Sorry about the delay, as some of you know I've had an operation, so haven't been up to writing until now. This chapter is mainly for the characters to get to know each other (and maybe some teeny weeny super subtle CJ pieces) and for Charlie to get to meet everyone who is going to be involved in the story. I hope I can keep you interested and you understand this storyline can't unravel in a matter of chapters; it needs to be a gradual process. Please R&R, your support is greatly appreciated!

Xxx:)

"Charlie, over here." Came a voice, Charlie looked around the busy bar; her attention was grabbed by Leah who was waving frantically at her.

She smiled at the group and walked over to meet them, they were sitting at a corner table. Charlie felt slightly nervous; she hadn't expected so many people to be there.

"Hey Charlie," Martha turned around and smiled warmly, and moved over on the leather couch, she patted the empty space beside her "Here, take a seat."

"Everyone this is Charlie, Charlie this is everyone." Leah gestured to the gang.

Charlie took her seat and looked around at everyone "Hi."

She giggled nervously.

A curly haired male was sitting to the left of Martha leant across her and shook hands with Charlie "Hi, I'm Hugo nice to meet you."

"Hey," Charlie took his hand "You're Martha's boyfriend?"

"The one and only," He sat back, resting his arm behind Martha "This is Angelo, Tony, Rachel." Charlie smiled and gave them a small wave, she could hear Brett's voice above the crowd and she tried to resist the urge to look behind her.

Joey and Aden sat at the bar sipping their beers, Aden desperately wanted Joey to be able to enjoy her night but her brothers presence wasn't helping.

"Aden stop it."

"What?"

"Looking at my brother like you want to kill him." Joey smiled at his protectiveness, she moved slightly to the left to disrupt his view.

"Yeah well…" He took a long gulp of his beer "Wanna game of pool?"

"Sure." Joey hopped of her stool and Aden took her hand.

The conversation was flowing between Charlie and her new friends, they were a genuinely nice group of people and they made the idea of her job seem all the more appealing. They were taking it in turns to get the drinks, and now it was Charlie's turn to go to the bar.

"I'm just going to get some drinks ok?" Charlie grabbed her purse and shuffled out of the seat.

"Wait I'll give you a hand," Angelo volunteered and followed her to the bar.

Charlie ordered the drinks and took the time to have a look around. She recognised the couple from the beach earlier playing a game of pool, not wanting to get caught she turned and smiled at Angelo who was standing beside her against the bar.

"Settling in alright then?" he smiled cheekily.

She returned his smile "Better than expected actually, do you work around here?"

"I'm actually a police officer, so if anyone gives you a hard time…" He thought he'd better use his most impressive chat up line; this brunette wouldn't be single for long.

A police officer? He could prove useful. "Wow," Charlie gave him the reaction he was looking for "I'll keep that in mind. You're kept busy then?" There was no harm in finding out a little background information from the locals.

"We're usually pretty quiet, only deal with small town crimes there's never anything major. Although if there's anything big I'm always the main man." He stated confidently, using all of his charm.

Charlie smiled softly, he was clearly going out of his way to impress her and win her over, and little did he know it was pointless.

"Here ya go love," Alf placed the last of the bottles on the counter.

"Thanks," Charlie handed over the money and passed some bottles to Angelo.

As they were walking back to their seats, Charlie was too engrossed in her conversation with Angelo to notice the new comers to their group. She sat down and passed around the drinks.

"Cheers." Tony winked as he accepted the bottle being offered to him.

"Thanks Charlie." Leah took a glass of wine, and graciously took a sip.

"What are your first impressions of Summer Bay Charlie?" Aden called. He stood next to Joey, with his arm on her shoulder and leaned against her. In Charlie's absence the group had filled him in about the new lady. He knew Angelo was after getting a head start, but he didn't want to be out of the race just yet.

Charlie turned, slightly caught off guard "So far so good, it's a cool little town."

Aden nodded, a grin spread across his face "I'm Aden." He leant across the table and shook her hand.

"Hey." Charlie smiled in return, delighted to be getting introduced to everyone. Her eyes strayed momentarily to the petite girl standing by Aden's side, she quickly removed her gaze.

Joey waited anxiously, she usually tried to keep a low profile when Brett was in the vicinity or else it ended in tears. She truly liked all these people, but she wasn't one to share things and if Brett caused hassle while she was with friends it only caused questions, even though she knew they were only looking out for her. Aden was an exception, he was the only one Joey ever let in. When she thought about things it saddened her because she would have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the group.

They all knew Joey Collins didn't have an easy life but they didn't ask questions, on the rare occasion she did decide to join them on a night out, it was always one enjoyed by all.

"Joey," Came a rough bellow, followed by Brett's drunken stagger, "I didn't know you were coming out tonight."

Joey blushed slightly but turned away from the group, she hated when he confronted her, especially in public.

Charlie sat tentatively taking in the interaction between the two.

"I can go out if I want Brett, look just go ok? Don't cause a scene."

"Me cause a scene?" He retorted while laughing, "Hey boys, come say hi to Joey."

Four men obeyed his orders and came over to Joey.

Leah, Martha, Rachel, Tony stayed quiet, in hope the situation would pass.

If Charlie didn't pay heed to their reactions she wouldn't have thought much of this, she would think he was simply saying hi to her, but there obviously was more to this than met the eye.

"Get lost Brett," Joey said before turning to Aden. "How about another game of pool loser?" Joey tried to sound upbeat and poked him in the ribs.

"You bet. See ya later guys, nice to meet you Charlie." Aden took Joey by the hand.

As they left, for a fraction of a second Joey's eyes met Charlie's.

"She's such a lovely girl, I wish she'd come out with us more." Rachel said aloud.

Leah agreed "I know right? She's lucky she's got Aden."

"Who is he?"

"That's Brett Collins, and that's his younger sister Joey. We'll let you make your own opinions." Angelo laughed.

"God I could kill him sometimes," Joey said bitterly as she picked as she took the first shot. "I can't even have a conversation with anyone anymore."

"Jo you know they're genuine and not going to judge you. They know it's him that's the problem."

"Yeah well," Joey took a long swig from her bottle while Aden took his shot "It's not their problem, plus I can't be scaring off the new girl for you now can I?"

"That my dear, you most certainly cannot do. Yes!" He cheered, as he potted ball.

Time was moving on and Charlie was conscious that Ruby was home alone; she said her goodbyes and left the table. She smiled kindly at Aden as he caught her eye on the way to the door. Charlie stopped upon hearing a wolf whistle.

"Hey gorgeous," Brett slurred.

"Didn't anyone tell you it's not polite to whistle at a lady?" Charlie stood before him, one hand on her hip.

Aden nudged Joey, and nodded in the direction of Charlie and Brett.

"You've got to be kidding me." Joey growled.

"Oh for fuck sake." Aden uttered in disbelief.

"Sorry babe, but what can a guy do when someone as gorgeous as yourself walks by."

"You ask her would she like a drink, and then you see what happens." Charlie advised. She wanted him to remember her but didn't want to make anything too obvious, if she wanted this to work out; she needed to take her time.

"So would you like a drink?" Brett wheedled.

"Thanks but no thanks," Charlie grinned walked off.

Unable to hear the conversation, Aden and Joey shared a disappointed look "Come on, lets get out of here."