Ricky and Kyle had been acting kinda fishy the last few days. They knew something and Heath wanted to know what. It wasn't like he could ask them, how on earth would he phrase a question to see if they suspected anything without giving himself away? So here he was, lurking out of view, listening in on their conversation.

"Ricky c'mon, we need to talk about this."

"Drop it Kyle, it's my problem." At that moment Casey stepped from his bedroom. Heath grabbed his arm and pulled him close, motioning for him to keep quiet, which he did with a questioning look. Heath didn't say anything, Casey would figure his motives out soon enough.

"Ricky, you can't keep ignoring this, you need to see a doctor." Well that was good news for him and Casey but maybe not for Ricky. What could be wrong with her?

"Pregnancy isn't an illness, I don't need a bloody doctor alright?" Pregnant? Brax was gonna be a Dad. Heath was thrilled, but judging by the look on Casey's face he wasn't quite so pleased.

"I know," Kyle sighed, "but what will it hurt to go for a check-up?" Silence followed before Ricky spoke, much less certain this time.

"I don't even know if I'm gonna keep it, that'll make it all too real..." Ricky was desperate if she was thinking of killing her baby. And that was so not an option. Heath needed her to know that this baby was wanted, it was a Braxton and it deserved its chance.

"Pregnant," Heath said, stepping into view before Casey could stop him, "that's awesome news Ricky."

"Heath," she sighed, clearly not happy that he knew her secret. Heath didn't care, it was more important that she kept this baby and showing her that she wouldn't have to do this alone was the best way to ensure that.

"I mean it Rick, and anything you need you just let me know."

"Thanks," she conceded, accepting that her secret was no longer hers, this was Summer Bay after all.

"But wombat over here's right you know, you should see a doctor. I could come with you if you want." She seemed a little taken aback by his offer, oh c'mon he wasn't that insensitive was he? Was it so shocking that he could be helpful and reasonable occasionally?

"I...I'll think about it." Heath believed that she really would, and that was a start.

"Does Brax know about this?" Casey demanded, stepping into the room.

"No," Ricky told him. Heath wished he'd shut up, Ricky didn't need to deal with Casey's issues in her fragile state.

"Ease up Casey," Kyle said.

"Good, don't tell him," Casey said, ignoring Kyle completely, "he'll hate that he can't be a part of its life."

"Casey," Heath warned, barely keeping a lid on his temper, "that's not your call to make." Casey was fucking up the progress he'd just made with Ricky.

"It's true," Casey argued.

"That's enough," Heath commanded, "it's up to Ricky what she decides to do." Heath's number one priority at the moment was keeping Ricky onside, he didn't want her to do anything silly. But Casey saw it as a betrayal, Heath could see it in his eyes before he walked out the door.

xxx

Heath caught up with Casey down at the beach. He'd taken the time to patch things up with Ricky before he'd come looking for his brother. Who knew what she'd do if she felt backed into a corner? Heath sat down beside Casey wanting to make things right between them.

"Which one of us should apologise first?"

"I've got nothing to apologise for," Casey sulked. That wasn't true, and Casey'd see that soon enough, so Heath went first.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you, I hate that you think I'm not on your side because I am Case, I always am."

"Coulda fooled me..." Casey pouted.

"Hey c'mon, I'll always be there for you but there's something you need to understand. It's not just about you or me or Brax or Ricky anymore, it's the baby who comes first now." And there it was on Casey's face for Heath to see, the realisation that he'd made a mistake.

"I'm so sorry Heath, I didn't even think about it like that." And why would he? He'd never had kids or a little brother... "All I could think about was how much Brax would hate it. I didn't want prison to be any harder on him."

"I know, it's alright. We'll make it right together." Heath wanted to pull Casey into his arms, he wanted to kiss him and show him that he was forgiven, but they were out in public, so Heath settled for sliding his hand over Casey's where is rested in the sand. Casey looked down to where their hands touched and then up at Heath before he spoke.

"I hate that you can't kiss me now."

"Me too."

AN: The next chapter will be a little while, about 10 days I think, there's one more plot point I'm waiting on the UK to catch-up to, but after that I plan to post one every couple of days. Thanks for reading :)