It was now Friday morning, last night Charlie and Heath had gone for dinner and had run into Hayley and Noah which had turned into staying at Angelo's way after close. Afterwards they stumbled back to Heaths and continued the party there…that was a bad idea.

Opening her eyes Charlie rolled over and groaned, wiping her eyes she sat up and looked to the floor. Chuckling at Heath's sleeping form she pulled back the covers and grabbed his hoodie off a chair, yawning she made her way to the kitchen and turned on the pot. Groaning she closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, why did she let Heath drag her into these situations….not that she needed much persuasion.

Brax walked into the kitchen and chuckled "was it worth it?" he asked as he grabbed a few things off the table.

Charlie opened her eyes and turned to face him "it was at the time, my head is banging," she groaned.

Brax chuckled again and shoved stuff into a bag "will you be able to mind Alex or will I ask Kyle?"

Charlie watched him shove things into the bag "you're still going to find Ricky?" she asked.

Brax nodded "and judging by the noise of you two last night I'm going alone."

"He's still going with you," she said quickly "you can't go up there on your own anything could happen."

Brax smirked and walked to her "worried about me?" he asked sliding his hands onto her hips.

"No," she said and leaned back against the counter "I just don't wanna listen to Heath whine about missing out on free food."

Brax chuckled and kissed her on the cheek before stepping back "I better go wake him then," he said and walked off "by the way!" he called back "you smell like drink feel free to use the shower in my room!"

Charlie cringed she vaguely remembered her hair landing in a drink before Hayley jumped up and knocked it all over her. Groaning she poured herself some coffee and hurried towards his room "so attractive Charlie," she muttered as she closed the door behind her.

About twenty minutes later she emerged from Brax's room wearing his clothes and holding a wide awake Alex. She chuckled when she spotted Heath slumped over at the table "glad someone is suffering with me," she said and sat beside him.

Heath grunted and downed his coffee "you're a bad influence Buckton," he said and stood up "now I gotta go get ready before Brax starts yelling again."

"Me!" she shrieked "we were all ready to go home until you begged us to stay back."

Heath chuckled "learn to say no then!" he called before closing his bedroom door.

Charlie looked down at Alex and chuckled "your uncle thinks he's so funny." She looked up when Brax walked back into the room "all set?" she asked.

Brax nodded and looked around "think so."

"When will you be back?" she asked curiously.

"Later tonight hopefully, it'll probably late so you can take my bed when you put her down if you want."

Charlie nodded and stood up "just be careful," she said and kissed him on the cheek.

"Hey," he said pulling her back "thanks for this," he said nodding to Alex.

Charlie smiled quickly "you just go do what you have to do, we'll be fine…I'm gonna go dress her," she said and walked off.

…..

A few hours later Brax and Heath pulled into the spaces beside the bar, Heath looked down the street "oi," he nodded "down there, isn't that the truck Adam used to drive?"

Brax looked down at the dark truck and gripped the wheel "yeah…he must be here," he muttered and gripped the wheel tighter as he imagined what he was going to do to him.

Heath looked around a few times "don't see Ricky's jeep, do you think she came with him?"

Brax turned off the engine and pulled off his belt "only one way to find out, come on," he said and climbed out.

Heath jumped out and ran to catch up with him "I know what you're thinking Brax and I'm asking you please don't start flipping tables when you spot them. I know you're pissed at what Adam done to Charlie and so am I but you know she'll never talk to you if you go in guns blazing."

Brax stopped and turned back to him "I'm gonna go in there and talk to Ricky if he gets in my face I'll deal with him…he's not getting away with hitting Charlie either, we'll deal with one thing at a time," he added and pushed the door in.

Stepping inside the looked around and didn't spot them "ah, you came back then?" the barman asked as he wiped down the bar.

"Yeah," Brax said and walked to the bar "are they here yet?" he asked.

"Haven't seen Erica but Adam is in the bathroom…drink?" he asked.

Brax nodded "two beers," he said and sat down on a stool.

"Brax what are you doing?" Heath asked sitting beside him "bathroom is the best place to do what we're here to do."

Brax held up his hand as Heath started again "we need to see Ricky first."

