Konga I'm glad you didn't kill your phone and you are now happy lol madgal I'm sorry you did it again, but hey I'm glad you are still reading my story =0) As always xtr thank you for your continuing reviews =0) Please enjoy all who are reading my story


Where Things Stand

Rated R

Chapter 53

A loving smile graces Joey's lips as she watches Charlie sleep. She is taking in Charlie's relaxed and calm features. With no stress and tension showing on her face, Charlie appears to be a few years younger. Joey worries that Charlie gives too much of herself to her work, the same as she worries about Storm. Sadness crosses her face as she thinks of Storm and she wonders how she is. Has she thrown herself into her work and when she is not at work, will she go back into her hermetic existence. Joey thinks, 'well with Jade and the others they'll make sure she won't. At least I hope she won't.'

Her mind and eyes turn back to Charlie and again her loving smile returns to her face. "Like what you see", Charlie purrs, smiling and opens her eyes.

"When I'm looking at you, I always like what I'm seeing", Joey tenderly responds and lightly caresses Charlie's face with her fingertips.

"Thanks sweetheart, I love looking at you too", Charlie happily murmurs.

Joey leans down and gently kisses Charlie's soft lips. Charlie lifts a hand, holds Joey's head, and deepens the kiss. Their tongues explore each other's mouth, caressing, probing and tasting each other unhurriedly. Just as they moan into each other's mouth, Charlie's mobile shrills loudly. Charlie breaks the kiss to Joey's disgust; she rolls over and answers it. "Hello Charlie Buckton."

"Hi Senior, it's Hogan, sorry to disturb you, but I got a call from Rosetta asking if you could come and see him at the hospital today", Tim crisply inform her.

"Yeah, I'll call in on my way to work. Can you let Georgia know she'll be in charge until I get there", Charlie answers in her cop tone.

"Will do Senior. What do you want to do with the suspects", Tim answers and curiously asks.

"Let them cool their heels until I arrive", Charlie smartly informs him.

"Ok Senior, bye", Tim warmly replies.

"Bye Tim", Charlie responds. She sighs deeply, "sorry I have to cut our kiss short hon, but duty calls", she explains reluctantly.

"Oh well, you'll just have to make it up to me", Joey teases.

"Really? And how am I going to make it up to you", Charlie asks amazed.

"Dinner, a nice moonlight walk on the beach and to finish it off, a relaxing massage", Joey tell her grinning at her while running her hand through Charlie's silky hair.

"Sounds good, one of your massages would be wonderful", Charlie exclaim innocently and tries to hide her smile.

"What! No you're the one who'll be giving the massage", Joey squawks, and stop running her hand through her girlfriend's hair.

"But you offered babe", Charlie calmly replies, still trying to play innocent act.

"I did not", Joey huffs, pouts and crosses her arms.

"You're so cute when you pout", Charlie teasingly comments as she sits up and gently slides a fingertip down Joey's jaw line.

Joey turns her head and looks at Charlie, "really", she asks not believing her.

"Oh yes", Charlie purrs and moves her lips towards Joey's lips.

Just as she is about to kiss Joey, Joey moves her head, "I don't believe you", Joey firmly tells her as she slides out of the bed.

"Hey where are you going", Charlie asks surprised.

"To make breakfast, seems you don't have time for our good morning kiss", Joey responds sulkily, but hiding a smile.

"What", Charlie loudly exclaims. Then she launches herself across the bed grabbing Joey and pulling her back onto the bed. Charlie then proceeds to kiss Joey into submission.


A little while later, with Charlie in the shower, Joey prepares breakfast for the both of them. Singing softly to herself, Joey makes them banana pancakes, coffee and fruit juice. Just as she finishes pouring their coffee, Charlie walks into the kitchen and gives Joey a soft kiss on her cheek. "Smells good hon", she softly states smiling.

"Thanks", Joey replies smiling back at Charlie. "Sit down and I'll get you your pancakes", she happily tells her.

