Fatal Attraction

[lollypop]

Wow, this Heath is so different to the on-screen Heath and I actually love both of them!

I really love that Heath and Ruby have a connection in this fic!

It's an odd pairing but the way you have written their relationship, lollypop, is really beautiful, and it works!

I do just have one question - does Ruby have three admirers; Heath, Geoff and Casey, or am I just reading it wrong?

Yes, there are three men who have varying degrees of affection for Ruby. But only one of them has feelings strong enough to fight off the attention of the others and actually go the distance. The question is, which one????

I'm with you, I actually like Heath, because unlike Brax he is who he is and people either accept it or not. He doesn't hide behind a fake mask. After the episode where Xavier, Casey and Ruby drove to Deacon's Point, I thought the back and forth banter between Ruby and Heath was really good and it intrigued me the possibility that there could be a mutual admiration for one another. So I decided to test it out in this fic.

The thing I decided though when I began writing Heath was, like his onscreen self, he's very flawed and makes bad decisions so I decided that he was going to maintain that characteristic while also displaying a softer side to himself.

Thanks for the review Laura. Much appreciated!!

[JosieTash]

LOVE it !!!! ….. especially …..

 Where would that leave Ruby?", Morag said, trying to tug on Alf's heartstrings. "That poor girl has been through enough recently, waht with Ross dying and losing her sight. The last thing she needs is to have her mother locked up because of a poor decision. Do you really want to be responsible for that?", she asked. Alf looked at her with a frown. Although he hated to admit it, Morag had a point.

 . "I CARE ABOUT HER ALRIGHT", he shouted back at her. "I care about her a lot. You know she's the only one in this stupid town who actually cared enough to get to know me instead of writin' me off", he tried to explain. Heath looked back down at the ground, suddenly feeling quite vulnerable and exposed.

 "I don't care what you feel for my daughter, from now on you stay the hell away from her or I swear to God a pissed off drug baron will be the least of your problems", she hissed at him.

 Breathing the same air as the girl who stole his heart and never gave it back.

 Casey Braxton had only just stepped foot back in Summer Bay, and already he had lost the only thing he had left that meant anything to him.

[HighwayUnicorn]

Wow, is it wrong that I actually like Heath in this fic? Hmmm ...

Concerned about the ending though ... I look forward to more.

Another great update, very well done.

Love Carina xxx

[Inactive User]

Whoooooaaaa *gasps for breath* Ok, ok, catching my breath at last... wow, wow! That was such a gripping and well-writting chapter you had done so well!! Well done! Please update soon, pretty pleasseee xxxx

[lollypop]

Hey everyone. Sorry I haven't updated in while. I'm been struggling with plot issus and now I'm having a few technical issues on my end of things. Hopefully I can get a chapter done tonight or tomorrow. It's been far too long since I updated.

Anyways thanks for all the comments. I really appreciate it.

[teespazzr]

Hopefully I can get a chapter done tonight or tomorrow. It's been far too long since I updated.

Anyways thanks for all the comments. I really appreciate it.

Yay! I love this fic!

[lollypop]

Hey, sorry for the delay. I think this is possibly one of the longest chapter I have every written for any of my fics. Thanks so much for all the reviews. I hope you enjoy the latest installement. Can't wait to hear your thoughts

Chapter 14

Sitting around the table, Geoff, Ruby and Charlie spent the last half hour exchanging stories of what has been going on in their lives. They discussed Geoffs work in the missions, and pretty much anything else that they could think of to catch him up on what had been going on in the Bay since he left. At one point Leah and Irene had joined in while on their lunch break, but now it was just the three of them and to say Geoff was happy to be around Ruby again was an understatement. He still had the same grin on his face that he had when he saw her again for the first time and it was becoming infectious. Charlie was grinning from ear to ear. Happy to see that Ruby had a bit of that old spark back in her that had been missing for quite a while.

