Title: Somewhere Only We Know
Author: WriterGirl516
Content: Charlotte King, eventually Cooper Freedman
Premise: Charlotte decides it's time for a change. She searches for a new way of life with old friends and possibly finds new love. But what will happen when her past comes face to face her present five years later?
Canon: Story picks up right after Cooper and Charlotte have sex at Maya's wedding.
Disclaimers: I own nothing and borrow lots. All Private Practice characters are property of ABC and the creations of Shonda Rhimes. All I own is the story and the characters I create. Everything written is purely for fun, creativity and an outlet for my imagination.
Author's Note: This is a Charlotte King centric story. If you're looking for a pure Charlotte and Cooper centric story, this may not be your cup of tea. The main character and focus of this story will be Charlotte and her life as she seeks a fresh start away from Los Angeles. Cooper will appear in this story at some point.
Feedback: Always welcome, constructive criticism. But please, check all the flaming at the door. If you'd like to question my motives, feel free to send a private message.

Somewhere Only We Know

I walked across, this empty land.
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand.
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
~Keane, Somewhere Only We Know

Chapter 1

Charlotte takes one last look around, making sure she didn't forget anything. She adjusts the envelope that holds the note resting against the picture frame. It doesn't say much, except a short thank you and to ask Sheldon for the keys. Other than that, she doesn't volunteer much else. It's best to keep things simple, she figures.

With her purse on one arm and her carry-on bag slung over her shoulder, she takes a deep breath and walks out the door, pulling it shut behind her and locking it. In some ways, this is a symbolic moment for Charlotte, closing the door on a chapter in her life. She approaches the car waiting for her outside and gets into the passenger seat.

"Here you go. Give these to her when she gets back," Charlotte hands the set of keys to Sheldon, who is sitting in the driver's seat. "I left her a note, but if she goes askin' questions, you tell her you don't have any answers."

"Well, it's the truth since you won't tell me anything," Sheldon replies, turning the key to start the car. He pulls onto the road and begins the drive toward the airport. "So, you're really doing this? You're picking up your life and moving cross-country," he asks, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Yes, I am," Charlotte replies. "And before you even ask, yes I am sure about this. The change of scenery will do me some good."

"And you're willingly leaving your job as Chief of Staff at St. Ambrose behind?"

"Fresh start."

Sheldon quickly glances at the blonde. "So this isn't just a leave of absence so you can go off and find yourself?"

Charlotte shakes her head. "Nope. Like I said, I need a fresh start and if that means leaving my job behind, the same job that put me on the map, then so be it." She observes the psychiatrist's reaction or actually, non-reaction as he drove. "What? You think I'm crazy for doing this."

"Perhaps, but who am I to question your choices," Sheldon comments. He feels compelled to offer up an opinion but decides against it. It was clear Charlotte's mind was made up and there was no use in trying to change it. The only thing he can do is wish her well and hope she'll return someday.

The remainder of the short drive to the airport is in silence, as Sheldon knows he isn't going to get much else out of the blonde. He pulls up to the terminal and gets out of the car, unloading her suitcase from the trunk. "Well, I guess this is it."

"Yes, it is. Thanks Sheldon," Charlotte slings the strap of her carry-on bag over her shoulder then reaches for the handle on her suitcase. "I appreciate you givin' me the ride here. I know you probably have better things to do."

"No, it was my pleasure," Sheldon dismisses the statement with a wave of the hand. They stand there for a moment, looking at each other until the blare of a car horn gets both their attention. "I should go. After all, this is an unloading zone." Without thinking, he steps forward and wraps his arms around the blonde. "Take care of yourself."

Clearly taken by surprise, Charlotte discretely returns the gesture, lightly hugging Sheldon back. "Thanks, I will."

Pulling away, he smiles at her. "Don't be a stranger okay? I know you're looking to turn your life here into your past, but remember you do have a friend that still cares," he reminds her. "That friend being me, of course."

"Alright, I'll try to stay in touch but I make no promises."

