Hi All!
Sorry the delay in getting this chapter posted. My laptop finally decided to go and cark it and die :)
Won't be getting a new one 'til at least next week so updates for my fics might be a lil few and far between as I haven't been able to do any writing since it died.
I'm posting this chapter from work as for once it's quiet and will try and get the next chapter of The Truth Hurts up as well if I can :P
JSCO - Glad your liking Ruby's move back home and Joey's cool date plan!
Rhyleigh - CJ sure are sweet! So much more potential then Changelo!
Kirsty - Hopefully I can try and work something out for Gabby & Becca as they seemed to have gathered a few fans here :P
Funkyshaz - The CJ drama will be at a minimum during the remaining chapters of this fic but there's a lil coming up for the Bay's newest possible pairing - can't leave the drama out of this fic entirely now can I? But you are spot on about the 'horrible stuff' H&A are dishing out!
Kim - Someone's keen for a double date and a new pairing!
DNW - Hope you like the CJness in this chapter!
AuthorW - CJ have come a long way to being open and honest but now that they are they will be staying that way :P
Oniz - Hahaha! I love that you were disappointed about the fact I didn't leave you on a cliffhanger and instead gave you the kiss you all waited for! Hmm 'maybe' I've set myself up for your expectations lol :P Well your expectations won't be disappointed this time as there's a mini twist to come :P
Lil - Glad your back and catching up! Always leaving you hanging...'tis what I do!
Hope you enjoy the beginning of the double date! Will it go perfectly or will someone get in the way? :)
.com/watch?v=fV4DiAyExN0
"The Reason"
"I'm not a perfect person I've found a reason for me I'm sorry that I hurt you I've found a reason for me I've found a reason for me
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
It's something I must live with every day
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I'm not a perfect person I've found a reason for me I've found a reason to show
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you."
Several days after their date and Charlie and Joey had rekindled their relationship, the pair were seated next to each other in one of the booths' at Noah's Bar. They held hands affectionately on the table and Charlie continued to circle her fingers along Joey's palm. Ever since their date the pair had been inseparable outside of work and while they had promised to take their relationship slowly they were struggling to keep their hands off each other.
Ruby had caught them making out several times at their place and whined about moving back home only to have to deal with a pair of happily in love 'teenagers'. Charlie couldn't help but be blissfully happy as she knew Ruby well and truly approved of their relationship and was acting like a typical daughter finding out her mother was in a new relationship.
Joey had felt slightly uncomfortable about spending their time together around Gabby and Becca as she didn't want to make them feel jealous about her and Charlie. Although some jealousies brought to the surface could be a key in getting the pair together.
After spending so much time together enjoying their newfound relationship, Charlie and Joey had decided to take a night off from their burgeoning feelings to set up their subtle double date with Gabby and Becca in the hopes that maybe the other pair would see how much they truly felt about each other.
They had asked the friends to meet them for several drinks at the bar, knowing that the girls were planning on leaving back to the City in a few days time. They wanted to try and help them work out their true feelings before they ran out of time and Gabby and Becca returned home as they'd arrived: as friends.
Charlie and Joey had even shocked themselves when they arrived at Noah's Bar earlier than scheduled. They settled themselves in the booth and snuggled up against each other as close as they could in public without drawing unnecessary attention to themselves from the other patrons.
But it was easier said than done when Charlie couldn't resist leaning forward and pecking her lips against Joey's. As Joey tried her best not to deepen the kiss and get lost against each other, the couple broke out of their embrace as they were interrupted. But not by the friends they were waiting for.
"You know I'm sure there's rules about the people that they allow in this place," Angelo smarmed as he walked up to the pair.
Having come into the bar for his regular serving of alcohol, which he drunk to dull the pain of losing the woman he was still madly in love with. Then to walk into the bar to be presented with the woman herself wrapped in a tender embrace with her new girlfriend was too much for him to bear. He was determined that if he couldn't break them apart straight away tonight, he would sure try and make a start.
Charlie rolled her eyes as she broke apart from Joey, then sighing gently she looked up at Angelo, "Go away Angelo." Angelo smirked evilly and sat himself down opposite the pair, "Now why would I do that when it annoys you so much to have me here? So I gotta say I'm surprised to see you both here being so public. Don't worry Joey, I'm sure Charlie will get cold feet about this new fling soon enough."
Charlie squeezed Joey's hand supportively, "This isn't a fling. Joey's the person I love. I might've given her a hell of a lot of reasons not to give me another chance but she did. She makes me a better person. I've done a lot of soul searching since she left and now that she's back I've found reasons to be the person she wants me to be and you are not gonna ruin this for us. So if you don't mind…we've got plans here with some friends…so go away."
Joey stared up at Charlie proudly, "What Charlie said Angelo…get gone." Angelo frowned at the looks the pair were giving each other, "I am here trying to help you Joey…she'll leave you…sooner or later. It doesn't matter that she says that she's found reasons to be a better person…it doesn't change all the things she did to you. And when she does leave you…I'll be the one giving her reasons to start over…with me."
Charlie pressed her lips against Joey's, then turned back to Angelo, "Take a hint Angelo. I'm not letting you come between us again. Even in the remotest of remote possibilities that I would leave Joey…I'd never go back to you. I'd rather live my life alone. There's no reasons in the world you can give me for me to be with you…it'd never be you Angelo."
