For Luckdog. Sorry for being so rubbish in updating! Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Eight

"Go!" Charlie called.

She, Colby and the rest of the team, including Detective Georgie Watson, who Charlie had persuaded onto the case for old time's sake, charged into the house in a bid to take down their suspect, Douglas and rescue Leah.

Colby kicked the door in. Charlie and Watson followed him through the door, guns poised. Heart pounding, Charlie carefully crept through the house, desperate to find her friend. She heard officers clearly each room. She spotted a flash off white dash out the back door. She immediately gave chase.

"Leah!" she yelled, realising that it was a woman, running hard in a wedding dress. "Leah!"

Charlie's breath was coming out hard and fast as she attempted to catch up with her.

"Leah, it's Charlie!" she yelled.

The white mass slowed. Charlie caught up with her, cautiously putting her gun away.

"Leah?" she said.

She touched her arm. Leah jolted. She was ashen faced and looked more frightened than Charlie had ever seen her.

"Leah, it's okay. You're safe now. You're safe."

She didn't respond.

"Let me take you to my car," Charlie requested.

Leah nodded mutely.

"Justin's here," Charlie said.

It had been quite the struggle to make him stay put in the car but she had promised that as soon as she found his girlfriend, she would bring her to him. Leah allowed Charlie to guide her to her car. Justin had jumped out of it before they were even halfway there. He attempted to hug the love of his life but she froze. He withdrew, just remaining grateful that she was safe. Charlie respected his kindness and genuine love for her that after all this time apart, how desperate he was to hold her and reassure himself, he just wanted everything to be okay for her first.

"I need some help!" Watson called.

She had Douglas pinned and was struggling to get him in handcuffs. Colby was on the floor, having been stabbed in the leg with a pair of scissors. With Leah having run off during the raid, Douglas had hidden in a bid to run too. But despite managing to injure Colby, Watson had been too quick for him.

Word had got round fast that Leah had been found and everyone was relieved, although alarmed by the stories they had heard about her time in captivity. It seemed that the Leah they knew and loved would now be forever changed. They just hoped that they would all be able to help her heal.

"I guess she'll be in hospital for a little while?" Willow said. "And Colby too."

She, Alex, Joey and Xander had gone up to the lighthouse for the afternoon. Charlie was due to meet them there if she ever finished work. Joey hoped that now Leah had been found, her wife would put her badge away and enjoy what was left of their holiday.

"I texted Ruby and she's arranged to see Leah ASAP," Alex said. "So she'll be in good hands."

"That's really good," Joey said. "Ruby's amazing at what she does."

Willow smiled sadly. She tried not to feel inadequate, surrounding by Alex the Doctor and her friends who were all so professional and qualified. Charlie was a Detective, Ruby was a Psychologist and Joey had a fleet of boats and ran her own tour guide business. She wondered what Alex's ex had done for a living. Had she fitted in better with them? Was Alex dating down by dating a Personal Trainer? Well, she supposed she was Gym Manager now. But she still felt like a fraud. She had blagged her way into the job and she was still getting her qualifications. She wasn't like Alex and Charlie. She had never been focussed. She had largely avoided growing up whereas it seemed like those two had been born to be adults.

"Are you worried about Colby?" Alex asked kindly. "We could always ditch and go over to the hospital if you need to?"

Willow squeezed her hand gratefully and assured her he would be inundated with visitors. She would see him later. Joey hurried forward with Xander who was rather excited about the lighthouse.

"So, um… you guys just used to all hang out in a group back in Queensland?" Willow ventured, changing the subject. "You, Joey, Charlie…"

"A few other friends of ours," Alex said, nodding. "My ex, Amy."

Willow nodded. She and Alex were holding hands.

"What um… what did Amy do for a living?" she asked anxiously.

"She was a partner in an Estate Agency," Alex told her.

Of course she was, Willow thought to herself.

"That's actually how we met," Alex explained. "She sold me my house."

"You're such a grown up!" Willow joked. "Like… you have a house, you're a Doctor…"

Alex laughed and put her arm around her.

"Well, I guess I'll sell the house now," she said. "Buy somewhere here if I'm going to stay. I kept the place on there because I assumed I'd eventually go home. Charlie and Joey have been managing it for me while I've had it tenanted. But I guess there's no point in keeping it on now."

"Charlie will be really mad," Willow remarked.

"I think she's starting to accept things," Alex assured her. "She likes you. And to be honest, I think she's started to remember why she liked Summer Bay, once upon a time. Like, maybe living here wasn't all bad. I mean, it's where she and Joey met, after all. I think they're both pleasantly surprised about how much it's moved on for people like us."

