Thanks to XTR for the dedicated reviews each chapter :)

6 months later….

Joey was enjoying a leisurely stroll along the beach, heading to the Diner to meet Charlie for lunch after an intense counseling session. Her head hurt from the intensity of the session but it was all worth it as Charlie had finally agreed to attend. It had taken several weeks for her to agree but their joint sessions had also stemmed into individual sessions as they both tried to battle their own demons of their past.

For Joey it was coming to terms with her rape and attempted murder by Robbo, and the insecurities that grew from Charlie's infidelity and how to overcome them.

Charlie's sessions were primarily based on her perception of herself, her self confidence and contribution to her family. The injuries she had sustained from Brax's attack were healing and the walking aid was now gone. Her self esteem was still quite low but with Joey and Ruby's help, along with the counseling sessions she was slowly realizing she has to find a new way to contribute to Summer Bay and her place in the community. As far as their family was concerned, Joey was always praising Charlie for all the little steps she had taken forward. Simple things like cooking a hot breakfast were no longer frightening as she stopped burning the food. Reassurances of a job well done had gone a long way. In terms of work, Charlie wanted to quit the Force but for now Joey had insisted that she return to light duties in the office to allow her to get back on her feet. Her ability to be on the front line running and fit was not quite there yet. Despite the walking aid being gone for a couple of weeks, she still had to walk slowly and be careful not to fall down. The physiotherapy sessions allowed her to lightly jog but only with the trainers present.

Approaching the Diner she saw Charlie, against the backdrop of the sunshine she admired her hair blowing in the wind, smiling as she saw her growing frustration as she tried to keep it out of her face.

She was about to surprise Charlie from behind when she saw Brax approach her, deciding to see his next move she shielded herself from view. Questions as to how he got out of jail and stayed free frazzled her as she realized Charlie was in fact enjoying his company, smiling and laughing throughout the conversation. 'WHAT THE?' Joey questioned.

She made her presence known to Brax and Charlie and stepped out in front of them as she saw Brax reach in for a kiss which Charlie happily accepted. Alerting them to her presence, Charlie jumped back in astonishment.

"Joey! It's not what it looks like".

"It never does Charlie" was her only reply as she stormed off.

"S****!" swore Charlie as she ran after Joey.

Brax watched as his ex ran after Joey, smiling to himself at the thought that their breakup was much easier to initiate that he first imagined.

"Joey please stop… Joey! "She puffed, her lack of fitness evident by the inability to keep up.

Joey stormed around to face her girlfriend, anger beaming out of her eyes. "How dare you Charlie, all the while we've been trying to get us to a good place with the counseling and all. You decide to go back to Brax like what he did meant nothing to you. He destroyed our life, not just yours!" she yelled.

"Joey it's not what it looks like, please, let me explain" Charlie pleaded.

"Don't you even dare try to explain it to me Charlie, you have made us irrelevant. One kiss from that man who destroyed your body, and took away your chance to have kids and you have kissed us goodbye. In that one moment you made us seem like nothing."

"Joey please! "Begging her for another chance to explain, Charlie took the risk and reached out to accept Joey's hand. She refused, instead crossing her arms in a defensive stance.

"I had to talk to Brax, the counselor said to make amends, otherwise I wouldn't be able to move forward, not completely. The torture I live with everyday when I look at my body, it would destroy me eventually."

"The counselor told you this?"

"Yeah"

"Did she tell you to kiss him too" Joey spat out venomously, the hurt and betrayal so evident in her voice.

"Why do we have to do this Joey? Every time we get to a good place, we seem to take like five steps back and then we have to start again." Charlie asked softly as they both sat down on the bench looking out over the waters of Summer Bay.

Tears were about to take over Joey but she tried to remain strong a little longer. She wanted Charlie to understand her fear but would she?

"Charlie you are an incredible woman, and I'm in love with you. I want to have a family with you but your behavior and lack of morals when it comes to men; it haunts you and follows you everywhere you go. I see how Brax looks at you, he wants you back and he'll do anything to make it happen. He doesn't care about everyone else who will get hurt in the process. You are his prize. The ultimate one. I can't complete with that. I fear everyday that you go out to work or take a walk on your own that you will end up realizing that you and I are not what you want. That this relationship is not in your heart."

Charlie couldn't take her eyes off Joey as she admitted her biggest fear. Moments like this tore her heart apart that she could be capable of inflicting such anguish in her lover. Reaching out to stroke her knee, seeking any contact that Joey would allow, she sighed in relief as Joey didn't push her away.

"Jo I had no idea, honestly. What am I to do to take this fear away from you? How do I have you understand how much you mean to me? You are the mother of my child, you are then one I want to wake up beside each morning and cuddle up to each night. For everything you are, Brax is not. He may want me back and I don't want him. That relationship was poisonous, toxic…. Unbearable. He can read into my making amends with him anyway he wants but ultimately he has to realize that he and I, we've been over so long, there's no chance of reconciliation. I don't want him in my life, but I want to still be able to go out with you and shop and dine and do all the things lovers do without worrying that I'll run into him and be surrounded by awkwardness. Joey, you and Ruby and little Junior here, you are my future, my destiny, even my fate." Charlie explained, moving in a little closer she kissed Joey gently on the cheek while rubbing circles round her belly.

Joey was drawn to tears "this isn't good for the bub, all this stress, I want to be happy Charlie and carefree. I want to know that you won't up and leave one day when you realize you can't cope with being in a relationship with me".

"Nonsense Jo, every step we have taken to this point has just made us stronger and we're at least telling each other how we feel. That's a big step we never would have taken when you first came back. Please Jo understand I didn't kiss Brax, he kissed me, and it was more of a thank you kiss than anything else."

Looking into Charlie's eyes she realized the truth, everything Charlie was saying was honest and genuine not running away covering a lie.

"I'm just sick of the fighting Charlie, do you think we could have a week of happy bliss, no arguing, and no questioning each other over something said or done… I really need a break from the stress and anguish".

Nodding in agreement Charlie reached for joey's hand, gently laying butterfly kisses up and down it. "I agree, it's not good for you or the baby, so I pledge to you here and now, no arguing, I'll be good."

"I mean it Charlie, it will be your behavior that will result in me packing by bags, trust me" Joey replied assertively.

"I know…. I love you Jo, I'm sorry"

Realizing they both wanted the same thing, Joey called time on this argument realizing Charlie only wanted her to be happy so as she got up, she reached out her and beckoned Charlie to accompany her to lunch followed by an appointment to the hospital for their first ultrasound.

The girls still aren't completely without hassles in their life, but they are getting stronger as a couple overcoming their hurdles together. Hope you enjoyed the surprise ;) Please read and review.