It was now Thursday evening, Charlie walked into her bedroom and smiled at Brax "you all set for this meeting?"

Brax nodded and looked down at Alex on his chest "you sure you're okay to look after her?"

Charlie walked to the bed and sat beside him "I wouldn't have offered," she said and leaned over him "stop worrying about it," she added and kissed him slowly.

Brax slid his hand onto her cheek and deepened it slightly, pulling back he stroked her cheek and smiled at her "you're amazing you know that?"

"I know," she chuckled and stood up again "you better head soon if you want to be there on time."

Brax watched her pull her uniform out "I'll be locking up tonight, fancy dropping by when you're on your break?"

Charlie looked back at him "you can't have Alex there that late."

"She wont be there," he replied and stood up "Kyle finishes at seven," he added and placed Alex in her cot "he'll be by then to take her home from here."

Charlie giggled as he came up behind her "breaks are for food, so whatever you have in your head get it out," she said and turned to face him "I'll be on shift until eight in the morning I'll need food."

Brax chuckled and kissed her quickly "I was thinking about food, you just call me when you're on your way over and I'll have something ready by the time you get there."

"Aww," Charlie cooed "aren't you just too cute," she giggled.

Brax pulled a face "cute wasn't what I was looking for but it'll do," he said and looked down at his watch "I really have to go now."

Charlie nodded and pulled him to her, kissing him softly she pulled back "good luck," she smiled.

Brax leaned in and kissed her a few times "thank you, see ya later babe, call me if you need to," he said and walked to Alex "bye baby," he said and kissed her on the head before disappearing out the door.

Charlie looked over at Alex "just me and you baby," she said laying her uniform out on the bed "maybe not," she said and walked to the door as she heard someone come up the stairs.

"Hey mum," Ruby mumbled as she appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Hey sweetie…what's wrong?" she asked as Ruby leaned against the wall.

"I just don't feel well," she said weakly and pushed herself up "I'm gonna go to bed, Denny asked me to let you know she'll be home when Kyle comes to collect Alex."

Charlie walked to her and felt her forehead "well you're not hot," she said and followed her to her room "did you eat anything you normally don't or anything?"

"No," she replied as she slid into her bed "I think it's the flu or something, my whole body aches."

Charlie walked back to the door "I have flu stuff down stairs, I'll get you a glass of water and you can take them now, you might feel better when you wake up," she said and walked down the stairs.

Getting to the kitchen she frowned at the open back door, Ruby wouldn't have left it open and neither would Brax. Closing it she jumped as a voice came behind her.

"Hello Charlie," turning around she was faced with Ricky leaning against the kitchen door.

…..

Over at Angelo's Brax sat in his office waiting on the guy he was having the meeting with, he'd called to say he'd been held up by a flat tyre. Picking up his phone he decided to call Charlie while he waited, he frowned as it rang and rang.

Hanging up he called her again and again, he frowned again when it rang out and went to voice mail "hey babe, just checking in, call me when you get this…it's not like you not to answer," sighing he hung up and put his phone down.

Before he had a chance to dwell on it the door opened and a man walked in "sorry I'm late," he said and sat across from him "my stupid wife took the spare tyre and never told me," he chuckled.

Brax chuckled too "no worries Mark," he said and glanced at his phone as it beeped shaking his head when it wasn't Charlie.

"Something wrong?" Mark asked.

"Nah mate," Brax replied "just trying to get in touch with someone…she'll call back," he said and stood up "let me show you the delivery sheets and we'll see if you're interested," he said and walked to a file cabinet.

"I've heard a lot of great things about this place," Mark said and walked to him "that's why I got in touch," he added.

"I'm glad you did," Brax replied "can't rely on half the drivers, they don't want to work."

"Well I assure you my drivers are great and keen to work, they won't let you down," Mark replied.

"That's good to hear," Brax said and sat back down "can I rely on you for last minute orders?"