"He'll see us here," Heath pointed out.

Brax stood up and threw money down as the barman slid two bottles over "that's why were going over there…thanks mate," he said and nudged Heath over to the corner.

Heath sat down and looked around "do you think he's doing business outta here?"

"I don't think he'd be that stupid, it's too open and the guy behind the bar doesn't look like he would keep quiet," Brax replied.

Heath nodded and continued to look around "do you think we'll be here all day?"

"Heath will you just shu…" he trailed off as the door open and in sauntered Ricky with some guy who had his arm wrapped around her.

"Brax," Heath warned as he stood up.

Back in the bay Charlie and Alex were having a great day, returning from the mall Charlie let them into Brax's house lugging bags behind her. "Now sweetie," she said and placed Alex's seat on the floor "I think we'll have tea then take a nap," she said and walked to the kettle she couldn't believe it was already after six. "I hope daddy doesn't get too mad at all the stuff we got today," she giggled and walked to the bags.

Looking inside one she smiled "I cannot wait to see you in this dress, you're gonna look so cute," she chuckled and picked up the bags "we better put them away before I have us trying them on again," she added and walked to Brax's room. Placing them at the end of the bed she walked back to the living room and sat on the sofa "at least we had fun," she said and picked up Alex "I wonder has daddy found mummy yet," she added and stood up.

Fishing her phone out of her back pocket she sighed at the blank screen, she looked down when Alex gurgled "no news is good news right?" she asked and poured her tea before going back to the sofa.

A while later she looked down to see Alex asleep on her chest, yawning she gently stood up and walked down to Brax's room, this nap was well deserved. Settling her in her cot she sighed again and dropped onto the bed "if there's no call or message by the time I wake up I'm calling them," she said and lay back.

She had only closed her eyes when her phone rang, jumping up she grabbed it and sighed when it wasn't one of them "Rubes?" she greeted.

"So you're alive then?" Ruby snapped.

"What?" Charlie frowned.

"Mum you said you were just going for dinner with Heath and you never came home! You were supposed to take me to the dentist this morning!" she hissed.

"Oh sweetie I'm so sorry I forgot all about the dentist, Brax had asked me to…"

"Mind Alex, because that's all you give a damn about these days-Alex, remember you have a real daughter mum! I'm starting to think you couldn't care less about me!" she hissed and hung up.

"Ruby?" she asked, pulling the phone away she shook her head was she spending too much time focusing on Alex? Dialling Ruby's number she groaned as it went to mail "look Rubes I'm sorry okay, I know I've been wrapped up in Alex but I need to know Brax can handle everything and that she'll be okay…you're the most important thing in my life and I love you with all my heart. I'll make it up to-promise," she said and hung up.

Groaning again she threw herself back onto the bed and closed her eyes "come on Brax," she muttered and snuggled into the pillow.

…

Brax watched Ricky and this guy get a drink and walk to where Adam was seated, once they settled in he turned to Heath "let me do the talking," he said and started to walk over.

Heath sighed and followed him "please god, don't let him kill anybody today I really haven't the head," he muttered as he followed him.

Brax sat beside Ricky "well, this looks cozy," he said and locked eyes with her.

Ricky's eyes went wide she choked on her drink causing her to spit some out "B-Brax," she stuttered.

"That's me," he replied "we need to talk-now," he added and stood up.

"Babe?" the guy frowned and looked at Brax "do you know him?"

Heath scoffed "clearly idiot she just said his name."

Brax looked over at the guy "so," he drawled "this is the guy you left our daughter on my step for?"

"I did not leave our daughter on your step for anyone!" Ricky yelled "I left her because I couldn't cope and you were nowhere to be found!"

"Well you didn't look hard enough did you!" Brax yelled angrily "I was at home where I've been since you took off neglecting to tell me you were pregnant!"

"You said you never wanted kids I did the right thing!" she yelled back.

Brax scoffed "you still should have told me, I have every right to know I'm a dad!"

Adam stood up "take your lovers tiff outside, you're causing a scene."

"Stay out of it you," Brax snarled.

Adam chuckled "remember who you're talking to Braxton."

Brax laughed "a guy who hit's a defenceless woman?"

