Rachel wasn't a selfish person, she gave until she had no more to give most days. Still, she knew she shouldn't have lied to Adam, telling him she had a work thing. Catherine seemed to ground her, that's why she was here outside of her door instead of at home walking on eggshells around Adam. After knocking on the door she leaned against the frame as she waited for someone to answer. It wasn't long before the door opened, revealing Catherine still in her work clothes. Rachel couldn't help but smile as she was pulled in for a quick kiss, however as soon as the kiss was over her smile faded.

"I am so glad you're here, but you have to know Chris and Ann are too, and your nephew. I think it's time we all talked."

Rachel knew before walking in this wasn't going to be the night away she suspected. Swallowing her emotions she just steeled her back as she followed Catherine through to the living room. Looking around the room her heart broke, seeing Chris, someone she guessed was Ann, Michaela, Kim, and Phil, who hurt the most. "Someone want to tell me what the bloody hell is going on?"

"Aunt Rach ... I got your letter. Charlie talked to Catherine and Chris, we're here because we are all worried about you."

"I am fine Phil. I don't know what Charlie said but I am handling it."

"Really, you're fine Rachel? Is it fine that the man you're married to almost killed our son? Or wait, is it fine you kept my son from me for thirteen friggin years?!" Chris snapped, only calming down when Ann shot him a look.

"I …You weren't interested." Rachel started, her voice breaking. It was then that Michaela and Catherine slid in between the two.

"You can back the fuck off. We are here to help her. It's not her fault you don't know how to use a bloody condom. Also, where was all this caring when you were too busy chasing Kim around? I may have been a teenager but I saw things. You have always been a self-righteous little prick and I am SO glad Charlie is nothing like you. We are here to help Rachel and the kids. If you want to blame her, you can go. We don't need that kind of help."

"Michaela, thank you, but he has a right to be mad. I didn't tell him because up until recently I didn't know Chris. We got drunk. I swore we used protection ... And the dates lined up. I didn't know until my asshole of a husband decided he wanted one child and started telling Charlie he was not his. I got the test done to check and as soon as I found out I sent Phil the letter. Trust me, if there was a chance I could save one of my kids, Chris, I took it. You don't think I care? I haven't forgotten the night he tried to murder my kids to hurt me for leaving him. That we can't go near water without one of us having a panic attack. My son thinks I don't protect him and he's right. Adam hurts him and I can't save him because if I leave he will kill him and Addie. So tell me, Chris, what am I meant to do?

Oh yes, call my sister who the last time she came into my life slept with the man I loved … Got pregnant, and made sure to live happily ever after with him? Tell my nephew who has been through enough? I had no one and.."

"And you reached out Aunt Rach. We're gonna help you 'cause Michaela and I are your family my mum's been dead to me for years," Phil said as he walked over to his aunt before pulling her into a hug. "You saved me when I had no one. I am gonna make sure we save you and the kids. We'll figure it out. Then once everyone's safe ... We can worry about who's Charlie's dad, okay?" He said, shooting Chris a pointed look.

"Yeah, no. He's right Rachel. I'm sorry. It's just been a shock and Charlie confided in me yesterday. I just wanted to help him. Help you help Addie."

"I know you're mad Chris. I hate myself enough, I don't want to keep him from you. I moved back. My plan was to move back here, leave him and maybe get the kids to you. I wasn't sure. I'm still not. I just don't know where to start."

"Well, asking for help is the first step, now let's sit down and make a safety plan," Kenzie said as she walked into the room, closing the door behind her. "I am Kenzie Smilie. Bolton's sorta my ex-husband. He's my son's father. I work for the military police and helped a few spouses escape abusive partners. I just want to help." The blonde said as she took a seat ushering everyone else to do the same. "First things first, let's start with money…."

Charlie had been mulling around upstairs and outback, waiting for his dad to get home and start to drink. Dressed in all black he went over the plan once more before he heard his dad calling for him. Sighing, he grabbed the pills before stashing the knife back in his bag.

"Coming!" He called out, not wanting his dad to get mad.

"Get me a whiskey!" Adam snapped as soon as Charlie made it downstairs. Nodding, the teen ran and got his dad a glass of the requested drink. After he handed it over, Adam told him to sit down.

"You know I hate punishing you, son, I do. It's just your mother. She's turned you and your sister against me. She is having an affair. Sleeping around. You know she did it before, right?"

"She did? When?" Charlie asked, shocked at what his dad was saying.

