Brax is already home by now and is busy tidying up the kitchen to prepare for dinner, in which he is making Honey Sesame Chicken and mashed potato.
His phone rings on the table and he races over to answer it.
"Heath, what's going on?" Brax asks in a greeting.
"How about you tell me; why you thought it was a good idea to leave Kyle and Casey with that quack, John Palmer?" Heath rudely answers.
Brax frowns.
"What the hell are you on about, Heath?"
"Palmer, our nosey neighbour and you not caring that Kyle and Case were subjected to torment," Heath snaps.
"Hey: just wait a damn minute! Don't you ever accuse me of not caring. You had better learn your place quick smart with me, Heath!" Brax yells.
"Whatever, Big Fella, because of your decision to place them in John's ever so incapable hands, Kyle and Casey got harassed by a group of hoodlum bullies to which Casey copped a bruised cheekbone and belted up abdomen and Ky almost drowned when he was thrown into the water at full swinging speed!" Heath informs loudly.
"You better be kidding me!" Brax exclaims.
"Fat chance, I am! They were just lucky I was about to start an outdoor class and saw it happen so came to the rescue. They are in the gym office now, trying to warm up and recover," Heath informs.
Brax sighs heavily on the other end of the line.
"I'll be over in about ten minutes to pick them up," Brax says.
"There's no need, they are fine here with me, and besides I finish in about another hour so I'll bring them home," Heath replies.
"Thanks Mate. I guess I'll see you in a short while then."
"Yep, see ya big bro," Heath answers and hangs up his phone, before making another call to Bianca.
"Hi Hon, I thought you were working today; why the call?" Bianca speaks.
"I'm calling to inform you of some students who I caught bullying Casey and Kyle today and I want you to deal with them when school is back again; like expel them or something," Heath states.
"Heath you know I can't just expel someone on the grounds of them potentially being a bully," Bianca replies.
"They weren't potentially being one; they actually hurt both Case and Kyle; almost drowned Kyle and bashed Casey," Heath explains.
"Oh gosh; how are they?" Bianca quickly asks with concern.
"To be expected; pretty shaken, but lucky I was there," Heath proudly repeats, for a second time that day.
"Well I'm glad you were there too, and not being the culprit this time. I hate to see those boys getting hurt. Not that I can do anything seeing as this took place outside school hours but just curious who did they say were responsible?" Bianca inquires.
"Um...said some kids called Carters, Haley, and Hender-something," Heath replies; already becoming confused of the names Kyle had mumbled to him.
"You mean: Zeke Carter, Haley Regan, and Damien Henderson?" Bianca confirms.
"Yeah that sounds like them; can you at least give them a warning to not go near them at school?"
"I can only do my best in making sure Kyle and Casey are kept an eye on; however I'm surprised at these students as they are quite the smart bunch and if I'm not mistaken are in most of Kyle's classes."
"He said something like that," Heath replies.
"How did you say they got hurt again?" Bianca asks.
"Casey was bashed and Kyle was chucked into the ocean," Heath answers.
"How could three students manage to do that to both of them?" Bianca inquires, feeling slightly confused.
"It wasn't just three, there were three others, but Kyle and Casey said they've never seen them before, so could only assume they were friends from another school," Heath suggests.
"Well I certainly can't do anything there, but I will keep a close eye on Haley, Zeke, and Damien and ask other teachers to do the same," Bianca assures.
"Thanks Babe, have I told you you're the best?"
Bianca laughs, "Quite a few times. Let Kyle and Casey know I said I hope they recover okay and I'm sure I'll see them soon anyway."
"Will do; love you," Heath responds.
"I love you too. Have a good rest of your workday; bye," Bianca finishes and hangs up.
Heath is about to go back into the office to check on his brothers when John walks in holding two take away juice containers.
"What are you doing here, Palmer? Haven't you done enough?" Heath retorts.