"Good. Okay, now I'm really going. Bye Charlotte."

"Bye Sheldon," Charlotte watches him pull away then walks into the terminal and goes to check her suitcase in.

It doesn't take long for her to arrive at the departure gate, as her trip through security goes smoothly. Sitting by the window as she waits for the call to board, she gazes out at the Los Angeles landscape and sighs softly to herself. She's really doing this, leaving her life in LA behind for the purposes of forging a new start.

The decision itself wasn't an easy one and it certainly took a lot of thought on her part, having to step down from her prominent position at St. Ambrose. But after everything- Cooper, the fight, the breakup and then the meaningless sex at Maya's wedding, it's time to pick up and start anew somewhere else.

So here she is, sitting in LAX waiting for her flight to board and thinking about what this so-called fresh start would bring.

Not one for making hasty decisions, even though what she's doing right now could be considered as that, she feels it's best to take some time to herself. She needs to go to a place where she can sort things out, perhaps find some clarity.

A voice over the loudspeaker shakes Charlotte out of her deep thought, advising passengers it is time to board. Grabbing her purse and carry-on, she slowly stands up and takes a deep breath. After handing her boarding pass to the airline attendant, she walks onto the jet way and glances one last time over her shoulder.

This is it, officially ending a chapter of her life and turning the page to a new one.

.:.

By the time her flight lands, it's nightfall in Alabama. As Charlotte drives through the sleepy town that is Monroeville, she can't help but notice not much has changed since her last trip. She sighs softly, recalling her reason for her prior visit, her heart tightening a little at the memory of Big Daddy.

Driving past the cemetery, she makes a mental note, a reminder to stop by in the morning and bring some flowers to his grave, perhaps spend a little bit of time there filling him in on what's happening in her life. Sure, Big Daddy is gone, but she always feels his spirit lives on somehow and if talking to a gravestone is something that'll make her feel better, then that's what she'll do.

Charlotte pulls up the long drive leading to the estate. She parks her rental car out front, gets out and drags her tired body to the front door. Looking at her watch, she chooses not to ring the doorbell and pulls out her keys. It amuses her that after all these years, the locks are still the same as she turns the key and opens the door.

Stepping into the house, darkness greets her and the only source of light is the small lamp by the staircase and whatever slivers of moonlight are shining through the back windows. Only realizing then how late it is, she quietly makes her way up the stairs and instinctively maneuvers down the dim hall towards one of the bedrooms.

At this point in time, Charlotte doesn't care which room she ends up in, she just wants to crawl into a bed and get some sleep. The flight from LA wasn't particularly smooth and hearing the screaming baby in coach, despite sitting in First Class didn't help much. She gently turns the doorknob to the second room on the right and flips on the light switch.

Familiarity, it causes a smile to crack at the corners of her mouth. Even after all these years, nothing's changed and the room is still the way she left it. Then again, with the house's residents being only her mother and the hired help, it makes sense that nothing in here has been touched since her last visit.

Charlotte quickly changes out of the clothes she traveled in and climbs into bed. It doesn't matter that her internal clock is still three hours behind the actual time, she settles under the covers, closes her eyes and hopes to get some rest as tomorrow would be rife with questions from everyone as to why she's back in town.

It is half past ten in the morning when Charlotte makes her way down to the kitchen. Annoyed with herself for waking up late, she enters the room and locks eyes with her younger brother, Duke.

"Well, I see someone's finally awake. Good mornin' Charlotte," Duke greets as he takes a sip of his coffee. "You look like somethin' the cat dragged in."

"I feel like it," Charlotte walks to the counter, grabs a mug from the cabinet and the pot of coffee. "Is this fresh?"

"Just brewed it a little while ago. I could use a refill since you're right there," handing his empty mug to her.

Charlotte fills both, adding milk and sugar to them before walking around the island and sitting at the table with her brother. Duke reaches for his coffee taking another satisfying sip.

"Ah, never can go wrong with a good dose of caffeine in the morning," he comments, setting his mug down on the table.

