For Thane who literally spent a weekend reading through all the chapters of this story so far, the entire story of Exes and loads and loads of chapters of A Different Way. You are amazing! Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Seven

Alex collapsed onto the beach, utterly exhausted. She felt like she had no breath in her lungs. Willow stood over her, grinning rather triumphantly.

"You're really unfit," she said.

Alex opened her eyes.

"May I suggest you don't become a motivational speaker?"

Willow smiled and held out her hand, pulling Alex to her feet.

"You've genuinely done really well today," she said more sincerely. "I'm impressed."

"Too late, to be honest," Alex said a little sulkily.

"I'm surprised that someone so… well, fit, is so unfit," Willow commented.

Alex giggled, not quite sure how to take the comment.

"But you definitely have potential," Willow told her. "If you want to carry on?"

The truth was, Alex had no desire to carry on working out. She had always hated exercise. However, she very much enjoyed Willow's company and not just because she found her attractive. She also thought she was really funny and generally quite charming. And of all the people she had met the night before, Willow had been the one to make the most effort with her. Alex didn't think she would stay in the Bay too long. She never stayed anywhere very long. But she did want to make friends while she was here or Summer Bay would be an extremely lonely experience. And Willow seemed like a great person to start with.

"Mmm… okay, sure," she agreed. "Why not?"

"Really?" Willow exclaimed. "Wow! I thought for sure you were humouring me!"

"Well, I can't say I'm a massive exercise fan but I did like the teacher and I am keen to get fit and make friends so count me in," Alex said.

"Well, I like to think we're already friends," Willow said, leading the way back into the gym. "And you're also the town hero after what you've done for Charlie. So I wouldn't worry about bonding with people. Not that I don't want you to sign up. Quick, where's my diary?"

Alex chuckled and retrieved her phone to make a PT date with her new friend, although it was still against her better judgement.

"Are you ever at the damn hospital?"

Alex didn't even need to turn around to know it was Brax speaking to her. She saw Willow glaring past her shoulder. Alex turned around slowly to face him, refusing to be intimidated.

"Are you?" she asked.

He stood up a little taller.

"I was there this morning," he informed her.

"And I'll be there as soon as my shift starts this afternoon," she replied. "Is that acceptable to you?"

Behind her, Willow was quietly impressed. Brax decided to ignore her and walk out. Alex let out a breath and turned back to Willow who reached out and held both her hands.

"Well done," she said. "That was really cool."

"It didn't feel cool," Alex admitted. "I really am doing my best for Charlie. I've been putting in extra hours and…"

Willow squeezed her hands across the counter and leant in close.

"Hey," she said softly. "You don't have to explain yourself to me. You saved Charlie's life against the odds. We all know that. You're amazing and we all love you. Brax is hurting and he's taking it all out on the first person he can think of. It's wrong and it's not fair. But just remember that you have all of us looking out for you."

Alex sighed heavily and thanked her gratefully. They rested their foreheads together for a moment, still holding hands before Willow moved around the counter and took Alex into her arms for a hug. Alex was grateful. She hadn't been hugged in a long time and she knew she'd clung on for longer than she should have.

"Hey," Willow said gently when they parted. "You're stuck with me for life now!"

Alex smiled at her.

"Thank you," she said again.

Ruby was still with Charlie when the police came knocking on the hospital room door. Charlie smiled when she saw Watson in uniform. Her badge read: Sergeant G. Watson.

"Hey, Sergeant… W… Watson," she managed, proud of her friend.

The police officer moved further into the room, anxiously asking Charlie how she was feeling.

"Oh, you know… great," Charlie said.

Watson wanted to hug her. But they had never hugged before. She felt shy.

"I'm so sorry this has happened to you, Charlie," she said sincerely. "We've caught the guy."

"Brax said," Ruby said stiffly.

Behind her, a police officer neither Buckton girl recognised shifted a little uncomfortably.

"Oh, this is Constable Colby Thorne," Watson said. "He's been transferred to our station."

Charlie allowed herself a small smile at the use of the word 'our'. Colby reached out and shook Charlie's hand, introducing himself. Charlie eyed him for a moment. She hadn't thought she recognised him but the name rang a bell and now his face looked a little familiar.

"Have we met?" she asked.

"Um… no, I don't think so," he replied a little nervously. "I've never worked here before."

She accepted it.

"We're partnered for the day," Watson said. "He's helping me work on your case. I know it's a little soon to question you but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind? You know how important it is to get statements as quickly as possible."

"I don't think Charlie's strong enough to…" Ruby interjected.

"It's okay…" Charlie assured her. "I don't remember much but…"

"Whatever you remember," Watson said. "It's all important."

Joey and Aden had taken Jasper for a walk. He had been cooped up in the car for a good long while. He needed to stretch his legs and Joey needed to clear her head. It felt good to be back on the beautiful beach they knew so well and had spent so much time on. Jasper ran on ahead of them, enjoying the soft sand under his paws.

"Are you going to call ahead or just turn up?" Aden asked now that Joey had decided to go to the hospital.

"I have no idea," Joey admitted. "I mean, she might not even want to see me. Nothing has actually changed between us. All that's happened is that I had a weird dream about her that freaked me out."

"Well, from the sounds of things, I think she'll just be pleased that you care," Aden said. "I've told you before how much she missed you after you left."

"Well, she moved on pretty quickly from what you said too," Joey pointed out.

"I don't think she did really," Aden said. "I think she just didn't want to be alone."

Joey sighed.

"Nor did I."

She looked up suddenly and called Jasper back, jogging hurriedly over to him, apologising to the two women he was jumping all over.

"Hey, it's okay," the first woman said, petting him.

"Yeah, he's cute," the other woman agreed.

