Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen
Joey woke up heavy hearted. She looked at Charlie, beginning to stir in the bed beside her. Closing her eyes, she left a wave of sadness and worry wash over her. Before they'd gone to sleep the night before, after a lot of tears and gentle but passionate love making, Charlie had said that she'd come a decision. She couldn't bear the way Ruby looked at her, how she felt about her now. Knowing that the one thing that would make her happy would be for Charlie to formally make a statement against Grant, Charlie had decided that that was what she had to do. Joey had immediately protested. Telling the truth could jeopardise her job and her life. She could be fired or worse, go to jail for kidnapping him. Charlie had pointed out that someone who did kidnap and hurt someone belonged in jail and that she shouldn't see herself as being above the law she worked so hard to uphold. Joey pleaded with her, insisting that Ruby would come round eventually but Charlie was adamant and Joey had realised quickly and unhappily that there was nothing she could do to change her mind.
Grant woke up in a room at The Sands Hotel. He felt miserable. His wife had thrown him out and refused to let him see the kids. She'd sworn and shouted and told him to go and befriend his other daughter. For once, he was at a loss and didn't think he could win her round. Now he was in Summer Bay and didn't quite know what to do next. He wanted to build a relationship with Ruby but Charlie was always going to be a problem. He was determined to find a way to bring her and her little girlfriend down and get them both out of the picture. Now, he just had to figure out how to do it.
Ruby was up and out early. In her school uniform, she headed for the beach, needing some fresh air and space. She felt so confused about everything still and while half of her was ashamed of talking to Charlie the way she had, half of her felt justified. If Charlie hadn't lied about everything, if she hadn't made so many damn mistakes then they wouldn't be in this mess.
"It's not her fault she was raped," she admitted sadly, sinking onto the sand.
She buried her face in her hands and took several deep breaths.
Charlie dropped Joey at work and kissed her passionately goodbye, as if it was the last time. She hoped it wouldn't be but she knew she was treading on dangerous ground by going ahead with getting justice for herself, the women she'd met in the city and for Ruby and any other woman or man who had been subjected to the kind of violence they had endured. Taking a deep breath, she continued onto the station.
Xavier was on his way to school, walking along the beach front when he spotted the familiar figure of his girlfriend sitting on the stand. Wondering what sort of reception he would get, he approached and sat beside her, asking if she was okay. She nodded but didn't look at him.
"Just Charlie stuff," she said.
"Not getting along?"
She shook her head and wiped her eyes.
"I said some really hurtful things to her last night and I don't know if I can ever take them back."
He sighed. He knew only too well that Ruby could be hurtful and selfish. It was a side to her that he had never seen before now. It shocked him every time it came out.
"Well, what did you say?" he asked.
She opened her mouth but no words came out. She shook her head again and said she didn't want to talk about it.
Grant entered the Diner and ignored the way a few of the regulars had looked at him. It was common knowledge that Charlie was accusing him of rape and a lot of people had seen her go for him the other day. Approaching the counter, he ordered a coffee and was about to take a seat when he spotted Angelo nursing a coffee of his own in the corner. He headed over and sat down at his table without asking permission.
"I don't want company," the policeman snapped.
"Tough," Grant replied. "You did me a disservice the other week by not letting me make that complaint against Charlie."
"I didn't stop you going to the station," Angelo replied. "I was off duty. And I don't exactly want to hear you spewing crap about someone I care about."
Grant sat back and studied Angelo's expression.
"You're in love with her," he realised.
Joey felt lost as she, Aden and Geoff sailed out to sea. Her best friend noticed quickly but she didn't feel able to tell him. Sharing what Charlie had done to Grant would only cause trouble. She needed someone to talk to but she was afraid of letting Charlie down when she needed her.
Charlie exhaled loudly when she put the phone down. It had taken a hell of a lot of negotiation but she had just about managed to convince Grant's other two victims to press charges. The statements that she'd collected from them were now officially allowed to be put into evidence. Charlie was glad that she was getting somewhere. She wanted Grant to go to jail for what he had done to them and probably to several other people. She just wished she didn't have to sacrifice herself to do it.
