Hi everyone. Welcome to my new fic. I hope you like it. Very nervous! This story will be in ten parts and it's set during the post-kiss scene where Charlie decides to go and visit her Dad and Joey tells her that she loves her. It's a different way that it could have gone. I actually had two different ideas for this one so I hope you like the direction I have taken it. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter One

"I'll miss you," Joey said.

Charlie Buckton gazed at the woman she had no choice but to describe as her best friend. Joey Collins had just told her that she loved her. And Charlie had just about managed to admit that she was attracted to Joey but that she was confused and afraid of her feelings. She'd told her that she was going to go and stay with her Dad for a few days in order to try and clear her head. She hoped that one way or another, she would be able to figure out whether she would be brave enough to come home and be with Joey properly or if she would, as she suspected, walk away from the whole thing. She hated herself for being so afraid, especially after the way she had insisted to Joey when she was afraid of coming out, that there was nothing to be ashamed of. It wasn't so easy when it was her own feelings she was facing.

She froze as she watched Joey, as if in slow motion, shift and lean forward. Before she could stop her, she felt Joey's lips gently press against her cheek. Her heart began to pound and she tingled all over at Joey's touch. Everything inside her was screaming that she should push her away, tell her not to get too close. Instead, she turned her head. Love surged within her, as she brushed her own lips against Joey's. The younger girl pulled back, a little startled. It was the last thing she had expected. They gazed into each other's eyes for a moment, before meeting again in another kiss. Charlie's breath caught as she crushed her lips against Joey's, settling one hand on her hip and using the other to try and keep herself up.

Joey's hands found their way into Charlie's hair, wanting to hold onto this moment for as long as she could get away with. She was certain that Charlie would recover her senses fairly quickly and whether it was right or wrong, she wanted to keep her for as long as she could. She felt her soul soar as the kiss lingered between them, getting ever more passionate until she felt Charlie gently touch her lips with her tongue. Sure that she would faint from sheer joy at any moment, Joey parted her lips, more than happy to deepen the kiss as much as Charlie wanted to. She settled her arms around Charlie's shoulders, pulling her closer.

Their chests pressed against each other as both women refused to come up for air. Charlie leaned closer and before they could stop themselves, Joey had tumbled back on the mattress, pulling Charlie with her. Their mouths parted for just a moment as Charlie leaned over her, gazing into her eyes. This was exactly why she needed to get away from Joey. She couldn't think clearly around her. She was controlled by desire. But it was deeper than that. Joey was completely right. Charlie had fallen in love with her. Lowering her head, covering Joey's body with her own, Charlie kissed her again and again and again.

Several minutes later, with Charlie resting on top of Joey, they'd kissed until they were breathless. Charlie held herself up on her elbows and Joey's hands had found their way to Charlie's back, holding her close as all her dreams came true. With her head swimming, Charlie finally pulled away. She gazed into Joey's eyes and watched lust become fear. Their hearts beat against their chests, building some kind of rhythm between them. Joey had so many questions to ask but she was afraid of breaking the spell. Charlie had kissed her last night and then she'd avoided her for most of the day. Joey had put her heart on the line and told her she loved her. But Charlie was clearly afraid of her feelings and couldn't return the sentiment.

"I'm sorry," Charlie managed.

Joey nodded, expecting Charlie to panic within the second and run away. She was surprised when she remained exactly where she was, moving only to run her fingers through Joey's long, dark hair, brushing it out of her eyes.

"I'm confusing you," the police officer said.

Joey nodded and managed a self conscious smile.

"I'm sorry," Charlie said again. "I guess... I guess this is what I meant."

Joey gazed at Charlie's lips, wondering if she would ever get to kiss them again. She desperately wanted to.

"I'm afraid of how I feel," Charlie admitted.

She knew she ought to move. They were in an extremely compromising position. But she wanted to stay in Joey's arms forever.

"I've never looked at another woman in that way," she ventured. "And when I'm not with you, it's so easy to pretend... except for the fact that I can't stop thinking about you."

She managed a smile but tears had started. Joey reached out and tenderly stroked the drops away. She didn't want to be responsible for causing her any pain.

"And then when I'm with you," Charlie said. "Well, things like this happen."

"I kinda like things like this," Joey admitted quietly but cheekily.

Charlie laughed.

"So do I," she said.

Slowly, she leant down and kissed Joey again. She closed her eyes, feeling like their souls were merging right there on the bed. They kissed again and again. Each moment of intimacy felt more loving and more wonderful. They looked up and froze when the door opened.