Joey was restless, every hour that went by she fretted even more. She was concerned for Charlie's safety, where was she, did Brax hurt her? She sat up in her bed when she heard the police radio chime in. The Constable awaited news and instructions "We've located Sergeant Charlie Buckton, ambulance arriving within 15 minutes. Advise Dr Walker she needs immediate attention."

The young Constable jumped up and immediately sought out the medical team and Dr Walker. Joey sighed in relief that Charlie had been found but an ever looming black thought lay in the back of her mind. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

….

As the doors flew open, with Charlie on the stretcher, Joey clambered as fast as she could towards her. The IV tubes being hooked up and seeing Charlie's body all battered and bruised shattered Joey. The thought that Brax said he loved her and then could hurt her like this was incomprehendable. As the medical team got to work on assessing the extent of the injuries it was clear that Charlie was unconscious. Hovering in the background Joey couldn't do it to leave her girlfriend, even if her room was just across the corridor. Despite the horrific scenes before her, she stayed just steps from Charlie's bedside awaiting any news.

Leah had also arrived after receiving a frantic call from Ruby. No one could believe that Brax could ever do this to his own girlfriend, no doubt he was capable but to honestly do the deed was beyond reach until now.

"Joey, darling, come back to your room, Sid will come in and tell us more when he knows…" Leah began, as she reached for Joey to pull her out of the emergency room.

Joey shook her head, despite all the pain she wanted to be there for Charlie.

As the medical team kept working Joey kept listening to the snippets of information, anything to tell her that Charlie would be ok. Then the words came that she never wanted to hear….

"Looks like the bastard raped her too, better get the rape kit, and send it to the lab immediately".

Joey stopped breathing, her world was closing in, and everything was turning black. "Joey... Joey… Joey…." She could hear Leah calling her name. A strong set of arms grabbed her as her body crumpled into a heap on the floor. Her tears flowed. She wanted no one's comfort. She just wanted Charlie but Brax had destroyed her. Every last inch of her was destroyed emotionally and physically. Pushing everyone away who tried to help her back to her room, Joey curled herself up on the floor and cried. Her whole world turned black.

The next morning….

Joey woke up in a panic, wishing Charlie's kidnapping was nothing more than a bad dream. She realized it was a true reality when she turned to see her girlfriend next to her in another bed. Her face was bruised, her lips swollen. Daring to look under the sheet she saw the trail of bruises where Brax had punched and kicked her.

Tears welled up in Joey's eyes as she remembered what Robbo had done to her in 2009 at the hotel and on the boat at work. She and Charlie met when Aiden wouldn't let Robbo get away with raping her. Charlie had taken the case on herself and done everything she could do get Robbo behind bars. She fell in love with Charlie then but despite a short-lived happiness, Charlie couldn't handle the relationship and ended up cheating on her with Hugo Austin. Joey left Summer Bay shortly after; her return now was to be a new chapter in both their lives. Joey knew Brax wouldn't give Charlie up without a fight but this… bashing Charlie within an inch of her life and raping her too… Joey was scared… the man was dangerous…. Holding onto Charlie's hand she cried herself to sleep once more.

….

That afternoon…

Charlie woke up; her body was in pain, every movement of her body brought with it excruciating agony. She couldn't move her arm. Her hand was stuck… fearing Brax had cuffed it she tried to yank it out. Joey yelled out in pain as her head hit the metal railing of the bed "OW!"

Rubbing her head Joey squinted her eyes several times, "Charlie!" she finally exclaimed.

Charlie couldn't talk; lifting her finger to her lips she touched in and winced in pain. Joey immediately reached for her hand once more. "Charlie, don't talk ok, just let your body rest ok"

Charlie nodded in acknowledgement, her head was pounding with pain and she struggled to breathe in heavily.

"Brax…." She whispered… "He'll come back"…. She struggled once more…

Joey hushed Charlie in her attempt to speak. "It's ok, Watsons on it, just relax and let your body recover". She told Charlie to go to sleep as she kissed her gently on the forehead, the only part of her body without a bruise.

Once Charlie had gone back to sleep, Joey collapsed back in her chair. Everything was ruined; once again they were starting over.

Sighing in exasperation, she opened her eyes when she heard footsteps…

"Joey, we need to talk"