Thank you everyone, here you go! I'm still trying to think of a central plot for this story. So be patient, I said it once and I'll say it again, all good things take time:) Thanks ever so much to my lovely loyal readers/reviewers. And hello and welcome to the newbies! If anyone has fic's that I haven't read, let me know I'd love to read them!

Enjoy xoxox

Monday morning came and Charlie began her week with her usual run, nothing like a good work out to begin the week. New week, new start. Charlie was undecided about contacting Joey; she didn't know what way she was meant to act. Would they simply act as if it never happened, or? It was the 'or' that bothered Charlie. After her encounter with Grace during her training, Charlie made the decision that it couldn't happen again. At the time she was terribly confounded; so many things she was certain of suddenly became doubts. Nobody knew about Grace, it had been one night and even their friends failed to find out. The morning after Charlie's mind was reeling, she couldn't be gay she had been with plenty of guys, even if there always was that something missing. And Watson, shit. I'll have to face her. As for Joey though, wow she really was something. She might not have remembered what happened after the club but she certainly remembered how she felt dancing in the club, Joeys body pressed tight against hers and the their hips pumping to the beat of the music. I guess that part of my life isn't as closed as I thought it was, she thought with a grin. A grin, oh god, I'm smiling thinking of being with a girl? Charlie sprinted the final one hundred meters to the house, her cheeks flushed and giggling to herself Charlie Buckton what are you playing at here.

"Someone's chirpy for a Monday morning" Ruby growled forcing her books into her bag, a slice of toast in one hand "Fuck sake!"

"Take it easy, show, let me do it" Charlie carefully eased the bag from Ruby's grip and slid the books into Ruby's bag without difficulty. She turned to face her daughter, scrutinizing her suspiciously "Are you ok Ruby?"

"It's Monday morning, what more of an explanation do I need?" Ruby sighed, as her tension eased.

"Come here" Charlie pulled her in tight, inhaling the coconut smell from her hair as she did so. Joey uses that shampoo. "Do you want me to drop you to school?"

"I'm cool I'm meeting Nic in a sec so I better head. Oh and Charlie? I'm going to Joey's tonight ok so don't cook any dinner for me. See ya."

Charlie stared into the spot Ruby had occupied just moments ago. If only she knew. What would she think of me?

*************

Charlie had managed to avoid Watson for most of the day, anxious of what she would say to her. Well you did make out with Joey in front of the whole club, and I think it was pretty obvious you were going to spend the night with her, feeling her up like that.

"Come in" Charlie ordered upon hearing a knock at her door.

"Ah Georgie, I was wondering how long it would take you." Charlie smiled nervously, abandoning her paper work.

"Ah Senior don't be like that, I'm just coming in here for a friendly chat with my lovely boss, is that so wrong?" Watson enquired, meanwhile moving over to sit on Charlie's desk.

"Something tells me your motives aren't as innocent at that?" Charlie smiled, already relaxing at Watsons humour.

"Are you insinuating I'm here to ask for the nitty gritty? As in what you and Joey got up to after you both coincidentally left the club at the same time?"

"As subtle as ever Watson. Have you been talking to Joey?" Charlie asked, unable to let her eyes meet Watsons.

"I might have had?" Watson replied absentmindedly.

"Come on Watson, please?"

"Fine, I have she didn't say anything apart from she hadn't heard from you since whatever happened, or didn't happen!" Watson added hurriedly as Charlie's eyes widened in her direction.

"I stayed the night if you must know. But I don't know what I'm supposed to do now? She's become a big party of Ruby's life and I don't want to jeopardise that. Plus there's the little thing that I'm straight?"

"It's Joey Charlie, she's easy…"

Charlie was quick to redden, burying her face in her hands.

"I mean easy going Charlie you tool" Watson laughed "Not the kind of easy you're thinking of, you know more about Joey in that department than me."

"Ok changing the topic here!" Charlie put in laughing "I don't know what to say to her though? What if it gets awkward between us…? Time will tell I guess. Is it lunch time yet?"

"Definitely lunch time, come on. I'll drive." Watson offered as she made her way towards the door.

**************

"Charlie? Chaaarlie!" Ruby roared while walking into the living room.

"What?" Charlie popped her head out of her bedroom.

"Will you drop me over to Joeys, please I'm late?" Ruby asked, not thinking why Charlie should have a problem with this.

