Brax was just getting ready to leave Angelo's when his phone beeped sorry meet you at seven the pipe in my kitchen burst-still cleaning it, but I promise I will be over x he shook his head and walked out to the bar "Liam I'm gonna head off mate call me if you need anything," he said and walked towards the exit.

"Yeah will do, enjoy you're night off!" Liam called after him.

Charlie moped up the water waiting for a reply she looked around when Noah walked in the back door "thanks for coming so quick Noah, I didn't know who else to call."

"No worries, always ready to help out a friend in need… is it this pipe under here?" he asked nodding to the kitchen sink.

"Yeah I came home and it was running out of the press, it's all rusted I think it might need to be replaced," she groaned and picked up her phone as it beeped don't be too late the address is 3911 River way she shook her head and turned back to Noah.

"If you got somewhere to be I'll be fine and I have Hayls's key to lock up."

Charlie thought for a moment "yeah actually I do, I was supposed to meet Brax to sort out Angelo's stuff."

"So go I'll be fine here I know where everything is if I need it I'll text you when I'm done," Noah replied.

Charlie leaned in and hugged him "thank you Noah you're the best," she said and grabbed her bag "call me if you need anything!" she called as she walked to her car.

….

Arriving at Brax's she knocked at the door and stepped back "hey," she smiled when he opened it.

"Uh hey, didn't expect to see you this soon," he said looking behind him "Casey is still here," he said looking back at her.

"Is that a problem?" she asked.

"No, no, come in," he said and stepped back "was the pipe damage bad?" he asked.

Charlie walked in and looked around "no, Noah is there now no damage just whatever's in the press but it's all cleaning stuff…wow for four blokes you're doing well it's spotless."

"That would be down to me," a teenage boy Ruby's age said walking out of the kitchen "hi I'm Casey," he said and held out his hand.

"Charlie," she replied and shook it "I own the restaurant your brothers bought into."

Casey nodded "nice to meet you Brax has been talking about you…anyway I'm sure you've a lot to talk about," he said and walked towards the door. "I'm meeting Kyle at the surf club then we were thinking we'd finally have a look at this place."

Brax looked over at Charlie "you don't gotta ask me," she chuckled "you know the rules," she said and walked to the sofa.

Brax glanced at her again before he looked at Casey "you guys eat for free but don't take advantage, the manager Liam is there tell him to call me."

Casey scoffed "we're not going to get free stuff we're going to see it- if we do eat we'll pay."

"Family eat free Casey that's one of the rules," Charlie called from the sofa.

"Fine we'll get soup or something…bye, and nice to finally put a face to the name Charlie!" he called and walked out the door.

"Aww he's cute," Charlie said.

Brax chuckled and sat down beside her "cuter than me?" he asked.

"Cuter," she nodded "but not sexier," she said and leaned into kiss him.

Brax pulled her closer to him and deepened the kiss. After he pulled back he pulled her into his chest "so I've settled on two you can make the final cut," he said nodding to two dvds on the table.

Charlie leaned forward and scoffed "well that can go," she said shoving away terminator "and this can stay," she said holding up the new die hard film.

"You a fan of die hard?" he asked as he popped it into the player.

Charlie scoffed "I have all five of them...the things I would to that man."

"Way to make a guy feel special," he chuckled and walked back to the sofa.

Charlie chuckled "unless Bruce Willis walks through that door you've got nothing to worry about," she said and cuddled into him.

Brax chuckled and wrapped his arm around her "you'll have to make do with the tv screen."

…

After the movie Brax looked down on Charlie she looked up at him "what?" she asked.

"How many times did you nod off during that?" he chuckled.

Charlie yawned "sorry, didn't get to go asleep."

"You can take my bed for an hour if you like," he offered.

"Aww you're too cute," she said and kissed him quickly "but no I won't get up then."

"Hey I won't be complaining," he chuckled.

"I bet you wouldn't," she said and pulled him down to her. Just as Brax settled himself on her he groaned when her phone rang "Pete?" she giggled "whoa hold on, slow down," she said and sat up "she what!" she yelled and jumped off the sofa wide eyed "I'll kill her- how could she be so stupid?…and he actually told you himself?….and he wasn't out of it or anything?…that bad?" Charlie sighed and looked down at Brax "…okay," she said and hung up dropping onto the sofa with a heavy sigh.

