"Two Years, Four Months & 27 Days"
Rating: K+
Chapter Twenty-Eight
"So...this is what you had in mind for our date?" Joey stared at Charlie, her right eyebrow cocked. "Well yeah I thought it'd be fun. You've had a tough time lately and I dunno I guess I thought you deserved some fun. Did I make a wrong move?" Charlie asked awkwardly. No but I probably will later tonight, Joey thought but answered, "No, no of course not. I'm just a little surprised. How exactly did you find this place again?" Charlie took a sip of her wine. "Actually Ruby told me about this place. Aden and she come out here every so often. I joined them a few months back for a night out," Charlie explained. If it was even more possible, Joey's eyebrow raised higher. "Aden? Our Aden comes here often?" Charlie giggled, "Yes. You seem surprised. Oh God have I just like totally violated the guy code?" "The guy code? I dunno what that is but yeah I'm pretty sure you just violated it," Joey laughed as she took a sip of her own wine. "It's the code where I've just accidentally revealed one of his deep dark secrets and now you're gonna use it for..." "Ammo hell yeah I am! This is just too good not to. I can't wait until he's making fun of me for something and now I have something to get him back," Joey shook her head, "Who knew Aden Jefferies was into jazz dancing."
"Oh c'mon it's sweet. Besides it's not just about jazz dancing here. They play other varieties of music too. It's a really nice restaurant, and yes if you're in the mood, you can join your partner on the dance floor while you wait to be served. Good food, little dancing, what else could you want for a good night out?" Charlie smiled. Joey's smile disappeared. "What's wrong?" Charlie asked. "Should I be having a good night out? I mean not that I don't want to be here with you. It's just...I buried my husband this morning, and now I'm here drinking wine and on a date with my...you. This seems wrong somehow. Like I shouldn't be here, like I should be alone at home grieving," Joey stated sadly. Charlie leaned across the table over to Joey, and took her hand. "Hey I know everything's a little...confusing now and I know how much you really cared about Nathan but..." "It wasn't a real marriage, we were getting divorced and I won't be going to Hell for cheating on him?" Joey asked quickly. "Course not. Well maybe just a little for the technically cheating on him, but it wasn't like you were in love with him at the time we were together. And hey I'm worth it right?" Charlie tried to be cheerful but Joey only shifted awkwardly in her chair.
But it's not working. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I should spare her the pain and just tell her that I know. Is it wrong to just slightly enjoy watching how guilty she is? It means it was a mistake right? That she regrets it? That she wants to make things right? But shouldn't I let her tell me in her own time? Wait until she's ready to trust me and let her explain it to me? If this is meant to be – our relationship – then I need to trust that Joey won't lie to me. That she'll realize that I'm not gonna walk away because of one more tiny mistake. But what if she doesn't tell me? What if she keeps lying because she thinks it's just easier than giving me a chance to leave? Easier to start our relationship based on another lie? Stop it Charlz, she'll tell you, just give her some time. And if she doesn't tell you by the end of the night, then I'll just tell her that I know. That I know, and I'm not going anywhere.
While Charlie's mind delved into a small panic, Joey's did almost the same thing. Just tell her. It's not that hard. I mean I can't keep lying to her...like she lied to me about Hugo. God don't bring that up again! That was two freakin' years ago, it doesn't define our relationship anymore. Besides you're one to talk, you only had a husband as a skeleton in your closet. I want to be able to tell her, trust her. If I don't tell her, she'll never trust me. Not completely. Because she'll know, deep down. That I lied to her about something important. She might not know what it is, but she'll know. She can read my emotions like a book. One of the sucky parts of dating a cop. But if I do tell her...how can I live with myself if this one stupid moronic mistake makes her realize that I'm not the right girl for her? That this isn't worth it. All the lies, all the mistakes, all the drama. Will she hate me? Can I bare even the thought of causing her this kind of pain again? She walked out on me last time I told her I kissed Sam. This time is different because I wanted to be with Sam. Maybe it was only for a few minutes but how can Charlie understand that and think it won't happen again? What makes me think that things have changed so drastically that she won't walk out on me again tonight? Will this ever get simple? Will we ever get our happy ending?
