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Here is Chapter 5.

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"Whatever, me being there will do nothing to help you," Charlie said.

"But you like thinking that you might," Brax nodded.

"Or you like thinking that I might," Charlie said. "Do you know how dangerous this is?"

"Yes, I do."

"Brax, I really don't like this idea?"

"Come on Charlie, it'll be fine, plus what's the worst that could happen?"

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Friday came too quickly for Charlie's liking.

Despite still looking like he had been hit by a truck, Brax spent the rest of the week training with Sully, Heath and to Charlie's surprise, Elijah.

What made everything worse was that Charlie had no one to confide in about her fears in Brax cage fighting. Ruby was out of the question as was Leah; Charlie couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment toward her friend as Brax wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for her meddling.

"Relax, Charlie," Elijah soothed as he sat with Charlie in the front row of the small arena.

"Oi," Heath called to Elijah, "We might have a problem, need your opinion."

Heath ignored Charlie completely and didn't wait for Elijah to respond before he walked away knowing the reverend would be close behind.

"What kind of problem?" Charlie began to ask.

"I don't know but I'll find out. Just try and relax, I'll be back in a moment." Elijah's comforting tone did nothing to reassure Charlie.

Elijah had no choice but to follow Heath into the back to where Charlie assumed the fighters were waiting.

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"Norris didn't make weight," Heath told Elijah when he arrived in Brax's change room. "He's five kilos over."

"Call it off," Elijah decided.

"Nah," said Brax, more to himself then to the other two.

"Brax, it is a bad idea to fight someone in a different weight division," Elijah implored.

"But if I win, I get his appearance fee don't I?"

"Yes, but..." Elijah began but he was cut off.

"Hey, if I win this, that's Leah paid off, then I'm done."

"I don't think you realise that you might not last the whole fight. Five kilos can make a big difference, Brax."

"For a man of God, you don't have much faith."

"I have faith in you, just like the young woman outside does."

"Don't tell her," Brax asked, he knew that Charlie would panic if told the news.

"Brax, this is a bad idea," Elijah argued.

"So what are we doing?" Heath asked, tired of the conversation.

"You go tell them I'm in," Brax ordered Heath. "You go back outside and don't tell Charlie about Norris' weight," he said to Elijah.

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"Oh my god that guy is huge," Charlie stated as Brax's opponent walked into the steel ring.

"That he is," Elijah agreed.

"Brax is not a little guy but compared to him, oh my god, Elijah, please tell me he's going to be ok?"

"He'll be fine Charlie; he's got all of us in his corner."

His words had no affect on Charlie.

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Charlie was frozen at Elijah's side as she watched the fight.

She surprised herself when she realised she didn't mind watching the match as long as Brax was in control, she just couldn't handle seeing him taking hits.

She was able to watch every punch; knee and kick Brax gave and managed to close her eyes in time to miss any that he received. Charlie was able to work out that Brax had the power of the crowd behind him, when they began to cheer; she knew it was okay to open her eyes and that he was back in control.

By the end of the first round Charlie was frightened that she had cut off all circulation in Elijah's hand from gripping it so tightly.

Charlie watched Brax stumble to his corner, both Heath and Elijah met him at the side.

Charlie couldn't move, she didn't dare go any closer so she stayed in her seat.

Charlie saw Elijah wipe Brax's face and saw the bright red blood that tainted the white cloth.

She couldn't do it; she couldn't stay and watch any longer.

As if sensing that she was about to leave, Brax turned from where he sat and nodded to her. Charlie knew that even without words, he was trying to tell her that he was okay.

If only he looked okay.

Against her better judgement, Charlie stayed.

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Brax and his opponent were tiring but that only meant that the fight was becoming more vicious, both eager to win earlier rather than later.

Charlie only just made it through the second round; if she ever saw a cage fight again it would be too soon.

"This is a good sign, Charlie. If he's made it this far, he's in it for the long haul." Elijah smiled kindly. It irked Charlie that he was speaking so calmly about something so brutal.

Charlie realised that Elijah was only telling her that to calm her down when she saw him and Brax arguing about tapping out.

Brax had more cuts to his face, his lip was busted open and Charlie knew that there was no way she would be able to stay and watch the end of the fight. The thought of watching any more made her sick.

She stood shakily, hoping to be able to sneak away without Heath, Elijah or Brax noticing her.

She was wrong.

Inside the ring Brax stood up and leant on the side of the cage, he had been hyper aware of Charlie in between the rounds and knew the second that she moved. Their eyes met through the chain wire.