"Everything okay?" he asked scooting closer to her.

"No," she sighed and dropped her head into her hands "I am going to kill her."

"What happened?" he asked.

Charlie pulled her hands away from her face "Nat went to see dad before she left-she told him everything she's an idiot, she knows not to tell him things seeing how bad he is- I hadn't even told him me and Angelo weren't together anymore let alone getting married."

"She told him everything?" Brax asked.

"Yeah and Pete thinks it may have played a part in his stroke, I have to go down there and see him Pete said he threw stuff at him he was pissed."

"Maybe you should let him cool off," Brax suggested.

"He may not remember but I have to go anyway," she said and stood up "I'm sorry I'll come back when I can."

Brax followed her to the door "just do what ya gotta…I'll see ya later," he said and leaned into kiss her.

"Bye," she smiled and walked off to her car.

Arriving at the hospital Charlie said hello to Keith and made her way to her dad's room and knocked on the door "hey," she said cautiously.

"Hi," Ross grunted.

She could tell by the face on him he still remembered and he was still pissed "I'm sorry daddy," she said and walked to sit by the bed. "I wasn't keeping it from you I just didn't wa-oww!" she yelled in shock when he slapped her across the mouth.

"How could you be so stupid!" he hissed and launched forward.

"Dad!" she shrieked when he grabbed her by the hair.

"You're a cop Charlie and you couldn't even figure out your sister was sleeping with your fiancé!" he hissed and grabbed a tighter grip on her hair "what does that make you!"

"Dad! Stop you're hurting me!" she shrieked blinking back the tears "dad please!" she cried.

Keith heard her cries from the nurse's station and ran to the room "I need some help in here!" he called and ran into the room "Ross you need to let go," he said putting his hand on the hand he held Charlie with "come on you're hurting her," he said and tried to pry his fingers away.

"You're worthless Charlie you couldn't even keep him- you lost him to your sister!" he hissed and flung her backwards.

Charlie crashed into a tray and cut the side of her eye before she hit the floor, she couldn't pull herself up she was in too much shock. She didn't even hear what Ross said next or see the other nurses come in to help. Pulling herself into sitting position she looked up when Keith crouched down in front of her.

He sighed sadly and tilted her face to the side "let's get you cleaned up," he said and slipped his hands under her arms and pulled her up.

Charlie walked in a daze her legs felt like jelly like they'd go from under her at any moment and Keith knew that too, he put his arm around her waist and led her to seats nearby.

"I'll be back in a sec with a kit," he said and hurried off-arriving back with a kit and a coffee. Sitting down beside her he started to dab her eye wound "you'll need paper stitches on that and I'm afraid that eye is gonna be black tomorrow, the lip will heal by itself."

Charlie just nodded she couldn't find her voice all that kept ringing in her head were her dads words…you're worthless…what does that make you…you're worthless…what does that make you-over and over again they swam in the front of her mind.

"Charlie you're dads' health has taken a nose dive he's still out of sorts at the moment….he doesn't mean it," Keith said as he put the paper stitches on.

"I know," she whispered "I don't blame him," she sniffed and picked up the coffee "thanks Keith," she said and smiled weakly.

Keith gathered up his stuff "how does your head feel-do you need me to take a look at it?"

"No," she sighed "it stings a lot my head is throbbing but I think I'll survive…think I have a bald patch too," she giggled.

Keith chuckled and stood up "a tiny one-it'll grow back quick," he said and stepped back "don't worry you're still beautiful," he smiled and walked off.

"Thanks," she called after him and sat back into the seat clutching her coffee.

"Charlie!" she looked up to see Peter hurrying towards her "Keith called me he said…" Peter stopped talking and looked at her face "oh Charlie," he sighed.

Charlie stood up as her bottom lip began to tremble and tears sprang up in her eyes she couldn't take it anymore it was all getting on top of her, she couldn't do it anymore this was the one that tipped her over the edge…. she burst out crying and threw her hand over her face.

Peter stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug "it's alright sweetie," he said softly "you go home I'll stay and talk to him." Charlie shook her head against him "you're not going back in there so go home or I will take you home."

