So seeing as I'm feeling in the giving mood, I'm also going to update my new fic Double Act tonight!

Please R&R, Enjoy

Xx

"Ruby did you ask Joey if she wanted to come?"

"Yeah I did, she just text me back there, she wants to know if you want her to drive?" Ruby was in her bedroom applying mascara, they had a table booked in the restaurant for eight o clock and it was now quarter to seven.

"No tell her I can pick her up if she's ready in fifteen minutes," Charlie pulled up her pencil skirt and adjusted the zipper at the back. "I'm going to leave for her now, have you seen my car keys?"

"Yeah they're on the kitchen table." Ruby shouted back.

Charlie picked up her stilettos, and walked barefoot to the car, she knew she wouldn't be able to drive properly with them on.

Ruby went into Charlie's bedroom and sprayed herself with some of her Lacoste perfume. She was looking forward to the meal tonight, Joey was always good company. Ruby knew Charlie was having a tough time at the moment, she wished Charlie had a boyfriend to comfort her as she obviously needed someone to be there for her. Joey was being very supportive and Ruby didn't know why. Sure it was very kind but she did worry that maybe Joey was developing the slightest crush on her mother.

As Charlie's car slowed to a halt outside Joey's house she beeped the horn. She quickly checked over her appearance in the mirror; rubbing a stray strand of hair from her face and pulled on her bra straps. Realising what she had just done Charlie giggled nervously and shook her head.

"What's so funny?" Joey landed into the passenger seat.

"Oh hi Joey, nothing." Charlie released the handbrake.

"How are you? You look gorgeous." Joey stayed turned in her seat; facing Charlie.

"Thanks, you do too," Charlie took her eyes off the road for a split second to look at Joey. "I had a chat with Ruby last night."

"Oh?" Joey wasn't sure if she wanted to hear what Charlie had to say next.

"She said she's just been upset over Dad, didn't mention us or anything… But that makes me feel bad because, I must have been neglecting her."

"Charlie you haven't been neglecting her, far from it, Ruby knows you love her and that you're always there for her." Joey reached across and settled her hand on Charlie's bare thigh; her intentions were innocent, only wanting to comfort Charlie.

Her look of sincerity turned to a grin when she saw Charlie shift in her seat. Gradually she slipped her finger tips from the top of Charlie's thigh, down to the inside onto the soft skin. Charlie once again shifted her hips unintentionally, the tingle between her legs making her quiver. Her conscience battled with desire.

"Joey, stop it." Charlie said not taking her eyes off the road ahead.

She lightly scratched the skin on Charlie's inner thighs with her nails, and traced her finger tips smoothly up and down.

"Joey," Charlie warned, but her body disobeyed her, and she let out a rasping moan.

Inhaling deeply Charlie took hold of Joey's wrist and held it tightly. "We can't Joey, we need to talk."

Joey dropped her wrist but tried to maintain a casual expression. "What about?"

"Nothing, everything. If that makes sense?" Charlie arrived home and left the engine running while they waited for Ruby.

"Did something happen with Ruby?" Joey would prefer if it was to do with Ruby rather than Charlie deciding she wanted to stop what they had; whatever it was.

"Yes and no. Here she comes."

"Hey Rubes!" Joey greeted chirpily as if nothing had happened. Charlie felt her stomach heave.

Their meal was delicious and as far as Charlie was concerned Ruby seemed to be enjoying her night. Charlie was trying her hardest to focus on making it an enjoyable evening for her daughter but she couldn't stop taking sneaky glances at Joey.

Joey on the other hand was thoroughly enjoying Ruby's company; she seemed to be a lot more relaxed. What Charlie had said was at the back of her mind and she didn't want to think of it now, because she was afraid of what it would mean.

They had just finished their main course when Charlie announced she needed to use the bathroom.

Ruby toyed with the leftovers on her plate. They were sitting at a small table for three.

Charlie stood at the sink in the bathroom; her palms sweating and hands shaking. She didn't know what to do, when she was away from Joey everything seemed so much clearer, but when she was there in Joey's presence, anything she had planned went out the window. She couldn't think straight and she didn't think she would be able to have a serious talk with Joey about where they stood with one another and how things needed to change.

