I might be able to update this again over the weekend so let me know if you'd like an extra chapter. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Fifteen

Alex looked decidedly happier when she returned to Charlie's room to finish her rounds. Charlie immediately noticed.

"So…?" she asked.

"You really are a meddler, aren't you?" the Doctor remarked but she still couldn't stop smiling.

"What can I say? Books and TV are only going to get me so far," Charlie announced. "Now, tell me everything!"

Alex laughed and approached her bedside.

"We're… seeing how it goes," she said. "No pressure. No labels. Just…"

"Happy?" Charlie suggested.

Alex's smile grew.

"Yeah," she agreed. "Happy."

"Well, you have to keep me posted," Charlie requested. "I am absolutely rooting for you!"

"What about you and Joey though?" Alex wanted to know. "How is that going?"

"It's not," Charlie confirmed. "I mean, I screwed it up when I was fit and well. I'm not exactly a catch now, am I?"

She shook her head, sadly.

"Hey," Alex said, holding her patient's hand. "Whatever happens, you're still you."

Charlie sighed heavily. She shrugged.

"I doubt that's enough," she sighed. "But I'm enjoying her company."

Alex reached out and touched Charlie's forehead.

"You're kind of hot," she said worriedly.

"Alex, you've only just hooked up with Willow," Charlie told her. "You really shouldn't be hitting on me already!"

Alex laughed and scolded her, officially checking her temperature. Charlie protested.

"I really don't like it when you do that, you know!" she said.

"I know," Alex apologised. "It's just that your temperature is still that little bit too high and I can't work out why. Let me take some blood. I want to run some extra tests."

"No!" Charlie protested. "I don't think I even have any blood left!"

"Charlie Buckton, would you stop being a baby?" Alex argued. "If there's an infection, we need to get it sorted quickly. I told you I was worried yesterday."

"Fine," Charlie sulked. "But I'm sure I'm just hot because I'm stuck in a cell with no windows and I haven't seen the light of day since some guy tried to murder me."

"Well, hopefully it is just that," Alex said patiently. "And I'm sorry that the room isn't to your liking. It's the only one we have available right now. I'll give you a free upgrade at the first available opportunity!"

Charlie warned her that there was no need for sarcasm. Then she asked if her scan results were in.

"They are," Alex said. "The Specialist I've arranged is coming down this morning to talk you through them."

"Can't you just do it?" Charlie asked.

"It's better if someone with a more detailed knowledge of your kind of injuries comes to see you," Alex said.

She had gone through the scans herself before she'd left work and they hadn't filled her with joy.

"Anyway, I'll get this blood test sorted."

"Will you be here?" Charlie asked in a small voice. "For the Specialist appointment?"

"If you want me to be here, I'll be here," Alex promised.

"I do."

"Then it's done," Alex assured her. "Now, let me go and find a nurse."

Charlie sighed and sank back against her pillow. She longed for Joey to arrive.

It wasn't long before Joey did arrive and she was armed with chocolate. Charlie was thrilled to see her. And receive the chocolate. They hugged.

"How are you feeling?"

"A little anxious," Charlie admitted. "Alex is making me see a Specialist this morning. I guess I'm going to have to face up to things properly today. I'm… scared."

Joey reached for her hand.

"Whatever happens, it's going to be okay," she said. "I promise. You're so strong, Charlie. There's nothing you can't handle."

Charlie smiled weakly.

"Do you really think so?" she asked.

"I know so," Joey confirmed. "Look at everything you've dealt with in your life so far. Do you really think you can't deal with this? I mean, when you first woke up, you were struggling with your speech but you've improved so much already."

"It's hard though," Charlie said. "Every word, I have to really concentrate."

"It doesn't show," Joey said. "That's the point. You handle everything so well."

"But what if there's nothing to handle, Joey?" Charlie asked. "What if I just can't walk? What if I'm never going to get the feeling back? I'm a police officer. I need my legs. I mean… at least I think I'm a police officer. That day was my last day at work. I'd resigned. I don't even know what my future is supposed to be. I don't know what to do about money, sick pay… I don't know what's going on with my life, Joey. Watson and this new guy, Colby something came to take my statement about the shooting but nobody from HR have bothered to speak to me and…"

"Charlie, slow down," Joey begged.

She put her finger to Charlie's lips. Charlie closed her eyes. She couldn't help but enjoy her ex-girlfriend's touch.

