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Fatal Attraction


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Thanks for all the comments everyone I really appreciate all the feedback. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy

Chapter 11

"Hi", Bianca said, smiling when she opened the back door to find Charlie and Ruby on the other side. Standing back, gestured for them to come in and they made their way into the kitchen. "April's just in her room I'll give a call", she said and then made her way to her little sisters room. knocking on the door she waited for a reply and then opened it. "Hey, Ruby's here", she said looking at April as she turned around in her chair. April nodded and put down her pen. Standing up she made her out of her room and followed Bianca into the living room where Charlie and Ruby were waiting.

"Hey Rubes, thank God you're here. Miles gave us an English assignment I could really use your help with", April said knowing that her friend was better at the subject than she was. Ruby smiled and stood up. Reaching out her arm, April linked it with her own and the young teens ade their way for Aprils bedroom. Leaving Charlie and Bianca alone to talk about whatever it was they talked about it private. Bianca walked around the couch and sat on the opposite end. Placing her elbow on the back of the couch, she leaned her head against her hand and looked at Charlie who clearly had a lot on her mind.

"Okay, come on spill. What's putting that frown on that beautiful face of yours?", she asked trying to provoke a smile from her friend. Charlie sat with her elbows leaning on her legs, wringing her hands together as she tried not to errupt in afit of rage thinking about what had her so rattled up. "Remember yesterday, when I picked Ruby up outside the Surf Club after she spent time with Heath on the beach?", she asked looking at Bianca who nodded her head. "Yeah, he was teaching her some self tactics", Bianca said. Charlie let out a small laugh as she rubbed her brow in frustration. "Yeah, turns out that's not all Heath was doing. That night I was searching through Ruby's back for her insulin. Instead I found a bag of pills and a knife stashed in her bag". Bianca sat up, stunned by what she was hearing.

She rubbed the back of her neck with her and edged closer to Charlie on the couch. "Does Ruby know?", she asked . Charie shook her head, explaining that if her daughter had known she would have told her about it for her own saftey. "Well what are you going to do?", Bianca asked curiously. Wondering how Charlie could possibly make this go away. Placing her head in her hands, Charlie sighed. Looking back up, she turned back to her friend. "I don't know. If I go to police about this an investigation will be started. They'll want to know where I found them and I can't put Ruby through that", she said, breaking eye contact. "But", Bianca said trying to nudge the conversation along.

"If I don't give them back to Heath, and whoever they came from traces them back to Ruby, or me, there's a big chance that our lives could be at risk", she said. The fear of the unknown taking hold of her emotions. Bianca could that Charlie was on the verge of tears. Leaning forward she pulled Charlie into a hug. Releasing herself from the embrace, Charlie wiped away the tear that had fallen. "So what are you going to do?", Bianca asked. Runnin her hands through her hair, Charlie sighed and gazed back at her friend. "I'm going to have to make sure that they're returned to Heath before anyone finds out. Before this all gets anymore complicated", she said. With that Bianca made her way to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee.

"Are you going to tell Ruby?", she asked as she stood between the kitchen and the living room at Charlie who remained on the couch. Gazing towards Aprils room, Charlie shrugged her shoulders and looked back at Bianca with tears glazing over her eyes. "I don't know if I can. She's had such a hard time trusting people since the kidnapping. I don't want her to lose whatever faith she has left in being able to trust people. She was broken after the fire and she's only beginning to heal now. I couldn't bear to watch her fall apart over this", she said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Bianca nodded in understanding at what Charlie had said and then returned to making their coffees.

"So does it make sense now?", Ruby asked as she sat on April's bed after explaining the answer to the question April had discussed with her. After jotting down some of Ruby's pointers, April sighed with relief and put her pen down. Tidying away her notes for the day. "Uh, thank you so much, that is such a relief. For a while there I thought I was never going to get this assignment done", she said crossing the room and joining Ruby on the bed. Reaching behind her she picked up a pillow and placed it on her lap so she could lean on it. "So do you know when you'll be back in school?", April asked. Knowing that Ruby was eager but at the same time anxious about returning to Summer Bay High. She wanted to get back into the swing of things before she fell too far behind. But she was terrified about the prospect of being the only blind girl in school.

