The moment had arrived when Charlie realized that she couldn't avoid going to the Diner much longer. As much as she feared Colleen behind the counter and what she might say or how she might act, she knew very well that it was time to take the bull by the horns! Besides, she so missed the coffee that the Diner served.

"Hey Rubes, are you ready?"

"Yeah, just give me a minute!"

"Are you sure you're up for this?"

"Yes. I'm ready to take on the homophobes of Summer Bay!"

"This is my battle to fight and the last thing I want is to bring further grief into your life. But, it makes me very happy that you are standing in my corner and holding my hand every step of the way! I'd be lost without you."

"Charlie, you have always been there for me! I love you and even if at first I doubted your love for Joey, I don't anymore. I can see how much you are hurting right now and I want to help you get her back! So, shall we go and eat some stares, whispers and not to mention some remarks for dessert."

Charlie couldn't help but give Ruby a great big bear hug and a kiss her on the forehead. She knew that the person that matter the most in her life accepted her and her love for Joey and that meant the world to her. Charlie has served well the town of Summer Bay and loves the community, she's hoping that the people won't be to harsh on her for being gay. She's starting to warm up to the label, because if she loves Joey then she better start saying that word over and over in her head as though she were saying the word happy. And loving Joey made her happy, so in her mind she was " pretty and witty and gay." Even if, it's a small town, not everyone was closed-minded. She just kept telling herself that.

"OK, Charlie let's take a deep breath. You can do this, for crying out loud, you're Senior Constable Charlie Buckton!"

Ruby opened the door and in they went. The place was packed and right away Trey and his posse of jackasses already started the stares and whispers campaign, that she has been bracing for. From a far table Leah, VJ and Xavier waved to them, to come join them at their table. It was a pleasant surprise to see smiling faces greet them.

"You had this planned, didn't you?"

"Well, sis you can't win a battle without an army!"

"Remind me to take you shopping tomorrow and I'll even let you go crazy!"

As the girls smiled and sat down with the happy bunch, Charlie couldn't help to notice that a lot of the patrons of the Diner were in fact staring at her and whispering God only knows what about her. This made her blood turned ice cold and she just wanted to run back home and snuggle up to Pillowey, like a six year old girl. Xavier to make Charlie feel more comfortable talked about the after-school program to help kids deal with serious issues like drugs and alcohol. Speaking of alcohol, a nice beer might help her ease her nerves. Just as they are all about to order, Trey and his loyal sidekick decide to crash the party.

"Is this an open party or a closeted one?"

While his sidekick started to laugh, Charlie quickly informed him that he is under investigation for starting the fire over at the caravan park. Instead of going around looking for some more trouble she suggested that he head back home and ask his daddy for some legal advise. On that note Trey and his loyal sidekick took the hint and left them alone.

"Wow, Charlie! You haven't lost your sharp quick wit!" Smirked, Leah.

"Well, I've come to realize that, if there is something that you want bad enough, you're going to have to fight for it!" Giving Ruby a wink.

All in all the evening went well, Colleen wasn't there and besides Trey's remark and the occasional stares, this test gave Charlie the extra confidence she needed to continue to roll with the punches and bring her closer to her love, Joey.