Chapter Forty-Two

With a heavy heart, Joey left the interview room. She gazed up at Charlie who was standing in reception looking just as heartbroken.

"Charlie," Joey managed.

"I'm really sorry," Watson said, stepping in the way. "You're not allowed to talk to her."

"But she's my girlfriend!" Joey protested, not caring who heard.

From the look on Charlie's face, she didn't care either. All Charlie wanted to do was rush over and comfort the woman who had already been through so much; the woman she loved.

"I'm sorry," Watson said, guiding her out of the station.

"I love you!" Charlie called desperately as she watched Joey disappear.

"I love you," Joey replied mournfully.

Watson came back inside and hurried over to Charlie who had sunk onto a chair with her head in her hands.

"Take time off while we're dealing with this," Watson said softly, crouching down so that she was at eye level.

Charlie nodded, stood and went to her office to get her stuff.

***

Joey walked along the beach, her mind reeling and her heart breaking. Tears streamed from her eyes, hardly able to believe what had happened. Charlie was being treated like some sex offender and they were being forced apart. They hadn't done anything wrong. Nobody could help who they fell for. They had even tried not to fall for each other but it hadn't worked. Their feelings were too strong. Looking ahead of her, Joey spotted the one person she never wanted to see again. Angrily, she charged up to Brett.

"How could you do that?" she yelled.

He looked surprised.

"How could you make that kind of sick accusation?"

"She's been abusing you!" Brett argued.

"She has done no such thing! Don't you dare accuse her of being even a tiny bit like your best mate?"

"She started sleeping with you having rescued for being raped. You were in her care and she took advantage. And the sad thing is that you don't even realise it, Jo. You're being manipulated into thinking that you're, that you're..."

"A dyke?" Joey challenged. "I am gay, Brett. I have always been gay. And do you know what? I love it! I have sex with girls, with Charlie and I enjoy it immensely. I started when I was eighteen years old and she's my third partner. Does that make it any easier to get into your thick head?"

Brett just stared at her.

"I just want you to come home and be normal."

"I am normal. But I'm not coming home. I never want to see you again. I hate you," Joey said darkly.

He looked angry and upset. Joey felt out of control.

"How could you that to us?" she asked. "You've lost your sister forever."

She began to walk away.

"Joey, I was trying to do the right thing!" he pleaded.

She spun back to face him.

"The right thing?" she challenged, pushing him hard in the chest.

He didn't move but it made her feel better at least.

"The right thing would have been to leave us alone and be supportive!"

She pushed him over and over again, her tears falling harder. Finally having enough, Brett pushed her back. She stumbled but was more than ready to get into it with him, ready to let out all her pain.

"Hey!"

Before she knew what was going on, Aden had rushed over to intervene. He held Joey back and squared up to Brett.

"Get your hands off her!" he demanded.

"This is nothing to do with you, mate," Brett warned.

"When you look like you're about to bash one of my best friends, it's something to do with me, mate."

Brett shook his head, exasperated and disgusted. He stormed away. Aden turned back to Joey who had sunk down onto the sand.

"What happened?" he asked.

***

Joey and Aden headed to the Surf Club while Joey told him all about being with Charlie and about the complaint Brett had made. Brett was shocked but a little thrilled at the thought of Charlie and Joey together, although he kept the last part to himself. He was impressed that Joey had been able to 'turn' Charlie. But he was furious that Brett had treated them this way.

"So, have you got somewhere to stay tonight?" he asked.

Joey shook her head.

"I've still got to go get my stuff from the house. Hopefully it'll just be one night."

"I'm sure Roman would be cool with you staying with us," Aden said.

"I don't want to be any trouble."

"I'm sure it'll be cool. Shall we go and grab your stuff now?"

"Yes please," Joey said, touched by how much he cared.

***

Charlie left work and headed straight for the Surf Club. It was the middle of the afternoon but she didn't know what to do with herself other than drink her troubles away. So much was going through her head that she just wanted to cry but she wouldn't let herself. Entering the bar, she ordered a beer, painfully aware of all the looks she was getting from the locals. Rumours must have spread already. Throwing herself into a chair, she wondered if Brett was right. Joey had been in her care while she recovered from being raped. Looking back, Charlie knew she'd had feelings for her even at the beginning. Even so distressed in the closet that time, she'd considered Joey beautiful. And their connection over those few days had been immediate. Love had grown instantly. Was that wrong? They'd slept in the same bed together almost straight away. Charlie had held Joey through unhappy nights. She had genuinely done that because she couldn't bear for Joey to have nightmares but when there were feelings there, did that mean it stayed platonic? And on the boat, Joey had taken her out to thank her. Had Charlie done wrong by allowing a kiss to happen between them when Joey felt so in debt? Her mind swirled with horrible thoughts that she had done something awful. She had never wanted to hurt Joey. She loved her. She loved her so much that she could hardly breathe. Hurting her hadn't been an option but what if she had by accident? What if her colleagues thought there was a case to answer? She could lose her job, her Joey, her everything. What would she do then? She pictured Joey's face, her broken expression, her confusion and her sorrow as she was led away. The image was enough to let her tears begin to fall.

***

After Joey and Aden collected Joey's overnight stuff, they headed to Roman's house. The chef was home when they got there. Joey fought the feeling of it being strange to have to stay the night at her girlfriend's ex-boyfriend's house. But Roman, who had a date with Leah anyway, readily agreed and headed upstairs to get a spare blanket and pillow so that Joey could sleep on the sofa. Joey sank down on it and Aden brought her a beer. The evening consisted of 'share my pain'. Joey was shocked to find that while she'd been living in her own little world, Belle had gone into rehab and she and Aden had broken up. He was devastated.

***

Charlie wobbled out of the Surf Club and headed to the beach. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about Joey and she couldn't help but fret about the outcome of the investigation. All she wanted to do was curl up in her arms and feel safe and comforted again. She looked up when she felt someone come and sit beside her. Hugo made himself comfortable.

"Heard you had a bad day," he commented.

"You have no idea," Charlie replied, suddenly exhausted.

"So, you're a lesbian, hey?"

Charlie glared at him.

"I'm not into labels," she snapped back.

"But the rumours about you and Joey are true, right?"

"Which ones exactly?"

"That you're lovers," Hugo informed her.

"Yes, we are."

The beer was starting to affect her more and more. She didn't want to talk about this.

"That's pretty hot," Hugo grinned.

She glared at him again.

"Grow up," she snapped.

He held his hands up in mock defence.

"Sorry. Still, it makes me feel better about myself knowing that you rejected me so often because of her. I mean, if you're gay then you can't help but not be attracted to me."

"I'm not gay!" Charlie insisted.

She had begun to loathe that word.

"Prove it," he said, leaning in for a kiss.

***

Now, before I get hate mail, I would like to remind you that only a Charlie & Joey FAN would write Charlie & Joey fiction. Therefore, I beg you to trust me and remember the title of this story! IJKS xxx