I decided to give this a shot since there is a massive lack of Chuffy fictions out there. This one is based around S15 (2000/2001) and a storyline that was supposed to happen but got cancelled in which Duffy and Charlie had an affair but I've made some differences. I wrote a fiction around this some years ago but it's been lost so I've started again. Also I've changed her second child to a girl (Megan) as originally suggested in Series 12. Enjoy. :D
Opening her eyes slowly she insistently looks for her husband but the left side of the bed is not just empty but made. Once more he hadn't returned home. Sighing to herself she pushes up and out of the bed questioning her marriage again. What was she doing? Was it really worth it? Before she had any chance to think properly about her husband her attention was drawn to two small feet rushing across the hall before bursting into the room loudly announcing her presence.
Having managed to successfully get both kids off to her mothers without her asking too many questions on where Andrew was and without her youngest, Megan, throwing a fit that she didn't want her to go to work, unlike last week, she left herself only a small amount of time to get to work. She was going to be late. Great. Charlie was not going to be impressed The last thing she wanted to do was explain that she was late thanks to her husband deciding to spend the night at his mistress house. Oh sorry no he decided to "work late" Hmm. As if she was that naive. No today was his first day back after his trip to Canada in which he had to leave his son with his wife. How he did it she didn't know, she only knew she'd never be able to leave her kids in another country when they were so little. Rushing through the department, over fifteen minutes late thanks to traffic, she ignores the looks from her colleagues as she attempts to get ready as quickly as possible only hoping she could just blend in and begin work without Charlie quizzing her.
Sadly for her that was not to be just seconds before she goes to leave the staffroom a familiar face enters blocking her exit. He looked concerned knowing full well she was never late without a good reason he only hoped it was due to her car breaking down like last time.
"Are you alright?" Giving half an answer she didn't wish to load her already stressed friend with her marriage issues. It simply wasn't fair not to mention she hadn't a clue how his trip had gone yet.
"Sorry the traffic was awful. I'll work through my break." Sighing he knew when she wasn't telling the truth and this was one of those times. Obviously her reason wasn't as simple as a broken down car. But at the same time he knew when to press her and this wasn't the time.
"Okay, if that's all it was." She knew he didn't believe her but she was late as it was. They were both needed outside.
"Of course. Anyway how was your trip?" His face changed, his eyes instantly became sombre.
"Oh alright. I'll tell you about that later. We best get on with our jobs eh?" that look in his eyes frightened her but he was right now was not the time and this wasn't the place. They both had jobs to do.
Their shift was not an easy one but it did do a good job of keeping both their minds of the problems they both had in their personal lives. Of course you couldn't run away from them forever although they both were doing a good job at attempting to. Both of their shifts had finished nearly an hour ago yet Duffy was still sitting in Charlie's office, pretending to do paperwork, as Charlie focusses on sorting out the mess of an admin area. Glancing up from the computer he sighs, he really should head home. Not that anyone would know any difference. Opening the door to his office he expected it to empty, having assumed Duffy would be long gone. But no there sat his best friend staring down at the paperwork in front of her not having heard the door open. Oblivious to him.
"I thought you'd be home by now Duffy." her eyes shot up on hearing the voice behind her, smiling she shrugs.
"Could say the same about you Charlie." Shutting the door behind him he takes a seat next to her as she swings round to face him.
"Something on your mind?" Shrugging him off she smiles more, hoping he'd buy it. She still didn't wish to discuss her husband, knowing all to well it would just end in her sobbing into Charlie. He didn't need that.
"Nothing. Bar the fact you still haven't told me how your trip to Canada went." Sighing his eyes fall once more, considering his answer.
"Hmm." Looking up he spots the worry written all over her face. "It was fine." Creasing her eyebrows she folds her arms, not buying it in the slightest.
"Really? Because your face screams otherwise. Come on Charlie. What happened?" Rubbing the side of his face he keeps his eyes on the table rather than the concerned eyes of Duffy.
"Baz asked me for a divorce." Her mouth drops with the shock unable to muster an intelligent response.
"What?!" Smiling he nods knowingly as she just stares completely confused at him.
"Yeah that was basically my reaction." Now rubbing her own face she attempts to make sense of the situation. All to no avail.
"I know you didn't agree on the Canada move but I didn't expect that." Finally meeting her eye he smiles sadly.
"Snap. Although to be honest I don't know why. We've barely spent any time together since the wedding. We married and she left. Obviously marriage wasn't what she expected."
Leaning forward she tenderly rubs his arm not understanding Baz in the slightest.
"Marriage is never what anyone expects." Sighing she continues "Oh Charlie, I'm sorry. Baz doesn't know how lucky she was." Something took over her mood, something that worried him. "she's a bloody fool."
"If you say so. She obviously doesn't agree. I'm guessing you and Andrew are having problems?" sitting back, opening the distance between them once more she shuts her eyes for a split second before answering him.
"I do say so." Taking a sharp intake of breath she attempts to shake this conversation once more. "This isn't about me Charlie. The last thing you need right now is me moaning."
"Oh come on Duffy. We've both decided to stay at work instead of going home. I told you why I'm still here it's only right you tell me." leaning in he mirrors her earlier by placing a hand on her shoulder "You'll tell me eventually." Meeting his eye she blinks away the tears threatening to fall already.
"Oh I'm just fed up. I guess it's expected when your husband spends all night at his mistresses and thinks you've not worked it out." Guilt was the instantly feeling, along with anger, at hearing her say those words. If he hadn't insisted she stayed with him maybe she wouldn't still be getting hurt by him.
"Oh Duffy I hadn't a clue he was back at that game again. I'm sorry." She laughs, a single hurt laugh. Trying desperately not to let her tears flow.
"Back at it? He's not stopped. As far as I know it's still the same woman." Shaking his head in disbelief he didn't know how she put herself through this.
"All this time? You never said." Attempting to smile and failing she just shrugs.
"I thought he'd either stop or I'd become numb to it. But no." As her tears finally broke free she furiously wipes them away "Oh this isn't helping either of us. How about a drink instead?" Despite wanting to talk more about Andrew he takes the hint
"That's the best thing I've heard all day. Come on before this place sends us both mad." Holding out his arm for her to link he smiles only wishing he could take the pain away. She deserved better than this. Unbeknown to him she was thinking very similar thoughts towards him.