"Were they… not accepted?" Willow asked.

"From what they told me, the homophobia was pretty bad," Alex said. "Not from everyone, of course. Not Alf or Irene or Leah. Not anyone that was here then that matters to you now."

Willow smiled. It was moments of thoughtfulness that that made Willow love her all the more.

"I'm glad it's different here now," she admitted. "I feel like we've had nothing but support."

"I feel the same," Alex beamed.

She leaned closer and kissed her.

"So, um…"

Alex stopped. She knew that Willow had something on her mind. Joey was sat down ahead of them, laying out lunch with Xander.

"What's on your mind, Will?" she asked.

"Just… I mean, did you and this Amy own your house together?" Willow asked.

"For a time," Alex said. "She bought into my mortgage. Then she bought out again. It wasn't a pleasant experience."

"I'm sorry…"

"I don't mind you asking," Alex said.

It wasn't entirely true. She didn't want to keep secrets but it was painful to talk about her past.

"Okay… so… you guys… it was… the real deal?" Willow asked.

Alex didn't know how to answer so she stayed quiet.

"Like, the house, the posh jobs, the holidays, all that stuff?"

"We had a house, we both had jobs, we went on holiday," Alex confirmed.

Willow wasn't sure she had answered the question.

"But it was… complicated," Alex eventually said. "Walking away was the best decision I made."

She plastered a smile on her face.

"Especially as it led me to you."

They kissed.

"Hey!" Joey interrupted. "Are you guys going to join us at all or are you just going to make out all day?"

Joey, Alex, Willow and Xander had all enjoyed their lunch. Charlie was due to join them any moment, her case finally over. Joey was hoping she would get the opportunity to see Leah herself while they visited, once she knew what state she was in and if she would happy to see her.

"Can we play catch?" Xander asked, digging around in Joey's bag.

Willow was surprised when he offered the ball to her and not his mother or his Godmother. She looked a little shyly at Alex who smiled at her.

"Of course we can, Xander," she said, getting to her feet.

He jumped up and followed her. Alex and Joey smiled, watching them play

"She's really good with him," Joey said. "He's taken so well to her."

"They're lovely together," Alex agreed.

"Well, anyone with Xander's stamp of approval…"

Alex couldn't stop smiling as she watched Willow playing with the little boy she adored so much. He was the biggest wrench when it came to not returning home. But she loved Willow and she was prepared to do anything to be with her.

"She's pretty amazing," Alex mused. "I feel like I can just be myself around her. I trust her completely."

"So, what's the problem?" Joey asked.

Alex looked startled.

"I never said there was a problem!"

"You didn't have to," Joey told her. "How long have we known each other?"

Alex sighed, watching Willow and Xander carefully throw the ball to each other.

"She's been asking questions," Alex ventured. "About Amy."

"Oh," Joey said. "Right. And… you haven't told Willow anything about Amy?"

Alex shook her head.

"Why not? Don't you think it's important?"

"I just… I don't want her to tarnish my new life," Alex said. "I feel so happy here. I feel so happy with Willow. I don't want it to get ruined."

"But Alex… Willow needs to know about your past," Joey ventured. "She needs to know you. The whole of you."

"Amy doesn't define me," Alex said defensively.

"And my past doesn't define me. And Charlie's past doesn't define her. But they're still part of us. They still affect us in some ways now. But we are aware of each other's pasts, we understand them. We accept them. We love each other through every battle scar. Don't you think Willow will do that?"

Alex sighed.

"I don't know," she said. "I mean, I have no reason to doubt her. I just… everything up until now has been so fun, so easy. I guess I just feel if I start talking to her about this stuff, everything will suddenly become so serious and…"

"What's become so serious?"

Alex and Joey nearly jumped out of their skin as Charlie crept up behind them.

"Charlie, don't do that!" Joey scolded.

Charlie grinned and kissed her. She noticed Willow and Xander playing together.

"So, what's so serious?" Charlie asked again.

"Alex is reluctant to tell Willow about Amy," Joey explained.

Charlie looked started.

"She doesn't know what happened?" Charlie exclaimed. "No wonder she thinks I'm a possessive bitch!"

Alex and Joey both laughed. Alex reassured her friend that Willow liked her.

"I mean, I think she's a little scared of you…"

Charlie looked wounded.

"Darling, I think most people are a little scared of you," Joey said as diplomatically as possible. "I mean, like when they first meet you. I mean, not me. I loved you when I first met you. But just.. some people. Hardly anyone. I didn't mean it."

Alex made a digging gesture. Charlie glared at them both. She was interrupted by Xander charging up to her and hurling himself into her arms, knocking her flat onto her back. Laughing, she hugged him.

