I'm sure crutchless isn't a word...... anywho!

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Charlie and Joey both woke on Saturday morning at the same time.

Different houses. Different rooms. Different beds. Different moods. But, the same time.

***

Joey woke with a pounding headache and her tongue, which felt like sandpaper against her otherwise pearly whites, was somehow glued to the roof of her mouth.

She found it was an effort to even open her eyes.

The previous night, chock-full of an alcohol fueled confidence and believing she was invincible, Joey had joined Brett in a several bourbon and cokes when she got home from the beach. Those on top of all the beer she had consumed with Aiden had allowed her to wake this morning with the dawning realization, now in the morning light, that it probably hadn't been such a good idea.

Joey also noticed that the alcohol fueled confidence, in her ability to spring out of bed and go and see Charlie today, that she had felt so very, very clearly last night, had also noticeably gone walkabout at some point during the night.

Lying there, in her bed, with her hands covering her eyes and her fingers gently clasping her throbbing head, Joey felt like she wanted to die. She was desperate to close her eyes against the bright day wanting to break into her room, however, it proved a futile effort, as sleep would now evade her.

The pounding and throbbing, in her head and her body, had a distracting rhythm all it's own this morning and there was a small tremor in her hands. Joey wanted to punish herself, as getting drunk was not really her thing.

She decided to go for a run.

Feeling nauseous as she rolled gingerly out of bed moments later, but determined to go for the run, Joey desperately prayed that Brett had a stash of painkillers somewhere in the house.

***

A few short streets away, Charlie woke bright eyed and sober. Practically leaping out of bed and springing into the kitchen. Crashing into Leah as she did.

"Sorry." Charlie said, grabbing hold of Leah's arm to steady them both.

"Wow! Someone is feeling bright and breezy today."

Leah was watching as Charlie reached for the steaming coffee pot.

Charlie couldn't wipe the smile from her face. "I am." She stated confidently. "Today is going to be a good day and it is all starting with my appointment at the hospital and me getting rid of the crutches. Yahoo!"

Charlie almost sang the final word as she punched her fist lightly in the air, a self-congratulatory sign of victory. Then turning to face her friend. "Are you still OK to drive me there Leah?" She asked a little anxiously, suddenly remembering she hadn't confirmed this with her.

"Absolutely. No problem." Leah waved her vegemite toast around before taking a bite. "As soon as you're ready." She mumbled through the food now in her mouth.

"Great. Thanks. I'll just jump in the shower then." Charlie said quickly before draining the last of her coffee and hurrying towards the bathroom.

At the hospital the Doctor was very happy with Charlie's progress. And, Charlie is told she is able to finally ditch the crutches; on the proviso that she continue her daily physio of-course. A beaming Charlie readily agrees, practically hugging the Doctor as she does.

If Charlie had been able to skip, she would have done, all the way out of the hospital. Instead she scoops her arm around Leah's waist and drags them both out as fast as her long legs will let her.

In Leah's car Charlie can't stop smiling. There is a renewed energy about her and she thanks Leah a hundred times for taking her to the hospital.

Sitting in the car with the wind in her hair and the sun on her face, Charlie has a feeling of being alive for the first time in a long time and she can't shake the feeling that today is definitely going to be a good day. She can't remember the last time she had woken feeling that way. She missed days that started with her feeling that way, it was exhilarating.

Pulling up outside the diner, both women have a clawing need, for their second caffeine hit of the day. Unannounced, Charlie joins Ruby, Xavier and Jai at their table while Leah heads behind the counter and makes them both a coffee.

"Yeah. Your crutch-less." Ruby announces as Charlie lands in the chair opposite her.

"And it feels great." Charlie enthuses. "What have you got planned for today?" She asks all three of them.

"Well, I'm just off to get Annie and we're going round to see Belle." Jai says as he gets up and politely pushes his chair back in.

Everyone watches sadly as Jai leaves, each asking for their hellos and well wishes to be passed on.

Charlie makes a mental note to herself that she really must go around and see how Aiden is.

***

Joey had finally found some panadol in one of the kitchen draws. She downed two tablets with a big glass of water. The tasteless liquid making her feel sick as it hit the bottom of her empty stomach. She then refilled the glass and placed it on the kitchen bench. Placing her still pounding head in the palms of her hands and her elbows on the bench beside the glass, Joey leant forward and stuck her tongue into the liquid.

She felt stupid, and definitely knew it looked stupid. But, it was the only option she could think of, to try and rehydrate and lessen the sandpaper effect, that her tongue was having in her mouth.

Joey stayed like that, head in hands, tongue in water, until she began to feel marginally better.

Noticing her legs now gently shaking from the effort of standing, yet not wanting to acknowledge a chance to change her mind, Joey left the kitchen and went to the bathroom. There she washed her face and quickly threw on some shorts, a vest and her trainers. Finally grabbing her iPod she was soon out the door. Her feet, gingerly stepping one in front of the other, were suddenly headed towards the Wharf.

The sadistic need to punish herself had begun.

Every step was painful and even at this pace it didn't take long for a sweat to break out on her skin. Slowly releasing with it all of last nights toxins.