"Well Sid said I'm making great improvements and if I keep adapting well to getting around and doing things for myself I could be back in school in a couple of weeks. I just have to get this thing off first", Ruby said touching the black caseing around her almost completely healed leg. April smiled. "Rubes that's great. Our group's kind of been feeling a little lonely lately. Xavier and Dex are great but sometimes you just need a girl around", she said. Ruby laughed, understanding exactly where April was coming from. At times Ruby missed having Nicole and Annie around. They were her best friends and when they left she felt somewhat lost without them. But she was thankful April arrived when she did. Their friendship had gone from strength to strength over the last year.

"I just can't wait to get back into and get some normality back into my life", Ruby said folding up her cane and grasping it with both hands. April nodded understandingly. "Well if you need any help catching up or studying you know where I am", she said placing a hand on Ruby's arm affectionately. "So do you have an idea what you're going to do after school?", April asked as she stood up and walked over to her dresser, picking up some of the college brouchures she had collected. The question threw Ruby. Ever since the accident she hadn't really thought to much about life beyond school. In fact, she hadn't really discussed it with Charlie about how her disablity would impact her decision.

She knew in the back of her mind that she wasn't capable of going to college away from home. She wasn't comfortable in her abilitites to adapt to living alone. So that was out of the question. In fact the idea of going to college without someone she knew terrified her. How could she adjust to a new school enviorment with the safety net of her friends and a support network that knew her and where aware of her needs. Was college even an option now? Suddenly Ruby's mind became a flurry of worry and concerns. What sort of future could she have as a blind person? Could she have any sort of future at all? Not just in college but in life? Would anyone love her? Would she ever have children? Would she be able to exist in a society that is limited in it's prospects for a disabled person?

"Uh, I haven't really thought about it", Ruby answered simply. Not wanting to delve into a full fledged conversation at that moment and time. April sentenced the evasiveness in Ruby's comments and decided to move on from the conversation. Realising that a lot had changed for Ruby since the start of the year. College was probably the furthest thing from her mind. Placing the college books back down, April instead picked up her manicure kit and walked back over to the bed. "You know lets forget about school right now. Let me give you a manicure", April said as she sat cross legged on the bed and picked up Ruby's hands.

At the Diner, the lunch hour rush had just ended and Irene and Leah had given themselves a much needed by break. Sitting down with Alf, they talked at length about his travels, and then, the topic turned to the Bay's new arrivals. Having been away for six months Alf had only heard bits and pieces about the surf gang, but having been back just over a week now, he could understand why his close friends were so hesitant to fill him in on everything. Over the last few days Alf got to see first hand the trouble the Riverboys brought to the Bay. The home where he was born and raised. Alf cared a lot about the Bay residents and he would do anything to make sure that they felt safe in their own home town. So when it came to outsiders trespassing and wreaking havoc, the Bay's resident father figure was unimpressed with their arrival and was preparing himself for a power struggle to get them out of town and back where they belonged.

"I'll tell you one thing, those flammin' Riverboys have another thing comin' if they think I'm just gonna roll over and let them tear this town apart", he said before taking a sip of his coffee. Irene and Leah nodded. They understood completely where Alf was coming from. They didn't feel comfortable having the Riverboys around and as far as they were concerned, the sooner the police found something of substance to take them down for, the better. "Well you'll hear no arguments here darl. I feel sorry for Charlie. Poor love. Everytime she gets close to nailin' them they find a way to slip out of her grasp. It's like they've got someone watchin' over them keep them one step ahead". Irene said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Leah nodded at what was being said although deep down she felt bad about knowing exactly how the Riverboys were able to stay one step ahead and not doing anything about it. But she knew she had to keep quiet. It would only bring more danger to the Bay if the truth was ever revealed. Alf let out a grunt as he thought about what Irene had said. Then he moved on. "I'll tell ye one thing, I don't know how that Darryl Braxton managed to get his hands on Angelo's. If I was still president of the Surf Club he is the last person I would have runnin the joint. A good business man or not, wherever him and his boys go trouble follows and I don't want it in my town", he said making his feelings quite clear.

