Especially for Gunni xxx
Chapter Twenty-Two
Joey opened her eyes again when she heard a scuffle and a thud and Robbo crying out. Out of nowhere, Charlie had appeared; she was the vision of an angel. She wrestled Robbo to the ground, knocking the gun out of his hand and pulling his arms behind his back without any level of grace. Once he was handcuffed, she leapt off him, signalling to her colleague to take over and then rushed towards Joey who had burst into tears. Crouching down in front of her, Charlie stroked Joey's face tenderly.
"Don't you ever do that to me again," Charlie whispered.
She nudged her forward and reached round to untie her sore wrists. Joey slowly began to lose control and the reality of what she had been through hit her hard. She crumpled into Charlie's open arms, sobbing against her. Charlie held her tightly and stroked her hair.
"It's okay," Charlie said. "You're safe now. I'm here. I won't let you go."
***
At the station, Charlie settled Joey in one interview room with a cup of tea. She knelt down in front of her.
"I have to interview Robbo, okay?" she said gently. "You just stay here and you call Watson if you need anything. I'll be right out as soon as I'm done and I'll take your statement and then I'll take you home."
Joey nodded slowly. Charlie squeezed her hand and then got to her feet. She paused at the door and looked at her fragile friend. Then she left.
***
It was well into the night by the time Charlie and Joey arrived home. Ruby jumped up urgently when she saw the state that Joey was in.
"What happened?" she asked worriedly.
"Robbo," was all Joey needed to say.
It was all she was capable of saying. She relied on Charlie for physical support. She felt numb and broken. Charlie guided her into a chair. The siblings exchanged helpless glances.
"Are you hungry?" Ruby asked. "Or thirsty? Do you need anything? I could get you something. Anything!"
"I think I just want to go to bed," Joey said.
She stood up and headed towards her bedroom. Charlie watched her go, uncertain as to whether she should follow or not. She hesitated and turned back to Ruby.
"He tried to kill her," Charlie said.
It felt awful to say the words out loud. It felt awful for both of them to hear them.
"You saved her?" Ruby asked.
Charlie nodded slowly.
"Always the hero," Ruby teased softly.
Charlie continued to stare in the direction of the bedroom.
"Maybe you should go into her," Ruby suggested. "She might need you tonight."
Charlie breathed in and followed her younger sister's instructions. She knocked and entered Joey's room, finding her sitting on the edge of the bed. Joey looked up slowly. Charlie came to sit beside her.
"Why did you leave me?" Charlie asked.
"I thought you wouldn't want to be around me anymore."
Charlie shook her head and reached for her hand.
"I'm confused about what's going on with us," she said. "But I don't want you out of my life."
"I'm glad," Joey said softly.
"And today proved that to me more than anything," Charlie added. "I don't know what I would have done if I'd have lost you, Joey."
"Sorry."
Charlie laughed.
"You apologise too much," she said.
"Sorry."
Charlie shook her head, smiling affectionately.
"Let's just draw a line under everything, okay?" she suggested. "Let's start again and see what tomorrow brings, whatever that may be. Deal?"
"Deal," Joey said, managing to face her and smile.
"But right now, we need to get you tucked up safely into bed."
Joey awkwardly began to fumble with her clothes but her body wasn't following her mind's instructions. Charlie noticed. Without needing to be asked, she moved to help. She helped Joey out of her t-shirt and jeans as well as her shoes and socks, turning away so that Joey could undo her own bra and put her pyjamas on. Charlie lifted the bed sheets and guided Joey under them.
"Will you need me tonight?" Charlie asked.
"Only if it's not a hassle," Joey said meekly.
"You're never a hassle," Charlie confirmed.
Turning away, she got changed and slipped into bed beside her, holding her close.
