"Look, this needs to fucking end." Charlie said, stepping into the shadows in a nearly deserted bar alley. A man stayed propped up against a nearby dumpster, completely hidden in shadows. He spoke softly, asking if that was really what Charlie needed. "I don't need you, you fucking prat. I don't even want you. Leave me and my fucking family alone."

"No, Claire he hasn't shown up yet, or I wouldn't call you." Liam was afraid if he had made the biggest mistake by calling Claire. But since Charlie didn't answer his mobile and hadn't shown up at the bar where they wanted to meet, he thought that was all he could do.

The man at the dumpster stood up, walking towards Charlie. Grabbing him forcefully, he kissed him roughly, shoving his tongue down Charlie's throat before he could protest. Then, he angrily pushed the guy away, hitting him hard in the nose.

Maybe Liam could save the situation by lying. He didn't want to lie, but as long as Claire wouldn't worry a lie couldn't be that bad, right? And who knew what Charlie was up to; maybe it was kind of like when he had met Charlie back in the old days where there had been stuff Karen must never know about.

Charlie pushed his attacker back forcefully, drawing his fist back and hitting him straight in the mouth, creating a sickening sound. The man recoiled, covering his mouth with his hand with a yell of rage. Coming back towards Charlie, the smaller man took an offensive stance, rounding his shoulders. "Don't fuck with me mate."

"Oh, there he comes!" Liam lied. He felt bad for lying at Claire but he thought it still better than having her being scared to death. "Gonna hang up. See you around." He held his breath fearing for Claire wanting to speak to Charlie. But luckily enough she seemed to believe him wished them a nice evening and hung up. But Liam couldn't breath out relieved yet. Where was Charlie?

The bleeding man staggered forward again, dark hair in his eyes. Charlie's jaw dropped, if only a little. "Do you really want more?" He said, raising his fist again, this time sending it straight and true to the guys eye. "I'm not fucking with you, mate, not even close. I'm done with this shit. I've got a family now." The abused man looked up at him steadily, saying that it wasn't his fucking family and it never would be. Charlie kicked him hard.

Liam pondered for a while whether to stay at the bar and wait for Charlie to arrive or to go and look for him. That would be ridiculous though. Charlie was a grown man and he most probably had his reasons why he was late. And he had hated it already when he was a kid if Liam came looking for him. No, no he wouldn't humiliate his brother; not by going looking for him, no way! But he would try his mobile again. That would do. Or at least Liam hoped it would. He went outside to be able to hear better.

Charlie felt the rage building inside him, pounding through his veins every second. He kept hitting his attacker, again and again. He heard a door shut, but in his white hot rage, he barely registered the sound. Soon, he had the man curled in a ball, bleeding profusely, and his kicks and hits grew weaker as he slumped beside the body. "Why did you do this to me Sinjin? I was happy!" He almost gently wiped the sweaty hair from his friend's brow. He didn't mean to do this to him. Not at all. He was thinking of Sawyer more. He didn't know how long he sat there, but soon he heard sirens.

Liam was really getting scared to death; This was so definitely NOT like Charlie to be that late without letting Liam know he'd be late. And WHY didn't he answer his damned mobile? Bloody hell, WHERE was his brother? He got even more scared when he heard sirens only few streets away.

A man stood at the opening to the alley, pointing cop cars in. Shit Charlie thought. He was so busted. He lay back as two cops came forward to seize him by the arms, wrestling him up. They shoved him around a bit, even though he wasn't resisting. Charlie's eyes were glued on his friend as two medical physicians looked over Sinjin. "Is he ok?" he said hoarsely. "Please, is he ok? I didn't mean to.." He trailed off, eyes still on the prone man. "He was just toying with me, I got carried away, I'm sorry, Sinjin, I'm sorry."

Liam was sick with fear. What the hell should he do more than he had already done? He didn't know what to do anymore. Maybe... maybe... he didn't really think that could help anything, but maybe for some weird reason he'd be there? Liam shrugged and dialed the number of the one person he hadn't called in ages and didn't really want to deal with.

