This is the penultimate chapter so I hope you enjoy it. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Twenty Six

Bianca was particularly emotional when she and Charlie sat in the group the following week.

"Bianca, I gather you have some news," Joey said when everyone was settled.

Bianca nodded.

"I found out who attacked me," the blonde revealed. "I kept having these dreams where I was remembering parts of what happened. I saw a tattoo distinctly and then I saw the same guy with his shirt off on the beach. I told Charlie and she arrested him. They have the DNA proof and he was denied bail. It looks like I might actually get justice for what happened to me."

"That's amazing news," Joey enthused. "Well done."

"As long as I can bring myself to get through the trial," Bianca said.

She was trembling and had been from the moment she'd discovered the identity of the man who had raped her.

"You're so brave," Nikki said. "I... I don't think, even if I'd found out who assaulted me, I could have pressed charges. I would have been too scared."

"It's a frightening thing to do," Joey agreed. "And you are brave for doing it, Bianca. Well done."

"I couldn't have done it without Charlie," Bianca said sincerely. "And I know I have a long way to go but I feel like this could be the start of changing things. I think perhaps I could start to heal from here."

Tash reached out and squeezed her hand.

"Well done," she said softly.

"I never got justice," Mike blurted out.

Everyone was surprised. He never volunteered information. Joey usually had to coax words out him.

"Did you know who your attacker was?" Joey asked softly.

He nodded and rubbed his face. He was a nice man in his late twenties but everyone was aware that he was probably the shadow of the person he might otherwise have been.

"I knew the guy's full name and address," he said. "But I could never... I only admitted what happened to me when I tried to commit suicide. I didn't tell the police though, just my friend. And she sent me here. I think she's hoping that I might seek justice but it's too late now, isn't it?"

"It's not too late," Charlie said, in immediate cop mode. "You could still press charges."

He shook his head again.

"I can't," he said. "I'm not brave like all of you."

"Mike, just being here is brave," Joey said.

"I tried to kill myself," he pointed out.

"Happens to the best of us," Joey replied.

Several group members, especially Tash looked startled.

"Did you...?"

Joey nodded. It felt too personal to share but she now felt obliged. She also hoped it would help Mike open up. She had been trying to encourage him to feel comfortable for a while now.

"That's how I ended up here," she explained. "I'd been raped, lost my girlfriend..."

Charlie looked down unhappily.

"Lost my job," Joey continued, hoping Charlie didn't feel too bad. "And I was pregnant. I was completely lost and I couldn't cope. I got down into that terrifying, dark place and I escaped the other side. All of us have been there, to one degree or the other and we're all here. We're all survivors. Hence the name of the group."

She smiled. Even Mike managed to smile back.

"And Mike, there's no pressure here but if you do ever want to pursue something then I know a wonderful police officer who'll do whatever it takes to help you," Joey said.

She smiled openly at Charlie who smiled back. Bianca tried not to smirk. She wondered if they thought their robust attraction had gone unnoticed. It hadn't. It was coming off them in waves.

"Thank you," Mike said, glancing between Charlie and Joey. "I'll think about it."

"What is going on between you and Joey?" Bianca asked the moment they'd dropped their group leader off at home.

Charlie didn't reply but couldn't help smiling.

"Are you back together?" Bianca asked excitedly.

"We're... seeing how it goes," Charlie told her. "We're not a couple or anything but we're spending more time together and it's going well."

"I'm happy for you, Charlie," Bianca said earnestly. "I don't think I've ever seen you smile like that before."

"It's been a while," Charlie admitted. "And I'm grateful to be given a second chance. I'm not going to mess it up again."

"You are such a sap!" Nate chuckled when Joey walked back through the front door.

She flopped onto the sofa and poked her tongue out.

"I'm not," she lied.

Nate shook his head and hugged her.

"I can't even tell you how happy it makes me to see you like this, Jo," he said. "Who knew that the person who broke your heart could be the person to heal it?"

Joey smiled and nodded.

"I really think she is," she said.

Next time… Bianca gets justice and Charlie and Joey make a decision about their future…