"Now I understand your hostility; you Braxtons are a tight-knit family, but I came here to see how young Kyle and Casey were doing and to offer them a free juice from the juice bar," John explains.
Heath furrows his brow at the older man; clearly still unimpressed.
"That's mighty noble of you," Heath replies in a sarcastic tone, "For your information Palmer, they are pretty knocked around and are recovering in the office."
"Well, I am sorry. It was not my intention to make them targets of any kind. Would you at least tell them that? And I don't care if you don't want to give them the juices; I made a grape, apple and orange one for Casey and a kiwi, pineapple and orange for Kyle. Maybe I'll just leave them here on the counter in case you change your mind," John informs, placing down the juice containers and backing away from the counter as Heath stares at his every move.
John awkwardly gives a farewell to Heath and leaves the gym.
Heath pauses for a moment then grabs the two juices and enters the office.
"How are you both doing?" he asks.
"Better, but I still don't feel really warm," Kyle says with a shiver.
"Sore," Casey grumbles.
"Well it won't be much longer and we'll get you both home. In the meantime, Palmer dropped off these juices for you both."
Heath hands the juices to his brothers.
"It's not poisoned, is it, because we didn't finish helping with his stupid tasks?" Casey complains and gives his juice a slight shake.
"I don't fully trust the nosey parker either but he wouldn't stoop to that level," Heath assures.
Casey shrugs, whilst Kyle, still feeling the harsh taste of sea water in his mouth and throat, was grateful to have something to wash the taste out and takes a swift sip.
"Someone seems to be enjoying the juice," Heath comments.
"It just helps get rid of the salt water taste," Kyle mumbles.
"Don't need to justify, it just looks like it was nice," Heath replies with a chuckle.
"Did you want to have a taste? I mean you probably haven't had a break since you had to stop work to rescue us," Kyle mumbles.
"Nah; it's okay; you need it more."
"I honestly don't mind," Kyle offers, handing his juice towards Heath.
Heath takes a small sip just enough to wet his whistle then hands the juice back to Kyle.
"Thanks. Now, rest up and I'll be finished soon," Heath informs; giving Kyle and Casey both a pat on their hair before he exits the office again, only this time proceeding to assist some clients on the machines.
Casey then decides to finally take a small sip of his own juice before thirstily gulping it down.
Just before four-thirty when the last of the day's clients had left for the evening, Xavier approaches Heath.
"Are Kyle and Casey doing okay now?" he asks with genuine concern.
"Yeah they will be with a little more TLC. You did good today, mate; you'll be a pro trainer before you know it," Heath praises with a cheerful smile and slaps Xavier on the arm.
"Thanks, it was the right thing to do to help out. Anyway I'm leaving now to go meet with Indi; she's probably waiting for me. I'll see you tomorrow," Xavier replies and turns to leave.
"Have fun!" Heath calls out.
Heath then returns to the office and takes the towels from both teens, throwing them into an empty basket to wash in the morning.
"Come on little bros," he instructs, to which Kyle and Casey stand up.
Heath swings his arms around both their shoulders and guides them out of the gym.
Briefly stopping to lock the door he then encourages them towards his Ute.
Heath pushes Casey towards the back seat and pushes Kyle into the front seat before getting in himself and starting up his Ute.
"Can we get something to eat; I'm hungry," Casey whines.
"You just had a juice," Heath exclaims.
"So? I'm hungry," Casey moans, "Don't be a grouch and let us have some food."
"Watch who you're calling a grouch back there baby bro," Heath warns in a playful manner.
"Heath, I'm hungry, please," Casey continues to complain.
"You can eat when we get home."
"But I want something now, please?" Casey pleads.
Heath sighs heavily and glances over at Kyle who is scrunched up withdrawn and looking out the window.
"Alright, but I'm only doing this because of what happened today," Heath says, finally giving in and driving towards the Diner.
Heath pulls up and asks Kyle what he would like; having already some idea what Casey would be after, as he always usually ordered the same things.