Mark nodded "you sure can," he said and slid him a sheet of paper "these are the companies we deliver for at the moment and as you can see by the names the rely on us one hundred per cent, if you want it ten minutes after ringing you'll have it in ten minutes."

"Wow," Brax said scanning the lists "these are some classy places…will you have time to squeeze this place in?"

Mark nodded again "each company have four drivers, if we get this contract you'll meet your drivers and be given their numbers and you'll deal with them…I like my drivers to have contact with my clients, it's makes it better I think, they're not just arriving dumping boxes and going off again."

Brax nodded again "sounds good to me, I like to know who's working for me," he said and glanced at his phone again.

Mark chuckled and stood up "call her," he said and walked to the door "I'm going for a drink, I'm in no rush," he added and slipped out the door.

Charlie had stood just staring at Ricky, finally finding her voice she took a step forward "what do you want Ricky? What are you doing in my house?" she asked.

Ricky took a step in "I'm here for my daughter, you may think you can have Brax but my daughter will never be yours."

"She's not here," Charlie replied "and I already told Brax I will not be replacing her mother, that is between you and him."

Ricky raised and eyebrow and nodded behind Charlie to the baby bag on the counter "not here is she not?" She took a step closer to her "I am leaving here one way or another with my daughter Charlie and not you or anyone else is gonna stop me, so I'll ask once more," she said and pulled out a gun "where is my daughter?" she asked and grabbed Charlie by the hair "and do not lie to me," she hissed.

Charlie looked beyond her as movement caught her eye to see Ruby wide eyed by the door clutching Alex tight. Looking to the counter close to Ruby she saw her car keys, sending her a signal with her eyes Ruby nodded and slowly reached out for the keys.

"Where is she!" Ricky yelled startling Ruby.

Charlie waited until she had the keys and was on her way out "she's not here like I told you, Brax left the bag here I'm waiting on Kyle to collect it."

Ricky scoffed and dragged Charlie towards the stairs "Brax came in here with her earlier and left a while ago without her-up," she said pushing her onto the stairs.

"I told you she's not here," Charlie said as she made her way to her room "Casey stopped by the front door and took her home while Brax went to work."

Ricky punched her in the face "I said don't lie to me Charlie!" she yelled "I saw Casey a while ago he was nowhere near here," she said and pushed her into the room.

Seeing the cot she hurried over to it and pulled back the blanket, as she was lost in her shock of finding no baby Charlie edged her way to her dresser that held her off duty gun. "I don't think so," Ricky hissed and stormed to her "where is she! Where is my daughter!"

Charlie took her upset state and used it against her "I'm not telling you where she is! She doesn't need you! You are the one after all that dumped her and told Brax you didn't want her!"

Ricky grabbed her by the hair and dragged her down the stairs "I don't wanna be here any longer than I need to be, I don't want the kid I just want to hurt Brax but if you won't tell me where she is," she snapped and pushed Charlie against the counter "I guess I can hurt him through you too," she yelled and brought up the gun.

Charlie's eyes went wide she was so scared right now, her heart was racing she could feel it thump against her chest "Ricky, you don't need to do this, please don't do this?" she asked as Ricky clicked off the safety.

Ricky aimed the gun "when you're involved with the Braxton's long enough Charlie you'll know there is no happy ending, Brax will never speak to you again after this…not that you'll be around!" she hissed.

"Ricky don't!" Charlie screamed, she gasped as she was flung backwards, lying on the floor in excruciating pain she grabbed her stomach and looked up as Ricky leaned over her.

"This is what happens when you get in my way Charlie," she said and let off another shot.

Charlie screamed out in pain, she couldn't hold on any longer, as she slipped into darkness she heard Ricky laugh and watched her slip out the back door, blowing out a shaky breath she let a tear roll down her face and prayed someone would find her soon.

…

Denny and Kyle arrived at Charlie's not long after Ricky had left "so we're in agreement?" Denny asked "we're keeping this baby and making a go of things?" she asked and stopped at the back door.