Charlie stepped back and wiped her face "okay," she nodded and kissed him on the cheek "see ya later," she said and walked off.

….

"Keith!" Peter called as he came out of his dad's room "what mood is he in now?"

"We gave him something to relax him, he's already forgotten about what happened," Keith replied.

Peter nodded "can I go in?"

"Yeah…is Charlie gone?" he asked.

"Yeah I sent her home she got a bit upset," Peter replied.

"I don't blame her she got some fright there…anyway maybe it's best for now if you don't mention this bloke or your other sister, it seems to be the only thing he remembers-like he's hanging onto it."

Peter nodded again "I won't mention it-thanks mate," he said and slipped into the room.

"Son," Ross greeted and smiled "Charlie not with you?" he asked.

"No," he said and sat down on the chair beside the bed he didn't want to do this but he hoped he'd get something from it, he leaned forward "she's gone home with a busted face," he said.

Ross looked at him confused "she was here?" he asked "did she fall or something?"

"No dad!" he hissed "you hit her! You busted her lip! She has stitches on her eye and it's going to bruise tomorrow- you took a chunk of her hair out!" he yelled and jumped up. "You have to learn to stop lashing out she can't take much more of this and quite frankly neither can I, I know you're sick dad but please," he said walking back to the bed "please, please, please, try and control your temper."

Ross looked back at him shocked "I did not hurt my daughter!" he yelled back "I'd never hurt her!"

"Yes dad yes you did, she went home in tears," Peter said and leaned over the bed "you've hit us all I know you can't help it but it's getting very very hard for us to come see you-to bring the kids to see you."

Ross looked back at him "I-I didn't hit my daughter," he said shakily.

"Yes you did dad," Peter said softly "she doesn't blame you and neither do I we know it's not you, but you need help- they have a programme here to help with the outbursts… I can get Keith to speak to you about them," he suggested.

Ross sighed and sat back against the pillow "get him in here then and I want to see Charlie."

Peter stood up "Charlie won't be back tonight she's a lot going on."

"Yeah wait till I see that bastard," Ross said bitterly.

Peter chuckled "see you held back there- you can do it," he said and slipped out of the room.

Over at Angelo's Charlie had arrived in a state she didn't want to go home, she had arrived with puffy eyes and her face in that state and asked Liam to close the restaurant and send everyone home, it took an hour for her to get him to actually leave he was worried and she knew it.

Walking around to the sound system she stuck on a cd and walked to the bar grabbing a beer she hopped up onto a stool and listen as the Temptations my girl filled the empty dark restaurant- her dad used to sing it to her all the time-still did before he was sick- she hadn't forgotten.

Brax had arrived at Angelo's after getting a call from Casey saying he and Kyle got held up but when they got there it was closed and the staff were coming down the stairs. He'd called Liam to see what was going on all he had told him was Charlie's orders and she was there.

He got to the top of the stairs and stopped in the doorway and watched her she sat with the sound system on slumped over a beer with her head down.

She had heard the footsteps and sighed "we're closed or can't you read?" she asked without turning around.

"That doesn't apply to me," he said and walked up to her frowning when she tried to cover her face with her hair "Charlie?" he said and moved some over her shoulder.

Charlie looked over at him and smiled weakly "still think I'm hot now?" she asked and looked back down.

Brax looked back wide eyed "what the hell happened to you?" he asked pulling her face to him so he could examine them himself.

Charlie pulled away from him as her bottom lip trembled again "he was still in a mood," she muttered.

Brax sighed "what exactly did he do?" he moved closer when her shoulders began to shake "Charlie," he sighed and pulled her into him.

"He told me I was worthless that I couldn't even keep Angelo," she sobbed and clung to him.

Brax held her closer and rested his chin on her head- jumping back when she yelped and grabbed her head. "Right Charlie, tell me what he did to you?" he asked.

Charlie dropped her hands onto the bar "when I got there I knew he was in a mood I knew he still remembered so I tried to tell him I wasn't keeping it from him that I didn't want to add any more stress….he slapped me across the mouth and asked me how could I be so stupid."

"You're not stupid Charlie, you did the right thing- she never should have told him in the first place," Brax said and rubbed her back.

