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[Danni02]

Grreat update!

"Please don't wait too long because I miss my Rubes."

That made me awwwww

Loved Xavier and Ruby chat and Im glad someone maganged to get a smile out of Ruby.

And then the ending! Ruby spoke to Charlie! She may have only said one word but thats a start at least!

Update soon

[Inactive User]

Great chapter

Awww Charlie's heart-felt speech to Ruby at the beginning

Glad Ruby said one word to Charlie. Hope the ranch will help them heal their relationship

More soon please

P.S: Brady, I had updated my fanfiction last night

[tasha91]

this is fab keep it up x

[carywary]

CHAPTER NINE

"The Ranch owner"

Charlie and Angelo started to walk back towards the center.

"So what are you here for?" asked Angelo smiling at Charlie.

"My daughter needs treatment on her leg." 

"So how long do you think you will be here for?" 

"The doctor said two months but he wasn't really sure."

"Well while you are here you should come down to the ranch."

"I would like that." replied Charlie just a she stopped at her car. 

"Am I'll see you later so?" asked Angelo.

"Ya I'll see you later." smiled Charlie. 

When Angelo walked away Charlie got the bags out the car and started to make her way towards the lodges. She found Ruby sitting outside the lodges with her iPod on. Charlie dropped the bags outside the door of their lodge and sat down beside Ruby. Charlie pressed stop on Ruby's iPod and began to speak.

"I know you hate being here. I know you hate having your leg hurt. I know you hate life. But most of all I know you hate me. " Charlie noticed Ruby flinch a little but she continued on.

"When I gave you up, I was doing what was best for you and that's what I'm doing now. All my life I made it my goal to protect you and it will always be that way, no matter what place, time or circumstance. I will always love you. When I told you that I am your mother I knew you would hate me but I also knew you wouldn't let that ruin our relationship. I'll be here when your ready to let me in." Charlie stood up and before she walked away she said one more thing "Please don't wait too long because I miss my Rubes." Charlie walked away and went inside the lodge. Ruby sat there and let the tears flow. The tears she held back for months.

*********** 

The next morning Charlie had gone out for a walk so Ruby decided to go to breakfast in the main building by herself. When she got there she got a few pieces of fruit and sat down at a vacant table beside the window. She started to think about what Charlie had said the night before. Just when she was deciding what she was going to do, Ruby was interrupted in her thoughts.

"Hi, I'm Xavier, when did you arrive? I haven't seen you around here before?" smiled a tall blonde boy as he sat down across the table from Ruby.

"Yesterday." replied Ruby. 

"Where do you come from?" smiled Xavier as he started to mess around with his food.

"A place." said Ruby coldly. She didn't go to center to be inquisitioned by a boy she didn't even know.

"Your not much of a talker are you?" laughed Xavier. "So, are you going to tell me your name?" asked Xavier. Ruby didn't reply. "Okay so, I'll guess it. I know it begins with R because of your necklace." grinned Xavier. Ruby instinctly put her hand up to her necklace and tucked it underneath her top.

"Regina." 

"Rebecca."

"Rachel?" 

After a few minutes Xavier grinned at Ruby and said "I have it, you come from a foreign country, you don't know much English and that's why you won't talk, and you have a foreign name. It's Ralph isn't it? I bet you are a Ralph. You look like a Ralph."

Ruby couldn't help but smile and laugh at Xaviers enthuaism. "It's Ruby."

Xavier smiled at Ruby and put out his hand and said "Welcome to Water springs Ruby."

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

When Charlie arrived back from her walk she found Ruby watching t.v. Charlie got changed and got herself ready for the first physiotherapy session with the doctor. She hoped it would go well. After she was ready she walked back into the living area and said "Its time to leave for your physiotherapy session Ruby." She didn't expect what was going to happen next. "Ok." replied Ruby. Charlie couldn't help but have a big smile all over her face.  

Great work, keep it up! I can't wait to see how this all plans out.

[callyha]

Great few chapters Brady,

looking forward to hearing more

[Laura158]

Wow!!! Great few chapters

Just read about 5 of them and I think you're doing a great job!