Kyle opened his mouth to reply, seeing Charlie on the floor inside he shoved Denny out of the way and ran inside.

"Kyle what the hell?" Denny yelled angrily and stormed in after him "what the hell is yo…" she trailed off seeing him leaning over Charlie. Stepping closer she saw all the blood around her "Kyle," she whimpered.

Kyle looked back to her "get me something to stop the bleeding!" he yelled as he called for an ambulance. "NOW DENNY!" he yelled when she stood rooted to the spot.

Denny began to sob and ran to get the blanket off the sofa, running back she jumped down beside him "is…is, she breathing?"

"Barely, ambulance is on the way," Kyle said and pushed the blanket into her wounds "Denny, go get Alex from upstairs, she'll be in Charlie's room."

"I need to call Pete and Jack," she sniffed and pulled out her phone before walking to the stairs "JACK!" she cried as soon as he answered.

"Den I haven't got time to deal with you and Kyle right now I'm up t-"

"No!" she yelled cutting him off "it's Charlie, oh god, Charlie's been.." she trailed off and ran to the bathroom to throw up.

"She's been what? Denny? Denny you there? DENNY!" he yelled.

Denny pulled the phone back to her "I think she's been shot Jack! There's blood everywhere!" she sobbed "I came home and found her like that!"

Jack was silent for a moment, he couldn't believe what he was hearing "have you called an ambulance?" he asked as he ran through the station grabbing Peter along the way.

"Yes, Kyle did it's on it's way…what do I do?" she sobbed.

"You stay calm and keep pressure on her," Jack replied "we'll meet you at the hospital, it's gonna be okay Den, I have to go call dad and Ruby," he added and hung up.

Denny made her way back to the kitchen to see the medics working on her, "where's Alex?" Kyle asked.

Denny stared down at Charlie "she wasn't there," she mumbled.

"What?" Kyle asked "what do you mean she wasn't there? Where the hell is she? Denny!" he yelled and shook her.

"I don't know Kyle!" she yelled back and shoved him away as the medics wheeled Charlie out "maybe Brax came back early…I have to go with her," she added and climbed into the ambulance.

Kyle sighed heavily and pulled out his phone, Brax was gonna go mental.

Brax walked out of the office with Mark "thanks for coming down mate, I'll look forward to working with you," he said and shook his hand.

"You too Brax," Mark replied and dropped his hand "I'll be in touch about the first delivery," he added and walked on.

Brax looked beyond him as Casey walked slowly towards him, sighing he shook his head and walked behind the bar "whatever you've done I don't wanna know."

"Brax," he said seriously.

Brax sighed again "what is it now? Ruby? Heath?"

Casey looked around "you need to come with me now."

"Why?" Brax asked "I'm on till close."

Casey placed his hand on his to still his movements "Charlie's been shot…you need to come with me now."

Brax stared back at him for what felt like hours, without a word he raced out from behind the bar and through the restaurant.

"Brax!" Casey yelled and ran after him.

Brax jumped into his car and took off "who?" he growled as he sped to the hospital.

"I don't know Kyle just called, he said he couldn't get through to you…he and Denny found her."

"Where was Alex when all this happened?" he asked "Case!" he yelled when Casey looked down.

Casey sighed "she wasn't there…we don't know where she is Brax." He gripped the seat as Brax slammed on and swung the car around "what are you doing? The hospital is the other way!"

"Charlie will be fine," Brax replied as he sped the other way.

"Brax you need to go see her, Kyle said it was bad, you need to be there, please Brax!" he begged.

"I need to find my daughter, she was supposed to be looking after her!" he snapped.

"She got shot Brax, it's not her fault!" Casey snapped back "turn this car around and stop being an idiot!" he said as he pulled into Charlie's house.

Casey pulled out his phone "Rubes?" he said quickly "I've been calling you."

