All That You Can't Leave Behind

[Tasha]

Sian, you srsly have issues. Your alwayz liking the wrong poeple But im glad Jacky saved Ms Martha

More please

[xsianx]

lol Shh about my issues

[I love music]

Great update. The robbery description was really well done.

It was dark, but there was a dim light where Martha was standing, carefully counting the cash.

The music cut out and the sound of smashing glass echoed in her mind as someone grabbed her and put their hand over her mouth

I could totally picture them watching and then breakin in.

“I know that look in your eyes you idiot. You keep your mouth shut and your pants on.

That made me smile. Realistic dialogue!

[shortie_689]

I'm torn I like Johnny but I don't like Johnny.

Brilliant writing as always!

Don't worry Sian I like Johnny too, and to be honest I don't like Martha *ducks for cover* and I am glad that Johnny and his gang robbed her!!! It just makes the whole story more interesting!!!

Can I guess Adia that Johnny was going to meet Nina with his alcohol that he was going to "share".

It's all so suss this storyline with McGrath, wonder what is going on!!!

Great work Adia please update soon!!!

Sashaxx

[xsianx]

^ Yay I'm not the only one

Great writing Adia.

[Adia]

Thankies everyone for your comments!

Can I guess Adia that Johnny was going to meet Nina with his alcohol that he was going to "share".

Lol, yep. Because I am in a good mood I've decided to write some fluff... J&N and after that will be J&M.

[Tasha]

Johnny and Nina fluff?? I still think Johnny is a bit too old for Nina, like isnt she only 15 or something?? Oh wellz, i like the sound of JM fluff though

[shortie_689]

Doo Do DOo DOo Just waiting for some Johnny and Nina fluff!!! Sasha is sooo excited!!!

[Adia]

Okay well I WAS in a good mood... that was until I got sick and I can't even remember what I was going to write... damn head cold thingee. Anyhoo, I have been sitting in bed with the laptop so I have a few updates. They weren't anything near what I originally intended to write, but yeah, I am sick... in this one there's a bit of an explanation about the ages!

ChapterEightyOne:

Nathan kept his eyes fixed firmly on the road in front of him, trying to avoid that uncomfortable silence that was between them.

“So when’s your brother back?” Nathan said making conversation.

“Monday, I think…”she said not looking at him.

“So why did you cover for those two girls tonight?” he asked her. “You starting to grow a conscience?”

“I don’t know. I guess I felt sorry for them,” she sighed. “They just seem so naïve. Besides you cover for me all the time…”

“Yeah…” he smiled as he pulled up in front of her house. “With all the trouble you and your brother have caused, it’s just second nature now. Everyone thinks I’m a bad guy anyway, I might as well do something good for someone.”

“You’re not a bad guy Nato,” she said softly. “Corrupt maybe… but not bad.”

“Get out of here!” he laughed. “And stay out of trouble…”

She opened the door and turned on the light in her living room. She almost had a heart attack when she saw Johnny sitting on the couch drinking from the tequila bottle.

“Johnny,” she said shocked. “What are you doing here?”

“What happened to you? I’ve been waiting ages,” he told her.

“Oh I had some trouble with the cops,” she sighed as she sat down on the table opposite him.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Nothing that I couldn’t handle. How did you get in anyway?”

“I’m a resourceful guy…” he smirked. “You want a drink?” He leaned over and handed her the bottle.

“You celebrating something?” she said studying it carefully.

He laughed. “Only one of the easiest jobs I ever did. You should’ve been there, it was awesome.”

She smiled at him. He watched as she took a swig of the liquor. There was something incredibly attractive about the way that she did it, and he was mesmerized just being around her. When she handed him the bottle, he grabbed her with his other hand and pulled her towards him. As he took another sip from the bottle, she sat in his lap and placed her hand on his chest. She could feel that his heart was racing but when she looked at him, he seemed so calm and collected.

“What made you change your mind?” he asked her. “About us I mean…”

“Oh so there’s an ‘us’ now is there?” She laughed at first, but stopped when she saw the serious look on his face. “Why do you ask?”

“I just wanna know.”

She thought deeply for an answer. “You know that you’ll be the first person the cops suspect,” she told him.

“They can’t prove anything,” he grinned. “And don’t change the subject… tell me…”

“Okaaaay,” she said hesitantly. “But I want to hear your side first. You made the first moves remember?”

Johnny laughed, frustrated by her dodging his questions, but he was impressed that she always managed to turn everything to her advantage.

“Just the fact that you’re incredibly hot,” he said kissing her neck. “And I love annoying the hell out of you.” He stopped and just held onto her tightly. “When I first saw you, I just knew I guess… It’s not like me, but I suppose we all fall at some point…”

She bit her lip, hoping that she wouldn’t say anything stupid.

“I’m rebelling I guess… I can’t explain it…” she frowned. “…I figured if you got what you wanted, you wouldn’t be so annoying.”

She held his face in her hands and looked deeply into his eyes.

“Being around you… you… you make me feel like I’m alive,’ she whispered. “Like I’m a real person. I forgot what that was like.” She laughed, quickly trying to draw attention away from what she had just said.

“You sure you’re only 17?” he asked. “That was pretty deep…”

“Hey, I’m nearly 18” she teased. “I’m not the cradle snatcher here…”

“25 isn’t that old!” he exclaimed. “You’re legal aren’t you…? I’m not breakin any laws…”

She grinned mischievously, teasing him with her smile.