"I missed you!" he declared, sitting on her chest.

"No, I think you definitely got her!" Alex remarked.

"I've missed you too, buddy," Charlie replied. "I'm sorry I've been working but I promised, the rest of this trip is all about you and our family."

"I've been playing catch with Willow," he told her, not quite able to pronounce the 'L's.

Willow smiled to herself. He was very cute. Charlie sat up, turning Xander around to sit in her lap. She wrapped her arms around him.

"Are you scared of me?" she asked Willow bluntly.

Alex put her face in her hands. Joey rolled her eyes. Willow looked stricken.

"What?" she managed. "I mean, um…"

She looked panicked at her girlfriend.

"I mean, case in point," Alex said to Charlie.

"That's not confrontational at all," Joey remarked.

Charlie apologised.

"I just… I'm not scary," she sulked. "I just… care."

"We know that, darling," Joey assured her.

"I thought we were getting along fine?" Charlie said to Willow.

"We are," Willow replied. "Aren't we?"

"We are," Charlie confirmed. "I like you."

"I like you too," Willow said.

Secretly, she was a little scared of her. But it was not the time to admit that.

"Great!" Alex said. "We all like each other."

Xander wiggled in Charlie's arms. Charlie winced. Her shoulder was particularly painful. Joey was immediately worried. Charlie did her best to reassure her.

"Hey, um… I'm not a physio by any stretch of the imagination but if you wanted, I could come up with some exercises for your shoulder that may help? If you wanted? I have done rehab work as part of my training at the gym." Willow offered nervously. "I mean, I don't know what you've already tried?"

"I've pretty much tried everything," Charlie admitted. "Nothing has helped. I just deal with the pain as best I can. If you can think of anything that might improve things, I'd be really grateful."

"Why don't we meet at the gym tomorrow?" Willow suggested. "We could do a proper PT session and come up with a plan?"

"Be careful," Alex grinned. "That's when she gets scary!"

Willow laughed and scolded her for giving her a bad reputation.

That night, Willow and Alex lay in bed.

"Thank you for offering to help Charlie," Alex said.

Willow shrugged.

"Well, I probably can't do much," Willow said bashfully. "But I thought it would be nice to offer. She seems to be in so much pain."

"She's in a lot of pain," Alex confirmed. "And she's pretty amazing. She just gets on with it. Her job is so demanding and she never complains. And you've seen the way she swings Xander around!"

Willow chuckled.

"Why does she think I'm scared of her?" she worried.

"Um… that may have been my fault," Alex admitted. "Sorry."

"I mean, I am a little bit but I don't want her to know that!"

Alex laughed softly and kissed her. She knew now would be a good moment to be honest, to explain why Charlie was so very protective. Instead, she ran her hands through Willow's hair and kissed her again.

In their bedroom, Charlie and Joey had put Xander to bed. They were still trying to work out how to get some time alone together. They hadn't found the answer yet but they were sure they would.

"She has to talk to her," Joey said.

"Of course she does," Charlie agreed. "If Alex has blocked out ten years of her life then it means they hardly know each other. What has Alex shared with Willow? What has Willow shared with Alex? Alex can't sell up and move here if they don't even know each other properly. It won't work."

Joey nodded in agreement. She sought Charlie's lips in the dark.

"They have to love every part of each other," she said softly, thoughtfully.

She stroked Charlie's face, resting her fingertips on her lips. She couldn't help but think about how much she loved Charlie. They had been through so much together and she knew without a doubt that they would be together for the rest of their lives.

The next morning, Charlie found herself at the gym. Willow was more nervous than she felt she should be. This was the place that she was in charge. This was the place that she was in control. But Charlie definitely made her nervous. She couldn't deny it. She just hoped that she could prove herself to be useful. She was desperate to fit into Alex's world.

"What's up with you? You look like you're waiting outside the Principal's office," Dean remarked.

He was lifting weights, starting out his day.

"I'm waiting for Charlie," Willow explained. "You know, Alex's friend? We're having a PT session. I'm just a bit nervous."

Dean stopped and sat up.

"Is that the one who's been working with Colby?" he asked. "She helped find Leah?"

Willow nodded.

"Oh yeah, he said she was a real firecracker!" he chuckled.

"You're not helping," she replied.

"He said she was hot too!" he added.

"You're still not helping," she criticised.

He merely grinned at her.

"So, you're scared of her but you arranged a personal training session?" he asked curiously.

"I offered it as a favour," she explained. "She has a bad shoulder. From an accident years ago. I thought it would help."

