Red Ranger 1 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Posted July 22, 2011 Nice update.Ruby being trapped in the fire was a really tense sequence.Wasn't expecting Heath to rescue her, could be an interesting development.
lollypop Posted July 23, 2011 Report Posted July 23, 2011 Thanks so much for the comments. Here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy it Chapter 8 As Romeo walked out of the surf, he spotted Xavier making his way down the beach looking looking rather tense. Walking up the towards him, he stopped halfway and stood his board up in the sand and then began to dry himself off with his towel. "Hey Xav. What's up? You look like you've got a lot on your mind", he said placing the towel around his shoulders. Xavier looked out at the surf, then back at Romeo, beating his hands together as his mind replayed the conversation he had just had with Cheryl Braxton. "I went around to Casey's house earlier", he trailed off. Romeo lowered his head to meet Xaviers gaze. "And?", he said trying to push the conversation along. Xavier again looked out at the surf and then back at Romeo. "He's gone", he said. Romeo looked confused as he tried to make sense of what Xavier was saying. He had to admit to himself that his friend wasn't exactly the most intellectual person in the world. "Xav, what do mean he's gone?", he asked gesturing for Xavier to sit down with him. "I mean he's gone. He left town last night and according to his Mum, she doesn't think he's coming back", Xavier finally managed to say. He rubbed his hands off the side of his head. Frustrated at the situation he found himself in. "How am I going to tell Ruby? I mean as if she doesn't have enough going on without her boyfriend skipping town". Romeo looked at Xavier and thought about everything he had just been told. He understood the predicament that Xavier was in. But he also knew that Ruby deserved to know the truth. Being honest, Romeo couldn't believe Casey would just leave like that. Of all the Braxtons, Casey was the most sincere of the lot. It didn't make sense how he could leave Ruby behind like that. "Xav, I know you don't want to be in this position. And I know it sucks that the responsibility has fallen on you. But Ruby needs to know the truth before she hears it second hand. It's the right thing to do", Romeo said, patting Xavier on the back as he stood up and grabbed his board. Xavier watched as Romeo made his way up the beach and headed for home. Looking back out at the ocean, he sighed, and braced himself for difficult conversation. After the morning madness of Leah and VJ trying to get out on time for school and work, Charlie decided to busy herself by making breakfast for herself and Ruby. Just as she was about to call her daughter, she was stopped by a knock at the back door. Opening the door she was surprised to find Xavier standing on the other side. "Hey Xav. Is everything okay?", she asked with a smile. Xavier tensed up again, realising he was about to put a dampener on someone elses day. "Ah, is Ruby around? I kind of need to talk to her. It's important", he asked looking at Charlie who suddenly looked very serious. She looked Xavier square in the eye and crossed her arms across her chest. "Xav why don't you tell me what is and I'll decide whether or not it's worth upsettin Ruby over", she said, sensing that what Xavier had to say wasn't going to be pleasant. Looking at his friends mother, he could tell that she wasn't going to let him speak to Ruby unless he spilled to her first. Scratching the side of his head he let out a deep breath and went for it. "Casey left town last night and we don't know if he's coming back. Like, ever", he said looking at Charlie as she placed her head in her hands and let out a frustrated groan. "Charlie, what's going on?", came Ruby's voice. Startled, Charlie looked up to find her daughter standing by the living room doorway using the frame as a guide to help her make her way into the kitchen. "Rubes, I thought you were sleeping", Charlie said as she walked over to Ruby and helped her to find the stool by the kitchen table. "Okay, I know I'm blind but I can sense that you're hiding something so out with it", Ruby said clearly irritated that people kept trying to protect her from everything. Charlie turned back towards the door and looked at Xavier who mouthed that he was going to leave her to it. Turning back to her daughter, Charlie went to Ruby's side and took a hold of her hand. "Rubes, Casey left town. Last night", she said as gently as she could. Stroking her daughters hand, Charlie waited for Ruby to cry or react. Instead, Ruby just stood up and silently made her back to her room using everything she could touch to guide her. Charlie watched on and sighed. A reaction would have been better than nothing. Now she was more worried than ever. Brax stood in the