Caught In The Middle Chapter 6: Don't Say It's Too Late, a home & away fanfic

Aww sorry guys for the 'surprise' ending on the last chapter - but Filibuster's right - this is me so what else would you expect lol?

JSCO - Glad I can still pull some 'shockers' on you!

Funkyshaz - Hope you're heart didn't stop too long there but yes it might not be as 'easy sailing' as I first thought...

Fili - I'll try my best not to make this one epically 'heartbreaking' after what's happening in HNA. I have a feeling no one would trust me again if I did lol!

Enjoy reading and reviewing people!

"Don't Say It's Too Late"

"It doesn't take much to learn
when the bridges that you burn
Leave you stranded feeling alone
It doesn't take much to cry
when you're living in a lie
And deceiving that someone who cares
If I could turn back the time
I would put you first in my life

And I would risk it all for you
to prove my love is true
I'll build a wall around my heart
that would only break apart for you
Can't change the way I feel
so tell me what's the deal
Don't say
Don't say it's too late

And now
The hills are getting hard to climb
I'm runnin' out of time
My decisions are pending on you
And I will accept the blame
for burnin' out the flame
Hoping the story will twist once again
If I could turn back the time
I would put you first in my life

Now I'm
Layin' it all on the line
For you

Charlie tried to blink back her tears as they threatened to spill down her face at the realization that she'd lost the love of her life. That she'd taken too long to get back into her life and now while she had wasted months in a pointless relationship Joey was...happy? Joey continued to hold onto Charlie's hands, squeezing them gently, as she considered telling Charlie the truth about her new relationship. As much as it broke her own heart to see Charlie so upset at her news she knew she had to be honest with Charlie. It's the least she deserves.

"Why didn't you tell me you were seeing someone earlier?" Charlie croaked sadly. Joey tucked some strands of hair behind her ear, "You've been through so much since I left...I didn't want to hurt you anymore. But I guess it was inevitable. I just needed you to understand...that I just want to be here for you...as a friend. Your letter really touched me deeply Charlie, and I knew I couldn't just abandon you the way everyone else has. I know it took me a week to decide if I could come back here but I--"

"Who is she?" Charlie interrupted lightly, just wanting to know the truth...if she ever had a chance to win back Joey. Joey bit her lip nervously, "I met her about five months ago. We've been together now for nearly four months. Her name's Gabby Fields. I met her best friend at the gym when I signed up for some self defence classes. When I got back from my trawler haul I wasn't ready to...come back to the Bay. So I decided to set myself up temporarily in the City. I joined these self defence classes to gain my confidence back after...everything I went through here. Gabby's best friend was really kind to me at the gym and I was kinda nervous that she was hitting on me. Turns out she was just scoping me out for Gabby and eventually she set me and Gabby up on a date."

"And now you're in love with her," Charlie stated miserably. Joey nodded slowly, "Yeah...I mean I don't think it's as strong as what you and I had...but I know it's real. I know she'd never want to hurt me. She's a good person Charlie...you'd probably like her. Maybe that's taking things too soon. She's twenty-three and she's a chef at one of the local cafes' near where I live now. I live with a couple of guys in this nice little apartment block. Gabby and her best friend share an apartment not too far from me. We just...get along really well...she's been good to me."

"You deserve to be happy," Charlie whispered, "After everything I...put you through. Are you happy?" "Yeah...I am," Joey answered, "Maybe it's not...what you and I shared. It's very different...we trust each other to know that...we can't just immerse ourselves into our relationship. I've done that before...and I barely survived. The idea of going through that again...maybe I understand on some level why...you can't commit to Angelo completely. I know it hurt you when I left. Maybe one day you'll get through that and that's a good thing. Maybe one day...you'll find a little happiness...like I kinda have." Charlie scrunched up her face confused, "But...Angelo said you were upset when he saw you? That you were crying?"

Joey tenderly entangled her fingers with Charlie's, "I was crying when he saw me that day. I remember 'cause it was the day I got your letter in my letter box. It was so stupid and unimportant why I was...especially after I read your letter and found out what you've been through. Compared to that...I was just been silly...I was crying 'cause I'd lost my job. I've been working as a waitress at this little bakery for the past couple months. I didn't lose my job 'cause I'd done anything wrong...I just...you know with the whole economic crisis they needed to make cut backs. Last to start, first to leave. I was just really upset about it. It wasn't the best job ever but I liked it. All the people I worked with were great.