At the Wharf, Joey was disappointed to notice that turning left towards her favorite spot was simply not an option. The tide was too high. Pausing, Joey seriously considered simply going home and sofa surfing for the remainder of the day. However, she knew that would not make her feel any better. So reluctantly she put her headphones on and turned to the right. Towards the town and the diner. She told herself to stick to running on the sand and she prayed out-loud, that she wouldn't see anyone.

If she did, she hoped she didn't look as bad as she felt.

Taking one big breath, Joey hit play on her iPod, her feet instantly moving to the rhythm that was now blaring loudly in her ears. She recognized the song immediately.

Lilly Allen was a feisty gobby bitch, but Joey had always found her cheeky PC lyrics quite amusing. Smirking to herself, she was suddenly singing along very loudly. Oblivious to her surroundings.

Look inside, look inside your tiny mind, then look a bit harder

Cause we're so uninspired, so sick and tired, of all the hatred you harbour

So you say it's not OK to be gay, well I think you're just evil

You're just some racist, who can't tie my laces

Your point of view is medieval

Fuck you (fuck you)

Fuck you very very much

Cause we hate what you do and we hate your whole crew

So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you (fuck you)

Fuck you very very much

Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late

So please don't stay in touch

Two minuets in, Joey suddenly tripped and almost fell. She couldn't go on, singing and running were obviously not two things she could multitask at today. She stopped the singing and continued running, noticing her lungs were beginning to burn. Passing the diner Joey kept her head down and her eyes focused on the sand in front of her.

Before she had set out Joey had set herself a challenge. Her challenge was to cover the whole of the sandy Bay before she would allow herself to turn and head for home. And, even now, with her breath becoming short, Joey knew she was just stubborn enough to do it. She continued to ignore the sweat running down her face and the little voice in her head asking her to stop.

***

Having finished their coffees inside the diner, Leah headed behind the counter, ready to start her shift. Xavier also said his goodbyes and kissed Ruby softly on the lips, he was required to help Hugo and Martha with something down at the farm. This left the two Buckton sisters at the table.

"Come on hop-along, lets go down to the beach." Ruby cheekily said to Charlie.

"Ha ha, very funny Rubes." Charlie poked her tongue out at her younger sister as they both stood pushing their chairs back, ready to leave.

***

Joey finally reached the end of the Bay and collapsed. She was panting and sweating profusely. She had not been for a run in three months and her legs and lungs were screaming at her to stop. Laying on the sand, enjoying the warmth of the sun and looking back at the town she wondered if it would be considered cheating if she was to walk back? Can you cheat, when it is your own contest, your own challenge?

She lay motionless on the sand, her chest heaving heavily in front of her. Removing her headphones, she vowed, out loud, never to drink again. Of-course, Joey started laughing before she had even finished this sentence, knowing that would never be true.

Laying there, grasping for breath, Joey wished the burning, aching sensations in her thighs and calves would soon disappear. She looked back down the beach and exhaled loudly. Today it seemed like an impossible distance for her to cover again.

***

Ruby had wanted to walk along the beach but Charlie had felt unstable in the soft sand and was still very protective of her hip. They were sat, immediately in front of the diner, both watching the breaking waves in front of them.

"When are you back at work?" The younger sister was asking.

"I'm not sure. I'll have to go in Monday and find out. I guess I'll be mostly be on desk duty for a bit. Paper pushing. I'll probably start later this week."

"How's it going to be.., working with Angelo?" Ruby shyly ventured.

"Fine. Weird. OK I guess." Charlie looked at Ruby. She really was the little thinker of the family, the one who saw the whole picture, Charlie thought to herself.

"And...., Joey?" Ruby turned to face her sister, she wanted to see Charlie's face, to read her eyes.

At the mention of Joey's name Charlie let her gaze drop to the sand at her feet. She pulled her knees a little closer towards her chest. "I haven't seen her yet." She stated flatly.

"Do you still want too?"

"I think so, I mean..., yes. I just don't know if she wants to see me." Charlie turned her head slightly to face Ruby. "I came back from Dad's so confident you know, but now...., now that it's a real possibility, I feel very, very nervous."

Ruby didn't know what to say. She watched as Charlie let her head rest on her knees and her brow furrowed with worry. Reaching her arm out Ruby rubbed gently on her sisters back.

"Come on lets get you home. We'll come up with a plan together." Ruby said as enthusiastically as possible, before standing, reaching her hand down and helping Charlie to her feet.

Turning them both, they headed off the beach, their arms wrapped lovingly around each others waist.

***

Laying motionless in the gentle breeze, Joey could feel her legs getting stiffer by the second. She stood and stretched, knowing that if she didn't keep moving, she soon wouldn't be able to. When she felt a little more limber Joey threw her headphones into her ears and searched for the only track she knew would get her home.

Once she found it, and the volume was set, Joey hit play. Her feet were instantly pounding away in front of her. Her hands, now like fists, automatically jabbing and cutting as she went.

Gonna Fly Now, the theme song from Rocky was loud in her ears.

Just as the song was finishing, and once again out of breath, Joey jogged past the exact spot, where Charlie and Ruby had just been.

Unaware, she continued towards home.