Where Things Stand
Rated R
Chapter 38
Storm arrives back at the beach house still not knowing what she is going to say to Joey. She sighs deeply and decides to play it by ear. She slowly gets out of her car and walks inside. Once inside Storm is greeted by the sound of the end credits music. She walks over to the lounge to find Joey curled up on it asleep with Aden turning off and taking the dvd out of the player. On turning around Aden discovers Storm watching Joey sleep with a half smile on her face. "Hey", Aden softly greets her.
"Hi, how long has she been asleep", she whispers back.
"About half an hour. She'll be glad to know you're here", he says relieved.
Storm smiles warmly at him and asks, "can you stay a bit longer? I just need to take a quick shower?" She is feeling grimy because she is still in her running clothes.
"Sure, no problem", Aden replies quietly.
Whilst Storm is in the shower, Aden sets about making him and Storm a coffee. Storm finds Aden in the kitchen after she comes out from having her shower. He hands her a coffee, "I thought you might need one", he says with a smile.
"Thanks", she replies gratefully as she takes the coffee from him. "So how has she been? She sounded worried when I spoke with her earlier", Storm asks slightly anxious.
"She thought you weren't coming back. And when she phoned you and found out you were at your home in the city, she was convinced you dumped her", Aden gently explains.
"God, I was tired and I crashed on the lounge. I shouldn't have sat down", she responds drained, not happy with herself for stressing Joey.
"Hey it's fine. I told Joey it was good that you did fell asleep there then behind the wheel of your car and she agreed", he points out. "But I think you should know that she thinks you would be better off without her", Aden adds sadly.
"Why would she think that", Storm asks tightly.
"Because she thinks she's a loser. She said if her own family couldn't love and support her, then that must mean she isn't worth the trouble", he tells Storm with a mixture of sorrow and anger in his voice.
"Fuck", she breathes and pinches the bridge of her nose.
Aden lightly touches Storm's shoulder, "Joey did say she doesn't want to lose you. So I want to know, is she going to lose you", Aden firmly asks and stares hard at her. He feels very protective towards Joey.
Returning his glare calmly and unwavering, Storm replies resolutely, "I may be upset and disappointed with her having sex with Charlie. But I know why it happened, so no I'm not giving up on our relationship."
"She is going to be happy to hear that", Aden remarks cheerfully and pats Storm on the shoulder. "Well I'll leave you to it", he states relieved that things are hopefully going to get better for Joey. He places his coffee cup in the sink.
Storm walks Aden to the front door. "Bye Aden and thanks for being here for Joey", Storm utters gratefully.
"No probs, I love her too. See ya", he warmly answers as he leaves.
Storm heads back into the lounge room to once again gaze at her sleeping girlfriend. Smiling, Storm moves to sit on the floor near Joey's head. Reaching out, she gently strokes Joey's face and brushes some of her hair behind her ear. Joey murmurs something incoherent in her sleep. This causes Storm to grin and for her to run a fingertip softly across Joey's lips. This makes Joey murmur an annoyed response in her sleep, Storm chuckles and does it again. This time Joey brings her hand up to her face and wipes it, her murmur turns into a growl and Storm softly laughs. Storm then lightly kisses Joey's lips, at this Joey smiles. With her eyes still closed Joey murmurs with a smirk on her face, "Aden you know you aren't my type." She then opens her eyes to find Storm shaking her head with an eyebrow raised.
"So Aden and my lips feel the same do they? Kiss him a lot I take it", Storm states questioningly.
"Well you weren't here and he gets all girly in the scary movie scenes, so I just couldn't help myself", Joey replies cheekily.
"I see, want me to call him to come back so you can kiss him some more", Storm offers grinning at Joey.
"Nah, your kisses will do", Joey quips.
"Sorry I'm not that easy and I'm not girly when it comes to the scary scenes", Storm jokes back.
They both laugh and Joey softly runs her hand down Storm's face. "I'm glad you're back Doc", Joey whispers.
