Is there any pleasing you lot lol!?
Some interesting mix of reviews there :P
Sorry guys I was playing on Joey's insecurites - which is something I always end up doing with her character :) - as I wanted her to be surprised by the events of this chapter. Hope I'm slightly forgiven :P
Few comments:
Movie249 - Hmm - Intentionally or not...you'll just have to wait to find out :P
Lil20 - Ha you caught me out - I'm a closet OTH fan...well not anymore I guess :P I've been watching some of my OTH DVD's when I wrote a couple of these chapters and the songs kinda came at the right time :P I know these chapters are shorter than the ones for HNA & TTH but I promised myself when you all convinced me to carry on this fic I wouldn't get so involved in it...but I kinda am anyway lol!
Fili - Oh Fili I should be offended you calling me Rosetta but you crack me up sometimes I just can't be offended lol! :P Oh c'mon you knew the whole time she really wanted it to be a date and just wanted it to be perfect. Btw...my surname's actually Austin, not Rosetta...Austin did so much more damage to CJ then Rosetta - jk :P
Oniz - Joey's just far too insecure. It's always being her character trait...I just have a habit of exploiting it - sorry makes for good drama :)
Kim - Yes the Queen of Cliffhangers lives on! Yes Charlie did explain but Joey couldn't help wanting more
Abbott - Something tells me that card is waning... :P
PMCC - 'What the frig?' Okay I loved that! :P See above - sorry Joey's just too insecure. How can anyone possibly accuse Charlie of trying to steal Joey away...oh wait... :P
Musician17 - Striving to make you a happy person again today lol! Yes tsk tsk on Joey - the girl does need to decide what she wants. Let's see if she does that soon...
And on with the story...oh wait where's the song at the start...? Hmm...weird :P
"I Promise You"
Charlie and Joey silently walked away from the Diner. Joey was still frustrated at herself for wanting their evening to be more than it was and at Charlie for not being able to prove that she had changed. Once again her insecurities and doubts kept weighing heavy on her heart. "So where are we headed to?" Joey quietly asked. Charlie looked down at her, smiling happily, "Well it's not like it's a surprise. I was thinking we could go over to the Surf Club for a little bit. They've got a live band playing tonight so I thought we could enjoy some music and maybe some dancing over a drink or two. If that's okay with you."
"Sure sounds like it could be fun," Joey replied. Yeah fun…watching you keep your distance from me 'cause we'll be in public, dancing as far away from me as possible…probably dancing with someone else wouldn't be out of the question…God why did I even think about secretly giving her this opportunity? I knew she couldn't find a way to prove to me she could win me back…
As the pair walked into the Surf Club, Charlie let go of Joey's hand, disappointing Joey further. Charlie shrugged as she noticed how many people were crowding the Surf Club. Nodding towards the bar, Charlie suggested, "C'mon let's see if we can make it through this crowd and get a drink." "Okay," Joey agreed.
As they made their way through the crowd, the pair finally found themselves at the bar in front of Martha. "Sure is a little busy here isn't it?" Charlie asked the bartender. "Crazy busy it sure is," Martha yelled over the crowd, "Hey Joey! Welcome back! What can I get you girls?" Charlie couldn't resist grinning goofily as Joey brushed up close against her when someone bumped into her, "Can I get two wines? And maybe directions to a slightly less crowded area of the Surf Club if there is such a place?"
Joey shook her head at Charlie's request, again feeling that Charlie was ashamed to be seen with her. Martha poured their drinks, "Well the band's about to start in a moment or two and the dance floor seems to be the only place that's still free," Martha nodded in the direction of the dance floor, "But I give it one or two songs and that place will be just as crowded." "Okay thanks Martha," Charlie shouted, as she took their drinks.
Joey motioned for them to move down to the end of the bar, and when they stood next to each other at the edge of the bar, Charlie passed Joey her drink, "Sure didn't expect it to be this busy." "Is that a problem?" Joey questioned. Charlie frowned at Joey's words, "No of course not. Hey Leah and Miles are over there with Rachel and Tony. Oh and that guy over there talking to Martha, that's Liam. He's the guy that used to live with Aden but he's kinda…I don't know what he and Martha are but there's something between them. Geez even Watson and Avery from the station are here…looks like a lot of people are here tonight."
