Title: "Someday Is Something"

Rating: T

Summary: Charlie lays her heart on the line. Will Joey forgive her and will they get their happily ever after?

Does nobody trust Haley at all? LOL. Love that you all want to protect Ruby from her, but it certainly wasn't my intention for her to come between Jarlie anymore. So you can all relax now and enjoy reading.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Charlie breathed deeply as she sat down on the couch. Joey had gone into the kitchen to turn the stove off, and serve them up some of her famous fish-soupy thing. Charlie was still unsure how she could put her feelings into words to Joey, hoping it'll just come to her when Joey returns. Soon enough she heard footsteps behind her. Joey placed two bowls in front of Charlie on the table. "Sorry there's not a huge amount, wasn't expecting company so only made enough for me," Joey explained. Charlie relaxed, "That's okay. Maybe I should have called first. Guess I just wanted to get back here to sort everything out." Joey sat down on the couch next to Charlie, "So while we're on the subject. How come you're back early? I thought you wanted to spend some extra time with your dad. I know I shouldn't have just taken off like that. But you weren't listening to me when I said I had to help Haley. Instead you were acting very jealous, and I didn't want to be around that."

"Well I didn't want to spend any more time away from you. I shouldn't have let you go like that. I should've understood that you were just being...you. Helping a good friend. And I'm sorry about the whole jealously thing. I just kind of didn't want to lose you to her or anyone. And I hate to be all grade-school, but after that kiss I kinda had a right to be jealous. I knew she was interested in you," Charlie admitted. Joey could feel her anger at Charlie's accusations. "Don't try to justify your anger at Haley ok! She didn't do anything wrong. I did! I was the one that kissed her. It didn't mean anything to me, she's just a friend. But it doesn't make it right that you're blaming her. I understand what you're feeling right now about the kiss. Believe me I know exactly how it feels!"

Charlie could feel the tears well up in her eyes, "So this is what? Payback? I hurt you, you hurt me back. Real mature, Jo. Everything was great with us when we went to the City. I told my family about us, I was ready to be out with you. I was even considering asking you to move back in with me, but then you left. To protect her." Joey stood up, turned away from Charlie, "It was never payback for anything. I love you too much to watch you go through what I went through when I found out about Hugo. What did you expect me to do about Brett? He's my brother, so he's my problem, not yours or Haley's. I was trying to protect all of us from him, including you." Joey turned around to look at Charlie. "You were trying to protect me?" she asked quietly. Joey nodded.

Charlie felt some tears fall down her cheek. "That's why I was so upset at you leaving. You were protecting her, not me. I wanted to be the only girl you protected. I'm a cop, it's my job to protect the people I don't know and especially the ones I care about. And I'm not advertising this to my bosses, but sometimes I need a little protecting too. You're the only person in the whole world that I've let in. I'm closed off, I shut people out. But it's different with you. I was terrified when I realized I had feelings for you. I've never let anyone get close to me because they just end up leaving. People always leave. And then you did leave..." "Charlie you know I didn't want--" Joey started but Charlie held up her hand stopping her.

"Let me finish Jo. You left yes, and it's not like I didn't give you a good enough reason to take off. But you did something most others didn't. You came back! And I knew that I had to do everything possible to win you back. You're my whole world. And I don't want to pressure you, but I need to be with you. I'm tired of letting little things like jealously get the better of us. I want to be with you, completely. I'm talking scary, no-emotions-barred-need kinda love. I'll give you my heart, body and soul. I never want to hold back from you, and I'll risk everything for you...if you'll let me. You're my everything Jo. Everything." Charlie sat there nervously, not sure what to think after her big rant. Note to self, gotta stop making these big speeches, she told herself. She tried to look at Joey's reaction, work out what she was thinking.

Joey stood there trying to process everything Charlie had told her. She was so overwhelmed. This was everything she'd dreamed of since she met Charlie. They'd gotten back together but things were still so strained and difficult. She couldn't live like that again. This time it's all or nothing. Can I take that chance again? She asked herself. Trust her with my heart and soul? I couldn't live if she hurt me again...but I can't live without her. Joey walked back over to the couch, sitting next to Charlie; she took her face in her hands. Forcing Charlie to look her in the eyes, she stroked her fingers over her cheeks, wiping away her tears. She leant forward, catching Charlie's lips with her own. Pulling back slightly, Joey whispered, "Scary, no-emotions-barred-need kinda love? I can live with that. It's all or nothing Charlie. I need you to know that I forgive you for everything that happened, but if it ever happens again--" "It won't," Charlie interrupted.