Angelo scowled at Charlie's comment, completely disheartened into speechlessness that he couldn't manage to find a way to come between them. Frustrated at himself for having the two of them make him feel powerless to stop them from being together, he shook his head and stood up. Flicking Charlie a look of disgust he stalked over to the bar and sat down on one of the stools. He couldn't help but sit down on it at an angle which allowed him to continue watching the pair as he ordered his first drink.
Once Angelo had left the pair alone Joey turned to Charlie, "I'm proud of you for the way you just handled that. I kinda love it every time you re-affirm your feelings for me." Charlie wrapped her arm around Joey's shoulders and once again leant in for a brief kiss that Joey accepted openly.
"Geez enough with the mushiness. We haven't even been here longer than five seconds and they're already at it," Becca teased as her and Gabby walked up to the table. Charlie and Joey pulled apart reluctantly, blushing at each other. Becca and Gabby sat down opposite the pair, while Becca continuing grinning, "Aw look at them…their all shy and glowing. Don't you just feel the love…? And isn't it just so cute it makes you sick?"
Joey shook her head embarrassed, "Always gotta make fun of people who are happier than you, don't you Becca?" Becca smirked at Gabby, "Did you hear that Gabs? She still remembers my name…after all this time…of spending what the last three or four days tied up at her new job or hanging out with Copper Chick and she remembers me. Aw bless her."
Gabby giggled along with her. Joey threw them both dirty looks before smiling herself. Charlie squeezed her arm around Joey's shoulder, "Oh they're just jealous about how happy we are and wish they were us."
Gabby shot Joey a slightly horrified look at Charlie's comment, which Becca didn't notice. Joey gently elbowed Charlie in the ribs, jolting Charlie softly but not enough to alert the other girls to her action, before leaning over to whisper in her ear, "Subtle remember."
Becca continued to be oblivious to Charlie's meaning, "Eh I don't think I could handle being so in love with someone that I couldn't live without seeing them all the time. How 'bout you Gabs? You're awfully quite tonight." Gabby shrugged, planting a fake smile on her lips, "Yeah that…must be an awful feeling to be…so loved up with someone…you can't live without them."
Joey tried loosening the tension, "Yeah but you're forgetting the best part and that's how good it feels." Gabby nodded, "It can certainly have its perks." Becca nudged Gabby, "And what do you know about loving someone that much that you can't live without them? You been holding out on me…? 'Cause your relationship with Joey was the longest you ever had."
Gabby blushed as she avoided Becca's gaze, "I was just speaking…hypothetically…about feeling like that." Becca frowned at Gabby's avoidance and was about to question her further when Gabby suddenly interrupted her thoughts, "Okay…first round of drinks is on me!"
An hour later the foursome were happily laughing at Becca's description of the worst date she'd ever been on with a guy. While the first few moments after Gabby had returned with their drinks were slightly awkward between the pairs as Charlie suddenly felt weird about being affectionate with Joey in front of her former girlfriend.
While she knew about Gabby's true feelings for Becca, she still couldn't help but feel bad for breaking up the girls' relationship with Joey. Gabby sensed Charlie's awkwardness and assured Charlie that she didn't blame her for the mutual break up between herself and Joey.
Once that was cleared up, the group sat around the booth enjoying their drinks and the company around them. Charlie and Joey were still subtlety trying to find a way for Becca to talk about her feelings for Gabby while also trying to delicately get Gabby to see how much Becca cared for her. So far their plans weren't working out so well and the pair were forced to admit to themselves that their plans for a subtle double date hadn't twigged Becca's notice.
While Gabby could see straight through the idea of that evening being a double date and appreciated how coy Charlie and Joey were trying to be about it, she couldn't help but feel dejected at Becca's misinterpretation of the evening. She felt that it proved what she thought all along – that Becca saw her as nothing but a friend and always would.
After several drinks Charlie noticed that Joey was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol she'd consumed when she cuddled up close to her. Charlie took notice that Gabby and Becca were engrossed in their own conversation for a moment so stared down at Joey and kissed the top of her head, "Are you a little bit tipsy?" Joey blushed as she nodded, "Just a little bit tipsy." Charlie chuckled, "You're cute when you're tipsy." Joey giggled and pecked Charlie on the lips, "I'm cute all the time."
Charlie stroked Joey's cheek gently, "You know what…I've got an idea. I think before we have any more drinks you and I should go for a quick walk down at the beach for five or ten minutes to clear your tipsy head. Maybe that would make you feel better." Joey pouted, "Aw but I was enjoying the idea of having another drink or two and going back to your place tonight for some…serious making out."
Charlie giggled, "Well we could always…take a break from our walk at the beach for some…light making out. And while we can spend a few moments alone…so can…" Charlie quirked her head towards the other pair who were still engrossed in their conversation. Joey raised her head knowingly, "Maybe that's what we needed to do all along…leave them to it." Charlie rolled her eyes, "If something's meant to be it'll be…you can't force it…just like us getting back together." Joey took Charlie's hand and squeezed it.
Charlie managed to get Gabby's attention, "Joey's feeling a little under the weather…so we're gonna go for a quick walk down the beach and we'll be back in about ten minutes." Gabby smiled at the pair, "Sure…go make out in private for a while. I might go grab Becca and me another drink and wait for you girls to get back. We'll probably hang out here for another hour or so then head back to Aden's." Joey nodded, "Sure sounds good. We'll see you girls in a little while."
As Charlie and Joey stood up, Charlie reached for Joey's hand and led her outside, not noticing that Angelo was still seated at the bar surveying them leaving.
Hmm which couple will Angelo set his sights on to come between next time?
Will he manage to succeed?