This is the sequel to Haven for a Heart. I hope you all enjoy it.

Thank you to everyone who made Haven such an amazing experience for me, you've shown me what great friends I've made here at the Forum.

To my sister, spookycc - how do I thank you for the encouragement, support and continued friendship? You're the best sister a person could want. Thanks for always being there.

(Oh - and I don't own any of the characters created by Dick Wolf and LOCI - you know who they are )

Chapter 1



Charli sat on the back porch swing, enjoying the evening breeze. She laid her hand on her swollen stomach and studied her wedding ring, the ring that Bobby had placed on her finger with a promise for their future. In the week since Nicole's attempt on her life, Charli was beginning to fear that she and Bobby might not have that future. He had become withdrawn and distant, leaving Charli to ponder what he wasn't saying.

He had been badly shaken by the intricacy of Nicole's plan and angry that he hadn't been able to see through it. But after revealing this to Charli, Bobby hadn't discussed the situation with her again. Sighing, she struggled to her feet and walked back into the house. Bobby was in the living room reading a book, and Charli watched him unnoticed for a moment before she moved forward to kiss his cheek.

"I'm going up to bed," she told him, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll be up in a bit. I just want to finish this chapter," he replied with a smile. "Don't wait up," he added, turning his attention back to the book.

She had heard 'don't wait up' too many times over the last week. Rather than responding, she walked from the living room and went slowly up the stairs to the bedroom. Freshly showered, she slid a nightgown on over her head before standing in front of the mirror to comb out her long, damp hair. Braiding her hair with experienced fingers, she studied her reflection in the mirror, recognizing the sadness in her green eyes. She had thought never to see it again since her marriage to Bobby.

Bobby slid between the sheets an hour later, aware of Charli's soft breathing on the opposite side of the bed. Lying on his back, he stared at the ceiling for a moment, closing his eyes at the sound of the gunshot replaying itself in his head. He could have lost Charli in that brief instant, along with their children. All because of Nicole Wallace and her desire for revenge.

He felt Charli moving in the darkness and she snuggled into his warmth, sliding her hand over his chest. Bobby laid his hand over hers in an effort to assure himself she was safe and his other arm hugged her to him. The nightmares he'd experienced had left him shaken and wracked with guilt. She could have died because of him. He hadn't even considered the possibility that Charli's stalker had been connected to him in any way.

"Bobby," Charli whispered into the darkness, pressing a kiss to the side of his throat.

"I'm here, Chuck," he replied softly, squeezing her hand lightly.

"You aren't really," she told him. "You've been very far away since last week."

"I'm fine. Just – I've just had a lot on my mind," he hedged but he felt Charli shake her head.

"Not a lot – just one person, really," she smoothed her hand over his chest. "You should go see her, Bobby. If you don't talk to her it's going to keep eating at you."

"I don't want to talk to her," Bobby denied. "I don't want to think or talk about her."

"So as a result you're pushing me away. This was my fault, Bobby – I should have been more than a little suspicious of her – she was too interested in being my friend." Even as she spoke, Charli struggled to sit up.

"It wasn't your fault," Bobby assured her, sitting up so that his back rested against the headboard. "Nicole had a plan that she – executed almost to perfection. None of this – nothing that happened was your fault. It was mine – for not realizing -," he broke off, running a hand over his face.

"For not realizing what? That she assumed another person's identity – that she worked out this sick plan and involved Phil Dresden? How could you have known?"

"I was too wrapped up in other things – too distracted."

"By me?"

When Bobby didn't answer, Charli shook her head, saying:

"So it is my fault – you're pulling away from me because you think I'm a distraction."

"I didn't say that," Bobby began to reach for her but Charli evaded his grasp and slipped, albeit clumsily, from the bed.

"You aren't saying anything, Bobby – that's the problem."

"Where are you going?"

"Downstairs," she answered. "Don't wait up." The latter was said over her shoulder as she pulled open the bedroom door. Bobby sighed in frustration but didn't follow her.


Bobby hadn't thought he slept but when he glanced at the clock it was almost 2:00AM. He reached for Charli, only to find the bed empty. Swinging his long legs over the side of the bed, he reached for his jeans, pulling them on before going in search of his missing wife. She wasn't downstairs; he searched each room and called for her but received no response. The doors were locked from the inside and his keys sat on the kitchen counter as verification that she hadn't left.

Returning upstairs, he checked the nursery only to find it empty also. Running a hand over the back of his neck, he padded barefoot along the hallway to the spare bedroom they had furnished for Maggie and Jacob's visits. Opening the door, he saw Charli sleeping on the bed and studied her in the darkness. She was right; he had been pushing her away. He was vulnerable now because of her and that opened him up to circumstances he hadn't previously considered. There would be situations that could put Charli and their children in danger because of his job. If he allowed those unforeseen situations to trouble him, he'd ruin any chance for happiness they now had.

