Hey all! So this is a new fic, it may be a short one…we'll see how it goes. I'll try to wrap up "Say Cheese" soon. Let me know what you think of this one. I'm not sure which way it'll head, anyway I'm open to ideas.

Sugar.

Comment please….for another chapter :)

Ruby was setting the plates out for dinner. She ruffled her hair, trying to decide whether or not to set a place for Charlie. She hadn't called saying she'd be late.

She'll walk in the door the minute I sit down…you know she will.

A few minutes later and she had everything ready. She served herself and on cue heard the door behind her. She smiled. Charlie took her cap off, flung it down and sat herself at the table. "Something smells awesome!"

"I was wondering when you were going to get back tonight, no late shift?" Ruby sat opposite her. " No…" Charlie replied. "and no Angelo tonight?" Ruby raised an eyebrow. Charlie didn't really want a conversation about him. "Uh no, he stayed behind at the station to get some paper work done." Charlie smiled up at her. "How has your day been?" Ruby rolled her eyes, as Charlie's quick response in order to change the subject. "It was ok, I mean it was as exciting as school usually gets, but let's talk more about you…" Charlie fiddled with her fingers and sighed. "Ruby, please don't." "Charlie, Angelo just got promoted above you, he's your boyfriend and now he's YOUR boss…are you ok with all that?" Charlie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I have to be…don't I?" "I'm sorry, I don't mean to attack you with it, but you haven't talked about it and it's been a week." Charlie thought for a minute. "The whole time I've been trying to be happy for him with his promotion, but I just feel…"

Jealous! Frustrated!

"You just feel what?" Ruby asked. "Like I'm letting him down, I can't bring myself to be close to him outside of work because everything's been made complicated now." Ruby sighed. She offered her hand out to Charlie. "You'll get past this. Maybe try talking to him about how you feel." Charlie scrunched her nose. Ruby laughed. "You're such a guy!" "I am not!" Charlie gasped.

Ruby got up and reached for something on the counter. "I found this in the mailbox for you." She held out a small white envelope, teasing Charlie. "Ruby!" She passed it over to her. "I'm going to my room, so I'll leave you be while you read it." She smiled knowing full well who it was from.

Charlie waited until she was gone. She served herself some food and sat back down.

Do I really want to read this?

Deep down she did, but a part of her held back for fear that old emotions may creep back.

To Charlie Buckton

The words stared back at her. She mentally slapped herself and put her fork down. She ripped open the envelope and pulled out the letter.

5th February 2010

Charlie,

She read. Her heart started beating faster.

Sorry for not writing for a while, things have been crazy! I'm now currently settled in a small coastal town. I've started writing about my travels, at the moment its all recollections in diary form but you never know. It could come to something. During the day I assist some qualified instructors who give surf lessons, and at night I work in a bar over looking the sea. Things couldn't have worked out better. I don't know how long I'm staying here, but I'll save up a bit of money and then move on, that's the plan so far.

Charlie bit her lip, and tried not to blink as she read on.

Once again I'm rambling. How are you? I hope you and your family are well? How's Ruby? Tell her I send my love. The last time I heard from you, you mentioned you had a new partner.

Charlie felt a sting of guilt. The last letter she had sent was in November 2009.

I'm happy for you, I hope things workout, you deserve to have someone there who loves you and who can support you. How's work? No doubt you're in the middle of a huge case and working all hours. Take it easy, and live a little, it never did anyone any harm.

Anyway I hope every thing's alright. I'll try and write again soon. Take care.

Even when Charlie didn't write back, she still wrote to her, at least a letter a month.

Love Joey.

P.S I'm sure you're too busy, but if you have time it would be nice to hear from you.

Charlie read the last bit again, and closed her eyes.

She even said "love Joey".

She closed the letter and put it back in the envelope. Thoughts started clouding her mind, giving her a headache.

Another lifetime…..all of that could have been.

She left her dinner, cold, no longer hungry, and headed for the shower.

Ruby was secretly listening out from her door.

No tears….that's got to be a good sign…

Ruby pulled her own white envelope from underneath her text book on her desk.

Oh Joey!

She pulled out her letter once more and read the last part again.

[Ruby thanks for everything, your letters are reassuring. I haven't heard from Charlie for a while, I thought that her letters may have got lost in the post some how. I guess she's just moved on. Look after her for me, I miss her, I really do. She never escapes my thoughts.]

She heard the shower stop, and quickly shoved the letter out of site for fear that she may have to explain herself to Charlie. She breathed with relief when she heard Charlie head straight for her own room.

Charlie sat at the end of her bed, drying her hair.

I should have told Ruby about Angelo…how would she take it? God things are weird as they are, now he wants me to move in with him. How would that work? I can't leave Ruby here with Leah, I'm her guardian. I know he's not mad about the idea of having Ruby move in too, but I don't see any other way. Why is life so……………….frustrating?

She placed her towel down and moved to her bedside table for her hair brush. She stared at the photo of Joey and herself that still stood next to her alarm clock. She faced it down.

I should have moved it ages ago…

As she brushed her hair, she suddenly felt reality sweep over her. The smile that had once looked back at her, no longer was.