Fatal Attraction

[LauraPhilly!!]

I loved the ending of Chapter 11, lollypop!

It was bittersweet but yet still beautiful!

Brax is clearly still very much in love with Charlie, but she is right at the end of the day; practically, their relationship would never work! The risk element is too high!

I love that Geoff has come back to help Ruby!

It'll be nice for her to have a friend that she can trust!

Looking forward to more!

Love Laura xxx

[abbie]

wow 2 chapters in one day

wow the next chapter sounds really exciting

[JosieTash]

LOVED it !!!! …. Especially April & Charlie’s chat bout Ruby AND …

“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".

[Dingo x]

Brilliant chapter,

Can't wait for more.

Update soon.

xx

[HighwayUnicorn]

Wow. I missed two updates.

Both chapters were fantastic, absolutely beautifully written.

The preview for the next chapter sounds really amazing.

Ruby & Geoff ... hmmm.

I look forward to more.

Love Carina xxx

[lollypop]

In the middle of typing up the next chapter. Sorry it's taken so long. Hope to have it posted by tonight.

[lollypop]

Okay, here's the next chapter. Hope you like it!! Thanks for all the reviews and comments. Can't wait to see what you think of this chapter

Chapter 13

Alf pulled into the caravan park during the night. He had spent most of the day catching up with Nicole and Angelo and once all the nice talk was out of the way, he got to the task of finding out what he could about Brax from Angelo. What he didn't expect was to be handed over evidence that could potentially run the Riverboy out of town. To make matters worse, after watching the majority of the footage Angelo had captured, he was shocked to uncover one of the Bay's best kept secrets. Or what was one of the Bay's best kept secrets. While driving back home, Alf had too much time on his hands to think and the more he thought about what he had seen, the more unsettled he became.

Bursting into the house he threw the DVD down on the table and startled Morag who was up late making a pot of tea while going over some case files. Walking out of the kitchen, she looked at her brother who was at best, in a bad mood and at worst, preparing to strangle someone. Alf was a proud man and he didn't appreciate being lied to or deceived by people he cared about or people he respected. Unfortunantly both had happened and now, Summer Bay's resident father figure was furious and Morag was about to understand why. Walking over to the dining table and placing her hands on the back of one of the chairs, Morag threaded carefully into the converstation.

"I take it your trip to the city was either unsuccessful or, you've found out something that's rattled your cage", Morag said sensing that the latter reason was probably more than likely what was causing Alf to have such a temper. "Don't play dumb with me Morag. You knew about Charlie and young Darryl Braxton didn't you?", he said accusingly, although he didn't have to wait for an answer as Morag's face pretty said it all. "Alf believe me I was as much in the dark as you were. I only found out myself recently and it was a choice made freely by Charlie to come forth in the first place", she said, making it clear that she wasn't purposely keeping information from her brother while he was away.

"And you didn't think to sort the pair out? She's a cop. Him and his lot have been causing troube since they were bearly out of nappies", he said. Not impressed with the pairing at all. Morag shook her head in agreement. Alf was preaching to the choir as far as Morag was concerned. She didn't like anymore than he did. "Oh believe me. I've made my feelings quite clear to Charlie and to Mr. Braxton. I'm very well aware of his dodgy behaviour and I will do whatever I have to make sure Charlie see's sense", she said, before looking down at the table and noticing the DVD. "Now Alfred, would you care to explain the mystery disc?", she asked pointing to the table. Alf looked down at the item he had brought all the way back from the city and huffed.

"That, is omething Angelo has been keeping close to the chest since before he left the Bay. It was leverage against Darryl Braxton", he explained as Morag listened intently. "What kind of leverage?", Morag asked, sensing that whatever was on that disc obviously must have been serious enough to rattle Brax's cage. Maybe it could even be used to pressure him again. "Have a look for yourself", Alf replied as he picked up the disc and walked over to the DVD player. Putting the disc in the disc tray he closed the player and pressed play, stepping back so Morag could see the screen. Turning up the volume they listened to the disc. Within minutes, it was revealed to Morag the truth behind what really happened to 'Pee Wee' and the extent of Heath and Brax's involvement.

"There's more", Alf said as he fast forwarded the DVD. When he pressed play Brax and Charlie's secret rendez-vous at Angelo's the night of her party was there on screen. Clear as day. Morag sighed rolling her eyes up to the heavens, realising the mistake Charlie and Brax had made. Taking the disc out of the player, Alf put it back in the case and turned to Morag, needing her legal opinion. "Could this count as evidence against Darryl and his brother?", he asked. Morag looked stunned. "What, you can't bring that to the police" she said making her way back to the kitchen. Alf followed suit and annoyed by the brush off. "Why not? The cops have been lookin' for evidence against those flammin' mongruls for ages, couldn't this help?", he asked standing with his hands leaning against the counter in the middle of the kitchen.