Charli woke to the feel of Bobby's body pressed to hers, his hand on her stomach, holding her against him. She lay silently for a moment to make certain she wasn't dreaming. He had followed her into the spare bedroom. The thought brought her some comfort that he wanted to be with her. Although they hadn't been intimate since she had come home from the hospital, he had continued to hold her each night. In sleep, his guard slipped and he reached for her. It was the one thing that gave Charli hope that he'd find his way back to her.

"Don't -," he whispered against her ear, when she shifted slightly into a more comfortable position.

"Don't what?" she asked, just as softly.

"Don't leave me," he revealed his fear in the safety of the darkness.

"I'm not going anywhere." Charli laid her hand over his where it rested on her stomach, running a finger over his wedding ring. "You're the one who's been pulling away from me," she reminded him.

"I don't mean to – I just -," he broke off. "The thought of losing you scares the hell out of me – I've never had to worry about anyone besides my mother and she had round the clock care."

"And Frank and now Donnie -," Charli rolled onto her right side to face her husband. "You worry about everyone you know – except yourself." She laid her right hand on his cheek. "The thought of losing you scares me, too. You're putting your life on the line every time you walk out the door to go to work. We need to deal with our fears or we don't stand a chance."

"What are you getting at?"

"Talk to her, Bobby. She's the cause of whatever's bothering you."

"I told you that I don't want to talk to her," Bobby began but Charli placed a finger on his lips to silence him.

"You may not want to, but you have to," she stated. "If for no other reason, then for me so, that we can put this behind us, please."

Bobby said nothing in response; instead he kissed her gently, reaching out to touch her cheek with gentle fingers. Before he could draw back, Charli pressed her lips to his and laid her hand on his chest. Her tongue touched his lips, uncertain of his reaction but Bobby moaned softly in his throat before taking control of the kiss. His tongue parted her lips as his hand began a slow exploration of her body.



Sitting at his desk the following morning, Bobby's expression changed from a reminiscent smile of the previous evening to one of deep contemplation at the thought of the task that lie ahead of him. Tapping his pencil absently on his desk, he glanced across at Eames.

"What is it, Bobby?" She asked, aware of her partner's indecisiveness.

"Would you – do you want to go for a ride with me?"

"Depends on where we're going," Alex studied him across the expanse of their desks.

"I – I want to pay a visit to Riker's." He waited for her reaction.

"Riker's? You want to see Nicole Wallace? Are you sure?"

"No, I'm not sure at all. Charli – Charli thinks I should," Bobby met Eames' gaze.

"She's a wise woman. It's probably the only way you're going to get closure on this, Bobby." Even as she spoke, Alex reached for the keys to the police issue SUV. "Let's go."



"Well, well – Detectives Eames and Goren," Nicole was led into the visiting cell by two guards. "I was wondering who would possibly want to visit me. What can I do for you?" she asked, sitting at the table across from Alex. Bobby stood with his back against the wall, studying her silently.

"I – my wife thought that you and I needed to talk," Bobby remained where he was, watching the effect the words 'my wife' had on Nicole. Her expression wavered, only for a moment and while he was certain Eames didn't notice, he did. "Even after you tried to kill her, she seems worried about you."

"She is a naïve little thing, isn't she?" Nicole replied. "She must bore you to tears."

"She's a better person that you could ever dream of being," Bobby replied softly, walking towards the table. "She is the reason I thought you might stand a chance." Pulling out a chair, he sat alongside Eames.

"What could she possibly have to do with you and me, Bubby?"

"It was because of Charli – because of what she had suffered through and survived – that I thought there was some hope for you."

"Suffered through? She's the daughter of a wealthy, influential politician, she's never suffered," Nicole dismissed the thought.

"You don't think so? You don't think that her father would be capable of physical and emotional abuse? From the moment she can remember, she'd lived in fear of his – temper, his outbursts. She never knew if simply saying 'good morning' was going to bring on a – a beating," Bobby swallowed as he said the last words, the thought of Charli being abused causing bile to rise in his throat.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I was never abused?" Nicole asked him, her voice growing louder at her denial.

"I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about Charli," Bobby reminded her, shaking a finger slowly back and forth in her direction. "Her mother – walked out on her, her brother and sisters when Charli was barely 8. Whatever the reason, Charli was the only one Harris abused."

Alex sat silently, listening to Bobby speak. She had learned of the abuse a few years earlier but hadn't felt it her business to ask questions. Knowing her partner as she did, Alex realized that her presence served a dual purpose, the first to keep Bobby from harming Nicole and the second to let Alex farther into Charli's past.