"Yeah well I don't know much about Darryl Braxton. But what I do know is whatever he says goes where the rest of those Riverboys are concerned. And with all the trouble they've been associated with, it doesn't say much about him", Irene pointed out. All three of them were startled by the sound of a chair screeching along the floor as it was pushed back roughly. Gazing around they saw Brax stand up and look at them with feelings of ill will present in his eyes. Suddenly he knew how Casey had felt all those years he had to live in his shadow. He looked at them as he walked towards the exit. Taking note of the fact that the elder man staring back at him was neither sorry for what he had said, nor was he threatened by him. With nothing to say and clearly out numbered by Bay residents he made his way out of the Diner and down the beach.

Walking along the sand Brax looked up and was silently elated to see Charlie walking in his direction. Although it became clear when she spotted him that he was not the reason she was there in the first place as she made to leave. Turning on her heel Charlie started in the opposite direction. Knowing he needed to talk to her, Brax began to run after her until he caught up. Once he was in step with her, he grabbed a hold of her arm to stop her walking. "Charlie please can we talk", he asked, as he gazed into her eyes and noticed for the first time how sad she looked. "Talk about what Brax? About how you lied to me about who really are? About how you used me?", she said fighting for dear life to hold back her tears.

"Nah, nah I never, I never used you Charlie", he said standing firm as he spoke. "Alright I admit that when we started this, it was just about sex", he said. Charlie let out a small laugh at what she was hearing. She couldn't believe what he was saying. "But I fell for you Charlie. I've never felt this for anyone before. Not Tegan. Not anyone. I love ye", he said trying to keep his emotions in tact. He wasn't used to laying himself bare for anyone. This was a whole new concept for him. Charlie looked up into his eyes and looked deep inside right down to his soul and she knew he was telling the truth.

"I love you too", she said and Brax allowed himself to let out a small smile as he moved closer to her and grabbed a hold of her hand. Not caring who was watching. He finally felt like they were making head way. Until Charlie began to reason with her own subconcsious and suddenly it all began to fall apart. "But it's not enough", she said removing her hand from his grasp and pulling it up to her chest. Clutching her chain in her hand. "I can't be with someone I can't trust", she said tears welling up in her eyes. Brax moved even closer and placed his hand under her chin. Staring her right in the eye. "Nah Charlie you can trust. You can. I would never do anythin' to hurt you", he said hoping to change her mind.

Looking passed Brax, Charlie wiped away a stray tear. Then she returned her focus to him. "No Brax I can't. When we started this you promised me that I had nothing to worry about. That nobody would get hurt. That you had nothing to hide", she said brushing her windswept hair out of her face. "Then I come to find out not only were you involved in everything you told me you had nothing to do with, but you were the leader. The one responsible for making it all happen. ANd then to top it all off my daughter almost dies. The one thing that matters the most to me I almost lost her because I chose you", Charlie said the guilt eating her up. "I'm sorry Brax I can't do this. I'm really sorry", she finished as she made a hasty exit. Leaving a heartbroken Brax behind her.

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

Next Time:

*Leah and Bianca weigh in on Charlie's decision not to get back together with Brax.

*Alf and John Palmer work together to keep the Riverboys out of the Surf Club. But how will they deal with Brax being the owner of Angelo's?

*April talks to Charlie about Ruby's unclear vision of the future and

*An old friend returns to the Bay to help Ruby work through her demons and plan for the road ahead.

Posted

Gerat update,

Felt really sorry for Ruby and Charlie in that chapter. I know why Charlie doesn't want to get together with Brax, but still!!

Liked the sound of the preview. My guess on the old friend is Nicole, or maybe Annie.

Anyway, great chapter - more soon please :D

Posted

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL chapter, especially this bit ……..

She knew in the back of her mind that she wasn't capable of going to college away from home. She wasn't comfortable in her abilitites to adapt to living alone. So that was out of the question. In fact the idea of going to college without someone she knew terrified her. How could she adjust to a new school enviorment with the safety net of her friends and a support network that knew her and where aware of her needs. Was college even an option now? Suddenly Ruby's mind became a flurry of worry and concerns. What sort of future could she have as a blind person? Could she have any sort of future at all? Not just in college but in life? Would anyone love her? Would she ever have children? Would she be able to exist in a society that is limited in it's prospects for a disabled person?

