Hey peeps!

Thanks for the kind reviews once again and I'm sorry about my disappearing starting tomorrow:( I will try hard to get a few chapters up. Keep up the reviews they are really encouraging!

When I return properly I hope to have a new fic, so yeah.

R&R purlease!

~Purplemonkeyys xx

Joey woke at noon the next day still buzzing from the past twenty four hours. There had been a certain amount of thrill to their secret acts of passion, but it was the small comforting gestures were what really got Joey. She couldn't describe how she felt when Charlie choose for her to accompany them on their family day out. But it was more than that, it wasn't just a family day out it was something which would be held in all their hearts for a long time to come, and Joey had been there. Tonight Ross was going to cook for them all and once again they wanted Joey to accompany them. She wasn't sure how she felt about this, but it was definitely touching. Today she didn't mind rising early and working down at the docks all day because at the end of it all she would get to see Charlie; making her day all the more brighter. Today she wasn't in the mood for covering up how she felt for Charlie; even if she could only admit it to herself, which was good enough for now. With pep in her step Joey put on her old work clothes and headed for the docks.

Charlie on the other hand woke a little earlier; she was tingling with anticipation at the thoughts of getting to see Joey tonight. Sharply, she sat up in the bed. She knew she had to get a hold of things. Time and time again she told herself it was the secrecy and not knowing that made this affair exhilarating. A run; that's a good idea, use this ah 'energy' in a constructive manor. Yeah its hormones, pure convenience, lust. Simple as; nothing more, nothing less. Feeling perky Charlie sprung out of the bed and began the search for her running gear. After locating it she pulled it on. Deciding on wanting a companion she moved over to the bottom bunk.

"Ruby," she called sweetly but to only receive a low grunt in reply.

"Hey Rubes," Charlie tried again, with a little more force behind her words "Want to come for a run?"

"No way Charlie." Ruby picked up her pillow and tucked it firmly around her head.

"I'll take you for breakfast after, yummy bacon sandwich my treat?" She knew Ruby could always be bribed especially if food was a part of the deal.

Ruby sighed loudly annoyed with both Charlie and herself. "Fine, give me a few minutes to wake up."

Charlie whipped the sheets off her daughter leaving the fresh morning air come in contact with her sleepy body.

"Ahhh fuck I'm coming Charlie."

Ruby dragged her heavy body from the warmth of her cocoon, too sleepy to notice Charlie's cheery mood.

Charlie waited by the door for Ruby to join her. The sun was piercing through the small amount of cloud, but yet there as a breeze; Charlie's favourite weather for running. "Hey buttercup, you ready?" she called over her shoulder

"As I'll ever be." Ruby sighed as she headed in the same direction as Charlie.

They ran in silence, but a comfortable one both enveloped in their own thoughts. Ruby couldn't believe how her relationship with Charlie had been going from strength to strength since the truth had come out. When she was growing up she always felt extra close to Charlie, they were closer than any of the friends were with their older siblings. At the time Ruby didn't really see any reason to explain this, but when Charlie had confirmed her suspicions, everything made sense.

**************

Joey arrived home at six that evening, butterflies ferociously taking control of her stomach. Tonight was going to be interesting to say the least and Joey wondered if Charlie was feeling as anxious as she was. After a scorching shower Joey sat on her bedroom floor rummaging through the contents of her wardrobe trying to find something appropriate to wear. She wanted to wear something to compliment her best bits but at the same time it needed to be somewhat reserved, Charlie's parents were going to be there after all. Her search was ended when she found grey skinny jeans and white sleeveless top. Perfect, just perfect. Joey pulled on her clothes before scrutinising her appearance in the full length mirror. The jeans clung perfectly to her rounded behind, and rested on her hips, her top deepened into a v–neck accentuating the beginnings of her cleavage. She kept makeup to a minimum, applying a small amount of mascara and eyeliner to further darken her eyes.

Twenty miles away Charlie was chasing herself around her bedroom trying to put an outfit together. Joey was due over any minute and she hadn't even dried her hair yet.

"Ruby!" Charlie bellowed from her room.

