Hi guys!

Glad you all seemed to love the last chapter - except that lil ending :)

KimmyLove - Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed listening to the last song along with reading the fic :P

JSCO81 - Ha wish I'd thought of having Gabby catch the pair dancing but alas no - Joey's just insecure...again :)

Bethers - Another great idea but no she hasn't run off to dump Gabby...but stay tuned :P

Mellbell - Woo hoo - few brownie points! I'll take 'em. Don't normally get offered brownie points for my fics...not sure why...jk lol!

Funkyshaz - 'Tease' is my middle name...along with 'drama,' 'evil,' and 'the Cliffhanger Queen'...did I miss any?? :P Hopefully this one might end a lil bit more like you want :P

Musician17 - And I'm back to brighten your day! Glad that's something I don't fail at :P There might be something good...

CJ4eva - For once I might just give in to your begging...for once :P

Lil20 - Ha! I considered putting a song at the start of the last chapter to give you another surprise when the second one popped up - but alas I ran out of time finding another one :) Oh I've reduced you to not even venturing a guess at what's to come? Somehow I like that lol!

Oniz - That's why you all come back for the drama :P Hopefully this chapter will clear the air on what Joey wants...

And this week's song can be found at:

.com/watch?v=swQqc1Q2GV0

"Whatever It Takes"

'A strangled smile fell from your face
It kills me that I hurt you this way
The worst part is that I didn't even know
Now there's a million reasons for you to go
But if you can find a reason to stay

I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know that I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
Believe that I can change
I'll keep us together whatever it takes

She said "If we're gonna make this work
You gotta let me inside even though it hurts
Don't hide the broken parts that I need to see"
She said "Like it or not it's the way it's gotta be
You gotta love yourself if you can ever love me"

I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know that I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
And give me a break
I'll keep us together, I know you deserve much better

But remember the time I told you the way that I felt
That I'd be lost without you and never find myself
Let's hold onto each other above everything else
Start over, start over

I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
And believe that I can change
I'll keep us together whatever it takes'

Joey shook her head, completely ashamed of herself as she bolted away from Charlie's romantic embrace. She didn't even bother to look back at Charlie, terrified of the look on her face as she ran out of the Surf Club. Joey had tears streaming down her face when she continued running away from the building and down to the beach. Joey's feet were pounding against the sand when she heard a voice yelling out her name.

"Joey! Joey! Wait up!" Charlie shouted as she chased after the younger girl. After deliberating for about ten seconds after Joey ran off from her in the Surf Club, Charlie ignored everyone staring at her as she ran after Joey in a haste. Seeing Joey run off towards the beach, Charlie rushed off after her, afraid that she'd scared Joey off for good.

Joey slowed down to a rapid walk as she realized she wouldn't be able to outrun Charlie. It wasn't long before Charlie caught up to Joey, and gently grabbed her by the shoulder, "Joey please…I'm sorry okay." Joey shrugged out of Charlie's reach, "Go home Charlie, I don't want to talk about this now."

Charlie was determined not to let Joey go without getting answers, "I can't just leave after what happened back there Jo. I'm sorry okay…I didn't mean to cross a line…I just wanted…" Joey continued storming off, and was annoyed when Charlie continued to follow behind her, and even more so when Charlie took a few quick strides and was suddenly walking directly next to her as they made their way down the beach, "I told you I don't want to talk about this."

"Joey I am really sorry. I messed up, I know I pushed too much…too quickly. I just thought…" Charlie struggled to apologise. Joey turned around to face her, "That's just what you didn't do. You didn't think Charlie!" Charlie gently placed her hand on Joey's arm, stopping her from turning away again, and whispered, "I thought it was what you wanted. You weren't pulling away…and then you did. I shouldn't have made a move when you're…"

"When I'm in a relationship with someone else," Joey finished, "Yeah you're right…you shouldn't have made a move…you're timing sucks Charlie." Charlie blinked back tears, "I'm sorry…I know I keep saying that but I am sorry. You said you wanted to be friends and I…read your signals wrong and thought maybe you wanted…more."

"I do want more!" Joey yelled back without thinking, shocking both herself and Charlie. Charlie swallowed hard, unable to respond. Joey shook her head sadly, "I do want more…and you're timing sucks." Charlie tried hard not to break into a smile, "Never could get anything right could I?" Joey rolled her eyes, "No you couldn't."