Posted

Found some down time to make write a quick update. Hope you enjoy it and again thank you for all the comments.

Chapter 12

After arriving home upset the previous evening, Charlie confided in Leah about ending her affair with Brax. So knowing that her friend could use a chat, and that VJ and Ruby were out for the day, she called Bianca and asked her to come over and cracked open a bottle of red wine. Now all three women were sat around the dining table listening intently as Charlie explainind what had happened with Brax on the beach and her decision to end things. Although she seemed adament that things were over, something in the way Charlie was expressing herself came across as being unsure about her decision. Something both Bianca and Leah picked up on. Placing her glass of wine down and sitting forwars, Bianca decided to weigh in on the situation.

"Charlie are you sure you've made the right decision? Don't get me wrong I know things are complicated. But you both obviously love each other. Is it possible that maybe you can find some way to be together?", Bianca said. Over the last year Bianca herself had become acquainted with complex relationships and how difficult they can be. But she also knew too well that when the heart wants something bad enough, it can be hard to ignore. Charlie looked at her friend and sighed. Bianca made it sound so easy. Unfortunantly, she was an outsider looking in on a situation that she wasn't familiar with. Bianca never had to worry baout other peoples saftey when she was contemplating being with Liam.

"It's not that simple. Brax, the people he knows, they're dangerous. They won't accept him being with a police officer and if we tried to be together, they would find a way hurt us or the people we care about", Charlie said trying to make Bianca see passed the romance of it all give her an insight into the reason why a relationship couldn't work. "But Charlie, surely if things were that bad the police could find a way to protect. Maybe they could even use he threats to put them behind bars", Bianca tried to reason with her. Charlie shook her head and rubbed the back of her nexk with her hands. "No. The police can't know. If they find out I've been seeing a man of police interest, I could lose my job and an investigation will be started into whether or not I've been tipping the Riverboys off. It's not an option", she said,

As she sat quietly listening to Charlie and Bianca converse back and forth, Leah could tell her opinion on the matter differed greatly from Bianca's. Something which could be contributed to the fact that they were in different places in their lives. Bianca being a single woman in her late twenties and Leah being a single parent in her early thirties. Watching the banter, Leah decided it was time she gave her two cents on the issue. "I have to agree with Charlie on this", Leah said as leaned her arms on the table and cupped her hands around her wine glass. Bianca and Charlie turned and their attention to Leah and waited for her to conitnue. "The idea of Darryl Braxton being in the house, especially when we were out, it didn't sit comfortably with me", she said as she took a sip of her wine.

Charlie sat back looking somewhat deflated. Bianca shook her head, disagreeing with what Leah was saying. "But Brax walked away for it all. He's proven over the last couple of months that he isn't a threat. He's been the one keeping Casey out of trouble and Heath out of peoples way", Bianca tried to argue. Charlie nodded slightly. Brax had definitely changed over the last couple of months there was no denying it. But was that enough of a reason for her to continue a relationship with him. Leah sighed and leaned forward. Clearly she and Bianca were on different wave lengths on this issue.

"I'm sorry but that's besides the point. He was still involved in criminal activity and he's associated with really dangerous people. People I don't want to be associated with or that I want hanging around VJ. Or the house", Leah pointed out. "It's easier to throw caution to the wind when you have no parental obligation. But as a mother, every decision you make affects your child that's why we have to make sacrifices. No matter how diificult they are", she said both towards Charlie and Bianca. The turning her attention directly towards Charlie Leah made one last comment. "From one mum to another, I think for Ruby's sake, you've made the right decision. I know it's hard now but that's what he do. We make tough decisions because we know there's no love greater or more important than the love we have for out children. That's why we do whatever it takes to protect them and keep the safe".

