As Time Goes By

Okay, I know I've been a bit mean leaving you with cliffhangers just recently and to make up for it, I'll post another chapter later. Thank you to all my regular reviewers. (This chapter is dedicated to 1818. She knows why!) ~S&L~ xx

Chapter 17

"Ouhhh!" Someone yelled out in pain.

Alf Steward grabbed his right arm as the bullet lodged and very quickly, blood began to seep between his fingers.

"Alf!" Morag cried as she exited the pub and ran to the aid of her brother.

"I'm alright, women!" Alf said, obviously in pain.

"No you're not and don't call me 'woman'!" Morag argued.

"Granddad!" Martha breathed and dropped the gun, running to her Grandfather's side.

Charlie Buckton closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. She bent over and supported herself by resting her hands on her knees.

"Charlie!" Joey cried, running up to her girlfriend and throwing her arms about her.

"Charlie, are you alright?" Watson asked, anxiously.

"I'm fine." Charlie said straightening and resting a hand on Joey's frightened face. "I'm fine."

Ross took hold of Martha by the arm.

"You're coming with me, young lady!"

"You're going nowhere, Ross Buckton!" Morag said in a tone, not to be disobeyed.

"It's alright, Mr. Buckton. I'll take care of Mrs. Holden."

Everyone looked up at the new voice.

Detective Chief Inspector Robertson stood by Martha's side and took hold of her arm.

"Martha Holden, I arrest you for a breach of the peace and for possessing and attempting to use an illegal fire arm. I must warn you that anything you say may be used in evidence against you."

Martha looked wide eyed at the Detective Chief Inspector.

"I don't believe it!" She breathed. "You wouldn't?"

"I think he might!" Charlie said, walking up to the couple and looking up at Robertson. "Because you're the man behind all this, aren't you?"

Robertson looked wildly at Charlie.

"Have you gone mad, Constable? What is the meaning of this?"

"Yes, do tell us, what is the meaning of all this?" Charlie said and glanced at Watson. "This is the fly in the ointment. He's the one who's been manipulating Martha from behind, giving her little snippets of information to use against me. 'The law is the law'!"

Watson's mouth fell open.

Robertson's eyes scanned the faces of his stunned audience. He started to breathe heavily and swallowed.

"You're talking absolute balderdash, Buckton. You're drunk on duty! I suggest you go home and sleep it off! Report to me first thing in the morning."

"My daughter is not drunk!" Ross interposed, angrily. "I insist a full investigation be made! I have full confidence in my daughter's reasoning and ability."

Ross glanced at his daughter who smiled back gratefully.

"You said, you'd get Hugo released!" Martha cried; bending over her Grandfather. "Now it's all gone tits up!"

"Shut your stupid mouth!" The flustered Detective Chief Inspector hissed and pulled out a gun.

The little crowd gasped and watched as Robertson began to sweat.

Alf grimaced in pain as his arm continued to bleed.

"My brother needs a doctor!" Morag cried angrily.

"You shut up too, woman!" Robertson yelled.

Morag's eyes became dangerous and she opened her mouth to speak when a little voice from the back of the small party chirped up.

"I suggest you drop your gun Detective Chief Inspector whatever your name is, because if you don't, this gun, which I am holding an inch from the back of your head, might just go off!"

Everyone apart from Robertson looked around at the forgotten Wren who had calmly picked up Martha's gun and quietly made her way up behind Robertson and held it at his cranium. Robertson's eyes twitched and he swallowed. He closed his eyes briefly and nodded. He dropped the gun. Watson quickly bent down and retrieved the weapon and aimed it at Robertson.

"Detective Chief Inspector Robertson. I am arresting you for...."

Charlie closed her eyes as Georgie Watson read Robertson his rights. She glanced at Joey still holding the firearm at the Inspector's head. She smiled and took it out of Joey's shaking hand.

"It's alright my love." She whispered in Joey's ear. "I'll handle this."

Joey nodded and gratefully gave up the weapon.

***

"My God, Joey! You were so brave!" Ruby cried, as Charlie retold their story.

"Don't know what I'd have done without her!" Charlie said; her arm about Joey; giving her a squeeze of affection.

Joey blushed.

"It was nothing really!" She said nonchalantly. "Have you spoken to Woodford?"

"Yes, he's picking Robertson up as soon as he can. I can't believe this has all happened!" Charlie said, shaking her head.

"I'll be glad to go back to work for a rest!" Joey quipped, but repented as she saw the look of sorrow in Charlie's eyes.

"I was Joshing, darling!"

Charlie blushed and smiled.

"What will happen to Martha, Charlie?" Ruby asked.

"I really don't know, sweetheart. Morag will represent her, I dare say, but she will be given a prison term for her involvement. All so pointless." Charlie said, sadly.

"Well, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go to bed." Ruby said. "Goodnight you two."

"Night honey, sleep well." Joey said, blowing Ruby a kiss.

Ruby looked at her sister and suddenly tears sprang into her eyes and her face contorted. Charlie smiled as Ruby flew into her arms and cried. Charlie held her tightly until her tears abated.

"It's alright now. Everyone's safe."

Ruby nodded and wiped her tears on the back of her hand.

"I'm glad you're safe, Charlie." Ruby said, "Don't know what I'd have done without you." And giving her sister one last look, retired to bed.

***

Joey took Charlie in her arms.

"It's been quite a day, hasn't it?"

Charlie nodded, not wishing to say anymore about it.

"By the way, I think we've been sanctioned by your father!" Joey said with a grin.

"What do you mean?" Charlie said, pulling away from Joey's arms.

"At the funeral, he sought me out. He as good as told me that he approved of us."

Charlie's mouth dropped open in disbelief.

"Really?"

"He asked me to call him Ross and said he thought that we two were close, which I confirmed and he said he was glad! He said you needed someone like me in your life and he wished us well! I think he knows, Charlie and he doesn't mind." Joey said, with a smile and leaned into Charlie and kissed her tenderly.

"I'm astonished!" Charlie said when she managed to escape Joey's lips. "Did he mention Morag?"

"No." Joey said shaking her head. "She means well, Charlie. If she does suspect us, she'll say nothing. Well, to no one else, I mean!"

"Poor Colleen. How she would've loved to have been in the thick of all this!" Charlie grinned and looked at Joey. "Come on, take me to bed!"

Joey grinned and taking Charlie by the hand led her upstairs and into their room, closing the door quietly behind them.