It's Always Been You

Eight

Writer note: I just wanted to clarify, I absolutely ADORE Imogen. This is just for the story, I'm not trying to paint her in a bad light.

"I thought you'd be at work..." Nick said quietly after a few moments of painfully awkward silence.
"You've got some nerve!" Imogen shouted again, making her way down the stairs. Charlie was unsure if he should dash out the door or stand by his man.
"I just came to get some clothes." Nick said calmly, glancing at Charlie for support.
He needs me Charlie decided.
"Why... Is HE here?!" Imogen snarled, pointing aggressively at Charlie.

Nick didn't answer. Charlie didn't move. Suddenly Imogen lunged forward at Charlie.
"Hey!" Nick shouted, blocking Imogen to protect Charlie. "Leave him alone!" Nick was now furious.
"He ruined my wedding!" Imogen screamed.
"Charlie saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life!" Nick shouted.

Charlie stood frozen to the spot. Guilt started to creep in... I caused this.

Imogen was still. Staring at Nick. Her eyes began to fill with tears.
"Biggest mistake?" She whispered.
"It would have been wrong for me to marry you when I'm still in love with Charlie," Nick said softly. "Now please, let me get some clothes and we'll leave." He continued, his tone a little more firm.

Charlie nervously took a step forward to stand beside Nick. He's fighting... Fighting for us...

Imogen stepped aside, Nick and Charlie made their way towards the stairs. Nick placed one foot on the first step and instinctively reached back his hand to find Charlie's. Instead of Nick feeling Charlie's fingers loop around his own, there was a loud scream and crash. Nick quickly turned around to see Imogen on the floor, on top of Charlie, hitting him over and over.

Without thinking Nick pounced on Imogen, tearing her off Charlie. He threw her with such force she flew through the open door into the living room and thudded into a crumpled up heap on the floor.
"Charlie! Are you okay?!" Nick shouted, crouching down next to Charlie, gently lifting his head off the floor.

Dazed and confused, Charlie looked at Nick and slowly nodded his head.
"I... I... Think so..." He stuttered. Nick quickly gave Charlie the once over. His nose was slightly bloody and there was a bruise starting to form under his right eye, but from what could see, no real damage.
"Do you think you can stand?" Nick asked softly. Charlie held onto Nick's arm and he slowly stood up. He staggered a little but Nick held onto him tight.

"Police?" Imogen's voice came from the living room. Nick turned his head quickly to look at her. "I've just been assaulted by my ex boyfriend." Her tone was shaken and scared, but she glared at Nick in a way that told him this was her revenge.

"What the hell Imogen?!" Nick shouted when she was off the phone.
"Police are on their way." She said smugly.
"Look at his face!" Nick shouted, gesturing at Charlie, who he was still holding tightly, his arm around his waist. Charlie was visibly shaken.
"They'll just think you do that too."
"You bitch!" Nick lunged forward. Charlie grabbed onto his arm with a firm grip.
"No Nick! You'll only make things worse!" Charlie shouted, his voice still shaky.

There was a loud knock at the door, Nick answered it with Charlie still tucked safely under his arm.
"We had a report for domestic violence?" The police officer said. Nick stepped aside.
"I'm in here!" Imogen called dramatically. The two police officers walked into the living room and crouched down by Imogen.

"What happened miss?"
"He threw me onto the floor!" Imogen wailed and dramatically burst into tears.
"Only because you were attacking me!" Charlie shouted, his sudden outburst shocked him, and Nick.
"Name?" The police officer asked, looking at Nick.
"Nicholas Nelson."
"Nicholas I'm afraid you'll have to come down the station with us."
"What?" Nick tightened his grip around Charlie.
"You can either come willingly or we'll have to arrest you, your choice."
"Nick, just go, I'll be okay." Charlie said quickly. Nick looked at Charlie, a mixture of anger and fear in his eyes.

Nick gave Charlie a final squeeze and reluctantly let him go, following the policeman out the door.
"We'll call for a medical team to check you two over." The other police officer said.
"I have to stay here with her?!" Charlie spat.
"You don't have to, but I highly advise it. You don't look too good."

