Wooooo! I'm past 100. *does a lil dance* You guys are awesome, truly!
Purplemonkey – You rock!
Pmcc – apologies. I hope this makes up for your despair!!
Everyone review on this next chapter….I know you just want to see Joey in Charlie's bed…but trust me the build up is worth it!!!!!!
Here ya go…seeing all your reviews this morning I decided to write this one sooner…
X
Sugar.
Charlie knew she had never driven so fast in all her life. Had there been other officers on duty, her career would have been seriously dented. She had managed to wipe the tears away, but her cheeks were still red. Barely dressed, she ran up to Angelo's front door and begun knocking, a little less violently then at Xavier's.
God open up…open up!
Angelo peered round the door. "Hey Charlie, come in.." Before he could properly invite her in, she was already in Ruby's arms. "Charlie I'm sorry, I should have listened to you before….wwwhen you kept telling me I wasn't old enough to grow up yet." Her words were muffled as she spoke into Charlie's arms. "It's ok, I'm here now! I'm sorry I'm not there for you when I should be…I'm so sorry." Charlie didn't care that Angelo was watching, she repeated her words over and over again, cradling Ruby.
Angelo felt a little awkward watching this intimate moment between Charlie and Ruby, he took a step back to give them some space, occupying himself by putting the once wanted sheets, away.
"Charlie why don't you ever talk to me about dad? You were so cold after he died and I never knew why…" She had pulled her head up, and gazed at her. Charlie gulped. "Ruby, I knew dad differently to you. When I was growing up…well trying to grow up.." Ruby smiled. "He was never there for me…always working and being absent for weeks on end…most weekends." Charlie pulled herself and Ruby to the sofa to sit down. She let Ruby sit on her lap. "I thought that if I followed in his footsteps and joined the police force, he would notice me…that he would be proud of me."
Charlie he was proud of you! I am…
"But again he never had the time to be proud of me…he missed my graduation after I completed my training…he forgot to congratulate me when I got my job here in Summer Bay…he came up with some excuse for work, so he missed that dinner I cook so that I could tell him I was made Senior Constable…" Charlie shrugged her shoulders. "And then he got sick…he started forgetting and I was angry and frustrated. He was finally retired and I couldn't start getting to know him…the way you have." Ruby suddenly felt terrible. "Apart of me is still angry and frustrated…that's why I don't talk about him Rubz….even though I love him…I'll never know if he loved me…" She covered her eyes, covering the tears. Ruby began stroking her hair, trying to comfort her.
She has no idea!
"Charlie…look at me." She brought her face up to her. "He did love you!" She wiped her tears. "He always told me that you were going to be this great cop because you were hard working, and dedicated. When I got upset or annoyed at you…he'd tell me that you were only trying to protect me and love me, and you found it hard when he wasn't at home….he would often tell me to tell you that he was sorry for all the times he wasn't there for you." Charlie regained eye contact with her. "What?" Ruby bowed her head. "I never told you that because I was jealous Charlz…when he was with me, he always talked about you, and while I was at boarding school, you were off making something of your career, it was like that was all that was important to you….I'm sorry!" Charlie didn't care. She simply smiled at the fact that she knew a little bit more about her father and herself. "I love you Ruby…all the same." Ruby smiled again. "So Joey told you then?" She said after a moment. "Joey!" Charlie stood up, alarmed. "Oh Charlie please don't tell me you yelled at her?" Charlie grimaced. "Charlie!" She cried out. "I'm sorry...I was so worried and angry and upset…" She put her hands on her head in despair. "I can't believe she broke her promise." Ruby said hurt. Charlie shook her head. "That's just it…she didn't! She told me this 'situation' she was in…but the rest I figured out. She kept telling me she couldn't break her promise she made to you." Ruby smiled broadly. "Well we have to go find her." Charlie nodded.