"Yum pancakes", Charlie comments delighted as she sits down.

"I hope you like them", Joey remarks shyly as she places a stack of pancakes in front of Charlie and gives her a gentle sweet kiss on her cheek.

"I'm sure I will hon", Charlie warmly comments. Looking at how many pancakes Joey had given her, Charlie asks astonished, "Joey are you trying to fatten me up?"

Joey quietly sits down, smiles and simply answers, "yes."

"I'm not that under nourished", Charlie protests.

"Yes you are Charlie, so shut up and eat", Joey replies firmly.

Charlie's jaw drops open at the tone Joey used. This is a much stronger Joey then Charlie is used to. "Well you need to eat more too", Charlie responds sulking and take a mouthful of pancake.

"I haven't lost as much weight as you", Joey pointedly retorts and she takes a mouthful pancake. "Your ribs are sticking out, your face is drawn and you no longer have a butt", she finishes off slightly harsh because she is worried about Charlie's wellbeing.

"I thought you like what you see", Charlie mumbles hurt and turns her head away.

Joey gets out of her chair and crouches beside Charlie. She cups Charlie's face and looks into Charlie's hurt vulnerable eyes. "I love what I see honey, but I worried about your health. You can't afford to lose any more weight. You're fading away to a shadow", Joey concernedly informs her and then she leans in and kisses Charlie tenderly.

Charlie softly strokes Joey's face, and then runs her hands down Joey's arms until she reaches Joey's hands whilst they are still touching her face. Charlie kisses both of Joey's palms in turn. "I've haven't had much of an appetite of late", Charlie murmurs.

"That's why I'm going to fatten you up", Joey lightly informs her.

"So I can fill out my uniform properly" Charlie teasing asks, remembering what Storm had told her about Joey's concerns.

"That's right, 'cause at the moment it's baggy", Joey quips back.

"Baggy", Charlie squeaks.

"Yep. No curves are showing", Joey dramatically sighs then giggles.

"You are so not funny", Charlie snorts and grins.

"Charlie, all teasing aside, you need to eat more babe", Joey seriously pleas with her.

"I will honey, now that I have you back looking after me, I'll be back to my curvy self in no time", Charlie says reassuringly.

"That is until Ruby comments on your weight", Joey snickers.

"What does Ruby have to do with my weight problem", Charlie asks confused.

Joey smirks and kisses Charlie's forehead as she stands up. "Nothing babe, don't worry about it", Joey gently replies and sits back in her chair.

"No Joey, tell me what you meant", Charlie frustratingly begs.

"Remember the time when Ruby suggested that you might have put on some weight when you were sharing a bed with her", Joey hints grinning.

Charlie frowns trying to remember, "yeah I think so. Still not getting it", Charlie replies puzzled and shaking her head.

"Well after she said that, you had us running nearly twice as hard as you normally did", Joey reveals raising an eyebrow at her and puts some more pancake in her mouth.

"That didn't mean I took what Ruby said to heart. I just thought you'd like the challenge", Charlie answers slightly defensive because she did think Ruby was right.

"Yeah right honey", Joey laughs. "Now shut up and eat ya pancakes", Joey laughingly orders.

"Ooo, aren't we the bossy one", Charlie teases and she puts more of the pancake on her fork.

"You better believe it sweetheart", Joey jokingly retorts.

Charlie stops mid way bringing her fork to her mouth and stares at Joey. "Who are you, and what have you done with my Joey", Charlie quips amazed.

"I'm the new and improved Joey. So you better watch out missy", Joey jibes with mirth showing in her velvet gold brown eyes.

"I see. So should I be afraid", Charlie mischievously asks.

"Most definitely", Joey purrs and winks at Charlie.

"I can't wait for you to show me more of your new and improved self", Charlie utters, her voice husky with desire.

"Well you'll have to build up your strength before I can show you some more", Joey playfully teases back. With that, Charlie hoes into her pancakes, making Joey laugh. "Honey, remember you have to leave early, something about duty calling", she mildly states grinning.