After divulging more town gossip, they decided to enjoy an early dinner while they were hanging around. This was actually a little unusual for Ruby as she had never really dined out since her accident. Other than going to the juice bar with her friends or odering a coffee, she spent most of her meal times at home in private where she could develop her skills in what she had referred to as blind dining. Being honest, she actually felt uncomfortable eating in front of people as there had been few accidents and mishaps at home. Knocking glasses over, spilling food, mixing up the salt and pepper and other little mishaps.

Fortunantly for Ruby, Charlie was on the ball about most things. Whenever they would eat together, Charlie would hand Ruby whatever it was she was looking for or put it in reaching distance. Sometimes, Charlie would do it without even being asked. It was almost like she had picke up a sixth sense and she knew what Ruby was thinking before she opened her mouth. Which left Geoff mesmerised. Time and again he saw Charlie reaching for something that Ruby wanted without either Buckton saying a word. It warmed his heart to how dedicated Charlie was to taking care of Ruby, not matter how difficult the situation. Once they had finished their meal, Ruby excused herself to go to the bathroom. Standing up Charlie place her arm around her daughters back and manuovered her around the table and then guided her in the right direction before sitting back down.

"You know the dedication you have to looking after Ruby, it really is amazing. I mean I know she's your daughter and all, but the way your their for her, just knowing what she needs without her saying a word. It's just incredible", Geoff said smiling at Charlie to show that he was being genuine with what he was saying. Charlie blushed at the compliment. If she were the type to lap up adoration from other people she would have stood up and taken a bow. But that wasn't the type of person she was. Ruby was her daughter and she would do anything in this world for her without a seconds hesitation. Being there for her and taking care of her, it was just second nature. Most of the time she did it without thinking.

"Thanks, but to be honest it's all down to Ruby. She's been working so hard to push through all this and rebuild her life. She's really been putting in a lot of effort to find ways to live comfortably with her disability", Charlie said as a sense of pride start to well up in her as she thought of the work Ruby had put in to adapting to being blind. At times she geuninely felt that Ruby did deserve some type of reward. "You know if I'm honest, I get up in the morning, and I have those days were I just want to crawl back under the duvet forget about work and relationships and all that other "stuff" that we just get so consumed by", she said really expressing her thoughts as she spoke. "But then, I see Ruby. I watch her make her own breakfast, tie her shoe laces, and just getting around the house without tripping over something. All the things we take for granted, the things we do without thinking twice about, they are like the biggest hurdles for her, but she does it and carries on with her day", Charlie and she could see it in Geoff's eyes that he understood exactly where she was coming from.

"And it makes me think, what have I got to complain about? I have a job that I'm successful at, I have good friends I care about, I have my health, and I have a daughter who I love more than I thought it was possible love another human being. I don't pity Ruby or feel sorry for her. In fact with each passing day, I become more and more in 'awe' of her", Charlie finished as a tear welled up in her eye. Geoff placed a hand in top of Charlie's and gave her one of his heart warming smiles. Then out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Ruby making her way back to the table. "So what did I miss?", she asked as Geoff pulled out her chair for her. After regathering her composure, Charlie smiled. "Actually I was just about to ask Goff how long he was planning on hanging around for", she said, curious as to whether or not this was a short or long visit.

Geoff looked down and then looked back gazed back up again at both women. "Actually I'm planning on sticking around indefinitely. Or at least that's the plan right now", he said. Ruby's face lit up as Geoff spoke. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. If it weren't for the diner full of people she would have jumped up and screamed with excitement but she thought against it. "Really? Oh my God that's, it's amazing!", she squealed. Charlie laughed. Her daughter was still as exciteble as ever. Once Ruby had settled down, Geoff gaze at her and noticed the awkward grin on her face. He frowed, then broke into a small smile. "You already I was staying didn't you?", he asked. Ruby chewed her bottom lip before her smile turned into a laugh.

