It had been exactly a week since the verdict. 'Wow, this week has flew' Joey thought to herself. In the week Ross had got out of hospital and had stayed in town for a few days so he could spend time with his daughters and Joey. Joey really like him, he had suddenly become like a father to her. He would spend hours chatting to her over silly things and fishing. His mind was wondering more and she could see the strain it had on Morag, Charlie and Ruby. Morag seemed to deal with it so much better than the other two girls did, but then he always remembered Morag even if it wasn't as his wife but a lawyer and a judge he had come up against. At one point Morag had walked out of the room and Ross looked at her and then at Joey and said "you'll not mess in her courtroom, she is a grumpy strict bitch!" Joey couldn't help but laugh at the memory of him saying it. He had been so serious but she knew he would never say anything near that when he was in a proper state of mind as he loved and adored his wife.

Charlie tried to hide how much her father's Alzheimer's was hurting her but Joey could see straight though her. She could see Charlie's reactions when he didn't recognise her and when he would ask for her mother. It took a lot out of her so Joey always made sure to be there for Charlie and to give her support when he was at his worse. For some reason all Joey had to do was mention fishing and he would sit and chat for hours even if it had been the same conversation as the day before. Joey was just glad it calmed him down when he got irritated by not knowing anyone or when he thought he had a case to solve. She could see Charlie was grateful.

Ruby on the other hand wasn't handling it well and it showed when his mind would start to wonder she opted to go see Xavier, as it was easier than watching her father. Nobody minded, in fact they all understood and gave her as much space, as she needed with the occasional hug. Mostly the hugs came from Charlie but Joey couldn't help hug her when she looked low.

Even with all that the week hadn't seemed long. Once Ross and Morag had left the house seemed a little more relaxed again even though they weren't staying with them it had seemed tense.

Joey had started back at work the previous day, she was glad to be back working on trawlers. Even though it was the same one she worked on with Robbo. She hadn't minded as he was miles away in a prison and Aden was there working with her and determined to protect her, as was Charlie who had walked her to work and who had been waiting for Joey when the boat had docked. She couldn't help but love the way Charlie tried to protect her and wanted to make sure she was ok.

"Joey, earth to Joey come in Joey"

Joey turned around somehow she had got lost in her thoughts waiting on the boat to return to land. She was sitting on the back of the boat staring out to sea.

"Sorry I was thinking about everything that has happened over the past week. Must have forgot to pay attention to your girlie voice." Joey turned and stood up facing Aden with a cheeky grin on her face.

"Hi!" he protested. "Strange to think it's been a week since the case, huh?"

"Yeah but I've never been happier, I've got the job I love, a family I love and the most mind blowingly perfect girlfriend who takes her tea break at just the right time so she can walk me home from work and check how my day has been."

"Huh?" Aden was slightly amused at Joey description of Charlie, until he followed her gaze and spotted Charlie standing at the dock in her uniform. "Ah I see, damn why is there never a beautiful woman standing waiting for me?" he joked but still slightly jealous.

As the boat docked, Joey jumped over the side of the boat and hugged Charlie, pulling back her head and kissing her soft lips. "I love you, you know that?" she grinned.

"I should hope so too" Charlie grinned back "I love you too, just so you know"

"Oh I know who else would give up her break to come and kiss me?"

"Nobody I hope and if somebody else does I want to know so I can arrest them!" Charlie tried to keep a serious face but failed miserably.

"Ok but I only want you anyway Muppet"

"Awe are you ever going to get over that?" Charlie tried to pretend she was annoyed but she actually kind of liked it.

"Nope, you gave me permission to!" Joey grinned back and kissed Charlie on the lips and then grabbed her hand, she turned to wave bye to Aden who was still gathering his stuff. Charlie waved too and they set off walking home.

As they walked in the back door they were giggling as Joey was telling one of her boat stories which always amused Charlie mostly because of how excited Joey got and how she would half act it out without realising it.

"Hi you guys" Ruby's voice broke the girls laughs.

"Hi baby sis," Charlie threw her arms around Ruby and squeezed her sister as she sat at the table doing her homework.

"Somebody is in a good mood" Ruby noticed.

"And why shouldn't I be?" she smiled at Joey as Joey moved to put on the kettle. "I have thee most beautiful girlfriend and a gorgeous sister who I love and adore, now while my mood remains good I want to ask you both out to dinner tonight, my treat. It's been a long week and we should have a good night as I have no work tomorrow, Joey doesn't start to late."

"Charls, nice for you but I have school tomorrow."

"No you don't remember that dentist appointment you have in the morning?" Ruby couldn't believe the words coming out of her sister's mouth.

"Are you for real?"

"Yeah Charlie this isn't like you!" Joey weighed into the conversation.

Charlie made her way over to Joey and placed her arms around Joey from behind and placed a kiss on her shoulder. "No it's not like me but I think we all deserve it, and ruby I'm serious. I'll write you the note and ring the school. Tonight is about us. Me and my two favourite people in the world. So I don't finish work until 6 so what about dinner at 7? Then maybe the surf club?"

"Sounds good to me" Joey turned in Charlie's arms and kissed her excited for the night ahead.

"Me too" Ruby agreed

"Right see you at six, I got to get back to work." She kissed Joey again this time she added her tongue and then turned to walk away placing a kiss on Ruby's forehead. "Bye" she smiled back.

"Bye" Ruby and Joey said together.

"Well now that's a new side to Charlie" Ruby looked at Joey. "Not that I'm complaining or anything but how do you manage it?"

"Manage what?" Joey looked bewildered by the question.

"You know get her like that? … I mean how do you make her that happy? … I've never seen her this happy in my whole life, she's like a different person she's that happy. I'm getting off school because she is that happy." Ruby paused thinking back over what she had just said and agreed with what she had said and that it made sense. "You know what I mean?"

Joey laughed, "I don't know but she makes me feel the same way."