Charlie was shuffled into the squad car, where he rested his head against the back of the seat. "Shit" He said. He was now terrified. He looked back to where they were lifting the startled Sinjin up and helping him stand. Apparently there wasn't that much damage done, but his nose was for sure broken. They helped him into the ambulance. Reaching his hand inside the pocket of his jeans, Charlie found his cell phone. 8 missed calls.

Liam was walking to and fro on the pavement. "Answer that bloody phone you prat!" He murmured. When finally the phone was answered, he was so startled because he didn't expect an answer anymore, that he couldn't find the words at first. But he found them again quite quickly: "Where is Charlie? What did you do to him? I'm gonna kill you if you laid a finger on him!" He yelled into the phone.

A cop reached back and grabbed the phone from him. "Can I call my brother?" Charlie asked. The cop shook his head, saying when they got to the station he could. No cellular calls allowed. The cop turned to him, asking him about the attack. "He tried to kiss me." Charlie said. "He wouldn't take no for an answer. So I fought back." He hung his head, closing his eyes as the cops talked about him up front. He heard words like 'self defense' and 'attempted rape'

"Fuck." Liam murmured when the person on the other side yelled back he hadn't seen Charlie today, he hadn't laid a finger on him, not today. "Listen, I'm not willing to spread any worries about Charlie, so I need to find him. Can you help me Sawyer or not?" The answer was pretty simple: no. And then Sawyer hung up.

After a 20 minute ride to the station, Charlie was given a phone so he could call for help. He paused. Liam or Claire, Liam or Claire. Liam, definately. He was supposed to have met Liam, so he'd probably be worried sick. Or chatting up someone. Either way, Liam would be the only one he could call. He dialed the number with shaking hands and listened to it ring.

Liam kicked the nearest bottle lying around on the pavement. That was definitely not what he had expected of tonight. When suddenly his mobile rang he thought he'd go mad. And the number on the display wasn't any familiar to him. Who the heck so? "Yeah?" he asked answering the phone in a rather nervous and fidgety way.

Charlie gulped. "Liam?" He really, really hoped this went over well, because his brother could very easily just hang up on him and he'd have to go to jail for god knows how long.

"Charlie?" Liam nearly couldn't believe it was his brother on the other end. "Charlie, that you? Where the hell are you? I'm fucking worried sick! I even called Sawyer, searching for you! Fuck! Charlie, the hell, where are you?"

Charlie sighed into the phone. "I'm at the police station, Liam. I got into a fight. Please, please don't hang up on me. It was Sinjin. He wanted to meet with me, and I don't know, somehow it ended up in him harassing me... and I just kinda snapped. Liam, really I'm kinda scared, can you come pick me up?"

Liam was horror-stricken. Police? What did his brother get himself into? And, Sinjin? This was all so weird. "Charlie, I'll be right there. Don't panic, I'll get you out of there. Gosh, baby brother, what's that all about? Oh my got, you had me so scared already and now THAT?" Liam breathed in deeply already walking to his car.

Charlie took a shaky breath. "I'm really scared, Liam, I don't want to be here. How far away are you? They're gonna cut me off this soon and take me to a cell... shit, I'm scared!" He was rambling, and the guard was signaling him to finish up. "Shit, Liam, hurry, please"

Liam gulped. His brother in a cell. He wished he would already be there and wouldn't have to let that happen. "I'm... 10 minutes, 15 latest. Hold on Charlie. I'll get you!" Liam promised.

"Shit, I've gotta..." Charlie couldn't finish as the cop came and grabbed his arm, pulling him from the phone. He was hurried through a hallway, still in handcuffs. He started shaking as he was thrown into a cell with two strange, lanky looking guys. Shit, I'm gonna get raped. Hurry Liam!

Liam ran the last few meters to his car. He couldn't imagine how Charlie felt right now. He himself was pretty horrified already, so how much worse would Charlie feel? He started his car, driving as fast as he could without breaking too many laws. He prayed he wouldn't be too late.

