Graves smirks when Joey rushes into the house. "Late start to the day, isn't it?" Joey just glares at her. "At least you were off to a better start today," Graves says with a big grin.

"I was, but you may not be Charlie's most favourite person."

Graves shrugs, "I figured you'd rather have me annoying you than Ruby barging in at the wrong moment."

"She certainly would have gotten an education," Joey says with a chuckle. "Where is he?"

"Joey, my husband is an intelligent man, where do you think he is?"

"Making himself scarce if he has any sense."

"I happen to love that husband of mine, so when you catch up to him, don't hurt him too much."

"No promises." She walks to her room, asking about her sister as she does.

"You know Georgie, it sometimes takes a while for her to get over a snit and she's worried about Rosetta."

Joey walks out of her room, zipping up her pants and buttoning up a clean shirt. "She's not the only one worried about him."

"He was bad enough when Charlie ended it last time, but knowing that she dumped him for you, that's a big blow to his massive ego."

"I'm well aware of that."

"Just know that we have your back."

"Thanks." Joey takes Graves's coffee from her, taking a sip before handing it back. "I'm still going to get Dex back."

"Just remember that he has a head injury," Graves calls out moments before Joey was back out the door.

"Is she gone?" Dex pokes his head out of their room.

"Dex, you know damn well she's going to get back at you, no matter how hard you try to avoid her." She shakes her head in exasperation. "You're just damn lucky she and Charlie got back together or she wouldn't have been in a mood to be very forgiving."

"Joey would never hurt me."

"Nah, she wouldn't," Graves says, grateful for the fact that Dex was one of the few people who could tease Joey and live. "I guess I'd better get to work."

"I thought you didn't have to be in for another hour?"

Graves grins, "And miss the fun."

"Somehow I don't think Charlie will see it as fun."

"Probably not." Graves jumps to her feet, brushing her lips of Dex's. "I'll meet you at the diner for lunch."

Before Dex could say anything, she was gone.

Arriving at the station, Charlie feels all eyes on her as she makes her way quickly to her office.

"I can't believe she left Angelo for that bitch."

"Shut it, Burton."

Burton glares at Hogan. "It's wrong."

"If the Sergeant wants to be with Collins and not Rosetta, that's her choice, it's none of our business, now why don't you get back to work instead of bitching about it," he orders. "And I don't want to hear any disparaging remarks about them being gay."

"I don't have a problem with the gay thing, it's just that Angelo is a mate."

"A word of advice Burton, you can do without mates like that."

Charlie sits with her head in her hands, when there's a knock on her door. "Georgie."

Watson closes the door behind her and takes a seat. "How's your father?"

"As far as I know, he's going to be ok."

"And you?"

Charlie looks at her, surprised by the question. "I'm not quite sure. I'm relieved that I'm back with Joey and we're no longer a secret, but I'm a little scared of what that's going to mean."

"Are you prepared for Angelo to cause trouble?"

"If he causes trouble here, I'll deal with him and Angelo really can't afford to screw up anymore, especially now that he doesn't have my father's protection."

"Just be careful." Charlie nods in reply. "I'm sorry for threatening to hit you but I'm not going to apologise for the rest Charlie, because you broke Joey's heart and while Joey may have forgiven you, I haven't."

"Georgie, please."

"I don't understand Charlie, how you can throw yourself in front of a bullet for Joey before you were even together and yet you can't stand up to your father."

"Because he is the one person who has always scared me." Charlie sits back in her chair. "Georgie, I love Joey more than I've ever loved anyone and I know I stuffed up, but now that it's all out in the open, there's nothing to come between us."

Watson watches her, seeing a strength there she'd never seen before. "You don't hurt her again, you hear me," she warns.

"I never wanted to hurt her in the first place and I'll do whatever I can to avoid ever hurting her again, but this is life Georgie, I can't promise that Joey or myself isn't going to get hurt." Watson nods, conceding her point. "Would you have messed up my pretty little face?" Charlie asks a little nervously.

"Damn right I would have. Nobody hurts my sister Charlie, and friend or not, if you had hurt her anymore than you had, I wouldn't have held back."

Charlie stares at her, horrified, before Watson breaks into a grin. "Jesus, Georgie."

"I wouldn't have gone as far as physical violence, but I probably would have made your life hell." Watson relaxes in her seat. "I'm sorry if I came on a little strong, but I was never there when she really needed me and I tend to overreact with the protectiveness."

"It sounds like you blame yourself for something you had no control over."

"I'm her big sister."

