Where Things Stand
Rated R
Chapter 25
Morning arrives and Charlie is determined that today she is going to start getting her life in order. She gets out of bed and goes and has a shower, she notices that the clothes hamper is empty. After she is showered and dressed she goes into the kitchen and makes herself a couple of pieces of toast and a glass of fruit juice. Not long after she starts to eat Leah comes into the kitchen, "morning, how are you feeling", Leah asks cheerfully.
"A lot better thanks, how are you", Charlie answers smiling.
"Yeah I'm good, and I'm glad you are feeling better", Leah replies rubbing Charlie's arm and going to make herself a cup of coffee.
"By the way Leah, I notice that the clothes hamper was empty, have you started washing", Charlie asks thinking that she forgot to take the business card out of her shirt pocket.
"Yeah I have, the lights wash is just about finished", Leah responds turning around and moves to a chair.
"Was my police shirt in that load", Charlie asks with a sinking feeling.
"Yes it is, why", Leah answers wondering if she had done the wrong thing, because Charlie never asked about her washing her police clothes before.
"Doesn't matter, I was just wondering is all. You know I could have done the washing", Charlie comments feeling slightly frustrated now that card was probably in bits in the washing.
"I know, but I wanted you to sleep as long as possible, you need to get your strength back", she states squeezing Charlie's hand. "So what do you want to do today? I know, how about we go into Yabbie Creek and check out the new spa place, you know spoil ourselves", Leah states dreamily thinking about how good a massage would be.
Charlie chuckles at Leah's expression. "Sounds nice, might take some of the tension out of my neck and shoulders," Charlie replies smiling.
"Great, after I finish the washing we can go, and you missy can relax while I finish with the house work", Leah firmly states.
"Leah, I can help you know, I'm not an invalid, and the quicker we get the house work done the quicker we can go", Charlie reasons.
Leah raises an eyebrow. "Nice try, but no, you heard the woman, rest for a couple of days", she declares folding her arms.
"She wasn't a doctor, she's only a counsellor, and I feel much better", Charlie pleads giving Leah her sad puppy dog face, Leah laughs.
"Ok, you can do the dishes", Leah says still laughing.
After washing, wiping and putting away the breakfast dishes, Charlie decides to start the vacuuming. As she is vacuuming the living room, the vacuum suddenly stops, she turns around to find Leah standing behind her with her arms folded, tapping her foot and giving her a disapproving look. Charlie looks sheepishly at her, "I said you could do the dishes, when does cleaning dishes require a vacuum, humph" Leah challengingly asks.
"You know with all the water restrictions happening I thought instead of washing them I'd vacuum them, it did a great job", Charlie quips back, at that they both burst into laughter.
"You do know you have a few roos loose in your top paddock, vacuuming dishes really," she states still giggling and shaking her head. "You go sit down while I finish up. Oh did you have a tissue in your pocket, it went through the wash, I had to put the load in the dryer", Leah comments as she takes the vacuum off Charlie and finishes it.
Charlie sits on the lounge and ponders how she is going to find not only Joey but also the mysterious counsellor. First off she will needs to go down to the wharf and find out if the trawler Joey was working on is in dock and ask some of the crew where and if they remember when they last saw her. Secondly, use what means at her disposal to try to track down her location. Thirdly, well she knows the counsellor drives a midnight blue Ford Fairmont Ghia, not a lot to go on but it is a start. Fourthly and maybe the most difficult, try to get Ruby to talk with her to start mending some of the fences between them. 'All up a piece of cake for one Senior Constable Charlie Buckton, super cop extraordinaire', she snorts at that thought.
"What are you thinking that has you snorting in disgust", Leah asks startling Charlie out of her thoughts.
"Nothing, just a few things I'll be looking into after", Charlie answers mildly.
Leah arches her eyebrow. "Like what", she asks with steel in her voice.
Charlie flinches remembering how tough Leah can be. "Like having a talk with Ruby, and seeing if we can start mending our relationship", Charlie replies, not wanting to tell her about wanting to find Joey or the counsellor.
