"I hear you've got a new job," Joey says the moment Hugo walks into the room later that evening.

"And my first duty is to tell you that you're off the case."

"No fucking way."

"I told them that would be your response." He grins as he takes a seat. "I also told the bosses that it would be a waste of time trying to keep you away and that your hand wouldn't affect your ability to see the investigation through to the end."

"Then I'm still on it?"

"Yes." He takes a look at her hand, "How are you Squirt?"

"I'm fine and don't call me that."

"You never did like it."

"Would you?"

"I've never been a squirt, so it wouldn't bother me."

"You're a dickhead, Hugo."

"Yes, but I'm your brother dickhead."

"Well brother dickhead, I thought you'd be rushing home from work every day now that you and Georgie can be together."

"I did rush home, but after 10 minutes of listening to talk on babies and weddings, I just had to get out of there."

"Considering you're the father and getting married, shouldn't you be there celebrating with your fiancée?"

"What, and be the only guy among all those women. Besides, Roman wasn't there either."

"Roman?"

"Yeah, Leah's pregnant too."

"Somehow that doesn't really come as a surprise. Hang on, you said the only guy, isn't Dex there with them?"

"Your point being?"

Joey chuckles, "Just because Dex isn't all gung-ho like you lot, it doesn't make him any less of a man."

"Don't get me wrong, I like the kid but Sheila, she's another matter."

"Ah, I take it then that Sheila's made an appearance."

"Dex is blogging about how women talk about weddings and babies, so," he shudders, "Sheila was there in all her fluoro glory."

"Jesus Hugo, I'd have thought playing gay for all this time, you'd be more comfortable around Sheila."

"It's not that, it's because Sheila looks so much like my ex-girlfriend's mother, it's disturbing."

Joey laughs at his expression of horror.

Hugo looks at his sister, "You know Squirt, I really had no idea of some of the crap you had to deal with just because you're gay."

"It hasn't always been easy, but I've learned to deal with it."

"Well, it gives me a new appreciation of you and Shannon, not only for being gay, but for being gay cops."

"I just hope Charlie doesn't have to deal with a lot of the shit I had to."

"From what I saw at the station today, there's only a couple who seem to have a problem with her being gay and as for everyone else in town, most of them are too busy talking about what went down to worry about who Charlie is dating."

"That's one good thing."

"It's funny, not many are surprised that Martha was involved, but some are still shocked that Rosey had done what he'd done, especially to Charlie and Annie."

"Their precious Golden Boy was rotten at the core."

"You're so lucky Georgie didn't deck you when you accused her of sleeping with that prick just after you'd arrived here," Hugo says, smirking.

Joey shrugs, "We both heard someone on the other side of the door and after what he'd intimated about her during the interview, it just seemed like the right thing to say to her." She looks at her brother carefully. "This hasn't been easy on Georgie."

"Yeah I know," he sighs. "It was harder for me this time as well. Martha was just so unpredictable and Georgie nearly got caught out a few times when Rosey came by Martha's unexpectedly and if you thought she was pissed at being accused of sleeping with Rosey, she was downright nauseated when Martha told Rosey she was in bed with her girlfriend while she was there inside."

"At least she didn't actually sleep with her," Joey says, shuddering at the memories. "God, I felt like I couldn't get clean for a week afterwards."

"You did what you had to."

"I know. I hope Georgie's still not down on herself about not being able to hear more of what was said between Rosey and Martha."

"Nah, she finally realises that Martha was careful about keeping her voice down whenever Georgie was in the other room, so she only ever picked up on what Martha wanted her to hear."

"Like her threats to Rosey and his non-existent son."

"We always suspected Martha was capable of anything, but right then, Georgie truly believed Martha would do that to a child and it scared her."

"Well she's dead now."

"Martha's body still hasn't been recovered but there's no way she could have survived. There is some other news about Martha. The gun she dropped before she went over, is the same gun that killed Moreland but hers are the only prints on it."

"Fuck, so we can't even put it in Rosetta's hands."

"Not that it matters. We have him on Annie's rape and murder, Charlie's attack and all the other charges that will come out of our investigation."

"Still, it would have been nice to actually connect him to the murder of a cop, even a dirty one like Moreland."

"There's still a chance we can make a murder case in O'Malley's death, even with the M.E's inconclusive ruling and Jack's death is going to be reopened and with what we know now about Rosey, it's more than likely his death will be ruled murder."

"That's one good bit of news. What about Rosey, any word on him?"

"I have no doubt he's here somewhere, but for a change, he's actually keeping his head down, so watch your back."