"You had to remind me didn't you", Charlie disgustingly accuses her.

"Just trying to keep you focused my love", Joey lightly tells her.

"I'd prefer to be focused on making out with you", Charlie grumbles and pouts.

"Me too babe, but you're the dedicated Senior Constable. So you have to do the right thing", Joey gently reminds her as she softly strokes Charlie's face.

"It's not fair, I want to stay here with you", Charlie complains like a little kid.

"I would love that too honey but the Bay needs their glorious knightress in shining blue armour", Joey forlornly tells her, as she hides a grin.

"Knightress? Where did you find that analogy", Charlie exclaim bewildered.

"I think some of Storm has rub off onto me", Joey comments slightly embarrassed.

"I see", is all Charlie can say slightly bemused.

"Yeah I know she can be one strange puppy at times. One time she described Ruby as my little sister-to-be", Joey relates to Charlie.

"Little sister-to-be", Charlie asks slightly confused.

"She said that when I was telling her about our relationship. Meaning if we ended up getting married, Ruby would be my little sister", Joey explains blushing because last time they were together she did have a fantasy about marrying Charlie.

"I see, but actually that would be daughter-to-be", Charlie chuckles and is amazed that the thought of marrying Joey does not terrify her but makes her feel extremely happy and a bit nervous.

"That's scary, having Ruby for a daughter", Joey groans and puts her head in her hands.

"Thanks a lot! My daughter isn't that scary", Charlie protests.

"Shopping", Joey comments grief stricken. "Charlie I can't do it, you just have to do it on your own", she whispers miserably.

Charlie laughs now getting what Joey is talking about. "Honey if I have to go shopping with Ruby, so do you. It's the whole family thang", Charlie adamantly tells her.

Joey lifts her head and shoots daggers at Charlie. "You are a cruel woman, you know that", Joey huff accusingly at her.

"In 24 hours I've been accused of being cold and now cruel, all because of my daughter. Well Joey my love you better get used to it. Being with me means having Ruby dragging us shopping and putting up with teenage rebellious behaviour", Charlie casually inform Joey.

"Charlie I hate shopping", Joey wails. "Maybe when things settle down I could get Jade to take Ruby shopping", she finishes off with a pained look on her face.

"Are you trying to share the pain around or is Jade just as bad as Rubes", Charlie asks amazed because Ruby is a shop-a-holic.

"Jade is worse! It took her two hours to buy a pair of sports bras", Joey exclaim with a shudder.

"Poor baby, you must have been traumatised", Charlie giggles and takes a sip of her coffee.

"I was, and all Storm could do was laugh at us. Then she got to go back to work while I had to spend two more hours going from dress shops to make up shops, to shoe shops, and then finally to accessory shops", Joey relives moaning.

"Aww my poor 'Beanie Girl', it must have been horrible, surround by all that girliness and having your powers growing weaker by the second", Charlie teases and laughs.

"It was! The only thing that save me was my fishing magazine and at the time I didn't know why I brought it, but it felt right", Joey replies forlornly and then chuckles.

Charlie giggles then glances at her watch and sighs. "Hon I've got to get going soon", she reluctantly informs Joey. "Want to catch up for lunch", Charlie asks hopefully.

"I'd like that", Joey answers smiling. "I'll make us lunch", she kindly offers.

"I'll give you a call to let you know what time I'll be here", Charlie replies smiling.

"Cool", Joey states beaming her million-watt smile at Charlie as she takes a drink of her coffee.

"So would you like to stay over tonight? I could pick us up some dinner from the Diner on my way home from work", Charlie shyly asks.

Joey melts at Charlie's shyness, "I'd love to stay over, but I'll cook us some dinner", Joey lovingly tells her.

"Okay", Charlie comments grinning.

"Now finish off your breakfast", Joey gently orders.

"Yes ma'am", Charlie happily replies.