"That is a good idea, you two need to start sorting out some of your crap! because the longer you both leave it the harder it is going to get, especially with the pair of you, you're both as stubborn as each other", Leah exclaims shaking her head.
"I know we both have been right royal pains of late, but I will try being less so in the future", Charlie comments wearily.
Leah sits down beside her and hugs her to her. "Charlie I'm just worried about you is all. I just want you to be happy again", Leah touchingly explains.
Charlie puts her head on Leah's shoulder and starts to weep. "I can't remember when I was last really happy", she sniffs.
Leah cups Charlie's face and looks her in the eyes. "I do, it was when you and Joey were together. And the only other time I saw you happy was when Ruby came to live with you", Leah comments sharing her insight with her.
"Yeah, you're right, and now I have neither of them in my life and that is all my own doing", Charlie sadly sighs and closes her eyes.
"Charlie look at me, first we will go and hit the spa place, then we will have lunch and you can call Ruby and invite her to dinner. And after lunch we can go for a nice walk on the beach", Leah firmly states.
Charlie hugs her. "That sounds like a good plan, what would I do without you, Leah," she asks giving her a small smile.
"I would hate to think, now let's go", Leah states while getting up and pulling Charlie with her.
Over at Storm's place, Storm slips quietly out of bed and puts on her robe, she turns to watch Joey sleeping peacefully. Smiling she heads for the second bathroom as not to disturb Joey. Once she is finishes in there, she ventures to the kitchen to cook them scramble egg, bacon, toast and coffee. Storm just finishes making breakfast when Joey wanders out yawning, "morning Doc", Joey says still yawning.
"Good morning beautiful", Storm responds, wraps her arms around Joey, and kisses her softly on her lips.
Joey gazes at the tray with their breakfast on it. "Are we having breakfast in bed", she asks with mischievous grin on her face.
"No, I thought we might have it on the back decking", Storm replies chuckling.
Joey looks outside. "Well it look nice out there, so why not", she says smiling. "But first, I would like a better good morning kiss then that", Joey remarks pouting, Storm laughs and kisses her deeply. Their tongues search each other's out as their kiss becomes passionate. Storm breaks the kiss, both of them breathing deeply.
"Come on, breakfast is getting cold", Storm comments picking up the tray. Joey follows out with the coffee.
Storm sits the tray down on the wooden outdoor table; Joey is not far behind her with the coffee. They sit down and Storm starts serving their breakfast up whilst Joey pours the coffee. They eat in silence for a while until Storm asks causally, "so Joey, what are you going to do now that you've got your memory back?"
Joey was just about to take a bite of her toast, stops, and gives Storm a quizzical look. "What! Do you want me to leave", she asks with a mixture of panic and disbelief.
Storm is taken back by that and shakes her head. "No, why would you think I want you leave, especially after last night", she answers confused.
Joey bites her bottom lip nervously. "I dunno, now that you know how fucked up my life is, you might see that I'm not worth the trouble", Joey responds unhappily and looking down at her hands.
Storm looks hard at her, weighing up what she is going to say. "Logan look at me", she states firmly, Joey slowly looks at her and sees disappointment in her eyes. "I'm a psychologist for fuck sake that is what I do, I try to help people fix up their fucked up lives", Storm concludes feeling slightly annoyed.
"Doc, I don't want to be just another person you help, I just want you to want me for me", Joey beseeches.
Storm moves back her chair, reaches over and pulls Joey on to her lap and cupping her face with one hand. "I do want you for you, very much so, I love you, please believe that", Storm implores with her.
Joey has tears in her eyes. "I love you too," she replies choked with tears, and then she kisses Storm hard on her lips. Storm responds and kisses her back, her hand slide gently over Joey's body until Joey starts to moan. Storm stops and breaks the kiss, Joey pouts and breathes heavily, "why did you stop?"
"Because I want to finish my breakfast first", Storm comments winking and grinning cheekily at her.