"About ten years ago. She went to some teaching conference. Said she met up with some old friends. One was this teacher. He was so soft for her back when I worked at Waterloo with her. Chris something. Well, your slut of a mother came home and a few weeks later was pregnant." Adam, seeing his son's confused face, just smiled. "I know, I know. What's to say she isn't mine? I got checked and would you know I'm sterile? I can't have kids. So your mum has been spreading her legs for years and neither of you kids is mine."

"Wait if neither of us are your kids, why do you hate me so much, Dad?"

"Because your mother loves you more than me. She left me to protect you. She always chooses you. It hurts her when I hurt you. So I keep you around to break her."

"Cheers Dad. I never asked for this. If you hate Mom so much just leave her. I mean, it's like you said, right? She cheated once so she'll do it again. You should leave her. We'd be better off."

"Hah, you're funny if you think I'd ever leave. Make it easy on her. She'd go running to Addie's father and play happy families. No, she has been ruining my life since we were kids. She will not get away so easily."

"Do you know who my real dad is?" Charlie asked, deciding to try to take advantage of his father's drunkenness.

"No, but If I took a guess the Chris guy or the one man she ever loved. Eddie fucking Lawson. He fucked her sister, got her pregnant, and well, your mother never got over it. I mean what does she expect? Who could ever love a whore?"

"What do you mean Daddy? Mummy is a teacher, not a whore." Addie said as she walked into the room, taking a seat next to her brother. Taking a long drink of his whiskey Adam turned to his kids, an evil smile crossing his face.

"Well, you will find out someday. why not today? Your mother, Rachel, used to go by the name Amanda. You want to know why she changed it? She used to be a hooker, a prostitute. Spread her slutty legs for anyone who would pay."

Addie, getting upset, hid her face in Charlie's chest. He did his best to comfort her as he glared at his dad. He knew in that moment he couldn't go with the plan. He couldn't leave Addie to face this all alone. No, he had to find another way. "That was a long time ago Addie. She's a teacher now, right Dad?"

"Teacher or not your mother's a tart, a slag. Probably off screwing one of her co-workers instead of being here with us."

Charlie, pressing a kiss to Addie's head, told her to go play. He waited until she was out of the room to turn to face his dad. "You know you're probably right. I saw her kissing one of my teachers the other day at school. She wasn't crying like when she kisses you." Charlie taunted until he felt a hard punch to his face. As he fell to the floor he just laughed. "Hurt me all you want … doesn't change the fact Mum would rather fuck a co-worker than ever let you touch her. I've seen what you do. You make her love you…"

Adam, who was standing now, slammed the glass into Charlie's face before picking him up by his hoodie. "You don't want to push me, son. Don't you remember what I said would happen?"

"Yes Dad, you said one night you were gonna shoot me and Addie and let Mom find us. But I was thinking ... Would that even bother her? You said you want her to never forget it right? I think you should make her watch." Charlie knew he was playing with fire. But it was like he told Ryan the night before, it really didn't matter what happened to him as long as his sister was safe. He thought he had fucked up and pushed it too far until his dad nodded in agreement.

"You're right. Now tell me, son, where she is. We're going to find your whore of a mother. Show her your face; the consequences of her cheating."

Charlie took one last glance up at his sister before he answered. "She's at Mr. Meads, he's my science teacher. And I know where he lives, Dad."

"Good, now get into the car." Adam slurred, finally letting Charlie go.

While Charlie knew he could outrun his dad, that wasn't a choice, not if he wanted Addie safe. Once Charlie was out the door Adam watched for him to get in the car. Then he grabbed Addie, dragging her up the stairs to the one room that locked from the outside. Ignoring his youngest's pleas he told her to hush, then shot down the stairs and out the door to the car. Sliding behind the wheel, he smiled over at Charlie. "It's time to go see Mummy," Adam muttered as he pulled out of the driveway, heading off into the night.

Ryan only waited long enough for the car to turn down the road before he snuck into the house and ran up the stairs. After realizing the door was locked Ryan called out for Addie to back away from the door, then he broke through the lock after only three tries. "Do you know where your dad's taking Charlie?" Ryan asked as he checked her over for any injuries.

"I don't know. I sorta heard. He is looking for Mommy. He wasn't in a good mood at all, he was saying horrible things about Mommy."

"I know, your dad's not really nice is he?" Ryan as he kneeled down to her height.

"No, he told me I'm not his daughter either. I just want my mommy, and for Charlie to be okay."

