Joey walked into the courtroom; she was still wrapped up under Charlie's arms. She suddenly felt everyone staring at her. She was tensing up when she found Charlie kissing her on the forehead again. She was not used to this, for Charlie to so openly hold her. Charlie really has changed her mind drifted; she really didn't care if people say her and Joey. Joey felt a sense of relief but then he mind drew back to where they were now and everyone staring at them.
"Everything ok?" Morag could she Joey was in a much more distressed look than what she was when she left her.
"No, Robbo's sister thought she'd have a go at Joey in the toilets."
"Oh my god are you ok?" Leah had been listening in and jumped to her feet as did Ruby.
"Yeah, Charlie…" she couldn't finish the sentence.
"I'm going to ask for a postponement, even if just to later this afternoon."
"No." Joey almost roared finding her voice again. "I just want to get this over with so I… so I… can be free." She looked up at Charlie, she had used Charlie's words and wanted approval from Charlie not just that she could used what Charlie had said to her but so Charlie could approve of what she was doing too.
Charlie smiled down at Joey trying to reassure her. "Are you sure that's what you want Jo?"
"Yes, I need this to be over with." She slowly removed herself from Charlie's arms. She turned to look at Charlie, gave her a kiss on the cheek, "sure I have you here for protection" she whispered in Charlie's ear as she pulled away. "Always" Charlie smiled with her response and Joey turned around and took her seat. Looking back to see where Charlie was sitting and relieved that she was sitting directly behind her.
"Definitely not a friend's kiss" Charlie could just make out the whisper. She turned towards the voice and Ruby's smiling face back at her. "Rubes, its not really the time for analysis" Charlie had tried to pretend that she wasn't delighted with what Ruby had said. "Definitely not a friend's kiss" Charlie turned again to give out to Ruby for repeating it when she realised it wasn't Ruby who said it. She looked forward to see Joey half turned around with a smile on her face and then Joey turned back as the door opened from the side.
It was Robbo being escorted into the courtroom, his hands in cuffs with Watson on one side and another officer on the other side. All eyes where drawn to him. He sat down beside his lawyer as Watson sat behind him, as did the other officer. Joey couldn't help but stare at him entering in. it was the moment she had dreaded the most. She was afraid he'd attack her again or something. But he didn't even look over at her. He looked as scared if not more than she did. The moment didn't seem scary anymore. She was relieved. She realised what she had done just before Robbo had entered the room. She couldn't believe she had just turned round and said that to Charlie. Charlie had a shocked look on her face; she couldn't help but smile at the thought of the look. She turned around again to look at Charlie curious if the look was still there or not. She noticed Leah and Ruby's head moving as if they were watching tennis. At Joey, then at Charlie, back to Joey and then at Charlie. Charlie caught Joey's eye and smiled back at her.
Charlie still couldn't believe what Joey had said. Did she mean it? Or was she making fun of Rubes? She felt Leah's elbow sticking into her side. She looked up to see why, both Leah and Ruby had smiles on their faces bigger than the ocean. They too had heard what Joey said. They couldn't contain their delight. She smiled back with a hopeful smile and then turned as the Judge was walking in. everyone stood up. She put her hand on Joey shoulder reassuringly, without looking back Joey placed her hand on top of Charlie's and squeezed it. She could feel Joey's fear. As they sat down Charlie removed her hand only to find Leah grabbing it. She was glad Leah was there. Although she was still unsure whether she should have let Ruby come. She found it hard to hear how would Ruby take it?
"Your honour," Robbo's lawyer started. "My client has admitted to having sex with Joanne Collins, he has admitted that due to her lies over that night that he was stressed and emotionally strained that he wasn't in full control over his actions the night in which he is now being accused for attempted murder. He admits he went to speak to Miss Collins but the rest he doesn't remember as my client suffered a mental block and wasn't aware of his actions. It wasn't until Senior Constable Buckton pulled him away he realised what he had done. I suggest this case be thrown out due to the mental issue and strain that caused my client to snap. He was temporarily insane. He should not be held for the actions which he had no control over."