Joey hops off her lap and sits back on her chair and gives her a sideway look. "Well for that, you will be waiting a while before we have sex again", she remarks poking her tongue out at her. Quick as a flash Storm leans across and gives Joey big sloppy kiss, "Eeww that was gross", Joey exclaims in disgust as she wipes her mouth, Storm laughs.
"If that's what you want, that's fine with me", Storm replies smiling adoringly at her. Joey snort in disgust remembering that Storm had ice water running through her veins when she wanted too. "Now why I asked you about what you want to do now that you've got your memory back, is that I was wondering if you wanted to go and see Brett", she explained getting back to her original thought. She starts to finish her breakfast while Joey has an inner debate with herself.
"Not particularly and not today", Joey finally says finishing off her coffee.
"Okay, is there anything you would like to do", Storm asks innocently.
Joey's lips twitch and then turns into a wick grin. "There's a couple of things I can think of I'd like to do", and with at she bounces on Storm's last piece of bacon with her fork and stuffs it into her mouth.
Storm shakes her head and finishes off her coffee. "Well you and Charlie are alike, you both are thieves", Storm comments in mock outrage.
"What? How do you know Charlie, and what did she pinch from you", Joey asks confused.
"I took her to lunch yesterday and she pinched a slice of bread off me. And before you ask, no I didn't know anything about you and Charlie until you told me", Storm states quietly.
"So why did you take her to lunch", Joey asks intrigued with this bit of news.
"As I was coming out of the Yabbie Creek Police Station, I saw her and she wasn't looking to steady on her feet. So I went over to her and just as I got there she collapsed and I caught her", Storm holds up her hand to stay any of Joey's questions. "Let me finish telling you the whole story, then you can ask your questions", Joey nods her head.
"I sat her back down in the police car, by the look of her it seemed to me that she hadn't eaten or slept proper in days. It looked like she was living on caffeine and air. I asked her if she was alright and did she need anything, which she replied no she was fine and all she needed was her coffee. I grab it from the top of the police car and poured it out", Storm relates.
Joey burst out laughing at that, knowing how much Charlie loves her coffees, Storm laughs as well. "Yeah, she wasn't impressed with that and she let me know it, but I didn't give a tinker's cuss. I just told her I was taking her to get something to eat", Storm pauses slightly.
"I helped her to my car and asked her to get in; I did ask her if she wanted her fellow officers to see her in that state, at that she got in. I took her to the Diner where I ordered us some water, two chicken and vegetable soups and some bread to have with it", Storm comments with slight bemusement in her voice.
"I then asked her how long had she been neglecting herself. She told me she wasn't neglecting herself, I told her she was right, it was abuse. Then I suggested that she arrest herself for neglect and abuse. She asked me what made me think she was doing that to herself. I said by the way she looked and her body's reaction. Though I did tell her that with some those observations she could have been pregnant", Storm notices a flicker of pain flashes across Joey's face as she says that.
"Charlie nearly choked on her water and she quickly told me she wasn't, I just laughed. I wiped up the water she sprayed on the table. She told me that it wasn't funny, then our soups arrived and we ate in silence. That is when she pinched one of my slices of bread, she told me she didn't know she was that hungry. I then told her she now had to arrest herself for abuse, neglect and theft. She quickly responded by telling me that was okay because she had the master key so she could escape", Storm sniggered while Joey chuckles on hearing that.
"You see all that teasing I was doing with her was to see if her brain function was responding to the water and the food she had just had, which thankfully it had. If her mental responses had still been sluggish I would have taken her to the hospital", Storm concernedly comments and Joey frowns when she hear this.
"She asked me why I was helping her, at first I teased her about being a damsel in distress, and then I told her that I was counsellor. She asked me did I think she needed therapy, before I could answer Leah came over to see how Charlie was. She tried to tell Leah that she was good. But I informed Leah the truth to Charlie disgust, Leah was appalled. I told Charlie yes she needed therapy and I gave her one of my cards and I left her in Leah's capable hands", Storm concludes.
