Thanks so much for your reviews so far, this chapter is a bit long but please bare with me as it explains some of the emotions and reasons. Do not worry, for all you cj fans, a nice moment awaits soon.
Chapter 7:
Please see me!
Charlie had left Michael's office over an hour ago, he had managed to calm her down slightly but she still had an eruption of thought's swirling around her head. She decides to try and get some sleep and makes her way home. Pulling into the driveway she notices Watson standing on the doorstep with Leah, she didn't feel like another confrontation with one of her colleagues and thought that maybe she should just reverse, maybe she should drive, and maybe she should just keep on driving. However before she gets the chance Watson is outside the car window; Charlie hesitantly winds the window down, keeping the car in gear. Watson looks worried as she tries to say her piece calmly and clearly; unsure of how Charlie will react she braces herself before saying,
"I need you to come to the station Charlie." Charlie was confused, it was her day off and she had nothing to do with Joey's case, that much had been made very clear. Frustrated by the sudden change she says,
"Why?" Watson shuffles on the spot and says,
"We need you to talk to Robbo." Charlie was taken back; she hadn't expected that to be the reason for her recent usefulness. Annoyed at the fact they expected her to talk to that man she scoffs,
"Get Angelo to do it, I'm not going anywhere near him." Charlie saw Watson's look and felt the sudden shift in the air as Watson says,
"He will only talk to you Charlie, we have tried but he said if we get you then he will tell us everything we need to know. Please do this Charlie, Joey.." At the mention of her name Charlie suddenly jumps and says to Watson,
"Does Joey know about this?" Watson bites down on her lip before saying,
"She doesn't want you to speak to him; she doesn't want you to be involved." Charlie closes her eyes, unsure if Joey is trying to protect her, or if she simply doesn't want her help, Watson continues,
"We need this Charlie. We have no proof but we know he was involved. We need you." With that Charlie shifted gears before saying,
"I'll meet you there, but first I need to speak to Joey."
Before Watson could say another word Charlie speeds off, making her way towards Joey. Scared of her loves reaction, but desperate to confront her, desperate really for any kind of interaction.
Charlie hasn't seen Joey since three days after she was taken to hospital. She recalls it so clearly, all of the emotions of that day flood back to her, washing over her, unsteadying her. She pulls over to the side of the road and allows herself to be transported back, back to one of the saddest and happiest days of her life.
Aden looked at her, his eyes wide with pain and disbelief as Alf's words hit them like a tidal wave, crushing them both in its wake. She couldn't control her body any long and fell with a crash to the ground, screaming and shaking. Everyone watched her as Aden sat with his head in his hands, tears flooding down his face. She remembered the feeling now, her heart felt like it had just disintegrated and a numbness replaced it. All she could hear was Alf's words, over and over again, "She's gone mate." Everything began to get hazy and she felt light headed. Someone shouted for a drink of water and suddenly everyone was moving around, dizziness set in but right before she felt as though she was going to pass out she heard Aden shout, "Joey just moved, oh my God." He leapt up and felt for a pulse, shouting in disbelief, "She has a pulse." Resuming CPR he fought for his best friend once more, and this time Joey responded. Charlie's heart fluttered as she heard Joey gasp and breathe in deeply, coughing and spluttering as Aden placed her on her side, allowing the water to escape her lungs. Charlie sprung from the ground and grabbed at Joey, holding her tight, never wanting to let go.
But of course she had to let go and as they reached the shore with Joey sleeping in Charlie's arms she had to entrust her love to the paramedics. As they placed her gently on the trolley Joey grabbed at Charlie's hand, drowsy and confused she said slowly,
"I love you" before drifting off again and being taken by the paramedics. The words both elated Charlie and broke her heart, Joey was so vulnerable and scared and Charlie wasn't even sure if Joey knew it was her.
Sat in the car with tears down her face Charlie sniffed and tried to block out the next memory, the one that broke her heart all over again. To weak to block it out she closes her eyes and drifts back.
Joey had been unconscious for three days and Charlie hadn't left her side once, her clothes stuck to her and she knew she looked a mess, but she didn't care, she wasn't letting her out of her sight again, not even for a moment. The door opened quietly as Ruby entered, touching Charlie's shoulder and holding a fresh cup of coffee in front of her she whispered,
"You look tired Charls, you should go home and get some rest." Charlie knew Ruby was concerned but she just couldn't leave Joey, she wouldn't leave her, never again. Ruby took a seat on the opposite side of the bed and took Joey's hand in hers before saying to Charlie,
"How is she?" Charlie managed a small smile before stating,
"She drifts in and out. I don't think she even knows I'm here." Ruby smiled a little before saying,
"Yes she does Charlie. I know she does." Just then Joey began to stir and her grip tightened, they both got to their feet and waited, hearts in their mouths. She stirred a little more and Ruby let go of her hand saying she would go and get Rachel. After leaving Charlie leant closer to Joey and softly said,
"Joey honey, can you hear me? You are safe, you are in the hospital." As Joey came to she softly smiled and said,
"Mia?"
Charlie stepped back a little, unsure of what to think. Before she could react Rachel and Ruby re-entered the room and Charlie began to back away from the bed slowly. Ruby turned to Charlie and said,
"Charlie? What's wrong?" Seeing the heartache and confusion on Charlie's face Ruby walked towards her, but Charlie turned and ran from the room.
A few days later Charlie returned to find Watson outside Joey's door keeping guard, walking up to her she asked confused,
"What's going on? Why are you guarding Joey's room?" Watson shifted uncomfortably on the spot and said,
"Because of Robbo! You should go and talk to Angelo." Charlie scoffed at the suggestion before pushing Watson a bit more,
"What about Robbo?" Watson sighed and simply said,
"I can't discuss it now Charlie, just go and talk to Angelo." Charlie didn't push any more and decided she would just see Joey and then have it out with Angelo later. As she stepped forward, Watson blocked her saying,
"Joey doesn't want to see anyone."
Charlie had put up a fight but eventually Watson made her see that she should respect Joey's decision and maybe come back later. Charlie tried over and over again to see Joey, but each time she was sent on her way, no explanation given.
Charlie felt her mobile buzz and jolted out of her trance before looking at it, the text message was from Watson and simply said,
"Robbo here in an hour. Be here!" Charlie bit her lip and turned the ignition, making her way for yet more disappointment.
As she makes her way into the safe house she looks at the officer who points to the bedroom. Walking to the door Charlie knocks and tries to walk in, finding the door locked she knocks again, saying gently,
"Joey! Please see me?"