They were sat side by side having just finished eating lunch together.

"Sorry," Joey said. "He gets excited when he meets new people. But he knows he's supposed to ask before he bulldozes people!"

The first woman smiled at her. Joey smiled back curiously, wondering if she could pick up a small hint of a team player from her.

"I'm Joey," she introduced herself. "And this is Jasper."

"And I'm Aden," her best friend said, catching up.

The two women introduced themselves as Alex and Willow.

"Are you new around here?" Willow asked. "I don't think I've met you before. And I think I would absolutely have noticed this cutie!"

She began fussing with the very excited dog again, making Alex laugh. Joey was now absolutely certain that at the very least, Alex was gay and very much interested in Willow. Now she was keen to work out Willow.

"Actually, we're old," Aden told them. "We both lived here a few years ago. We're just visiting."

"Oh, awesome," Willow said.

"A shame for me though," Alex chuckled. "I was hoping to stop being the only new girl in town."

"Oh, you're the new girl, are you?" Joey asked.

"Alex is a Doctor!" Willow said, clearly impressed.

Joey decided that whether Willow knew it yet or not, she was definitely into Alex. The Doctor chuckled and shook her head.

"But weirdly, she sucks at keeping fit," Willow added.

"Hey! I thought you were supposed to be encouraging me!" Alex protested.

"I am!" Willow insisted. "I'm encouraging you to keep going!"

"I just signed up for more classes, didn't I?" Alex complained. "What more do you want?"

Joey smiled but kept her thoughts to herself.

"Hey, you guys don't want any gym sessions or personal training while you're back in town, do you?" Willow offered her and Aden.

It had helped to speak to Watson. Charlie had known from the moment she'd woken up that the police would come and speak to her and what she would say had been playing on her mind. She had been honest, explaining what she remembered of that morning. She had heard someone at the door and seen Jake. Heard two shots. Then collapsed. She had struggled to explain that she had thought she was going to die, worried that Ruby was going to find her, which she now knew she had. Ruby had cried while Charlie had told the story, holding onto her mother's hand. Watson had been kind, patient and supportive.

Now, Charlie was sat up in bed with Ruby and Leah beside her, attempting to eat some actual food. She was still finding everything so exhausting but she was absolutely determined to fight her injuries and get out of hospital as soon as possible. Throughout the day, it was easier to stay positive, especially when Ruby was around. But it was harder at night when she was alone and plagued with memories and fears.

"You're doing so well, Mum," Ruby said, encouraging her.

Leah smiled at her housemate's use of language. If anything good had come of this, it was that mother and daughter had grown so much closer.

"Just take it slow and don't rush, okay?"

"It tastes good," Charlie said to Leah. "Thanks."

The hospital food did not taste good. Leah had been kind enough to bring her a meal from home.

"You're welcome, Charlie," Leah said affectionately. "I'm happy to bring in anything you want. Hey, I'll even sneak in some desserts when the Doctor isn't looking, if you like!"

Charlie grinned.

"She's nice… the Doctor," she said.

"She is," Leah said. "She came out for a drink last night, actually."

Ruby's eyes lit up.

"She did?" she asked. "Did Jas organise it?"

"Yeah," Leah said. "Why?"

"Oh, I just… I asked her if she would include her," Ruby admitted. "I felt like she might be a bit lonely. She's just arrived here and doesn't know anyone and I was worried about her not having any friends. She's so nice and everything."

Charlie smiled lovingly at her daughter.

"What?" Ruby asked worriedly.

"You're so kind," she told her. "Even with all this going on… you worry about… Alex."

Ruby squeezed her free hand.

"It is kind," Leah agreed. "And it was a really fun night. Alex is lovely and she got along well with everyone. She and Willow really hit it off, actually. She convinced the poor woman to sign up for a PT session!"

Charlie laughed. Pretty much everyone had been through Willow's rigorous training.

"Sounds like she… fitting in well," she said.

They were interrupted by a polite knock on the door. Alex walked in, smiling cheerfully.

"Speak of the devil," Leah said.

Alex blushed a little shyly.

"Really?" she asked.

"I was just informing these two that you got roped into one of Willow's PT sessions," Leah explained.

"Oh, yes! I had it this morning!" she shuddered. "That woman is exhausting!"

The other three laughed.

"Not to mention manipulative," Alex continued. "For some reason I signed up to another five sessions and I don't even understand how that happened."

"Yeah, she does that," Charlie chuckled.

Alex smiled and moved to the end of the bed, picking up Charlie's folder of notes.

"But enough about me," she said more seriously. "How is my favourite patient feeling? I see you're eating. That's a massive improvement."

"Leah brought food from home," Ruby said.

"Lucky Charlie," Alex said.

"Luckier if I hadn't been shot but definitely lucky to get home cooked meals," Charlie said.

She smirked at Alex who was relieved to find her already able to make jokes.

"You make a good point," she said. "I probably wouldn't play you for luck in a game of Trumps."

Charlie snorted and then started coughing. Ruby was struck with panic. Alex rushed over and kept her still. Charlie clung onto her until she calmed down. Her whole body hurt – well, the parts of her body that she could still feel probably.

"It wasn't that funny, Charlie," Alex told her, settling her back in bed.

Charlie closed her eyes and smiled.

"I just haven't laughed properly in a while," she said. "You have an easy audience."

Alex tucked a strand of hair behind Charlie's ear and instructed her to continue eating. Charlie hung onto her a moment, closing her eyes.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," Charlie said. "It felt good to laugh. Mostly."

"Well, let's do more if it," Alex suggested. "Safely. None of this choking business."

Charlie let go of her and continued eating.

Next time… Charlie and Joey finally come face to face…