"And I'm Ruby's mother, yet I wasn't there when she was nearly raped. Georgie, Joey loves you and from what I've seen, she doesn't blame you for anything."

"She doesn't."

"Isn't it time you forgave yourself. You were a kid Georgie, what could you have done."

"Has Joey told you what happened?"

Charlie shakes her head. "I know she was abused, that's all but I do know that Joey's allowing herself to move on from the pain and anger Georgie, it's time for you to do the same."

"I was starting to, but then she nearly died when that bastard stabbed her and now Angelo is going to be after her."

"You can't be there for Joey all the time."

"All the same, I'm going to keep an eye on Joey and Angelo and if I have to, I'll squeeze his balls even harder."

Charlie stares at her, "Did you really squeeze his balls?"

Watson grins, nodding her head. "I actually came in here to tell you that there was a call from a potential witness to Dex's assault."

"Did they actually see the assault?"

"I'm not sure of the details, but I should be back around lunch time." Watson pauses. "Are you really ok about this Charlie, if I have to arrest Angelo?"

"I'd rather it not be a man I was once engaged to and who is one of my junior officers involved, but if he did this, then he needs to pay for what he did to Dex."

Watson stands. "Georgie, are we ok?"

Watson nods, "I'll be back later."

Watson had barely gone when the sound of the door opening has Charlie looking up. "Angelo!" she says, worried by his dishevelled state. "You're drunk."

"You made me like this Charlie." He advances toward her desk, "Charlie, there is no way that you're gay, not when you love having me inside you, having me deep, hitting spots she never could." She grimaces in disgust at his words. "No dyke could ever do anything for you." Leaning closer to her, "You're mine, is that clear," he shouts.

Hearing the raised voice, Hogan heads toward the door, only to be stopped by Joey, who had only just arrived. "Detective, that sounded like Rosetta in there. He must have snuck in when my back was turned."

"Give her a chance to deal with this. Just be ready though." He nods, his hand on the door, ready to barge in at a moment's notice. "Open the door a fraction," she says in a low voice.

"Angelo, I think you should leave before you say anything more that you will regret."

"Promise me that you'll stay away from her Charlie, she's corrupting you."

"No she's not. She's showing me how to love for the first time in my life," Charlie says, despite knowing it was a waste of time telling Angelo this. "Angelo, you're drunk and you're making a fool of yourself." She glances at the egg and coffee stains on his uniform shirt, disgusted that he could treat the uniform with such disrespect.

"And you're a fucking dyke whore," he screeches loudly.

Charlie stands up straight, glaring at him. "I'm also your Sergeant," her voice full of authority, "And I'm suspending you for behaviour unbecoming a police officer and insubordination. You're a disgrace to the uniform Constable and I want you out of my station."

"What!"

"You're suspended Constable, get out now before I have you thrown out and don't come back until you can show me the respect due my rank."

"Why would I respect a filthy whore like you."

"That's enough Constable." Even in his inebriated state, the force of Charlie's command breaks through.

At a nod from Joey, Hogan and Burton enter with her. "You heard her, Rosetta."

Angelo turns at the sound of her voice. "She's mine dyke."

"She was never yours."

He stalks over to her, "She sure as hell isn't yours."

"Constable Rosetta, step back from the detective," Hogan warns him.

"Butt out Hogan, this doesn't concern you."

"Everything in this station concerns me, Constable. Now, the Sergeant has suspended you, which means you get out of her office before we arrest you."

Angelo ignores him as he continues to try to intimidate Joey. "Geez Rosey, ever heard of breath freshener, I can smell the booze from here."

"You will never have her whore."

"Who Charlie chooses to be with is entirely up to her," she says in a calm voice.

"She's mine."

"Rosetta, I'm not going to warn you again."

Angelo spins on Hogan, staggering backwards as he peers up at him. "Burton, help the Constable to his car and make sure he gets home safely. If he gives you any trouble, put him in the cells to sober up."

"Yes Senior." Angelo continues to curse Joey as Burton leads him out. Joey and Hogan step out of Charlie's office to watch their departure.

"Det. Collins, I'd watch your back more than ever now."

"Don't worry, I know exactly what sort of man Rosetta is."

"Come on mate," Burton leads Angelo out, a look of disgust on his face. "You're making an arse of yourself."

"That fucking whore has ruined everything."

"Don't talk like that about the Sergeant, especially where they can hear you."

"I'm talking about that bitch Collins."

"Fuck Angelo, just grow up. You got dumped, deal with it."

"She stole my fiancée."