Charlie looked down at ground nervously, before lifting her hand and gliding it gently to Joey's cheek, "So where does this leave us?" Joey matched Charlie's look of anxiousness, "I don't know. The only things I know is that…Gabby doesn't deserve this and if anyone's confused about signals…it's me about yours."

Charlie took a deep breath, "I thought my signals were…kinda clear. I want you back Joey." Joey shook her head, "How exactly were your signals clear? Charlie didn't you notice the fact that your signals are confusing. First you ask me out as friends, not on a date. Then you take us to the Diner where you arranged for the place to empty except for us. And then you try and kiss me in public. I mean what is that Charlie?"

"I'm not quite following why you're so confused. Yes I shouldn't have tried to kiss you when I know you're with someone but…I don't want to hide behind my feelings anymore. I want to be with you and tonight was about proving that to you," Charlie explained, as she continued stroking Joey's cheek.

Joey tried to pull away from Charlie's embrace, but couldn't resist letting Charlie hold her cheek, "I'm confused because you organise this really nice dinner for us and instead of trying to prove to me that you're not gonna hide behind your feelings, you hide us away from everyone like your ashamed to be seen with me. And I got my God damn hopes up that it was a date and was so upset when you at first didn't do whatever you could to show me just how much you want to be with me."

Joey shrugged out of Charlie's embrace and started walking away from her again. Charlie frowned gently before following Joey again, and slipping her hand against Joey's, so they were holding hands as they walked slowly across the sand, "Jo, tonight's dinner wasn't like that. I wasn't trying to hide us away because I'm embarrassed to be with you. I just wanted to get to know you better, find out everything I missed from your life…so I could see if I could be apart of your life again. I wanted to give us some space to do that. I didn't want every local having an opinion on our relationship before we even figure it out for ourselves. I wanted us to have a chance alone without interruptions or prying eyes. It always was a date…I was just trying to be too subtle about it. Does that make sense to you now?"

"Yes it does…guess you're not the only one that doesn't get things right. I'm sorry. Kinda screwed things up and made things more confusing haven't I?" Joey asked softly. Charlie squeezed her hand, "Maybe you weren't entirely wrong. I was nervous tonight at dinner when we were together. I was kinda glad we were alone and we didn't have people staring at us. Then we got to the Surf Club…and I realized I didn't care what people thought of me…of us being together. Making things right with you is more important than anyone else's opinion."

Joey smirked playfully, "Yeah I kinda gathered. So…you were really gonna kiss me?"

Charlie slowed down their pace again, coming to a stop, where she once again stood in front of Joey and stroked her hand gently across Joey's cheek, "Yeah I was. Making things work between us is really important to me and you deserve someone who's proud to be with you. I know I can be that person for you. I could kiss you anytime…anywhere."

As Joey smiled proudly at Charlie, the older brunette leant forwards again to kiss Joey but was once again let down as Joey this time placed her hand on Charlie's shoulder, pushing her back. "This doesn't change things does it…? Just because I'm ready to be with you…doesn't mean you want to be with me…even though you said you do want more…," Charlie whispered sadly, blinking back tears.

Joey stepped forwards, wrapping her arms around Charlie's waist, feeling Charlie wrap her own arms tightly around her. Joey leant up, pressing her forehead against Charlie's, "I don't know if it's possible for me …not to be with you." A few tears slid down Charlie's cheeks, "I hope it's not possible that you can't be with me."

Joey squeezed Charlie's waist, "You know when I came back here I really thought I was over you and we could be friends. I thought I was past all these feelings I had. I have a good life and a good girlfriend…and I refused to be hurt again. I refused to want to get this close to you for fear of what could happen. That letter you sent me made it clear to me that you're not ready to be with me…and now tonight…everything feels like it's changed again. It's been painful and confusing re-thinking things I thought I knew. Since I've been here I've put a lot of effort into trying to believe that I don't have feelings for you. I didn't want to fall for you again…but every moment I get to spend with you…I can't keep trying to ignore the fact I have."

"You have no idea how happy that makes me feel to hear that Jo," Charlie whispered, leaning forwards to bring their lips together. "Charlie wait," Joey whispered, just as Charlie's lips were about to brush against hers, "I can't…I'm not a cheater."

Charlie closed her eyes, silently wincing in pain at that word. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean," Joey apologised, "Charlie…I do want to be with you again…but it can't be like this. I could give in and we could be together right now…but that's not me. And I can't start any relationship with you based on a lie…you mean too much to me for me to do that."