middle of Angelo's and surveyed the damage from the petrol bomb attack. The fire chief had told him that he was lucky. There was only minor damage that could be repaired with some redecorating and some furniture replacement. But to Brax, he felt like the unluckiest guy on the planet. Bending down,he picked up a burnt out menu off the ground, a symbol of where his life was at that point. Brax was broken from his thoughts by the sound of footsteps coming from the stairs. His eyes widened when his ex-girlfriend Tegan walked throught the restaurant door. "Wow, Brodie and the boys really did a job on this place", she said gazing around at the carnage. She crossed her arms and smiled at Brax who was looking less than impressed to see her. "How do you know it was the boys who did this?", he asked, anger present in his voice as he spoke. Tegan laughed at him and then walked over to one of the more stable looking couches and sat down. "Brodie and the boys came to our old boozer last night looking pretty happy with themselves. Said something about firing a rat out of it's hole", she said crossing her legs to show them off in her skimpy combat skirt. "You know me, I put two and two together and came up with an ex Riverboy who slept with a copper and recently had his restaurant almost burned to a cinder. Only one man came to mind", she said smirking when she saw the angry Brax beginning to make his appearance. "What do you want Tegan?", he asked, although he really didn't care too much for her answer. She looked up at him and then leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees and resting her head on her hand. "I heard about the boys planning their "revenge" or whatever on you, so, I've come here to make you an offer. From Jake", she said. Knowing that Brax and Jake were enemies, Tegan relished the idea of Brax having to swallow his pride and except an offer a from a man he spent most of his time mocking. "Whatever it is the answers no. So just, leave, Tegan, alright. Just go", he said raising his hand towards the door. Tegan stood up and walked over to Brax and stood toe to toe with him. So close their bodies touched. She laughed in his face at what he had said. "Brax, Brax, Brax. No offense, but you're really in no position to be turning away help from anyone. I mean, Brodie and the boys, they really want to hurt you. And I don't see Heath or his mates lining up to defend you", she said with a smirk on her face. Brax glared down at her. She was beginning to touch a nerve. Tegan leaned in against him and raised herself up on her toes so she could whisper in his ear. "Not even you little girlfriend cares enough about you to give a stuff whether you live or die", she said, almost with a gleeful tone. Brax's anger boiled over and he pushed Tegan sending her flying onto the couch opposite where they were standing. Tegan laughed hysterically as she picked herself up. "Now there's the Brax we all know and love", she remarked as she picked up her handbag and straightened herself up. Reaching into her bag she pulled out a piece of paper and put it on the table next to Brax. "Jake's willing to make a deal with you. Him and his boys will protect you. But they want something in return", she said. With those parting words Tegan made a sarcastic salut at Brax and left. Looking down at the piece of paper, Brax picked up one of the damaged chairs and flung it at the wall. He had finally hit rock bottom. Picking up the piece of paper he stuffed it in his pocket and left Angelo's. Pulling up outside the Surf Club, Charlie turned off the engine and turned to look at Ruby. "Rubes, I have to go get a statement from Palmer about the fire. Do you want to come with me or do you want to wait here in the car?", she asked. Ruby turned her head in the direction of her mothers voice and picked up her cane off the seat beside her. "Is it alright if I sit outside? I kind of want to listen to the ocean and get some sun", she said waiting for a respone. Charlie smiled, glad that Ruby was, at least, attempting to get back out into civilization. "Yeah of course", she said. Getting out of the car, Charlie walked around to the far side and held the door open for Ruby. Unfolding her cane, Ruby used it to feel out her surroundings before making her move. Charlie took Ruby's hand and placed it on her shoulder, allowing her daughter to use it as her guide. To steer her in the right direction. Once they reached the ouside tables of the Surf Club, Charlie pulled out a chair for Ruby to sit on, and once she felt everything was okay, she made her way inside to find Palmer. Basking in the feel of the warm sun on her skin and the sound of the waves washing up against the sand, Ruby began to relax. That was until her nearly sensitive hearing, picked up the sound of a familiar voice and a stranger exchanging heated words a few feet away. Picking