"Yup yup?" Ruby sauntered in.

"I need something to wear, will you pick it out I need to do my hair and makeup." Charlie hurried past Ruby to do her makeup in the bathroom.

Ruby choose Charlie's red faded skinny jeans and black short sleeved off the shoulder top. She knew she had made the right choice when Charlie entered the room ten minutes later smiling with her hair and makeup finished.

"Thank you." Charlie ruffled her hair, letting her robe fall to the ground "What time is it?"

Ruby didn't have time to answer; Joey could be heard from the living room calling out to see if there was anyone home.

"We're up in Charlie's room, come on up." Ruby called back not seeing any harm in what she was suggesting.

Joey walked in at ease; momentarily halting her eyes resting on Charlie as she stood there in her underwear pulling on her jeans. Joey could feel her nipples harden beneath the fabric of her bra at the glorious sight before her.

Charlie half turned and stopped pulling up her jeans "Hey."

"Hey you." They smiled at one another, unable to suppress the affection they felt towards the other.

"Joey it's nothing you haven't seen before. Anyway Ross and Morag should be back soon, their just gone to get some wine." Ruby felt the need to break whatever atmosphere had fallen upon them; she couldn't quite say what it was. But it was weird.

"Oh right, yeah I was wondering where they were," Joey averted her attention from Charlie's mouth watering body, not wanting to have to comment on what Ruby had just said "but there was no need, I brought some. For us legal one's that is." Joey stuck her tongue out at Ruby.

Charlie was now dressed and they moved from the bedroom into the living room with Joey and Ruby still continuing with the banter.

"Don't worry Rube's I'm not drinking either, have to drive home. Actually was Ross able to fix the car?"

"Yeah I think he said the battery had died or something but he had a set of jump leads so he fixed it."

"Joey do you want a glass of red?" Charlie called from the kitchen.

"No, I'm driving thanks anyway." Joey declined the offer as she followed her into the kitchen "Something smells good."

"Yeah Dad's making a chowder, should be yum."

She was met with Charlie's scent as she walked past. "It's not the only thing." She mumbled quietly to herself, her attention now focused on the flexing and relaxing of Charlie's biceps as she battled with the wine opener.

Charlie stopped briefly from opening the wine bottle and looked at Joey inquisitively.

"Hello Joey," Morag smiled broadly as she entered the house, Ross behind her "You look lovely, how are you?"

Joey blushed; and Charlie smiled softly. "I'm good thanks, and you? I was just telling Charlie something smells seriously good."

"Ah yes that would be the chowder, speaking of, it must be just about done." Ross moved over to the oven and took out the large dish.

"Why don't you girls take a seat outside and I'll help Ross in here?" Morag offered ushering them outside.

Charlie took a seat opposite Joey, just look at her, she's naturally gorgeous.

Joey raised her head and smiled gently across at Charlie. Feeling the flutters in her groin Charlie took a large swig of her wine. Sensing Charlie's mood Joey stuck her tongue out and crossed her eye's; causing Charlie to almost spurt her wine across the table.

Ruby came out of the house just as Charlie had clamped her hand over her mouth to prevent the contents of her mouth from spraying everywhere. Joey was squirming in her chair laughing hysterically. Ruby rolled her eyes and sat down next to Joey "Take it easy will you Charlie."

The girls calmed down noticing the sting in Ruby's tone. Charlie gulped more of her wine hoping it would make things little less tense, and Joey sat there jealous; she could do with a glass of wine to help her relax. Ruby was acting a little strange since yesterday morning, and Joey didn't want to even think what could be the cause of her unusual mood.

Morag arrived at the just the right moment, preventing things getting uneasy. "Ok there's plenty to go round so eat up," she smiled at Joey "We can't have the chef getting offended. Male ego and all that."

Ross arrived shortly after and filled everyone's wine glass before he sat down opposite his wife.

They all ate mainly in silence as they diminished their hunger and teased their taste bud. Charlie watched on happily as Joey seemed to fit in so easily with her family.

"Ross that was amazing," Joey praised as she settled her knife and fork down on her plate "any chance of sharing the recipe?"

