All That You Can't Leave Behind

[Zetti]

update now~!

[Adia]

Sorry, I ended up going away for a couple of days... and there was no computer for miles!

Thanks Tasha, I will try and give Beth a chill pill...

Here's an update Zetti... I had no idea what to write, even though it seems kinda long, so I apologise if it's really bad...

ChapterSeventyTwo: (dedicated to shortie!)

Johnny wrapped his arms around her and held her as close to him as he could. It was dark, but there was a brilliance about the moonlight as it shone through the window. As she slept he gently kissed the curve of her neck and shoulders. Being with her then and there was probably the closest he had ever been to another human being, be it physically or emotionally. But it felt right… and to a certain extent normal… as though they had already spent their whole lives together.

She opened her eyes and smiled. She rolled over and faced him, running her delicate finger down the side of his face and through his hair. She looked at him intensely before she touched him again, this time tracing her finger along his beard and finally along the menacing scar on the side of his face. He flinched at first, mostly surprised that she had dared to touch it, but he smiled back at her and mimicked her actions.

“You’re still here Mr Cooper,” she whispered.

“What? Did you think that I was the love em’ and leave em’ type?” he laughed.

“Actually I was hoping you would be…” she sighed. “I really don’t like to share my blankets…”

“Usually I am…” Johnny admitted. “But for some reason, I like having you around…”

He ran his fingers through her long dark hair before he kissed her softly on the lips.

“You are such a mystery…” he said quietly. “But umm, that’s why I like ya…”

“I’m the mystery?” she teased. “You’re not exactly an open book either!”

“Can I ask you something?”

She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled into his chest.

“You can ask me anything Johnny. But I’m not going to promise that I’ll give you a straight answer…”

He grinned and wondered if what he was about to say would change the mood, but he decided to say it anyway.

“Why aren’t you afraid of me?” he whispered.

Her smile turned into a frown and she was glad he couldn’t see it; but before she could even react, there was a loud knock at the door.

Matilda waited till she was sure that the whole household was asleep before she climbed out her window. She had managed to fit her life into one small backpack, well everything that she needed to survive for a couple of days at least. Her problem was that she had nowhere to go. Sally’s was out of the question – that would be the first place that Beth would look. Cassie was at Irene’s which counted that place out. She felt like leaving Summer Bay for good, just so she wouldn’t have to deal with the consequences of her actions; but the thought of leaving Rocco was at the top of her thoughts. She was leaving Beth so that she could be with him… She wondered about the halfway house that he had stayed at when he first came to the Bay. It was an option… until she realized that maybe there was somewhere she could go…

“You expecting someone?” Johnny asked looking at the bedside clock.

“Yeah right… it’s three in the morning… besides you, who else knocks on my door at this hour?”

They both sat up. “You want me to check it out?” he asked her.

“No it’s okay,” she said smiling at him and getting out of the bed.. “It might be my other lover…”

He picked up a pillow and threw it in her direction. “Maybe I should sort him out then?”

“No really, I think I can handle it. But if I’m not back in five…”

“Yeah, I’ll come and save you alright? And then beat the crap out of him…” he muttered under his breath. She grabbed her dressing gown and headed down the hallway to the front door.

She looked through the peep hole and saw a lonely figure standing there.

“Maddie?” Nina said surprised as she opened the door. “What’s happened. Is everything okay?’

Matilda cried as Nina put her arm around her and led her into the living room.

“I ran away… I just couldn’t take it anymore…” she sobbed. “Mum had another go at me about Rocco… I just… I had to get away from her. I’m sorry I had nowhere else to go…”

“It’s okay…” Nina said trying to calm her down. “You can stay here, that’s fine. Listen, I’ll go and find some blankets and stuff… you just make yourself at home…”

She quickly rushed back to her bedroom and started picking up stuff from off the floor. “You’ve gotta go,” she said hurriedly to Johnny. “And you’ve got to go now.”

“Why?” he asked confused, “you don’t really have another lover do you?”

“No,” she laughed. “I wish… it’s Matilda, she’s run away from home and she had nowhere else to go. So she’s staying and you’re leaving.” She threw his clothes at him and rummaged around the wardrobe for some extra blankets.

‘What’s the problem exactly?” Johnny asked.