Charlie nodded and continued "I've never seen him so mad he jumped forward and grabbed me by the hair and started yelling I was a cop and I couldn't even figure out they were together what did that make me," she wiped her eye as a tear ran down her face "it was so sore my lip was already stinging, I was trying not to cry Keith came running when he heard me screaming and tried to help me but his grip was tight, he called me worthless and flung me away from him. I swear Brax I was in that much shock I couldn't even get back up off the floor Keith had to help me…after he got over his own shock and sorted dad out."

"He brought me outside and looked me over and cleaned up my face…told me I was still beautiful even with my bald patch," she giggled.

Brax sighed and scooted closer to her "I'm sorry you had to go through that… you know I'm always here if you need to talk."

Charlie smiled and leaned in to him she rested her head on his shoulder and let out a sigh "why can't life be easy?"

"Don't know babe that's just the way it goes," he said as he ran his hand up and down her arm.

"Please don't call me that," she said "it's all he called me," she added.

Brax chuckled "alright what do you want me to call you?"

Charlie shrugged "whatever you want just not that."

Brax nodded "I'll come up with something," he said and walked to the sound system.

"What are you doing?" she asked as he turned off the song and fiddled around with it.

Brax put a song on and turned to face her as it played "I used to love this…mum too, she always made one of us dance with her," he chuckled and held out his hand "and now I want you to dance with me."

Charlie giggled and took his hand "pretty woman? Never would have guessed," she laughed as he swung her around to him.

Brax chuckled and pulled her against him "well you're a pretty woman aren't you?"

Charlie giggled again and put her fingers over her lip "please don't make me laugh."

Brax chuckled "so this Keith guy?" he asked trying to remain nonchalant "he been around long?"

"Yeah, since we put him in there- he was the one that came to explain to dad when he was first diagnosed," Charlie looked up at him "and he's totally gay so you got nothing to worry about."

"That obvious huh?" he chuckled.

Charlie scoffed "you digging your fingers into me when you mentioned his name kinda gave it away."

Brax chuckled again and looked down at her "just seeing what the competition is like."

Charlie shook her head "there is no competition," she said and kissed him softly.

Brax pulled her closer and walked her back until she hit the bar lifting her onto it he stepped between her legs and deepened the kiss.

As his hands slid up her legs she pulled back "wanna go into the office?" she asked and bit her lip as he moved onto her neck.

"Nope," he mumbled against her and pulled back "I'm fine right here," he said and kissed her.

"I am not having sex on my bar," she giggled.

"Good coz we're not having sex," he said and pulled back.

"Aww," she pouted "don't do this to me."

Brax chuckled and stepped forward "no babes," he said and kissed her quickly "you got a lot going on, you need some time to yourself you're not ready to get that serious yet and I respect that, and I'll still be here when you are."

"But?" Charlie said slowly she had a feeling she knew what was about to happen.

Brax sighed he couldn't believe he was actually doing this "this thing between us it happened quick-not that I didn't want it to," he smiled and stroked her cheek "I think you're an amazing person Charlie, you're so strong, you're so caring and kind you're so beautiful and sexy," he chuckled. "You're my dream girl but right now with everything you have to deal with-things you have to get over…we'll never work-we'll end up waking up down the road and one or both of us are gonna say what the hell did I do- or even hate each other and I don't wanna do that…. so I'm re-evoking the one month thing," he said and stepped back.

Charlie nodded and slid off the bar "I know my head is so messed up right now," she said and took a step closer to him "but I do know I don't regret kissing you…any of the times, but you're right I do need to deal with things in my own time and I have been bottling them up and pushing them away. So one month from tomorrow I get to kiss you again," she said and ran her hands up his chest "I'm so glad I met you you've been here for me so much, so thank you," she said and looked up at him.

Brax smiled and stroked her cheek again "our time will come babes."

"Babes? That's what you're going with?" she asked.

Brax nodded "I liked it so I ran with it."

"Yeah me too," she smiled and went to kiss him but pulled back.

Brax chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist "it's not tomorrow yet," he said and lowered his head "so make it last," he whispered and kissed her.

Charlie kissed him slowly and pulled him closer she didn't want to do this but she knew it was the right thing, he was truly amazing- any other guy would use it as an excuse to sleep with her. She pulled back and looked up at him "do you mind if I take off for few days?"