"If you're lookin' to be wired all day," Charlotte remarks as she downs the first sip. She makes a face only realizing then how strong it is. "Geezus Duke, you could wake the dead with this stuff."

"I ain't gonna complain. It's just the way I like it. Momma too."

"You're sayin' Momma drinks this?"

"Mhhmm," he nods.

Charlotte takes tentative sip. "Where is Momma?"

"In the den I'm guessin," Duke replies. He reaches for his mug, intent on finishing the rest of the coffee in it. "I usually find her there whenever I get here on these Saturday mornings. What time you get in last night?"

"I was so doggone tired I don't even remember," she tries to recall what time she walked into the house. "I'm thinkin' maybe it was around midnight or somethin' like that. All I remember is gettin' up the stairs and heading right into my old room and climbin' into bed."

"Flight here that bad, huh?"

"Bad is an understatement."

Duke takes his last sip and gets up to place the mug in the sink. "And here I thought flyin' First Class was s'posed to make the skies a lil' more friendly for you."

"Tell that to the baby I heard screamin' its lungs out from all the way in Coach," Charlotte retorts. Looking into her mug, she sees it was empty, not realizing she had finished her coffee. "And the drive here didn't help much. I completely forgot how dark the roads are here at night. By the time I walked into this house, my head was poundin' and like I said, all I wanted was to climb into bed."

"Well, I'm assumin' you got some decent sleep considering half the morning is gone," Duke leans against the counter, crossing his arms in front of him.

Charlotte pushes her chair back and gets up. "Yeah I did," she says, rinsing both mugs and placing them into the dishwasher. "Funny how even after all these years, sleepin' in my old bed is still as comfy as ever."

"That's 'cause no one else been in that room since you left for med school," Duke replies. He grabs a banana off the bowl of fruit and picks up his keys. "Now I'd love to hang around and play catch up with ya sis, but I got some errands to run and some studyin' to do. I'll come by tomorrow mornin' and we'll have ourselves another cup of coffee."

"Not comin' around tonight?" Charlotte's brow furrows.

"Nope. Got a date."

"Oh really. Anyone I know?"

Duke shakes his head. "Nah. Just some woman Landry played matchmaker with," he replies. "Not sure if it's gonna go anywhere, being how it's our third date and all. But she's nice and I guess I like her."

Charlotte smiles. At least someone is having better luck in the romance department. "Have a good time then," she watches her brother make his way to the door. Before he walks out, she calls out to him. "Oh, Duke?"

"Yeah?"

"My stuff? It got here already, right?"

"Yeah. I had the movers put it in the Gatehouse like you asked," he points over his shoulder. "You gonna spend the day unpackin' I gander?"

Charlotte nods. "Yeah, I'd say that's a safe bet."

"Have fun," he steps out the door. Two seconds later, he sticks his head back in. "Oh, forgot to mention. You should give Reese Sommers a call. I ran into her the other day when I was gettin' something in town and I told her you were comin' home. I figure if you wanna take a break from unpackin' you'd wanna catch up with her. I left her number right there on the fridge for ya."

Charlotte turns around and indeed there is a yellow piece of paper with a number scribbled on it. "Thanks Duke, maybe I will." She watches her brother get into his car and disappear down the long drive. Taking the small paper off the refrigerator door, she tucks it into her pocket, intending to give her old friend a call later in the day.

.:.

Unpacking. It definitely isn't something Charlotte enjoys doing. The boxes are piled in front of her and she has no idea where to start. Thankfully, there aren't too many of them, most being her clothing and whatever she brought over to Violet's when she was living there. Seeing how it's no use in standing there and staring at them, Charlotte starts on the daunting task.

It is the middle of the afternoon when Charlotte hears a knock at the front door, whoever it is casually comes inside and calls out her name. "Charlotte? Darlin', where are you at?"

"In the bedroom, Momma," Charlotte replies back.

