Charlie is surprised when she comes home later that day and finds a candlelit dinner waiting for her. "What's all this?"

"I've already apologised to Ruby and now I'm apologising to you."

"You didn't need to do this Joey."

"Yes I did. I love you Charlie and I know I haven't been easy to live with lately."

"That's not your fault."

"I know that and I also know how lucky I am that you and Ruby haven't shown me the door."

"We would never do that. Joey, we're a family and families help each other through the good and the bad."

"Seems to be more bad than good at the moment, at least for me."

Charlie moves behind Joey as she reaches for the glasses, sliding her arms around her waist, kissing the side of her neck.

"I think I know a way to create a bit more of the good."

Leaning back into Charlie's embrace, Joey smiles, "What do you have in mind?"

"It's much easier to show you."

"What about tea?"

"Bring it and the wine."


Lying in bed, empty plates and glasses on the side tables, Charlie holds Joey in her arms.

"Where's Ruby?" Charlie's curious when she feels Joey laughing against her chest. "What's so funny?"

"You usually ask that before we go to bed."

"Hey, I was so focused on cheering you up, I kind of forgot."

"I'm sure you would have remembered if she was home and walked in on us in the kitchen."

"Oh god, don't say that, you know what she's like with her timing, you never know when she will turn up. So where is she?"

"At the cinema."

"She hates going on Saturday nights with all the crowds."

"It was the strangest thing, she just had this sudden urge to go tonight."

Knowing exactly what had happened, Charlie has to smile at her daughter's cunning. "Ok, so what did it cost you?"

"One driving lesson."

"I really do have to have a talk to that girl."

"It's ok Charlie, I'm sure I'll get an opportunity to get them off her again."

"I'm not sure who's worse; you or Ruby."

Moving over Charlie, Joey smirks down at her, "Oh, I'm much worse."

"I'm sudden very worried."

"You should be Charlie."

Charlie smiles innocently up at Joey, and with a quick manoeuvre, Joey sudden finds herself under Charlie. "Whoa, Charlie, no fair."

"Not so tough now, are we?" Charlie leans down to silence any protests with her lips.


"Morning," Charlie greets Joey with a light kiss.

"Mmmmm," snuggling up closer to Charlie.

"You slept well."

"mmmm."

"No tossing and turning."

Joey raises her head from Charlie's shoulder, "Where were you last night, Charlie? There was plenty of tossing and turning."

"Did I sleep through it; I'm sorry Joey, you should have woken me."

"Geez Charlie, you're slow some times," Joey chuckles at her.

"What! Oh...Oh!" Charlie sudden twigs, "That tossing and turning, there was certainly plenty of that," Charlie recalls fondly.

"But you were right, I did sleep well. In fact, I think it's the first full night's sleep I've had in days."

A knock on their door interrupts them, "You guys decent in there?" Ruby calls out.

"Depends who you..." Silencing Joey with a hand over her mouth, Charlie yells out. "We'll be out shortly, Ruby. Oh gross, Joey," Charlie removes her wet hand to reveal a grinning mouth.

"Sorry Charlie, but you asked for that."

"At least you didn't bite. Come on, it's your first day back at work. And before you say anything, I have complete confidence in you Joey."

"Thanks Charlie."

"Now move it."

"Yes boss." Deftly ducking the pillow aimed at the back of her head as she runs for the bathroom. "Missed me."

Charlie smiles at Joey's retreating figure, before climbing out of bed.


Coming out of the bathroom, Joey leans against the doorframe, watching Charlie dress.

"Charlie, you said it's my first day back at work; it's Sunday, I thought I wasn't on till tomorrow."

"Oh right. Well, I'll just go in on my own then."

"That's not your uniform that you're putting on."

"Ok, so I had to say something to get you out of bed."

Joey narrows her eyes at her, "You're up to something."

"No I'm not," Charlie assures her.

"Yes you are, you've got something planned, haven't you?"

"You see, this is the problem of living with a cop; all the questions and suspicions about every little thing."

"Nice try Buckton, but I'm on to you."

"You make it very hard to try and surprise you."

"A surprise?" Joey grins happily.

"I'm not sure if you deserve it now."

"Do you want me to beg?" Walking over to Charlie, Joey kneels before her, looking up at her, "I will you know, I'll beg."

"Joey, get up."

"Not until you tell me what you're up to. Please, Charlie, please tell me," she appeals to her.

"Stop that Joey, that tickles," Charlie giggles as Joey kisses her stomach.

"I'll stop when you tell me what you're up to," her hands now working in tandem with her lips.

"Joey, stop it...you're not playing...oh god," Charlie's no longer able to talk as she gives into Joey's attentions.


"This is the reason why I told you we had to go to work, to avoid this type of distraction."

Joey snuggles closer to Charlie, resting her head on her shoulder as her fingers circle Charlie's stomach. "Tell me you don't prefer this more than a drive up the coast and a picnic."

"I was just trying to do something romantic before you had to go back to work."

"And it was very thoughtful and romantic what you had planned."

"I just thought a day away would help you to relax."

"I'm feeling very relaxed at the moment," Joey says sleepily.

"So am I. Joey, we can't stay in bed all day."

"mmmhh."

"Joey?" Charlie smiles when she notices the soft breathing, telling her that Joey had nodded off. Bringing her hand up to brush the hair from her eyes, seeing the relaxed and contented expression on Joey's face, Charlie leans forward to kiss her forehead. Being careful not to wake her, Charlie climbs out of bed.


"Can you turn the kettle on while you're there Ruby?"

"Jesus Charlie, you startled me. Hang on, aren't you supposed to be in a car taking Joey up the coast?"

"Got a little side-tracked," Charlie says as she starts to make her much needed coffee.

"Let me guess; she figured out you were up to something and wanted to know what."

"Something like that."

"What are we going to do about her birthday when she always seems to know when we're up to something?"

"I have no idea. Maybe if we leave it to the last minute, she won't be able to guess," Charlie suggests.

"Wishful thinking there, Charlie. So what's the plan for the rest of day; do you want me to make myself scarce?"

"You don't have to do that, besides Joey's sleeping at the moment. What did you have planned for today?"

"Vegging out in front of the telly watching a couple of dvds. Why don't you join me?"

"Sounds good."

10 minutes into their second movie, Charlie feels movement behind her as Joey wraps her arms over her shoulders and kisses her cheek. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"You looked so peaceful, that I couldn't bear to wake you."

"What are you watching?"

"Some movie Ruby got out."

Jumping over the back of the couch, Joey lands beside Charlie. "Where's the food, I'm starving."

"Ruby's just bringing in some."

"You know Charlie, this is much better than spending the day in a car."

"It is isn't it?" She agrees, putting her arm around Joey as she nestles against her side.

"I see you've finally decided to join the land of the living, Joey."

"I'm awake if that's what you're saying. As to the land of the living, well given the present company, that's debatable."

"Hey, play nice," Charlie digs her playfully in the ribs.

"Not until I'm fed."

"Quick Ruby, give her some food before she starts gnawing on the couch."

"The couch is safe Charlie, you on the other hand are looking delicious."

"Oh god no, here Joey, have my pizza," Ruby hands it her, "I'll get a sandwich."

"Thanks Ruby." Joey devours the pizza, a contented smile playing at her lips, "Works every time."

"What...damn it Joey," Ruby sits back glaring at her. "You know, one of these days, I'm going to get the best of you."

"I'm sorry Ruby, I'll share."

"Gee thanks, seeing as how it's my pizza."

"If the both of you have sorted out your eating arrangements, perhaps we can restart the movie."

The three of them settle down to enjoy a peaceful afternoon together.