Angelo walked back in slowly, hoping he was interrupting. "Angelo I don't know what to say…I'm so grateful..I…" Angelo smiled. "A simple thank you…works for me." Charlie smiled shyly. "And Angelo said that you…" "Angelo said nothing!" He finished for Ruby, and discreetly winked at her. Charlie frowned, knowing she had missed something, and turned from Ruby to Angelo. "Huh?" Ruby rolled her eyes. "Come on Charlz….Joey!" Charlie jumped at the thought. "Thank you Angelo…see you at work I guess." "Bright and early…Monday morning!" He replied.
He waved them off.
I think I've just done another good deed!
*
Irene woke up, her head was spinning. Light was finally beginning to break. She sat herself up and found she had been lying on deck.
What am I doing here? What on earth…sea…I should say.
She rubbed her eyes trying to adjust her sight. She could hear the gentle lapping of the water against the boat.
It's quiet….it's too quiet!
She stood up slowly.
God how much did we have to drink…
She noticed the wine bottles, they were scattered around the place. She went back inside the cabin to find Lou. "Lou? Lou wake up!" She called out, but there was no reply.
He must be fast asleep…
She peered round to their bedroom. But he wasn't there. Her heart started beating erratically.
Maybe he's on deck..
She returned up on deck and carefully walked around, holding onto the side. The water was swaying the boat gently. "Lou?" She called louder. Still no reply.
Oh god…don't panic…he can't be gone…we're at sea!
She checked the little toilet, he wasn't there either.
The radio…try the radio…get help…
She reached for it, having been shown by Lou, where it was. She picked it up. She cried out. It had been smashed to pieces. She began shaking with fright.
The keys…I can't steer a bloody boat…but I have to…
As soon as she got to the wheel…she collapsed. The keys were gone. She curled up in a corner scarred for her life.
*
Charlie and Ruby rushed back home. They swung the door open, calling out for Joey. Charlie ran to Ruby's room. "Why would she be in my room?"
Of course…she doesn't know!
"She came here looking for you, but we ended up talking till really late. I insisted that she stayed over."
Wait…Charlie and Joey…getting to know each other….weird!
"Maybe she's gone back to her caravan." Ruby suggested. "Yeah…listen I want you to stay here." Charlie told Ruby. "No way! I'm coming with you!" Charlie didn't feel like arguing with her now there wasn't time. "Oh fine…god you are stubborn!" Ruby smiled. "Like someone I know…" Charlie followed out Rubz out the door, grinning.
I'm not stubborn…well…maybe a little bit…
It was gradually getting lighter. They pulled up beside Joey's caravan. Both were in utter shock at the sight before them. Both jumped out the car and kneeled beside the body on the ground. "Charlie?" Ruby panicked. "Call Rachel….now!" Ruby did exactly what she had been told, and fumbled for Charlie's phone in the glove compartment in the car.
"Joey? Can you hear me?" Charlie checked for a pulse.
Oh thank god….I don't think I could live with myself if…if….don't think like that!
Joey was pale, and unresponsive. Blood was trailing from her nose. "Rachel's coming…she called an ambulance." Charlie nodded. "Is she..?" "No!" Ruby sighed and kneeled beside her. "This is all my fault!" Charlie bit her lip. "We've found her…that's what's important." Charlie tried calling out to her again, hoping for any kind of response.
Joey wake up…I'm sorry…
*
Charlie and Ruby had been sitting in the waiting area for half and hour. Rachel had insisted that Joey was alright, but they had to wait a bit before they could see her. "God this has been a long night." Charlie sighed and leant her head back against the wall.
I still can't believe Ruby's…a………..woman now…I've got to stop treating her like she's still 8.
Ruby leant her head against Charlie's shoulder, relieved that sleeping with Xavier had brought something good…getting to know Charlie better. "Ruby I am sorry I'm so annoying and over protective all the time…I just never wanted to see you grow up I guess." Ruby clung on to her hand. "Xavier was wonderful…he didn't pressure me or force me to do anything…but afterwards all I wanted was to be wrapped up in your arms…I don't think I'm ready to grow up just yet." Charlie smiled relieved, and thankful. "You will always be my baby Ruby…no matter what." Charlie closed her eyes. Ruby stared up at her.
