Hey everyone, so yeah this isn't an exciting one; but this stuff has to happen. I promise from now on things are gonna start getting exciting. (i.e.) In the form of a certain dark eyed beauty. ;] I'll upload the next chapter soon to keep you interested. It's nice to get some feedback as it's a new fiction and I want to see how it's going down with you all, so please take 2 seconds to review.

=] x

"Charlie come on, are you ready?" Ross bellowed up the stairs to his eldest daughter, they needed to get a move on or they wouldn't make it to Summer Bay by tomorrow morning. She wanted a few days in their new home first to get adjusted to things.

Charlie sighed impatiently scrutinising the contents of her suitcase mentally checking she has everything she needed for her big move. "Yeah Dad give me a few more minutes," she called back, knowing they were running late.

Charlie moved over to her bedside table and picked up the small photo frame, she smiled sadly at the picture of her with her deceased mother. With her thumb she remover the thin film of dust that was covering it, and then carefully tucked it into the side of her suitcase before zipping it shut. She stood back for a moment and gave her bedroom one last look over, saying goodbye to the memories that it held for her. Heaving the last heavy case off her bed Charlie let the empty room and shit the door behind her.

Ruby was sitting on the bottom step of the stairs. She jumped up immediately when she heard Charlie coming down. Charlie smiled fondly at her, sensing her excitement.

"Ruby are you sure about this? It's not too late to change your mind."

"Are you kidding me," Ruby replied exasperated "Charlie I can't wait to get out of this place!"

"Ok then," Charlie chuckled softly at her sisters enthusiasm "Where's Dad? We better say goodbye." She glanced at her watch.

"He's trying to fit the cases into the car." Ruby said nonchalantly.

"Trying?" Charlie replied shocked "Ruby we don't have that much stuff."

Ruby walked outside to their Dad "Speak for yourself Charlie." She called over her shoulder.

Charlie followed her outside, dropping her last case by the car. Ruby was hugging their Dad goodbye, giving the Morag the opportunity to say her own goodbyes Charlie.

"I guess this is goodbye for now Charlie," Morag advanced towards her, opening her arms to hug her. "Best of luck with your new job, although I think you'll need the luck for taking care of Ruby."

Charlie stepped forward and embraced her step mother laughing gently as she did so "Thanks Morag and I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing."

After a few moments Morag pulled back "Don't worry Charlie, you were born to be a police officer and I'm sure you'll tackle this new job the same as you've always done. As for Ruby she'll have your father to answer to if she doesn't behave although I'm sure it won't come to that."

"And how's that?" Charlie was interested to hear what Morag thought of her work.

"With nothing but professionalism and skill," Morag rubbed Charlie affectionately on her arm "you better go and say goodbye to your father."

"Bye Dad," Charlie said as Ross engulfed her in his arms.

"Goodbye Charlie, be careful ok?" Ross was concerned, it was his daughter's first big break and he desperately wanted it to go well for her.

"I will Dad."

"And you" Ross stated as he pulled back and pointed one finger accusingly at his youngest daughter "be good for your sister ok?"

"Dad!" Ruby protested "I'm not a baby and of course I'll be good for Charlie." She giggled and bumped Charlie with her hip "Right Charls?"

"I hope so, now come on get into the car we better head." Charlie shook her head asking herself whatever was she after signing up for.

"Bye Dad, bye Morag" Ruby smiled as she got into the passenger seat.

"Don't forget to call us when you get there ok?"

"We won't Dad," Charlie assured him as she put on her safety belt and started the engine.

"Bye." They all chorused within seconds of each other. Charlie closed the door and reversed out of the driveway.

Initially Ruby was completely on a high, she blasted the tunes and sang along making Charlie laugh. Eventually the singing took its toll on Ruby and she fell into a slumber, for the previous few nights she had found it difficult to sleep; her mind racing with thoughts of what Summer Bay would hold. But now, she fell asleep and snored gently into the quietness of the car. Charlie kept her eyes fixed on the road and made a mental list of all the little jobs they needed to do tomorrow. They would have to decorate their house and make it a home, get Ruby registered at the local school and of course Charlie would need to meet with the Detective once again to finalise the details and get more information on what was precisely needed of her.

They had stopped for two breaks on their journey; to refill the gas, stretch their legs and have something to eat. They didn't stay stopped for too long, eager to reach their destination as soon as possible.

After a few more hours of driving Ruby woke and was still unable to suppress her excitement, a smile stretched wide across her face. "Charlie this is going to be awesome."

"You reckon?" Charlie asked keeping her stare fixed on the road ahead.

"Of course Charlie how could it not? Doesn't a town called Summer Bay sound like its going to be great to you?"

"Ruby I'm going there to work and you my dear are going there to study hard at school." Charlie stated simply.

Ruby's mood wasn't to be dampened so easily "Ah come on Charlie, I know but that doesn't mean we're going to be working ever hour of the day, there's weekends and holidays and the fact that we're right on the beach makes it even more appealing."

"I know but don't forget why we're going there Rubes. You're seventeen and have exams next year. If your grades slip or you get into any sort of trouble you know Dad will have you back in the city with him before you know it."

Ruby sighed and stared out her window. Charlie briefly turned away from the road and felt a twinge of guilt seeing her sister's fallen expression.

"Rubes?"

"What?" Ruby continued to stare at the cars passing them by.

"Rubes?" Charlie called again a little more firmly, trying to get her attention.

"What Charlie?"

Charlie sighed "Rubes… of course we're going to have fun as well, I just don't want you running away with yourself ok? This job is really important to me so we need to settle down for a while and get used to the place ok."

"Ok." Ruby said cheerfully her sullen mood gone and replaced by her original excited self.

"How long more until we get there?"

Charlie glanced at the clock on the dashboard "We should be there soon, what time did we leave?"

"Well we're driving with around nine hours? God I can't wait to get there." She shrieked with anticipation.

Charlie laughed, feeling Ruby's mood become infectious "Yeah I know, me neither. And looks as if we don't have to wait much longer either." Charlie said as she slowed down, and pointed to a sign on Ruby's side of the road.

"Welcome to Summer Bay." She said reading the sign.

Large green trees lined the road and the sea was visible as the sun was rising on the horizon.

"Rube's will you pass me the file in my bag? It's got the directions to our house."

"Sure." Ruby delved into Charlie's bag until she found the document.

"Thanks." Taking one hand from the wheel, Charlie opened it up and began to follow the instructions.

After a further ten minutes of driving they pulled up outside a small white house. She checked once more to see if she had followed the specific directions.

"So this is Summer Bay?" Ruby tried to keep calm.

"So this is Summer Bay." Charlie confirmed taking in the scenery around them.

Ruby leapt from the car. "C'mon! Let's go check out our new home!"