…2008
"You did good today, Charlie," he told her.
"I just did my job."
"And it's a job you do very well, which is why this isn't easy for me to do," Williams said and her heart sank. "Charlie, Angelo Rosetta has made some serious allegations against you."
"Allegations?" She could think of nothing she had done wrong to warrant any allegations, unless Angelo knew about her and Joey, but how could he? Then she thought of the way she was always by Joey's side and as much as she disliked Angelo, she couldn't fault his ability to read people and situations. They should have been more careful around him, but she had this overwhelming need to protect Joey, especially from the likes of Angelo and of course he would have waited until the trial was over before saying anything; nothing would be allowed to hurt his case or reputation, but as soon as it was safe to do so, he'd pick up the knife and stick it into anyone who dared piss him off. The guy never changed and now she was worried about just how badly he'd painted whatever allegations he was throwing her way.
"Angelo has alleged that you endangered the case by taking advantage of the situation to seduce Miss Collins, that you interfered during his preparation of Miss Collins for the trial, that."
"I never interfered," Charlie barked out to interrupt him. "All I did was sit by her side for support and not let Angelo bully or manipulate her."
"I'm aware of the tactics he employs when it comes to his witnesses and I'm also aware of the antagonistic history between the two of you, so since he hasn't offered anything in the way of proof for his allegations, I'm willing to put this down to some petty attempt by Angelo to get at you, by letting you clear this up by answering one question," Williams said and Charlie held her breath, knowing her time was up. "Did you seduce Miss Collins?"
It would be so easy to lie, but she and Joey were going to have to come out as a couple eventually, only she'd have preferred it to be on their terms, instead of being forced to defend herself against Angelo's nasty interference. "Not the way Angelo seems to be implying," Charlie said. "Joey and I fell in love and it was completely mutual. There was no taking advantage of or some seduction, we just fell in love."
"God Charlie," he muttered. "I was hoping there really was no truth to this and it was just about Angelo being his usual petty and vindictive self."
"I never meant for anything to happen, it just did."
"And if I speak to Miss Collins, she'll confirm that there was no coercion on your part?"
"Of course she will," snapped Charlie. She took a calming breath when she saw his brow go up in surprise at her response. "I'm sorry Sarge, I know you're only following up on allegations that have been made, but I resent the implication that I in any way coerced or took advantage of Joey." She shrugged helplessly, "Neither of us went looking for this, it just kind of happened and I did try to resist my feelings, but they were too strong and I don't regret what has happened between me and Joey."
He surprised her with a chuckle. "You are the last officer I ever expected this to happen to, especially with a small child involved."
"That was my reaction too, but I love them both."
"So, this relationship is serious then?"
Charlie nodded. "We intend to move in together and be a family."
"I take it then, that the plan was to keep quiet about your relationship until the trial was over, then you could be together and that would be it?"
"Yeah, something like that, though I'm not naive enough to not expect some form of reprimand."
"As it didn't affect the way you protected Miss Collins or impact on the trial in any way, I may have been tempted to let it go with a caution, but Angelo has lodged a formal complaint with the allegations and now that you've admitted to the affair, I can't ignore it."
Charlie nodded. She could strangle Angelo for his petty revenge, but at the end of the day, she was the one who knew the risks and took it anyway, while he was just being himself; a vindictive, callous ladder-climbing bastard who will step over anyone in his way. "I understand," she said.
"Be in my office tomorrow afternoon and I'll have a decision for you." He started to turn away from her but paused. "Did Nick know?"
Charlie didn't want to lie but she didn't want Nick to get into trouble either.
"On second thoughts, don't answer that," said Williams. "You've admitted to the affair and are prepared to take the consequences, so I see no need to drag Nick into this."
"Thank you Sarge."
"He's a good officer and I'm sure he would never have let anything interfere with the safety of his charges."
"Nick is one of the finest officers I've ever worked with," Charlie said with all honesty.
"He said much the same about you when I spoke to him the other day. Now, I'll leave you to get some rest after this rather hectic day, but I expect to see you tomorrow."
"Yes Sarge."
"And if you don't object, I'd like to borrow your Joey for a moment so we can clear up a few things," he said. "I have a feeling she won't be far away."