It was Ricky's turn to scoff "Charlie deserved it, she got up in my face."

Brax leaned over the table so he was close to her "if I was the kinda guy your brother was you'd be on the floor by now. Here's what's gonna happen," he said and stood up straight "I'm gonna be back here with papers saying you sign away all your rights to Alex, she doesn't need a mum like you."

Ricky stood up "you can't do that!" she yelled "what if I change my mind down the road when I'm more stable?"

Brax laughed "she's not some doll you can play with whenever you feel like it! You look stable enough to me, You'll never try contact me her or anyone else in my family. She's mine I'll look after her and give her everything she needs. I hope you wake up one day and hate yourself for leaving such a beautiful little girl," he snarled and turned around.

"Give my regards to Charlie," Adam chuckled.

Brax turned quickly and punched him across the table "that was for Charlie, if you ever so much as think about her again I'll kill you!"

"Oh my god!" Ricky laughed "you're in love with her-I knew you had a thing for her but you're actually in love with her," she laughed again "enjoy your downgrade Brax."

"Nah," he said and looked at her "she's an upgrade and hell of a better mother than you, don't ever show your face in the bay again," he said and walked off.

Adam got back up and went to run after Brax "don't think so mate," Heath said and punched him again "that was also for Charlie," he said and kicked him "and that was just because I wanted to," he added and ran after Brax.

A while later Brax let them into the house "I'm gonna head back to bed," Heath yawned and walked by him.

"Yeah night mate and thanks for today," Brax said and walked to the kitchen. Dropping into a seat he rested his head on his hands is what Ricky said true? Is that obvious he was in love with Charlie? Was he even in love with her?

In the room Charlie sat up as her phone vibrated, squinting in the dark she saw it was after ten. Rolling out of the bed she walked to the door and pulled it open she was dying for a drink of water. Walking to the kitchen she stopped in the doorway at figure at the table in the dark "hey," she said softly as not to startle him.

Brax sighed heavily and looked up "hey," he said and stood up.

"Did you find her?" she asked.

Brax nodded and walked to her "I did," he said and slid his hands onto her hips "Alex okay?"

"She was great, she had her last bottle about nine…something happen?" she asked.

Brax leaned in and kissed her after a minute he pulled back "I saw her we talked that's it," he said and walked to the kettle "you want tea or anything?"

"No thanks," she replied and walked up behind him "what happened that you're not saying?"

Brax sighed and dropped his head "I need to take a step back from you."

Charlie took a step back confused "what do you mean you need to take a step back from me?"

Brax turned to face her "Ricky said she thinks I'm in love with you and I started to think about it and freaked myself out."

Charlie laughed then stopped when she realised he was being serious "you're in love with me?"

"No…I don't know," he said and moved away from her "she has my head all messed up I need some space and I need you to stay away from Alex too, she needs to get used to just me and her."

Charlie bit her lip as her eyes welled with tears "you can't do that, you can't take her away from me."

Brax looked over and smiled sadly "she my daughter Charlie not yours, I will always be grateful for what you've done for me and her but I need to get my head together and figure out what happens next." Walking to her he slid his hand onto her cheek "I know we haven't even gone out yet and you probably think I'm crazy but I can't help the way I feel and right now the feelings I have for you a scaring me…I'm sorry," he said and kissed her sweetly.

Charlie pulled back "you cant say all that then kiss me it doesn't work like that Brax! Either you want me or you don't!" when he didn't reply she scoffed "what did I expect from you anyway…I'll get outta your hair," she said and walked to his room to gather her stuff. Leaning over the cot she sniffed and kissed Alex on the head "bye bye baby, please don't ever think I left you by choice…I love you," she whimpered and walked out of the room.

Getting to the kitchen she wiped her face "do me a favour," she said getting his attention "don't tell Heath anything about this, let me spin my own story or he'll be gunning for you," she said and walked towards the door.

Brax sighed and walked after her "Charlie I'm so sorry, please don't hate me for this."

Before Charlie could reply her phone rang "Jack?" she greeted "what?" she yelled wide eyed, glancing at Brax she took off out the door without a word. "Is he still alive?" she asked as she screeched away "Jack is he still alive!" she yelled as he babbled "I'm on my way," she said and threw the phone down "and today started off so well," she muttered.

