Chapter Two

Arriving at work, Charlie was glad that Angelo wasn't around. She wasn't quite ready to see him yet. Heading into her office, she turned on the computer and drummed her fingers impatiently on the desk as she waited for it to load up. Logging on, she accessed the database and typed in the name that was always on her mind. Joanne Collins. Swallowing, she watched her file come up. She'd purposely kept away from Joey's file, although sometimes the temptation had been almost too much. Taking a deep breath, she lingered on Joey's photo for a while before scrolling down to try and find out where she was and what she was doing. The most recent entry had been added by Georgie Watson six weeks ago.

Wednesday 14th April 2010

15:01

Joey's partner, Lynda James telephoned the station to check on the status of Robert Cruse's trial. I informed her that the trial date is on 1st July 2010. The trial has been held back due to problems with evidence and stalling from lawyers.

Charlie chewed her lip. She supposed it shouldn't be a shock that Joey was dating someone. She was beautiful and sweet. Charlie for one, was certainly in love with her. Joey was easy to adore. She sighed, imagining the lovers all happy and besotted with one another. She pictured a house, maybe a dog or something, where Joey had no cares in the world and certainly didn't give the likes of Charlie Buckton a second thought. She came out of the file as soon as she heard the door open. Turning, she saw Angelo standing a little awkwardly in the doorway.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," she replied.

Things hadn't been right since she'd escorted him out of the house the night before and she hated herself for messing him around.

"How are you?" he asked, sitting down at his desk and clasping his hands together.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she lied.

Whether she had the right to or not, she was heartbroken to know that Joey was in love with another woman.

"How are you?" she asked.

He sighed.

"Honestly?" he asked. "I'm totally confused, Charlie. I mean, what is going on with us?"

Charlie swallowed uncertainly. She studied his face, thinking about how handsome he was. And he was a cop. He was loved by their community. She couldn't help but feel a fair amount of pressure to take him back and try to make it work.

"I'm sorry that I've been sending mixed messages," she said. "It's not fair of me. But..."

"Listen," he interrupted. "Before you say anything, let me speak. I've said it time and again but I love you so much, Charlie. I always have. I know you have problems with commitment but that... that's okay with me. I won't push you again. If we get back together, I'll be the happiest man in the world. And if it goes somewhere, like moving in together or something, then it'll be your choice. I won't rush you. But I love you. And I want to make you happy."

Charlie licked her lips. In his way, he did make her happy. He was a nice guy and she cared a lot about him. She thought of Joey. She'd managed to make it work with someone new, someone who she'd obviously shared her past with and cared enough to make phone calls for her. She wondered why Joey hadn't been the person to call. Was she that desperate never to talk to Charlie again, knowing that it was possible that she would pick up the phone?

"You do make me happy," she said. "I want... I want to give us a chance."

Angelo's eyes lit up and he rushed across the room to kneel at her feet.

"Really?"

Charlie nodded, hoping she didn't look as uncertain as she felt. He loved her so much and she knew he would never be her one and only. She knew she would be doomed to spend the rest of her life mourning the loss of Joey. She would miss and love her forever. But she liked Angelo and thought she could well be happy with him if she made a little effort.

"That's so wonderful, Charlie," he said, reaching out to hug her. "I can't even tell you how happy I am. I love you."

She hugged him back and let him kiss her, grateful that he never seemed to notice when she didn't say the L word back.

Okay, so I know Charlie has made a bad decision but please bear with me. I wanted to start with the basic premise of the show at the moment and then go from there. Joey will never be far from Charlie's mind, no matter what she does! Love IJKS xx