Hey everyone! First of all I want to say I've been in hospital for a while and had an operation so feeling pretty awful from all the meds, this is why I haven't been reading your wonderful updates the past few weeks! Have literally hundreds of updates to catch up on and I promise I WILL get a hold of them soon and read and review. So don't think I'm abandoning you, can't wait to read all your updates!

Had this done in advance so here you go! Please R&R

(ps) Don't hate me.

Xxx

Charlie lay awake that night, her mind tormenting her, forbidding sleep from claiming her. In the darkness of the night, the tossed her mobile from hand to hand. Part of her wanted to text Joey and put an end to all this confusion, but the other part of her didn't want to because she didn't want things to end. Eventually she turned her mobile to silent and stuffed it under her pillow. She closed her eyes and tried to rid her mind of all thoughts of Joey.

Joey sat on her bed semi undressed, her legs shaking with nerves. She needed to speak with Charlie, and sooner rather than later. Opening her handbag she located her phone and dialled Charlie's number. With each dial tone, her heart throbbed ferociously against her ribcage. After a few seconds of the monotonous beeping, Joey ended the call. She flung her phone aside, quickly stripped off the remainder of her clothes and slipped beneath the bed covers.

The following day Joey tried to think of anything but Charlie. The more she tried; the more she failed. She still hadn't heard from her and was beginning to doubt whether she ever would or not. Time and time again she tried to piece things together and come up with a reason for Charlie's sullen mood, but each time she ended up right back where she began. Joey sat in the living room and read through a book without any of it sinking in. She was brought to her senses by the shrieking of her mobile, she soared from the sofa and ran to her room her heart fluttering in her chest, surely it was Charlie?

All hope evaporated when she saw the caller ID; work.

"Hello?"

"Hi Joey, listen do you think you could work tonight? Nine until close?"

Not as if I have anything else to do.

"Sure, that's no problem." She tried to sound more enthusiastic than she felt.

"Great, see you then."

Joey hung up. Sighing she glanced around her lonely apartment, and shoved her hands into her pockets.

Charlie needed to be alone. Either alone or with Joey but seeing as the latter would cause more problems than solutions she opted for a walk along the beach. Here she couldn't escape her thoughts; they flooded her mind like the foamy waves flooded the waters edge. Charlie was startled when she felt a hand settle on her shoulder. She spun around.

"Roman! Hi."

"Charlie, how are you keeping?" He stood before her with his cheeky grin.

She folded her arms, shielding her body from the bitter wind "I'm good and you?"

"Great, can't complain. Haven't seen you around in a while?"

Charlie tried to avoid eye contact.

"I've been busy, doing some extra shifts at the station with the last couple of weeks. All work and no play." She smiled kindly at him, after all she had broken his heart.

"Well that's not healthy, I was thinking about heading into the city tonight for a drink or two, care to join me?"

Any other day Charlie would have instantly said no but today was different. She hadn't heard a thing from Joey, and anyway what difference would it have made if she had? She had made the decision that things needed to end, and that's exactly what was going to happen. Maybe eventually she could train herself to feel something for him.

"Yeah that might not be such a bad idea." She smiled shyly, feeling guilty for a split second.

He was clearly taken aback not expecting this sort of response. "Wow well that would be great. Will I pick you up?"

"I think I might drive, I have work tomorrow anyway so I'll make my own way."

"Ok then I'll see you about nine?" He couldn't suppress his grin.

"Yeah, see you then." She gave him a small wave, accompanied with a smile and turned to walk away.

Joey had been working for two hours now and so far it seemed like it was going to be a busy night. The day had past without any word from Charlie, but she shouldn't have been surprised. Whatever had went down between Charlie and Ruby had obviously been enough for her to feel the need to end all contact. She didn't think it would be like this. She thought they would be friends, but now it didn't seem that way.

Charlie walked into the club and quickly noticed Roman standing at the bar cradling a bottle of beer. Making her way through the crowd, she sat on a stool behind Roman. She stopped briefly, her conscience and battling furiously with what she really wanted to do.

She tapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"Charlie, you came I was getting worried there for a moment." He chuckled anxiously, trying to make light of the truth.

"Of course I came. It's busy isn't it?"

"Yeah it is, what can I get you?" He asked, taking a swig from his beer bottle.

"Just a water thanks, I'm driving remember."

Charlie waited for her drink, it hadn't occurred to her that Joey might be working, but then again she new Joey didn't work on week nights.

"Shall we go over to a table?" Roman shouted over the music.

"Sure." Charlie grabbed her bag and followed him over to a secluded table away from the bar and dance floor.

Roman was clearly thrilled Charlie agreed to go out with him for the night; he really was chancing his arm by even asking her as they didn't end on the best of terms. He knew he liked her far more than she liked him. If he could get her back, he would accept that the love would always be one sided. Not a single woman in Summer Bay even came close to Charlie and anyone would be proud to have her as their girlfriend.

They chatted easily for most of the night, Roman was thoroughly enjoying himself and Charlie appeared to be.

She couldn't help but mentally compare every little thing he said or did, to Joey. Once she would have enjoyed his company but now she was merely tolerating him, it wasn't his fault he was a genuinely lovely guy but he just didn't compare. Charlie's idea of moving on from Joey was a lot easier in theory, than it was turning out to be in reality.