"Is she dead?" she sobbed "is my mum okay?"

"You saw what happened?" Casey asked pulling Brax back.

"No," she whimpered "Ricky was there with a gun I took Alex and ran…I just left her there Case!"

"Ruby has Alex, hospital," Casey said dragging Brax back to the car "listen Rubes your mum has been shot she's at the hospital, don't panic and make your way there," he said and hung up.

…..

At the hospital Peter paced while Jack comforted a distraught Denny, Heath sat alone on the other side, Kyle sat a few seats down worrying about Alex. He looked to the doors when Sid walked out "how is she? Is she awake?"

Sid held up his hands and turned to Peter "can I speak to you alone?" he asked.

Peter looked over at Jack and Denny and sighed he hated being the oldest, nodding he walked to the corner and waited as Sid followed "how is she?" he asked holding his breath.

Sid looked down at his hands "it's not good news I'm afraid," he said and looked up at him "there were a few complications."

Peter closed his eyes and put his hands over his face "how bad?" he asked.

"We removed the bullet in her chest without damage, the other bullet tore through a part of her kidney…as you're her next of kin we need to get your permission before we perform the surgery to remove it."

Peter nodded "can she survive with one kidney?" he asked.

Sid nodded "she'll need to come back for tests for a few months after, but I see no reason why she can't go on as normal ."

Peter nodded again and looked at Jack and Denny watching every word coming out of his mouth "I'll sign it," he said and walked back to them.

Sid walked back with him "we need to run a test to make sure her other kidney can handle the pressure…I'll be back with the paperwork as soon as it's done."

"When can we see her?" Jack asked.

"She's under heavy sedation for the pain, I wouldn't say anyone will be able to see her till morning," Sid said and gave a reassuring smile before walking on.

Peter sat down beside Jack "she needs to have a kidney removed, it's too damaged."

Jack nodded "what about the one in her chest?"

"Removed it, no damage," Peter said and pulled out his phone "I told mum I'd keep her updated, she cant get a flight."

Brax arrived with Casey and walked down the hall "Alex here?" he asked first.

"No," Jack said slowly and looked at Denny.

"Where is she?" Brax asked angrily "Ruby said she'd meet us here."

"Brax," Casey said watching anger overtake Jack's face.

"What?" he said looking at Jack "I shouldn't be concerned about my daughter?"

"You haven't even asked how Charlie is!" Jack yelled and jumped up "you know Alex is okay!"

Brax scoffed "sit down mate it's not worth it."

Jack laughed "you think I'm afraid of you?" he asked walking to him.

"You'd want to be," Brax snarled.

"Oi, cut it out you two!" Heath yelled "Jack sit down, Brax calm down or take off!" he yelled and jumped up "my best friend is fighting for her life we don't need this-no matter who is angry at who!"

Peter rounded the corner quickly "Jack we need to talk," he said and kept walking.

"What's so important that you can't say in front of us?" Brax called after him.

Peter turned back to him "nice to finally show your face!" he hissed "and it's family business!"

"Whatever concerns Charlie is my business!" Brax called after him.

"This is all your fault!" Peter yelled and lunged at him "if it weren't for you she wouldn't be here!" he yelled as Jack and Heath pulled him away.

"Come on mate, calm down," Jack said pulling him away.

"What do you mean my fault?" Brax yelled.

Peter shoved Jack off "the cameras Charlie has on her house?" Jack nodded "it shows his psycho ex climbing through the front window-Brax leaves two minutes later and guess what?" he yelled "she runs out the back door ten minutes later with a gun in her hand."

Brax's eyes went wide "Ricky did this?"

"Yes Ricky did it!" Peter yelled "so congrats Brax you dragged my sister into one of your messes and almost got her killed….boyfriend of the year right there!" he hissed and stormed off Jack hot on his heels.