Continuing, Joey told her, "I will never give you this chance again. But I need to have you back in my life this time. I love everything about you. The simplest things make me crazy about you. I want to start our lives together. No more jealousies or insecurities. Pain or suffering. Just us. You're all I need in this world to be happy. There was a time I thought I'd never be happy again. But you changed my whole world. Turned it upside down, and gave it a spin. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you. Always and forever." "Always and forever? That's what I've always wanted with you from the moment I met you. You've got me Joey Collins. I'm not going anywhere. I love you," Charlie declared. "I love you too," Joey confessed.

The two girls leaned forward into a passionate kiss. Finally able to put the past behind them, and make a new start. Knowing nothing could come between them. During their much-needed make-out session, Joey pulled back. Charlie looked upset, "Sorry did I push too far? If you're not ready--" Joey put her finger against Charlie's lips quietening her. "I am ready. I want to be with you more than anything...except I don't think the living room is the best place for this and I kinda share a room with Haley here, so maybe we should go back to your place. Haley will probably be back from her date soon." Charlie stared at her in disbelief, "I'm sorry did you say date?"

Joey nodded, "Yeah Haley was real secretive about it, wouldn't tell me who she was seeing tonight. Maybe she was afraid I'd be upset that she's moving on so fast. I don't by the way. I guess...Charlie what's wrong?" Charlie laughed, "Nothing. It just can't be a date. I mean if it was a date Ruby would have said something to me." Joey was confused, "Wait what does Ruby have to do with...? Ohhh Ruby's out with Haley tonight. Well that kinda makes sense. I mean the Haley-Ruby getting along thing, not the Haley-Ruby on a maybe possible date thing. Haley said they had fun at lunch today. So I doubt it's a date. Can't be a date. Can it?" "It's not a date," Charlie concurred, "Glad we got that sorted. So do you want to head over to my place now?"

Joey got up, walking towards her room, yelling over the shoulder, "Yeah just give me ten minutes." Charlie looked puzzled, "You look great Jo. Why are you going to make me wait so long?" Joey returned, popping her head into the living room, giggling "Well I'm gonna need my stuff if I'm gonna move back in with you silly. I'm sure we'll be too wrapped up in one another for the next few days to worry about coming back for my stuff." Charlie smiled, "You're moving back in with me? Really?" "Well did you think I missed the part in your little rant about you asking me to move back in with you?" Joey replied. Charlie laughed, "I was afraid you did. Now what are you doing? Get your butt back in there and grab your stuff, so we can move in quicker."

Not long after, Charlie had parked her car in front of Leah's place, and was helping Joey grab her bags. Charlie pulled Joey aside before they walked in the front door. "Hey, I just wanted to say thanks. For believing in me. You never gave up on us, even when you were given every reason to. I can't wait for us to be together. I mean it this time. I love you. Always and forever." Joey smiled, kissing Charlie on the lips, "Always and forever," she repeated, "Now let's get inside so we can express our love to one another." "Cheeky," Charlie commented.

Quietly walking into the house, afraid to wake Ruby if she was home, Charlie was startled to hear noises from the living room. Entering the room, she relaxed as she saw Ruby lying on the couch, asleep with the TV still on, some movie still playing and...Haley cuddling up to her sister. Also asleep. Joey walked in behind her, surprised that Charlie had stopped walking. Looking up at the scene in front of them, "Huh guess we were wrong about one thing tonight." "It was a date!" Charlie and Joey stated unanimously. Joey reached for Charlie's hand, "Are you ok with this?" "Huh duh I um – I think I'll have a talk with Ruby tomorrow about this. Certainly didn't see this coming," Charlie admitted. "Are you sure? Did you want to wake them up and talk to Ruby now?" Joey questioned. Charlie looked her in the eyes, "No. They look comfortable. No way am I ruining that. Besides I don't want to do any talking tonight." "Really, well then what do you want to do C Buckton?" Charlie grabbed Joey's hand, and pulled her into her room. "Spend the first night of the rest of our lives together J Collins." The two girls embraced each other. Wanting nothing more than to block out the world outside, hoping tomorrow never comes.

And thanks to Fan Fic this is one of the ways the storyline can end. Too bad it's unlikely to happen in the show. Well that's the final chapter for my story. I loved writing it, but I don't think I could have carried on much longer without it been true to the storyline H&A set up.

I hope you all enjoyed it. Thanks to everyone for reviewing this fic. Special shout-outs go to AuthorW & JSCO81 - you guys were great reviewing pretty much every chapter. Kept me wanting to write more.

I'm off thinking of new ideas for my next story so hope you'll come and review that one when I start posting it.