Joey rolled her eyes, unbeknownst to Charlie, "So what kind of music do they play?" Charlie frowned, "I don't really know. Sorry I didn't really look into that. Leah just mentioned there was a band playing at the Surf Club and said we should stop by after dinner. Is everything okay with you? You've been a little…I don't know…not you since we left the Diner." Joey sighed, "I'm fine. It's nothing…I'm just…a little overwhelmed is all."
"Joey if you want to leave, that's fine. I can drop you home," Charlie offered sadly. Joey shook her head, then smiled, "It's fine Charlie, really. I'm sure we can have some fun here watching the band play." "Well we're not just here to watch the band Jo, c'mon we can join in for a dance or two," Charlie suggested happily. "Sure…sounds like fun…in a friend kinda way," Joey agreed, once again having to point out for her own benefit that they were simply friends.
Charlie shrugged off this niggling doubt about Joey's attitude and the constant overuse by both of them of the word 'friend.' The women stood in silence at the end of the bar and took small sips of their wine while they watched the band play the first few songs.
After a few songs, Charlie placed her empty glass on the bar, next to Joey's empty glass. Slipping her hand onto Joey's shoulder, Charlie leant behind her, "C'mon let's go join the crowd and dance for a little while…I mean if you want." Joey frowned softly, "Sure…I just…I'm not really good with…rhythm."
Charlie giggled, "Says the girl who had no problems getting up on the deck of the Blaxland and dancing like crazy." Joey blushed, "That wasn't dancing…that was just jumping around and being silly…it was hardly like I was trying to impress you at that point." "Well it did kinda impress me…everything about you impresses me…so c'mon," Charlie confessed quietly into Joey's ear.
Before Joey could stop her, Charlie had dragged her onto the dance floor. Joey once again rolled her eyes as she found herself and Charlie, along with most of the crowd on the dance floor, not actually dancing but instead staring up at the stage at the gorgeous female lead vocalist and band, swaying gently in tune with the music.
After a few songs Joey was surprised when she found Charlie, who was standing behind her, slip her hands onto her hips, and lean forwards, whispering in her ear, "Are you having fun?" Joey found herself blushing at the contact, and desperate to wonder if Charlie was only comfortable making such contact as the people crowding them were distracted watching the women on stage, "You know what…I am having fun. I haven't had a night out like this…in ages."
"And how's that dancing going? Still feeling like you're not good with…rhythm?" Charlie giggled. "You know this dancing thing kinda ain't half bad. Maybe it's 'cause I got you behind me ready to stop me from tripping over my two left feet…but I think I'm getting the hang of it…the whole swaying swiftly to the music. I could probably keep this dancing thing going for another couple songs…as long as they don't change the style of music and start playing a slow…song," Joey nearly bit her tongue, then almost swore at herself for 'jinxing it', but groaned softly as the music instantly changed to a slow song.
Joey glanced up at Charlie, trying to avoid all the couples around them pair up and dance together, "Just when I was getting the hang of this dancing thing…guess that's us done and off the dance floor huh?" Charlie swallowed hard as she watched all the people around her, including their friends, dancing with the people they loved, and realized she wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around Joey.
Joey felt that Charlie hadn't released her soft grip on her hips, so turned around to lead them off the dance floor, and away from prying eyes. But Charlie was standing in front of her in her way, blocking her path off the dance floor. Joey stared up at her former girlfriend questioningly when Charlie suddenly tightened her grip on Joey's hips. Joey was about to question Charlie's actions when she was abruptly thrust further into Charlie's embrace when the couple behind her bumped into her. Joey fell forwards slightly and grabbed a hold of Charlie's arms to stop herself from falling over.
Joey blushed deeply as she realised Charlie hadn't let go of her or pushed her away and instead began swaying gently with her along with the soft music in the background. Charlie couldn't help but break into a smile as Joey gripped her hands against Charlie's arms, accepting their embrace. Joey licked her lips, trying to look anywhere but at the woman in front of her. She soon found herself unable to look away at Charlie's loving gaze, as she realized that Charlie wasn't even aware of all the people around them, then taking a deep breath, she locked eyes with Charlie, "I suppose one…slow dance couldn't hurt."