"Oh I am and Charlie's got a guard out there while I'm here. How's the search into their places going?"

"Slowly and so far, nothing really incriminating has been found," Hugo says in frustration. "I know the evidence exists, I just have no idea where Martha stashed it."

"We'll find it."

"I hope so because then we can identify those we didn't know about and finally put this case to rest."

"And then you can get married."

Hugo grins at her, "I'm not the only one."

"Huh?"

"Ruby was a little excited that we're all staying and she and mum have already started arranging Georgie's and my wedding, with Ruby dropping some not so subtle hints about a double wedding."

"God, there's no stopping that girl once she gets an idea into her head."

"You do plan on making an honest woman out of Charlie though, don't you?"

"Yeah, but I'd actually like to go on a few proper dates before the whole wedding thing."

"I'm sure that once Ruby's over the excitement, she'll tone it down some."

"Don't bet on it," she mutters.

"I'm glad to see you so happy again Joey."

"It was a while coming."

"I knew that day on the cliffs that you'd already fallen for Charlie."

"What day?" Joey asks in confusion.

"I was near the cliffs the day May was attacked and I saw you comforting Charlie."

"Oh."

"It was obvious even then that she meant something to you."

"It wasn't obvious to me."
"Joey, you had your arm around her and I have to admit, it had me a little worried."

"So was Georgie when she realised I had feelings for Charlie."

"I'm just happy you proved us wrong. I think you and Charlie make a great couple."

"Thanks Hugo."

Hugo stands, leaning over to give her a hug. "I'm glad you're ok Joey, I don't know how our family would have coped if we'd lost you."

"I'm glad you survived too Hugo."

"I guess I'd better be getting back home."

"Already under the thumb," she jokes.

"You know what Georgie's like," he sighs. "God, I hope our kid takes after my side," he says with a resigned smile, "I don't think I could handle another Watson with attitude."

Joey chuckles, "With any luck, she or he will take after Gina instead."

"Oh god, on second thought, a little Georgie would be better."

"Or a little Joey."

"No, definitely a little Georgie would be best." He ruffles her hair, "Seeya Squirt."

She slaps his hand away, "Piss off."

"That's piss off, Sir."

"Fine, then piss off, Sir."

"What are you going to do career wise?" He asks suddenly.

Joey shrugs, "I'll work it out."

"Well, I happen to know the Snr Sergeant at Area Command, so I'll put in a good word for you."

"Really, because I heard he was an absolute jerk."

"Hey, be nice. I mean it Joey, whatever you need, I'll do what I can to help you."

"Thanks Hugo, now get out of here before they all come looking for you here."

"Those women would certainly scare Rosey off. Ok, I'm out of here now."

With the surgery on her hand over and with strict instructions from the doctor, Joey was finally heading back to her sister's place.

"Joey!" Ruby screams with delight as soon as Joey was in the door.

"Oof."

"Sorry," Ruby jumps away.

"It's ok Ruby, it's just that my ribs are still a little sore."

"I'm just happy you're home."

"So am I." She kisses the top of Ruby's head. "I heard you have plans for your mother and me," Joey says casually.

Ruby blushes, "That was yesterday."

"Ruby, how about we just be together as a family and hold off on the wedding for the moment."

"Gina said the same thing and it was only because I was excited that everyone was staying and we were talking about Georgie's wedding."

"Just try to tone it down a little."

Ruby nods in agreement.

"Where is everyone?" Charlie asks.

"They're out the back firing up the barbie."

"Why don't you go and join them," Charlie suggests.

Ruby glances between her mother and Joey, "If you want to be alone, you only have to say so."

"Ruby, I want to be alone with Joey."

Ruby huffs, before grinning. "God, you two are like a couple of horny teens."

"Ruby!"

"Well you are," Ruby says as she heads toward the back door.

"So, my horny little teen," Joey smirks at Charlie, "What do you intend to do now that you have me alone?"

Circling her arms around Joey's waist, she leans in. "This," she says, capturing Joey's lips.

Sighing in contentment when their kiss finally ends, Joey rests her head against Charlie's shoulder. "I could get used to this."

"Same here," she says, holding Joey close. "I love the feel of you against me."

Standing there in each other's arms, Joey suggests they take a detour to their room.

Charlie glances toward the door, sighing. "Ruby's probably blabbed that we're here."

"So."

"So, the thought of your mother being out there while we're in your room making love kind of unnerves me."

Joey chuckles, "It never used to bother Georgie on her stayovers."

"She was a horny teen, I'm an adult and," she steps away from her, "You're supposed to be resting that hand and taking it easy."