Augusta King sets down a pitcher of sweet tea onto the kitchen counter and walks down the short hall to the bedroom. "So here's where you've been hidin' all day." she says, watching her daughter lift some clothing out of a box. "Didn't even bother lookin' for me this morning to say hello?"

"I'm sorry Momma. I meant to come back to the house for lunch, but I got started on unpackin' and lost track of time," Charlotte explains while reaching for the last articles of clothing from the box. She places them into the dresser then leans against it, brushing back her blonde hair from her face.

"Looks like you got most of your things unpacked, from what I can see," Augusta says, having noticed the folded up boxes in the living room upon entering and now the remaining empty boxes here in the bedroom. "I brought over a pitcher of sweet tea for you. You still like the stuff, right?"

Charlotte smiles. "Yeah I do. I've got some glasses somewhere," she walks out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen with her mother following right behind. Reaching into the cabinet, she takes out two glasses and pours the sweet tea into them. Charlotte doesn't waste any time, taking a big sip. "Just like how I remembered," she says, savoring the wonderful flavor.

"Good to see I haven't lost my touch," replies the older woman. She sits across from her daughter, observing her for a moment. It's been a while since she last saw Charlotte, almost a year to be exact, recalling her last trip home being the death of Big Daddy. And now, here Charlotte is again, only this time it's not a visit. Her baby girl is home, to stay possibly. "So, when we talked last week, you didn't say much 'bout why you were comin' home. I didn't want to press you for information over the phone and since you're here now, I figured maybe you'd wanna talk 'bout it?"

Charlotte takes another sip of tea and swallows. The expression on her face goes from satisfaction to uneasiness as she shakes her head. "Not right now, Momma."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Please, I really don't feel like talkin' about it."

"Well, you know where to find me when you're good and ready to talk," Augusta pushes her chair back and stands. "I'll let you finish settin' up around here. You'll come on up to the house for dinner I'm assumin'?"

Charlotte rolls her eyes, nodding. "Yes, Momma. I'll join you for dinner. Not like I have much else to do. Although, I may go out afterward. Duke gave me Reese Sommers' number and I'm thinking of givin' her a call. Might be good for me to catch up with an old friend."

"Sounds good," the older woman says, turning to walk toward the door. "I'll see you for dinner then."

"Alright Momma," Charlotte watches the door close behind her mother. Pouring herself another glass of sweet tea, she brings it with her to the bedroom and resumes unpacking.

As promised, she joins the older woman for dinner at the house later in the day. It's a simple affair, but the two of them end up dining in near silence, since Charlotte still refuses to talk about her reasons for coming back to Monroeville. Deciding not to push, Charlotte's mother figures the younger woman will open up in due time.

.:.

Charlotte enters the bar, her eyes searching the room for another blonde woman who she assumes would be sitting alone. Fortunately, she doesn't have to do much searching when she hears a voice speak up from behind.

"Well, look at this. Charlotte King, as I live and breathe."

Charlotte turns around, smile curling at the corners of her mouth when she sees the other blonde woman standing in front of her. "Reese Sommers."

"It took ya long enough to get here," Reese ushers her friend over to a booth tucked in the corner of the bar. On their way there, she motions to the bartender to bring over a drink for Charlotte. "I thought I'd have to wait for you all night."

"Sorry," Charlotte apologizes, sliding into the booth. She shrugs off her jacket and sets it next to her purse. "I would have been here sooner if it weren't for dinner with my momma holdin' me up."

"And how is that momma of yours?"

"Same. Nothin' new. Still pryin' me for information and I'm sure when times get tough or she gets bored, she dives into the stash of alcohol in Big Daddy's study."

Reese takes a sip of her drink and swallows. "Sounds like the same old, same old."

"Pretty much," Charlotte replies with a single nod. She spots one of the waitresses coming to the table and reaches out to take the drink from her. "Thank you." Clinking glasses with Reese, she brings the drink to her lips and takes a tentative sip. "Seven and seven. How'd you guess?"

"Just a lucky hunch," Reese shrugs.

