"Children, that's enough," comes a sharp voice from the doorway, making them all jump."

Gina walks in, shaking her head in amusement at the three of them. "All these years and nothing has changed."

"He started it," Joey points at Hugo.

"Joey, you've been saying that from the day you came to live with us as an 11 year old, so I know that 95% of the time, you, you cheeky little devil, started it."

"Not this time," she sulks.

"That doesn't work on me," Gina smiles as she hugs her foster daughter gently. "What have you done to yourself," her hand brushing gently over her face.

"The usual," she mumbles.

"What am I going to do with you?" Gina says with an exasperated smile.

"I could make a few suggestions."

Gina glares at her son. "You're no better Hugo, getting yourself shot."

"I had a vest on."

"Oh well, that makes all the difference then."

"In all fairness Gina, he was trying to save our lives." The moment the words were out of her mouth, Watson regrets it as Gina turns her glare on her.

Gina shakes her head, looking up to the ceiling with an exasperated sigh. "They had to be cops, didn't they?"

"Aren't you glad I'm a teacher?" Dex says with a big grin.

"Yes Dex, I'm very happy you're a teacher." She smiles at him, "It's just too bad you married a cop."

"Hey!" Graves objects.

"Penelope, you're a smart, intelligent woman, why did you ever want to become a cop?"

Feeling like she had been dragged to the principal's office, Graves shrugs. "I just did."

"That's what those three said."

"Mum, maybe we should leave," whispers Ruby. "Oh, oh," she mutters when Gina turns her attention to them.

Joey holds her hand out to Charlie, who gratefully takes it. "Gina, this is Charlie and her daughter, Ruby."

"I've heard a lot about you." She glances at the others, "From my granddaughter."

"It really wasn't up to me or Hugo to fill you in on Joey's love life," Watson says.

"Funny, Harley never mentioned anything about her mother's love life, just Ruby and how nice she was to her."

Watson winces.

"Of course it was fairly obvious that something was going on." She frowns as she sees the bruises on Charlie's face. "Another cop," she rolls her eyes, "Wonderful."

Taking a chance, Charlie holds her hand out, "I'm Charlie Buckton, Joey's girlfriend."

"And I'm Gina Palmer, Joey's mother." Gina's mouth twitches at Charlie's obvious nervousness as she shakes her hand. "Nice to meet you Charlie." Her eyes flicker toward Joey, "Anyone who can capture my daughter's heart is someone I'd like to get to know."

"I don't want to appear rude, but I think Joey needs to rest." Charlie holds Gina's gaze, pleased when she nods in agreement.

Gina kisses Joey on the forehead, "We'll talk later." She points at Hugo and Watson, "I think you two have a lot to tell me, so why don't we go do that now."

"Wonderful," Hugo mutters, following his mother out while Watson hangs back.

"Dex, when exactly did Xav call you?" Watson asks him.

"Oh, about two hours ago."

"And you didn't think to tell us earlier?"

"Come on Dex," Graves takes his arm, trying to get him out of there.

"She was already on her way."

Watson rolls her eyes, "A little more warning next time would be nice."

"Ruby, are you coming back with me and Dex?" Graves asks her.

"Mum?"

"I'm staying with Joey, so go on home with them."

Once the rest of the goodbyes had been said and they were finally alone again, Charlie lies next to Joey on the bed. "You really do look like you need to rest."

"For once, I'm going to agree with that."

"Then go to sleep." She brings Joey's hand up to her lips. "I'll be here when you wake up."

"Thanks Charlie and you know, there's really nothing to worry about with Gina."

Charlie snorts, "Forgive me for doubting you, but I saw the way Hugo and Georgie reacted."

Joey chuckles, "They were just playing it up."

"Really?"

"Really. Gina's a wonderful woman, she just tends to worry about us because of our work."

"I don't blame her." She leans over, pressing her lips gently to Joey's. "Go to sleep."

Joey mumbles a few words, her eyes already closed. "I love you so much Joey," she whispers to the now sleeping woman. Settling in close to her, she feels her own eyes growing heavy. Sighing, she allows sleep to take her.

Gina listens intently as Hugo and Watson fill her in on everything that had happened.

"So the man who did this is still out there?"

"Yes," says Hugo.

"And this is the same man who raped Riley and gave Charlie those bruises?"

Hugo nods.

"I hope you intend to get this bastard."

"Of course mum."

"Good, because I'd like to have a word with him myself," she says, a determined glint in her eye. "That man needs to be taught a lesson on how to treat women."

"Gina, you'd have more luck teaching an old dog new tricks, than teaching anything to that bastard."

"That may be so Georgina, but I'd still like a few minutes with him. Now," she glances between the pair. "Did I hear something about you being a dad?"

Hugo beams, nodding enthusiastically.

"Finally," she throws her arms up in the air. "It's about bloody time. Come here you," she pulls Watson into a hug. "I thought you'd never get around to giving me another grandchild."

"Gina," she squeaks, "You're holding a little tight."

"Sorry," she lets her go and looks at her son fondly, before hugging him. "I hope you realise that this means an end to your gallivanting about."

"I don't gallivant, mum, it's my job."

"Not anymore, it's not."

"I know that. I'm actually going to be taking a uniform position somewhere, once this is all over."

"Then I'm assuming the wedding will be soon?"

"Yes mum, we'll be getting married as soon as things settle."

She hugs them both again. "Now, tell me, how serious is it between Joey and Charlie?"

"Very," Watson tells her. "Meeting Charlie has allowed Joey to finally move on."

"And what about Charlie, she was engaged to a man not long ago."

"I didn't like the idea of them together at first either Gina, but Charlie really does love Joey."

"And Ruby has accepted them?"

"She's crazy about Joey and about them being a family."

"That's one thing then," sighs Gina.

"I know you worry about Joey, so do I, but this is the real deal between them."

"I've only ever wanted her to be happy, especially since she lost Riley."

"Believe me Gina, Joey is happy with Charlie."

"I'm just not happy knowing that Charlie was engaged to a man when she met Joey," Gina frets. "And not a very nice man, at that."

"You can't hold that against Charlie," Watson leaps to her friend's defence. "Angelo had just about everybody here fooled."

"Still, she was closer to him than anyone else."

"Angelo put on a good act Gina and no one ever suspected Hugo was a cop, so you know how easy it is to make people believe something totally different."

"Joey's been hurt enough in her life, I don't want her hurt again."

"Neither do I." Watson sighs, "Gina, they've been through so much already and it's only made them stronger."

Gina nods reluctantly. "Maybe I shouldn't pass judgement on Charlie until I've had a chance to talk to her."

Watson and Hugo look worriedly at each other. "Mum, from what I've seen, Charlie's a good woman."

"I have no doubt that she is or Joey wouldn't be with her. My concerns are about her suddenly realising she is gay at this stage in her life. Who's to say she won't find the going too hard and go back to men?"

"Come off it Gina," Watson snaps. "She's already come out to her family and the entire god damn town." She takes a breath, "Charlie's risked a lot to be with Joey, including her life, so I think she at least deserves to have the benefit of the doubt."

Gina smiles, "That's all I wanted to hear."

"What!" Watson frowns.

"You're Joey's big sister and I've never seen anyone as protective as you, so if you're willing to go into bat for Charlie, then that's almost good enough for me." She grins at Watson's look of annoyance. "Still, I think it's time I had a word with the woman who intends to be with our Joey."