Charlie instantly felt ashamed that she wasn't strong enough to stay and support him.

"I'll see you after?" Brax said, not angry that she was leaving but happy that she'd stayed this long.

"I'm sorry," Charlie said through a whisper but Brax was able to make out the words.

"All good," Brax grunted with a nod.

Charlie turned and walked out of the arena, she was confident that he would win. She hadn't seen Brax like that before and she was silently astonished that she didn't find seeing him in that state frightening. In fact in just reminded her of how strong he really was, both physically and mentally.

Unfortunately for both Brax and Charlie, Brax's strength was not enough to get him through to the end of the match.

Norris had watched the small exchange between the lovers and used it to his advantage.

With Charlie being used as a distraction, Brax didn't stand a chance.

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"Heath get Charlie, would ya?" Brax groaned as he was wheeled into the hospital.

He'd been falling in and out of unconsciousness since the ambulance wheeled him out of the arena. Elijah had gone home, there was no room for him to travel in the ambulance too.

"Nup, she's the reason you're in this mess," Heath answered, dirty at his brother for letting a girl interfere with what could have been an amazing fight and an even more amazing win.

"Heath, call her," Brax demanded however in his state it came out less venomous than intended.

At Heath's second blatant refusal, Brax began to get agitated and was whisked away into the ER before he had a chance to talk to Heath anymore.

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"Where's Charlie?" Brax asked Heath before he had a chance to sit down in his room.

"I told ya before, she ain't here. Do you have a head injury or something," Heath joked, his humour missing the mark completely. Heath wouldn't admit it but he was glad to see Brax awake and coherent.

"Something like that, go get her."

"Nup, you don't need her. You're out 10 grand plus because of her."

"Mate, I'm not asking you if you would please like to give her a call, I'm telling you, go get her," Brax roared.

A machine next to the room began to blare loudly.

"What's going on in here?" Sid asked, pushing his way into the room. He didn't need to wait for an answer once he evaluated Brax's state.

"Mate, you need to calm down, your blood pressure is dangerously high and with a head injury like yours that's not something we're hoping for."

Brax ignored Sid and remained focused solely on Heath, neither brother backing down.

"Get her."

"Not happening tonight."

Sid followed the conversation briefly before realising that Brax would not be able to calm down and rest with his younger brother in the room.

"Heath, I think you need to leave."

"You can't kick me out, I'm his brother!" Heath yelled.

"Fortunately, Heath, I can. Your little outbursts are doing nothing to help your brother recover and I don't think you realise how serious his condition is, mate."

Sid didn't allow Heath anytime to argue.

"You can either leave voluntarily or I'll have security escort you out."

"Whatever, I'll be outside," Heath barked at Brax.

Sid followed Heath out of the room.

"What does he want you to do?" Sid asked Heath.

"Dunno, why?"Heath feigned ignorance.

"Whatever it is, it's distressing your brother significantly."

"All good doc, I'm taking care of it. What's the go with him though?"

"Look, we're admitting him, he's had a serious blow to the head and we are concerned that there may be bleeding around the brain. He should recover fine as long as he keeps calm. We're waiting on some test results before we remove the fluid."

"Sounds serious," Heath said, concern laced his voice.

"Extremely so, which is why your brother needs to keep calm. Any stress may put unwanted pressure on his brain and then we could be dealing with anything from seizures to stroke."

"Got it doc, keep him calm."

"Are you sure there isn't anything Brax wanted you to do."

"Nup, nothing that'll help him. I better go call Casey and let him know where we are."

Sid nodded and Heath turned to go make the phone call to the youngest Braxton.

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Brax felt the searing pain in his head as the general anaesthetic slowly began to wear off. He vaguely heard Sid tell him that the procedure went well and that he needed to rest in order to have a successful recovery.

Brax fell asleep after hearing the news.

When Brax woke again, he didn't know how much time had passed but his eyes took in the room he was in. A room he had spent a long time in a few weeks earlier.

"Get me out of this room," Brax told the nurse groggily.

The nurse answered Brax's request however he didn't listen. His eyes focussed on the empty bed across from him and his mind took him to another place.

Charlie was helpless all over again. She hardly moved and all Brax could hear was the constant beeping of her heart rate monitor.

Even in this state, Brax could see how beautiful she looked.

He blinked and suddenly, Charlie was gone, the bed across from him neatly made and empty.

Brax blinked again and the sudden blaring of the heart rate monitor alerting that no heartbeat could be found made him try to get out of his chair to try and get to Charlie before it was too late.