I'm loving it!

It made me smile when we found out Angelo was a ranch owner! I hope Ruby starts being more excepting of Charlie now!

[brady!]

Hi everybody. Thanks everyone for the reviews! This will be my last update for a while I'm afraid. My junior cert starts next week so I won't get time to write. I'll update in a few weeks. Thanks again. Enjoy!

CHAPTER TEN

Dr. Roberts came out of his office after Ruby and Charlie waited five minutes.

"Good morning ladies. We're going to go to the physiotherapy room. If you would just follow me please." smiled Dr. Roberts. Ruby and Charlie both followed him down a corridor.

"So this is your first physiotherapy session Ruby?" asked Dr. Roberts.

"Am yes." mumbled Ruby.

"Well there's nothing to be worried about. I'm just going to figure out today what course of treatment will be best for your leg." said Dr. Roberts as he opened the door of the physiotherapy room.

When they went inside the room, Dr. Roberts told Charlie to sit down while he carried out the tests on Ruby. He started off by making Ruby walk across the room. She did this as best she could but she stumbled at some places. Dr. Roberts next instructed Ruby to walk across the room again but this time she had to walk exactly in a straight line. There was a piece of tape stuck to the floor which she was supposed to follow. Dr. Roberts took notes while she walked across the room. She tried to walk across the room but her injured right leg wouldn't walk straight. After a few more tests Dr. Roberts brought Charlie and Ruby back to his office and sat them down while he explained his course of action.

"From carrying out the tests, I noticed that Ruby lacks balance and co-ordination due to the injury she sustained in her right leg. This can be healed but it will need time. I think the best way to help is if you go horse riding. We offer a great horse riding instructor named Angelo. He owns the ranch next door. What do you say?" smiled Dr. Roberts.

Ruby replied with a very unenthusiastic "Ok. Whatever helps my stupid leg." Dr. Roberts gave Ruby an encouraging smile and said "Ok so, you should start tomorrow. I'll tell Angelo to be expecting you at eleven."

Ruby and Charlie both got up and started to leave but Dr. Roberts asked Charlie to wait.

“I'm sorry to keep you Charlie but I can't help but notice that Ruby seems angry at something. How's she dealing with the accident?”

“She was angry before the accident. See, she found out I was her mother. She won't speak to me so I don't really know how she is coping.”

“Oh I see. I read her file and I found out two people died in the car. Was she good friends with them?”

“Yes I think so. I don't know what to say or do.”

“You know Water Valley Center offers a counselor. I can arrange a meeting for Ruby if you would like?” smiled Dr. Roberts.

“Ya that would be great thanks.” replied Charlie.

When Charlie returned to the house she found Ruby sitting on the sofa watching T.V. She sat down beside her and started to talk.

“The doctor spoke to me after you left. She said that you should have a session with the counselor.”

Ruby replied “I'm fine. I don't need to go to a counselor!”

“Ruby your not fine. You need to talk to someone. Please.” replied Charlie staring Ruby straight in the eyes. Ruby didn't reply she just kept staring at the T.V.

“Ruby please. Your hurt, I know your hurt because I hurt you....the past few moths hurt you... and the accident has hurt you. If you don't want to go to the counselor, you can always talk to me instead.” Ruby still didn't reply.

“Rubes, I'm not going to force you do anything but please talk to someone. Your eyes have lost their sparkle, your face has lost its wonderful smile, and I have lost my best friend. I don't want to lose anymore of you Ruby.” Ruby flinched at the last few words. She got up and said “Good night.”

When Ruby went into her room she sat on the ground and began to cry.

Later that night Charlie turned off the T.V and headed towards her bedroom. When she passed Ruby's room she could hear muffled sobs. She entered to find Ruby sitting on the ground with her back straight against the bed and her hands up to her face. Charlie sat down beside Ruby and pulled Ruby into her embrace. Ruby didn't fight or resist, she just collapsed into Charlie's arms.

“Shh Rubes. It's going to be ok sweetie. I promise everything will be ok.” soothed Charlie as she stroked Ruby's hair.

