Hello again and a massive, massive thank you to everyone who read the last chapter and especially to those who were kind enough to post their reviews. I know I keep saying it (and probably will continue too!) but your feedback is muchly appreciated – it really is. I love reading what you all think and it means the world to me that you guys still seem to be enjoying the story.

Purplemonkeyys – thanks for your lovely feedback; I'm glad you've enjoyed all the chapters so far. Hope you like this one! And don't worry, Charlie's hands won't be going anywhere near Kristen – she's got far better places to put 'em!

1818 – glad you're enjoying the story. Hope you keep reading!

Ashikinz – bad thoughts about Kristen? Surely not? And I'll do my best to not let life get in the way so much lol.

Jsco81 – hope you enjoy the latest chapter.

Iomac3 – I sense you're not liking Kristen much either. As psychotic ex-girlfriends go, she's perfectly harmless lol.

And so, on that note, here's chapter five… I hope you all enjoy it. And if you would be so kind as to let me know what you all think, that would be just swell! It'll encourage me to get chapter six posted all the more quickly!

Enjoy 

Paper heart

Chapter Five

Baby, baby

When we first met, I never felt something so strong

You were like my lover and my best friend

All wrapped into one with a ribbon on it

And all of a sudden you went and left

I didn't know how to follow

It's like a shock that spun me around

And now my heart's dead

I feel so empty and hollow

And I'll never give myself to another the way I gave it to ya (to ya)

Don't even recognize the ways you hurt me, do ya (do ya)?

It's gonna take a miracle to bring me back

And you are the one to blame

And now I feel like - ooh!

Charlie was in her element. Having sent a very willing Watson off to the bar for another drink, she was happily soaking up the carefree atmosphere that was radiating from the packed dance floor. After the unsettling altercation with her ex, she was in desperate need of a distraction and – for the time being at least – feeling at one with the music, dancing to Rihanna's "Rehab", Charlie was enjoying losing herself on the dance floor.

You're the reason why I'm thinking

I don't wanna smoke on these cigarettes no more

I guess that's what I get for wishful thinking

Should've never let you enter my door

Next time you wanna go on and leave

I should just let you go on and do it

'Cause now I'm using like I bleed

It's like I checked in to rehab

And baby, you're my disease

It's like I checked in to rehab

And baby, you're my disease

I've gotta check in to rehab

'Cause baby you're my disease

I've gotta check in to rehab

'Cause baby you're my disease

Although she certainly didn't consider herself to be that much of a dancer, for Charlie, dancing was more about enjoying the freedom of expression than living in fear of making a complete and utter fool of one's self. Like most people, she had a few issues when it came to casting off all her inhibitions. But dancing always had a way of making her feel free and liberated; almost untouchable even.

Damn, ain't it crazy when you're love swept

You'd do anything for the one you love

Cause anytime that you needed me, I'd be there

It's like you were my favourite drug

The only problem was that you were using me

In a different way than I was using you

But now that I know that it's not meant to be

You gotta go, I gotta wean myself off of you

And I'll never give myself to another the way I gave it to ya (to ya)

Don't even recognize the ways you hurt me, do ya?

It's gonna take a miracle to bring me back

And you are the one to blame

Cause now I feel like - ooh!

As she continued to move her body to the music, a mixture of excitement, contentment and exhaustion washed over Charlie. Lost in the cathartic lyrics of the music, Charlie was feeling alive - in every conceivable sense of the word. And she wasn't the only one.

As the night progressed, despite only having shared a couple of lingering looks with the captivating brunette, Joey had found herself becoming more and more entranced. From her position behind the bar, she continued to silently admire the woman from a far. It gave Joey the perfect opportunity to study her more closely without being noticed. She noted how the woman was dressed to kill, in grey skin-tight smart skinny jeans that accentuated her perfectly formed bum; a low cut backless black silk top that showcased her breasts and left absolutely nothing to the imagination. A pair of sexy black stilettos complemented her striking outfit.

My, my, you certainly are a sight to behold, thought Joey, as she let her eyes wander, feeling unusually naughty due to the not-so-innocent thoughts she was currently experiencing– not to mention that all too familiar feeling of lust and desire that was just starting its heavenly assault on her body. Oh please, if there's a God, please, please let her be gay…

Unfortunately for Joey though, her actions and obvious attraction wasn't going unnoticed…

"Geez, could you be any more obvious woman?!" Sliding up beside her, Becca had a huge cheeky grin plastered across her face.

"Huh?" was Joey's limited response.

"Seriously, you want to be careful there, Jo, you're starting to dribble… in fact, let me get a cloth – before you dribble all over the bar!"

"What?"

Draping an arm across Joey's shoulders, Becca continued her teasing onslaught: "I don't think daydreaming about sexy brunettes comes into the job remit."

Joey gently removed Becca's arm and gave her a friendly push: "Ha bloody ha!"