"Alfred, you take that to the police, not only will it be inadmissible in court or a police investigation, but you will implicate Charlie to be involved with a known criminal. She could lose her job", Morah pointed out sternly. Alf stood up straight and placed his hands on his hips. "Well she should of thought of that before she jumped into bed one of those Riverboy lot!", he retorted. As far as Alf was concerned Charlie made her decision and she had to live with the consequences. Darryl Braxton was not someone he wanted hanging around and he was going to stop at nothing to make sure that Brax, and the rest of the Riverboys weren't around for much longer. The Bay had been through enough with having gangs hanging around the place.

"If you go to the police and they see this footage, Charlie could potentially face jail time. Especially when they find out that she was with Brax the night of the fire in the National Park. 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. Charlie was Ruby's only remaining family. He couldn't live with the guilt of taking that away from her. However just because he couldn't leagally use the DVD, didn't mean he couldn't find a way to make use for it.

Driving past the Surf Club, Charlie spotted Heath's white truck parked a few feet away so she pulled in. Looking behind the passenger seat, Charlie removed the jacket cover the shoulder bag holding Heath's gear and lifted it up. Removing her keys from the ignition, she inhaled a deep breath and then hopped out of the car. Locking the doors behind her as she walked away. Gazing around, she spotted Heath drinking beer at a nearby bench surrounded by other shady looking characters and a few Rivergirls. Slinging the bag over her shoulder, she hesitantly made her way towards them. Once in speaking range she stopped in her current spot and gazed at the crowd, then locked in on the middle Braxton.

"Heath, can I have a word?", Charlie said using her professional policing tone. Heath turned around and looked at her waiting for her to continue. "In private", she said so Heath would cop on to the fact it wasn't a social call. Placing his beer bottle down on the bench, Heath made his way over to Charlie and the pair stood a few feet out of ear shot of the others. "What do you want Buckton?", he said sounding annoyed. Removing the bag from her shoulder, she held it before Heath and opened it upslightly to reveal the contents inside. Taking note of his gear, Heath swallowed hard, realising he had been caught out. "I told you NOT to mess with Ruby!", Charlie said forcefully as she threw the bag at Heath, slamming it against his chest.

"I didn't mean to alright", he replied while zipping up the bag. "She wasn't meant to be involved. The guy who supplies my pills showed up the day Ruby and I were goin' over some of those self defence methods. After we made the exchange I saw your copper mates drivin' around and I panicked", he said as he rubbed his brow. "I stashed the gear in Ruby's bag incase they tried to do a random spot search. I wasn't gonna leave 'em there. But when you showed up I didn't have time to get 'em back", Heath finished as he slung the bag over his shoulder. Charlie glared at him. Whatever the reason Heath had for doing what he did, it wasn't a good enough excuse for involving her daughter.

"The fact is Heath you still did what you did. Do you know how much danger you could have put Ruby in?", she said taking a step closed to the local hot head. Heath looked down at the ground and then back up at Charlie, a serious look in his eyes. "Look I would never do nothin' to hurt Ruby. Okay I, I...", he was cut off by an impatient Charlie. "You what Heath?", she said. "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.

Charlie stood there flabbergasted. Whatever her feelings for Heath, she had to admit to herself that in the moment, even she could feel the sincerity in his voice. However that didn't change her mind about him or her fear of what his association to her daughter could do to her safety. "Well you should have thought about that before you stashed a large bag of illegal narcotics in her handbag", Charlie said in an angry hushed voice. "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. With that Charlie walked away, leaving Heath to his own devices.

Sitting on the beach, Indi watched as Romeo hit wave after wave, trying to im press her with his surfing skills. Ruby on the other hand just sat in silence. She thought it was rather pointless going down to the beach to watch Romeo surf when she could see it for herself. Although, at least Indi was still engaging her in conversation. When Indi turned to say something to Ruby, she spotted a familiar looking figure walking down the beach. She wasn't one hundred percent sure, but she was almost certain it was Geoff Campbell. Not that she knew him very well. He left not long after the Walker family arrived the first time around. But she remembered him from passing in school. What she did know about him, was that he and Ruby were a serious item before he left and she was pretty sure that her friend would be happy with the surprise.

The closer Geoff got to Ruby, the harder he found it to breath. It was the same feeling he used to have when they were together and she would walk into a room. It almost felt like they had never been apart. And that was one of Geoff's biggest regrets. Although he knew he had to go to the missions to find himself, he never wanted to end things with Ruby. But he knew it wasn't fair to try the long distance thing when he wasn't sure when or if he'd be back. So they broke up. And Geoff found himself regretting it every day that he was away. Now, he was walking on the same beach where she was sat. Breathing the same air as the girl who stole his heart and never gave it back. He was moments away from being reunited with the only girl that he had ever truly loved in his lifetime.

Indi smiled as Geoff finally reached them. Geoff waved at her and then gazed down at Ruby. Getting down on one knee he smiled at her. Then lifting his hand he revealed a flower that he picked earlier. Raising his hand he gently tucked Ruby's hair behind her ear and set the flower in her hair. Feeling the motions around her, Ruby flinched slightly, although she guessed it was just Indi messing around with her. Until, a familiar voice spoke to her. "You know, you always did look beautiful with a flower in your hair", he said, a big grin on his face. Ruby's jaw almost dropped to the ground. Her heart skipped a beat as memories came flooding back. Listening to the voice she picked up on the direction of where it was coming from and she turned her head.