Storm turns her face into Joey's hand and gently kisses her palm. Turning back, Storm gently states, "Aden told me you thought I wasn't coming back."
"Doc I gave you no reason to come back. I cheated on you", Joey miserably replies.
"Joey I thought you knew me better than that. I don't give up that easily", she states wearily. "You fucked up; we all fuck up once in a while. But it doesn't change the beautiful soul you possess", Storm's voice holds a challenge in it for Joey to disagree with her.
"It doesn't feel beautiful at the moment", Joey sadly counters.
"I wouldn't expect it too. But it does show me that what happened did hurt you and you never meant for it to happen", Storm declares rationally.
"Storm I never meant for it to happen, I never wanted to hurt you", Joey pleads for Storm to believe her.
"I know honey", Storm quietly answers giving Joey a shy smile.
"So where do we go from here", Joey asks, dreading what Storm will say.
"I don't want to lose you Logan", Joey smiles on hearing this. "But if you want to try again with Charlie, I'll understand", Storm replies trying to keep her emotions under control. However, Joey can see the hurt in Storm's eyes at the cost of saying this.
Stroking Storm's face, Joey gently answers, "Storm I don't want to lose you either." Storm smiles tightly waiting for the 'but'. "As for Charlie, I'm not going to lie to you; I do still have feeling for her. But what those feelings are I do not know. I'm so confused at the moment Doc", Joey confesses with tears rolling down her face.
"I can understand that. Honey you and Charlie need to talk. And by talk, I mean the both of you need to be open and honest with each other and be prepared to listen. No more yelling at each other you can't listen when you're yelling", Storm gently counsels.
"I know we do. But what I need right now is for you to be open and honest and tell me what you are feeling. Not hiding behind your damn counsellor's mask", Joey emotionally begs.
Joey can see Storm struggling with her emotions, she watches them play across Storm's face. Storm swallows and looks into Joey's sad, compassionate and soulful eyes and answers her with raw emotional honesty. "I'm scared that I'm going to lose you because you and Charlie left things between you unresolved. And now that you know Charlie still loves you and you still have feelings for her, I don't know where that leaves me."
"Come here", Joey softly utters sitting up and tugging on Storm to join her on the lounge. Storm moves off the floor and sits sideways on the edge of the lounge. Joey pulls her into her arms and holds her tight. "Doc I'm scared too. I'm scared that you're going to realise that I'm not worth the trouble", she whispers in Storm's ear. Storm pulls sightly out of the embrace to look at Joey; she reads fear and acceptance in Joey's eyes. "Storm all I know at the moment is that I love you and I don't want to lose you", she states, her voice thick with her emotional conviction.
"I love you and I don't want to lose you either, Joey", Storm responds, her voice is huskier.
Storm leans in and kisses Joey softly on her lips. Joey gently responds, then the emotional floodgates open and they both turn the tender kiss into a heated, possessive, rough and starving kiss. Their tongues wages a battle to thrust, stroke and taste each other's mouths. Just as their mouths are locked tightly to each other, so too is their upper bodies, with each clinging tight to one another. Both of them releases guttural moans into one another's mouths. Storm glides her hands over Joey's back, relishing the fact that she still has permission to touch her. Joey responds by running one of her hands through Storm's short hair while her other hand caresses Storm's back. Joey cannot believe Storm is still with her and still wanting her, she does not know why but she is grateful.
In need of oxygen, they pull their hungry mouths from one another. They are both breathing heavily, then Storm lip starts to twitch and she breaks into a broad grin. Joey responds by smiling back at Storm and then they both start laughing. After a bit Storm stops and smirks, "I see someone is a hungry little wolverine", she chuckles.
"Maybe, but you can't blame me, I spent most of the day with Aden. When it comes to food, he doesn't like to share but you have to share with him", Joey exclaims feigning a forlorn expression. "As for his kisses, there is no substance to them", she adds cheekily.