"Okay, guilty as charged. Irene let it slip to me and Charlie yesterday after the town meeting", she said. Geoff nodded his head remembering something Alf having organised a town meeting but he had decided to skip it as he was still trying to get over a serious case of jet lag. "Yeah April mentioned it to me. What was it about?", he asked, curious as to what was pushing Mr. Stewart into action. "Alf and Palmer are sick of the Riverboys running around doing what they want and attracting trouble into the town. Everytime the police do something about it lasts all of five seconds before they're back on the beach again. So, they want the good ol' towns people to pick up their pitch forks and burn them at the stake", Ruby laughed as she spoke, remembering how the meeting seemed more like a Mel Gibson scene out of Braveheart than an actual town meeting.

"Basically they want us to make it as difficult as possible for them to drive them out of town. Everything from refusing them service at the Surf Club, the Diner, the Offlicense. Refuse them entry to public premises where families and school kids hang out", she listed off, trying to remember what else Alf has said the night before. "Oh yeah, Alf even wants people to boycott Angelo's. At least while Darryl Braxton owns it", she finished, sensing her mother tense a little beside her. Charlie was saddened by the severe action Alf, Palmer and the people of Summer Bay were going to to push the Riverboys out of the Bay. What was also hurting, was that the feelings she had for Brax, the one's she buried when she ended things, had creeped back up the night before at the meeting, when she found herself feeling sorry for Brax for being blacklisted the way he was.

She thought back to the meeting, she remembered sitting next to Ruby, Bianca and April and watching as Alf fired up the towns people, as if they were going to war. They cheered with every word that came out of his mouth. At one point she saw Alf stare directly at her when he talked about boycotting Angelo's and when she turned around, she spotted Brax all the way at the back of the crowd, standing by the door, shaking his head. Looking like the most deflated man in the world. Normally Brax would have stood up for himself. But she could see it in his eyes, against a room full of people, it was a battle he could never win. Not that he was there for long. An anxious looking Tegan arrived and after exchanging a few words in Brax's ear, they left. Leaving Charlie slightly curious.

"Actually, I, have a present for you", Ruby said as she touched mothers arm, indicating to her to retrieve the present from her handbag. Once Charlie had grabbed a hold of it, Ruby held onto her arm and gestured for her to hand it straight to Geoff. Smiling, Geoff took the gift out of Charlie's hand and unwrapped it to reveal a small box. Opening it, his eyes lit up as his gaze fell upon a leather wrist band with a silver pendent on it, much like the one's Ruby and her friends wore. "Now don't get too excited, Romeo, Xavier and Dex have similiar one's and April, Indi and Nicole have one's that are like mine. It was their idea. It's a way for me to identify them. Only people I trust have them so count yourself lucky", she said grinning.

Geoff's face lit up as he put the wrist band on and admired it. "I love it. Thank you", he said as he leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek. "I really hate to just leave like this, but I promised Nic I would visit her in the city so I better make tracks. But if you're not busy we could meet up tomorrow?", he asked looking back and forth between Ruby and Charlie. Ruby nodded her head and after Charlie told him she would settle the bill, he left. Standing up Ruby and Charlie headed for the counter to pay when Alf entered the diner. "Charlie can I have a word?", he asked. She turned to Ruby who was standing next to her griping both her hands around her cane.

"It's okay I'll wait outside", Ruby said as she touched her cane to the ground and made her way for the exit. Charlie watched on until Ruby was outside. As much as she hated dogs, she actually couldn't wait until Jacob was done with his guide dog training. Everytime Ruby went off on her own it made her anxious. Once her daughter was out of sight, she turned her attention to Alf. Gazing around at the other diners, he noticed the outside dining area was empty and he Charlie walked over to it for some privacy. "What can I do for you Alf?", Charlie asked, assuming it was to do with the Riverboys and Alf and Palmers little vendetta to get rid of them out of Summer Bay for good.

"First of all you can drop the cop act. I know about you and young Darryl Braxton", he said as he placed his hands on his hips. Like he always did when he was making a point to show this wasn't a social chat. Charlie flinched slightly and shifted to the other foot, trying her best to keep her composure. "I don't know what you're talking about", she said looking Alf straight in the eye. Alf frowned at the blatant lie she was telling to his face. Disappointed in her for thinking she could get away with it. "Don't pull that one with me. Angelo showed me a little DVD when I went and visited him in the City. It was CCTV footage from Angelo's and right at the end there's a nice shot of you and Darryl gettin more than a little intimate", he said.