"When – when I first met Charli I didn't know about the abuse. I knew she was shy – she didn't trust easily – but I saw something in her. I saw a gifted, beautiful person and after a while, I was able to gain her trust. I – I won her friendship." He studied Nicole's stony expression, looking for any sort of reaction. "When she was 19 – Harris beat her so badly that she almost died – he left her bleeding and broken at the bottom of a flight of stairs. He beat her because he thought that she'd been with me – that she and I were lovers.

She never told me – she didn't want me to bear the guilt over what her father had done to her. Even when she was in pain – when she was dealing with the grief of learning she'd never have children – she had the compassion to want to protect me. She chose to become a teacher so that she could help children – and I know for a fact that she's gotten at least two children out of abusive homes.

Time and again she has shown me what friendship and kindness are. When I first met you – I saw something in you that reminded me of Charli – I thought that if someone helped you find that little girl, that part of you that no one could touch – maybe you stood a chance. The reason I ever had any hope for you was because of Charli."

"Because of Charli?!" Nicole shook her head. "She's a boring, mousy fool. You're with her because of those children she's carrying. Children that you can't even be certain are yours."

"What – what would make you think I'm not the father of Charli's twins?"

Alex didn't look at Bobby but she knew that his face had reddened from embarrassment and a slowly burning anger.

"You read Dresden's letters – he and your precious Charli were lovers before you ever entered the picture."

"Dresden's letters were as delusional as he was – delusions that you helped fuel, Nicole. He knew Charli from St. Gregory's – that was the only contact they had," Bobby kept his voice controlled, not revealing his temper. "She was your friend," Bobby replied softly. "All you did was use and betray her. You – used her and Dresden to get to me."

"I did what I had to do to make you suffer for the things you've done to me," Nicole was positively hateful. "When you took Gwen from me, that was the final straw. I knew that one day, I would find your weakness – the one person that meant more to you than anything else. When I saw you with Charli at the funeral, I knew that you had feelings for her. Feelings that you were keeping hidden even from yourself. It was just a matter of time after that."

"What happened to the real Janice Fletcher?"

"She went on an extended holiday," the words sounded ominous and the partners exchanged a knowing look. Nicole had disposed of the woman and assumed her identity. They would need to work on finding the teacher's remains.

"And now you'll start your 'extended holiday', Nicole," Alex replied with a cool certainty. "You're going to be facing life without the possibility of parole and there's no chance that you're walking on this one."

"Don't be so certain, Detective – the possibilities in one's life are endless."

"Not for you, Nicole – not anymore," Bobby rose to his feet. "I'll be damned if you're ever going to have another chance to harm my family – I made my position crystal clear to you that day." He stood staring down at her until she looked away in discomfort, recalling his threatening words. "If I had any say in this, I'd ask the DA to pursue the death penalty."

Alex's head jerked to look at him at the same time Nicole's snapped back to look up at him. Detective Robert Goren had never supported the death penalty. Such an admission told of his contempt for the woman who sat before him. Nicole maintained her composure although her eyes told of her fear. The chair Bobby had been sitting in scraped the floor as it slid in reaction to the force of his movement away from the table. Alex followed behind him and was almost knocked over when he turned unexpectedly.

"You – you fell in love with her, didn't you?"

"She's nothing to me – other than a way to get to you," Nicole denied, rising from her own chair to lessen Bobby's intimidating height.

"It started that way – at first, she was my – my weakness. You knew that I was in love with her," Bobby came to stand just inches from her. "But – once you got to know her – to see what a good person she was – you fell in love with her, just like I did. That was why you destroyed her apartment and her car. You were jealous – taking your anger out on her – her belongings because you couldn't get to her."

"You're as delusional as your mother," Nicole's temper was showing itself.

"Sometimes," he responded, causing Nicole's expression to waver slightly. "Delusional to think that you could compare to Charli in anyway possible. But sane – sane enough to know how you feel about her. That was why – even when you had her at gunpoint, you didn't shoot until I was there. You wanted me dead – why else would you have called me? Warned me about what you were planning?"

"No, I wanted you to see her die – to know that you had been responsible!" Nicole's voice rose in denial.

"No!" Bobby's own voice rose in response. "You were pissed off because Charli wasn't interested in you. You acted out – you ransacked her apartment and car - that happened the first night Charli and I – resumed our relationship. You were a jealous, irrational suitor. You were worse than Dresden. You were pitiful and vindictive."

"You don't know anything – she and Dresden were lovers before you ever came into the picture. Those children she's carrying aren't yours…" Nicole began harshly but Bobby took a threatening step towards her, causing Eames to move closer, in case her interference was needed.