When he got off the bed, she was gone again.

It was just a dream, or a nightmare!

Either way, he wasn't going to stay in this hospital room and have his mind play tricks on him the rest of the night.

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Brax was able to get out of the hospital without anyone realising he had gone and he soon found himself walking up to a familiar door.

He needed Charlie; there was no other way he would be able to get through this without knowing she was ok. The hallucinations had really taken their toll on him and the thought of losing her terrified him.

He'd see her soon. He was nearly there. His heart began to beat faster. Brax knocked on the door, the anticipation of seeing her was too much.

Leah answered the door halfway; she opened it fully when she saw who it was.

"Brax, what are you doing here?"

Brax pushed his way past ignoring her questions.

"Charlie?" Brax yelled down the hallway.

"She's asleep, what are you doing?" Leah asked incredulous.

The pain in his head began to burn incredibly. He made his way to the couch.

"Charlie?" He tried again, softer this time.

"Brax is that a hospital band?" Leah asked.

"I just need to lie down." Brax shook his head, talking to himself rather than to Leah.

"Brax-" Leah tried but he cut her off.

"Charlie?" he called out once more, his head burned and his heart broke, Charlie wasn't coming.

"Brax?" The voice calmed him instantly.

"Charlie, are you okay?"

"Am I okay, are you kidding me? What's going on?" Charlie asked taking in her boyfriend's state.

It didn't take long for Charlie to notice Brax's hospital tag around his wrist or the large bandage on his head.

"Brax, what happened after the fight?" Charlie asked.

Brax opened his eyes straight away. He shook his head slightly and tried to remember what she was talking about.

"Brax were you at the hospital?" Charlie asked firmly.

"Was, now I'm not, I just, I just need to be here." Brax answered as he closed his eyes.

"Leah, call Sid please." Charlie asked, her focus remaining solely on Brax.

"Nah, nah, don't need him or the hospital."

"If you won't let me call Sid, I'm calling Heath instead," Leah said.

"If you want to deal with Heath go ahead," Brax dared.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Charlie asked softly.

"Heath wouldn't call you, Sid kicked Heath out, and they put me in your room. Are you sure you're okay?" Brax said, confusing Charlie with his riddles.

"So you are supposed to be in the hospital?" Leah questioned.

"Hey, I'm fine, but you're not." Charlie spoke to Brax, both of them ignoring Leah.

"Call Heath, that's fine. But I'm not going back there."

"Brax?"

"Call both of them," Charlie told Leah, afraid to leave Brax's side to do it herself.

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Sid Walker made it to Leah's house in record time going straight to Brax's side.

"Brax what are you doing here? Do you know where you are?" Sid demanded harshly, a contrast to the gentle way he inspected Brax's head.

Brax could hardly keep his eyes open but they found Charlie's.

"Charlie's house," Brax answered hazily.

"What day is it?" Sid fired again.

"Nah, not doing this," Brax tried to push Sid away.

"What day is it Brax?" Sid yelled. "Brax, how many fingers am I holding up?"

"Three," he whispered. "Nah, two," he swiped Sid's hand away.

Brax tried to stand up pulling Charlie with him.

"What the hell is going on?" Heath demanded after letting himself into Leah's house.

"I just want to go to bed alright," Brax whispered as he clutched his head.

"Call an ambulance," Sid ordered.

"No, no ambulance," Brax roared. "I need to make sure she's okay," he said turning to Charlie.

"Brax, I'm fine, you need to go back to hospital," Charlie pleaded.

"Brax, you're weak and disorientated. All of the signs that say you could be in trouble," Sid said firmly.

"Nup, you put me in the wrong room and now I'm here and Charlie's okay so I'll be fine," again Brax spoke in half sentences.

"What is he talking about?" Heath asked Charlie.

"I don't know."

Brax watched the conversation carry on without him.

"Leah, have you called the ambulance?" Sid asked.

"Yep, it's on its way."

"Right, if you two are coming you need to find your own way there."

"She's not coming," Heath barked at Charlie.

Despite his state, Brax pulled Charlie behind him and turned to face his younger brother ready to take him on.

"Fine, Charlie you go in the ambulance, Heath you take me," Sid demanded.

"You can't tell me what to do?" Heath argued, not liking the fact that everyone seemed to be ignoring him.

"She's coming," Brax ordered, the first time that night his voice came out crystal clear and left no room for anyone to argue.

"The ambulance is here," Leah called, just as Brax felt himself lowering to the couch, a small hand in his the entire time.

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Another long one :)

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xoxox