Immediately, the two guys rounded on him. Charlie's heart raced, but he refused to show his fear. He took a tough stance, as tough of one as he could manage. The two guys barely seemed to notice, gripping his arms. The classic saying, 'what're you in for' was said. "Beating the shit out of a guy" Charlie said, trying to get out of their grips but failing miserably. They smiled silkily, running their hands up his jeans. Charlie took a shaky inhalation, trying to relax. There was no way he could fight them off. They were pure muscle.

Liam swore at the other drivers who made him drive slower. Why were those bloody roads that busy on Friday nights? He had to get his brother; he couldn't have to drive that slow.

They were whispering insults and taunts into his ears, running their hands up and down his body. Talking about how he was gonna be their bitch. They were gonna bend him over like a dog and fuck him raw. Charlie kept a straight face, showing no emotion. He wasn't going to let them get to him.

Liam's heart was beating fast, he was over ten minutes already he would sure be over 15 until he got to the police station; Hopefully not too much though.

One kissed him. He didn't know which one, since he closed his eyes. The lips on his felt grimy and gritty. He refused to react; the only movement he made was closing his eyes. Liam, Liam, Liam, please...

Once the road was a little less busy Liam went as fast as possible. He didn't know why, but he didn't have a good feeling about knowing Charlie was in jail. He wanted him out like possibly 10 minutes ago. It so was one of the last places he wanted his brother in.

"They're going to let me out soon. My brother's coming to get me." The two men looked at each other, then back at Charlie. Apparently they either didn't care, or they thought they could finish in time, because they went back to work. "At least tell me your names." Charlie said breathlessly. Tom and Jack. "I'm Charlie..." He said, trying not to give in under their surprisingly rough touch. Jack spoke. He apparently knew who Charlie was. His son listened to his music and he remembered the plane incident. They weren't going to hurt him, he said. Just keeping him company.

As soon as Liam pulled up at the police station he jumped out of the car and ran up into the station. "Pace. Charlie Pace! Where is he? I'm here to get him, I'm his brother." Liam demanded. The officer he had said that to turned around, spoke with his colleague and then turned back to Liam, telling him he needed to deposit a caution. "How much?" In fact, it didn't really matter to Liam, he just wanted Charlie out.

Charlie walked away from them a bit. They let him go, surprisingly. "So your not going to... because I'm a sort of celebrity? Should I be offended or happy?" He chuckled a little. They smiled a bit too. They liked him, they said, just not enough to hurt him. Charlie smiled. "Where is Liam??" He muttered under his breath.

Liam passed over the cheque with the amount they requested as caution. Karen would get to know about that, it wasn't a low amount. But as long as it'd help Charlie he didn't care what his wife would think of this. "Now, where is he? Get him! Get him out of that cell at once!" Liam was growing impatient.

Charlie heard a racket coming from the main office and he knew it was Liam. He smiled, laughing. "Liam, chill, big brother, I'm alright" He said loudly, hoping his brother could hear him. If not, well, he was already in jail, no way he could get charged for public disturbance again!

"What's that stupid caution for if you don't get him at once? What else have I gotta do? Get him myself? Waaaah, all that time since I'm in that f..." Liam bit his tongue, he couldn't risk getting charged himself for defamation of a civil servant on duty. "country I never had trouble with police and now that I have to deal with you you make me go mad." The officers told him to keep it down and relax they had to fill in some form first. "I'm not going to relax. You don't need to fill it in all of you, why can't one get me my brother NOW?!"

The police should be walking him back to get Charlie by now, but he couldn't hear them. He could hear Liam freaking out, and he couldn't help laughing. His cell mates were chuckling as well, saying Charlie was lucky to have someone who was ready to go bonkers to the police for him.

The police men were talking to each other and Liam was fuming. Finally Liam saw one leave the room. Hopefully to get Charlie. If he was going to come back without him Liam would be going really mad and freak out.

Charlie was summoned by a policeman, as he unlocked the door. He said something about his brother giving them a really hard time, and Charlie rolled his eyes. "He's watched too many jail movies, he thinks I'm dying back here or something." Still in handcuffs, he was walked to the front room.