“The problem is you… in my bedroom… half naked,” Nina said frantically. “Doesn’t exactly look good…”

Johnny rolled his eyes. “You’re serious?”

She grabbed the blankets and started to walk out the door. “Yes...”

“I found some extra blankets for you,” Nina said putting them down on the sofa next to Matilda. “This sofa is pretty comfy. Do you need anything else?”

“No, I’m fine,” Matilda said wiping away her tears. “Thanks for this. I really just needed to get away from Mum for a while. You don’t mind if… is that okay if we talk for awhile?”

“Sure,” Nina smiled. “Listen, I’ll go and make some hot chocolate and we can talk about whatever you want… you just sit here and get settled in okay?”

Matilda smiled back at her. She was glad that she had found somewhere warm and safe to go. And it was somewhere that Beth wouldn’t find her.

Nina was fumbling around in the kitchen when Johnny grabbed her from behind.

“What are you still doing here!” she whispered.

“I had to say goodbye…” he laughed as he kissed the side of her neck. “Can we meet up tomorrow?” she asked him.

“Maybe, I’m meeting with the boys to plan for the party. I have to talk to you about the pick up anyway. Of course I could always stay…”

She led him to the door and gently tried to push him out.

“Goodbye Johnny,” she smiled. He kissed her one last time before he finally left.

P.S Emma if you read this, I tried to reply to your PM but it said I couldn't because of some kind of error So ummm, I'm not sure what to do?

[Tasha]

good on mattie for leaving beth Great chapter. More J/M please

More please

[tasha7905]

Poor Mattie, Im glad she went to Nina. I really like the relationship between Nina and Johnny its intriguing cause it seems that Johnny genuinally does care about her. Cant wait to see where there relationship will go. Hope there is more soon.

[Zetti]

Here's an update Zetti... I had no idea what to write, even though it seems kinda long, so I apologise if it's really bad...

its fine more j/m please!!!!!

[Adia]

Thankies guys...

ChapterSeventyThree:

Over breakfast, Jack and Martha could not stop grinning at each other. When Tony and Lucas had finally left, the rest of their night had been amazing. It was just the two of them planning for their future. Planning for their beautiful little baby. Jack was almost disappointed that one hadn’t arrived on the doorstep that morning. Talking about it with Martha had made him want it even more.

“We can’t tell anyone just yet,” Martha told him. “I don’t want to jinx it.”

“Dad always knows when there’s something up,” said Jack.

“Yeah, but I don’t want to get anyone excited,” said Martha. “Let’s just wait until we have definite proof that we are going to be adding to our clan."

Tony knocked gently on the door before coming in. “Hey guys,” he said in a serious tone. “How’s things today?”

“Pretty much the same as when you left us last night,” Jack laughed. “What’s up?” Martha asked seeing the grim look on his face.

“You guys haven’t seen Maddie around have you?” Tony asked them.

“No,” Martha said shaking her head. “Why what’s happened?”

“She had a fight with Beth last night over Rocco. Then when Beth went in her room this morning, she was gone.”

“She could just be out for a walk or something?” Jack suggested.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right mate,” Tony put on a brave smile. “So what are you guys up to today?”

“Well…” Martha said finishing her toast. “I have to head down to the surf club to see how the party prep is going. Macca said he’d take care of it, but I thought I better double check anyway. What about you Jack?”

“I’m not included in your plans?” Jack teased.

“You should be resting mate,” said Tony. “After all that you’ve been through…”

“Yeah, well you know me Dad, and that’s out of the question. I’ll find something to do…”

Beth rushed in panting and out of breath. “Tony!” she called out interrupting their conversation. “She’s not answering her cell phone. I’ve called Sally, and Leah and Irene, and no one has seen her. I’m really worried Tony, what she spent the night out on the street or something.”

“Beth calm down,” Tony said standing up and comforting Beth. “Tilly is probably on the beach having a swim, taking a walk. If she was in trouble you would have heard about it by now. I’m sure that where ever she is she is fine.”

Beth wasn’t as convinced as an angry, determined look swept across her face. “Rocco will know…” she said before she stormed out of the house.

Tony was reluctant to stop her. He knew what Beth was like when she was in one of those moods, and he could not be bothered causing a scene with her in front of Jack and Martha.