"I'm not hungry," Kyle whispers quietly.
"I'm not stopping here just for Case, you need to eat too, Ky," Heath insists.
"I'm honestly fine. I don't need to eat anything," Kyle grumbles.
Heath huffs and gets out of his Ute, concluding he is going to get Kyle something to eat whether he likes it or not and makes his way inside.
Five minutes later, Heath returns and hands Casey a chicken burger and Kyle, a ham and cheese sandwich.
"I told you I wasn't hungry," Kyle grumbles and squashes closer to the door.
"And I'm telling you: I'm not having it; so eat; I only got you something small," Heath orders.
Casey by now is already scoffing down his chicken burger greedily.
Kyle sighs, knowing there is no point in arguing with his big brother and despite his feelings of misery he was a little hungry, so unwraps his sandwich and takes a small bite.
"Good boy," Heath praises and ruffles Kyle's hair before starting up his Ute and making the way back home.
Heath drives up the driveway to the Braxton house and parks.
He follows Kyle and Casey as they walk to go inside.
Brax has already prepared everything for dinner and only needs to do the last minute cooking, so was eagerly awaiting his brothers to return home.
Brax rushes over towards Kyle and Casey to assess the damage for himself.
He notices Kyle's eyes are still a little red and then he takes a look at Casey's badly injured cheekbone and lip.
"I hear you've been knocked around on your abdomen too; care to show me that," Brax instructs.
Casey reluctantly lifts his shirt up and turns away as Brax cocks his eyebrow in astonishment at the bruising over his youngest brother's abdomen.
"You said you checked this?" Brax questions Heath.
"Yep: treated them both."
"Hmm...Put your shirt back down Casey, I think you should be seen by a doctor," Brax confirms.
"Why? I hate going to the doctors," Casey complains.
"I'm not leaving you like this without being certain nothing is going on," Brax replies, remaining firm.
"I told you Case, that it wasn't your call," Heath adds.
"It probably wouldn't hurt to get you looked at too Kyle. Maybe I can get Sid to swing by tonight, otherwise I'll take you both over to see him tomorrow," Brax states, "In the meantime you are both soaking wet and need to get into a shower, so I don't care who goes first but off you go," Brax orders.
Kyle and Casey make their way to their bedroom.
"You can have first shower, Einstein," Casey says quietly.
"Are you sure?" Kyle clarifies as he gets his pyjamas from his bed.
Casey nods.
"You know you're definitely nothing of what those pathetic excuse for people say about you," Kyle says honestly.
Casey shrugs, "Thanks, and you don't deserve the way that they treat you either. They are the ones who should have been covered in trash!" Casey exclaims.
Kyle smiles and makes his way to the bathroom.
Meanwhile back in the lounge room, Heath continues to fill Brax in on the incident and once done, makes his way to the door.
"You not plan on staying for dinner?" Brax asks.
"I won't miss your famous Sesame Chicken, I just need to duck out to do something," Heath answers.
Brax raises his brow but lets Heath go then grabs his phone to dial Sid's number.
On the fifth ring Sid finally answers.
"Oh hey: Sid, I know you're probably really busy, but I could really do with a favour. You see Kyle and Casey got into a scrap today; well bullied actually, and I'm just a little concerned about their injuries as Casey got beaten up and Kyle got sea water in his eyes, so if it was at all possible for you to pop around sometime and just have a quick look over their injuries, I'd really appreciate it Sid," Brax says.
"Not a problem Brax and I'm sorry to hear the boys suffered at the hands of some vile bullies," Sid replies, agreeing to stop by the house after finishing at the hospital on his way home.
"Thanks Sid," Brax says gratefully and hangs up.
Meanwhile in the bathroom, after thirty minutes of allowing the warm water to run over his body, Kyle finally steps out and gets himself dry and into his pyjamas and then throws his yellow Hufflepuff oodie over the top.
Casey is waiting patiently for his turn and as soon as Kyle leaves the bathroom, Casey is quick to take his place.
