Hi, everyone. I have no idea how this story popped into my head but I decided to go with it. It's set at the time Angelo first opened his restaurant, except this time, Joey is back in the Bay. I really hope you enjoy it. Love, IJKS xxx

To Win You Back

Chapter One

"Okay, I'm heading back to work," Sergeant Charlie Buckton announced, finishing the coffee she'd had with lunch at her boyfriend, Angelo Rosetta's restaurant, arrogantly named 'Angelo's'.

"Bye!" he replied, barely looking up from where he was restocking booze from behind the bar.

Charlie sighed. She liked to think that she was a pretty easy going girlfriend. In fact, the difficulties in their so far turbulent relationship had been getting her to commit and relinquish what she felt was her independence. Angelo had had to work really hard to win her over and really try to make a go of things but it seemed like now she was his, he had lost interest. Having been forced to leave the police force, Angelo had been listless for a little while before suddenly seeming to remember that his lifelong ambition was to run his own restaurant. And since it had begun, he had had no time for anything else.

"Don't miss me too much," she muttered under her breath as she exited the restaurant, cutting through the Surf Club and out into the sunshine.

She looked longingly at the beach for a moment, wishing that she didn't have to work for the next six hours. The idea of getting into her bikini and going swimming was suddenly very appealing.

"Oh!" she cried when she collided with someone and fell clumsily onto the ground. "I'm so sorry!"

"It was my fault," said an instantly recognisable voice.

Charlie jerked her head up, stunned to find herself looking up and into the beautiful face of the only person she had ever truly been in love with. Her mouth hung open stupidly as Joey Collins extended her hand to help her to her feet. They came face to face, both surveying each other intently. Charlie realised she looked rather idiotic and closed her mouth, still gazing at Joey, who smiled and looked surprisingly at ease about the situation.

"I…" Charlie faltered. "Um…"

She cringed at her own inability to form sentences. Joey smiled.

"Sorry I'm late," she said.

Charlie grew even more bewildered.

"Late?" she managed.

"I was due back in the Bay this time last year and I never showed," Joey reminded her. "Did you forget me?"

"No!" Charlie gushed. "No! I never ever forgot you! I…"

She blushed and cursed herself for being a babbling idiot. Licking her lips, she continued to stare at Joey. Her hair was a little shorter, almost down to her shoulders as it framed her beautiful face in waves. She was tanned and slender in a skin tight, sleeveless white top that revealed a very toned tummy and a modest cleavage. During their relationship, Joey had always complained that her boobs were too small but she had clearly found a bra that showed them at their best. Charlie had always thought they were perfect.

"I'm up here, by the way," Joey commented.

Charlie jerked her head up and flushed pure crimson at being caught staring. She swallowed and licked her lips, apologising.

"I'll take it as a compliment," Joey replied.

Charlie grinned oafishly at the flirtatious smirk on her ex-lover's face. She dared to glance back down at the rest of Joey's body. Her leather trousers were also skin tight, showing of her shapely legs. Carrying a motorbike helmet in one hand and a leather jacket in the other, Charlie didn't think Joey had ever looked so gorgeous. And in her mind, that was quite a feat.

"What… what are you doing here?" Charlie managed, relieved that her communication skills at least seemed to be improving.

Joey met her gaze. Her dark eyes were still the windows to her soul although Charlie couldn't help but notice that there was something distinctly different about her. She just wasn't sure exactly what it was. Joey smiled confidently.

"I'm here to win you back," she said.

Next time… Joey poses a challenge to Charlie…