Sitting up she turned towards where Geoff was kneeling and she stretched out her arms. Her hands came in contact with his face as she gently used her sense of touch to feel out the features of the man before her. Even though she couldn't see him, from memory and from what she could feel, she knew who it was. And when he cupped her hand on his cheek she felt the sparks between them. "Geoff", she said. Finally acknowledging him out loud. His grin grew wider and as Ruby wrapped her arms around him. Holding her in his arms, Geoff held on tight as he thanked God for reuniting him with her. Once the pulled apart, he placed a hand on the side of her face and wiped away the tear that had fallen down her cheek. Gazing into her eyes a sadness washed over him, knowing that she couldn't see him. But that was soon replaced with a euphoric feeling inside him that was just so happy to see her. He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before pulling her back into his arms.

From a distance he watched as the stranger pulled the young girl into his arms. The sight drew on feelings of anger and guilt. For walking away when he should have stood up and been a man. For not having the guts to face a tough situation head on. And for standing back and allowing his girlfriend to be held in the arms of another man. 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. As he gazed down over Ruby, he saw her interact with the blonde haired man with such happiness and contentment and it made him sad. But it also made him jealous and he couldn't handle that. With one last glance he walked away.

Darkness fell over Summer Bay. It was late. The whole town was quite as people slept, awaiting the arrival of morning and a new. Everyone except for two people who wished to relieve the previous day. For they knew morning would bring a whole new set of challenges. Pulling up outside the Surf Club, Brax and Tegan quietly exited the car and made their way into the Surf Club. Entering the building, the rushed up the stairs to Angelo's. Feelings of guilt, despair and a serious case of adenaline pumping through their veins. Tegan sat down on one of the chairs as Brax made his way behind the bar and switched on the lights. Taking a bottle of bourbon down off the shelf, he poured himself a large class and down it in one.

As he placed the glasss down his gaze fell upon his hands. The blood stains were now dried onto his skin. He look at his hooded shirt and noticed the bloody patches across the front. Removing his shirt he threw it into one of the bin bags. Walking into the back room, he pulled out a spair shirt and put it on. He made his way into the kitchen and scubbed the blood stains out of his hands. Careful to clear up afterwards. Walking back into the restaurant, he saw Tegan, sitting on the chair in a trance like state. Walking behind the bar he poured himself another bourbon and the poured one for her. Picking up the glases he walked over to where she was sitting and placed the glasses down on the table.

"What have we done Brax?", she asked, her voice trembling as she spoke. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes and he could see the fear in her eyes. He wiped his brow and gazed down at the ground. Placing his hands on his hips he gazed back up at her. "We did what we had to do. Okay you remember that", he said. Handing her a glass, he picked up his own drink and, just like the last, he lowered it one. Putting the glass back down on the table, he looked Tegan up and down. Her clothes were clean, but she her hands were also stained. "You go get yourself cleaned up. The early mornin' risers will be up soon for work, I don't want anyone seein' us leavin' here", he said. Standing up Tegan walked into the back kitchen, leaving Brax alone.

Sitting down on the now vacant chair, Brax layed his head in his hands. All he wanted to do was make things better. Take care of things as he would usually say. Instead he just seemed to be making one mistake after another and he didn't know how much more he could take. He didn't know if he would ever be able to win Charlie back. Not now. Not after she had seen the man he was. The man he was trying to change when he met her. Everyday he could feel the grip he had on control slipping. He could feel the net closing in on him. Just then Tegan reappeared. Standing up, Brax placed the chair back on the table and picked up the glasses. Walking over to the bar, he placed them on the counter and switched off the lights. Leaving in darkness, Tegan and Brax knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges.

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

Next Time:

*When Geoff announces his intention to stay in the Bay, Ruby gives him a gift, which upsets the recently returned Casey

*Irene has to step in when Alf and Charlie engage in a war of words

*Heath accidentally reveals his true feeling for Ruby, which leaves the teen more confused than ever

*Brax and some other Mangrove River boys are arrested after a beach brawl. Will he be able to talk his way out of this one? Or has Inspector Joyce finally got his man?

*The Buckton girls spend a night discussing their tumultuous love lives. Can they figure out a way to get back on track?

*A warning message from Brodie and the boys arrives which foreshadows trouble ahead

[teespazzr]

Oh thank god you updated... I missed you and your awesome fic

[lollypop]

Thanks Teespazzr!! I hope to have another update in the next couple of days. I would update tomorrow but I'm getting a tattoo and I won't be around.

[LauraPhilly!!]

Omg, that was a really gripping chapter, lollypop!

I absolutely loved it!

The scene with Morag and Alf was great, and really realistic!

I'm glad Morag convinced Alf to keep quiet about Charlie and Brax! It would have been the right thing to report her but what would Ruby do then? Poor thing!

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!

The ending - wow!

What did Brax and Tegan do?!

I'm rather worried because Brax seems to doubt Charlie forgiving him ever again so whatever they did must be something really bad!

And the blood...not good!

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

A great chapter, lollypop!

Looking forward to the next!