"Jo?" Ruby called softly, keeping her eyes focused on the plate.

"Hmmm?"

"What's going on with you and Charlie?"

Charlie left the bathroom and stopped when she saw Ruby and Joey deep in conversation, she couldn't hear from where she was standing but Joey looked quite serious.

Joey was completely taken aback by what Ruby was saying, especially by her casual manner.

"Nothing what makes you think that?" Joey tried to mimic her attitude.

"Well I think you might have a crush on her or something."

"What?" Joey didn't know how to answer, she wanted Charlie to return, and sooner rather than later.

"I'm not blind and I know things are… different with you two?"

"You're wrong Ruby, me and Charlie are just friends you know that." Joey tried to convince both Ruby and herself.

"Joey I don't want you to get hurt, Charlie's not into girls and I love you both. I'd hate for you to fall out over something like this."

"Ruby I have no idea what you're talking about." Joey was now also playing with her left over food.

"Joey…," Ruby sighed, she only wanted to help Joey "I'm not stupid."

"I never said you were Rubes but," Joey giggled nervously "Oh God I don't know what to say."

"I have no problem with you being gay Joey. But Charlie's not and its only going to end in tears."

It suddenly dawned on Joey that maybe this was what Charlie wanted to speak to her about. "Have you talked to Charlie about this?"

"Am… Ok I have to admit I've been really cranky with Charlie for a couple of days. She asked me last night was wrong and" Ruby stopped. "I told her it was because of Dad, and I wasn't lying I am upset and off form because of that. But it's not why I was weird with her. If I didn't know any better I would have bet my money that she fancied you; by the way she's been acting when you're around, and I was a little freaked out. But then I realised she's just upset about Dad and turning to you for support. I felt awful last night after I sort of lied to her because she really does love me and it wouldn't bother me if she was gay or not." Ruby giggled and shook her head.

Joey stayed still; she was shocked and couldn't move. Did I hear Ruby right? If Charlie was gay she wouldn't mind?

"Well anyway that's beside the point. I don't want her accidentally leading you on Joey because she is upset over that and because I love you well; I don't want you taking it the wrong way." Ruby smiled affectionately at her friend.

Joey sat there, her mind was spinning. So much could happen now, Ruby would accept Charlie if she was gay. That was the main thing and she needed to tell Charlie but how could she with Ruby around? Would Charlie have a relationship with her? All along they had named this as a lust filled affair but… And also, what did Charlie want to talk to her about because she didn't seem too happy earlier?

Charlie stepped out from behind the alcove and returned to the table "Hey, so desert anyone?"

Ruby smiled, a weight lifted from her chest after opening up to Joey.

Joey's stomach was doing summersaults she wanted to speak with Charlie and tell her about what Ruby had told her.

Charlie's heart was heavy, she needed to speak with Joey and she wasn't looking forward to it.

They ate their deserts and they all noticed how the others mood had changed. Before they knew it, it was eleven o' clock and Ruby had school in the morning.

"I think I better call a taxi?" Charlie announced, draining the dregs of her wine glass.

"Good idea." Ruby giggled, the cop side of Charlie showing.

After some debating over the bill and Joey resigned to the fact Charlie wasn't going to let it drop, Charlie paid. She felt it was the least she could do for Joey after everything. They huddled into the back of the taxi, Ruby in the middle her eyelids drooping; tiredness taking its toll on her.

Charlie tried to catch Joey's eye. Joey noticed and met her gaze.

"We need to talk," Charlie mouthed over Ruby's head.

Joey smiled optimistically.

They pulled up at Joey's house all too soon. The car jolted waking Ruby from her snooze.

She got out and handed some notes to the driver, when she was out of the car she turned back to face mother and daughter.

"Thanks for a lovely evening, I really enjoyed myself."

"It was a pleasure," Charlie replied earnestly "We'll talk tomorrow?"

"Yeah definitely, night night." Joey winked at them and shut the cab door.

Charlie stared out the window for the remainder of their journey home, the darkness of the night reflecting how she felt...