"Do you mind if I take your orders?" a waitress suddenly interrupted their thoughts. The girls nodded and made their orders. After the waitress left, Charlie looked over at Joey. "Penny for your thoughts." "I'll have you know, my thoughts are worth a lot more than a penny. Thanks for inviting me here tonight. I know to an outsider, after everything I've been through today, it would seem...I dunno uncaring for me to be moving on so quickly. But it feels right...for the first time in a long time. At least to me anyway," Joey shook her head shyly. "Not just you, you know. This feels right to me as well," Charlie comforted her, taking Joey's hand in her own, "So is there anything else you want to...um talk about?" Oh yeah real subtle Charlz! Joey stared off into the distance for a moment. Ok this is it. An opening. A chance to bring it up in conversation. Charlie's offering you a chance to be honest with her. "No everything's great. I'm here with you aren't I?" Joey's voice betrayed her thoughts.
Idiot, Joey, just a total idiot! You had your chance to tell her, and you just blew it! No you didn't – I mean why ruin the date right now? We only just ordered, we haven't even had much of a chance to catch up. The least I can do is have a fantastic date with Charlie...because it could be our last. Always thinking so positively Collins! I can tell her later, I need to regain her trust first. "Of course they are," Charlie smiled weakly, "So do you want to...?" Charlie nodded to the dance floor. Joey's eyes suddenly grew wide. Oh God I haven't told her yet! I said it to myself, I'd be making a wrong move tonight. "What? Dance? I um...well it's just that I don't..." Charlie looked at her strangely, "You don't what? Dance?" Joey nodded. "But what about the boat?" Charlie asked. Wow the almost-dance we shared on the Blaxland, haven't thought about that in years, both girls thought. "Yeah that was um well different," Joey tried to explain, "There weren't people around, and you know I wasn't trying to impress you with my dancing ability...ok well maybe I was trying to impress you but if you hadn't of freaked out and left you would have been laughing at me a few minutes later. I'm a hopeless dancer. Two left feet that grew up on boats, not on a dance floor. Seriously I'm not really any good at the whole rhythm thing. I'll be too busy stepping all over your toes. And I don't wanta be responsible for ruining your perfect feet. And besides I'd feel a little awkward...not that I'm afraid of people seeing us together on a date, it's just..."
"Joey, sweetie, look around. This restaurant slash dance place – whatever they call 'em – doesn't really care much for the type of couples in here. As long as you're in love, that's all that matters. Why do you think I feel comfortable coming here?" Charlie asked, as she watched Joey look around. "Okay so maybe this place is kinda 'Yay Gay' but it doesn't mean anybody especially you needs to be witness to my dancing. So when you say comfortable coming here? Does that mean you've brought dates here before? Are you re-using you're 'dating' restaurant on me?" Joey teased trying to change the subject away from dancing. "Well I...maybe just a few...very clever. I see what's you're doing Miss Collins. Trying to make me focus on telling you about my past relationships, instead of getting you to dance with me now. Maybe I have been here before, I admit it, but you're the only girl I've wanted to dance with on that dance floor. Show everyone here who I'm with. Are you really going to deny me the pleasure of dancing with the prettiest girl in the restaurant?" Charlie asked sweetly.
"Of course not. You go dance with her, I'll just sit here and watch," Joey joked. Charlie swatted Joey on the arm. "You're the prettiest girl here," holding out her hand to Joey, "So will you dance with me?" Joey blanched, "Charlie seriously I can't...dance...I don't want to make a complete fool of myself in front of you." Charlie tilted her head towards Joey, "C'mon it'll be fine. And you know if we're not gonna talk about you, and we're not gonna talk about us...then we're gonna dance." Getting up, she held out her hand to Joey again. Joey finally gave in, and took Charlie's hand, walking over to the dance floor. "Don't say I didn't warn you Buckton." God this is such a bad idea. It's a jazzy song, how the heck am I supposed to dance to something like this? As if answering her question, Charlie started swaying to the beat, trying to relax them. Then as the song finished, a much slower song started. Charlie awkwardly moved closer to Joey, finally standing in front of her, and wrapped her arms around the younger girl. Joey relaxed in the embrace. Ok so this whole dancing thing isn't half bad. Least I have a chance to be close to her before it all goes to hell.