Burton glances at the state of Angelo, "Can't say I blame her, you jerk," he mutters softly.

"You're with me, aren't you, Marty?"

"I actually like my job Angelo and I intend to keep it, not fuck it up like you and Joseph."

"You're going to kiss her arse, are you," Angelo sneers at him.

"I'm going to do my fucking job for a change."

"You're a sell out."

"No, I'm a cop, at least, that's what I want to be." He pours Angelo into his car. "You puke and I'll rub your face in it," he warns as he climbs behind the wheel.

Charlie breathes a sigh of relief, sitting back down when her shaky legs get the better of her. "You ok?" Joey asks as she steps back into the room.

"Don't you knock?"

Joey grins, turning around, knocking before coming back in. "Better?"

Charlie chuckles, some of the tension leaving her. "I was worried there for a moment with the state he was in."

"We had your back."

"Thanks. I'm going to file the papers for his suspension immediately." She stares at her desk for a moment. "With his record, he'll face a disciplinary hearing and it'll most likely be the end of his career or at least a lengthy suspension and counselling."

"As a fellow officer, I'd say he's no great loss to the force if they turf him."

Charlie smiles at that. "If not for my own blindness and my father's influence, Angelo would have been out of here a long time ago."

"Charlie, we all make mistakes, all we can do is learn from them."

"Believe me, I never plan on making the same mistakes again."

Joey grins at her, "Too bad you went and got involved with someone at work again then."

Charlie smiles back at her, "We're of equal rank and not in the same chain of command."

Joey rests her hands on the desk, leaning toward Charlie, "So, does that mean we don't have to maintain a strictly professional relationship at work?"

Charlie blushes as she gets a good view down Joey's top. She looks up, catching the smirk on Joey's face and realising she'd deliberately undone a couple of buttons without her noticing.

"I think we need to be ultra-professional, because I don't think we'd be able to stop at just a kiss."

"Damn, that takes out sex on the desk then." Charlie chokes on her reply. "I'm joking Charlie. We don't want any fallout out or to rub people's noses in our relationship, at least when we're working, so we really should be seen to be professional at all times and leave the door open whenever we're in a room alone together, unless it's absolutely necessary to discuss a case in private."

"Good, then can you button up your top."

Joey slowly buttons her top, a cheeky grin on her face, "Just testing your reserve."

"Damn, did I miss something?" Graves asks from the door, glancing around at the looks on everyone's faces.

"Sometimes I forget how young you are," Joey says, shaking her head in amusement.

"I'm only four years younger than you."

"Yes, but in experience, you're just a baby." Joey turns back to Charlie. "How about lunch at the diner?" Joey smiles in reassurance when Charlie hesitates. "Charlie, you've handled your father and now Angelo, everyone else should be a cinch."

Charlie smiles at her confidence in her. "Lunch it is."

"So, I did miss something?" Graves asks as she and Joey head to her office.

Charlie stops a few metres from the diner. Joey reaches out and takes her hand. "If you're not ready, we can eat elsewhere."

Charlie takes a deep breath, squeezing Joey's hand. "I'm going to have to do this eventually." She smiles at Joey, "And I'd much rather do it with you by my side."

Joey has a quick glance around, before brushing her lips over Charlie's. "Let's do this."

Charlie glances nervously around as she and Joey walk into the diner. "You can let go of my hand if it'd help."

"God no," Charlie says hurriedly, "I need the support."

"There's Graves, we'll sit with her."

Charlie squeezes Joey's hand harder as they make their way over to the table, imagining she could feel every eye on her. Sitting down, she catches a few hurriedly turned away glances from some of the other diners.

"Just ignore them Charlie," Graves says, loud enough for everyone to here. "People should know by now how rude it is to stare." She glares at the offending parties who look down at their tables. Only one woman glares back, her eyes flicking between her and the couple with distaste. "Do you have something to say?"

"Graves," Joey says reprovingly.

The woman gets up and walks over to their table. "How could you be so disgusting, you're police officers."

Graves puts on a confused face. "What, cops can't be gay?"

"You'll burn in hell."

"Me!" Graves looks affronted. "I'll have you know that I'm a happily married woman and last time I looked, Dex was most definitely male."

A few of the other diners' chuckle.

"They'll burn in hell," she turns her hateful eyes on Joey and Charlie.

"We'll be sure to take marshmallows," Joey jokes.

"And the suntan lotion," Charlie finds herself saying. Joey smiles at her.

"It's an affront to all decent people."

Joey makes a show at looking around the diner. "Looks to me, that all the decent people are sitting and eating their lunches, minding their own business."