Joey hummed long to the music that was blasting from the large speakers as she pushed her way through the mass of sweating dancing bodies. Work was a welcome distraction, although it was mainly passing time and not proving to be very distracting at all. Joey lifted her gaze, and stopped dead in her tracks. There was Charlie. Joey was bumped in the side by a drunken teenager, bringing her to her senses. She hung her head not wanting Charlie to see her and quickly walked away.

"Get your- Toni what are you doing here?" Feeling a hand creep around her waist Joey turned around, only waiting for an excuse to vent her anger.

"Can't a girl come to a club and enjoy herself?" Joey's ex smiled at her seductively.

Joey put the used glasses onto the counter and removed Toni's hand from around her waist.

"Of course you can, but without feeling up the staff." Joey stood there studying her.

"Come on Jo, don't be so standoffish," Toni enticed.

"I'm not, I'm just working that's all."

"I better let you get back to your duties so." Toni winked, and left.

Joey exhaled loudly, determined to keep away from both Toni and Charlie for the night.

"Charlie? Hello?" Roman waved his hand in front of her face; wherever she was she certainly wasn't with him.

Charlie jumped slightly "Sorry, I'm here." She giggled half embarrassed; her trail of thought had wandered off to Joey.

"Well as I was saying…" Roman started again, and Charlie sat there with a false smile plastered on her face, struggling to keep an interest.

Joey served customer after customer.

"Can I have a vodka and white please?"

Joey didn't need to look up to know who it was. She placed the drink on the bar and accepted the money Toni was offering her.

"What happened to service with a smile?"

Joey finally looked up "Sorry." She smiled weakly and walked away.

"Jo will you get the glasses." Luke called from behind her.

Once again Joey walked around the club, trying to avoid drunken gropes as she did so. She tried to keep away from where Charlie was, she didn't want to see her again and she didn't want Charlie to see her.

Toni didn't take her gaze off Joey, she watched her as she roamed the club.

Roman finally picked up the courage he had been searching for all night. He subtly edged his body closer to Charlie. Feeling the space between them become smaller, Charlie anxiously looked up. Seizing the opportunity he leant forward and pushed his lips upon Charlie's. Caught off guard she flinched slightly but didn't pull away, his rough stubble scratched her soft lips as his tongue pressed against them seeking entry. Charlie was sickened by his sudden move and hastily pulled away, but not before Joey had seen the kiss, and walked away.

Joey felt her heart go cold. Time seemed to slow and she couldn't breathe properly.

"Don't look so down." A voice whispered from behind Joey. She stopped but didn't turn around.

Toni came and stood in front of Joey, keeping only a small space between them she rested her hands on Joeys hips.

Joey's bottom lip quivered, she couldn't explain how she felt, she was full of mixed emotion. Slowly closing her eyes and opening them, Joey begged the tears to stay inside. The noise of the crowd and sound of the music became a buzz, Joey trembled.

Taking advantage of Joey's vulnerable state Toni stepped forward and brushed her lips against Joey's, when Joey didn't retreat she nibbled on her bottom lip and lightly stroked it with her tongue.

"Take me out the back, like old times." Toni mumbled as she kissed Joey.

Joey was confused, she didn't want to kiss Toni but she couldn't think clearly. Images of Charlie kissing her ex boyfriend flashed before her, and she led Toni off the dance floor. If Charlie could move on so fast, then so could she.

"Roman I'm sorry," Charlie was flustered, she didn't know what to say to explain herself.

"No, Charlie I'm sorry," Roman moved away "I shouldn't have kissed you like that."

"It's ok but I think I should go thanks for the company." Charlie smiled awkwardly and left.

She stood at the bar waiting to be served, the bartender stood before her, muttering.

"Can I just have a water when you're ready?"

"Sorry love, two minutes," He placed a few bottles on the bar and then shouted "Joey, come on, it's busy!"

"Excuse me," Charlie addressed him "Is Joey working tonight?"

"Well she's meant to be, now was it a water?"

"Am… do you know where she is?" Charlie asked, this test with Roman had opened her eyes. She knew what she felt for Joey was something special, something greater than a fling. Right now Charlie couldn't even think of the complications with Ruby. They didn't matter.

"Yeah she's in there I think." He gestured to the office door and moved to serve the next customer.

"Do you mind…?"

"Go ahead." He shouted back, and she didn't need to be told twice.

Wearing a smile on her face Charlie walked behind the counter and over to the office, wanting nothing more than to kiss Joey.

With a shaking hand Charlie turned the handle and opened the door.

With her face buried on Toni's neck, and pinned against the wall Joey didn't notice the door open.

Toni couldn't be happier, she had her girl. The sensation of Joey's warm breath on her neck only further encouraged her desire to bring her to a climax, as she continued to penetrate her.

Joey let her head rest against Toni's chest, she didn't know what she was doing or more importantly why. Joey's heart was aching for Charlie, and now this was happening. These intimate acts were having no affect on her.

"Oh God…" Charlie breathed sporadically. She stood there, rooted to the spot, hanging onto the door handle for support, her lungs striving for air.

Hearing a voice, Toni spun around; exposing Joey.

Charlie felt her knees give way as she backtracked out of the room, staring at Joey. Her eyes were filling up; she needed to get as far away as possible.

"Charlie…" Joey breathed, her world falling apart.