Instead, he paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before leaning in close to her ear, the same as he had done the week before. He whispered softly and Eames watched Nicole's expression turn from smug contempt to one of defeat. Alex only heard one word of the exchange but it was enough for her to understand what had been said. Charli had been a virgin the first time she and Bobby had been together. Nicole's conviction that Dresden and Charli had been lovers before Bobby had backfired on her.



"Are you OK?" Alex glanced across at him as they approached the SUV. Bobby seemed to consider her question for a moment before he said:

"Yeah, I am. Thanks." He gave her an easy smile as he pulled open the passenger door, realizing that he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He had been harboring guilt over Nicole Wallace, feeling that he could have helped her, when in fact she had revealed that she had no redeeming qualities. Any similarities he had seen in her to Charli had been a mistake and one that he now was able to lay to rest.



"Are you certain this is what you want to do?" Mitchell Travis studied his wife across the backseat of the cab.

"No, I'm not," Carolyn responded softly, her mind wandering back through the years as she traveled the familiar tree lined street to the home that had been her brother's. "But I have to do this. If only for my own peace of mind."

"It's been 21 years, Carrie. You need to be prepared that it might be too late," Mitch said.

"If it's too late, there's no one to blame but myself," she offered her husband a sad smile. "Jimmy's gone, I've made my peace with Marti and Kaitlyn. Now I need to talk to Trisha and Charli," she finished on a sigh, turning her gaze back out the window of the taxi. Charli would be almost 30 now, a far cry from the child that had stared after her mother when Carolyn had left her all those years ago.



Charli stood on the back porch, holding a glass of ice water as she watched Bobby cut the grass. As he turned the lawnmower and saw her standing there, he smiled and released his grip on the mower. The engine died out and he left it to join her on the porch, taking the water from her.

"Thank you," he said, kissing her softly.

"You're welcome," she smiled. She knew that he had gone to see Nicole a few days earlier and that they had talked, but Charli had not asked for details. Bobby would tell her when the time presented itself.

They sat on the swing, Bobby holding the water in one hand and laying his free hand on her belly. The babies were active any time Charli was at rest as of late, making sleep difficult. Bobby would lay awake with her, talking into the early morning while he massaged her stomach until she was able to fall asleep.

"How do you feel?" he asked, aware of one of the babies moving beneath his large hand.

"Like there's a soccer match being played in there," she laid her hand over his and smiled. "I just wish they'd let me get a bit more sleep. Once they make their debut, that may be near impossible for a while."

"I'll be here," he reminded her. "We're in this together."

"I would hope so," she teased. "I didn't get this way all by myself."

"Always more than happy to help," Bobby chuckled, raising the water glass to his lips. The sound of the doorbell saved Charli from responding but before she could move, Bobby said: "I'll get it. Relax for a minute."

"May I help you?" Bobby opened the front door, his gaze straying first to the man before he turned his attention to the woman. She looked familiar but Bobby was certain they had never met.

"I'm looking for Jacob or Maggie Reilly," the woman spoke.

"I'm sorry, they don't live here anymore," Bobby smiled.

"Oh, I see," the woman looked to the man who stood alongside her. "You wouldn't know where I could find them, would you?"

"I'm afraid they're traveling -," Bobby began but he broke off when the realization of who the woman was hit him. "You're Carolyn Donovan."

"Travis – Carolyn Travis. Have we met?" she asked, certain that she would remember this large man standing before her.

"No, we've never met," Bobby shook his head.

"Bobby, who is it?" Charli came up behind her husband, stopping in her tracks at the sight of the woman standing before her. "What are you doing here?"

Carolyn appeared to be speechless for several moments while her gaze moved over the beautiful young woman who stood before her. Charli was barefoot, her long hair drawn back in a loose ponytail and there was no disguising her pregnancy. Tears filled the older woman's eyes as she said:

"You're even more beautiful than I imagined."

"You aren't welcome here," Charli's normally warm voice was cold.

"Charli," Bobby and Carolyn spoke in unison.

"I don't want her here," Charli looked up at Bobby. "Make her leave."

"Please, Charli, just let me talk to you," Carolyn began but Charli was already turning away. "Please."

"I'm sorry," Bobby moved to block Carolyn's entrance into the house. "Just – wait, please. Wait here." He closed the door and hurried after Charli. He found her in the kitchen, holding onto the edge of the counter. "Chuck – are you alright?"

"I can't believe she showed up here," Charli kept her back to him. "She has no right."

"She – she was looking for Jacob. I think she's just as shocked as you are right now," Bobby laid his hand on her back. "I think you should talk to her."

"Are you serious?!" Charli turned to look up at him, the pain in her green eyes tugging at his heart. "She can't possibly say anything worth hearing and I'm sure she would not want to hear what I have to say."

"Calm down, Chuck," his voice was gentle.