Arriving at the hospital she ran inside and to the desk, finding out where Peter was she took off and rounded the corner. Spotting Jack pace she skidded to a stop "what happened?"

Jack pulled her to him and hugged her tight "he was on a raid and a bullet hit him in the head."

Charlie gasped "is he..." she bit on her lip and looked up at him "is he dead?" she whimpered.

Jack sighed heavily "I'm still waiting, he's still in surgery."

Charlie pulled away and dropped into a nearby seat "did they catch who shot him?" looking at Jack's face she shook her head "please tell me they caught him."

Jack sighed again and threw his head back "it was his partner, it was an accident."

"Josh?" she yelled and jumped up "Josh shot my brother in the head?" she cried.

"Charlie calm down," Jack said and stood up "he ran out of the cabin and so did a suspect, Pete dived on him as Josh let off a shot…it was an accident."

Charlie scrubbed her hands over her face "have you called anyone else?" she asked and sat back down.

"No," he said and sat back beside her "there's no point until we know what's happening they'll only be sitting here waiting."

Charlie nodded "dad?" she asked.

Jack nodded "I left a message for him at his station, he should be on his way."

Charlie nodded again and threw her head back against the wall and closed her eyes she could barely stand her dad the best of times "please be okay Pete, please be okay," she whispered.

Jack sat back and slid his hand into hers, squeezing it she sighed-nothing else mattered right now.

….

The next morning Heath dragged himself out to the kitchen and dropped down beside Brax who was feeding Alex "did Charlie sleep over?" he asked looking towards the bedroom "fancy some of her pancakes."

"Uh no," he said and shifted "she got a call and ran outta here not long after we got home-probably work," he added when Heath frowned.

Heath stood up and went to get his phone I'll call her," he said and punched in her number "hey," he said when she answered.

"Hey," she sniffed.

Heath frowned "Charlie what's wrong?" he asked "you sound like you're crying."

Brax closed his eyes and hung his head he felt so guilty, he'd thought about her all night.

"I'm at the hospital," she sniffed "Pete was shot last night."

Heath's eyes went wide "what!" he yelled startling Brax "is he okay? What happened?"

"No," she whimpered "he was in surgery all night…it's bad Heath, he's in a coma they're saying he might never wake up!" she sobbed.

Heath closed his eyes and sighed heavily "I'm on my way, I'll be there real soon," he said and hung up.

"Oi!" Brax called as he ran off "what happened?"

"Pete got shot last night, he's in a coma, Charlie said it's not looking good," Heath said as he ran around getting ready.

Brax hung his head again he wanted to go see her but after last night how could he? He looked up as Heath ran out the door "tell her I'm here if she needs me!" he called after him.

Heath arrived at the hospital and ran to find Charlie, finding her sitting alone he walked to her and sat beside her. Wrapping his arm around her he pulled her into him "how is he?" he asked.

Charlie sighed heavily and snuggled deeper into him "he's in a room now hooked up to a load of machines and tubes, they're saying they won't know the full extent of the damage until the swelling in the brain goes down."

"He was shot in the head?" Heath asked "I'm so sorry Charlie," he said and pulled her closer "I'm here for you whatever you need-Brax too."

"Brax?" Charlie said and looked up at him with everything that had happened with Peter she hadn't even thought about what happened with him.

Heath nodded "he said so on my way out…did you want me to bring him?"

"No," she replied "he was gone all day yesterday let him spend time with Alex."

"He wouldn't mind," Heath said "I'm sure Kyle or Case wouldn't mind taking her…I can call him," he offered.

"That's okay," she said and stood up "my dad is on the way so I'll have to fill him in when he gets here."

Heath nodded he knew she was keeping something from him but now wasn't the time to call her on it "I'll grab us some coffee then," he said and walked down the hall.

Three days had now past and still no sign of Peter waking up, Charlie had been by his bedside ever since Heath was here. She'd refused to leave no matter how hard anyone tried, she'd argued with her dad-like she'd expected, she just wanted to be left alone "come on Pete," she said and took his hand "you need to wake up," she sniffed "I need you, you can't leave me...I need back up from dad too," she added with a slight laugh.