up her cane again, she stood up and tried to make out what direction the voices were coming from. Once she was confident in which direction to go in, she slowly made her way towards the commotion. Using the fencing in front of the Surf Club towards the beach to help guide her. Listening to the voices she could hear how close she was getting and then heard just how hot this argument was getting. "You better watch it Paulie. I won't think twice about rearrangin' your face". As Ruby got closer, she stopped, hearing the sound of at least two people pushing and shoving each other. "Your a dead man Braxton". Now Ruby was certain she knew who it was. "HEATH STOP IT", she shouted, causing the middle Braxton to stop mid fight and turn towards the voice shouting at him. "Oi shove off Stevie Wonder", Paulie shouted back. Heath turned around and shoved Paulie onto the hood of his truck. "Heath please, just walk away before you get yourself in more trouble", Ruby pleaded. Heath glared at Paulie, his eyes wild with anger. Eventually, he backed off and walked over to the fence to calm himself down. Paulie laughed and stood up making his way over to Ruby. He began to wave his hands in front of her face, mocking her disability. "Can ye see me now? What about now?", he said laughing when he saw a tear roll down Ruby's cheek. Heath heard Paulie and made a run for him. Standing between Paulie and Ruby. "Leave her alone", he said pushing Paulie away. Turning around he placed his hand on Ruby's arm and led her away. Once they reached the outside seating area of the Surf Club, Heath said his goodbyes and made for the beach. "Wait", Ruby said, stopping Heath in his tracks, "If your going to the beach, please, take me with you". Heath stood looking at her, his hands on his hands resting on his sides. Turning and gazing at the surf, he turned back and looked at Ruby, rubbing his head. "Alright come on", he said walking up to her and linkin her arm taking her down to the beach. Once they were on the beach, Ruby folded up her cane and sat down. Heath sat next to her and stared out at the surf. He felt awkward just sitting quietly with another person. Normally he was either having a booze fest with his mates or chatting up random girls on the beach. "You know we can have a conversation. I know it's not something you and your "buddies" usually do but I find it quite fun", Ruby said trying to break the silence. Heath looked at her slightly miffed. "What is it with you lot. You all think you know me. You know nothin' about me", he said with a hint of annoyance in his voice. Ruby raised her eyebrow thinking about what Heath said. "You know, you're right. I don't know anything about you. But maybe that's because you don't let anyone get to know you. You just throw your weight around and hope nobody gets too close", Ruby said placing her cane down beside her. "Am I right?", she asked waiting to see what excuse Heath was going to come up with. However she what she wasn't prepared for was for how serious he would get. "My Dad walked out on us when we were kids. Brax, he felt obligated to take on the fatherky role and look after us. Case was just a little kid so Mum spent most of her time dealin' with him. I was always an after thought", he said. Heath could feel the years of surpressed emotion building up inside as he spoke. Ruby thought about what he was saying and slowly began to piece everything together. "So you started acting out to get attention because if you didn't you'd just fade into the background", she said understanding Heaths situation. "When Brax became a "legend", Heath said sarcastically, "We all started hanging around the surf more and more. Brax, the boys, we were like a brotherhood. Finally I was part of somethin' where I didn't have to be different to be noticed", he finished. Ruby symapthised with Heath. It must have been hard for him being the middle child in a broken family. She laughed to herself. "You know it's amazing. I see people more clearly now that I'm blind than I ever did when I could see", she said twisting the bracelet on her arm. "So why do your wear those sunglasses? I mean it's not like people don't know your blind", he asked looking at her curiously. Ruby laughed. It had been anyone else who asked that question she would have thought they were being insensitive. But coming from Heath, she knew it was just his odd way of being serious. She pointed towards her eyes. "I have scarring around my eyes from the stray debris from the explosion in the fire. I guess when I wear them, I feel like less of a freak", she said. Heath reached up and went to remove the sunglasses. Ruby hesitated at first but then she allowed him to continue. Taking them off, Brax looked Ruby in the eyes and for the first time since he'd known her. He saw her. Actually saw her. "You're not a freak Ruby", he said. Walking out of the