The car drove behind Charlie's car, keeping its distance. Unaware of its presence, Charlie continued on her way to pick up Joey and headed home. As they were driving home, Joey suggested to stop by the wharf, as she needed to get something off the Blaxland.

Charlie dropped her off and headed into the shops to get some groceries for dinner. Heading down the road, the car stopped, Charlie's car dissapearing from its view after turnng into the supermarket carpark. The driver stepped out and headed towards the water.

"Oh Sorry, I didn't see you there" Joey replied as she bumped into someone walking down the pier.

"I want you to leave, get out of here" replied the voice assertively.

Looking up their eyes locked...

"What do you want Angelo?'

"So you know me then, pity i can only guess you're Joey, since Charlie's never formally introduced us", he replied with his jaws clenched.

"get out of my way Angelo" Joey replied confidently, hoping that Angelo would see reason and walk away.

"I'm the one for Charlie, you're just a phase for her, she'll come back to me and I have no intention of leaving Summer Bay until I convince her of that" he retaliated.

Joey was so angry, she just wanted to hit Angelo, push him out of the way, preferably into the water so she could just get away and find Charlie. Evidently Angelo was not going to give up nor was he going to step away from the fight.

"Angelo, let me be, don't make it any harder for yourself, Charlie has made her choice, I have made mine. We're together. Accept it. You had your chance. Let her live now." Joey was unsure what to do next so she just kept hoping Charlie would return via the pier and see them. Looking down the road there was no blue car heading towards her.

"i will never accept this. Charlie should be with me. She's meant to be the mother of my children. you can never have such a life with her. Your lives will never be enriched. I can do that for her" Angelo replied with anger in his eyes.

"get over yourself. Have you ever asked Charlie what she wants. If kids are even in her plan. She has Ruby. We have Ruby. We are content" Joey emphasised Ruby's name with a passion and smile, knowing how close the 3 of them had become since Joey's return.

"Kids, a family, it's what she's meant to do with me, it's what's supposed to be. i'm not giving up on her without a fight." Angelo exclaimed.

"You want a fight, you've got one", a third voice came up behind him.

Twisting around, Angelo came face to face with Charlie. Unknown to both angelo and Joey she saw Angelo approach Joey and she had grabbed a lift from Aden to an area where neither could see her, and so managed to surprise both of them and hear everything they were saying.

Stepping in front of Joey, she clasped their hands together protectively. "I don't want to be anywhere near you Angelo. I'm with Joey. She is my world. She is my life. I want nothing to do with you. And if you even so much as lay a finger on any of my friends, Joey or even Ruby, I will make your life a rotten hell," Charlie continued, anger bubbling within her.

"But Charlie... come on... you know this isn't right, what we had was real, we can get itvback. I want a family with you. Please see reason. You don't have love with Joey. It's just a convenient relationship." Angelo stammered.

Joey held onto charlie's hand tightly, afraid to let it go because she could feel Charlie getting increasingly tense at each of Angelo's words.

"Get out of here Angelo. You and I are over. We have been over for so long now. Honestly, you have nothing on Joey. She understands me. She is my rock of support in every single way. All you did was destroy my life, my confidence and my ability to see good in myself. I lost Ruby because of you. Don't ever think that I will forgive you because I wont. Now this conversation is finished. I never want to see you again. i never want you to talk to Joey or Ruby, and if you do, I won't be holding back my actions." harlie explained, her voice modulated with control and assertiveness.

"Fine Charlie, you get your wish. I'll get going but you can't keep me out of Summer Bay. I will be back. I will continue to fight for your love, for us" he replied.

"don't bother, I don't want you, i don't want us. Joey is all I want. My decision is final." Charlie reiterated, her blue eyes shrinking with anger.

Angelo realised he was going to get nowhere with both girls steaming with anger. He turned around and headed back to his car, taking one last look at Charlie who was still standing in front of Joey protectively, shaking his head in anger and dissapointment. As he drove way, he looked in his rear view mirror to see Charlie turning around to embrace Joey in a deep hug. In his memory, forever etched the vision of Charlie kissing Joey passionately while holding her in a loving embrace.

'Damn it... i've lost her forever' he thought, cursing the fact that Joey had ever returned.

....

"Joey I'm so sorry. You should never have had to deal with Angelo. He should never have attacked you like that" Charlie cried out "Did he hurt you?", her voice filled with concern for her lover.

"its ok Charlie, it's not like he physically attacked me, what's a few harsh words? They won't break me. Besides I know we''re stronger than that. I believe in the Love that binds us. I'm not about to let one of your crazy exes destroy what we have created."

"Joey, you are so hot right now, God... what did I ever to do deserve You?" Charlie questioned, a look overcoming her face with a roaming eye sweeping Joey's body top to bottom.

"Well... we do have the Blaxland keys... i think we could forget the quick drive home and do something naughty on the water," Joey winked.

"Oh yeah, Babe, let's do it." Charlie insisted as she pulled Joey back in the direction of the Blaxland.

...

Aden chuckled to himself thinking 'They'll be right. Rosetta's gone. They're safe'. Giving the girls their privacy, he drove away as he saw them get on the boat and head off down the river.

....

TBC Thankyou for the recent reviews. Please R&R this chapter. Let me know what you think.

I seriously didn't want Angelo back for long. Will he respect Charlie's wishes & stay away?