Joey sat by Charlie's side on the bed, totally mesmorised by the vision in front of her.
Charlie was asleep, safely back at home. Her nightmares continued each night, almost the same time each night. Joey remained awake until she had eased Charlie's pain.
Every night Charlie whimpered the same words
"No Hugo... No....
No Angelo... No ... Don't do this!!
No Robbo... Stay away from us!!"
The police at Yabbie Creek were no closer to solving who had shot their colleague and Charlie's memory had not returned. No new leads had come in several weeks.
Joey was in awe of her love. Despite her memory not returning, Charlie had recalled Joey's return to her on the beach and nothing more. Both girls happy for now to create new memories.
A knock at the door was about to turn their world upside down
....
Ruby opened the door to see Watson and McGrath.
'Morning Ruby, can we come in?" Watson asked, a small smile creeping through at the teenager.
"Sure, come in. I'll just get Mum and Joey."
...
Several minutes later Joey entered the kitchen advising that Charlie was getting dressed and would arrive shortly. Making a coffee for everyone, Joey engaged in some simple conversation.
'Sorry Jo, McGrath and I are here with regards to the shooting. Neither of us are preparedfor simple conversation.' Watson replied bluntly. What they were about to say would possibly tear Charlie's happiness to shreds.
Joey sighed, her thoughts wondering if anything new was discovered.
Charlie arrived just as the coffee was made, entering the kitchen, she acknowledged her colleagues and before assisting Joey with the coffees, planted a gentle kiss on joey's cheek. Joey smiled, even in the toughest of times, Charlie had remained affectionate. 'fortunately no changes in that department' joey thought to herself.
'So Boss, Watson. Any news?" Charlie asked, hopeful that something new had been discovered.
McGrath looked at Watson, a silent look between them confirmed what they knew.
"Charlie'... he began "we found a gun and some belongings close to where you were shot, ballistics did the tests. The gun... we know the owner..."
"Well, who was it?" Charlie asked, unsure if she really wanted to know the truth.
"Um', he stammered "the clothes and idle belongings belonged to Robert Cruze, the gun belonged to Angelo Rosetta."
"What?... I don't understand" Charlie replied, feeling nauseous.
"We came round to tell you of the developments and that we arrested Angelo last night. He bought a one way ticket to the US, but we intercepted him at the airport. He admitted to being the one that shot you."
"Did he say why?" Joey quizzed, holding up Charlie, as she looked like she was about to faint.
Guiding her to sit down, the 2 girls continued to listen to McGrathhs reply.
"Jealousy mostly. He wanted to break you two apart. He admitted to enlisting Robbo's help. Apparently the plan was to attack Joey and get her out of the picture. Cut a deep enough wedge between you and then pursue Charlie, under her false belief that all was over. This was supposed to drive Charlie straight back into Angelo's arms. Seeing that you two were together all the time, and that Charlie never left your side Joey, they went with plan B.
Organise to get you out to a crime scene, and then hurt you with the intention to wipe your memory. Head injuries or shock would assist that. I guess that part came true as you don't have you memories back yet do you Charlie?"
"No" she gasped, staring ahead.
Images continued to invade her thoughts...
Ruby when she was a baby, then a toddler taking her first steps, and as a teenager with the most recent image of her sitting by Charlie's side in the hospital.
It was like a movie before her eyes, of her whole life.
...
Then Joey appeared.
The first time they met, the runs on the beach, the first boat trip together aboard the Blaxland and running away from Joey, the first time she kissed Joey in the motel after Robbo was arrested, Joey leaving Summer Bay after the Hugo incident, the image of sitting on the beach as Joey returned wrapping her arms around her, then giving the diamond ring to Joey declaring her undying love and commitment for her.
The images continued to swarm....
Suddenly Angelo appeared, memories consumed her as she recalled their relationship, breaking up over a commitment phobia, Angelo spying up a tree when Charlie was visiting her counseller Michael, then their never ending moments at work where he tried to reconcile.
Charlie started to shake visibly as the events leading up to her being shot came surging back.
Angelo had insisted on going with her to a call out. Upon arriving at a secluded picnic area, there was no sign of trouble. They had split up to cover more ground. Charlie had walked up past a playground area when she was attacked from behind....
....
The images continued to whirl.
There was Robbo breathing over her. His breath was making her want to throw up. He spoke, ' So I couldn't get Joey cos she always has you or Aden by her side, looks like you'll have to do.' He reached towards her top, intending to undo it when Angelo yelled out,
'Robbo, get off her'. A squabble erupted between them as Angelo pushed Robbo aside, "Charlie, you have to leave Joey, no good will come of it. Robbo and I, we'll continue to pursue both of you. We won't stop. Do you want harm to come to Joey?"
Charlie recalls looking up into Angelos eyes. They were full of hatred. 'Angelo', she hissed 'you stay away from Joey, that's an order for both of you. Now let me go, otherwise life will become extremrely complicated'.
'Sorry copper' Robbo replied, smacking his lips 'there's no negotiation available here' as he smacked her across the face with a blunt object.
Everything went black...
Charlie was shaking, Joey was looking on, trying to calm her down, then she had wrapped her armsaround her lover, whispering soothing words in her ear.
The graphic images had stopped, Charlie was frozen to her seat, unable to move.
"Charlie, honey, can you talk to us?"
"He, he, they, they..." Charlie stammered.
"Honey, it's ok, talk to me" Joey gently stroked Charlie's hand, encouraging her to take
her time.
Looking up at the trio who had listened intently to Charlie's recollections as to what happened
that day.
Tears started to fall down her face as she recalled the final details
"He... they...they both, i woke up, the whole world had gone black. They raped me"
As she saw the pain etched on Joey's face, the whole world went black once more....
So i'm thinking of wrapping up this fic. Please R&R what you think of this chapter so far and if you have any personal preferences of the way it ends.