"I know. Let me make a call. I don't think I can get us to my house with just my bike." Ryan said as he pulled out his phone, finding his Gran's number. After a few rings, he heard her voice.

"Gran, I need your help. Charlie and I messed up. He had this plan. It was so dumb ... I can't tell you what exactly right now.'

"Ryan, why can't you tell me how you … You know what no, tell me why you're calling. We'll deal with the rest later."

"Charlie's dad was wasted … and he was nasty to him and Addie and locked her in her room before he took off in his car with Charlie.'

"You sure he was drunk Ryan?"

"Addie said he was and from looking around he had a bit to drink Gran ... You gotta find him and make sure Charlie's okay. I think he's looking for Rachel but really I don't know what he's playing at."

"Okay, sit there. Do not leave, just keep an eye on Addie. If Adam comes home before I get there I want the three of you to just leave. Don't engage with him, you understand me?"

"Yes Gran, I do," Ryan said as he motioned for Addie to follow him across the hall to Charlie's room.

"Good, I love you. Please just listen to Ann and I will see you soon okay?"

"Yes, Granny. Please find Charlie."

"I will find him, I promise and you know I don't break those. Tell Addie her mum will be there soon." Catherine said as she hung up the cell phone. Making sure her cigarette butt was out, she headed into the living room.

"Okay Rachel, I need … That was Ryan, apparently, he and Charlie hatched some half-ass plan that went sideways. Adam got drunk and locked Addie in her room before dragging Charlie to the car and taking off. I don't know how drunk he is, but I think Bolton and Ronan are on the night shift tonight. So I am going to call them and you, Ann, I need you to take Rachel and Chris to Ryan and Addie and find out what the asshole said, where he may be going and most of all what the hell their plan was. I am going to look for Adam myself after I call this in. What does Adam drive Rach?"

"He drives a gray urban 4x4. Please, Catherine, find my baby."

"I will, I need you to look out for Ryan and Addie. Let me do what I do best," Catherine said before she pulled out her cell, calling in Adam's car description and license plate, requesting all police on the road to look for him. Then she got in the car, heading towards Rachel's house. She wasn't sure what had led to this. All she knew was a kid was in danger and she was going to do her damndest to make sure no more harm came to him. As she drove she called Ronon and Bolton. While she knew it was risky including Bolton for personal reasons, she had to take the chance she knew for the same reason he'd do his everything to find Charlie.

"Bolton I need you and Ronan on the backroads looking for an urban 4x4 driver who is believed to be drunk and there is a child in the car with him. I need you to focus on this one okay ... It's Charlie." There was a moment of silence before the radio crackled once more.

"Got it, Sarge, we're turned around and are heading in that direction."

"Good, keep your eyes peeled and if you find them, use caution." Catherine reminded. She had to keep it short because any more she wasn't sure she could keep her emotions in check. This one had to have a happy ending. She wasn't so sure Rachel would survive it ending any other way.

Ryan, knowing they didn't have much time, knew he needed to get rid of the evidence of their plan. Not sure how much Addie knew he kind of ignored her as he searched around the room looking for the pills they had bought a few days before.

"Are you looking for the pills Charlie had?" Addie quietly asked.

"Yeah, how do you know about them?" Ryan asked.

"Well, I heard him telling you the plan. I think he has them. If not, they're in his bag. Well, all but one. I put one in Daddy's drink. I didn't want Charlie to go away. If he hurt Daddy he would."

"So you were going to hurt your dad?"

"No. I don't know, I just wanted him to sleep. He's not mean when he's sleeping, but it didn't work, Ryan. He got so mad and mean."

"Man, I wish Charlie was here. Fuck it, you gotta tell your mum, okay?"

"I will. I just wanted my brother to be okay. Daddy hit him really bad when he gave Sadie away. He always does. I just wanted him to stop." Addie cried as Ryan pulled her into a hug.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. Your dad is gonna be stopped. My Gran's on the case. You know she puts the bad guys away. My dad hurt my mum and she made him go away." Ryan told her in a lame attempt to calm her down.

"Your granny puts bad daddy's away?'

"She does.."

"Good.." Addie whispered when they heard the door open and her mum calling for her. Ryan let Addie go, waiting for her to run out of the room before he grabbed Charlie's backpack and followed her down the stairs. Coming face to face with not only Ann, but Charlie's mum, a lady he didn't know, and his two teachers he sighed. This was really gonna suck. It was actually Ann who spoke first.

"Sit and tell me what the hell is going on Ryan. Don't waste my time lying."

