Aaliyah was woken up by Casey's drunken snoring. "You gotta be kidding me" she groaned as she rolled over pulling the pillow around her head. Trying desperately to drown out the loud drilling sound. It was no good she could still hear him, even through the pillow. There was only one thing left for her to do, Aaliyah shook Casey violently "Case, wake up, Casey you're snoring" Aaliyah said hoping this would wake him. Casey just made a groaning sound and continued with his drill like snoring.

Aaliyah grabbed her pillow and headed into the lounge. She curled up on the sofa with a blanket and drifted off back to sleep. She was woke up suddenly by a clatter coming from the kitchen. As she looked up she saw Riley helping himself to a bowl of cereals. "Riley, what are you doing?" Aaliyah questioned as she walked over to him. "Making myself some breakfast, I'm hungry. Mum why are you sleeping on the sofa?" Riley asked as he gave his mum the milk to pour over his cereal. "Because Casey slept in mummy's bed sweetie, he had too much to drink last night and fell asleep" Aaliyah explained, as she looked at the little boy, she noticed he was all dressed for school. Aaliyah smiled to herself, what an independent little boy she had, she thought.

After Riley had eaten his breakfast and brushed his teeth, Heath arrived to take him to school. Aaliyah gave Riley a kiss goodbye, before heading for a shower. After her shower she quietly took some clothes out of her bedroom and got dressed in Riley's room. She didn't want to disturb Casey just yet. Aaliyah wasn't sure if she was ready to speak to him.

Aaliyah was pretty sure even the photos of Riley wouldn't change the way she felt now. As she looked at the clock she realised the time. She thought she had better go next door and let Brax and Heath know where Casey was.

Aaliyah walked across the porch and knocked on the Braxton's door. She waited a few moments before knocking again. As she knocked the door opened a little. "Hello" Aaliyah shouted a she opened the door a bit wider. She knew there was someone in because Brax's Ute was parked outside. "Brax, you home" she shouted again as she walked further into her lounge. Aaliyah waited a few minutes for a reply and by did she get one. Come out of his bedroom in a pair of boxers was Brax, he just stood and stared at her "Oh my god I'm so sorry. I didn't realise you were asleep" Aaliyah exclaimed as she covered her eyes with her hand. "This is so embar…" Aaliyah didn't get chance to finish her sentence, she was gob smacked by what she saw next. Coming out of Brax's bedroom wearing nothing but Brax's shirt was Sergeant Charlie Buckton.

Aaliyah just stood there with her mouth wide open. "Charlie?" she cried as she finally pulled herself together. "Oh my god, oh my god I'm so sorry" were all the words Aaliyah could mention before turning as quickly as she could and heading out of the door and straight back into her house. As she shut the door there was a sudden knock. Standing there still in his boxers was Brax. Aaliyah's eyes widened as she took Brax's arm and quickly dragged him into the house. "What are you doing?" Aaliyah cried, she was extremely flustered at this point. "I know what I'm doing, I care about her…" Brax tried to explain calmly. "What" Aaliyah was confused "No I don't mean Charlie, that's your business. I mean coming round here in your underwear. Brax we have neighbours" Aaliyah's voice had now turned into a high pitched sound. Brax couldn't help but laugh at how flustered Aaliyah was. "It's not funny" as Aaliyah finally calmed down. She couldn't help but giggle. "Listen, it's up to you what you and Charlie get up to. Don't worry I don't do gossip. But Brax just be careful yeah?" Aaliyah smiled.

"So what did you want to tell me?" Brax wondered.

"I just thought I should let you know Casey, came round here drunk last night. I let him sleep in my bed and I took the couch" Aaliyah explained.

"You serious? I'm sorry Ali, I just don't what's gotten into him over these last few days" Brax's reply made Aaliyah feel terrible, she knew exactly what had gotten into him.

Aaliyah waited another hour. Casey finally woke up. Aaliyah was stood in the kitchen washing up. As she heard footsteps she turned and looked behind her. Stood there in the clothes from last night was a very rough looking Casey. "How are you feeling?" Aaliyah asked him, trying to break the silence.

"Not great, listen Ali I'm sor…" Casey tried before being interrupted.

"Casey, let me just say this. I know it's not been easy, but I have realised over these last few days that whatever we had, wasn't just a fling you can forget about" Aaliyah explained softly. "I've done nothing but think about you, since I left the hospital. I know now that I can't give you up…I don't want to give you up" Casey responded by taking Aaliyah in his arms and kissing her passionately. Before the pair had chance to take the kiss any further the alarm rang on Aaliyah's phone. "I need to pick up Riley" She cursed as she pulled away from Casey.

"I'll wait for you" he grinned widely.

"No, you know that's a bad idea. Come back later, when I've put Riley to bed" Aaliyah suggested as she pulled him in for one last kiss, before rushing out the door.

When Aaliyah returned home with Riley, Casey had already left.

The night seemed to drag. Aaliyah was desperate to see Casey. Finally it was time for Riley to go to bed. Aaliyah read him a story and kissed him goodnight before heading into the lounge. She went back to check on him about 15 minutes later. Riley was fast asleep.

Aaliyah went to her bedroom to get her phone so she could text Casey to let him know the coast was clear. Before she had chance she heard a loud bang outside her window. As she opened it to see what it was Casey clambered in. When he was inside the room Aaliyah smiled at him "Well this is different" she said as she grabbed his t-shirt pulling him in for a kiss. Even though Casey was considerably younger that her he still towered over her, which changed things a lot in her eyes, it gave him the power to be the masterful one, the protector if you like. Aaliyah might have been older but Casey was as equally experienced in the bedroom department.

"Brax and Heath are at home, I didn't want them to see me come round here so I left through the front door and came in through your window" Casey grinned kissing her again. Aaliyah pulled him close to her, allowing the kiss to become more passionate. Casey pushed Aaliyah back gently towards the bed, before laying over her leaning on one hand, using the other one to take off his t-shirt. Aaliyah's helped him, before putting her hand behind his neck pulling him closer, kissing him again as he ran his hand up her thigh, lifting her dress gently.

"Wow" Casey sighed as he laid next to Aaliyah "I forgot just how good it was between us" he grinned widely. Aaliyah just smiled and kissed him gently, before pulling his arms around her and snuggling into him.

Hope you enjoy this chapter. As usual please R&R. much love Nik x x

Coming up-

Aaliyah and Casey struggle to keep their relationship a secret.

Bianca and Aaliyah take steps towards rebuilding their friendship.