Storm bursts into laughter at that. "I see, well I hope mine has some substance to them", Storm comments through her tears of laughter.
"Mmm, I don't know, let me check", Joey quips and captures Storm's lips and commences to kiss her deeply.
Both Joey and Storm's hands glide tenderly over each other's bodies causing desire to rise in each. They moan with delight as their tongues stroke, explore and taste the pleasure of each other sensual mouths.
Breaking a part, each of them tingling with the heat of sexual longing coursing through their entire bodies. Gazing into each other eyes, they both reflect love and lustful mischief. Grinning, Joey concludes, "you definitely do have substance Doc."
"That's good to know, would hate to leave you wanting", Storm replies, her husky voice even huskier with desire.
"You always leave me wanting more Doc, even when I'm totally satisfied. Very morish", Joey teases back.
"Logan I find you are highly addictive", Storm utter lustfully as she lets her eyes wonder slowly over Joey's body.
"So what are you going to do about your addiction, Doc", Joey teases challengingly, feeling extremely warm from Storm's gaze.
"Oh I'm planning to give into to it...eventually", Storm answers. She would like nothing more right now than to carry Joey off to the bedroom and make wild passionate love with her.
"Eventually? What have you got in mind", Joey tentatively asks.
"Well I was thinking, while you have a shower I will go to the Diner and get us some dinner", Storm answers smiling at Joey.
"I need a shower", Joey asks sniffing herself.
"Yup, you have boy stink on ya", Storm teases.
"Boy stink", Joey howls with laughter.
"I thought it might help to relax you from the stress of today", Storm explains caringly.
"Making love with you would eventually relax me way better then a shower. But knowing you, you like making me wait. I suppose I'll go have a shower", Joey dramatically sighs.
Storm snorts with laughter, "have you been taking lessons from Jade, with the whole melodrama", Storm jokingly asks.
Joey pokes her tongue out at Storm, who swiftly kisses her and gently sucks on Joey's tongue. Joey places a hand to the back of Storm's head when she feels Storm breaking lip contact to hold her there. Storm lightly slides her hand up Joey's arm until she reaches Joey's hand she gently removes it for the back of her head and moves out of their kiss. "First shower, then dinner and lastly, dessert", Storm states with a smirk when she sees Joey pout.
"As long as you're the dessert special, I've got no problem with your instructions", Joey utters serenely.
"Good", Storm replies and then she leans in and whispers in Joey's ear. "Oh sorry about the dessert special though, tonight it's 'Beanie Girl' Al a mode", Storm teasingly taunts.
"Beanie Girl, how did you know I wore beanies", Joey asks highly curious.
"Oh, a certain little birdie told me you looked so cute in them", Storm continues to tease her.
"And the birdie's name", Joey demands smiling.
"Oh, just a gem of a girl", Storm quips cryptically
Joey thinks for a moment then states triumphantly, "Ruby!"
"That would be her. You know she adores you", Storm tells Joey.
"She made me laugh, especially when she did her impersonations of the locals. She was so supportive first with the whole Robbo thing and then eventually with Charlie and me. I missed her when I left", Joey reveals fondly.
"You need to let her know that because she missed you too", Storm comments, caressing Joey's face.
"I will", Joey replies softly, loving Storm's touch.
"So what would you like for dinner", Storm asks, enjoying being able to touch her wonderful girlfriend.
"Something light, I'm not that hungry, maybe one of Leah's delicious soups", Joey answers thoughtfully.
"Ok, now off to the shower", Storm commands as she starts to stand.
Joey looks at Storm slightly vexed, "aren't you forgetting something?" Storm looks at her questioningly, "where's my kiss", Joey demands.
Storm gives her a wicked grin, "I love it when you're bossy", she replies cheekily, leans down, and gives Joey a quick passionate kiss before heading off to the Diner.
