Hey guys, Thanks so much for all of your reviews. I really appreciate them. And...This chapter sucks. I know that. I have a kind of block going on with this fic right now so I'm sorry for the suckiness.

boo: You're completely entitled to your own opinion but...First of all I need to point out that Ruby's actions are completely understandable taking into account that she just lost somebody she really cares about. Secondly my fic isn't focused on one couple because in my opinion (And other's people's) that would be boring. But I do try to balance it out as much as possible. As for not liking Ruby/Summer...As I said you're welcome to your own opinion but (And I'm not trying to be rude) I did give you the option a number of times through the fic and you didn't object to Ruby and Summer.

Kat, Lil20 and Cardboard fox: Thanks so much for the counter reviews to the above guys! You made me feel way better and I seriously don't think this chapter (Sucky as it is) would be here without your reassurances about the fic. So thanks a lot!

Chapter 81

"Hey Alf" Joey greeted wearily as she leaned against the bar "Can I get a...Vodka Tonic, Please?"

Alf looked slightly confused at her presence but nodded as he began to pour the drink anyway "It's a bit early for you, isn't it?"

"Maybe" Joey shrugged and picked up the glass "I guess I just needed a drink" she continued vaguely at Alf's questioning look "Normal stress at home"

"Oh" Alf nodded understandingly and was about to say something else when he noticed another customer standing at the bar. He quickly excused himself and went to serve the customer.

"Hey"

Joey jumped slightly as a male voice sounded from next to her. She glanced to her left to see a dark haired guy standing there.

"I'm Brian" the guy announced with a grin "I'm new around here"

"Joey" Joey said as she reluctantly shook Brian's hand.

"Can I buy you a drink?" the man asked hopefully "then maybe we can..."

Joey cut him off as she raised her left hand "I'm married"

Brian shrugged as if the information was completely irrelevant "So what? C'mon just let me buy you that drink and we can get out of here. Find somewhere private we can..."

"I'm also very Gay" Joey pointed out in amusement "So I guess it's a no"

"I can fix that for you"

"Oh My God" Joey muttered under her breath. She closed her eyes briefly before looking back at the guy in front of her "It really doesn't need to be fixed"

"So how about that drink?"

Joey gave him a look that said 'Are you serious?' She lifted her glass when she was met with a blank stare "I have one. Thanks"

"I could buy you another one" Brian insisted "Come on just one Drink!"

Joey rolled her eyes at the clueless man "What part of No did you not understand?"

"The part where I can't buy a hot girl a drink?" Brian shrugged "Come on just one..."

"I'm married" Joey said again "And you're not my type. I have never and will never go out with a guy. Sorry"

"How do you know you're gay if you've never been with a guy?"

"How do you know you're straight if you've never been with a guy?" Joey countered irritably.

Brian huffed in indignation "Whatever" he turned and moodily stormed off. Joey released a soft sigh of relief.

"The new guy bothering you?" Alf asked as he moved back up the bar.

"Kind of" Joey shrugged "It's fine though"

"That guy and his brother got here about a week ago" Alf stated casually as he wiped down the bar "Apparently they're trouble. I'm surprised you haven't run into them before now"

"Why's that?" Joey smiled in puzzlement "Because I attract trouble?"

"No" Alf shook his head looking equally confused "I just mean that since Ruby's been hanging around with the brother...Nathan that you might have met him. Haven't you?"

"Uh...No" Joey said in concern "I haven't. Do you have any idea how old this Nathan person is?"

"About 20" Alf shrugged.

"20?!" Joey exclaimed in shock "And Ruby's hanging out with him?!"

"Yeah" Alf nodded "I thought you would react like that"

"I have to go" Joey mumbled as she placed her glass on the bar and started to dig through her pockets.

"Don't worry about it" Alf informed her with a smile "It's on the house"

"Thanks Alf" Joey shot the man a faint smile before rushing hurriedly out of the bar. She began to walk back home thoughts running wildly through her head. She stopped however after a few minutes as she caught sight of something in the distance "Ruby..." she quickly ducked out of sight, though she wasn't quite sure why she was being so secretive and watched as the teenager grinned flirtatiously at an older guy at her side. Joey's eyes widened in shock when the guy she assumed was Nathan tugged Ruby closer and kissed her "What the hell..."

Joey groaned to herself as she slumped down onto the couch and leaned her head on her hands in an attempt to rid herself of the dull thumping pain.