Angelo left the Diner quickly. Grant followed, forcing a continuation of the conversation on him.
"So, you're into her, hey?" Grant said. "Shame she's a lesbian. Although, there are ways around it."
He stopped smirking when Angelo whirled around, grabbed him by his shirt and slammed him against the outer wall of the Diner. Grant struggled to catch his breath.
"You'd better shut your mouth now," Angelo warned.
"Why? Are you afraid of people finding out?" Grant asked.
"Charlie knows exactly how I feel about her," Angelo said. "But this is nothing to do with you."
Grant grinned and didn't bother to struggle.
"Is it frustrating?" he asked. "Seeing her swan around town with that hot little bitch she's sleeping with?"
Angelo just glared.
"I bet she led you on the same way she did with me," Grant said.
Angelo dropped away and let Grant go.
"Don't ever compare me to you," he said. "Or I swear I'll do what Charlie couldn't."
Grant rearranged his shirt and jacket and ran his hands through his greasy hair.
"And what's that?" he asked.
Angelo stepped in.
"I'll fucking kill you," he said darkly.
At lunch time, Charlie met Joey and drove her out and away from Summer Bay to get some space and privacy. Sitting at their table, waiting for their meal, Charlie explained that she had managed to get both girls to make official statements and press on with the case against Grant. Joey tried to be enthusiastic but all she could worry about was something happening to Charlie. What if Grant pressed charges against her? What if she got into trouble? What if Charlie ended up in jail? How would they cope?
"Hey," Charlie said softly, reading her mind. "We'll cross every bridge when we come to it, one at a time, okay?"
Joey nodded but she felt sad. Reaching out her hand, she took hold of Charlie's.
"I wish you'd change your mind about this," she admitted.
"I can't lose Ruby," Charlie said.
Joey wanted to ask 'what about me?' but she didn't think it was fair. She forced a smile instead and leant in to kiss her.
Ruby had lunch at the Diner with Xavier, Nicole, Annie, Jai and Romeo but her mind wasn't really there. She knew Xavier was longing for her to tell him everything but she couldn't open up. Her head was full of confusion and she didn't know where to turn. She was uncomfortably aware that she wanted to tell Geoff all about it, and with that came a whole load of guilt.
Charlie dropped Joey off down at the docks and then headed into work. Watson was stationed at the reception desk and Angelo was buried in paperwork. He looked up and studied her sadly, internally debating over whether to tell her about his altercation with Grant earlier in the day. He watched her head into her office and sighed. He wished there was a way to save her, even though she couldn't bear to be anywhere near him after their most recent incident. He felt sure that if she gave him a chance, he would be able to love and protect her the way she needed. And he was certain that he would do a better job than Joey. She was five years younger, inexperienced and weak. She was a victim and had nothing professional and prestigious going on in her life. He still wondered why Charlie loved her when she could have him. He was a cop, he was a man, he was strong and capable. He loved her and he was desperate to be her everything.
In her office, Charlie picked up the phone and called Morag. If she was going to proceed, she wanted legal advice and she didn't know anyone who could give her better than her step-mother.
"Hello, Charlie," Morag said pleasantly. "How are you?"
"I'm struggling," Charlie admitted. "Can we talk?"
Ruby waited down at the docks for Geoff to get off the boat after work. She'd ditched her boyfriend and her friends on the way home from school. All she wanted was to see Geoff and feel comforted by him. Her heart sank when she saw Joey approaching her.
"Hey," Ruby said casually. "I was just waiting for Geoff."
"He's just packing up," Joey said. "So, you're stuck with me for now."
Ruby swallowed.
"What the hell did you think you were doing talking to Charlie like that last night?" Joey demanded.
"I was upset..."
"So upset that she's risking everything, including going to jail, just to make you love her again?"
"I do love her..."
"Well, you're pretty shit at letting her know."
"What are you talking about?" Ruby asked worriedly.
"Charlie is compiling a case against Grant. She's deliberately laying herself open to being charged and convicted for what she did. And she's doing it all in some desperate bid to make things up to you."
"I don't want Charlie to go to jail!" Ruby managed.