"Help her shoulder or help her like you?"

"Both," Willow admitted. "Although, she did say she liked me yesterday so I think we're going in the right direction."

"Well, I hope you make some progress with your new family soon," he said.

She frowned. She knew he hadn't forgiven him since she had almost moved away.

"Willow?"

She turned quickly when Charlie entered the gym, looking for her. She ignored Dean who was clearly checking Charlie out. He was deeply in love with Ziggy and absolutely committed but he still had eyes. He couldn't help it.

"Hi, Charlie," Willow greeted. "You ready?"

"Absolutely," Charlie said.

"Oh, this is Dean, one of my best friends," Willow said. "More like family, really. Dean, this is Charlie, one of Alex's best friends."

Charlie and Dean shook hands. She observed him carefully. Willow realised that she was never quite out of cop mode.

"Shall we get started?" Willow suggested.

An hour later, Charlie was half in pain and half feeling better. Willow genuinely knew her stuff and Charlie was happy to tell her so. She didn't like to let a compliment pass.

"Thank you," Willow said a little shyly. "I mean, I'm happy to help anywhere I can."

"Well, I really appreciate it," Charlie said. "When you live with chronic pain, it's easy to feel forgotten. So it means a lot when someone notices and reaches out."

Willow smiled, touched by the compliment. The pair of them walked out of the gym together, out into the fresh air. They silently agreed to head to the beach together, sitting down on the sand.

"Your injury must be very hard to live with, especially with the work you do," Willow commented.

"It is," Charlie said. "It's also a firm reminder of the mistakes I've made and stupid things I did in my past. Stupid decisions have consequences. They nearly cost me my life. I was so lucky to have been given the chance to get out of the relationship I was in, move away, start afresh and reunite with Joey."

"I guess I just assumed that you and Joey had been together forever," Willow admitted.

"It feels like we have," Charlie said. "She's the one. Being with her is my dream. She's everything I've ever wanted and needed. But I did a lot of stupid, reckless things before I met her. And I did a lot of stupid things in between meeting her, losing her and getting back together with her."

"Including getting caught up with the River Boys?" Willow dared.

"Darryl Braxton," Charlie confirmed.

She knew Alex had already told her.

"I used to run around with them," Willow said. "Dean, Colby… they were all part of it. When we were kids. We all grew up in Mangrove River."

Charlie nodded.

"I still can't believe you're the Charlie," Willow admitted. "You're like… famous or something. I didn't connect the dots until Alex said."

Charlie half laughed.

"I'm not sure that's a compliment," she said.

Willow didn't correct her.

"So… you, Dean and Colby all escaped, hey?" Charlie asked.

Willow nodded.

"Do you judge me for it?" she asked worriedly.

"I dated Darryl Braxton," Charlie said seriously, looking at her. "How could I judge you?"

"I just… I've been worrying all this time that you don't think I'm good enough for Alex…"

"I think you're great for Alex," Charlie said honestly. "I haven't seen her this happy in a long, long time."

Willow resisted the urge to hug her. She was delighted to have been met with approval at last. It was all she wanted.

"Thank you," she managed.

"I'm sorry if I've been a bit overprotective," Charlie ventured. "I just worry about her a lot. She hasn't had the best time in the past. When she told me she was packing up and moving here, taking whatever job she could find when she was worth a much better one, just to be with you, I panicked. I was worried that she wasn't making her own decisions."

"Why would you think that?"

"I just… I don't know," Charlie said awkwardly.

She didn't want to break any confidences.

"I just want her to be happy," she said.

"I want her to be happy too," Willow said. "All I want is to make her happy."

"I know," Charlie said. "I can see that."

"Charlie… what do you mean, she hasn't had the best time in the past?" Willow asked.

Now, Charlie felt awkward. She didn't want to betray Alex.

"It's not my story to tell," she finally said. "But if you and Alex are serious about each other then there are probably some things you need to talk about."

Willow nodded. There were probably plenty of things they needed to discuss. There were plenty of things she hadn't told Alex, things she would rather she didn't know, things she was scared Alex would reject her for. She had been avoiding this moment. She had been hoping that the seriousness of life would never creep their way into the relationship. But she also knew that that was unrealistic.

"Okay," she said. "I'll speak to her. Thanks."

"How about we bring take out breakfast back to the others?" Charlie suggested.

Willow smiled and stood up, helping Charlie to her feet.

"Hey, Willow?" Charlie said. "Thank you for this morning."

"Of course," Willow said. "It was my pleasure."

"And I do think you're good for Alex," Charlie added. "I mean that."

Next time… Flashback to Charlie and Joey's friendship with Alex…