"Not the slightest," Ross laughed jovially "although maybe I should consider it seeing as I won't be able to remember it for much longer."

An uneasy silence settled amongst them, taking pity on the youngest girl Joey rested her hand on Ruby's lap.

"Dad…," Charlie began "you've a long while left until things reach that stage." She knew she was lying, they all did but it was appreciated nonetheless. Her head hung low as she stared into the contents of her glass.

"Now Charlie, we all know that's not true." He stated evenly.

Joey stretched her leg out and gently rubbed it against Charlie's under the table, wanting more than anything to go over and hold her; but she knew that wasn't an option. She did it as a sign of comfort as she knew how alone Charlie felt sometimes, but she'd be damned if Charlie was going to ever feel alone in her presence.

"Ross," Morag warned "why don't you help me bring in the dishes and get the dessert?" she felt pity for Charlie at her fathers brutal honesty and wanted to put and end to the direction of the conversation.

Charlie could feel Joey rubbing their legs together under the table; she looked up momentarily letting their eyes lock before she stood up. "I need to get some air," she downed the contents of her wine glass "excuse me."

Joey didn't know what to do; she didn't want Charlie wandering off into the night on her own. They were already outside so Charlie's excuse for needing air didn't really seem plausible. Ruby looked anxiously at Joey, as did Morag.

"Would you…?" Morag ventured.

Joey didn't need to be asked twice.

"Of course." She quickly left her position at the table and walked down the street in the direction Charlie had left.

"Charlie?" Joey called softly, it was dark and she couldn't see her. She walked further down the street when she spotted her sitting on a bench. Joey sat beside her and didn't say a word.

"You didn't have to come Joey." Charlie stated quietly.

"I know."

Silence.

Charlie inhaled deeply "Everything was going great and then he starts. I'm sorry Joey," Charlie turned to face her "you didn't need to hear that."

"Charlie you have nothing to be sorry for," Joey emphasised, as she watched the furrow in Charlie's brow weaken.

"I had to get away, when he gets so adamant that he's already a goner I can't just sit there and listen with a smile on my face." She felt the need to justify herself to Joey.

"Charlie, shh... It's ok, I understand." Joey rested her hand on Charlie's thigh "do you want to stay here for another while?"

"No I think I'm ok to head back now thanks." Charlie slowly stood up and pulled Joey with her, without giving it a second thought she brought Joey into her arms and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you," she breathed heavily, her words muffled by Joey's hair.

Joey, being the smaller of the two had her face compressed into Charlie's neck, she inhaled deeply getting high on the scent of Charlie mingled with her perfume.

They walked hand in hand back to the house, only letting their grip loosen as they reached the veranda. They were both too afraid to question how it had happened; but it had. And they both revelled in the sensation of their intertwined fingers.

"Ok?" Joey checked facing Charlie.

"Perfect." Charlie smiled genuinely; the thrill of their clasped hands had brought her out of the hopeless mood. Now feeling content she smiled at Joey and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

Ross, Morag and Ruby were seated at the table outside visibly anxious of how Charlie would be when she came back.

"I'm sorry Charlie."

Charlie smiled lovingly at her Dad before moving over to hug him. They remained in embrace for a few moments, happy to have cleared the air.

"It's ok Dad, I love you and just can't bear to see you go through all this." She kissed him on the cheek and moved back to where she was sitting before her sudden departure.

"Ok Mum?" Ruby asked softly as Charlie sat opposite her.

Charlie winked at her "Yeah Rube's, I'm fine."

Joey sat once again beside Ruby and smiled happily that the tension between the Buckton family members had evaporated.

"Now, let's tuck into dessert!" Morag proclaimed. They were all happy to oblige.

They chatted happily for the remainder of the night, conversation came easily to them all and wine flowed. Things had relaxed a lot since the upset earlier and everyone was thoroughly enjoying the night.

"It's getting late darling, we should probably go to bed, we have a long drive back tomorrow?" Morag suggested to her husband.

He agreed "Yes darling might not be such a bad idea. Joey it was a pleasure to meet you, next time the girls are coming to visit us you should come?"