"Calm down? That – woman shows up here and wants to talk to me and I'm supposed to calm down?" as she spoke, Charli's voice rose and she moved away from Bobby. "Is she gone?"

"Not yet – no. I – I told her to wait."

"Well, you can just go tell her to leave."

"It can't hurt you to hear her out – and then if you want her gone, I'll make sure she leaves," Bobby replied, his brown eyes studying her face. "I don't care about her, Chuck – but if she leaves and you don't talk to her – you might regret it."

"No – I won't do it," Charli shook her head. Before she could walk away, Bobby took a gentle hold of her upper arm and turned her to face him.

"I've never known you to run from a problem."

"I didn't run from her – she ran from me and the others and never looked back!" Tears welled in her eyes, but Charli refused to let them fall.

"May – maybe she had a reason."

"Just like Harris had a reason for beating me?" Charli countered. She knew she was being irrational, but she didn't care. The sight of her mother at her front door was the one thing she never would have expected. The thought that her husband would defend the woman threw Charli for a loop.

"No, of course not," Bobby's own voice grew louder. "But – when my father walked out on us, I spent a lot of time – wondering what I had done. I blamed myself, my mother, Frank," he ran a hand over his short hair, sighing. "When he died, it was too late. I'll never know for sure what happened and I have to live with that. You – you have a chance for some closure – to know exactly why she left. If you don't talk to her – you'll never have your answers. You're the one who thought I needed to talk to Nicole – and you were right."

"I can't," she shook her head, looking up at him. "I – can't." The tears fell then and Bobby pulled her into his arms, engulfing her in a protective hug.

"Shh – it's OK," he whispered against the top of her head. "I'll be right here – I'll stay with you while you talk to her."

Charli rested the side of her face against his chest and allowed his words to sink in. He wasn't going to ask her mother to leave, he was going to insist that they talk. She found comfort in the feel of his arms around her, the warmth of him against her for several minutes before she moved away from him.

"I don't want to do this." It was a simple statement as she wiped her cheeks with shaky fingers.

"I know." Bobby replied softly, cupping her face between his hands to wipe her tears away with his thumbs. "But you need to. I love you, Chuck. I only want what's best for you."

"This isn't what's best for me," she told him sadly. "It would be best if she went back to wherever she came from and just left me alone."

"Trust me on this, please?" Bobby bent so that his gaze was level with hers and she saw the concern in his brown eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but instead a sharp gasp escaped at the pain that shot through her back. "What is it?"

"N – nothing, just my back. I've been having those spasms," she rubbed the small of her back where the pain had been. "It's gone now." Sighing, she offered her husband a sad smile. "I – You should probably let her in since you aren't going to shoot her for me," Charli hiccoughed through her tears and managed a soft chuckle.

"When you're through talking to her, if you still want me to shoot her, I will," Bobby replied with a teasing grin before dropping a kiss on her forehead. "I'll take them into the living room." He knew she needed time to compose herself before facing Carolyn.

Charli disappeared into the bathroom and studied her reflection in the mirror. Her face was puffy and red, her eyes bloodshot – she was a mess. Running the cold water, she splashed her face before dampening a washcloth to hold on her eyes for a few moments. The cloth fell in the sink, though, when another spasm gripped her back and moved around to the sides of her stomach. She gripped the counter and waited for it to pass.

Once the spasm subsided, she dried her face and took a deep breath, trying to calm her frayed nerves. She studied her reflection in the mirror, saying:

"Just get it over with – once she's gone you never have to see her again."

Charli walked slowly into the living room, aware of the silence that overcame the room at her entrance. Bobby rose from the sofa and came to her, while her mother and the man with her rose but remained where they were. Sliding his arm around her waist, Bobby said:

"Charli, this is Mitchell Travis – your mother – Carolyn's husband." He rephrased his introduction when he met Charli's gaze.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, young lady," Mitchell offered her his hand and a gentle smile. "Carolyn talks of you often."

"Mr. Travis," Charli stepped forward, accepting his hand. "Please, have a seat."

"Charli," Carolyn began but Charli raised her hand.

"I'm agreeing to this because of Bobby," Charli told the older woman. "If I had my way, I'd just as soon never see you again. If we're going to speak, I'd prefer it to be in private – I'm not sure you'd like your husband to hear what I have to say."

Bobby had never heard Charli speak in such a rigid manner. But he knew her well enough to know it was due to her attempts to protect herself from further hurt. Although they rarely discussed her mother, Bobby knew she was devastated by the abandonment. He turned to follow behind the two women but Charli laid a hand on his arm, shaking her head.

"If I need you, I'll call," she met his gaze and gave him a comforting smile. "I promise to behave myself."

"I'm here, Chuck."

"I know," she squeezed his arm. He kissed her softly, before she led her mother into the kitchen.