Outside the door Brax stood watching her through the window like he had since Heath came home and told him what state she was in. Sighing he pushed the door in and took a step into the room, closing the door he leaned against it and watched her again-she hadn't even noticed him come in.

Walking over to her he placed his hand on her shoulder, he smiled weakly when she looked up "mind if I sit?" he asked.

Charlie looked back to Peter and nodded, once he sat down she sighed as he leaned over and took her hand "you don't have to be here," she said quietly.

"Whatever I said the other night doesn't matter right now, I still care about you and I wanna be here for you," he said squeezing her hand.

"What will I do if he doesn't wake up?" she whimpered.

Brax leaned over and pulled her into a hug "I don't know Charlie but I do know you can't think like that all you can do now is pray and have faith. He's a tough guy he wouldn't give up without a fight."

Charlie sighed again and leaned into him "he can't leave me," she mumbled "he just can't."

Brax rested his cheek on her head and pulled her a little closer "have the doctors given you any update?"

"This morning," she replied "he said the swelling is gone down a little but not enough to do a scan."

Brax nodded against her "that's a bit of good news so."

Charlie nodded half heartedly "where's Alex?" she asked.

"Heath wanted to take her to the beach while I'm here…you can come over and see her later if you want," he offered.

Charlie tilted her head to look up at him "don't say that because you feel sorry for me," she said a little angry.

"I don't feel sorry for you," he replied instantly "she misses you-I can tell, it was wrong of me to ask you to stay away from her."

Charlie pulled away and stood up quickly "I can't deal with this right now Brax," she said and walked to the window "my head is so messed up I don't even know what day it is."

Brax stood up and walked up behind her "you're right, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be saying anything," he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead "please come to me if you need me," he said and walked to the door "I'm here no matter what," he added and slipped out leaving her alone.

Charlie sighed and looked over at Peter "and I thought you were the one that messes with peoples heads."

…

Later that evening Ruby Tony and Jack had left for the evening after another failed attempt to get Charlie to leave the room. Blowing out a breath she stood up and walked to the bag Ruby had brought for her "suppose I should really wash myself," she giggled and walked to the attached bathroom.

After her shower she slipped into fresh clothes and made her way back to the room, leaning over the bed she moved some hair out of his face and smiled "I always hated when you let your hair grow out." looking down to take his hand she frowned-his hand wasn't there when she went into the bathroom. Feeling his forehead crease under her fingers she pulled her hand away "Pete?" she said softly as his eyes fluttered under the lids.

Sliding her hand into his she moved closer to him "Pete, it's me-Charlie, squeeze my hand if you can hear me." Her heart started to race as she felt the faintest squeeze "can you do it again?" she asked.

When he did it again a little stronger she sniffed and kissed him on the head "come on you can do it…I'm here," she whimpered. When he squeezed her hand again she laughed happily "I'll be right back," she said and ran to the door for a doctor.

Half an hour later a doctor and two nurses came out of his room "so?" she asked when he walked up to her.

"He's awake," the doctor said "I must say I'm a little baffled," he chuckled "the swelling on his brain hasn't completely gone down yet, he's a little dazed and confused but that is normal in every brain injury."

Charlie nodded "what does that mean with the swelling?" she asked "will it have any permanent damage?" she asked worried.

"He seems fine and we'll do another few tests so I wouldn't worry about that just yet…you can go in and see him," the doctor replied.

Charlie nodded "thank you," she said and walked to the room. Leaning on the door she watched him sitting up looking like he was trying to remember something "sleeping beauty has finally woken," she said pulling him from his thoughts.

A smirk slid across his face, looking over at her he stared at her for a minute "Ruby right?" he asked.

Charlie's face fell, but before she could reply he started to laugh "that wasn't funny," she chuckled and walked to the bed.

"You laughed," Peter replied "doc says I was out for almost four days."

Charlie nodded and sat on the bed "do you remember what happened?"

Peter nodded "bust gone bad…please tell me you didn't call dad?"