"Hey!" Charlie's voice sounded as she sat on the couch next to Joey "What's with the door slamming? Is something wrong?"

"Do you know where Ruby is?" Joey asked curiously as she glanced sidelong at Charlie "Right now, I mean?"

"She went out" Charlie frowned in confusion "Why? What's wrong?"

"I'm worried" Joey admitted.

"Oh" Charlie sighed forlornly at Joey's statement "Well...At least she's left her room, right? I mean it has been about a month since Summer left and..."

"Do you know she's hanging out with the new guy in town?" Joey interrupted "Even though he's meant to be bad news?"

"Joey" Charlie smiled softly at Joey's obvious overprotective behaviour "You're starting to sound like me. You're worrying way too much"

"He's 20 years old!" Joey persisted in worry "He's way too old to be making out with Ruby!"

"Oh" Charlie's expression dropped slightly "Wait, they were making out?!"

"Yeah" Joey nodded "Do you think we should talk to her?"

"Maybe" Charlie bit her lip thoughtfully "So I guess this means she's not..."

"Dealing with it?" Joey suggested softly "I don't think she is"

"This is a mess" Charlie muttered as she slumped back against the couch "A really big mess"

"I know" Joey shifted close and wrapped an arm around her lover's shoulders "But it's going to be okay...Eventually"

"I hope so" Charlie closed her eyes and leaned into Joey's comforting embrace. She smiled softly as a gentle kiss was pressed to her temple.

"Charlie?" Joey murmured quietly "I need to tell you something. And I don't think you're going to like it"

"Great" Charlie muttered dryly "What is it?"

"Brett's being released soon" Joey announced hesitantly "I just thought you should know in-case..."

"In case he tries to drug me again?" Charlie laughed humourlessly "Thanks for the warning"

"Are you mad at me?" Joey asked tentatively as she began to pull away "Because you seem kind of weird..."

"No...I'm sorry" Charlie pulled Joey back to her and kissed her softly "I'm sorry. I'm just...Worried about everything"

Joey nodded understandingly "What do you think we should do about Ruby?"

"I don't know" Charlie sighed miserably "I really don..." she was cut off by the sudden slamming of the door "What was that?"

"Ruby?" Joey suggested cluelessly. A moment later the girl in question walked into the room.

"Hey" she greeted flatly as she grabbed her bag and began to walk back out of the room.

"Ruby!" Charlie exclaimed as she stood up from the couch "I need to talk to you"

Ruby stopped and turned back around "What is it?"

"Um..." Charlie swallowed nervously as she took in the emotionless look in her daughter's eyes "Where have you been?"

"Out" Ruby shrugged.

Charlie cursed under her breath when she realised Ruby wasn't going to make the discussion easy for her "Out where?"

"Just out"

"So this guy you're dating..." Charlie started unsurely "How old is he?"

"We're not dating" Ruby disagreed monotonously "It's not that serious. And he's 21"

"21?" Charlie frowned as she stepped forward "Don't you think that's too old?"

"No" Ruby shook her head "It's not"

"Everyone around her says he's a troublemaker" Joey contributed from the couch.

"Maybe he is" Ruby shrugged carelessly "But at least he returns my calls, right?"

"Have you been smoking?" Charlie asked in surprise "You smell like smoke"

"No!" Ruby exclaimed "Nathan smokes though so..."

"What about Summer?" Joey asked hesitantly.

"What about her?" Ruby countered "It's not like we were dating or anything. Anyway she's gone now"

"Ruby..."

"I'm going upstairs" Ruby said interrupting Charlie's sentence as she began to move out of the room "Oh and I'm going out later!"

Charlie was about to protest Ruby's call but stopped as the sound of the sound of the teens footsteps on the stairs sounded "This is seriously messed up"

"I agree" Joey stated worriedly "It's like she's..."

"Numbed herself?" Charlie offered as Joey trailed off "Pushed us completely away? Built walls?"

Joey nodded in confirmation "Walls aren't good. They're really bad in fact. The worst thing she could do in a situation like this"

"I think I preferred it when she cried 24-7" Charlie winced slightly when she realised how her statement had sounded "I know that sounds horrible but...This isn't like Ruby. To isolate herself"

Joey sighed in annoyance at the situation but made no comment.

"Do you think Brett will do anything?" Charlie asked tiredly as she sat back on the couch next to Joey "Because I don't think I can deal with that right now. And I know Ruby can't"

"I don't know" Joey whispered "I hope not"

TBC