Hi everyone. Welcome to my new story and I thank you very much for reading the first chapter (and hope you read the rest!) I get so nervous when I post new chapters up and especially so when it is the first of a new story.

The story is set not too far in the future, probably around November/December this year. Most of the same stuff has happened as in the show (from what I gather because I've stopped watching it), but I'll fill you in as the narrative goes on. It's a CJ story but mostly focuses on Charlie's journey, as I have tried to find a way to explain her awful behaviour recently. I've wondered if everything is really as it seems but not sure whether my optimism about the show is making me give them too much credit! But anyway, with no further ado, I really hope you like the story and I look forward (hopefully) to hearing your feedback.

Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter One

Sergeant Charlie Buckton stared at Senior Constable Georgie Watson across the desk. She swallowed uncertainly and chewed her lip, wondering what to do.

"We should contact her," she decided. "Let her know what's happened."

Watson nodded.

"Do you want me to track her down or...?"

The question lingered and Charlie didn't have the first clue how to answer it. They needed to contact Joey Collins. Part of Charlie was desperate to be the one to save her but another part of her, didn't know how. She didn't know how to see her again or how to speak to her. That was a chapter of her life that she had been trying to close for such a long time. And she'd believed, over the last six months, that she had achieved it. She had a boyfriend now. She lived with him, she'd told him she loved him and they were building a future together.

"Yes," she said. "Get in touch. See if we can go and collect her. We need to put her in a safe house, protect her until we catch him."

Watson nodded and stood, heading for the door. She paused when Senior Constable Angelo Rosetta waltzed into the room.

"This all looks worryingly serious," he commented, sitting at his own desk.

Six months ago, everything had changed. He'd been the Sergeant of the station and Charlie had been beneath him. But after the investigation into Hugo Austin's disappearance, he had lost it all. He'd been suspended from work and floated around town feeling sorry for himself for quite some time. Eventually, his suspension had been lifted and he was starting again. Charlie had been promoted in his place and he'd started back at the beginning. A couple of months ago, Charlie had convinced the powers that be to promote him to Senior Constable and he was glad to be working his way up again. Watson had been promoted at the same time and life was going well.

"A rape victim needs to be contacted and protected because the man who attacked her has escaped custody," Watson said, trying to be tactful.

Angelo knew what Joey had meant to Charlie and it wasn't something he had ever been terribly happy with. But then, he didn't like the idea of her having been with anyone but him.

"Who?" Angelo asked. "Was it recent?"

He didn't remember any sexual attacks over the last year.

"She was attacked in 2009. He tried to kill her after that," Charlie said. "He was sent down for ten years but it looks like he managed to break out."

Angelo studied his girlfriend's face. She looked pale and anxious and was gripping her pen so tightly it looked like it might snap at any moment.

"Charlie, are you okay?" he asked. "Did you deal with the case or something?"

Charlie swallowed, unsure of what to say.

"That girl," he realised. "The one you dated."

Charlie tensed further. Watson politely excused herself.

"Is it? That Joey girl?"

Charlie nodded. She hadn't meant for all the old feelings to come back. She'd done well blocking her out all this time but just a mention of her and Charlie was confused and sad again.

"And what are you planning on doing about it?" Angelo asked.

Charlie dropped her pen and sat up straighter.

"We're going to get her here so we can protect her until we find him," she said.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Angelo asked.

"She needs to know he's on the loose," Charlie pointed out.

"But you don't need to drag her back here, do you? I mean, can't you jut tell her and then catch the guy?"

"Frighten her and leave her hanging?" Charlie asked. "That's not fair. And if he's after revenge, he's going to try and find her. It's our duty to offer protection."

"She lives in some other town now, Charlie. The police officers there can look after her. You don't need to do it yourself," Angelo said.

His face showed his horror at the idea of Charlie seeing her ex again, especially a person she had admitted that she'd been in love with. Charlie stood up and looked out of the window, suddenly wanting to hurry out for some air.

"I'm not proposing that I act as her own personal bodyguard but this is where she was attacked, we're the officers that she knows..."

"Yeah, she sure knows you," Angelo commented.

Charlie turned around and stared at him.

"That's over now," she said firmly. "That's not what this is about."

Angelo stood up and inched closer to her, holding her hands.

"All I'm saying is that there are other ways of looking out for her," he said. "You don't need to bring her back into your life. I mean, her rapist is on the loose, do you really think she wants to contend with the woman who broke her heart as well?"

Charlie swallowed and straightened up. She hadn't thought about it like that before. Was she being selfish by wanting to bring Joey home? She knew it wouldn't be easy but she was desperate to see Joey again, even if only briefly or from a distance. But would it upset Joey? She didn't want to hurt her. Not again.

"Okay, well, maybe Watson can get in touch with her and we can talk to her local police station and get them to keep an eye on her. We can make them aware of the situation," Charlie decided.

Satisfied, Angelo smiled. He kissed her cheek and told her that she was making the right decision.

"I'll go and let Watson know the change of plan," he said, promptly leaving the room.