Suddenly Charlie felt like a little school girl, getting a telling off from the principal for getting caught making out with one of the boys behind the bike shed. She was embarressed to have been caught out in that way, but at the same time she was worried about Alf knowing. To many people knew as it was, she was afraid of how many more people would find out. "Alf you can't tell anyone. If people find out, especially any of Brax's rival gangs, or my bosses, it would finish both of us off", she said, a look of worry in her eyes as she though of the damage this had already caused. Not to her directly, but to Ruby and Casey.

"Why didn't you think of this before you jumped into bed with someone who has spent most of his life on the wrong side of the law", Alf said, loud enough to alert Irene who stopped what she was doing and and stood by the counter watching and listening, trying to make sure a war didn't break out in the middle of her premises. "Strewth, I thought you had more sense than to get involved with someone like that", Alf said shaking his head. Charlie stood there shocked, angere that Alf was belittling her like that. "Excuse me but my personal life is my business and I should have the right to be with whoever I want without being judged for it", she defended herself. Alf glared sideways at her. "Well when your involved with some with a reputation and such a personal relationship with the police I think you'll find that in a town this small it becomes everyone's business. Especially when it comes down to the fact that since the Braxtons and their mob showed up this town has gone to the dogs", Alf said, his voice like thunder as he spoke.

"Brax may have a reputation but you don't know him like I do. Yes, he's done some questionable things, but underneath it he's a good guy caught in a bad situation", Charlie responded. She found it weird defending Brax when they weren't even together, but she thought it was unfair his name being dragged through the mud when he wasn't there to defend himself. "Darryl Braxton is no better than any other common crook and no amount of charm or money is going to change that. And I'll tell you one thing, if I for one second thing your abusing your position as a police officer to keep him out of trouble you'll have a fight on your hands to keep your job", Alf said shaking his finger at her. "Oh you'd really sell me out?", Charlie shouted back.

At this point Irene could see that tempers were rising. Walking from behind the counter she stepped in between them and and shouted above their bickering. "ALRIGHT ENOUGH", she said. "I don't know what it is that has you two at each other's throats but if it's about the Riverboys you two really need to get over it. This fighting isn't helping anyone and you two snipin' at each other isn't going to get you anywhere". Once Irene had finished speaking both Charlie and Alf backed down. Alf shot a sympathtic look at Charlie. "You're a good Sheila Charlie, don't get caught in the middle of all this mess over a fling with someone who's no good for you", Alf advised as he brushed passed Irene and headed into the diner.

"Fling? What is he talkin' about a fling? With who?", Irene asked feeling very confused. She didn't know Charlie was even seeing anyone. Charlie swallowed hard and wiped her brow, then turned her attention to Irene. "Nothing, it doesn't matter", Charlie said. Before Irene could reply, Charlie asked her if she could pay the bill and walked back inside. As she stood at the counter waiting for the waitress to return she turned around and gazed at the table Alf was sitting at. They looked at each other, both hoping for different outcomes to their conversation. Charlie hoping that Alf would calm down his advances to get rid of Brax and the Riverboys and Alf hoping that Charlie would see sense and stay away from someone he thought was a gambler on a bad path.

Outside the diner, Ruby sat on a bench waiting for her mother to come and get her so they could go home. As she sat down she heard the sound of a truck skid into the car park and a door slam. Startled she slowly stood up and was about to walk away when she heard the familiar voice of Heath mumbling to himself as he walked passed her. "Heath", she called out. "Not now", he answered her with a tone that would suggest he was currently angry. As Heath continued to walk away towards the beach another car skidded into the car park . Three men emerged from the car and called after Heath. "Hey man wait up", one of them said. As they were passing by, Ruby was knocked over in the rush. Hitting the ground with a thud.