The women were only out of the room for a moment before Bobby heard the sound of something crashing in the kitchen and Carolyn Travis' voice calling:

"Charli! Please, Mitchell – help me!"

The two men hurried into the kitchen, Bobby in front of the older man. He was on his knees immediately, where Carolyn was cradling Charli's head in her lap. A chair lay on its side on the floor.

"Charli?" Bobby cupped her cheek in his hand and she winced in pain as another spasm shot along her back.

"Some – something's wrong, Bobby – the babies," she whispered, gripping his hand as the pain became unbearable.

"What should I do?" Carolyn looked from her daughter to the stranger who was her son-in-law.

"My – my truck is in the driveway – the keys are on the counter." Even as he spoke, he was lifting Charli into his arms. "Can you drive?" He looked to Mitchell.

"Yes – of course," the older man retrieved the keys. Bobby turned his attention to Carolyn as he got to his feet.

"Dr. Hawthorne is Charli's OB – her number's in my cell phone," he nodded to the charger where the phone sat. "You can call her on the way, tell her what's happening."

Carolyn grabbed the phone and followed behind them. Mitchell had the back door of the SUV opened and waiting. Carefully, Bobby maneuvered Charli onto the seat, climbing in beside her. She was clutching her stomach and her face was ashen. He pulled her close to him, laying his left hand over both of hers.

"I – I'm scared, Bobby. It's too soon." She whispered.

"It'll be OK, Charli," he pressed a kiss to her temple, praying to God he was right.

End Chapter 1

Chapter 2 - Posted on Page 4
Chapter 3 - Posted on Page 8
Chapter 4 - Posted on Page 11
Chapter 5 - Posted on Page 14
Chapter 6 - Posted on Page 20
Chapter 7 - Posted on Page 33
Chapter 8 - Posted on Page 49
Chapter 9 - Posted on Page 63
Chapter 10 - Posted on Page 67
Chapter 11 - Posted on Page 76
Chapter 12 - Posted on Page 82

Poor Charli and Bobby! Anyone who says you can't write SAD!Bobby and SAD!Charli should be shot (not that anyone ever said that).

I'm glad they made up!

Um... is chapter 2 up yet???

I forgot how far long is she? Very good, story, love the Nicole-Bobby confrontation.

Hey! I had no idea this was being posted yet! ::goes to read story::

The squel!!! YAY!!!!!!








so, ummm, where's chapter 2?

The babies! The babies! Nooooo!!! But I know you won't let anything happen to them, dear Judy. I was cracking up at the image of Bobby mowing the lawn!

Thanks, sis - and thanks, as always for the help and the title.



She's 6 weeks early at the moment. I'm really glad you're liking this, JRyan. I've sent you a PM - I need some medical advice and was hoping you could help me.



Sorry, cluck - I didn't know I was posting it today, either. I took the day off work and was on a roll. The fact that spook was able to beta and get it back to me so quick was a real plus.



Working on chapter 2 - but I have to go to work tomorrow I really need to figure out a way to make money without working my real job.



I loved the image of our big, bear of a man pushing a lawnmower, too. Of course, if he wanted to cut my grass, I wouldn't turn him down.

This is SOOO GOOD!!!!! (Of course, we knew it would be) Makes what I'm working on pale in comparison and now I'm hesitant to ever finish it and post it.....

Loved the Bobby - Nicole confrontation and really appreciated you having Eames click to his needs and support him. Just perfect.

6 weeks early isn't too bad with twins. Just hope it all turns out right. I do love how you have Charli's mom right there for all this. Gives me hope that they can make up, too. I like Mitchell already.

I, too, loved and giggled over the image of Bobby pushing a lawn mower. Still can't get over the thought of Bobby and Mike painting the kitchen......hee hee

Sad, sad, sad then some happy then sad again then shocked then crying. Those were my moods by the way while reading this. You have another masterpiece here. Chapter 2 where is it? Is it under the bed? ::looks under the bed:: Nope. Well I guess I can wait patiently.

what is this 'wait patiently' thing you talk about?

I always wait patiently. ::taps foot::

perhaps you should explain this whole 'patiently' thing. Cause I want chapter 2 NOW!

::sneaks over to the Sunset thread to work that story::

I would love to have chapter 2 now also but I don't want to rush her either. I also have enough stories (including my own) to keep me quite busy. I also have DVD's to keep me busy of CI and other stuff. Let's just say between stories, TV and work, my old mind slips and by the time I think about it again, the story has posted.

You have no idea how tortured I was the last half hour at work when I realized this was up and I didn't have time to read it until I got home! I could hear the story calling me, "Ciaddict, Ciaddict. C'mon, you know you want to!" It was terrible!

