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Chapter Six: Lunch And Coffees

Gabrielle rushed around the ED doing various things at once. Thank god women can multi-task. She finally retired into the tearoom to find Charlotte bent over the sink.

"Charlotte?" The 2IC didn't turn around but straightened up.

"Hey Gab."

"Are you alright?" Charlotte turned around. Her eyes were slightly red and she looked worn out.

"Just..." Charlotte shook her head. "I don't know. A lot of things, I guess. You know when all the little things demand to be seen to at the same time?"

"I know!" Gabrielle went and lent on the sink next to Charlotte. "It happens to the best of us Charlotte, it'll pass."

"I know." The silence was not tense, but slightly unwanted. "How's Steve?" Gabrielle blinked hard.

"He's not good at coping with things. His mother is not around much longer... I'll have to keep an eye on him." Gabrielle had no idea how close Steve's mother was to being very far away.

"And what about you?"

"What about me?"

"How are you coping?" Gabrielle felt herself becoming defensive. She crossed her arms making a subconscious physical barrier between her and Charlotte.

"I'm fine." They both knew she wasn't.

"I know you're not fine Gabbi. It must be hard. You two have history, you've seen him at his worst and now he may be heading back to that." Gabrielle didn't react.

"Yeah. But I won't let him."

"He's a big boy Gabrielle, I'm sure he can take care of himself."

"I don't care!" Charlotte studied her expression. Defensive, worried, stern.

"You want to be around him?"

"Don't do this Charlotte." Gabrielle didn't want to have this conversation. "You are taking advantage of how great a friend you are!" She smiled at this comment. It sounded to harmless, but it wasn't. Gabbi really wanted to talk and Charlotte was so easy to be around, but she knew that she couldn't. Opening up was never easy with her. And this was not the time or place to try it. "I'm heading home. I'll check on Steve on the way."

"Are you hungry?" Charlotte just said what she thought. Only then noticing it made no connection to the conversation.

"What?" Gabrielle smiled but was confused.

"Let's get something to eat. Then I'll come with to check on Steve, you don't need to do this by yourself. Plus there's food involved." She smiled. Gabrielle thought about it before nodding, and they headed out to parking lot, having both just finished their shifts.

Gabbi and Charlotte walked out to the car park. Charlotte's practical silver car still had a toddler seat in the back for Zac, Gabrielle wondered if he still needed it. She though of how old he must be now, four? Five? Charlotte was already in her car, so Gabrielle briskly got into her own. She followed the woman out of the parking lot and through the city, having no idea where they were going.

Turning on the radio she heard a song by Britney Spears, which took her mind off Steve. She had heard so many rumors about this pop performer, none of which could be confirmed. The poor woman. It must suck to be a celebrity... Gabbi thought to herself about music the whole way. When she saw Charlotte's car, now a few cars ahead, pull over, she looked for a parking. There was one right behind the car she intently following, perfect.

Gabrielle got out of her car first, Charlotte was on the phone to someone. Her smile was flirtatious, obviously an automatic thing, as she was on the phone. She hung up after saying "See you then" and climbed out of her car.

"Who was that?" Gabrielle had seen 'that' smile many times before, and not many times on Charlotte.

"Oh, no-one." She brushed off.

"Liar! Who are you going to see?"

"No-one!"

"Charlotte!"

"Fine, fine. I'm going for a coffee with someone tomorrow."

"Ooh!" Gabrielle love gossiping with this woman, there was always something juicy going on, but it rarely involved the 2IC herself. "So... Who are they?"

"They, don't know you." Gabrielle noticed that Charlotte had refused o show the gender of the person. Why would she hide that from me? She thought. Oh well, she can have her privacy, I have my ways of breaking into it. Charlotte walked into a small restaurant that was very cosy and pleasantly decorated. She said hello to the woman behind the counter, who she obviously knew. A waitress led them to a small table in the corner for two. They sat and poured a glass of water each, which had been brought immediately.

"So?" Gabrielle was still ingtent on getting something from Charlotte.

"So what?"

"Oh come on Charlotte, fill me in!"

"I'm going for coffee with a friend, nothing more you need to know." She smiled a cheeky grin, teasing the younger woman.

"Like, a date?"

"Maybe."

"Charlotte! You can't leave me hanging like this! What's happening to Zac when you go?"

"Oh, I hadn't thought of that..." Charlotte stared into her glass.

"Do you want me to baby sit?" Gabrielle's plan was starting to unfold.

"Oh Gabs, would you?" Charlotte looked instantly relieved.

"Sure! But you have to fill me in when you get back okay? What time do want me to come over?"

"Uh, we're meeting at five PM so, maybe quarter to five? Awesome." Gabrielle nodded. A waiter came over to the table and asked what they would like to order. They both skimmed over the menu and decided on toasted sandwiches and coke. The rest of the afternoon, which turned quickly into evening, was spent on small talk. It was only as they got up to leave that Gabrielle thought about Steve.

"Do you want to go check on him?"

"I'd like that." Gabrielle wanted the reassurance of knowing Steve was fine at home by himself.

"Okay, I'll follow you this time, you know where he lives." Charlotte gave a quick wink and a cheeky smile. Gabbi smiled at her and shook her head, getting into her car.

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