"You could do all the work," Joey suggests with a smirk.

"Nice try." She cups Joey's cheek, "You're following the doctor's orders or I'll tell your mother." Scowling, Joey mumbles about it not being fair. Charlie brushes her lips over hers, "We have the rest of our lives together Joey."

"I hate it when you make sense."

Taking Joey's good hand in hers, she leads them out to the others.

"Told you," Watson says, holding her hand out to Graves who reluctantly hands over a $10 note. Seeing Charlie's look of confusion, Watson shrugs, "She bet that we wouldn't see you for a few hours."

Joey shoots them a look of annoyance while Charlie blushes at the thought they'd been discussing them like that.

"You'd best get used to it Charlie," Gina advises her.

"I have a feeling there's a lot I'm going to have to get used to," she mumbles.

Gina puts her arm around her, "It just means that you're a part of the family."

"That may take some getting used to as well."

"Ruby's certainly gotten used to it."

Charlie looks over at her daughter who was sitting with April as they listened to Hugo with rapt attention. "What's he telling them?"

"Tales about Joey."

"What!" Joey yells in outrage, heading over toward her brother.

"It's like nothing ever changes," Gina says with fond amusement as Joey threatens Hugo with all sorts of revenge.

"Joey wouldn't actually do that to him, would she?" Charlie asks, her eyes wide with shock at what Joey had just said.

Chuckling, Gina assures her that even if it was possible to do that to someone, it was all just talk.

"God, maybe I was lucky growing up alone."

"Excuse me a moment, I need to have a word to them about the proper sort of behaviour in front of the young ones."

Charlie shakes her head in amusement. "I love them both, but sometimes I'm not sure which of them is worse," Watson says as she joins Charlie.

"Is it too late to leave?" Charlie jokes.

"Far too late." Watson grins at her, "Just wait until you get the whole family together."

Groaning at the thought, Charlie gratefully accepts the glass of wine her friend offered her. "Should you be drinking?" She asks when Watson takes a sip of her own glass.

"Mine's non-alcoholic."

"Oh."

"Charlie, just relax." She nudges her, "You've been accepted into the family."

"Just like that?"

"Joey loves you and Gina approves of you, so yeah, just like that."

"So, do you have any tales to tell me of Joey while she's otherwise occupied?"

"Do I ever," she grins, "But I've been sworn to secrecy on the threat that she'll blab about me."

"Like being busted in the car," Charlie says absently.

"God, is nothing ever secret in this family," she mutters. Watson glances at her, "I hope you and Joey aren't planning on moving out while Angelo is still out there?"

"We can't stay here forever, but hopefully by the time we find somewhere to rent, Angelo will be in jail."

"You're welcome to stay as long as necessary."

"No offence Georgie, but it's getting rather crowded here."

"Gina's heading back to the city tomorrow and Ruby doesn't mind bunking on the floor in the study. There's safety in numbers Charlie, and don't worry about overstaying your welcome, if you're still here by the time the baby arrives, I'll throw you out myself," she jokes. "Seriously though Charlie, I kind of like having a full house."

"We'll stay Georgie, but only until he's caught."

"Good, now let's go and rescue our better halves from Gina."

A few hours later, with everyone else retiring back inside, Charlie lies by Joey's side on the grass as they gaze up at the stars. "Gina's great."

"Yeah she is." She grins, "She has to be to put up with the lot of us."

"I get the impression she wouldn't have it any other way."

"She'd prefer we weren't cops."

"Other than that." Rolling on to her side, she props herself up onto her elbow. "I love you Joey."

"I love you too." Her hand tugs on Charlie's top. "I'd like to show you how much but I'm actually feeling a little out of it."

"You don't have to show me Joey, I love hearing just the words."

"I love you," she says, repeating it over and over as she nibbles her way along Charlie's neck.

Groaning, Charlie pushes her onto her back, moving over her. "I thought you were a little out of it?"

"You're an amazing cure," she grins up at her cheekily.

"And you're still following doctor's orders."

"Bummer," Joey mutters when Charlie gets to her feet and holds her hand down for her. "Spoil sport," she says, taking it and allowing Charlie to help her to her feet.

"Let's go snuggle up in bed."

"Snuggling does sound good."

"Just don't go getting any ideas of making it more."

"I promise, I'll just be your snuggle bunny tonight." She walks ahead, looking over her shoulder. "Every other night though," she smirks suggestively, leaving the rest to Charlie's imagination as she walks inside.

Charlie closes her eyes at the sudden arousal she had. "God, she'll be the death of me," she mutters, before following her inside.