As Joey is walking Charlie out of the house, Charlie stops at Tara's bedroom door, then looks at Joey. "Jo what did Storm leave you in the wardrobe in this room", Charlie curiously asks.

"I dunno, I haven't looked", Joey replies shrugging her shoulders.

"Do you want to check it out", Charlie asks, her curiosity piqued.

"Yeah I guess so", Joey chuckles at Charlie's little kid curiosity.

Walking into the room, they head over to the wardrobe. Upon opening it, Joey discovers two large bags, a protective garment bag and a gift bag, which is sitting on top of one of the large bags. Joey picks up the gift bag and looks inside. Tears form in her eyes and start to run down her cheeks. Charlie notices and wraps her arms around Joey's waist and gently whispers, "What is it hon?"

Joey slowly pulls out a purple beanie with a small picture of a black shark on the front of it. She them removes a second beanie which is red with a picture of a small blue dolphin on the front. Lastly, she pulls out a third beanie, which is lime green with a picture of a small grey crab on the front of it. Joey then returns them to the gift bag, she sniffs and sighs. "She knew I was going to chose you", Joey tearfully utters.

Charlie hugs Joey tight and kisses her temple. "She might have, but you don't know that for sure hon", Charlie calmly responds.

"She had a fairly good idea", Joey softly whispers leaning back into Charlie's embrace.

"How do you know that Jo", Charlie quietly asks.

"Because of this", Joey murmurs touching the protective garment bag hanging there. "If she wasn't sure, she would never have brought it here", Joey replies utterly certain.

"What's in it", Charlie curiously asks eying the bag.

"It's a surprise", Joey quietly answers stroking the bag.

"Ok honey", Charlie replies smiling and then lightly kisses Joey's lips. "I've got to go sweetheart", she comments regretfully and release Joey's waist.

Joey turns, faces Charlie and runs her hands through Charlie's hair. She leans in giving Charlie a passionate kiss. Charlie runs her hands up Joey's sides and then around her back. Their tongues slide in and out of each other's mouths over and over again. They moan into one another's mouths and press tightly to each other's body. Charlie breaks the kiss and puts her forehead to Joey's, "Joey you're making it hard for me to leave", Charlie comments huskily.

Joey chuckles, "Sorry Senior Constable, but you know what your uniform does to me", she purrs seductively as she slides her hands down to Charlie's bum and gives it a squeeze.

"Stop it you naughty woman", Charlie squawks, and then gives Joey a quick peck on the lips and steps away from her.

"You started it", Joey points out and giggles whilst Charlie rolls her eyes.

Charlie takes Joey's hand and leads her out of the room. They then walk hand in hand out to Charlie's car coming to a stop at the driver's door. Charlie gives Joey a quick tender kiss then warmly comments, "have a nice morning honey and I'll see you at lunchtime."

"You too babe, and be careful", Joey replies lightly.

"I will. I love you", Charlie lovingly answers.

"I love you too", Joey happily replies.

Charlie opens the car door, hops in, closes the door and winds down the window. Joey leans through the open window and gives Charlie a soft kiss on her lips. Pull back, Joey murmurs smiling, "bye babe."

"Bye sweetheart", Charlie replies smiling as well.


Joey watches Charlie leave, then pulling out her mobile; she searches for the number she wants. When she fines the number, she dials it; she does not have to wait long for it to be answered. "Hello", a tired voice quietly answers.

"Hey Doc, how are you? You sound tired", Joey asks slightly worried.

"I'm okay, just not sleeping very well. How are you", Storm honesty responds.

"I'm alright", Joey simple replies. "Thank you for the beanies", she shyly says.

"You're welcome." Storm warmly answers. "So what's wrong Logan", she gently and intuitively asks.

"You knew before you came back to the Bay after dropping Jade off what was going to happen", Joey half asks, half states.

"I knew it was looking more and more the likely conclusion", Storm quietly replies, but Joey can hear the sad emotion in her voice.