"Or you just have a good memory though I could also fancy a martini next time. But not tonight," Charlotte sets the glass down on the table. She reaches for the napkin and begins playing with its corners.

Reese eyes her friend curiously, noticing how she's become quiet all of a sudden. "So, are you gonna fill me in on what's been goin' on in your life, or are you just gonna sit there and make confetti?"

"Sorry, I just got into town last night and I'm still tryin' to get my bearings. I spent most of the day unpacking," Charlotte explains.

"You stayin' with your momma?"

"Yes and no. I'm livin' at the gatehouse. So I'm close enough to Momma, but far enough that I can have some privacy."

Reese raises an eyebrow, giving the other woman a sly smile. "Privacy as in your momma not seeing you bringing home a random guy at night so you can get your itches scratched." It's been a while since she last saw Charlotte, but she still knows her old friend very well. "Can't say I blame ya."

Charlotte laughs under her breath. "What makes you think that's the only reason? I'm an adult. I deserve some privacy," she takes another sip of her drink. "And frankly, I just don't want to deal with my momma and her issues every single day nor does she want to deal with mine. Bad enough she won't stop askin' why I decided to move my life back here."

"Speakin' of, I'd like to know too. From what I recall, you had yourself a good life out west," Reese says, hoping to get an explanation. While she knows it isn't the easiest of tasks to get Charlotte to open up, she suspects the reason will reveal itself in due time or so she hopes. "Well, are you gonna tell me why? Don't worry, I won't go and tell your momma."

Frowning, Charlotte stares at her drink for a second before bringing her gaze to Reese. "I know you won't and I do have my reasons, but I'm not ready to talk about it yet."

"Is everything okay? You're not sick and dyin' are you?" Reese says with concern.

"Relax, I'm fine," Charlotte laughs. She reaches for the other woman's hand. "Really, I am. I'm just… I'm nursin' a broken heart, that's all."

"Oh…"

"Yeah."

"Was it that Cooper guy? The one I saw at your Big Daddy's funeral?"

"Yeah," Charlotte nods. "I'm not in the mood to talk 'bout it though, so let's change the subject. Tell me, how's life been treatin' ya?"

Deciding it's best not to push Charlotte for details, she goes along with the request. "Life's been good. I was in San Francisco for a bit overseein' a project and now I'm back here, preppin' for another one before I have to head out again," she replies. "Luckily, I won't have to go far for this one. Next project is in Atlanta."

"And the love life?"

"Non-existent right now. With the job I got and how I'm jettin' back and forth everywhere and livin' out of a suitcase sometimes, it doesn't allow me much time to fall in love with someone, let alone have a relationship."

Charlotte finishes the rest of her drink, setting the empty glass on the table. "Relationships are overrated. Just when you think maybe you found a man worth givin' a piece of yourself to, turns out he isn't when he can't forgive you for a mistake that happened long before he came into your life," she says, the familiar feeling of annoyance and hurt creeping through her blood. "The past is the past, isn't it?"

"Of course. And there's no use in dredgin' it up. It's called the past for a reason."

"See, at least you agree with me."

"Honey, as someone who's known you since high school, I will always side with you unless I hear otherwise," Reese says, noticing their empty glasses. She motions to the bartender for another round. "Don't worry, this next one's on me."

Charlotte calls out over her shoulder. "Make mine a seltzer please," turning her attention back to her friend. "What? It's my first full day here. I don't feel like drinkin' my sorrows away."

"Understandable," Reese nods. While waiting for the bartender to deliver their drinks, she spots a familiar face enter the bar. Making eye contact, she smiles at him. "So, now that Cooper is your past, are you lookin' to maybe spice up your present?" she smirks.

"I'm not sure what you mean," Charlotte's brow furrows. Before she's able to ask questions, a low voice speaks from behind.

"Well, who do we have here? Charlotte King. Never thought I'd see you back around these parts."

Charlotte turns her head. She looks up, meeting gazes with yet another friend from long, long ago and smiles. "Bradley Nowak."