Then I rushed home and just as I got changed into shorts (it is MEGAHOT here right now) and got all settled, and even had it up on my computer screen--the pastor called. Now, I think I heard there's a special place in hell for people who ignore their pastor's calls. Of course I talked to him, but I kept looking at the computer longingly.

And finally I got to read it! And I cried all the way through it. Sad Charli and sad Bobby make me cry! And now I'm right back on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what will happen with the babies and with Charli and her mother. You're killing me, Judy, you're killing me!

Oh, have I mentioned that I LOVE it? And, "I'm here, Chuck"---::THUD::

ciaddict, come sit on the edge of this here couch in between Mikey and Lupo. Have some cheesecake, that'll make you feel better. I'll bet if you ask him really nicely, Cyrus will even feed it to you..... Oh, and I've made sure there is a giant magic Kleenex box on the coffee table in front of the couch......my name's not flashyMOM for nothing, ya know!

Yeah, a sequel. I really like it, Judy. Sometimes those talks with people aren't fun or pretty, but they are necessary. I hope Cheril's all right...

Thanks everyone. Wasn't sure if I was taking this in the right direction or not. Glad you're enjoying so far.

cifan70, ciaddict, flashymom - sorry for the tears. I guess after the weekend I had, Charli was sadder than I thought.

Do we need the NoRomo moving crew to get the magic fridge and ATM moved over? Can I put in a request for an ice cream bar? I love hot fudge sundaes when I'm reading and writing.

Don't move the furniture over from the original Haven thread, just bring in more furniture.....

That is where the NoRomo credit card and magic ATM come in very handy.

Lupo and Curtis are great at moving furniture.....they helped me yesterday....

::waves credit card::

Isn't it great that the NoRomo capt happens to be totally ADDICTED to this story and already ordered the new furniture.

::picks up phone and orders ice cream bar::

New couch will be here later today and the ice cream bar tomorrow. Anything else?

Oh please tell me it was hot and they had to take their shirts off. ::THUD::

Something I forgot to mention yesterday, Judy. I loved the part where Bobby told Nicole that she had fallen in love with Charli. That is SO Nicole. Charli's vulnerability and innate goodness would be very attractive to Nicole. And just by coincidence, the season 2 DVD that I've been watching at night when I go to bed happened to be on Anti-Thesis last night. So I got another dose of Nicole.

Nicole. What are we going to do with that poor child. Besides bury her under the jail for all the trouble she has caused.

You know, one day I'll start buying the LOCI seasons. One day when I have money again!

No, but they did sit on either side of me on the couch and feed me cheesecake and ice cream.....

::lays down on couch:: yesterday's headache is following me into today, along with sinus crap. I just want go home and sleep!!!!

ARRGGGHHH.... .:feverishly looking all over the place:. Is it over here? NO! How 'bout over there? NO! Where is it... Anyone see it? Where's the rest of it?!? I gotta know what happens next.

I really like how you're continuing Charli and Bobby's story. After the first story I was curious to see which direction you would go (it was just too good for you not to continue) . I'm as drawn into this one as the other. I'm a happy camper knowing there is more to come.

As long as I've got an ice cream bar, I'll be just fiiiiiiine.



I had watched Great Barrier when I was writing the Bobby/Nicole confrontation and somehow it just seemed to work. I'm glad you liked it. I was really nervous about even trying to follow-up on Haven.

And you know that Charli's mother showing up was not what I had originally planned, but I think it will work better than what we had discussed.



HEY - i just reread your previous post and saw what you said about being afraid to post your story. DON'T be afraid - I was terrified but you have all been so wonderful, I would encourage you to definitely put your story out there for us to read. If you need help, let me know.



Aw, TCIF, I'm sorry you're not up to your usual self. Maybe the Doc will wander through with a cool compress for your head and let you rest your head on his lap for a while.



Thanks, Kat. I was really hesitant about where I was going to take this - I hope I can keep you all interested and keep the story on track. Starting this follow-up was a bit more difficult than I had thought it would be.

Well, my Amy is certainly no Charli, that's for sure. It's interesting b/c the end to their story is not a perfect world-fairy tale. It is right now, but it will all change and then come back to haunt several characters later on. I need to do present day, but not sure how to write that with the way the current epis are taking things between Goren and Eames. I'm not sure how to write them anymore......the changes in Bobby are really challenging to how I need to write the present day stuff.......I'm also still stuck in the past part of the story and really don't want to spend too long on it, but have enough to carry into the present.....hope it makes sense. Basically, it's a story about how something that happened to Bobby 25 years ago now comes back to bite him in the butt.....

Well, that's a very intriguing description to say the least. I agree that writing current day Bobby is difficult. I think I might have an idea where you're going with your story and I like the possibilities (if I'm right, that is).