"Oh Doc. I'm so sorry", Joey softly utters.

"As I told you Logan, the only thing I regret is having to let you go", Storm tells her with tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Storm please let someone in to help you", Joey pleas as tears form in her eyes.

"Joey I need time to centre myself. And for that I need to be by myself for awhile", Storm honestly answers but finding it hard to stay in control of her emotions.

Joey sighs heavily, knowing she is not going to win this argument. "Doc I miss you", Joey candidly informs her.

"I miss you too, but you have Charlie and she'll look after you", Storm whispers wearily.

"Yes I have Charlie and I know she will, but I need you too. I know I'm being selfish Doc, but you're my sanctuary", Joey explains tearfully.

"Logan I need some time, okay", Storm begs Joey for some understanding.

"Okay Doc", Joey sadly whispers.

"Thanks honey", Storm says with relief in her voice. "Well Logan my next appointment will be here soon, so you take care", she tiredly comments.

"You too Doc. I love you", Joey wearily replies.

"I love you too, bye", Storm responds warmly.

"Bye" Joey softly replies and hangs up. She is worried about Storm, she only heard so much brittle emotional vulnerability in her voice once before. That time was when Storm told her in depth about the death of her wife and children.


Charlie observes Angelo resting in his hospital bed from the doorway to his room. He has more colour in his face then he did yesterday, so Charlie takes this as a good sign. She quietly enters the room and upon reaching the bed, she gently touches the back of his hand. Angelo's eyes snap open and he turns his head to face Charlie. Charlie smiles, "hey, how are you today", she kindly asks.

"Hi, yeah better thanks", he croaks giving her his trademark cheeky grin.

Charlie sits in the chair beside the bed, "good because you had us all worried, first at the wharf and then here at the hospital", Charlie responds relieved.

"They told me I'm only alive because you and Watson. So thanks Charlie", Angelo whispers sincerely.

"You would have done the same if the roles had of been reversed", she confidently tell him. Knowing even though they are not getting a long, he still would have tried to save her and Georgia's lives.

"Yeah I would, but I just want you to know I appreciate what you did for me", Angelo openly states, taking Charlie's hand and giving it a squeeze. "I also want to apologise for my behaviour. I've been a total arsehole to you, even though it hurt when you dumped me, I deserved it. I never should have doubted you. But I was right when I said you were still hiding something from me." Charlie tries to interrupt to deny it, but Angelo raises a hand to silence her.

"Please Charlie let me finish", he begs so she closes her mouth and nods her head. "You see what you were hiding was that you would never be able to love me because you were already in love and you didn't want to give up on it. I don't think you knew how strongly you were in love with Joey. So I never really stood a chance. And when I asked you what would you do if Joey came back, you said you'd never two time on anyone again. You may not have physically done it, but in your heart you would, because you would always want to be with her", he thoughtfully tells her.

Charlie looks at him and nods her head, "you're right, even though I really liked you, what I feel for Joey is so much more. I tried to deny and ignore it but I can't and I'm really sorry I hurt you", she answers in agreement. "I never should have come between you and May. I was lonely and I selfishly took what wasn't and should never have been mine. You deserve better then how I treated you. And you weren't far off the mark when you said you were just a warm body and I'm so ashamed of that. I am so sorry Angelo", Charlie quietly states with tears in her eyes.

"No Charlie, I let you come between May and I, because I was still obsessed with you. And because I did need your help to put me back into the town's good books", he confesses. "Joey's right, you are a wonderful, caring woman, because without your support I would be dead. So thank you Charlie", Angelo honestly remarks with tears flowing from his eyes.

Charlie is moved by his words and tears roll freely down her face. "Look at the pair of us! Two tough cops crying our eyes out", she quips to lighten the mood as she wipes her eyes.

"I won't tell if you won't", he jokes back wiping his eyes on the sleeve of his pyjama shirt.

Charlie laughs, "so was this what you wanted to talk about or is there something else we need to discuss", Charlie curiously asks.