"Just take it easy on her Sarge," she said with a hint of warning in her voice. "This has been hard on her."
"Still protective of her, are we?"
"Always."
"Never thought I'd see the day when Charlie Buckton was so well and truly smitten," he murmured as he left the room.
Twenty minutes later, Charlie was getting ready to leave the room and go looking for Joey, when her girlfriend walked in and all her worries left her the moment Joey rushed over to her and threw her arms around her, making everything all right, except for the bruise choosing that moment to remind her that she was hurt.
"Oh god, I'm so sorry Charlie," Joey said when she heard Charlie wince and she stepped back from her.
"You don't have to stop Joey," said Charlie. "I can put up with a bit of discomfort if it means hugging you."
"You're hurt Charlie and we can hug when you're better."
"What if I said that holding you would make me feel better?"
"In that case," Joey stepped into her arms and held her gently.
"Much better," murmured Charlie.
"I spoke to Sgt Williams and answered his stupid questions."
"He's just doing his job, Joey."
"Yeah, I know, it was that wanker Angelo who is behind all of this nonsense. Why the hell does Angelo even care, it's not like it affected anything."
"He's not my biggest fan and he hates anything that might endanger his cases and so this was just too good of an opportunity for him to pass up." She kissed Joey's temple. "Our relationship was always going to have to come out into the open anyway, so there was no way to avoid this, I just wish it had been on my terms and without the embellishments of Angelo."
"I'm not sure what makes me happier," Joey said. "That I don't have to testify or that I never have to see that prick Angelo again."
Charlie chuckled. "At least that part of our lives is over now, as is the danger and now that our secret is out, we can be out and proud together."
Joey circled her arms around Charlie's neck. "What about your career?"
"I don't really care."
"Charlie, your career is important to you."
"Not as important as you and Ruby are." She kissed Joey's lips softly. "Look, I'll probably get into some trouble, but I doubt that I'll lose my job." At least I hope I don't.
"And if you do?"
"I'll still have you and Ruby and after taking a bullet in the line of duty, with that sort of publicity behind me, I don't think I'd have too much trouble finding a job outside the police force." Joey had winced at the taking a bullet reference. "Hey, I'm ok, Joey."
"I know, it's just that I came so close to losing you."
"Well I'm here now and I am so looking forward to our future together, just the three of us."
Joey smiled at her. "I guess now we can tell Ruby about us."
"Soon, but right now, I want to do this," Charlie said, pressing her lips firmly to her girlfriend's.
"I could stand here all day doing this," Joey murmured against her lips.
"So could I, but we're in a hospital, so we're bound to be interru…" she wasn't able to finish because they were distracted by an excited shout.
"Charlie!" Ruby screeched and left Shannon's side to launch herself at the two women.
Joey caught her daughter just before she crashed into Charlie. "Careful Ruby, Charlie has an owie."
"Are you ok Charlie?"
"I'm just a little sore Ruby."
"Mummy used to kiss my owies better."
"Maybe later, your mum could kiss Charlie's owie better," Shannon said and smirked at the matching blushes on her friends' faces. She had been terrified when she'd heard about the shooting on the news and had worried how she'd break the news to Ruby if the worst had happened, so it had been a massive relief to find out her friends were both safe. "I hope you don't mind me bringing Ruby, but she really wanted to see you."
"It's more than ok," Charlie said and despite her discomfort, she picked up Ruby and hugged her.
"I am so glad you two are ok," Shannon said. "I was really worried for a moment there."
"You weren't the only one," Joey said. "But it's all over now." She quickly filled Shannon in on the latest developments.
"Wow, you've certainly had a big day."
"Yeah, and I think it's time to get my two ladies home," Joey said with a smile to her daughter and girlfriend.
"Can I tell everyone now that you are my other mummy?" Ruby asked Charlie. "'cos it's been so hard pretending."
"You knew?" Charlie said in surprise.
"Well duh," replied Ruby, making her mother and Shannon chuckle. "We live together and you sleep with mummy," she said as if it should be obvious.
"So much for my stealth abilities," muttered Charlie. She set the little girl down and took her hand. "Well then Miss Ruby, how about we all go home and be a family."
"Yes please."