When Charlie was brought into the room Liam felt some huge weight falling off his heart. "Charlie!" he cried out happily. "See, why couldn't you just get him? Why did I have to get mad first? Huh?" Liam glared at the officers. They didn't say anything though but were just shaking their heads rolling their eyes.

"Liam, honestly, do you have to terrorize the entire neighborhood? Let them be. I'm fine" Charlie said, laughing at his brother. "Your embarrassing me, acting like you care, you big lump."

Liam kept silent, waiting for Charlie getting freed of the cuffs and signing the form. "I did care!" he said embarrassed and hushed when they walked outside finally. "Sorry for fussing."

"Sorry for bringing you down here..." Charlie said. The full weight of the evening was still sinking in. What the hell was wrong with him, to make him act this way? He was being a moron.

"What happened really?" Liam wanted to know, when they climbed into the car. "I was scared to death because I didn't know where you were."

Charlie sighed. "I was early to the bar, the one we were supposed to meet at. Sinjin showed up. He bought me a drink and asked me to dance. I gave him that. But then he asked to go out back with him, and for some reason, I followed. But when I got out there, I just... snapped. I thought he was Sawyer. I never meant to hurt him... my mind went blank. I'm such a fool" Charlie hung his head, wondering how he'd ever repair his friendship with his old mate.

"Oh fuck." That definitely wasn't easy. And it definitely wasn't good for Charlie's band. "D'you want me to talk to him? D'you think it'd help?" Liam offered.

"Maybe... or else it would make things much much worse." He sighed. "I'll try to talk to him, and if it doesn't work, maybe you can. I don't know how mad he was though. Just stunned..."

"Okay, your go first." Liam smiled softly. "I hope it'll be okay again." he said leaning over to Charlie - which he could since they were still standing on the parking lot - hugging him as tight as it was possible. He was glad Charlie was okay. Well, at least more okay then he had imagined in his worst thoughts tonight. He couldn't take losing him - again.

Charlie hugged Liam back tightly. "There were two guys in the jail cell. They said they wanted to shag me, but then realized who I was and backed off. I'm conflicted. Am I really that famous?" He said in a joking voice, walking around like a primped poodle.

"Well, guess you are then." Liam said smiling proudly. "But it wouldn't keep me from..." Liam bit his lip. He didn't know how Charlie was feeling about him now. Since he was with Claire there had been nothing between them, but Liam had a hard time admitting he missed it. He still loved Charlie a lot more than just as a brother. "Well, nevermind."

Charlie smiled timidly. "Thank you, Liam, for all this. I don't know how I can repay you. Or Karen. This has been such a fucked up night." He hit his head against the headrest with a thud. "ow."

Liam shook his head. "Charlie stop that, you're my brother! You don't have to repay me anything, listen! That's stupid!" He laid his hand on the top of Charlie's head and leaned over to kiss him softly on the temple. "And stop hurting yourself." He smiled.

Charlie wanted to kiss Liam. It'd been so long. But he'd been doing so well, he was finally happy with Claire and Aaron, did he really want to chance that? One kiss, no further. How bad could that be?

Liam sighed and backed away, staring straight outside at the road. There was some awfully tense feeling inside here. And it was awfully quiet; he thought Charlie could hear his heart beats.

Charlie sighed. The moment was gone. He shook his head. What was he talking about, asking for that. He was happy now. He had a family.

Liam started the car. He knew he had destroyed something that might have ended in something he had missed for so long. But maybe it was better just like that. If there was nothing they couldn't endanger their relationships and families either. They wouldn't have to hide.

"What do I tell Claire?" Charlie said sullenly. He rested his head against the window. "I fucked up majorly. What do I do? She'll kick me out again!" Dread sunk like a boulder in his stomach, and he groaned. "FUCK!"

"Hush." Liam said glancing at Charlie. "You won't have to tell her anything. You've been with me. She mustn't know about the jail. Only, you've somehow been late," he said, adding: "I've called her earlier, searching for you. Sorry." He reached over with one hand and started massaging the nape of Charlie's neck. "Don't worry too much. It'll be okay."