"I can see why you'd be interested though." Becca continued, casting a glance over at the woman who seemingly had got her friend all stirred up. "I mean, she's so totally your type. Just maybe a bit out of your league perhaps…"

Joey grinned, laughing: "Well, I'm used to punching above my weight!"

Becca's tone instantly became serious: "Don't be ridiculous Jo, look in the mirror…you're bloody gorgeous!"

Joey cast Becca a grateful smile: "I don't think so, but thanks," she replied, blushing slightly.

"Joey, babe, we both know you could have any women you wanted… except me, of course," Becca teased, sticking out her tongue. "So, on that note… when are you gonna make a move on this girl, huh?"

"Becca! You make it sound like it's a game of chess! Anyway, who says I am?"

"Oh come on Cassanova. I know that look. It's practically written all over your face – even amongst all that drool!" Becca said with a grin that could have rivalled that of the Cheshire Cat!

Joey sighed longingly: "Look, I don't even know whether she's straight, gay, bi… whatever."

"Well then, luckily for you my dear, you're about to get handed the perfect opportunity to find out." As Bec spoke, Joey's attention was suddenly taken by Watson, who was slowly making her way over towards the bar.

"Go get her tiger!" Bec sniggered, playfully patting Joey on the back, before moving away to serve another customer.

Joey playfully tried to swat Becca as she walked away, but missed terribly. Blushing, she smiled as Watson appeared in front of her: "Hey again… what can I get you?

"Just an orange juice thanks – with a shot of vodka, please," Watson said, returning the smile.

"I take it you're not much of a dancer then?" Joey inquired, effortlessly slipping into small talk. Two years of bar tendering had helped her perfect the technique.

Watson grinned: "Nope, two left feet me! I leave that stuff to Charlie."

Charlie. What a cute name. Come on Joey, think, think… you need to find out whether you stand half a chance…

Joey handed Watson her vodka and orange: "Is this your first time in Fuel? I mean; I haven't seen you guys in here before and I'm sure I'd remember you." Damn sure in fact, she thought, because your friend is so hot!

Watson smiled to herself: Aha! I knew it! You are so into Charlie!

"Oh, I've been in here a few times with my girlfriend, when it first opened. I'm Georgie, by the way," she said, offering her hand, which Joey shook.

Aha! So she is gay. Bec was right after all. Oh, I'm never going to hear the end of this when I tell her.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Georgie. I'm Joey… So, are you and your… er… friend having a good evening?"

"Yeah, or rather we were, until Charlie's psycho of an ex-girlfriend turned up!"

So she is into women… thank you God! Hmm I wonder if Charlie and Georgie are a couple? Please God; don't let them be together… pretty please…

"Yeah, psychotic ex-girlfriends are a big turn off in my book too," Joey laughed. "So, are you and Charlie… er… together?"

Watson laughed and almost choked on her drink. She smiled, watching as the girl in front of her started to blush profusely. Do I play along for a little bit or should I be nice and put the poor girl out of her misery?

In the end, Watson decided to play nicely: "Good God, no! Charlie and I are just good friends. Don't get me wrong; I love her to death but I don't really go for girly-girls and besides, Charlie's too high maintenance for me – but please don't tell her I said that because she'd kill me!" she said, with a wink.

Joey suddenly felt very elated but hoped her relief wasn't too obvious. Oh my God; could this day get any better. Single and gay. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me," she smiled, returning the wink.

"Phew, that's a relief! Right then, I'm off to join the queue for the ladies. See you in about, oh a week," she joked. "Oh, it was lovely to meet you Joey, by the way."

"Yeah, you too Georgie."

As Watson wandered off, Joey once again sought out Charlie on the dance floor. A small smile escaped, lighting up her face; thankfully, she still had a good view of the woman in question. Once again, Joey was unable to take her eyes off the gorgeous tall and slender brunette. To say she was stunning didn't quite do her justice. Watching her dance, Joey was simply intoxicated. But it was more than just mere carnal lust. She'd desired many beautiful women in her time, but yet she'd never felt anything quite like this before. It was almost as if some powerful, invisible force was at work and had cast some kind of love spell over her. Joey smiled to herself, as she suddenly remembered watching an old episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer recently… now, which one was it… oh yes, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. Well, it's either a love spell, Joey thought, or this must be what they mean by love at first sight… and let's face it, you've never believed in that…

Either way, whatever machinations were at work, Joey couldn't take it anymore. She needed to find a way to extinguish the heat coursing through her body. Mumbling something to Bec about covering for her for a few minutes (to which Bec replied something along the lines of "you owe me big time, Collins!") Joey decided it was time to take the proverbial bull by the horns, so to speak…

The atmosphere on the dance floor was intense; everyone was bursting with energy and Charlie was relishing the release and intimacy that came from dancing so close to random strangers. She threw her head back and closed her eyes, letting the beat from the music wash over her, only to feel a pair of arms suddenly snake their way around her waist.