Charlie realised he suddenly felt quite woozy from hitting his head on the hardwood floor. He sat down on the bottom step, head in his hands and he began to sob. This is all my fault.

Nick sat across from the police officer who was interviewing him. He was agitated. All he wanted to do was make sure Charlie was okay.
"I told you... I didn't mean to hurt Imogen, I did it out of instinct because she was attacking Charlie." Nick said, trying to keep his tone as calm as possible.
"And who is Charlie?"
"He's my..." Nick paused. "Charlie is my boyfriend." Nick suddenly realised he hadn't been able to say that for years.
"I see... And Imogen is?"
"My ex fiance."
"And why was Imogen attacking Charlie?"
"She was angry because... because..." Nick trailed off, unsure what to say. "I left her to be with Charlie."
"I see..."

Charlie paced nervously around his flat. Nick had been gone for hours.
"I'm sure he'll be back soon." Elle said, trying to reassure Charlie.
"You don't know! What if they've thrown him in a cell! Oh god, is he going to go to prison?! This is all my fault! I just couldn't let him go again!" Charlie sank to the floor, sobbing.
"Charlie..." Tao said, rushing over to him.
"This is not your fault, okay?" He continued, pulling Charlie into a hug.
"It's really not Charlie..." Elle said soothingly, slowly making her way over to sit beside Tao and Charlie.

Charlie sobbed in Tao's arms while Elle gently stroked his back.
"Do you want some tea?" She whispered. "It's good for shock." Charlie slowly nodded. Elle stood up and made her way to Charlie's kitchen.
"I'm going to kill Imogen!" Tao said angrily.
"Not helping Tao!" Elle called from the kitchen.

Charlie sat on the sofa between Tao and Elle, tightly gripping his mug of tea, unable to move or speak.
"Charlie... It will be okay." Elle whispered.
"I... I..." Charlie sniffed. "I just want Nick!" He began sobbing loudly again, Tao quickly grabbed the full mug of tea before it could be spilled and Charlie fell into Elle's arms.
"Shhh... Shhh... Charlie..." She soothed him, rubbing his back.

Another hour passed and Charlie had fallen asleep on the sofa, comforted by his dreams where Nick was right by his side.

The sound of Charlie's flat buzzer suddenly filled the room, he didn't stir. Elle nudged Tao to go see who it was.
"Just tell them to come back later." She whispered.

"Hello?" Tao asked. He didn't say anything else, just pressed the buzzer to open the door downstairs. He turned to look at Elle.
"It's Nick." He whispered. Elle's mouth flew open. They decided not to wake Charlie. They'd let Nick do that.

Tao quietly opened the door for Nick and shushed him before he could say anything.
"He's asleep..." He whispered. Nick nodded and gave Tao a quick hug, silently thanking him for looking after Charlie.

He quietly walked over to the sofa where Charlie was fast asleep, crouching down he gently placed a hand on Charlie's knee.
"Char..." He whispered. Charlie stirred but didn't wake up.
"Charlie... It's me..." He said quietly, gently squeezing his knee.

Charlie stirred again, this time half opening his eyes. He was groggy and confused.
"Char..." Nick said softly. Charlie opened his eyes fully and looked down to see Nick crouching on the floor in front of him.
"Nick...?" He asked, confused, unsure if he was dreaming.
"Hi." Nick said gently, smiling.
"Oh my god! Nick!" Charlie threw himself off the sofa and into Nick's arms, who just about managed to catch him before toppling backwards. He held him close while Charlie sobbed again, but this time they were tears of relief and happiness.

"Nick! Oh my god! Nick! You're back! You came back!" Charlie sobbed.
"I'm back Char." Nick said softly, stroking Charlie's hair.

Tao and Elle stood watching them, beaming.

"What did they say?" Charlie asked when he could form a coherent thought.
"They've given me a caution," he explained. "They want to speak to you and also Imogen... This isn't over, but I promise I'm not going anywhere, okay?" Nick spoke gently and reassuringly, stroking the nape of Charlie's neck. Charlie nodded, burying his face into Nick's chest.

"Nick..." Charlie whispered.
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"I love you too." Nick smiled. "It will all be okay Char, I promise."