Brax stared after him in shock, he couldn't believe Ricky had done this, looking to Heath and the other looking at him he sighed and dropped into a seat "I'm sorry," he said and ran his hands over his face "this is all my fault, I should have known she'd show up again," he said and stood up "I gotta go," he said and started to back away "I shouldn't be here"

"Brax don't do this," Heath said and started to walk towards him "Charlie needs you now, you can't run away."

Brax laughed "Charlie needs me?" he laughed again "she's here because of me, she doesn't need me…tell her I'm sorry," he said and hurried off before anyone could stop him.

"Let him clear his head," Casey said as Heath went to follow "he'll come back…I hope," he muttered and watched him disappear around a corner.

Denny stood up "better he's not here when Pete gets back…I'm gonna get coffee," she sighed and walked off.

Kyle stood up and followed "I'm gonna go check on Angelo's for Brax," he said and kept going.

Heath looked over at Casey "you bailing too?" he asked.

"No," he replied and stood up "I'm waiting for Ruby to get here."

Sid walked back and frowned at the almost empty hallway "Pete and Jack gone?"

Heath nodded "they'll be back, they're at the station…is everything okay?"

"Charlie is awake she's really upset she's looking for Brax," he replied.

Heath sighed and stood up "he uh...he couldn't handle it and took off-he'll be back though," he added quickly.

Sid nodded "well perhaps one of you could keep her company until he does come back."

Heath stood up I'll go," he said and looked at Case you call the others and let them know she's awake," he said and followed Sid.

Once he got to the room he thanked Sid and walked to the door, stopping outside he closed his eyes and sighed heavily "don't be a moron Brax," he blew out and walked in.

…..

Charlie slowly opened her eyes as she heard the door "Brax?" she asked in a whisper.

"No," Heath said and sat beside the bed "you're stuck with me I'm afraid," he chuckled.

Charlie's eyes watered "he blames me? did he even turn up?"

"No Charlie, he doesn't blame you," Heath said moving closer to her "he heard it was Ricky and took off…he's just upset at the moment."

Charlie wiped her face "you're forgetting who you're talking to Heath," she said and looked up at him "he's not gonna come back and we both know it."

Heath sighed and cursed his stupid brother "he'll be back," he said and pulled the blanket up around her "just give him time to get his head around it…get some sleep, I'll be here," he said and sat on a chair.

"Pete and Jack?" she asked,

"Station," Heath replied "Denny's outside with Kyle and Case…she found you," he said quickly.

Charlie sighed heavily of course they'd be at the station "is Denny okay?" she asked "she must have gotten a fright."

"She's still in a little shock and she's worried but we're looking after her so don't you worry," he replied and took her hand "everything is gonna be okay," he added.

Charlie smiled and squeezed his hand "thank you…Heath?" she asked "has Ruby been in touch?"

"Yes," he nodded "don't worry she and Alex are fine and on their way here, if they're not here already."

Charlie smiled again "then I got nothing to worry about other than getting outta here," she said and closed her eyes "meds knocking me out again," she mumbled.

Heath chuckled and stood up "get some rest," he said and kissed her on the head "love ya…don't ever tell anyone I said that," he whispered and backed out of the room.

Walking back to the waiting area he saw Denny and Kyle had returned, seeing them standing around someone he walked over to see it was Ruby and Alex, seeing they were okay he walked on and pulled out his phone he called Brax, not surprised when it went to mail Brax, Charlie is awake she's looking for you…don't be stupid man, don't ruin this…Ricky can wait another day," he said and hung up.

"Heath?" Ruby sniffed "how is she?"

Heath smiled and pulled her into a hug "she's fine, she's asleep but I'm sure you can go see her."

Ruby nodded and pulled back "will you come with me?" she asked.

Heath nodded "sure," he replied and led her up the hall praying Brax would be here when he came out.

A/N hey all sorry for the long delay, well over due at this stage, it's only a short one, I'm hoping to get the next and final chapter out soon…hope you enjoy it, JJ