With those last words Leah stood up and walked out to the kitchen. Leaving Charlie and Bianca with a lot to think about. Although Charlie felt conflicted in her decision, after Leah's comments she felt justified in her choice. Her housemate was right. Charlie never knew a love greater than the love she had for Ruby. It was unrivaled and unmatched. If she ever lost it, her life wouldn't be worth living. That's why she knew she couldn't be with Brax. As much as he loved and cared for her, he couldn't promise her safety. He couldn't promise her that everything would be alright. He couldn't promise her security or stability. He couldn't promise her that things wouldn't fall apart somewhere down the track. So in that moment, Charlie made a promise to herself, that from that moment on, Charlie would put the saftey of her daughter and her friends above her feelings for Brax. At least while things were so hostile amongst the Riverboys.

At the Surf Club Alf and John Palmer where engaged in a heated discussion about the way the Surf Club was being run. Alf was not happy with the fact that the Riverboys were constantly hanging around and although John shared the same sentiment, he couldn't make them stay away. A view which different from Alf who was determind to find a way to keep them away. "Flammin mongruls. I don't care if we have to fight them from here to Kingdom come they are not welcome and I'm gonna make damn sure they know it", Alf said as he picked up the empty beer bottles some of the Riverboys had left littered around outside. John followed behind as he listend to Alf rant on while clearing up the mess around the place.

"Alf I feel as strongly about his as you do believe me. But there is no way we can keep them out. Time ad again I've called the police to have them removed and it has done nothing to keep them from coming back. I mean for God's sake one of them is even running the show upstairs now", John said pointing up to where Angelo's was located. As they walked into the Surf Club Alf gazed up at the stairs towards Angelo's and shook his head. Walking behind the juice bar, he leaned his hands on the counter as John stood the far side with his arms crossed over his lifeguard shirt.

"Speaking of which, how did young Darryl Braxton get his hands on the joint?", Alf asked. Curious as to why Angelo would sell up to someone, who Alf had gather, was not his favourite person. John shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. All I know is, Angelo wanted a quick sale and Brax was willing to buy him out and as far as the club executives are concerned, they don't care who's running it as long as they pay rent on time", John said as he held up his hands to demonstrate that it wasn't his idea. Alf nodded his head and sighed. Then frowned as he thought more on the subject. John looked at Alfe, knowing all to well that when Alf made that face something was going to come out of this that would probably stir the pot.

"Something about this doesn't sit well with me", Alf said. John rolled his eyes. "Does it ever?", he replied sarcastically. Alf glared at his remark and then stood up straight. "Nah this isn't right", he said as he walked out from around the counter and made his way towards the exit. "Where are you going?", John called after him. Alf turned around and he tossed the bin bags he was holding at John. "I'm going to pay Angelo and young Nicole a visit in the city. Find out what really went down between him and Darryl Braxton", he said and made a hasty exit as he prepared himself for a long drive to the city. John shook his head, knowing that Alf wouldn't rest easy until he got all this Riveryboy business out of his system.

Charlie and Bianca were in the kitchen cleaning up the dishes from the lunch they had made after Leah went to work to start her shift at the Diner. They interrupted from their chatter by a knock at theopen back door. Turning around Charlie was stunned to see who was standing outside looking in. "Oh my God. Geoff. What are you doing home?", she said as she walked over to the door smiling at the young man as she gave him a hug. He hugged her back and smiled at her as she stood out of his way and welcomed him into the house. "Well I'm between missionary work. I just finished up at my last post so after I visited Annie in Japan I decided to come home and catch up with some old faces before I moved on again", he explained.

Turning to Bianca, Charlie introduced the pair. "Geoff this is Bianca Scott. She moved here last year with her sister. They're actually living with Irene", she said as she watched Geoff politely shake her hand. "Oh you must be April's sister. I stopped by Irene's earlier and we were introduced. She mentioned she had an older sister. It's nice to meet you", he said as he smiled at her. Bianca was surprised by how well mannered the young man was. Geoff turned his attention back to Charlie. "I heard about what happened to Ruby. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to call but we were pretty much of contact in the place we were working in in Africa. How's she doing?", he asked as he placed his hands in his pockets.