(And here's the YouTube video link - .com/watch?v=Tv1fKl_R2Bs. The only ones I could find for this song were all of Piper and Leo from Charmed. And this would be where you load the page and let the song play :P - Hope you like it!)
"In the morning, when I wake dear,
Your memory comforts me.
In the darkness, when I'm frightened,
I can see in my dreams."Joey felt her heart racing as Charlie shifted herself closer in their embrace at every lyric that was sung. Joey blushed further as she felt Charlie lift her hand from her hip and glide it down Joey's cheek as she stroked some hair strands out of Joey's face.
"Though I'm far dear, though we're parted,
I know that time can change nothing.
So if you feel afraid, and if your hope is gone,
Just remember all these things I promise you."
Without even realizing it, Joey had moved further into Charlie's embrace, with her arms wrapped gently around Charlie's neck. Joey kept glancing at all the people around them, surprised that none of them had reacted to the couple's dance, and was even more awestruck that Charlie continued staring at only her.
"I will move heaven,
I will move heaven and earth to be where you are.
I will move heaven,
And it might take this life,
It might take forever,
But I…promise you."
Joey's heart froze for a moment as she felt Charlie gently kiss her forehead. How did I ever think I could have this with anyone else? Joey closed her eyes at the feel of Charlie's lips against her skin. Joey began circling her fingers in a gentle pattern along Charlie's neck.
"As I sail through, stormy seas dear,
You come to still my heart.
As I walk through, a path of danger,
You lead me through the dark."
Joey felt herself struggling to contain the emotions that were beginning to surface as she acknowledged to herself that this moment with Charlie was perfect and all she had even dreamed for them, for Charlie to accept her feelings completely. Joey felt guilty for sharing this moment with Charlie and she knew she was falling back in love with the woman. Should I stop this from happening…? How can I?
"Though I'm far dear, and though we're parted,
I know that time can change nothing.
So if you feel alone, and if your faith is gone,
Just remember all these things I promised you."
Joey succumbed to the moment, leaning her head gently against Charlie's shoulder. Raising her head slightly so she could still gaze into Charlie's eyes, Joey suddenly slipped her right hand away from around Charlie's neck. She soon found that Charlie had glided her hand up to entangle it gently with her own hand, and they held each others hands gently.
They continued swaying there gently against each other, letting the music wash over them. Charlie softly lowered her head closer to Joey's, brushing her lips against Joey's cheek. As Charlie locked eyes with her again, Joey could feel her heart beating rapidly as Charlie's lips were only centimetres away from her own. Closing her eyes, Joey wondered if she was dreaming about this moment.
But she was soon brought out of her daze, and was close to being brought to tears as she stared deep into Charlie's eyes, and heard Charlie's voice singing to her, whispering along to the song.
"I will move heaven,
I will move heaven and earth to be where you are.
I will move heaven,
I will move heaven and earth to be where you are.
I will move heaven,
And it may take this life,
It may take forever,
I promise you.
I promise you."
As the song came to a close, and another song began playing, most of the other couples drew apart, Charlie smiled gently down at Joey, "I promise you Jo…if I have to…I'll move heaven and earth to be with you." Joey stood there in Charlie's embrace, completely frozen to the spot, begging herself not to fall apart in a flood of tears.
Charlie kept swaying them softly, close to breaking down and crying at the effect that song had on both of them. Charlie watched as Joey broke into a gentle smile, then closing her eyes, Charlie leant forwards to bring their lips together.
But the second before their lips met, Charlie felt Joey drop her hand and pull out of their embrace. As Charlie's eyes fluttered open, the only thing she saw was Joey rushing away from her and run out of the Surf Club. As Charlie tried to control her breathing and emotions, she swallowed hard, unsure if she should run after Joey. Blinking back tears, Charlie struggled to comprehend why Joey pulled away from her after such a tender moment, and she whispered to herself, "I wish I could rule out that it was something I said."
***
Oh...this close to being perfect :)
Did Joey's insecurities get the best of her or is there another reason she fled? Will Charlie go after her?
Sorry guys couldn't quite give you a perfect chapter...just yet :P
If you want perfect now...just re-read the chapter but stop before reading the last paragraph :P
Does an 'almost perfect' chapter deserve 'almost perfect' reviews? :P