What did she just say?
"Charlie?" She blinked, with her mouth open. Charlie looked back at her. "Does that mean what I think it means?" Ruby suddenly sat back in her own chair and turned towards her trying to comprehend her words. "Ruby please don't…don't hate me ok I've had no choice but to live my life convincing everyone that you're my sister…"
Ah…but…oh my god! She's my…
"Another reason why I don't talk about dad…what he's made me do all these years." Ruby bit her lip. "So….you're…you're really my.." She couldn't finish her sentence. "I know you hated me after mum died…she's was more of a mother then I could ever have been for you." Ruby reached for Charlie in disbelief. She had confirmed it. Charlie was astonished that after everything, Ruby was still there and in her arms. She held her on to her. "Make me a promise Charlie…" Ruby managed to say after a while. "Anything.." "We stop hiding our feelings from each other…we only have each other and Morag now…we can't continue the way we've been going!" "Since when did you get so bloody mature?" Charlie laughed with happiness. She could hear soft giggles from Ruby too.
Rachel nudged them softly. Charlie and Ruby broke apart slowly.
I don't think I've ever seen them this close…it must have been some night…
"You can go see Joey now. She's awake but saw. Try not to get her worked up over anything." Ruby rushed past and walked into Joey's room, Charlie followed.
"Aw got my stomach hurts!" Joey complained. She had her eyes closed. Ruby was beside her. "Joey, are you ok?" "God I can't believe I got shot!" Charlie's face sunk.
She what?!?
Joey blinked her eyes open, her face expressed pain. "Oh my god Joey I'm so sorry..I…" Joey gripped her stomach. She started breathing heavily.
I didn't see a bullet wound…but she was lying on her stomach….shit!
"Joey this is all my fault…I'm sorry…" She repeated herself. Charlie sat beside her on the other side of her bed. She reached for her hand. Charlie was in disbelief again. She bowed her head not knowing what to do or say.
This is all you ever bring upon people!
Rachel appeared at the door. "Joey, are you alright?" Charlie looked over at her, at the door. "She's in pain…did you get the bullet out?" Charlie was panicking. "What bullet?" Rachel asked confused. Joey gave her a secretive wink.
She felt Joey shaking. Alarmed she focused on Joey again. She couldn't believe it. Joey was laughing. "Damn you!" Joey giggled louder. Ruby burst out soon after. "You were….Oh my god I can't believe I fell for that!" Charlie sat back in her chair annoyed but bashful. "Well I think our patient is making a full recovery." Rachel stated, smiling. "The old Joey" Charlie exclaimed. "…of course she's alright!" Charlie was going redder by the second. Ruby could only point at her and laugh harder.
Rachel disappeared again to check on other patients. Joey eventually stopped laughing. "Ok now that really does hurt!" "That's your own fault." Charlie insisted. Joey smiled, happy to see things had greatly improved between the other two. "Does this.." She pointed at Charlie and Ruby. "mean I'm forgiven a little bit." Charlie looked over at Ruby, who smiled back at her, and then at Joey. "A smidgin!" Ruby glared at Charlie, trying to get her to say more. Charlie sighed. "I shouldn't have yelled at you…I'm really sorry." Joey nodded. "Me too." "What actually happened to you Jo? You really had us worried." Joey looked down at her fingers. "I just had a panic attack. I'm…I really don't like the dark." Charlie grabbed her hand again. "Oh Joey." "It must have been pretty severe then?" Ruby continued. "I tend to find it hard to breathe..and I often get a bloody nose…it's nothing new really." She looked at Charlie again. "I wasn't at your place to distract you, I really wasn't…" "It's forgotten!" Charlie smiled, and then recapped on the recent events. "I can't believe you pulled that one on me!" Joey giggled again. "Oopps!"
Ruby sat back and watched with amusement. She began thinking that there was more between them then they realised.