Charlie leaned into Liam's touch. It felt so fucking good. It took him a bit to find his words, and when he did, he said half asleep, "and the bruises??"

Dear God! How could he have forgotten those? Liam sighed, still only driving with one hand and stroking Charlie's neck. "I don't know..." he admitted. "You think there're many of them? Was it that bad?"

Charlie's body had only just begun to ache. Apparently Sinjin had fought back a bit and he hadn't noticed. How bad was that? "I don't really know how many times he hit me, but I'm hurting a good deal now..." He whimpered, shifting his weight even though it didn’t ease any aches.

"Hmmm" Liam tried to think. "Do you... do you want me to take a look at them?" he offered though he realised how odd this offer was and he was slightly scared about how Charlie would react.

Charlie thought of the offer, and all that it superimposed. His heart was beating faster than normal. "Well, I'm not sure they'll be completely formed yet, but you can look. Though I don't trust your medical expertise at all, you slacker." He tried to joke weakly. He knew it was a failed attempt.

"Well, didn't say I was an expert, did I?" Liam smiled and stopped the car at the next deserted bus stop. He cursed himself for the heat that gathered in his stomach. He just wanted to check his brother's bruises, but obviously his body didn't know that. He waited for Charlie to take his shirt off.

Slowly, Charlie revealed his skeletal frame. His body still felt so ugly, but he absolutely couldn't gain weight, so his ribs pressed forward and there was no cushion to block the blows anyone had inflicted. He had other people’s blows, not just Sinjin’s. But he wasn't about to tell Liam about those. "How can you tell with the lighting?" He said nervously, leaning back in his seat.

"I have no idea." Liam laughed. His brother really had a point. Liam turned on the small, scarce light above their heads to have any light at all. He couldn't see much but he was pretty shocked by what he saw. "Charlie, those aren't only bruises by Sin, are they? There are older ones." Liam tried not to sound too forcing, but he was pretty shocked and wanted to know what was going on. It was quiet for a while, Charlie didn't answer. Liam leaned over and placed a light peck on Charlie's forehead. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you." he whispered still staying that close.

Charlie turned his head away. "I'm not aware of any older bruises." He said stubbornly, trying to act as if nothing was wrong. He knew though, he knew where they came from, who they came from. He just knew Liam would be shocked and disappointed if he knew.

Liam backed away. He should have known Charlie'd react like that. He still was the stubborn he always had been. "Fine, if you think you've got to act like that." He said, turning away from Charlie in his own stubborn way. "You know I'd always be there for you to talk or whatever, but, fine, just go on let yourself be beaten up."

Charlie immediately felt his heart sink. This was NOT what he planned. "What am I supposed to do Liam? I stood up for myself tonight and got arrested! There seems to be no medium. So I'd rather be beaten up than locked away for years." He retreated, curling into fetal position and resting his head against the window. He felt like the world was closing in on him.

Liam sighed heavily. He felt like all he did tonight was fuck everything up. Really fuck up big time! "Charlie," He placed his hand on his brother's shoulder, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... I... I'm proud you did stand up for yourself. I'm sorry for saying that stuff. It's just that I love you so much and can't stand to see you like that." He took his hand away and turned around again, staring out of the window onto the dark road.

Charlie smiled weakly. "Love you too." He said, looking out the window. He didn't know why Liam acted that way, but at times he could understand it. He knew he'd personally be pissed if Liam showed up looking like Charlie did now. But he didn't understand why Liam was yelling at him for that.

"So, what about the old bruises?" Liam asked weakly, not looking at Charlie. "You do know they are there." Liam felt bad, really bad. He shouldn't have yelled at Charlie. But he couldn't help it. And now it was too late anyway. He couldn't help it to sound a bi too aggressive when he was really scared and worrying about Charlie. He just wanted him to be okay and when he wasn't he freaked out. That was just the way he was.

"Visits." Charlie said quickly. He didn't really want to add any more, but there was no way to avoid it. "From... Sawyer. He'd find me in bars and shit, take me out back. Just like Sinjin did. That's why I freaked." He said, hands shaking.