Hearing the sound of someone falling Heath turned around to find Ruby on the ground and three of his boys standing over her. Running back over he helped Ruby up and sat her on the bench. Tunring around he shoved Decky, the guy responsible. "Oi watch were you're goin", he shouted. Decky shoved him back, annoyed at Heath for turning on him. "Take it easy mate anyone would think you actually cared about her". At this point Heath was fuming. "Yeah well maybe I do!", he shouted back, losing control of his mouth. Standing back he realised what he said and tried to calm himself. Laughing Decky turned. "You what?", he said, gazing between Ruby and Heath. "Nothin forget it", he said. With that he turned around walked away, jumping back into his truck and driving off.

Sitting on the bench Ruby was stunned into silence. Never in a million years did she think that Heath Braxton of all people would have feelings for her. Sensing that the others were still there, Ruby gripped her cane tightly. "I can't believe he has feelings for a blind chick", Decky laughe as he headed for the beach. After a couple of minutes Charlie arrived to find Ruby siiting quietly. "Hey, you ready to go?", she asked. Standing there, Charlie got no response. Placing a hand on her daughters shoulder she gently coaxed her daughter to talk. "Heath Braxton just admitted to having feelings for me", she said as she sat there in a trance like state. Charlie lowered her head. Annoyed that Heath had done this. Placing her arm around Ruby's shoulders. "Come on. We'll talk about this at home", she said. With that they stood up and headed for Charlie's car.

"Xavier", Casey shouted as he ran up the beach towards his best friend. Digging his surf board into the sand, Xavier turned around and smiled at Casey. Once they were close enough they bumped fists and Xavier welcomed him back. "Hey look, I'm sorry I just took off like that. I just had a lot of stuff going on", Casey explain as they sat down on the sand. Xavier brushed off the excuse telling him it was necessary. "Look we've all had moments of madness. So what's up? How've you been?", he asked. Casey nodded as he looked out at the surf. Remembering why exactly he loved Summer Bay so much. "I've been better. My ribs are healed so I can finally hit the surf again which is good. So ah, how's, how's Ruby?", he asked. Hoping that Xavier would spill on who the mystery man he saw her on the beach was.

"Yeah she's doing okay. Well, she's as good as can be expected. But I won't lie, she was pretty gutted that you left without saying anything", he said. Casey lowered his head. Time and again he had cursed himself for leaving without saying anything. But he knew with the state his head was in when he left, that it was better that he didn't see her. "So who's the guy she's been hanging around with? I them on the beach yesterday. They seemed pretty friendly", he asked. Xavier thought for a second, and then realised who it was he was talking about. "Oh that was Geoff. He and Ruby used to be an item about a year ago until he left. He went to do missionary work in Africa or somewhere", Xavier said. Casey nodded feeling relieved to know that Geoff was in Ruby's past.

Looking down he noticed the wristband Xavier was wearing. "Nice leather. You going for the beach bum look", Casey asked with a sarcastic grin. Xavier punched him jokingly on the shoulder. "Nah, we all got 'em. Me, Dex, Romeo, April, Indi. It's a way for her to identify the people closest to her. Ruby has one too. The silver tag has braille on the flip side. See", he said twisting the pendent around to show Casey what he was talking about. "That's pretty cool", Casey said as he admired it. Standing up he wiped the sand off his boarded shorts. "Look man, I gotta go. I'll check ye later", he said. Xavier waved as Casey took.

Heading into the Surf Club, Casey spotted Geoff standing at the juice bar. Part of him told him to walk away. But another part of him wanted to talk to the guy, find out what he's really like. Walking up to the bar, he 'accidentally' bumped into him. "Oh man, I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going", he said. Geoff looked at him. "Don't worry about it, it was an accident", he said. Casey flashed a fake apologetic smile. "I've haven't seen you around before. Are you new to the Bay? I'm Casey by the way", he said extending his hand. Geoff shook his hand, "I'm Geoff. Actually I used to live here but I left about a year ago. I just got back into town", he said.