"The first thing we need to do is see this Specialist," Joey said, taking her finger away. "We need to find out what we're dealing with. Then we need to speak to the police and find out what's happening with work. Technically you're still employed by them."

Charlie nodded gratefully.

"If you're going to heal properly… what would you like to do?"

"Go back," Charlie said immediately. "I can hardly believe I was going to give everything up just like that. I was just going to throw my whole life away."

She shook her head.

"Was it messy?" Joey asked. "The breakup?

"It wasn't great," Charlie admitted. "But it was necessary."

"I'm sorry, Charlie," Joey said honestly. "I saw him last night. He looked pretty miserable. But then, he looked pretty miserable before so…"

"Yeah," Charlie sighed.

She hadn't meant to hurt him. But then, he had hurt her too so perhaps they were even. It felt strange to know it was definitely over. They had split up so many times before but it had always been unfinished each time. This time, it was most definitely done.

"Are you okay?" Joey asked.

"Actually, I am," Charlie said. "I need to focus on the things that are going to help me and Brax… won't."

"Well, I'll be here to support you for as long as you need," Joey offered. "I've taken leave from work so I can stay for a couple of weeks. Aden too."

Charlie smiled and thanked her, adding that it would be nice to see Aden if he ever wanted to stop by. Then she asked her what she did for a living these days.

"We're both working on a builder's yard," Joey said. "Building boats!"

She grinned. Charlie laughed. She reached out and squeezed Joey's bicep.

"I thought you looked like you'd been working out!"

Joey laughed. She leant closer and stroked Charlie's hair.

"Are you sure you're feeling okay? You don't look well."

"Thanks!" Charlie sulked.

"Charlie, I'm serious."

"Alex thinks I have an infection or something," Charlie complained. "They've taken blood, prodded my surgery wounds and redressed them which was seriously uncomfortable."

Joey looked worried.

"It's fine," Charlie assured her. "They'll just put me on antibiotics or something. She's not worried."

Charlie wasn't sure if that last bit was entirely truthful but she didn't want Joey to fret.

"Okay…" Joey said uncertainly. "As long as you're sure."

"I swear."

Joey lifted Charlie's hand and kissed it.

"Good," she said. "I don't want anything else to happen to you."

"Thank you for caring about me," Charlie said.

Joey gazed at her.

"I'll always care about you," she said earnestly.

They smiled lovingly at each other, interrupted only when Ruby appeared.

"Oh!" the teenager said. "Sorry to interrupt."

"You're not interrupting," Joey assured her, letting go of Charlie's hand. "Shall I leave you guys to it?"

Both Buckton women told her not to leave. Ruby walked round to the other side, kissed her mother's forehead and wish her good morning. Charlie passed on the news about the Specialist and left out the news about the infection.

"So, I heard about Brax," Ruby said, getting right to the point.

"Yeah," Charlie said. "Please don't worry. It's a good thing."

Ruby sighed, requesting that her mother promised that she was happy and felt she was making the right decision. Joey listened intently the conversation. She had only seen one side of Brax and Charlie and she needed to know how much they had really meant to each other. After all, Charlie had been willing to give up being a police officer for him. She hadn't even been prepared to hold Joey's hand in public.

"I just realised that Brax isn't the man who'll be here by my side when I really need him," Charlie said. "I mean, where is he? Where has he been? I've been trapped here and he's been completely absent, caught up in his own head. He's the guy that's there for the drama and romance but he's not there for the real stuff. And he's certainly not going to help me if I don't recover properly. I wouldn't see him for dust. So it was better to end it instead of just letting it drag on and hurting us both."

"I get it," Ruby said. "It's sad but I get it."

"Thank you for understanding," Charlie said. "And please don't let me and Brax make anything awkward for you and Casey."

"I won't," Ruby lied.

The truth was, she had barely seen her boyfriend. He had tried to support her but she hadn't made herself available to him. She had been too busy at the hospital and she knew she was shutting him out. She had only really allowed people such as Leah, Irene and Joey to help her. Romeo too had been a good friend. But anyone with the name Braxton had become a problem in her head.

They looked up when Alex knocked and entered.

"Charlie, Doctor Coulson is here," she said. "Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be," Charlie replied.

Ruby and Joey waited outside together while Alex sat in on Charlie's appointment with Doctor Coulson. Ruby's heart raced as once again, she sat on the uncomfortable plastic chairs, waiting for news.

