Hi guys. Sorry today's update is delayed. It's all been a bit hectic. I've been recuperating at my Mum's for the last few days. But I hope you enjoy the chapter. Slowly but surely, Charlie and Joey are making some progress! Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Twelve

Charlie pulled up outside the safe house. Killing the engine and taking a deep breath, she headed up to the front door and knocked. Joey opened up after a few moments, surprised and pleased to see her ex-girlfriend standing there.

"Charlie!" she said, unable to suppress a smile. "I was expecting Watson."

"Yeah," Charlie said. "I just... I wanted to do my bit and..."

She shrugged, unable to explain.

"Are you ready to go?" she asked.

Joey nodded and followed her out of the house and into the car. Neither of them could quite ignore the joy they had shared together in this very car. Charlie started the engine and they both strapped themselves in.

"How are things?" Joey asked.

"Yeah, they're okay. We've had some leads about where Robbo might be hiding out. I've sent a team over and..."

"How are things with you?" Joey interrupted.

"I'm okay," Charlie lied.

Joey didn't believe her and she told her so.

"You always did know me too well," Charlie sighed.

Joey studied Charlie's face as she concentrated on driving. She wondered where the woman she loved had gone. Charlie seemed lost and Joey wondered if someone could find her soon and save her. She desperately wanted it to be her.

"Anyway, how are you?" Charlie asked, changing the subject. "You've been so busy trying to find out how I'm doing but... what have you been doing? Are you seeing anyone? Are you happy?"

Why didn't you come home? she finished silently.

"I'm happy," Joey said. "Minus a rapist and wannabe murderer being out to get me."

She tried to laugh but it fell distinctly short of amusement.

"I'm building boats for a living these days. No, I'm not seeing anyone. I haven't um... well, you were the last..."

She sighed and trailed off, feeling embarrassed. Charlie stared at her for a few moments.

"Really? How come?" Charlie asked, her pitch revealing her surprise.

"Just... I worked with a load of guys on a long haul for a year and... well, I've just been trying to settle down since, make friends and stuff. I haven't... well, I haven't really had the time," Joey said.

Charlie nodded. Joey felt bad for lying. In truth, she had made a conscious decision to stay celibate and single. She'd long since decided that sex ruined everything. She'd been raped by Robbo and then Charlie had broken her heart by having sex with Hugo. Joey couldn't bear to get close to anyone ever again. Charlie was the last person she had ever made love with and she was determined it would stay that way. A few girls had been interested in her but she had always walked away from them. She couldn't bear to give anyone else a chance to destroy her again.


"Would you like to come in for a coffee or something?" Joey offered when Charlie pulled back up outside the safe house.

The meeting had gone very well and both Charlie and Joey felt like they were getting somewhere with the case again. Charlie smiled happily and readily agreed. They climbed out of the car and headed into the house together.

"Thanks for your help with finding me a new lawyer," Joey said as she led the way into the kitchen.

"No problem," Charlie said. "Morag's pretty much the best. Your one sucked. If you'd have had him last time, there is no way you would have got a conviction."

Joey eyed her curiously. Charlie blanched.

"Not because I thought you were lying!" she said quickly. "I know it was the truth! And he should have been convicted. I just meant..."

She slapped the side of her head a little too violently, looking stressed.

"Hey!" Joey protested, rushing over and taking her hand.

Charlie looked deep into her eyes and apologised.

"I didn't mean it like that," she said weakly. "I meant..."

"I know what you meant, Charlie," Joey said gently.

She reached out and stroked the side of Charlie's face, which was risking a bruise. Guiding her into a chair, she made them both a cup of coffee.


Two hours passed before Charlie had any awareness of the time. While things had been a little awkward at the beginning, soon enough, she and Joey had fallen into their familiar, happy chat. They'd laughed a lot, she'd avoided talking about Angelo and spent a lot of time trying to memorise Joey's every perfect feature.

"I am going to be in so much trouble," she said unhappily, looking at her watch.

"With work or with Angelo?" Joey queried.

Charlie sighed, losing herself for a few moments in Joey's sad smile. She wondered for the millionth time how she could ever have been so foolish to have lost her. In Joey, she'd had the perfect partner and she cursed herself now for focussing so much on gender. If only she had been brave enough, she and Joey could have lived a happy life together but Charlie had thrown it all away.

"Both," she admitted.

"But you're the boss," Joey grinned more cheerfully.

Charlie chuckled.

"Only at work," she said, searching round to pick up her keys.

Joey saw her to the door. Just as Charlie walked out, Joey caught hold of her hand.

"Charlie," she said seriously. "You deserve better than this."

Spontaneously, Charlie pulled Joey into a tight hug and kissed the top of her head.

I wish I did, she thought to herself.