Casey nodded his head pretending to be interested. "Ah cool. Actually I think Ruby mentioned you before", he said trying to form a common connection between them. Geoff raised his eyebrows. "You know Ruby?", he asked as he paid the girl behind the counter for his juice. "Yeah, actually we've been going out for a couple of minths now", he said, trying to provoke some sort of reaction out of him. Geoff checked the time and realised he was running late for his trip to the city. "Aw look I'm running late, but maybe we can hang out sometime?", he asked. As he raised his the hand holding his drink so he could take a sip, Casey noticed the wristband on his wrist. "Yeah", he said rather quietly as he realised it was the same as the one Xavier had been wearing. Turning around he watched as Geoff walked out the door and with that Casey made his exit and headed for the surf. Knowing he needed to clear his head.

Walking throught the door of the police station. Brax was agitated by the handcuffs around his wrists. Many times he had been brought down to the station, but this was actually the first time he was brought in for something he could actually be done for and he felt ashamed of himself for getting caught in the middle of a brawl on the beach. But he was also annoyed. Heath hadn't shown up like he was supposed to and Brax was itching to find out why? As he sat on the chair, Inspector Joyce walked out of the office looking rather pleased with himself. "Mr. Braxton, you don't know how long I've been waiting for this day", he said as he signed off on a report sheet at the reception desk where Watson was watching.

"You know there' no way you can hold me. Once I give my lawyer a call, I'll be out of here before you sign off for the day eh", he said with a smug grin. Inspector Joyce laughed in Brax's face. "I don't care. You know why? Because we finally have something to charge you with and I'm going to keep digging until I found more stuff to charge you with. Either way you're going in front of a judge so you may want to get used to the fact that you could very well be heading for a jail cell Mr. Braxton", Joyce said as started to walk towards his office. "Constable, charge these boys. Don't let any of them leave until they've made bail", he said. "Yes Sir", Watson replied. Watson walked out from the desk and headed straight for Brax. She relished in the enjoyment she got out of charging him.

A couple of hours passed and Brax had finally made bail. Once outside the station he removed his mobile from his pocket and dialled Heath's number. "Heath where the hell are ye? Why weren't you at the beach. Call me back", he said as his temper began to rise. Across the street he saw Tegan waiting for him. Crossing the road he jumped into the passenger seat and glanced out the window. "What are ye doin' here Tegan? he asked glancing at her with a look of anger. "Jake's escaped", she said. Her voice trembling as she spoke. Brax's head snapped around. "What do ye mean he's escaped. I tied him up myself there's no way he got of got out of those ropes", Brax said.

"He started bleeding from his stitches. I had to untie him so I could clean it up", Tegan tried to continue explaining, but Brax cut her off. "Tegan are you stupid. I shot him", he said raising his voice. "But you shot in self defence with his own gun. He can't go to the cops", she treid to reason with him. "That's not the point. I almost killed him. If he gets back to his boys they're gonna plan an attack", Brax rubbed his brow as he tried to come up with a plan. Just then Tegan's phone beeped and she looked at it to reveal she had a message. "Maybe not. Decky saw Jake heading back towards the River. If we catch up with him he won't get the chance to say anything", she said. Brax gazed out the windscreen and the turned towards Tegan. "I'm driving".

At Leah's, Charlie and Ruby were sitting down on the couch in the living room having just finished a late night snack. Ruby was quiet which worried Charlie. Something was obviously bothering her. "Rubes, you okay? What's wrong?", she asked. Ruby removed her glasses and wiped her brow. Charlie lowered her head and gazed into Ruby's eyes, gently rubbing her finger along her daughter's cheek and over the scars around eye. Really noticing them for the first time since the accident. Ruby raised her head but her focus was was straight ahead as she let out a sigh.