Charlie bit on her lip "um I didn't…Jack did," she chuckled.

Peter groaned and put his hands over his face "he'll never leave me alone," he grumbled.

Charlie stood up again, leaning over she hugged him "we had to call him…they weren't sure you'd make it," she said and pulled back "I better go let them all know you're awake," she said and walked to the door "don't go anywhere!" she called on her way out.

"Very funny Charlz!" he called after her.

…..

Later that night everyone had been kicked out of Peter's room and for once Charlie didn't protest, he was awake he was fine he was going to stay fine. Walking along the beach trying to clear her head she dropped into the sand and lay back, looking up at the sky she studied the stars. She smiled when one twinkled "knew you were there mum," she said and closed her eyes.

A while later Brax had locked up Angelo's and was walking home on the beach, spotting a figure he walked closer hoping it wasn't Heath wasted. Frowning when it was Charlie he walked over to her, leaning down beside her he began to panic a little, whatever way she was lying it looked like she'd fallen or just dropped. "Charlie?" he said cautiously and nudged her "Charlie?" he called again and shook her "Charlie!" he yelled more than panicked now.

"What?" she asked jumping up startled.

Brax sighed in relief "I called you three times I thought something was wrong," he said and dropped down fully beside her.

Charlie yawned and took in her surroundings "sorry," she mumbled "I came for a walk to clear my head and obviously fell asleep."

"When was the last time you slept?" he asked.

Charlie shrugged "don't know," she yawned "probably the day I left yours."

Brax sighed and stood up "I'm taking you home now," he said and pulled her to her feet leaving no room for argument.

Charlie didn't argue she just let him lead her along the beach "did you hear Pete was awake?" she asked.

"I did," he nodded and slid his hand around her waist as she shivered "Heath called me, I was gonna call you tomorrow."

Charlie nodded and stopped walking, tuning to face him she looked up at him "I'm sorry about earlier I was just so tired and worried about Pete I didn't know what I was doing."

Brax smiled quickly and slid his hand onto her cheek "I'm the one that should be sorry, I wasn't thinking I shouldn't have said anything….I miss you," he added and tugged her closer. "I know you've a lot going on and it's all my fault we're not in a good place," he said and took a step closer to her "but do you think you could forgive me and let me take you out on a real date? I was an idiot to say anything at all, Ricky just messed with my head and I did what I do best and pushed you away."

Charlie chuckled "how can you miss me?" she asked "we weren't even anything yet."

Brax shrugged and chuckled too "I told you the feelings I had for you were scarring me, I find myself thinking about you a lot."

Charlie smiled widely and looked up at him "oh yeah?" she smirked taking a step closer to him and "what am I doing in these thoughts?" she asked sliding her hands up his chest.

Brax looked down on her he wasn't expecting this "trust me I'd be arrested if you knew."

Charlie bit on her lip and stood up on her toes "shame," she said into his ear "coulda made some of them come true."

Brax gripped her tighter as she went to pull away "I know you don't think you're going anywhere after putting more thoughts into my head."

Charlie giggled and pressed her body into his "you better get me moving then," she said and kissed him.

Brax tangled his hand in her hair as the kiss heated up fast "Charlie," he groaned and moved onto her neck "I want you so bad right now," he growled digging his fingers into her hips.

Charlie pulled back and looked up at him "Angelo's?" she asked and winked before walking off.

Brax watched her got for a minute he couldn't really believe this was happening, copping what was actually happening he took off after her. Getting to the doors of Angelo's he frowned, he'd locked that when he left.

Walking up to Angelo's he found her sitting on a table swinging her feet "how'd you get in here?"

Charlie dangled a key off her finger "I now hold Heath's keys to this place," she said and threw them on the floor with her shoes.

Brax nodded "he's an idiot-makes sense," he said and walked to her "you sure you wanna do this?" he asked as he stepped in between her legs.

Charlie nodded and wrapped her legs around his pulling him closer "the two of us, that's all that matters now," she said and kissed him deeply.

A/N so so sorry for the delay, I'm such a bad writer, plus i'm having troble with my internet connection anyway hope you all enjoyed this update and I'll look forward to some reviews see you soon…hopefully J