Upon arriving at the Diner, Storm alights from her car. As she walks through the car park to the Diner's front entry, she notices Charlie sitting on a park bench staring out at the water. Storm pauses slightly before she enters the Diner. She checks the special board before going to the counter to place her order. Leah warmly asking, "hey Storm, what would you like", greeting her.
Storm can see concern in Leah's eyes. "Hello Leah. I will have 3 of your country style lamb and barley soups and can I get 2 slices of buttered bread with them to go please", Storm replies giving Leah a half smile.
"Sure that won't take long. Storm, how are you and Joey after what happened this morning", Leah asks with concern in her voice that matches her eyes.
"We're getting there, thanks for asking. How is Charlie", Storm responds quietly.
"Beating herself up about hurting Joey, and you", Leah honestly tell Storm.
"Yeah today has been hard on everyone concerned", Storm remarks tired and nodding her head.
"Well that's the fucking understatement of the year", Leah snorts shaking her head.
Just as Leah says this, she does not realise that Colleen has just walked out of the kitchen and nearly drops the plates she is carrying. "Leah such language and in front of customers". Colleen squawks, her eyes nearly bulging out of her head, having never heard Leah swear.
"Oh get over it Colleen! Only you and Storm heard it and I'm sure Storm has heard worse language then that. Now I think the customers would like their meals", Leah states dismissingly.
"I get no respect around here, why do I put up with it", Colleen mumbles as she walks away.
"Yes I have heard worse, but obviously it is out of character for you to swear", Storm chuckles.
Leah sighs, "well yeah, but sometimes you just need to", she confesses. "I better go do your order. It won't be long", Leah comments, slightly annoyed about people's reactions to her swearing as she exits into the kitchen.
It does not take long for Leah to return with Storm's order. As Storm is paying for the meals she softly comments with a smile, "you know you should swear more. It will make people see that you have a stronger side to you."
Leah shoots Storm a 'what the fuck' look. "Charlie said something similar the other day", Leah remarks, wondering how Storm came up with that conclusion because she does not know her.
Storm smiles and turns to leave then she turns back to Leah. "Oh by the way, we have met before, it was right here. You served my wife and myself several times over the years when we were here on holidays. You even let VJ play with my son and daughter", Storm causally utters letting Leah know. "You have a nice evening, night", Storm grins as she walks away, leaving Leah to remember who Storm and her family are.
Once outside, Storm strolls over to where Charlie is still sitting on the bench lost in thought. Storm notices that Charlie is listening to her iPod, as she sits down beside her. Storm gently takes out one of Charlie's earphones and listens to the song that Charlie is listening too. Storm starts to sing along to it. (.com/watch?v=pZ16ELC5cE4&feature=fvw)
Can you go back in time to a place in your mind
To the one who knew a part of you
That you just couldn't find
Lookin' back I'm not sure
If what I lost was more
When she danced with me
Our hearts were free as far as I could see
I'd be there right now and yet somehow
It never comes again
When she danced with me
Our hearts were free
As far as I could see
Charlie listens in amazement to Storm's singing. When the song ends Charlie turns off her iPod and softly comments, "you added some lines", as she wipes away a couple of tears from her eyes.
"You must have the movie version of the song", Storm gently answers her and covers one of Charlie's hand with hers.
"So is there more verses to the song", Charlie asks, trying to gather her composure, and confused by Storm's warm gesture.
Storm looks out over the water for a moment and then starts to sing.
If I could get back where I've been
Feel the passion I felt then
I'd be there right now and yet somehow
It never comes again.
She had nothin' to gain
To the way out of pain
With a song and dance she lost romance
The world had gone insane.
"It certainly has", Charlie whispers.
"So when you danced with Joey, did you lose your inner sense", Storm gently teases trying to lighten Charlie's mood.
"Not just my inner sense but my whole rational thinking", Charlie lightly laughs.