"What do you think is going on in there?" she asked worriedly.

"I guess they're just going through the results of the scans," Joey said. "Talking through the long term plans for Charlie's health."

"You mean about… whether she's paralysed?" Ruby asked.

It was something she hadn't talked about with Charlie. She couldn't bear it. She hadn't wanted to upset her or be upset in front of her.

"Yes," Joey said. "I think so."

They both sighed.

"Look, whatever happens, she has so much support around her," Joey said.

"Does she?" Ruby asked. "She has me but she's broken up with Brax, who was next to useless anyway. I know you're here but you're not going to stay forever…"

"I'll stay as long as I can," Joey promised.

"But how long is that?" Ruby persisted.

"I've got at least two weeks," Joey said. "And I'm here for you and for Charlie. Whatever either of you need."

"It's been nice spending time with you," Ruby said. "I've enjoyed just hanging out at your van and walking Jasper with you."

Joey put her arm around her.

"Any time, Ruby," she said. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," the teenager replied. "And you're making such a difference to Mum."

Joey smiled. She hoped she was. All she wanted to do was help.

"Do you think you'll get back together?" Ruby asked.

She always did get right to the point. But the question still startled Joey. She didn't quite know how to answer the question.

"I um… well, I don't think that's really on the table," she said. "I mean, Charlie's not… I don't think so. She's just been through a huge trauma and she only just split up with Brax. I don't think…"

The door to Charlie's room opened. Ruby and Joey stood up quickly.

Willow went home. She had a lot on her mind. Her lips were still tingling from the multiple kisses she and Alex had shared in the Doctor's office that morning. It had just felt so right. She was torn between wanting to shout it from the rooftops and wanting to keep it very much to herself.

"What's that big grin for, girlie?" Irene asked the moment she walked through the door.

Willow stopped short. She didn't know what to do.

"Come on… Who is it?"

"What do you mean?" Willow asked, a little high pitched.

"There is only one thing that puts a smile like that on someone's face," Irene told her. "Now sit down and tell me everything!"

Willow laughed and joined her at the table. Her smile became a little nervous.

"I've um… well, I've kind of met someone."

"Well, I worked out that much," Irene chuckled. "Who is he?"

"Alex," Willow said.

Irene furrowed her brow, trying to recall if she knew anyone called Alex.

"You know… um… the Doctor?" Willow ventured. "She…"

She said the word 'she' very deliberately. Irene looked surprised but not appalled. Willow was intensely nervous.

"She's the Doctor that's been treating Charlie," she continued. "I wasn't expecting it or anything. It just happened and I just… she's amazing, Irene. But I'm pretty confused about it all. So we're just seeing how it goes. Not labelling it or anything. Not rushing."

She froze, waiting for Irene's response. The older woman reached out and held her hands.

"If you're happy, that's the most important thing in the world," she told her gently.

Willow let out a breath.

"You don't mind?" she asked timidly.

"Why on earth would I mind?" Irene half laughed.

"Well, I…"

"Willow, love is love," Irene told her. "It doesn't matter if it's with a woman or a man. If you've found someone who makes you happy, you need to just go for it. And you'll certainly get no judgements from me. And Alex seems like a lovely person to me. Especially if she's making you smile like that!"

Willow reached out and hugged her.

Ruby and Joey sat anxiously in Charlie's room with her and Alex. Doctor Coulson had left them to it.

"So, what's going on?" Ruby asked timidly, aware that her mother didn't look happy.

She looked between Charlie and Alex. The Doctor spoke first.

"Okay, so the first thing we're dealing with is an infection," Alex said. "But it should be easy to treat with antibiotics which we're starting immediately."

Ruby and Joey nodded. Ruby clutched her mother's hand.

"But the tests have shown…"

"I'm paralysed," Charlie cut in. "And it's permanent. I won't get the use of my legs back."

Ruby, Joey and Alex looked helplessly at each other.

"I'd really like to be alone now, please," Charlie requested.

"Mum…"

"Please."

"Charlie, there are plenty of things we can do to strengthen your body…" Alex tried. "Like we discussed earlier about physio and pain management…"

"I've asked you all to get out, please!" Charlie snapped.

All three obeyed. Once they were gone, Charlie cried alone.

Next time… Charlie and Joey have a heart to heart and Willow and Alex share their news…