"When and where?" he asked slightly alarmed.

"Don't know yet it just popped into my head there," she replied "it's ten to twelve we got ten minutes," she said and kissed him again.

….

A while later Brax walked her down to her car "so will I be seeing you in here tomorrow?" he asked leaning against her car.

Charlie shrugged she already knew she wanted to take off as soon as she could- already knew where she wanted to go she just needed to see everyone first "I don't know I'm not sure what I'm doing," she replied and leaned on the car beside him.

"But you'll call me before you go anywhere?" he asked.

"Of course I will, who else will I call to do the roster?" she teased.

Brax scoffed "you won't be worrying about this place or the station while you away, I want you to forget about everything-me included and have a good time."

Charlie smiled and ran her hand down his cheek "you're too amazing to forget," she said and pulled her hand away.

"Say that again if this place is still standing when you get back," he chuckled.

"It will be I trust Liam," she teased again and opened her door "I better go," she sighed.

Brax leaned in to her "a sneaky one," he said and kissed her sweetly. Pulling back he tilted her chin up "I'm gonna miss ya bossing me about."

"I haven't gone yet," she giggled and climbed into her car "I'll call, bye Brax," she smiled and shut her door.

"Bye babes," he said and stepped back-sighing as she started up her car and pulled away.

The next morning Charlie rolled out of her bed when she heard Ruby moving around in her room "Rubes!" she called "can you come here for a sec?"

A sleepy Ruby walked into her bedroom and dropped onto her bed "yes?" she yawned-she was yet to see Charlie's face.

"I just wanted to let you know I'm going away for a few days," Charlie said and pulled out her travel bag "you'll be staying with Jack or Pete I'll text you when I know."

Ruby sat up "where why and why ain't I coming?" She asked.

"Because you have school I don't know how long I'm gonna be away…I just can't do it anymore Rubes, I can't pretend everything is okay-that I'm okay, I'm falling apart here," she whimpered and turned to face her "I need a while to myself to think about things."

"Mum!" Ruby yelled wide eyed and jumped off the bed "what happened? Your face is in bits!"

Charlie sighed "Nat the idiot that she is went and told granddad about what's being going on between her and Angelo… he lashed out and took it out on me."

"Mum," Ruby said and sat down on the bed "what the hell was she thinking?" she stood up again "she really is thick that one…are you gonna be okay….going alone I mean?"

Charlie nodded "I need no distractions I'm not even taking my phone, I'm going to mums cottage you have the number…I better give it to Brax too in case he needs to get in touch with me, so I'll call both your uncles and see which one wants you," she giggled.

"Preferably Pete, he lets me watch horrors," she chuckled.

"Oh and is he gonna let you sleep with him too?" Charlie asked as she threw clothes into a bag.

"Point taken- but still I wanna stay at Pete's," Ruby said and walked to the door "I better get ready for school."

Charlie shook her head "a family full of cops and she's afraid of a made up movie," she said to herself and finished off her packing.

After her shower she got dressed and went to the kitchen "you going now?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah but I was gonna run you to school first," Charlie replied.

"Don't worry about me mum I'll walk with April, you go and sort you head out," Ruby leaned in and kissed her on the cheek "I love ya I hope you get what you need out of this….text me later and let me know where I'm going!" she called.

"I will and I love you too!" Charlie called after her.

….

A while later after her few visits to her brothers and the girls Charlie ran into Hayley outside the surf club "hey I was just about to call over to you," she said.

"Yeah I was just about to call you weird right?" Hayley giggled.

"Yeah," Charlie nodded "anyway what I wanted to say was I'm heading off for a few days after everything I need a break."

"And you want your awesome best friend to do you a favour….go with you maybe?" she laughed.

"I'd love you all to come but I think I need to get away on my own and sort my head out."

"I was kidding I know you do Charlz, what you've been through the last few weeks is something people don't go through in their whole lives, so you go and do what you have to but call me and let me know you're okay…so what was the favour?" Hayley asked.

Charlie chuckled "I'll call you I'm not bringing my phone and the favour is, do you want two shifts at Angelo's behind the bar and Noah can have two if he wants them?" she asked.