"Yeah, she has that effect. She also has an inner goodness that radiates from her and draws people to her. However, she is totally blind to it, just like you Charlie. Both of you think that you aren't good because you believe that you are tainted by Robbo and Grant. But they are the ones with the tainted unworthy souls. And it's about time you start letting go of the past Charlie, because it's destroying your future", Storm counsels.
"Easier said than done", Charlie cries.
"I know, that is why I'm going to make an appointment for you to see a colleague of mine, Dr Megan Wright. She comes and works at the Yabbie Creek Rehab Centre two days a week. So she'll see you at your place when she finishes there", Storm firmly tell her.
"And why are you doing this for me", Charlie sniffs.
"Because you need counselling and you are no good to Ruby or Joey in the state you are in now", Storm answers crisply. "And don't even think they would be better off without you", Storm adds harshly.
"How can you say that? Ruby is questioning who she is because I tried to protect her from the truth. And Joey lost her home and family because I told her there was no shame in being gay! While I kept denying my sexuality because I didn't want to lose mine. Yeah they really need me in their lives", Charlie snorts in self-disgust.
"Ruby is the same mature smart pain in the arse girl she always has been and she'll realise this as soon as she gets over the shock of you being her mum not her sister. She'll need your love as she always has. And Joey needs you to lend her your strength so she can get through the trial", Storm succinctly tells her.
"Joey doesn't need me, she has you. I just confuse and fuck with her life", Charlie comments with tears in her voice.
"Will you stop feeling sorry for yourself", Storm snaps, shocking Charlie. "Yes you are hurting but so is Joey. She is going through all these conflicting emotions. On one hand she has feelings for me and on the other she still has feelings for you. And on top of that she is reliving the horrendous nightmares of her rape and mugging every night since she got her memory back. So she needs all the strength she can get from her family and friends", Storm responds pointedly.
"Family, I don't know how much support Brett will be, especially with you and me being there for Joey", Charlie sarcastically retorts.
"Brett isn't Joey's only family. She has me, you, Ruby, Leah, VJ, Aden and when she calms down, Jade", Storm points out, with Charlie looking surprised. "Yes, that is how Joey sees us. As for Brett, he may struggle with us being in Joey's life, but he'll get use to it because he doesn't want to lose her", she finishes wearily rubbing her eyes.
"I hope you're right. Has she seen him yet", Charlie quietly asks.
"No not yet. After finding out what has happened with you while she was away. Running into you before she was ready after being told that you are still in love with her. And with what happened today, seeing him is the last thing on her mind", Storm tiredly inform her as she observes Charlie closely.
"Oh. Look Storm I'm not going to lie to you, I want her back. But if that's not possible I don't want to lose her from my life, she is that important to me. So if all we will ever be is friends then I'll take it. And you may not believe me, but I'd like for us to be friends because you are one of the few people that I trust and feel safe with", Charlie responds honestly.
Storm gazes at Charlie for a moment and truthfully comments, "it's nice to know that. As for Joey, her heart will let us know soon. But whichever way it chooses, I hope we can become friends", Storm smiles and squeezes Charlie hand.
Looking at her watch, Charlie groans, "time to go back to work."
"Here", Storm says reaching down and picking up one of her plastic bags. "I brought you some dinner. Knowing you, you've neglected to eat", Storm remarks challengingly and hand Charlie the bag.
"Thanks", Charlie whispers, touched by Storm's thoughtfulness.
"You're welcome. By the way Joey isn't happy about the amount of weight that you've lost. Obviously you're not filling out your uniform to its proper potential", Storm teases, making Charlie blush as her eyes glide over Charlie's body. Storm smiles, grabs her plastic bag and starts to stand up and says as an afterthought, "oi, and lay off the caffeine!"
Charlie pokes her tongue out at Storm, with in a flash Storm leans in and kisses Charlie on her lips. Pulling back, Storm chuckles when she sees the look of total shock registered on Charlie's face. "Night Senior Constable Buckton", Storm says grinning. She walks away whistling, leaving Charlie snickering and shaking her head.