Charlie leant her forehead against Joey's. She looks so worried but so happy at the same time. I can see it in her eyes, how terrified she is of losing me. She just needs to learn to trust me. Can't she see it in my eyes, how much I care about her, and how much she can believe in us? Why does she have so much doubt in her eyes? Just let her open up to you. She needs to trust you, just give her that chance. As the song came to an end, Charlie pulled Joey closer, inching their lips closer together. But before their lips touched, Joey pulled back. "Charlie I-I um I need to tell you--" she started. But she was interrupted when Charlie pulled her back into their embrace with a simple "Don't. I know." Way to wait 'til she opens up. I'm such a softie, can't even let her feel guilty for a moment longer. Joey stared at her briefly, "No Charlie you don't understand you couldn't know." "Yes I do Joey. I know about what happened tonight...between you and Sam," Charlie told her softly. "But...how? And more importantly why are you still here?" Joey asked her. Charlie smiled, "Well to answer your first question, I was kinda excited about tonight – too excited – and I sorta got to your place early tonight...the front door was open..." Charlie's smile disappeared.
Oh God! What must she have thought walking in on that "Charlie I am so sorry. It wasn't what you think. I'm not...we're not...I mean Sam and I we're not...it was just a...it was just a thing...it didn't mean what you think it did," Joey quietly pleaded with Charlie, barely noticing the obvious. That Charlie was still there, with her arms around her. "I know it didn't mean anything. I could see it in your eyes all night. I know I should have said something earlier, to spare you the pain and guilt you've been feeling I just...needed you to know that you can trust me. And that I'm not going anywhere. That kinda answers your second question...about why I'm still here," Charlie told her. Joey shook her head, "I'm such an idiot aren't I? I should have trusted you, I should never have doubted you. That you wouldn't leave me. Why would you forgive me?" "Because we've been through a lot, and I'm not giving you up that easy," Charlie said, then hesitated, "What happened tonight with you two...I mean you didn't..." "No, absolutely not, a world of no. It was just a few kisses that's all. I just felt like I...needed..." Joey trailed off.
"Someone who understood the grief you were going through and I wasn't there. I understand believe me. But you need to start trusting me with this kinda thing...or better yet stop making out with that girl...right too soon to joke, sorry. If you need someone...you've got me. I'm not going anywhere, just don't lie to me again," Charlie pleaded. Joey moved her hand to wipe away a stray tear on her cheek. "I won't I promise. I know how much I'm gonna lose if I do it again. I don't know what I ever did to deserve you," Joey wondered. "Maybe it's just for being you. Now whata ya say we stop concentrating on the past, and start focusing on the future...our future. I love you." "Good. 'Cause I kinda love you too. I'll never be able to thank you enough for forgiving me and giving us another chance," Joey stated. "Sure you will, everyday being with me is a good enough thank you. And I wish we could continue this whole dancing thing because you're actually pretty good at it but," pointing over to their table, "I think our meals are being served." "Right so instead of staying here, dancing, maybe kissing, and letting our food go cold we should...go and eat," Joey giggled. "Precisely. Besides we have plenty of time later to dance...and kiss...after dinner," Charlie sighed.
Joey took Charlie's hand and led her back to their table. Sitting down, Joey didn't let go of Charlie's hand. Charlie giggled, "Sweetie as much as I hate it, I kinda need that hand so I can eat my meal properly." Joey blushed, "Right of course. Sorry it just feels wrong to let you go. Is that too corny?" "Well I kinda like you being a little corny. And your right, it feels wrong to let go of you. And I'm gonna stop before I get even more cornier. How's your meal?" Charlie changed the subject. "It's good. Well could use some salt but..." Joey looked down at their table, "I guess they didn't set the tables properly with any." Then spying the table next to them, "Do you mind asking them for their salt?" "Anything for my girl," Charlie smiled as she turned around tapping the guy on the shoulder, "Excuse me sorry can we borrow your salt shaker?" The guy turned around from his own date, "Um I guess," as he grabbed the bottle and passed it to her finally looking up at Charlie. Joey jumped slightly at the sound of the salt shaker as it hit the ground when Charlie dropped it. "Charlie what's...oh...?" Joey looked up to see the reason why Charlie suddenly froze up, instantly recognising the guy sitting next to them. "Well what's the matter there Jo...you don't have a hug for your big brother?" Brett suggested cautiously as he glared at the girls.
Ok I think I've got over that whole Writers Block thing and things are back to normal for this fic - which means another drama, another cliffhanger! Don't ya just love it?!
