me right?"

Brax smiled and slid his hand onto her cheek "I know you are, you've been amazing Charlie I don't know what I'd have done without you."

Charlie's breath hitched as he tugged her closer, she wanted to pull back but she so wanted to kiss him…she hadn't worked out why yet. She was brought back to present as his lips closed over hers, kissing him back for a few seconds she pulled back "I don't want you doing this because I helped out," she said seriously.

"I'm not," he said stroking her cheek "honestly," he added when she raised an eyebrow. "There's always been something there between us Charlie-from me anyway, I just didn't wanna read anything into it. I knew you hated me so I didn't wanna make a fool out of myself."

"I never hated you," she said quickly and moved closer to him "that was my way of hiding any feelings I had for you," she said and kissed him deeply.

Sliding his hands onto her waist he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, this was amazing! His stomach was doing flips, he never wanted to let her go again. Flipping them quickly he chuckled when she squealed and settled himself on her "so you have feelings for me?" he asked as he nipped at her neck.

Charlie giggled and slid her hand into is hair as his nips turned into trails of slow amazing kisses "uh-huh," she replied "it's about time I give into them," she said and pulled him to her kissing him again.

Both jumped when the door opened "did you track Charlie dow…" Heath trailed off wide eyed looking at the two of them on the bed "no! oh hell no!" he yelled and dragged her off the bed and out the door.

Brax sighed heavily and threw himself back, his brother really was an idiot.

…..

"Heath will you stop!" Charlie yelled as he marched her down the drive.

"No! I'm not letting him use you to get over whatever the hell is going on in his head this time!" he yelled and opened his car door.

"He's not using me for anything," Charlie said as he shoved her into the car "Heath you've got it all wrong," she added.

"No I haven't," he snapped and slammed the door, walking to the driver side he climbed in "he's pissed and stressed coz he couldn't find Ricky, hooking up with you is his way of taking his mind off it. He's done it a million times before, I'm not letting him do it to you," he said and pulled away.

Charlie was touched at how much he cared for her, he was always looking out for her since they became friends. Deciding to drop it she looked over at him "where we going?" she asked.

"Hungry, Angelo's," he muttered…he was gonna kill Brax when he saw him later.

Charlie looked down at her feet as they pulled in and chuckled "I've no shoes on," she giggled.

"Piggy back," Heath chuckled and climbed out, walking to her side he pulled the door open up you get oinky.

Charlie giggled as she climbed onto his back "what we doing after?" she asked as he carried her up the stairs.

"We'll see," he said and dropped her at a table "might get Rubes and have a few games with her at yours," he added and dropped in beside her "Case!" he called waving him down.

Charlie chuckled as both Casey and Kyle came rushing over "they knew you were gone."

"I wonder who told them," he chuckled.

"You're back," Kyle said and sat down across from him

"No, you don't say," Heath chuckled.

"Did you find her?" Casey asked "did Brax flip out? Did he convince her to come back?"

"Chill bro," Heath said holding up his hand "we tracked her down but haven't seen her yet and Brax is at home and she most definitely wont be coming back…get us my favourite pasta dish would ya?" he asked.

Casey shook his head and stood up "chicken salad for you Charlie?" he asked.

"Please Case, and a water," she replied.

Kyle titled his head "Charlie…where are your shoes?"

"This one," Heath said slapping Charlie on the back of the head "was kissing Brax so I dragged her out of the house."

"I'm not fourteen sneaking my boyfriend into my room Heath," she huffed and crossed her arms "I wanted to kiss him."

"Well don't want!" he snapped "he's no good for ya and he never will be, Brax is and always will be a player," he said and looked down at the table "you deserve better than that," he muttered.

"Okay," Kyle said slowly and stood up, he had received too much information "I'll check on your food," he added and walked off.

"You know if you weren't being so sweet I'd punch you," Charlie said without looking at him.

….

A while later Heath arrived home to get a shower before heading to Charlie's house, letting himself in he saw Brax and Alex on the sofa. Ignoring him he walked on to the kitchen and opened the fridge.

Brax sighed and placed Alex in her seat standing up he walked to the kitchen and leaned on the wall "where's Charlie?" he asked "her shoes and keys are in my room," he added.

Heath slammed the fridge "you stay away from Charlie," he said as he walked by him.