"There's something else I need to talk to you about. Charlie I'm risking everything by what I'm about to tell you. So I need your word that what I'm about to reveal stays between us, okay", Angelo nervously comments.

"I promise. But does this have something to do with the real reason you're here", Charlie asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Trust you not to be fooled by the whole abalone poaching thing, even though it was a real case", he laughs. "The real reason I was sent here is to uncover who is operating a human trafficking ring here in Summer Bay", Angelo seriously informs her.

"Wow, I thought it might have been drugs or weapons, but human trafficking. Are you sure", she asks in disbelief.

"Quite sure", he answers soberly.

"I see. When you were focusing on Hugo, I thought you might have be investigating exotic marine life smuggling but he had no tanks or equipment for that type of operation in his warehouse", Charlie rambles trying to wrap her thoughts around whole human trafficking operation. "So being a human trafficking operation, whoever is behind it would need access to a boat or boats and somewhere to hide the people", she comments thoughtfully as she slips into her cop mode, with Angelo listening intently.

"Hugo's warehouse isn't big enough; also Georgia would have told me if she suspected people had been living in it. But I have heard of an old abandon-fishing shack that might be used to hide people. And Geoff and Nicole had a terrifying encounter with a deranged guy on 'Mystery Island'. Geoff said there was a crude shelter set up there. Maybe a temporary stopover place for ferrying the human cargo to the mainland", Charlie remarks finishing off her thoughts. "What do you think", she asks him.

Angelo is slightly stunned, he knows Charlie is very good at her job, but he never thought she is that good. "How long have you been thinking about the real reason I was here", he asks amazed.

"About it might have been drugs, guns or marine life, about a week. The human trafficking, just now", she mildly comments shrugging her shoulders.

"You're amazing", he beams at her, Charlie slightly embarrassed by the comment. "Even though we'd known for several months about the ring. What you just spouted off the top of your head, we came to those conclusions when we found the sunken boat with all those bodies on it" Angelo informs her. "That grizzly find gave us the hard evident we needed to confirm that the ring is operating out of here. But as not to spook them we let the media believe that they were illegal boat people. I just can't believe how fucking good an actor Hugo Austen is. Especially after he was there when we found the bodies, the guy's nothing but fucking callous bastard", he remarks seething by the end of it.

"Surely you still don't believe Hugo's involved with this ring", Charlie asks unable to picture Hugo masterminding such an operation.

"Yeah I do. The people are from Indonesia. Hugo spent years there, then he suddenly turns up here and we find a boatload of dead Indonesian. He may not be the brains of the outfit but he's definitely involved", Angelo states adamantly.

"He came back for Jack's funeral and to support his family", she shoots back at him.

"He doesn't give a fuck about his family. He left his mother & brothers because he was facing manslaughter charges for the death of his girlfriend. He got stoned, lost control of his car and she was killed in the accident. He ran away, so much for a supportive guy", Angelo snorts. "Charlie you should know what he's like. Instead of doing the decent thing and declining your invitation when you were clearly drunk, vulnerable and in no fit state to make rational decisions, he took advantage of you. He's not a nice guy Charlie", he rants.

"Angelo I can't blame Hugo about that night, we used each other. It's something I'm not proud of and I lost my soul mate because of that choice I made", she exclaims. "And by the way how old was Hugo when the accident happened", Charlie responds defensively.

Angelo folds his arms, "He was nineteen", he tells her. "Charlie he wasn't drunk so he should have said no to you", Angelo stubbornly states.

"You didn't say no", she pointedly replies.

"Yeah you're right, but I was drunk as well and you weren't seeing anyone", he fires back at her.

"What about May, what we did was the same thing", Charlie softly points out.

"But I wanted to be with you. You didn't want to be with Hugo, you wanted Joey. And Hugo wanted Martha", Angelo says continuing to be stubborn.

