This is the penultimate chapter and I am currently debating which story to post next. I have a story called 'Falling in Love' which is based on the original storyline and 'Unforgiven' which I haven't finished writing yet but it's a post-break up fic that I hope hasn't been done before. Any preferences? Otherwise, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Twelve

Joey switched the water off and stepped out of the shower. Wrapping herself in a big, fluffy, white towel, she dried off, wondering what Charlie would think of what she had written. Reaching for another towel, she dried off her hair and used Charlie's brush to put it into some kind of order. Checking her reflection in the mirror, having wiped some of the steam away, Joey took a deep breath and opened the door out onto the bedroom. She paused when she saw Charlie curled up in a tight ball on the double bed, the letter clutched in her hand. Joey swallowed uncertainly as she watched her, quickly realising that Charlie was crying. Approaching softly, her bare feet on the carpet, Joey perched on the bed. Charlie looked up at her with red rimmed eyes. It broke Joey's heart.

"We've missed out on so much time," the older woman said softly.

Joey nodded and pulled Charlie into her arms, holding her close. She stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. Shifting silently, they snuggled back against the pillows in each other's loving embrace.

It was two hours before either Charlie or Joey spoke again. They'd held each other for a long while, eventually falling asleep together. Fluttering her eyes open a little reluctantly, Charlie held her breath, not quite allowing herself to believe that she and Joey could be back together again. She breathed a sigh of relief when she gazed upon the still sleeping brunette and realised that it was all true. Joey was right there in her arms, looking peaceful and content. And, most importantly, she didn't look like she was going anywhere. Smiling to herself, Charlie took a moment to gaze at the woman she loved. Her hair was longer, drying naturally and slowly, having made a damp patch on Charlie's arm. Her skin was tanned and smooth and she slept so serenely. Her smile widened when she saw Joey begin to stir. Joey woke and gazed lovingly into Charlie's eyes, looking equally relieved that none of this had been a dream.

"I'd forgotten how wonderful it feels to wake up in your arms," she whispered.

Charlie smiled even more and kissed the top of Joey's head, knowing exactly what she meant.

"Sorry I fell asleep though," the deckhand added.

"It's fine," Charlie replied. "I fell asleep too."

They giggled softly and hugged a little closer. Joey stretched and yawned, wondering how long Charlie had the room until.

"We have to be out by eleven tomorrow morning," Charlie said.

"So... we could spend the night together?" Joey asked hopefully.

Then she blushed at the accidental insinuation.

"I mean... we don't have to... I didn't mean... it doesn't have to be anything you don't want it to be. I'd... I'd just like to spend some time together."

She smiled a little shyly and Charlie matched her expression.

"I feel the same," she said. "I want to spend time with you. We have so much to catch up on. I... I just want to look at you. I want to memorise your face, breathe you in. I never want to stop touching you."

A tear fell. She moved to brush it away, embarrassed but Joey caught her hand, not wanting her to hide away from her feelings. Charlie kissed her fingertips.

"Joey, I need to tell you how sorry I am," she said earnestly. "I messed everything up, right from the start and I hate myself for it. Losing you was the single worst mistake I've ever made. I messed you around, I hurt you so badly... and that was before I... before I cheated on you. And then... then I had the chance to win you back weeks ago and I lost it. I shouldn't have just left it there, Joey. I should have got in touch with you. I could have called. I should have..."

She trailed off as her tears began to flow more readily. Joey gently reached out and stroked her face.

"You did hurt me," she said honestly. "But that's over with now. We can move on. We can start again... if you want to. Do you want to?"

"Desperately," Charlie said without hesitation.

"Then there is no room for hate here," Joey said firmly, gazing into Charlie's eyes. "We've both made mistakes but personally, I vote that we draw a line under everything bad that happened and start afresh. I really feel like we can make it work this time, Charlie."

"I'd like that," Charlie said.

She leant in a little anxiously and brushed her lips against Joey's. She smiled as the younger woman responded and wrapped her arms more tightly around her shoulders. When they eventually parted, they rested their foreheads together and smiled.

"And for the record," Charlie added. "You didn't do anything wrong. I could never have asked for a more perfect partner. I just wish I hadn't been dumb enough not to realise what I had before it was too late."

"But I pushed you though," Joey said meekly. "You weren't ready to be my girlfriend and I..."

She sighed heavily and squeezed Charlie's hands.

"I don't want to do that this time," she said. "You can set the pace. We can spend the night here together but nothing has to happen... you know, physically, if you don't want it to. I don't want to rush you. I don't want to make a mistake."

Charlie felt her heart break all over again at the thought that Joey believed she'd been the one to get things wrong.

"I wasn't ready to come out," she said. "That much was obvious. But everything that happened between me and you... I was happy. I don't regret any of the love we shared. I just regret the bits in between. But the me and you stuff..."

She grinned.

"Those were the best experiences of my life."

They kissed again.

"They were the best experiences of my life," Joey said. "And I can't even begin to describe how happy I am that we're getting a second chance."

"Me too," Charlie said.