“Nah, gimme your wallet,” he said. “I need to make sure for myself now.” She reached over to her jacket, but Johnny managed to rifle through it before she could.

“How many fake ID’s do you have?” he asked as he flicked through them all. “Natalie… Carly… Jamie… Anna… Oooh Nikita… I like that one!”

“Okay now you’ve seen mine. Now show me yours,” she demanded.

He reached into his jacket and handed her a tattered black leather wallet.

“Interesting…” she said looking at them all. “But Vitesh Singh? Yeah I totally believe that one…”

“At least I’m creative…”

Johnny looked at her. Even though she was laughing and joking around, he couldn’t help but notice how sad her eyes were. Ever since he had first laid eyes on her, he had felt this natural instinct to protect her. He didn't know why, but he had to make sure that no one could ever hurt her. That was what drew him to her, that… and the fact she was a mystery that he just had to solve.

“Whatever has happened to you…” Johnny said bringing the seriousness back to his voice, “Whatever your scared of, I won’t let that happen to you again. I promise.”

“Don’t make promises that you can’t keep Mr Cooper,” she sighed. “I’m not worth it, and you’ll only regret it. Trust me.”

Johnny frowned, wondering what it was that she meant. “It’s too late,” he whispered. 'I'm in this. And I'm in this for life..."

[Adia]

ChapterEightyTwo:

Jack had not let go of Martha the whole time they were together. The only time they had been apart was when she went into the exam room with Nurse Julie to get checked out. Jack waited impatiently outside, telling Lara and Harper what he had seen at the surf club. All he knew was that Martha meant everything in the world to him, and he wasn’t about to let anyone get away with hurting her.

Martha wasn’t sure what to feel. She was scared, hurt, angry. She felt weak in a way. She had prided herself on her toughness and stubbornness, but she had let these guys rob the surf club while she was there, and she had let them put a sense of fear into her mind.

“Those flamin mongrels,” Alf exclaimed back at the caravan park house. When I get my hands on those…”

“Alfred, will you please just shut up!” Morag said angrily. “Don’t you think that Martha has been through enough?”

“Sorry love,” Alf said sitting down at the table next to Martha. “I didn’t mean to keep going on about it.”

“it’s okay Grandad,” Martha said sadly. “Its done now. There’s nothing that anyone can do.”

“What we can do, is get whoever did this and make sure they are punished for their crimes,” Morag said bluntly. “We all know who’s behind it. It’s just a matter of getting enough evidence…”

“You think it was Johnny Cooper and his gang?” asked Sally.

“Well isn’t it obvious?’ Morag exclaimed. “I’ll make a few phone calls, see if there is something that I can find out…”

Martha stared at the floor, uncomfortable with everyone talking about the robbery.

“You alright?’ Jack asked her.

“Yeah, just a little shaken,” Martha replied. “The guy that tied me down… You should’ve seen the look in his eyes Jack. I’m scared that he might come after me.”

“Was it Johnny?” Jack said gritting his teeth.

“I don’t think so…” she said hesitantly. “I mean, I didn’t know who any of them were… but I really don’t think it was him. Probably some other guy in his gang.”

“I’m going to give that guy a piece of my mind when I see him next” Jack said crossly. “He can’t get away with something like this.”

“No, Jack don’t!’ she pleaded. “I don’t want things to get worse. I was a t the wrong place at the wrong time that’s all. What if they come after you next?”

“But Martha I…”

“No buts Jack. The police can handle this now. I need you to be here for me. You promised remember? You promised that you’d never leave me.”

“But Martha…”

She reached over and held onto Jack’s hand. “Jack Anthony Holden! I will handcuff you to me if I have to. I need you and you are not leaving my side to beat up some guy even if it is to try and protect me.”

Matilda and Rocco walked through the front door.

“Oh I was wondering where the two of you had got to,” Sally said as she folded the washing. “Did you sleep well last night Maddie?”

“Yeah, it was really good Sal. Thanks for having me here,” Matilda said politely.

“You’re always welcome,” Sally smiled. “We were just talking about the robbery last night…”

Rocco looked over at Martha and felt suddenly out of place. Jack saw the look on his face and knew that something was up.

“You don’t know anything about it do you Rocco?” Jack asked him. “You don’t know where your brother was last night?”

“Ahh, I have no idea?” Rocco said innocently. “You’d have to ask him.”

“Jack you really don’t think that Rocco had something to do with do you?” Matilda asked him.

“No, of course not…” said Jack. “Actually Rocco, maybe you could talk to your brother. He might open up to you?”

“I duuno?” Rocco said worried. “Johnny’s not stupid…”

“It’s worth a try Rocco,” Morag interrupted. “He might let something slip? Maybe I should go and talk to him?”

“No Aunty Morag!’ Martha exclaimed. “Please just let the police handle this.”

“What about Nina?” Jack asked. “Surely with her brother being involved with the gang, she would know something?”

“Her brother is out of town,” Matilda told him. “Leave her alone Jack. You’ve had a vendetta against her since she came into town.”

“I’m just trying to get to the bottom of this,” said Jack. ‘Speaking of which, I’ve got to head down to the station…”

“What for Jack?” Martha exclaimed. “I thought we’d finished all the statements?”

Jack sighed. “I won’t be long Martha. I have a meeting with the Superintendent about… some things… I’ll be thinking about you the whole time if that makes you feel better?”

“Don’t take too long…”

He kissed her forehead and rubbed her shoulders. “I’ll be back soon.”