Casey lavishes in the comfort of the water over his body, but couldn't stop the winces of pain as the water hits his sore abdomen.
He runs his hand over his crimson, bruised abdomen and shutters.
After about twenty five minutes he starts to feel a little dizzy as the heat from the water makes him light-headed and he leans up against the wall for support.
Kyle walks out into the lounge room and Brax gives him a smile.
"How are you feeling?" he asks softly.
"Okay, I guess," Kyle mumbles.
"Case still in the shower?" Brax inquires, to which Kyle nods.
Brax begins to make his way towards the bathroom, concerned over his baby brother's potential concussion and his being in the shower for too long, however Kyle stops him in his tracks when he whispers out.
"Would you like me to set the table or get anything ready for dinner?"
Kyle wanting to please Brax knowing he is still being punished and preparing the table for dinner was one of their chores.
"Nah, kiddo; you go get some rest," Brax replies with a smile and continues on towards the bathroom.
Kyle sits on the couch and curls his legs up into his oodie and relaxes, blinking and giving his eyes a little rub as they are still sore.
Brax knocks on the bathroom door.
"You alright in there, Case?" he calls out.
Being shocked out of his daze, Casey moves away from leaning against the shower wall.
"What?" he calls out with slight confusion, as he attempts to steady himself from his spinning head.
"I said are you okay in there Casey?" Brax yells louder, concluding this time if Casey didn't answer reasonably he was going to burst in and check on him himself.
"Yeah, Brax; I'm fine!"
"Well, it's time you finish up; you've been in there far too long!" Brax yells out.
Brax hears the water stop and Casey steps out of the shower and begins to dry himself, rubbing his aching head in the process.
"I'm out now!" Casey yells back.
"Well, please don't be too long in there; okay?" Brax requests, out of concern.
"I won't!" Casey yells.
Brax hesitates, wondering if he should remain near the bathroom in case something occurred, but then second guesses himself and decides to just check on Casey if he didn't emerge in good time.
Brax returns to the kitchen to set the table for dinner.
Ten minutes later, Casey shuffles out into the lounge room.
He is wearing his oversized burgundy hoodie and flannelette blue and red checkered pyjama bottoms.
Brax lifts his head to acknowledge and smile at Casey's presence when he notices Casey's drawn out demeanor.
"Casey, what's wrong?" he asks; dropping the cutlery on the table and approaching the youngest.
"I kind of have a headache," Casey mumbles.
Brax feels Casey's forehead.
"Go and sit on the couch and rest for a while. I'll get you some pain relief," Brax informs and guides Casey towards the couch.
"Do you need anything Kyle?" Brax asks.
"No thanks," Kyle answers as he remains snuggled up in his oodie.
Brax gives Casey some water and pain capsules before returning to the table setting and cooking of the dinner.
Heath returns and heads straight into his flat before popping back over the Brax's house, just in time to see Brax getting ready to plate up the dinner.
"Didn't miss out I see?" he says with eagerness and claps his hands together.
Brax rolls his eyes.
"Kyle and Casey are you both okay to come to the table?" Brax asks.
"Yes, I'm coming," Kyle replies.
"Yeah," Casey adds quietly and they both get up and wander towards the table.
"I think you both need a good night's sleep tonight; right after Sid pops around to check on you both," Brax announces, as he eyes both Kyle and Casey hanging drowsily in their dinner and picking at it slowly.
Casey flicks his head up and scowls at Brax.
"Why'd you do that for? I don't want to see a doctor," Casey whines.
Kyle wasn't a fan of being poked at either after his ordeal of the day but had no energy to protest so just shifts in his seat and grunts.
"Sid's doing us a favour, so be respectful," Brax replies.
Once the four brothers finish their dinner, Brax dismisses Kyle and Casey to rest back on the couch.
Kyle is quick to snuggle his legs up in his oodie again whilst Casey sleepily rests his head against the side of the couch.