Charlie licked her lips to moisten them and them sighed. "She's coping as best she can. She puts on a brave face most days but I can tell it's hard on her", she said. Geoff nodded his head understanding how difficult it must be on Ruby and Charlie having to take care of her. Charlie turned towards Bianca and then back at Geoff. "Bianca and I were just about to put on a pot of coffee. Would like to join us?", she asked. Geoff shook his head and politely declined the offer. "No thanks. I'm good. I'm actually hoping to catch up with Ruby. She's one of the main reasons I came back to the Bay", he said. Oblivious to the fact that his face practically alluminated when he spoke the young girls name.

A year had passed since Geoff had departed the Bay. But his feelings for Ruby never faded. She was the first girl he ever truly loved. In fact she was the only girl he had loved since. He was eager to meet up with her although he knew things would be a bit different now thatshe had a disability to contend with. Geoff just hoped he could help her in some way. After the the Australia Day riots. Geoff felt lost. Like he had no direction in is life or purpose. He hoped that from what he learned working n the missions, he could help Ruby regain self belief and plan ahead for the future. Charlie smiled as she realised that Geoff coming back might just be the right kind of boost that her daughter needed.

"Well she went to Yabbie Creek earlier with Indi but they said something about heading down to the beach around the afternoon to meet up wth Romeo so if you're looking for her that's probably the best place to start", Charlie said. With that Geoff thanked Charlie and made arrangements to have dinner with her and Ruby sometime that week. After saying their goodbyes, Geoff left with a spring in his step. Hoping to catch Ruby on the beach and spend some time with her. As he walked down the street he bumped into April who was heading to Leah's to walk home with Bianca. After saying a quick hello, they conitnued on their seperate ways.

Walking up to the back door, April knocked and shouted hello to make presence known. "In the living room", Charlie called back. April made her way into the room and saw her sister and Charlie sitting on the couch talking and laughing. "Hey", Bianca greeted her sister. Putting her cup down on the coffee table, Bianca picked up her handbag and made plans to meet up with Charlie for coffee the following day. "You ready?", Bianca said as she walked over to her younger sister. April looked at Charlie then back at Bianca . "Actually can I catch you up? I kind of need to talk to Charlie about something", she said. Bianca looked at her concerned that something was wrong or that April was trouble.

"Is everything alright?", Bianca asked stroking April's arm. April smiled reassuringly at her big sister and grasped her hand. "Oh yeah everything's fine with me. I actually wanted to talk about Ruby", she said. Directing the last part of her sentence towards Charlie. Bianca looked at her friend and then nodded. "Okay. I'll see you at home", she said and then made her exit through the back door. "So what is it you need to talk to me about?", Charlie asked. Half afraid to hear what the young girl had to say. April walked over to the couch and took a seat at next to Charlie and thought about what she was going to say.

"The other day, I was talking to Ruby about school", she said and Charlie nodded her head to encourage her to continue. "Well when I asked her about what she wanted to do after the HSC she kind of hesitated", April explained. Charlie frowned. "Hesitated? How do you mean?", she aske. April looked down at her hands and then looked back up. "I think Ruby's confused about what her futures going to be like, now that she's blind", April said. She looked at Charlie who seemed rather unfazed by what she had been told. "To be honest, I've thought about that myself every night since Sid told me that Ruby was blind. I was hoping that everntually Ruby would come to me and we could sit down and talk about it", Charlie replied.

April smiled slightly. Hoping to ease the tense situation. Charlie smiled back at her. "Thank you for telling me April. I'm glad Ruby has good friends her care about her", she said putting the teenagers mind at rest. "It's fine. I just hope Ruby figures everything out. I better go", she said. With that they both stood up and Charlie walked April to the door. Once the young girl had left, Charlie closed the door and pressed her back against it. Bowing her head and plaving it in her hands. She just wanted the day to be over.

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

Next Time:

*Ruby and Geoff meet for the first time in over a year. Are old feelings set to be reignited?

*Alf returns from the city with incriminating evidence. Will he go to the police? Or can Morag convince him of the dangers involved in exposing a long kept secret?

*Charlie returns Heaths property to him and gives the hot headed Braxton a stern warning

*Brax and Tegan hide out in Angelo's after a 'bloody' night. What have they done?

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