“Dad, if you want, I can help you look for Maddie. She can’t be too far away,” Jack said.

Tony sighed. “You know that would be great Jack. I just want this whole thing sorted out… I’m getting way too old for this…”

Jack and Martha looked at each other, smiling happily. “It’s called ‘feeling your age’ Dad.” Jack laughed. “And I hate to tell ya, but you’ve got a few more years a head of you…”

Matilda and Nina walked along the beach. Rocco had called and said that Beth had been looking for her, so they decided to meet up by the boatsheds so Matilda could explain everything to him.

“Mum is blowing everything out of proportion,” Matilda told Nina. “I totally cannot believe her.”

“She’s your Mum,” said Nina. “She just wants you to be safe I guess.”

“Yeah, but if I do what she says, then that means we can’t hang out together.”

“I know, but Mum’s have these instincts you know?” she said looking at the ground. “Maybe I am someone that you shouldn’t be hanging around?”

“Don’t tell me that you agree with my Mum?” Matilda said shocked.

“No, I don’t agree with her, but do you really want to ruin your relationship with her forever?”

“Well…”

Nina’s phone rang and she sighed when she saw the caller id display. “I’ve gotta take this,” she said edging away. “I won’t be a sec.” She walked away a bit further and spoke in a quiet and hushed tone. Matilda was curious as to what secrets Nina had, and listened as intently as she could without making it too obvious.

“Yeah, it’s on for tonight,” Nina whispered into her phone. “Yeah, he asked me to do it… but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea? Well what if someone recognises me?” Nina paused and listened to the person on the other end of the phone. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s a good idea either, I think we should wait a while. Johnny’s starting to trust us, that was the plan wasn’t it? If we do something stupid, it’ll ruin everything… I’m just saying, if anything goes wrong tonight who are they going to blame? I won’t make it out alive… they WILL kill me, and then they’ll be after you next…”

Nina rubbed her forehead in frustration as she hung up the phone.

“Who was that?” Matilda asked her.

“No one, just some guy I know.”

“Nina you’re not in any trouble are you?”

“No?” She saw the worried look on Matilda’s face and realized she had to say something to get her off her case. “Okay… look, some guys are after my brother. He’s made a few enemies… if we don’t do what they say... you won't ever see me again.

[I love music]

Great chapter, Adia. I'm glad I started reading this story, I've been missing out on a lot!

Being with her then and there was probably the closest he had ever been to another human being, be it physically or emotionally. But it felt right… and to a certain extent normal… as though they had already spent their whole lives together.

“Why aren’t you afraid of me?” he whispered.

Nina and Johnny's relationship is so real.

She had managed to fit her life into one small backpack

Really conveys Matilda's sadness at having to run away.

It's sweet that Matilda goes to Nina and Nina looks after her, putting her friend before Johnny. Nina and Jake are great characters, they really need to turn up in the real Summer Bay - I think I'd start watching the show again if they did!

[xsianx]

I love Nina and Johnny relationship, I agree with I love music it's so real and intimate yet rocky lol

I shouldn't be reading this....

Great writing Adia as usual

[shortie_689]

OH MY GOSH I CAN'T BELEIVE YOU DEDICATED IT TO ME!!! I feel sooo special!!!

Lucky that I TOTALLY LOVED THAT CHAPTER!!!!! Oh the Nina and Johnny I just wanna be Nina, Johnny is soooo unbeleivably HOT!!! Oh how desperate am I. I just love the way Johnny is so caring towards Nina and so loving and how Nina reciprocates it, it is a shame that they can't have a public relationship. I am interested to see where you are going with the whole brother and her making Johnny trust them, please tell me it won't ruin their relationship???

I loved those two chapters I tell you, you have honestly got the best pairings in the whole wide world I love Johnny and Nina and I really love Rocco and Matilda and I love the fact the Ric loves Matilda too it is just so GREAT!!!

Keep up the fantastic work and when you get the chance please update soon!!!

Hope your few days away was great, and please call me Sasha!!!

Love it all!!!

[Tasha]

great chapter Adz (im gonna call you that from now on ) Jacky and Martha are so cute. Beth is a loser

More please