"What's your problem mate!" Brax yelled after him.

"As long as you stay away from Charlie there is no problem," Heath replied and went to get her things.

Brax followed him "what's your problem with me seeing Charlie?" he asked.

Heath scoffed "seriously? You have to ask?"

Brax held out his hand as he went to walk by him "clearly I do, what problem have you got with me asking Charlie out?"

"It's not just asking her out though is it Brax?" he asked and slapped his hand away "you'll take her out use the Brax charm hook up with her and then she'll be just another on of your notches…I wont have that."

"She won't," Brax replied.

"Don't make me laugh!" Heath yelled and turned to face him "I heard you talking with all the boys when we came here-before I was friends with her, you said you'd bed her and it would be easy too! Well guess what Brax!" he hissed "it's not gonna happen at all, she's my best friend and I care about her I won't have you making a fool out of her!"

Brax scoffed "that was three years ago Heath, do you really think I remember what I said?"

"I don't care you still said it and I remember it…stay away from her," he added and walked to the front door "I mean it Brax you don't get another warning before I punch your lights out," he added and stormed outside

"This time is different Heath!" he called after him "I actually like her!" he added.

…

Over at Charlie's she walked out of her room to find Heath sitting on the stairs, she knew something was wrong with him. "Alright," she said and sat beside him "out with it."

"What? He muttered "you were in the shower."

Charlie scoffed "when have you ever let me have a shower in peace?"

Heath shrugged "now."

"Oi," she said nudging him "you know you can talk to me about anything…what's wrong?"

"Brax," he finally muttered and looked over at her "I don't want him making a fool out of your or using you."

Charlie nodded and slipped her arm around his "you know I love you right?" she asked.

Heath scoffed "don't go all mushy."

Charlie giggled "I do, you've been there for me when I needed you and you're always looking out for me."

"Fine," he sighed and squeezed her hand "I love you too…don't ever tell anyone I said that."

Charlie giggled and rested her head on his shoulder "I like your brother, if we ever get a first date I will not-not be sleeping with him, so if you're worried about him just getting what he wants, don't be, I can handle myself."

Heath sighed heavily she wanted to go out with Brax, who was he to stop her? "you're an idiot when you drink vodka," he said and looked over at her "just promise me if he does start messing you about you come straight to me?" he asked.

Charlie nodded you'll be the first to know" she said and stood up "I know I kissed him today but I'm not making any dates or moves until this whole Ricky business is over and done with…there's beers in the fridge, I'll be down in a minute," she said and walked back to her room.

"You got anything on under that towel?" Heath chuckled.

Charlie laughed and stuck her head back out the door "there's the Heath I know and love and no…but you'll never be seeing it, we've discussed this Heath you're not one of the girls."

Heath chucked and stood up "worth a try," he said and went downstairs.

Walking into the kitchen he pulled out two beers, turning around he shook his head when Brax stood at the door "what are you doing here?" he asked.

Brax held up Charlie's purse "you forgot this when you got her other things, didn't know if she'd need it or not," he said and placed it on the counter.

Charlie walked in looking at her phone "you want pizza?" she asked "Casey and Kyle are coming over after work," she said and looked up "oh hey," she said when she spotted Brax.

"Hey," he replied "Heath forgot your purse," he said nodding to it.

Charlie nodded "thanks…where's Alex?" she asked.

"She's asleep in the car…what are you all up to for the night?" he asked.

"Getting pizza and watching a movie, Rubes should be home soon," she added awkwardly and looked at Heath.

Heath rolled his eyes "got room for one more if you're interested…well two more," he added.

Charlie smiled and looked over at him "you're more than welcome, you can put Alex in my room."

Brax nodded and looked over at Heath "you don't have a problem with me being here?" he asked.

Heath held out a beer "wouldn't have asked you if I did," he said and walked into the living room.

Charlie chuckled "don't mind him, he's just worried about the whole me and you thing."

Brax chuckled "I already told him he doesn't have to be," he said and walked to her "and I'm telling you the same thing…I'm not out to use you Charlie, I wanna take you out sometime."

Charlie smiled and kissed him on the cheek "go get Alex in," she said and walked into the living room.

A/N sorry for the lack of update been very very busy, hope you all enjoyed this instalment. Sorry if there are any mistakes my laptop decided to die so I,m doing this on my phone.