A million thoughts run through Joey's mind as she tries to sort out what question to ask first. She thinks 'alright let's start from where Storm first started telling me about where she saw Charlie'. "Why were you at the Yabbie Creek Police Station in the first place", Joey asks.
"To let them know who your solicitor is and to give them her details and where they can get in contact with you", Storm replies knowing she is about to cope flack for arranging a solicitor for her without asking her first.
"I see, you arranged a solicitor for me, without discussing it with me first, Storm this is my life I can do thing for myself," Joey angrily states.
"I know you can, but at the time I spoke with Veronika, you still didn't know who you were. I'm sorry I didn't run it pass you first but it is only 3 ½ week until the trial. And not knowing when you might have gotten your memory back, I made that decision for you", Storm explains knowing she still will be in the shit with her.
"I know you were doing what you thought was best for me, it still doesn't excuse your actions. What if I have decided not to be a witness, did you think of that", Joey exclaims upset and shakes her head.
"Yes I did, and I thought that it might have been easier for you if she passes your wishes onto the police so you didn't feel pressured," Storm quietly states looking sorry.
Joey gets up, walks to the edge of the decking, learns on the rail, and looks out over the ocean. Storm stands up and quietly packs up their break dishes and puts them on the tray. Studying Joey's figure from behind Storm sighs and asks carefully, "so do you want me to call V and tell her thanks but no thanks?"
"I don't know", Joey replies calling over her shoulder and turns to stare at the ocean once more.
Storm picks up the tray and more towards the back sliding door and opens it. "Well when you've figured out what you want to do, let me know", Storm states in a flat voice as she closes the door and disappears inside.
On hearing the sliding door, close Joey turns around. "Storm! Shit!" she exclaims closing her eyes and rubbing her forehead, she then heads for the door and opens it.
Inside she finds Storm over at the kitchen sink rinsing off the plates, cups and cutlery and putting them in the dishwasher. She walks over into the kitchen and learns backwards onto the breakfast countertop. "Storm look at me", she commands in a steely voice. Storm put's down the plate, turns off the water, and looks over at Joey. "Honey, don't get me wrong, I do appreciate everything you have done for me but I need to take control of my life again, do you understand", Joey comments with frustration in her voice.
"Yes I understand," Storm replies in a neutral voice and keep any expression off her face, but she is stung by the use of past tense. "So do I take it then that you would like me to call V and tell her you have decided not to retain her services", she enquires slipping into her professional self.
Joey feels a slight shift in Storm's manner but cannot quite figure out what it means. "I don't know, how good is she, and how much is it going to cost me", Joey answers and asks unsure.
"She is one of the best around, and it is going to cost you two bottles of fine cognac", Storm replies still using a neutral voice.
"And how much do they cost", Joey asks cautiously.
"They retail for around fifteen hundred dollar each", Storm answers coolly.
"Three thousand dollar! Where am I going to get that amount of money from! And no I'm not going to ask, you have already have done enough for me", she says racking her brain and missing the fleet pain that flicks across Storm's eyes. "Wait, I do have the money. I left my credit card, bank card, boat license and iPod in an envelope in the safe at the West End Packers", Joey happily exclaims bursting into a radiant smile.
"That's good. Let's get dressed and I'll drive you down there, unless, you want to go by yourself", Storm responds mildly and starts to walk out of the kitchen.
Joey takes a step sideways and puts her hand on Storm's chest to stop her. She feels the distant that has come between them. "Doc, what's going on, and don't tell me nothing is going on, I can feel you pulling away from me, you are, aren't you", Joey asks confused.
Storm sighs deeply. "Yes" she plainly states. This shocks Joey, she does not know how to respond, and Storm reads her expression. "You see I thought, what is happening between us is what you wanted too, but obviously I'm mistaken", Storm wearily comments. She tries to walk out of the kitchen again.
Joey grabs her wrist and stops her again. "What are you talking about? It is what I want, why would you think it isn't", Joey asks still shocked, confused and now hurt.
"Because twice you have stated 'what I have done for you', past tense, ergo you do not need or want me now", Storm answers quietly and swallows hard trying to contain her emotions.