Nodding, he handed the backpack over to her. "Well, you see, it was a few days ago. Charlie was spiraling. His dad did something like super bad."

"Yeah, he showed us his gun and said he was going to shoot us one night when we slept and Mom would find us dead in our bed." Addie piped up from her mom's arms.

"Yeah that and he knew it wasn't going to end, it was them or him. So you know how we had sex ed at school and we learned about all the drugs bad men use to hurt women?" Ryan tried to explain without saying too much in front of Addie.

"Yeah, I do remember Ryan and you learned what they did."

"Well we heard about a guy who sells them and we bought some, anyways Charlie planned tonight to wait until his dad started drinking. He'd put some in his drink."

"Why would he do that Ryan?" Ann asked, not connecting the dots.

"Well, to kill him. And yes, she already knows. She overheard." Ryan said in defense of himself talking so freely in front of Addie. "My part was to wait and make sure Addie was okay but Charlie never text so I waited until the car left and that's when I came in and got Addie out of her bedroom."

Ann, opening the backpack, sighed at the sight of the map. It broke her heart at how desperate Charlie must be to even think like this. She couldn't be sad though, not when Charlie wasn't safe.

"Okay, so Addie can you tell us what happened tonight? As much as you know?"

Addie looked up at her mum before replying.

"Yes Bug, you can trust Ann, she's nice."

"Well I took one of the pills and put it in Daddy's beer he makes me get them for him. I thought if he slept he wouldn't hurt Charlie. But it didn't work. Daddy was mean, he was saying Mommy is a whore and she sleeps around and she was a whore for money or something. Her name was Amanda! He also said he wasn't my daddy either. Just like Charlie, he's something.. A test or something that said he can't have kids. I was listening. He told Charlie he hurt him cause it makes Mommy sad. Then he got really mean, said Mommy's a slag and a tart. I got upset and Charlie sent me away."

"You are doing so well, bug." Rachel encouraged her daughter as she pushed all emotions away. What mattered now were her kids, not her emotions.

"Then Daddy dragged me upstairs and put me in my room. And I heard him and Charlie leave. I only gave Daddy the pill so he'd stop hurting Charlie. I didn't mean to make him madder."

"Oh, don't worry about that. Your dad is just a mad person. Don't you worry, we are going to find Charlie and everything will be okay." Ann promised before she stood back up, pulling the knife out of the bag and heading to the kitchen to put it away. Once she slid it back into the block she turned to Chris, motioning for him to follow her.

"What's the probability you're her father too?"

"There is a chance. We did sleep together almost ten years ago.."

"Good. I know I said I didn't want kids. But since I met Charlie all I want is for that boy to know happiness. They couldn't have a better father. Just remember, please not just for your sake, but they are damaged and will need time."

"I know, well I didn't quite know as much as I know now. Let's find Charlie and make sure he's safe and we'll deal with the rest when it comes."

"So basically how we do it normally, just taking it as it comes." Ann joked, checking her phone again to see if Catherine had called. She wasn't sure why but she couldn't shake this sinking feeling that this was gonna end really badly.

Catherine had been driving the dark backroads looking for any sign of life or the truck. She had been about to call Rachel to have her ask Addie if either her dad or Charlie had said anything about where they had been heading when she heard Ronan's voice over her radio.

"Sarge, we found the car, it's not good, seems he hit something and lost control. We called in help because the car is dangling over the side of the bridge. Bolton was able to check the driver's pulse. He's alive but barely."

"Okay, least he's found, what about Charlie?"

"Who's Charlie Sarge?" Ronan asked as Bolton came running over.

"Tell Sarge the kid isn't anywhere in the car or around it! I am heading down to the water. You go back up where we think he lost control. From the state of the car, I think it rolled, so he could be anywhere." Bolton called out as he ran and headed down off the bridge towards the water. This was Miss Mason's son, the one person who always believed him, he couldn't let her down this way. He was gonna find him, he just had to.

"Sarge, I don't know if you heard.."

"I did. Do what Bolton said. You called for an ambulance so you've done all you can for that waste of space. Help Bolton find Charlie. He's our priority."

"Got it," Ronan said before he started heading back towards the turn-off before the bridge.

Ann, who had her radio on in hopes of getting an update, froze when she heard Catherine's voice come across it.

"This is Officer 9675. We have a DUI crash on the bridge. We have a missing child, thirteen years old. We assume he was thrown from the car in the crash. I need the helicopters up NOW!"