"We'll agree to disagree", she quietly states. "So he was young, he panicked. Maybe he came back to make amends for his past mistakes", Charlie offers to why Hugo came back and to point out subtle similarities between him and Hugo's situation.

"I don't think so. They saw an opportunity to branch out their operation, with Hugo coming, back to Australia. Who'd suspect anything this illegal happening in such a sleepy little town. It's the perfect place", Angelo growls.

"You might have something there. When Georgia went and checked out the break in at his warehouse Hugo said nothing had been taken. But Georgia said it looked like someone was looking for something. You don't think Hugo would be dumb enough to double cross his associates", Charlie comments thinking out loud.

"Why would he double cross his associates", Angelo curiously asks wondering what Charlie's reasoning might be.

"Falling in love with Martha, seeing all those dead bodies. Reconnecting with his family. Strong motives to want to get away from such an operation. And serious gaol time if he gets caught", she speculates.

"So what do you think they were searching for", he asks interested.

"My guess, money and a lot of it", Charlie honestly replies.

"I see. What we need is for someone to wear a wire, and offer Hugo a lot of money to get them out of the country", Angelo says thinking hard.

"Have you got someone in mind", she asks wondering whom this is going to lead to.

"Yeah that Gibsy guy we arrested for the abalone. I'm sure he'll want to make a deal", he answers with a nasty smirk on his face.

"That's a bit risky. What if Hugo gets an inkling it's a set up? You'd have tipped your hand, god knows what he'd do to Gibsy and he'd do a runner", Charlie points out the floors in this plan. "And that's not to mention that Gibsy might tell him and they both split", she states not liking this strategy.

"I believe it's a risk we've got to take, and so does my bosses. I told them that I would get you to make Gibsy the offer because of me being stuck in here and that you have been conducting the interviews. So what do you say Charlie", Angelo nervously asks.

"Alright, but I've got a bad feeling about this. There's just too many things that can go wrong", Charlie comments reluctantly.

"Thanks Charlie, I'm sorry you have to be involved in this. But with me in here, you were my only option and time is running out", he gratefully states.

"Yeah, well we'll be charging them today and they'll be remanned and then transferred until their bail hearing. We'll see if Gibsy takes your offer. So what are you offering", she wearily remarks and asks.

"Full immunity on all the abalone charges if he is willing to wear a wire and testify against Austen", Angelo informs her and yawns.

"Well I'll put it to him and hopefully he'll do it. Now you get some rest", Charlie firmly states getting out of the chair and turns to leave.

"By the way Charlie", he starts to say, Charlie stops and turns back to him. "What got you thinking that I was here for more than the abalone poaching case", Angelo curiously asks.

"You were too focused on Hugo and there was no way his boat was equipped for such an operation. But say exotic marine smuggling, or drug or arms smuggling, his boat could manage that. It was the more plausible scenario", she informs him succinctly and shrugs her shoulders.

"Charlie you should take the detectives exams. You're waisted here", he honestly tells her.

Charlie smiles, "thanks for the vote of confidence, but I like it here", Charlie happily replies. "I'll see you later", she softly says.

"Bye Charlie", Angelo replies and gives her another of his trademark cheeky grin before he yawns again.

Charlie smiles back at him, then turns and walks out of his room. Just as she leaves the room, she receives a text. Taking her mobile out of her pocket, she looks at it and smiles and then she opens it. 'Hi babe, change in plans, lunch is now at Aden's. Luv u xox.'

Charlie texts Joey back. 'Ok, but why the change of venue? Luv u 2 xx.'

She does not have to wait long for Joey's reply. 'Helping Aden clean house .'

Charlie laughs as she continues to walk out of the hospital. She types back, 'poor baby, I'll pick up something special on my way there to make you feel better .'

Joey's reply is swift, 'all I need is u ;) luv u .'

Charlie heart burst with happiness when she reads that. She texts back, 'I luv you 2 xx.' As she walks out of the hospital and into the parking lot, she hopes the rest of her day goes according to plan.