"Well then for goodness sake, go and tell her that because I can't seem to change her mind."
Without waiting to hear more, Joey turned and stormed back to the boat. Ruby broke into a run on the way to the police station.
"Charlie, I cannot advise you to press charges against him," Morag said unhappily. "You know he'll just tell his lawyers what happened between you last week. You'll get charged with kidnapping and goodness knows what else. Charlie, you can't do that."
Charlie wiped her eyes and hoped her voice wouldn't give away that she was crying.
"I have to," she said weakly. "If I don't then Ruby and I will never... Maybe a spell in jail will make her realise that she needs me or..."
"It's a big risk to take, Charlie," Morag said. "And what about Joey? Have you told her? Have you thought about her?"
"She knows," Charlie said. "She doesn't like it but what am I meant to do, Morag? Ruby's my daughter."
"And Joey's your girlfriend," Morag said sternly. "She's your partner. Your long term partner. What do you think she's going to do without you? How do you think she'll cope?"
"She could do a hell of a lot better than me," Charlie finally wept. "Me going to jail would just set her free."
"Charlie..." Morag said softly, desperately wondering how she could get through to her.
"Ruby!"
The teenager stopped when she heard a horribly familiar voice calling her name. She kept on walking until she heard hurried footsteps behind her. Realising that Grant was not going to give up, she stopped and glared at him.
"What do you want?" she snapped.
"I want to talk to you," Grant said. "Can we go for dinner or something?"
"I am not going to dinner with the man who raped my mother," Ruby said firmly.
Suddenly, she hated him. Tears stung her eyes.
"Ruby..."
"I hate you," Ruby said. "I hate you for what you did to her. I hate myself for being born of that kind of violence. And I hate us both for what Charlie's going through right now."
"Ruby, I want a relationship with you..."
"Well, you can't have one!" Ruby snapped. "I never want to see you again. I wish you were dead."
She turned and stormed away.
Joey stepped off the boat and led the way to the Surf Club. Charlie had texted to say that she was working late so Joey had decided to try and relax by going for a drink with Aden and Geoff. It would be nice to spend more social time with Geoff. She was aware that she and Aden had been a little double act for quite some time and she hoped the younger boy didn't feel left out. She wondered if Ruby would ever do the right thing and break up with Xavier. It was quite clear that she was falling for Geoff and he obviously felt the same way. But then, she hardly understood Ruby's decisions or thought processes anymore. She seemed intent on destroying Charlie. Joey just hoped she didn't succeed.
Charlie was staring into space when there was a soft knock at her door. Ruby appeared in the doorway and silently took the seat opposite Charlie's desk.
"Have you done it?" the younger girl asked.
"Done what?" Charlie wanted to know.
"Made everything official? The case against Grant?"
Charlie sighed.
"Give me a chance," she pleaded. "It's here, okay? I'm doing it."
"Don't."
Charlie stared at her.
"What?"
"Don't," Ruby repeated.
"Why not?"
"I don't want to risk you going to jail," Ruby said. "I love you and I need you. I want justice but not at your expense."
Charlie continued to stare.
"Charlie, I want to just forget about all of this, okay? I want us to be friends again. Sisters. Maybe one day it'd be more than that... mother and daughter or... I don't know. I can't picture it. But I want us to move on from everything. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything I've put you through. I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry I doubted you. This whole thing... it's just messed me up so badly and I can't seem to find a way through it. But I want to. And I know that the only way forward is with you, not against you."
Charlie swallowed. She felt like her soul was going to explode.
"Really?" she asked.
"I will never stop feeling hurt about the way you lied to me," Ruby said honestly. "I feel cheated. You could have been a wonderful Mum to me if you'd tried. And I think now I will always wonder what could have been. But it's not your fault, Charlie. I know you did your best. And what happened to you... I just, I can't even imagine how awful that must have been. Even with the picture Joey put into my mind, I know that's not even close to what must have happened, how much it must have hurt, how broken you must have been. I'm sorry for hurting you more. Please can we try again?"
Crying, Charlie stood and rushed to gather her daughter into her arms.