"Is there a problem?" Leah asks as she joins them at the table.

"These people are the problem. I refuse to eat here as long as those two," she sneers, "are here."

"The door is that way, don't let it hit your arse on the way out," Leah tells her.

The woman's eyes bulge. "But."

"But nothing. These are my friends and if you have a problem with them, then that's your problem, not mine. I just feel sorry for anyone who let's their prejudice overrule common decency so that they in some way think it gives them the right to spout hatred at those who haven't hurt anyone. This is my place and I say who is welcome here, now, I'd like you to leave."

There is a moment of silence before the sound of clapping sends the woman rushing from the diner.

"Wow, remind me to not get on your bad side," Joey says.

Another glance around shows Charlie that the majority of diners had resumed their meals, only the odd furtive glance is sent their way.

"Whoa, that was kind of fun," Leah jokes.

"Care to join us?"

"Actually Joey, I don't mind if I do. Colleen and Irene can handle things for the moment."

She takes the seat next to Charlie. "How are you today, Charlie?"

"Today's looking like another long day."

"At least now that you're out, that's one less stress."

"And a whole lot of others."

"Charlie, that woman is a spiteful and bigoted jerk. I'm really not sure why she even comes here because I've heard her mutter about my kind once or twice."

"Your kind?" Joey asks in confusion. Leah pinches her skin. "Oh. So she's a spiteful, bigoted racist then." She grins at Charlie, "Then her opinion of us means absolutely nothing."

"Just like that?"

"Charlie, people like that would probably find something wrong with Graves being with Dex. I know it's hurtful Charlie, but you can't let people like that get to you, they're not worth it."

"I suppose I've copped a lot of shit from my father just for being a woman and a lot of abuse for being a cop." She smiles wryly, "I guess this is just one more thing to ignore."

"Hello ladies," Dex greets them warmly, while keeping a wary eye on Joey, even more so when Joey jumps up from her seat and approaches him.

"Hey Dex, with everything that's happened in the past couple of days, I never really got a chance to congratulate you on your exams," she says, giving him a big hug, much to the surprise of the other diners who had often regarded her as cold and standoffish.

"I haven't passed yet."

"Like there's any doubt." Joey grins, "You sure you really wouldn't rather be a cop? It's a lot safer than being a teacher and at least we have guns to protect us; all you will have is chalk."

"Joey, can you imagine me as a cop?"

Joey smiles as she retakes her seat. "Not really, no."

"You're a teacher?" Charlie asks him.

"Hopefully."

"My husband is being modest." Graves puts her arm around his shoulders, "He graduated in half the time and he'll be one of the top graduates in the state," she says proudly. "Not to mention one of the youngest."

"What do you teach?"

Squirming a little in embarrassment at his wife's praise, Dex turns to Charlie. "Media Studies."

"So Dex, is Sheila going to be joining you in class?"

Graves nearly chokes on her coffee at Joey's question. "There is no way you are standing in front of a bunch of teenagers in a fluoro robe."

"Of course not dear," Dex says with an impish glint in his eye. "I would never wear a robe to school, it'd have to be a fluoro dress."

They all laugh at Graves' horrified look.

Charlie approaches the counter warily, not sure how Irene felt about her and Joey. "Don't worry love," Irene says, guessing her trepidation. "If she is the one you love, there's not much you can do to deny your feelings."

"Believe me Irene, I did try when I first realised my feelings for her."

"If they're that strong, then maybe it's meant to be."

"Thanks Irene."

"What can I get you?"

"A couple of salads and lattes, thanks."

"They'll be right over." Irene watches her head back to the table. "I don't think I've ever seen her so in love."

"Joey really has been good for her," Leah agrees.

"I'm glad I was so wrong about her," Irene admits. "April can't stop raving about how nice she is."

"Joey certainly has a way with the kids. April seems a lot happier lately."

"She's finally moving on from what Liam did and Ruby's been a big help."

"There's going to be some shocked faces when they find out that Charlie isn't the only lesbian in the family," Leah muses, having caught April and Ruby kissing behind the diner earlier that day.

"What about Joey's daughter?"

"Last time she was here, she was planning her wedding to VJ."

Irene laughs. "Poor VJ."

"And poor Joey. Harley struck me as very much like her mum in her stubbornness, so I bet Joey's dreading the teen years."

"Finn was a handful, that was for sure, so was Hayley and Selena."

"They turned out all right."

"Yeah, but they sure gave me a lot to be concerned about."

