A new day, a new resolve, Charlie told herself. Today was the day she got serious about planning her way out of this mess. She looked down at the blank page before her. Just how exactly did she work out which of her father's old contacts to trust and which to steer clear of though? What criteria should she use? If they were still serving officers, should she automatically exclude them from the list? Not every single cop was dirty, she was proof of that, but how did she choose the right one? Oh god, this really wasn't going to be as easy as she'd hoped. She had to start somewhere though. She wrote Pros/Cons at the top of the page, then wracked her brain for the names she could remember her father mentioning, and also those she had actually met at some stage.
"I hear the local beachgoers had quite the show yesterday," Pippa said as Joey stood next to her at the counter, waiting for their separate orders. Joey went bright red. The intention had been to give any viewers a show, but going by the comments she'd been overhearing and Pippa's remark, they'd perhaps taken it a little too far.
"Ah, to be young and in love," Pippa said with a smile. "I sometimes long to have those days back, but then I remember, that when I was young, Irene wasn't a part of my life back then."
"What about longing for being young and with Irene?" teased Joey.
"We could have had some adventures, that's for sure," said a wistful Pippa. "Still, I wouldn't change a thing. Irene may not have been the first to walk into my life, but she'll certainly be the last," she said. "We've had a good 25 years together already, and I'm hoping for another 25 and more."
"Having such a long and strong relationship sounds absolutely wonderful," Joey said.
"It is and you and Charlie will experience if for yourselves," Pippa told her. "I said the other night you two will go the distance and that view has only strengthened since then."
"It's certainly not something I was thinking of when we first met," said Joey. That Charlie was a beautiful woman yes, but the rest? Definitely not. Her thoughts back then had always been about getting the hell away from Charlie and the others, yet despite having numerous opportunities in which to abandon Charlie, she hadn't. It wasn't just because of love, that was only a new observation she'd accepted, but it was out of responsibility. Charlie was only in this mess because of her, so she owed it to the other woman to help her through it. She was going to have to abandon her eventually though. She just couldn't hang around and risk the truth coming out, because then she'd never be free. It wasn't a day she looked forward to though. Saying goodbye to Charlie really was going to be hard when the time eventually came.
"It's not always something you're thinking of when you first meet someone, not unless you believe in love at first sight," Pippa said. "But even if it's not love at first sight, you soon know when she's the one you want to spend your future with."
"Charlie is definitely that person for me," Joey said with absolute honesty. It wasn't ever going to be a possibility though, and if Pippa knew the real truth behind their association, Joey wondered whether she'd be as convinced about their so-called love, as she was now. A totally one-sided love, Joey thought morosely.
"Well, here's my order," Pippa said. "It was nice chatting to you again Joey and if you ever tire of ordering out all the time, feel free to drop into the house. You and Charlie are always welcome to join us for a meal."
"Thanks, we may take you up on that."
"As long as you can peel yourself away from each other for long enough," Pippa couldn't resist adding. Joey just smiled, because it pretty much was the truth. Once she and Charlie had given in that first time, they'd pretty much become joined at the hip. And everywhere else, Joey thought with a blush. She no longer cared though, as she intended to enjoy every moment of intimacy before she disappeared from Charlie's life forever.
Charlie stared at the list of names. It was short, like four names and to her dismay, there were more Cons, than Pros next to each name. Maybe she should just give in and contact Robertson. Unfortunately, what made her more wary of him, than the names already on her list, was the clear indication that he and Nick were working together. She sure as hell didn't trust Nick, so where did that place Robertson? She remained undecided where Robertson was concerned, yet in spite of that, she added him to the list, with his connection to Nick in the Cons.
Charlie tapped the pencil against the page. Her decision on who to reach out to didn't have to come today, but she knew that she was going to have to bite the bullet eventually and contact someone, because she couldn't go on the run forever, even if Joey seemed to like that idea. Charlie sighed. Joey. It was getting harder to deny to herself that she was developing more than just a passing interest in Joey beyond the sex. It was the last thing she wanted and her complete and utter lack of control around Joey concerned her. She couldn't afford to let what was going on with Joey, influence her in any way, or distract her from her goal of sorting this mess out, but there was a part of her that worried that she was already being influenced. This list now before her should have been her priority the day they arrived in Summer Bay, yet it wasn't, nor had it been the priority yesterday, where instead, she'd spent most of the day in bed with Joey fucking their brains out. Already she could have reached a decision, but she hadn't, because she'd allowed Joey to distract her. Then there was the other issue. What became of Joey once she reached that decision? Joey had made it clear numerous times, that she had no intention of ever returning to police custody, yet could she allow Joey to just walk away, which would go against her duties as a police officer and as Joey's protector.
Charlie snorted. It was safe to say that their bed sport went completely against her duties and role of protector, so it'd be a bit rich of her to then expect Joey to go back to accepting their previous roles, especially after they'd both willing succumbed to each other. And it wasn't just that they'd had sex with each other, the situation had already changed between them even before that, thanks to the fact they were both on the run, and were reliant on each other as equals to get through this. Still, Charlie felt it did leave her with a dilemma, because even though the dynamic had changed between them, she still felt protective of Joey and it would feel like she was abandoning her by letting Joey go on alone, even if it was Joey's choice. What if something were to happen to Joey if she allowed her to just walk away?
"Not my problem," she told herself, yet she knew she'd feel responsible should Joey end up in danger, hence her dilemma. Force Joey to return to police custody, and testify against some very dangerous men, or let her run and risk something untoward happening to her. Not to mention, risk allowing the Braxtons to yet again get away with murder. There was another reason why she didn't want Joey to go, but as she'd already said, it was the last thing she wanted, so she intended to ignore those feelings and pretend they didn't exist.
Charlie looked up from her musings and smiled when Joey walked into the cabin. It had been an automatic gesture at seeing the other woman, and Charlie was completely unaware of it, just as she was unaware of how eagerly she stood and went over to Joey. Their lips met in a long, passionate kiss, the food Joey had just brought, forgotten as the bag hit the floor, along with their clothes. Another afternoon was going to be lost beneath the sheets, and neither woman cared.
He groaned as he was thrown around the boot of the car. It was almost as if they were deliberately finding, then driving over every pothole so he'd feel every bump and bruise. As it was, his body ached from the torture they'd put him through. He could feel the blood seeping from his wounds, even in the dark, crampness of the boot. He didn't know how much longer he could endure this, and they weren't even done with him. He had to find a way out and warn his friend before it was too late.
