I don't own Charles In Charge

It was 3 o'clock when Jamie came home. Charles was about to make a comment when he saw that she had 2 black eyes, a bloody nose and what looked like a busted lip. She groaned and plopped down on the couch.

"Jamie," he exclaimed, "My GOD what happened to you"

"Amber Mckormic happened to me," Jamie said.

"The girl you were in a fight with?"

"THAT'S the one," Jamie said whimpering to even move.

Charles went to the freezer and took out two steaks, a bag of ice, and a sewing kit from the other room. He and Jamie would have to talk but now he just wanted to make sure she was okay.

"Put this on your eyes," he told her handing her the steaks. He put the bag of ice on her lip and firmly held pressure on her nose until the bleeding stopped.

"Now," Charles said, "I know you're mad at me because of the fact that we had a fight a couple of days ago"

"What fight," Jamie asked, "I call it a difference of opinion. A fight is like what happened between me and Amber Mckormic"

"Fine," Charles said, "I probably should have listened to your point of view"

"Like it even matters now," Jamie said.

"Heck yeah it matters now," Charles replied.

"I don't see how," Jamie said, "What's done is done"

Jamie can we not turn this into some Greek tragedy, Charles thought to himself

"Jamie," he said out loud, "What happened"

"You want to know why I got into the fight with Amber? Because she was spreading rumors about my sister. HAPPY!"

"No," Charles said sitting up straight, "I'm not happy. What do you mean she was spreading rumors about Sarah."

"Well for instance you know how Sarah is on medication that causes a weight gain side effect?"

"Yeah. I know all about that. And?"

"She started a rumor that Sarah was pregnant"

"How does Sarah handle the rumors," Charles asked concerned.

"She acts like it doesn't bother her," Jamie said, "But I can tell it does. I've been the victim of rumors myself."
Charles smiled proudly.

"Jamie did I ever tell you that you're a really good sister. You should know that"
Jamie beamed then groaned as her lip was pretty badly hurt.

"I am," she asked

"You really are," Charles said, "You care so much about your sister and it's apparent to me. I'm proud of you for that."

"Well I love Sarah... but don't tell her that," she said with a slight laugh

"Don't worry," Charles laughed, "Your secret is safe with me."

"What am I gonna do about Amber," Jamie groaned, "and about the whole situation altogether. Anyone sees me like this tomorrow it's going to be obvious in their mind that I'm a weak one and you know what happens to weak ones Charles? Do you know what happens to weak ones! Huh? Do you?"

"From the sound of your voice I'm guessing that it's not so good. But Jamie lets get something straight. You are NOT a weak one. A weak one doesn't stand up for her sister when she's getting teased. A weak one doesn't do what she knows is right even at an enormous cost to herself"

"Great," Jamie said, "My character is strong but I look like I've just been through a mud-bath, rung out, towel dried and then put through the mud-bath again."

"That would sort of be impossible," Charles said laughing.

"I just hope I don't look like this on Monday," Jamie said, "I don't really feel like being picked on consistently this week."
Charles shook his head.

"I could say forget about Monday," he said, "but ultimately that would be unfair to you"

"Why?"

"Because," Charles said, "You have nothing to hide from."

"I see"

"I'm going to let you decide what you should do," Charles said, "but you need to respect yourself enough to be proud of your accomplishment. You defended your sister's honor"

"My sister's honor," Jamie smiled, "I like that"