Joey looks at her in disbelief and finally sees the pain in Storm's eyes. Taking Storm's face in her hands she gazes deep into her wounded grey eyes. "I do need and want you please don't doubt that! I just meant that it's time I start taking control of my life, not leaving all the decisions up to you, that's not fair on either of us. It must be draining on you, and it's making me feel disempowered", Joey utter puts at finger on Storm's lips to stop her interrupting.
"I know you would have let me do whatever I wanted to do, well within reason. But because I didn't voice what I wanted, you were left to decide for me. So I'm sorry I took my frustration out on you and made you feel that I didn't want or need you anymore", Joey softly apologises and draws Storm's face to her. Joey softly kisses Storm on her lips. Storm responds by wrapping her arms around Joey's waist.
"Logan I'm sorry that you feel disempowered, it was never my intentions to make you feel powerless. I've always known that you can make your own decisions; subconsciously I think I just wanted to have you close to me. So I'm sorry I never asked you if you wanted to stay here or if you minded having people stay with you while I wasn't here and for not asking you first if you wanted a solicitor. So I'm asking you now, what do want to do honey", Storm asks feeling raw and unsure and deeply searching Joey's eyes.
"I love being here, so if you don't mind, I'd like to stay", Joey states smiling and stroking the side of Storm's face. Storm holds Joey tight to her and kisses her deeply. Joey pulls out of the kiss and cheekily states, "I take that as a yes."
Storm laughs. "Most definitely that is a yes. God I love you, Logan", Storm replies with her emotions still showing.
"I love you too Doc", Joey responds just as emotional and they kiss each other ravenously.
With pent up emotions released, neither of them could stop. Feverishly their mouths, lips and tongues sort each other's out. Their hands roam over each other's bodies, drawing out moans of pleasure from the both of them. Storm tears her lips from Joey's, only to places them on Joey's smooth silky and very sensitive neck. Where she proceeds to kiss, suck, lick and nip it. "God don't stop" Joey groans loudly with ecstasy, putting her hand on the back of Storm's head to hold her there.
Storm lick kisses up Joey's neck to her ear and traces around the edge of it with the tip of her tongue. "I don't plan to", Storm huskily whispers in her ear and gently breathes in it, sending a shiver of delight through Joey's body.
Storm returns to kissing her neck, whilst her hands grip Joey's hips and lifts her up onto the breakfast counter top. Once Joey is seated, Storm moves between her legs and her hands undo Joey's robe sash slowly. Once undone, Storm places her hands inside Joey's robe and barely touching the skin on the side of her body. She slowly glides her hands up from Joey's hips to the sides of her breasts. Joey inhales sharply caused by the sensual touching of Storm's hands on her body and her mouth of her throat.
On hearing and feeling Joey's response, Storm gently cups Joey's breasts and softly squeezes them, drawing a deep moan from Joey. Stroking her thumbs lightly over the top of Joey's hardening nipples, Joey lets loose a cry of, "oh fuck Doc, do it harder". With that, Storm increases the pressure on her nipples slightly, enjoying teasing her. Joey pushes her breasts further into Storm's hands to gain more pressure on her aching nipples.
Joey undoes Storm's robe and opens it so she can wrap her legs around Storm's naked lower back and drag her closer to her. With their groins touching, Storm kiss down Joey's throat to the top of her chest and down to her left breast. Storm kisses, licks, sucks and nibbles under and around the base of Joey's breast in a circular pattern. With the circle getting smaller as she moves up the breast, until she reaches the summit. There Storm swirls the tip of her tongue around, up and on top of Joey's now diamond hard nipple. These caresses cause Joey to moan, breathe sharp and heavy. Joey then wraps her legs even tighter around Storm and arch into her. In a ragged voice and through gritted teeth Joey utters, "god Storm, stop teasing me!"
