The girls sat like that for a long time. Each lost in the comfort of the other. With their heads leaning in and their eyes on the ocean before them.

"Charlie, thanks" Joey eventually whispered, through a throat constricted tightly with a thousand emotions.

At the sound of Joey's voice, Charlie squeezed gently on Joey's hand, then she lifted and twisted her head until their eyes became locked on one another.

"Are you OK?" Charlie asked, her voice raw and full of concern.

"I'll be fine. It's Aiden I'm worried about." Joey gently removed her hand from Charlie's, then reached up and wiped the dried tears from her face. "He's a complete mess, which is understandable I know. It's just I've never seen him like this. He's totally broken, totally lost."

Charlie was listening intently to Joey's words, however, she couldn't help but notice, how instantly lonely she felt when Joey had released her hand. They were still sat shoulder to shoulder leaning back against the rock, yet somehow, the connection now seemed so much less.

Suddenly unsure what to do with her free hands, Charlie leant forward and wrapped her arms around her knees, pulling them tight toward her chest.

"He's going to have a lot of support." Charlie said, unable to drag her eyes away from Joey's face.

"I know. I know." Joey shook her head sadly and let her eyes fall to the sand. "He's just, done so much for me in the past. I really want to be there for him now. You know?"

Joey pulled her own knees tight to her chest and rested her head there. She was looking unwaveringly at Charlie and knew she would be understood.

Charlie felt her face fall and herself flinch, as she instantly thought of Robbo.

He was the one connection that all three shared.

"Have you heard anything about the trial?" Charlie hesitantly asked.

"Not yet." Joey turned her gaze back out onto the distant horizon. "It all feels like so long ago... So much has happened since then." She added sadly.

"You're still pressing charges though? Aren't you?" Charlie could feel a small panic rise inside her.

Joey couldn't bring herself to look at Charlie, her eyes found a boat on the horizon, she was staring intently and her words were quiet. "I haven't been contacted about anything Charlie. As I said, it's all in the past... Not your concern anymore." She added flatly.

Charlie again flinched at Joey's words. She could remember vividly, promising Joey that she would be there every step of the way. Sitting beside her now, Charlie felt awful, she hated herself and knew, she had again, let Joey down.

When Joey had left her that day on the Wharf, over three months ago, Charlie had simply closed down, shut everything and everybody off.

She had done what she does best, simply locked it all inside of her and not talked.

Having been officially taken off Joey's case Charlie hadn't thought to keep track of it. Back then, any memories or reminders of Joey had been far too painful and Charlie, had simply walked away.

Now, looking at the broken girl sitting before her, Charlie vowed to herself to speak to Watson about Joey's case.

"Do you want to get a coffee? Or..., come over to Leah's for something to eat?" Charlie said, wanting to change the subject but not wanting to let Joey go.

"Thanks Charlie, but I think I will just go home. It's been a big day, I'm tired and I want to be back at Aiden's early tomorrow."

Charlie let her head fall. She took a deep quiet breath. "Sure, I understand." She said as she stood and reached down to help Joey up. "How is everything with Brett?"

"Fine. Functioning. If we just don't mention the gay word," Joey looked up into Charlie's beautiful blue eyes "then we get on well." Still looking in Charlie's eyes, Joey could feel her heart as it, just once, double beat. She was now fighting a torrent of emotions, that were screaming in her chest. "Thanks, for not pressing charges." She quietly added.

Charlie reached her fingertips to Joey's hand, where they touched but didn't clasp. "There were no charges to press Jo. It was my fault."

Charlie's eyes looked imploringly into Joey's and she could feel her heart as it beat wildly in her chest. It was with some determination and will power, that Charlie listened to her head and not her heart. Breathing deep she reached her arm lovingly around Joey's waist and walked them tenderly off the beach.

Still arm in arm, each enjoying the connection, they stopped at the end of Joey's street. Simultaneously they turned to one another, a noticeable smile playing on each lip.

Charlie let her arm fall and her fingers trail across Joey's arm. She squeezed gently on Joey's hand. "Jo.., I'd like to see you again. If that's alright?" Charlie could feel herself lightly shaking and knowing she deserved it, she braced herself for rejection.

Joey's eyes had not left Charlie's face. They were searching in Charlie's eyes. Standing there, for both of them, it all felt so bloody comfortable and damn nice.

And yet, Joey was scared.

Joey knew she may be able to forgive but she couldn't forget what Charlie had done. She thought of Hugo and all the hurt she had felt those few, short months ago, then suddenly, Ruby's words of Charlie's love were on her mind and Joey was standing there emotionally drained and all confused.

Squeezing quickly back on Charlie's hands, Joey let her fingertips fall away as her eyes fell from Charlie's face to the ground.

"I don't know Charlie. Seeing you, being with you...." Joey couldn't find the right words. "There's just so much with Aiden...." Again Joey paused.

"It's OK Joey. I understand." Charlie felt her heart twist violently in her chest. "I just want to be there for you." Charlie's words began to sound choked. "Just promise me...., if you need anything, anything at all...."

Joey could only nod her head. She was afraid to talk herself.

Reaching up, Joey placed her hands on Charlie's shoulders, and looked Charlie in the eye. Then moving forward, Joey kissed Charlie lovingly on the cheek. Her lips staying momentarily longer than they should. As they pulled away without any more words they each had tears in their eyes.

It was Joey who quickly dropped her arms and turning headed for home.

Charlie could only stand there staring, watching Joey as she went.

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OK, OK, nobody yell at me. I know it's short.

But I have just been called into damn work! What have you got to do to get a day off around here???

Fili - the kiss was for you. Not quite the animalistic pouncing on each other with tongues clashing maddeningly about that you probably hoped for.... but, all good things come to those who wait!

Thanks, for ALL the reviews.

T.