Only drawback was the limited pay and with the price of rent in Sydney...I've been pretty much living pay cheque to pay cheque. Didn't quite make as much from the trawler haul as I thought. Anyway when I lost my job...I guess I panicked a little. I knew it'd be tough to find another job and I was afraid...that I'd have to resort back to going on another long haul trawler gig. I didn't want to leave...my life again. I didn't want to leave..."

"Your new girlfriend," Charlie finished, trying not to sound as bitter as she felt. "I'm sorry Charlie. I know this isn't what you wanted or expected...but you needed to know the truth," Joey told her, "If you still want me to...I want to help you...from drowning. Whether or not you realize that you're better off being with Angelo or alone right now in your life...I want to help you figure it out. If you'll let me."

Charlie raised her eyebrow, "I already know I'm not better off with Angelo...or alone. I'm better off with...is it really over for us? Can you honestly look me in the eyes and tell me that it really is too late for us?"

"I don't know if I can do that Charlie," Joey confessed, "A part of me wishes I could say it's not too late...but all I know is that...things have been...good for me the last few months and...Gabby's a huge part of that. It's taken me a long time to get my life back together and to start trusting people again. I know that you said that you're sure you can be with me...but I really don't see that Charlie. From what I can see...you may not be happy with Angelo...but you're still with him. If you were comfortable with your feelings for me...you wouldn't be with some guy just so you don't feel lonely. I don't know if I can give up my new life that I've built for myself...because you feel like you could be okay with your feelings for me."

Joey stared at Charlie curiously as Charlie began to smile quietly. In response to Joey's curiosity, Charlie told her, "I don't believe there was a 'yes' anywhere in your answer." Joey sighed knowingly, "If that's what you want to believe. Look right now...all I can ask you for is your friendship...is that okay with you?"

Charlie rolled her tongue over her teeth cheekily, "I take it this wouldn't be the friends-with-benefits kind of friendship?" Joey blushed embarrassed, "You'd be right." "Well we started out as friends...I'm sure we can...find our way back to that place...without complications," Charlie suggested uncertainly. Joey swallowed hard, "Exactly...without complications."

"Are you...are you going to be sticking around town...for a while?" Charlie asked worriedly. "I was thinking I might head over to the Surf Club, see if Alf will give me a cheap rate on a caravan," Joey answered. "So you're sticking around?" Charlie smiled. Joey nodded, "It will probably only be for a few days...can't abandon my new life completely."

"At least it's something...might give me a chance to get you to trust me again," Charlie suggested happily, "But you know if you're strapped for cash you can always...crash here." "I don't want to intrude," Joey told her.

"You could never intrude on my life Joey...this will always be your home. Besides...we're friends now," Charlie replied. "Maybe you're right...but I...just really need my own space right now. What do you say if you and I...get together with Ruby tomorrow for lunch?" Joey asked. "I'd say...it's good to have you back Jo," Charlie grinned. "I'll call you once I work out the details with Ruby," Joey decided, "Maybe it'll be good for the two of you to spend some time together."

"You always know what's best for me Joey," Charlie remarked, "So I guess I'll...see you tomorrow." "You will," Joey agreed as she stood up. Charlie also stood up, nervously reaching out to take hold of Joey's hand. Joey entangled their fingers for a moment, enjoying the newfound sensation rush through her, before letting go. As Charlie felt the loss of contact from Joey, she immediately leaned forwards, and wrapped her arms around Joey in a loving hug.

Joey wanted to resist at first but felt herself falling into Charlie's embrace comfortably. Charlie slipped her hands down Joey's back, running them gently against the small of her back. Both women tried to ignore the feelings rushing through them, knowing that they couldn't complicate things between them. Charlie smiled at the feeling of having the younger woman back in her life, even if it wasn't quite how she imagined.

Charlie still felt she had a chance to make things right with the woman she loved. Although scared that Joey had truly moved on with a woman who could give Joey all the happiness she deserved, Charlie couldn't help but decide that she wanted to find the best way to show Joey just how much she truly loved her...and just maybe she'll stand a chance at winning her back. Charlie smiled as she repeated softly into Joey's ear, "It's good to have you back Jo."