Storm sucks Joey's nipple hard into her mouth with her tongue continuing to stroke it as well, with her right hand thumb, rubbing harder over, Joey's other nipple. Joey groans blissfully now that Storm is no longer teasing. Storm slides her left hand slowly down over Joey's stomach, feel it tense caused by her caress. Not hearing any other sound but Joey's wonderful noises of sexual delights. Storm then glides her hand over Joey right inner thigh, from the top of it down to her knee and back up again. "Fuck Doc, please touch me", Joey pleads with sweet ache of pleasure constricting her voice.
"What the fuck is going on here", Jade exclaims in shock and anger. Joey flinches in fright pulling Strom's hair. Joey turns her head in the direction where the comment came from. She finds an outraged and flabbergasted Jade standing there opened mouthed.
"Ow", Storm yelps as she quickly raises her head because of surprise and because of Joey pulling on her hair. Joey swiftly glances back at Storm and releases her hair.
"Sorry Doc", Joey apologise half-giggling, she then turns towards Jade, who has managed to close her mouth though she is still in shock. "Jade I think it is pretty obvious what we were doing", she quips trying to hide her embarrassment. Storm chortles as she reties Joey's robe and starts to do hers up after Joey unwraps her legs from around her.
"I've been so fucking worried and here you both have been fucking each other stupid", Jade erupts in disgust, shaking her head and glaring at Storm.
"Excuse me. I'm sorry you were worried, but you could have called", Storm states with a touch of annoyance in her voice.
"You told me you would call me later", Jade fires back at Storm; her hands are on her hips.
"That's my fault Jade, you see Storm was too busy trying to help me sort out my mess of a life, to check in with you to stroke your fragile ego", Joey burrs up protectively of Storm. She jumps down from the counter and stands in front of Storm facing Jade.
"Well that is great, here you are taking advantage of a confused young woman in your care, not a good look for your professionalism, is it", Jade venomously spew's out. Storm hangs her head knowing that is how their relationship will be seen.
"If anyone took advantage of anyone that would be me. As for professionalism, if Storm was my counsellor sure, it would've been a problem, but she never was. She has only ever been my friend, and now also my lover", Joey angrily says walking towards Jade. As she says this, she comes to a stop just in front of her. "If you've got a problem with this, tough. Now I think you should leave before you say something that you will fucking regret", Joey commands with undisguised angry blazing in her eyes.
Jade gives her a curt nod, turns on her heels and rapidly departs slamming the front door as she retreats. "You really should ask for your keys back, or ask them to call first before they come barging in", she remarks still looking at the front door.
Storm chuckles and walks up behind Joey and slides her arms around her waist and kisses her on the cheek. "Thank you honey for sticking up for me", Storm comments warmly.
Joey turns her head and kisses her lips. "You're welcome, and I meant what I said, you didn't take advantage of me so get that thought right out of your head," Joey orders raising her eyebrow and turning around in Storm's arms to face her.
"You do know that some friends and colleagues will say and think that because I'm a counsellor, and therefore I have blurred the lines, and they're probably right", Storm states reflectively and sighs deeply.
Joey lightly strokes Storm's face and kisses her forehead. "Well I will tell them that from the start we were friends with benefits..."
"Pardon, did I sleep through the whole benefits part, how rude of me", Storm quips interrupting Joey.
"No ya fool, I meant you had the necessary skills to help me regain my memory, therefore I utilised those skills, ergo friend with benefits", Joey chuckles, Storm smiles impressed with her reasoning.
"Oh, I feel so used", Storm mockingly moans, and then she laughs. "Well that is a different take on the whole 'friends with benefits' concept", she remarks smiles.
"Speaking of benefits, where were we before we were rudely interrupted", Joey asks innocently, then smirks at Storm.
Storm glances over her shoulder, she then lifts Joey up, and she wraps her legs around Storm's waist. "Over on the breakfast counter. Would you like to be put back there or would you prefer going back to bed", Storm replies, her voice huskier with lust.
Joey smiles wickedly. "The counter, I really want you to finish off what you started," she challenges.
"Your wish is my command", Storm answers cheekily carrying Joey to the kitchen.