Liam snapped around. "Sawyer?" He was fuming. The only time he had met Sawyer after John was born they had a huge fight because of Sawyer terrorizing Charlie over the phone. Liam had hoped and prayed it would have helped, but apparently it hadn't. He was willing to really kill him this time.

Charlie held up a hand. "Relax. Its not that big of a deal." He laid a hand on Liam's arm, trying to relax him, knowing it really wouldn't do much good. He'd said too much.

"No big deal? Charlie, for the hell of it, just look at you! And then again tell me it was no big deal! He didn't deserve I let him go away alive!" Oh, had he just said out loud that he had been fighting Sawyer? Well, he had and now there was no return. Liam looked at Charlie's hand on his arm. He didn't deserve such a brother.

Charlie's jaw dropped a little and his eyes narrowed. "You fought him? For me?" He asked, clearly astonished. "Why the hell would you do that? Sawyer could've killed you! I've seen him do that to men for far less. I oughta break your neck for putting it out for the likes of me..."

"Whom else would I fight Sawyer for?" Liam replied. "And he didn't kill me, or do I look like I'm dead? I should have killed him though!" He swallowed hard and cursed that lone tear that gathered at the corner of his eye. "I'd put my neck out again for you anytime!"

"Your head is worth more than mine anyday. You have a family, Liam, don't fuck them over by getting yourself killed. Or I'll kill you. Or blow up your grave. Or something of a highly explosive and symbolically painful manner. Seriously." Charlie said, arms waving dramatically.

Liam swallowed hard and leaned his head against the headrest. Charlie was right in some way. He had family and shouldn't endanger himself and thus his family. But he had to, hadn't he? It was to protect his brother. "You have family too. I'm not worth more than you." Liam whispered.

"They're not actually my family. Claire's had to move on once, she can do it again. Shouldn't be a problem for her, she's strong". He said, trying to sound non-chalant. The fact was that the thought of Claire with someone else made him feel sick. But he knew he spoke truthfully. "Thus, I can be replaced, and that means I'm not nearly as important."

Liam shook his head - as far as it was possible in his position. "I don't want to argue about being important Charlie. It's over, I had fought him, I've exposed myself to danger. But I'm still here! I won't promise it never happens again, because I can't guarantee for anything if I ever see him again." Liam knew Charlie wouldn't accept this, but it was the simple truth.

Charlie sat back in his seat, contemplating. He wasn't the pretty one, he wasn't the valuable one, he wasn't even that great at what he did do. Well, he didn't know about that one, but all he knew is that he didn't feel worth Liam's attention;

"I've only done that for you." Liam repeated in a whisper. He looked at Charlie for a long moment before he leaned forward and kissed - also to his own surprise - Charlie on his lips.

Charlie let the kiss linger. It was slow and sweet, and very welcome, but he didn't feel the rush of desire that usually accompanied his brother's kisses. Instead he just felt a soft burn, like a sweet happiness inside of him, knowing that he could just do this and be happy and still go back and enjoy his family life without any guilt.

Liam's heart was racing. It had been ages he had felt his brother's sweet, sof lips beneath his. And surprisingly - at least from what he had expected - Charlie hadn't backed away.

Charlie felt the need for new breath and pulled back, smiling softly at Liam. "That was a change of pace." He said, a bit cheekily. Then he blushed a bit, and looked away from his brother. Why was he acting like a teenager?

Liam didn't know what to say. He felt a little like saying I'm sorry, but he wasn't really sorry and from Charlie's blushing and soft smile he also knew he didn't have to be. Then again he felt like saying nothing at all, for it seemed to destroy the moment anyways. "No change of Pace though." he said finally.

"Cheeky bastard." Charlie said, leaning in again to claim a soft kiss. "I don't know why I put up with you." He ran his hand through Liam's soft hair.

"Because I'm irresistible, love." Liam smiled cheekily before he kissed him again. He stroke Charlie's cheek with his thumb. It felt so different from other times but he couldn't explain why.

"Then why do you put up with a blaggart like me?" Charlie said, eyebrows raised. He liked this new feeling, this delayed, calm feeling that rushed over him like warm water.