“It hurts, everything hurts.” sobbed Ruby tightening her arms around Charlie.

[Danni02]

Aww Ruby I just want to hug her.

I think counselling will do Ruby a lot of good and I hope she agree's to do it.

And its great that Ruby is slowly letting Charlie in.

Your eyes have lost their sparkle, your face has lost its wonderful smile, and I have lost my best friend. I don't want to lose anymore of you Ruby.

Aww poor Charlie.

I feel bad for her too. She just wants to help Ruby so much, but Ruby doesnt seem so keen right now.

Looking forward to the next update.

[Inactive User]

Aww so beautiful and touching.

Poor Ruby. Glad she let Charlie hug her. So sweet.

More soon please

[brady!]

Hey guys I'm officialy finished my exams!!!! i know its small but im going out so i didnt get a chance to make it long. The next update will be longer. Enjoy!

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ruby woke up the next morning to find Charlie asleep with a protective grip around Ruby. Ruby untangled herself from Charlies grip and went outside. She felt embarrassed and angry at herself for opening up. She just wanted to be left alone. Even though she resented the fact that she opened up to Charlie, somewhere inside the old Ruby was happy.

When Charlie woke up she instinctively put out her hand to reach Ruby but her hand found nothing only emptyness. Charlie instantly shot up and called out for Ruby but she got no reply. She was just about to ring Ruby but in the corner of her eye she could see Ruby sitting outside beside a tree. Charlie knew she had to talk to Ruby about what happened the night before. She made her way outsides and started walking towards the tree.

"Hi." smiled Charlie as she sat down beside Ruby. Ruby instantly began to panic, she didn't want to talk. 

Charlie continued on when Ruby didn't reply. "About last night Ruby, I think you should talk to me.

Ruby got up and replied "I'm fine, I don't need to talk to anyone." With that she moved away on her crutches.

Ruby made her way towards the nearby river. She remembered passing it on her way to the centre. She knew it was a good bit away but she didn't care about wasting all her energy, she just wanted to escape. When she finally reached there she collapsed onto a bench and lay there and just thought. She thought back to when life was normal, simply normal.

"Ruby come on we're going to be late." shouted Elise Buckon down the hallway.

"Okay okay, Just give me two secs." replied Ruby as she quickly applied mascara. She smiled when she saw herself in the mirror. Charlie would be happy to see her, it had been so long seen since Ruby saw her big sister. 

When Ross, Elise and Ruby arrived, Ruby instantly jumped out of the car when she spotted her sister. She sprinted towards her. When Charlie saw her little sister, all her nerves went away about graduating. Life was simple and normal when Ruby was with Charlie.

"Charlie!" screamed Ruby as she threw herself into Charlies embrace.

"Omg Ruby you've got so tall! Is that makeup on your face?" asked Charlie staring at Ruby from head to toe.

"Yes it is! Mum finally let me wear it. She's the best!" replied Ruby.

Charlie smiled weakly back to Ruby.

As Ruby remebered back to 'that' life she began to realize that Charlie did show her maternal side sometimes. Just as Ruby was about to fade into another memory someone called out her name.

"Ruby!" Ruby sat up slowly, she was exhausted. In the distance she could see a blond haired boy making his way towards her. 

"I knew it was you." smiled Xavier as he took a seat next to Ruby.

"Hi Xavier." smiled Ruby. She was happy to see someone other than Charlie. 

"So what are you doing all the way down here and by yourself?" asked Xavier. 

"I just decided to go out for awhile. What are you dong down here?" replied Ruby, as she stared straight out towards the river.

"My physiotherapist tells me to exercise my legs so I go for a walk every morning." 

"But you walk normally. You don't look like your legs are injured." said ruby as she stared down at Xaviers legs.

"Today is a good day. I was in an accident a few months ago, the specialists said I would never walk again but I am. So what's you story?" asked Xavier pointing towards Rubys legs.

Ruby instantly began to feel uneasy. She stood up and put her hands into her crutches. "I have no story"