"Your Honour and members of the Jury," Morag continued "the defendant was fully aware of all his actions. He was aware of my client's sexuality prior to the attack, as he had on many occasions threatened to tell the world. He was aware what he was doing when he hid in my client's room and waited on her to return. This was premeditated. He had tried to kill the only other woman who knew what he was like to women. Unfortunately he succeeded in this attempt. I kid you not he knew exactly what he was doing. His attacks where ruthless. He should not get away with this. I ask for the maximum sentencing to match his horrendous actions."
Joey sat not knowing where to look of what to do. She was listening to Robbo's account of the night he raped her. She felt a tear trickle down her cheek. She wiped it away and sat up straight she wasn't going to left him get the better of her again. He continued into the night he attempted to kill her. Joey could feel her body getting all tense she didn't like hearing his version. Full of lies, full of crap and full of his own self-pity. It turned her stomach. She just wanted to stand up and shout 'you're a liar!' but Morag had warned her too many times about shouting out in court. She knew it would go against her. With every lie he told she felt sicker, she couldn't listen any longer. She just wanted to be out of the court. She thought she would throw up if he continued much longer. How could he stand there and lie and how was he so convincing? Where the jury taken in by his version? Every second dragged like she was there for an eternity. She shot a quick glance back at Charlie. She could see Charlie's knuckles white with anger. She knew Charlie was struggling as much as she was. She shot another quick glance back at Charlie this time Charlie was looking at her. Charlie gave her a look of support. Telling her it would be ok. Joey got comfort out of this. She turned and watched Robbo finishing up his story.
The Judge broke for lunch. Charlie sat in the canteen with Leah and Ruby discussing how evil and vile Robbo was. Joey and Morag had gone to talk over this morning session. Charlie had taken their orders and got their food as well. She placed Joey's food next to her plate.
"He's got some nerve!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Has he no morals, couldn't he just plead guilty and this would be all over with." Leah suggested.
"He's spineless, he should be the one in a grave not his ex-girlfriend" Charlie had realised how much hatred she actually had for him. She never wished anyone dead before in her life.
"But on a positive note she said definitely not a friend's kiss!" Ruby couldn't help but lighten the mood she didn't want to think about Joey's pain anymore she wanted to think on the positive.
"Yeah, what does that mean?" Leah couldn't hide her excited voice.
"I don't know, I hope it means what I think it means." Charlie couldn't help but smile, her smile grew as she watched Joey and Morag enter the room.
"How you feeling?" Leah asked as Joey was sitting down.
"I don't know!" she rested her head on Charlie's shoulder looking for an invitation for a hug. A hug she desperately needed. Charlie put her arm around Joey's shoulder. "I got you a sandwich and a nice big cup of coffee," Charlie rested her head on top of Joey's. "Thanks." It was all she could muster. She lifted her arm furthest away from Charlie and picked up the coffee took a sip and put it back on the table. With her hand still in the air she moved it towards Charlie's arm over her shoulder and intertwined her fingers with Charlie's and lay her head back on Charlie's shoulder. She felt so comfortable; she could have stayed there forever.
"You doing really well," Ruby felt like she had to say something. "Yeah your really strong, I'm so proud of you." Charlie backed up Ruby's comments.
Wanting to change the topic Joey lifted her head and looked into Charlie's eyes, "thank you,"
"For what?" Charlie had a confused look on her face.
"For being there, for being here," she smiled at Charlie.
"I told you before always." Charlie smiled back.
A cough interrupted them. "We'll soon have to get back so lets eat up." Morag was stern in her voice.
Joey sat up straight and removed her hand from Charlie and began to eat. Morag scared her. Leah and Ruby giggled noticing Joey's quick actions and the fact Charlie's arm was still hanging where Joey's shoulder used to be.