"At least Ruby has her head on right." They both look back over at the table.

Colleen dumps their food on the table, glaring at Joey's arm casually draped across the back of Charlie's chair. "I don't think your father would approve."

"My father certainly wouldn't have a problem," Joey says, "Considering he was gay."

Graves smothers her laugh at Colleen's look. "And my father never approved of anything I did," Charlie adds.

Colleen stands there, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. "How can you humiliate that young man like this. Const. Risotto is."

"Out of the picture," Charlie forcibly interrupts.

"How will your daughter react to this, this, this..." she struggles for words.

Just then, Ruby bounds into the diner with her friends, spotting their table, rushes over to them, throwing her arms around Joey's neck. "I think she approves," Joey points out to Colleen.

"Huh?" Ruby looks between them, confused.

"Good timing on your part," Graves tells her, confusing her even more.

"Makes a change," her mother mutters affectionately.

"What's going on?"

"Colleen was giving her opinion on your mother and me and she was wondering how you'd react."

"Oh." Ruby looks at Colleen, her arms still around Joey's neck. "I love Joey and I can't wait until we're a proper family."

"Ruby!" her mother warns her.

"Well, that's what I want, the four of us living together as a family."

Joey shrugs at Colleen, "You've got your answer."

Colleen huffs, before turning her back on them.

"Ruby, you don't have to keep hugging me."

"I just don't want you to go."

Charlie watches for Joey's reaction, scared herself that Joey will eventually be leaving.

"Ruby, I'm not going anywhere."

"Yet."

Joey glances over at Charlie. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves Ruby."

Ruby sighs as she trudges back over to her friends. "She'll be all right Joey, I just think that after what I've put you both through in the last couple of days has made her a little uncertain."

Having finished their lunches, Joey reaches into her pocket as Dex walks over to the counter.

"Joey, what are you doing?" Charlie whispers when she sees the sly look on Joey's face.

"Just a little payback." She flips open her phone under the table, dialling just as Dex pulls out his wallet.

The loud sound of a fart has everyone staring at Dex who was blushing with embarrassment, while Graves groans. "Joey!"

"What?" She holds her hands up to express her innocence.

Dex checks his pockets, instead finding a phone clipped to his belt just as the ring tone farts again. He sighs, realising now why Joey hugged him. "I guess I deserved that," he mutters.

Leah grins at him, "Should I ask?"

Dex shakes his head and warns her against making fun of Joey unless she was prepared to suffer the consequences.

Walking toward the car after lunch, Charlie reaches out for Joey's hand. "I meant to tell you earlier that Georgie and I are on better terms."

"Yeah, that's great."

"Provided that I don't hurt you."

"I don't think Georgie's ever going to get past being the overprotective big sister."

"Like you with Graves and Dex."

Joey looks at her, before nodding. "I suppose so. Graves has kind of become like the annoying little sister and he's the pesky little brother, even more since we've been living together."

"I think that's how Georgie sees you."

"What, annoying or pesky?"

"Both and probably much worse."

Joey grins, easily imagining what the much worse was. "You know that Dex never really doubted that there was more to you leaving me."

"He is certainly surprising."

"That he is." Joey glances over at Charlie, noticing her troubled look. "Charlie, about what Ruby said."

"I know you're only here for the duration of the investigation."

Joey steps in front of Charlie, bringing them to a stop. "Losing you for just a day was torture Charlie." She gently caresses her face. "What I feel for you is so deep that I can't imagine my life without you in it."

"What are you saying, that you'll stay?" Charlie asks hopefully.

Joey shrugs, "I have no idea what I will do once the investigation is over, but I do know that my future is with you, wherever that may be."

Charlie beams at her, forgetting that they were out in public, she brushes her lips over Joey's, going back for another as their kiss deepens.

"Rub my face in it why don't you," Angelo fumes, wrenching Joey away from Charlie. He takes a swing, which Joey easily avoids, sending Angelo to the ground in an ungainly heap when he trips over his own feet.

Angelo staggers back to his feet, intending to go after Joey again when Watson and Giles arrive. "Angelo Rosetta, you are under arrest for the assault on Dexter Walker."

"What! I never touched the kid."

"We have evidence that says differently." She holds out her handcuffs, "Turn around."

"Fuck you."

Angelo lashes out when Giles moves behind him. "Get off me." Watson steps in just as Angelo swings his elbow, catching her hard in the stomach.

"Georgie!" Joey rushes to her sister who was curled on the ground, clutching her stomach.

"The baby, Joey."

"It's going to be ok."