Joey was gobsmacked at his generosity and stood to shake his hand "Thank you Ross, I'd love to. It was great to meet the both of you."

"You too Joey, and thank you for taking us on that trip yesterday, it was brilliant." Morag smiled fondly at her before turning her attention to Charlie and Ruby "Good night girls, I'll see you two in the morning." She patted Charlie's shoulder as a sign of comfort when she walked past.

"Wow" Ruby sighed "I think you were rather liked eh Jo?" Ruby jeered. Charlie watched Ruby closely, she had been passing a few smart comments over the last day or so and Charlie didn't know what to make of it. Trying to sneak a look at Joey, she slowly raised her gaze; Joey was blushing slightly and subconsciously nibbling on her bottom lip.

"Aww don't go all bashful on us now," Ruby laughed and poked her in the ribs "anyway I have school in the morning so I'm going to hit the hay. Night Charls, night Jo. And don't forget you've work in the morning Charlie." Ruby stood and stretched before leaving Charlie and Joey on their own.

"See ya Rube's." Joey called after her.

"God what's gotten into her lately?" Charlie asked annoyed "Have you noticed the smart comments she's being passing yesterday and today?"

Joey shifted in her chair, of course she had noticed, but that would it mean for them? "Yeah but… maybe we're just being paranoid or something?"

"I don't know, she seems pretty pissed off over something. If I didn't know any better I'd bet she knew about us. But, oh god… Jo you don't think she you know… Am heard something the other night?" Charlie suddenly became frantic with worry.

Joey however pleaded innocent "What do you mean Charlie?"

"Ah Jo, you know?"

"Sorry I'm only messing, well you didn't really keep to your promise that you'd be quiet… so…," Joey glanced up at Charlie, and immediately felt guilty "No Charlie she would have said something, you hardly think she would have just stayed lying there and listened to us… hopping around the bed…"

Charlie burst out laughing almost dropping her wine glass as she did so "God Joey, I never thought about it like that. Suppose you could be right."

Joey beamed broadly, she loved making Charlie laugh. She loved doing anything with her.

Coming back to reality Joey checked her watch "Oh god, I have to be up in five hours."

"Oh no, that's horrible. Are you working all week?" Charlie sympathised with her, however bad her own hours were Joeys were a lot more labour-intensive.

"Yeah all week, and most likely have one or two evenings in the club as well."

"So I won't see you at all?" Charlie said quickly before she had a chance to stop herself.

Joey smiled inwardly "Depends I guess."

"On what?"

"If you want to or not." Joey smiled wickedly.

"I do." Charlie answered quietly, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Well then I might just fit you into my busy life." Joey jeered, readily knowing she would most certainly make time for Charlie. "For now though, I should get going…"

Charlie stood up with her "I suppose..." she replied unenthusiastically.

They walked quietly over to Joey's car, Charlie being the first to break the silence "Dad left the keys in the glove compartment."

"Perfect, thanks." They stood facing each other, bodies millimetres apart.

"Bye so I guess, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you did for us this weekend." Charlie said in a hushed tone, her warm breath softly brushing against Joey's lips.

"It was a pleasure, anytime…" Joey replied just as quiet.

"I'm sure it was," Charlie widened her eyes, ensuring Joey picked up on what she was insinuating. "Bye." She kissed her softly on the cheek and was hurt when Joey swiftly moved away and got into her car.

Charlie moved away from the car, getting the vibe it was what Joey wanted her to do.

Joey closed the car door and rolled down the window "I'm sorry, it's just… I want to kiss you so bad right now and I know if I did, I would only end up dragging you into the backseat… And well yeah. We all know how inappropriate that would be. So now I have these doors to hold me back."

Charlie laughed at Joeys self control "And you think I'd mind?"

Joey started humming loudly "Lalalalala I can't hear you." Joey rolled the window up and waved at Charlie through the glass.

Charlie, smiling wildly waved back, and blew her a kiss as she watched her car reverse out of the driveway.

As Charlie got ready for bed, that smile still played on her lips, and continued to do so as she slept sweetly.