"It's just, last year I spent months complaining about the fact I wasn't in a relationship. And now, my ex boyfriend is back in town wanting to spend time with me. Heath Braxton has feelings for which has come out of nowhere and my boyfriend is God knows where", she said wiping away a stray tear. Charlie placed her arm around Ruby's shoulders and pulled her closer, giving her a comforting squeeze. "It just feels like I can't catch a break. I just want time to just, breath", she said. Charlie nodded her head more to herself than Ruby as she realised she felt the exact same way about her own life. Everyday she had this internal struggle over her feelings for Brax's and people's constant need to share their opinion on him and the Riverboys.

"I guess it's true what they say, like mother, like daughter", Charlie said. Ruby turned her focus towards her mothers voice. "Brax", she said, knowing that her mother was still harbouring feelings for the eldest Braxton. Charlie laughed slightly. She never was able to hide anything from Ruby. If it weren't for her daughters complete aversion to all things police, she could have sworn Ruby would have been a good detective. "I guess I'm just wondering if I'll ever get it right. I mean, I'm not getting any younger", she said as she played with Ruby's hand. "Charlie you're thirty two years old. You have plenty of time to find love. Unless, it's because Brax is the guy you want", Ruby questioned.

Charlie fell silent. Of course she still had feelings for Brax. She was in love with the man. But that couldn't rise above the things he had done and the lies he had told. "You know in another lifetime, in another place, I would have said yes", she said as Ruby listened intently. "But unfortunantly we're just living in two completely differnent worlds with different priorities", Charlie said as she gazed at her daughter. The most important priority in her life. Just then...smash...came a noise from the kitchen. Both women jumped at the sound. Standing up, Charlie raced into the kitchen to find the window shattered.

Gazing down her eyes fell upon a rock with an envelope tied down to it by an elastic band. Picking it up she removed the envelope and held it in her hand. Written across the front was her name as well as Ruby's. "Charlie, what's going on?", Ruby asked as he stood by the doorway holding onto the frame. Opening the letter Charlie read the black writing in front of her.

They say the death of a child is unbearable for a parent. You're gonna know what that feels like Buckton. Tell Ruby I'll be seeing her soon - Brodie.

Scrunching up the note, Charlie rushed over to Ruby and pulled her into her arms. Holding on to her with a death grip. Unable to stop her tears from falling.

Walking into his empty restaurant, Brax walked behind the counter and noticed a white envelope sitting on the counter, next to a half empty bottle of burboun, Picking it up he opened it and pulled out the letter inside.

You always were a firecracker mate. Now you're gonna watch Summer Bay burn. I'll be seeing you soon. Cheers for the drink - Brodie and the Boys.

Brax ripped up the note and threw it in the bin. Looking at the bottle of burboun, he picked it up and flung it at the wall. Watching as it smashed to the ground into a number of tiny pieces. Armageddon was threatening to hit Summer Bay and he didn't know how to stop it.

**************************

Next Time:

* Brax talks to Casey for the first time in a long time and alerts him to Brodie's threats

* Heath and Ruby discuss his feelings for her but things turn ugly when he gets into a fight with one of Ruby's school peers who teases her about her disability

* Charlie discusses the possibility of leaving town with Ruby to Bianca. Is she making the right decision?

[ldscott]

Great chapter! I'm scared thinking about what Brodie might have in mind for his revenge now!

I like Geoff being back and Heath's soft side, but I do hope that Ruby and Casey stay together as I love them as a couple. Just hope he manages to get the courage to go talk to her!

Lisa x

[lollypop]

I would like to apologise for my terrible spelling and grammer. I wrote this chapter in a bit of a rush thats hy it's so bad!! Sorry!!

[LauraPhilly!!]

Wow, amazing chapter!

That threat at the end is really something to be worried about! Poor Charlie and Ruby!

Love how great Charlie is with Ruby!

I wish they had more scenes like that on the show! It seems nowadays that the only moments that Charlie and Ruby have together are either when they are screaming at eachother, or Charlie is threatening Ruby not to do something!

Love the conflict that Ruby has with her feelings for Geoff and Heath!

Personally I think Heath would be the better choice...Geoff is just old school!

Looking forward to the next chapter, lollypop!

Love Laura xxx