Surf Club, Charlie and Bianca were having a brief catch up. Bianca was keen to make sure her friend was okay. When they reached the outdoor seating area Charlie noticed that Ruby was nowhere to be found. "I thought you said Ruby was outside", Bianca said scanning the area. "She was. I left her sitting right here", Charlie said sounding slightly panicked. Bianca gripped her friends are to calm her down. "Hey calm down, I'm sure she's fine. She probably walked down to the beach", she said reassuringly. Charlie nodded and they walked over to the fence and surveyed the beach. "Oh my God", Bianca said "Is that Ruby...and Heath Braxton?", she said pointing in their direction. Charlie spotted them and was about to storm down to where they were and tell Heath where to go when Bianca stopped her. "Charlie look", Bianca said. Both women stared on and watched as Heath put Ruby's sunglasses back on and helped her to her feet. Walking back up the pathway, Heath grinned at Charlie. "G'day Sergeant Buckton", he said. Charlie glared at him. "G'day Heath", she replied coldly. Heath let out a small laugh. Grabbing Ruby's hand off his shoulder, he placed it in Charlie's hand. "Check ye later Rubes", he said and walked off to his truck. "Right well I'll leave you guys to it. I'll call you later", Bianca said waving as she walked off in the direction of Irene's house. Charlie pulled Ruby close to her and put an arm around her daughters shoulders as they walked back towards the car. "We were just talking Charlie", Ruby said as if reading her mother's mind. "Okay, but just, be careful. Guys like Heath, they're bad news", Charlie said. Ruby stopped in her tracks. "Guys like Heath? What about guys like Brax? because the last time I checked they were in the same boat", Ruby said and opened the door, getting into the car. Charlie stood there, silent. What started off as Charlie trying to give Ruby advice and protect her, had turned into Ruby cutting Charlie down to size for being a hypocrite. Things in Charlie's life had really changed over the last few months. And from this point of view, Charlie knew it wasn't for the best. ************************************ Next Time: *Charlie noticies a change in her daughters mood and although happy, worries that it may having something to do with the time she's spending with Heath *Brax tells Charlie that the Riverboys are planning something, are they in danger? *Heath finds himself concerned with Ruby's wellbeing. Is he the next Braxton to fall for a Buckton? *Morag gives Brax an ultimatum, but could it be too late for him to make the right decision
Inactive User Posted July 23, 2011 Report Posted July 23, 2011 Great chapter Casey's gone.... Poor Xavier-it must be hard for him to tell Charlie and then her telling Ruby Update soon xx
Dingo x Posted July 23, 2011 Report Posted July 23, 2011 Amazing chapter once again, I'm loving this side to Heath. Please update soon can't wait for more. xx
Red Ranger 1 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Posted July 23, 2011 Woah, great chapter.Not sure whether this growing closeness between Ruby and Heath is a good thing or whether Charlie's right and she should stay away.Wasn't expecting Casey to leave town, liked the chat between Xavier and Romeo about whether to tell Ruby.(Although if Xavier told Ruby, wouldn't that be second hand?Or even third hand, if he heard it from Cheryl?Yes, I'm being picky again.)Looks like some trouble for Brax too.Looking forward to seeing where you take this.
lollypop Posted July 23, 2011 Report Posted July 23, 2011 Thanks so much for the comments. I'm hoping to have another chapter started today now that I'm in the swing of it. I also hope to update My Only Hope. It's been kind of sidelined over the last couple of months. Anyways thanks again. Btw....RedRanger1, when I said about Ruby hearing it second hand, what I meant was hearing it as gossip from the likes of Colleen rather than from a friend or someone close to Casey. I hope that makes sense.
Red Ranger 1 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Posted July 23, 2011 lollypop said: Btw....RedRanger1, when I said about Ruby hearing it second hand, what I meant was hearing it as gossip from the likes of Colleen rather than from a friend or someone close to Casey. I hope that makes sense. It's okay, I understand.Like I said, I was being picky.
lollypop Posted July 23, 2011 Report Posted July 23, 2011 Haha I get ye. I can be picky myself when I'm reading fanfics.
Chester-Sam Posted July 24, 2011 Report Posted July 24, 2011 I really like Heath in this, he's so nice to Ruby - Sam
HighwayUnicorn Posted July 24, 2011 Report Posted July 24, 2011 Sorry, two chapters to catch up on there. Amazingly well written though. Really fantastic. I enjoyed that update. Really well done. Love Carina xxx
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