Charlie bit her lip, "So does this mean that we can be together?" Joey took a deep breath, "Well firstly that's up to you…I need to know that you're really serious about this and you really are comfortable being with me." "You know I am," Charlie whispered positively, pulling back slightly to kiss Joey on the forehead.

Joey smiled shyly, "Yeah I know. I just wish this could be easier for us." "It's never been easy Joey…but it'll make it worth it if we can get through this together," Charlie replied, "So what happens now?"

Joey sighed, leaning closer into Charlie's embrace, "I want to try again with you." "That's a good start," Charlie smiled shyly. Joey rested her head against Charlie's shoulder, "I don't know if it's gonna be that easy…I have a whole new life in the City now that I've worked hard for and really love. Coming back here for a few days compared to…moving back here to live…"

Charlie stroked Joey's hair softly, trying to lighten the mood, "You sayin' I'm not worth it?" Joey chuckled, "You know you are…its just weird to think of giving it all up." "Whatever it takes Jo…if you need some time…if you want to stay in the City for a little while until you feel comfortable moving back here. We can do the long distance thing. I could even look into a transfer to the City if I need to for you," Charlie suggested rapidly.

"Charlie calm down," Joey giggled, "I'm not gonna ask you to move to the City for me. This used to be my home town too and…I can't imagine not spending my life here. But I might need a bit of time to sort out things before I can move back here. Not to mention there's also…"

"Gabby?" Charlie realized, "I'm sorry…I never wanted to come between you two…I can't help how I feel." Joey nodded, "I know…I can't help it either. I care a lot about Gabby. She's been a really good friend to me and she's an amazing person…but she's not you. Can you give me some time…you know to…work out how I need to break the news to her?"

Charlie wrapped her hand around Joey's waist, "Of course I will. You need to do the right thing by her. I know you don't want to hurt her but…" "I have to if we're gonna give this a second chance," Joey finished.

"Maybe I should…stay out of your way a little…until you've cleared the air with her…and we can be free to be together," Charlie offered. "You're staying away 'cause you can't be around me without wanting to kiss me huh?" Joey smirked. "You have no idea how hard you're making this for me," Charlie grinned, "Not being able to kiss you and show you exactly how I feel…it's worse than torture."

Joey turned away from Charlie, still gripping onto Charlie's waist with one arm, she started leading them along the beach, "Walk me home?" Charlie slipped her own arm around Joey's lower back, "You love torturing me don't you?" "Absolutely…if I have to suffer torture from not being able to kiss you…you have to suffer it too," Joey decided as she glanced lovingly at Charlie.

Several minutes later Charlie and Joey arrived at Aden's apartment. Standing awkwardly next to each other, Charlie soon pulled Joey into a hug. Pulling back from their embrace suddenly made it all the more harder for both women not to give into their feelings.

Charlie blushed shyly, "So I guess I might…see you tomorrow?" Joey placed her hands on Charlie's hips, "I'll call you tomorrow. I'm gonna talk to Gabby as soon as I see her. There's no point drawing it out any longer. I want to be with you…if I don't give this another chance I'll regret it for the rest of my life…and I can't change the way I feel about you."

Charlie's eyes lit up, "How do you feel about me?" Joey reached out her hand stroking Charlie's cheek, "I love you." Charlie broke into a huge grin, "I love you too so much. God this just makes this harder…not being able to kiss you. Hearing you say that…it makes me want to kiss you so badly."

Joey stared deep into Charlie's eyes, "Well I suppose one little kiss won't break any rules." Without responding, Charlie closed her eyes and leant forwards, but was stunned when Joey ducked her head around just below Charlie's left ear, and whispered, "I didn't say where I would kiss you."

Joey then pressed her lips against Charlie's cheek, kissing her lovingly, "Goodnight Charlie." Charlie sighed contently at the feel of Joey's lips against her skin, "I think you can do better than that tomorrow. Night, Jo."

Joey reluctantly disentangled herself from Charlie's grip, and smiled gently as she walked into the apartment, knowing Charlie wouldn't leave until she was safely inside.

Once the door was closed, both women collapsed against their respective sides of the door. I love that girl.

Hope you all enjoyed that chapter...as now I've got some bad news :)

I've having another 'bout of 'writers block' and this time it's struck this fic - grr it seems to take it's turns on each of my fics :)

Anyways I probably won't be updating this fic for a week or two while I try and find another cure as I've just barely got the next chapter written and didn't want to keep you all waiting for this one

Not sure how long this fic will go on for but I doubt there will be a huge number of chapters when I return but we'll see what I come up with

'Til then hope to hear your feedback :P