Hayley nodded "what days… I'm off today and tomorrow."

"Well I was due in at two till close today and the morning shift tomorrow if you wanted to them-if you don't want to I won't hold it against you, I know you have your own job and would rather spend your days off doing something fun."

"I can't do today I'm going to the city to meet my dad but I'll get Noah to do it and I'll do tomorrow."

"Thanks Hays I really appreciate it," Charlie said and leaned in to hug her.

Hayley wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tight "you just look after yourself and don't worry about a thing back here you hear me," she said and pulled back.

Charlie nodded "I'll try anyway I wanna get moving so I'll let Brax know you two will be helping out you just let him know who's doing what oh and Rubes is staying with Pete but will you keep an eye on her too…so I'll see ya when I get back?"

"You will- and Ruby will be fine try having at least a little bit of fun! Love ya!" Hayley called as she walked off.

Walking into Angelo's she smiled at Brax and Liam behind the bar "hey," she called as she walked up to them.

"Hey ba…boss," Brax covered quickly and glanced at Liam who thankfully didn't cop it.

"Charlz," he nodded and walked out to the kitchen.

"Hi," Charlie smiled and leaned on the bar beside him.

"You still taking off?" Brax asked.

"Yeah," she nodded "now actually."

"Now?" Brax asked.

"Yeah now as in when I'm done talking to you," she chuckled "but I wanted to run something by you first…can we go into the office?"

"Sure," Brax nodded and followed her "so what did you wanna run by me?"

"Well I wanted a hug first," she smiled.

Brax chuckled and pulled her into him "got me wrapped already," he said and rested his chin gently on her head "so what's up?"

Charlie pulled back a little and looked up at him "Hayley and Noah will be coving my shifts here for the week if that's okay with you."

Brax nodded "that's fine by me I know they help out here….I actually wanted to ask you something before you left."

"Okay, what?"

"I was wondering would it be okay if I hired Casey for the job when Paul goes off traveling next week."

Charlie nodded "yeah that's fine but does he know how wait on tables?"

Brax chuckled "yeah he's smarter than he looks….so that's a yes then?" he asked.

Charlie leaned back into him "yeah and if you're really stuck when Billy goes in for his op you can ask Kyle to cover for him," she suggested.

Brax chuckled "you got this all planned out?"

"Yeah," she chuckled "I was gonna say it to you before we advertised for the job," she said and pulled back "I better go or I won't at all."

Brax dropped a kiss on her forehead "don't worry about a thing here we'll be fine," he said and pulled the door open.

"Hey!" Charlie called "I know we said a month but…" she trailed off.

Brax chuckled and walked back to her dipping his head he kissed her slowly and sweetly "you just look after yourself alright babes," he said and kissed her a few times "now that's defiantly your lot," he chuckled and walked back to the bar.

Charlie walked out behind him "Paul!" she called "come here for a sec," she said and pulled something from her bag as he walked over "here's letters you might need and here's something to help you on your way," she said and handed him and envelope.

Paul looked in the envelope "Charlie I can't take this," he said trying to give it back to her.

"Hey," Charlie said and stepped back "yes you can you deserve it you've been with me from the day this place opened. You're a great worker and I'm sad to lose you- even sadder that I'm missing your last week and your party… so thank you for everything you've given to this place and me," she said and hugged him. "We're gonna miss you around here," she said and stepped back "I hope you and Rachel have a great time and I just want you to know our door is always open should you decided to ever come home."

"Thanks Charlie…I'm gonna miss you and this place," he said and walked into the staff room.

"What?" she asked when Brax raised an eyebrow.

"What happened to no money is to leave without both of us knowing?"

"I didn't take it from here I took it from my own business account I have set up for things like this- oh and you'll need to have a party for him after close on his last night- just take the money from the safe I forgot to take out money for it, it's normally just staff and his family… Liam will fill you in," she said and started to back out of the restaurant "so I'll call you in a few days?"

"Looking forward to it already," Brax winked "bye babes!" he called not even bothering to see who was around.

Charlie giggled and ran down the stairs before she changed her mind she never thought she'd be so attached to something other than Ruby but this place was hers all hers, looking at it for a moment she climbed into her car and took off hoping she'd last more than a night away.