"Rubes... Arhh. I'm in my pyjamas?" Charlie became frustrated, here I am in my pyjamas, but I can't let Ruby find her own way over. I should have known I'd have to drive her… But it never crossed my mind.

"Sure, will you get my keys I'll just get a hoody?"

*************

"Be good ok? If you need a lift home give me a shout ok?" Charlie smiled affectionately, patting Ruby's thigh.

"Ugh Charlie I'm not a baby. Look there's Joey" Ruby waved at her as she got of the car.

Charlie turned her head and sure enough there was Joey standing in the doorway, the dim light from the porch highlighting her dark features and pale complexion. Charlie smiled softly at her, and opened the window.

"Hey Joey, how are you?" Charlie asked anxiously not wanting Ruby to get suspicious.

Joey smiled happily at her, completely at ease or so it seemed to Charlie. "Hey, I'm good and you?

"Can't complain. Are you sure it's ok Ruby's staying for a while?"

"Of course, it's no problem; you can stay as well if you like?" Joey asked happily, hoping Charlie would say yes.

Charlie laughed glancing down at her silk shorts "Am, I'm in my pyjamas so I don't think so."

"Some other time then I guess, I'll drop Ruby back later on ok?" Joey tried to remain cheerful despite Charlie's refusal.

"Thanks Jo. Listen, why don't you come over some evening for dinner?" Say yes Joey, please, even if it's just to get things back on track.

"If you're sure, then I'd love to. I better go in to Ruby before she thinks I'm favouring her err... Mum over her. And we couldn't have that now could we?"

Charlie laughed loudly at Joey's boldness "No, I don't think that would go down well, I'll call you tomorrow and let you know about dinner ok? Thanks again." Charlie started the engine and reversed out of Joey's driveway, Christ Charlie eyes off Joey and eyes on the road.

Joey remained in the doorway until Charlie sped off into the distance.

"Ok Rubes what is it popcorn or crisps?" Joey shouted out from the kitchen, scanning through the cupboards for junk to munch on for the night.

"Popcorn please."

Joey arrived in the living room with a large bowl of popcorn in her hands, and a bar of chocolate under her arm. She dropped herself onto the sofa beside Ruby, and handed her the bowl.

"So little Miss Buckton, what's the latest gossip?" Joey enquired eagerly.

"Well Xavier stayed over the other night, you know the night Charlie went to the club with Watson and never came home? I know it was risky but so so worth it… I mean just waking up in his arms and for once being able to fall asleep together"

That's what I had with Charlie the other night, even if it wasn't quite as romantic, it was still amazing.

"Earth to Joey, who are you thinking of?" Ruby cooed, throwing popcorn at her.

"No one, why?" Joey said weakly, occupying herself by loading her mouth with popcorn.

"You went off to la-la land there. Hey don't you have a boyfriend?"

"Well" Joey began uneasily, No but I slept with your mother, "I'm gay Ruby."

"Really?" Ruby was in utter shock, out of all things Joey could have said, this was what she least expected "I dunno why but I always thought you were straight."

"Straight? So is spaghetti until you heat it up" Joey said plainly.

"Good one Joey, that's gold" Ruby laughed hysterically. "So do you have someone that heats you up?" Ruby continued, happy to hear about Joey's story.

"Nope, not at the moment I'm afraid, having fun being single at the moment."

"Like Charlie then I guess, she said she stayed here the other night, but when she came back the next day she totally smelled like sex."

Joey coughed and spluttered almost choking on her drink "She what?" What the fuck?

"I don't mean literally Joey. I mean she was smirking and singing, and got angry with me when I asked about it. So when she said she stayed with you, I knew she was only covering up that she was after getting laid." Ruby stated confidently.

How am I supposed to react here? Do I defend Charlie? Or do I let it slip? What if she guesses?

"Well your wrong Rubes, she stayed here." Might as well chance my arm.

"Funny that, it's exactly what she said too." Ruby replied curiously.

"Ok DVD time! You can select, I'll get more food" Joey skipped out to the kitchen, and picked up her mobile from the table

Thanks again 4 having Rubes. Means a lot. Charlie :)xx

Joey once again sat herself down beside Ruby. As they watched the film Joey failed to see anything, except those two little x's that were flying around in her head. To Joeys delight Ruby remained oblivious to the smile across her face.

A kiss, not just a kiss. But two.