That's why I'm a bit relieved that my Bobby is slightly (if not more) out of the realm of current Bobby. Although he's suffered through everything up to date, he's got the chance to be truly happy unless something drastic happens.

Yes, writing current Bobby is so hard. Purgatory totally made me have to revise Fracture, but ultimately I was able to do it. Logan, among others, wanted to have more of a say, and well... I wasn't one to resist him. As for what happens to Carolyn/Bobby, you'll have to wait for that.

Anyway, BOT: when is more of your story coming, Judy?

I'm working on it, AmandaB - JRyan was a great help today with some information I needed with regards to what Charli might be going through and I'm working my way through what she provided so I have my facts accurate. (Thanks, JRyan!)

I haven't read Fracture - I may need to do that before I get back to chapter two of Shattered. I have Logan talking to me, also. He wants equal time and his own fic but I told him he needed to wait for a while yet. B) I am not one to resist Goren or Logan.

I should warn you before you read Fracture (wonderful story btw) that you have to read the previous 3 stories. It helps to have some background and know what is going on. They are only 5-6 chapters per story. Like I said though they are wonderful stories and very very addicting.

That's one of my biggest problems here. Once I start reading, I don't want to stop and then I don't get anything else done. I wish I'd been able to take the entire week off. I could have spent my days reading and writing - but the fear of what would be waiting for me at work was much too scary.

I can get addicted to certain stories very easily and then I spend all my time reading. I've lost track of some of the other topics here simply because I spend so much time browsing the fics and visiting with the people up here.

So - where's the next chapter of Safe from Evil?

So what's wrong with visiting with the people up here? You learn so much about people that way. I have, anyway. I never knew I could learn that much about certain people.

You could read a story a day or something like that. A story takes me about 30-45 minutes, if you have that kind of time each day but I read a little faster than most. For slower readers, probably an hour or more but I am guessing.

Are you addicted? We had a lot of reviewers wanting Charlie (not yours) sent to jail. Since I am responding at FF to the readers, I emailed her about it and that is where the opinion poll came in. It may be a little bit. Week maybe. I love the NoRomo response. Makes me smile.

There's nothing wrong with visiting the people up here. I love the time I spend with our friends. I've learned so much about certain folks (and they about me) that I'm amazed. I realized today how much easier it is to talk to my friends here and in e-mails. Certain people here know more about me than a lot of my rl friends.

I was torn about your Charlie, I think. I know if he goes to jail, he'll be really ticked off and want revenge but if Jackie lets him walk away, he'll take that as an encouragement and continue coming after her and Rachel.

Hey I know the feeling. I think Spook is getting to know me very well. Better than I know myself, I think. You know me quite well too, I think. I love when I know people that well and they know me too.

Co-Author asked my opinion too. She is torn too as am I. Either way he is gonna keep coming back and bothering them. I don't think it matters which way we go but I think the readers want to see him go to jail. That may be the way we go but I am not sure.

Between spook, you and ciaddict I think you ladies know enough about me to write a book. I don't talk about myself much in real life at all and very few people know some of the things I've revealed here. ciaddict learned more about me yesterday via PMs than I'm sure she wanted to ever know. But once we started talking, I couldn't stop.

And I was just telling Spook via PM (because she was talking abut you and her emailing back and forth) that I needed to email you or PM you and talk to you. It has been a while of course I have been killing myself at work too. I figure with you having Friday off and I think I get off on time Friday, I may actually get to have a regular good old conversation with you. Well we are here too but not the same to me.

Spook! Cifan! ::taps foot:: And just who told Judy about the book? I thought that was a secret!

Well, you learned quite a bit about me yesterday Judy! And its all good. I'm here to listen (or read anyway) anytime you want to talk. And one thing I didn't tell you about was my connection to VDO. I told about it once on the Six Degrees of VDO thread, so its not a big secret. But I can connect myself to VDO in...let's see...::counts on fingers::.....4 steps!

::leans back on couch:: Now that my headache is gone, the I've got cookies in the oven, I think I'll work on Sunset while I'm waiting on the next chapter.

No pressure.


Just me sitting here waiting.


And waiting.

And waiting.

And eating cheesecake.

And waiting.

Can I join you TCIF ?

Judy, I think you have great writing skills, especially the writing for the characters like Nicole and scenes where it feels like you are there. Unfortunately, I didn't get to read all of Haven For A Heart, but I think I got all the missing pieces of the puzzle. I think Charli and Bobby are good together (still a little uneasy about the age difference, but I'm getting there) and I never really liked the nickname Chuck, but I'm getting there also . I hope I have time to read more of your fic, and everyone else's.

It has been a while. I figured you were busy with work and Safe from Evil and I know you and spook have been talking up a storm, too. As it stands right now I should be off at least 1/2 day on Friday but I'm hoping for all day (depends on what I can get done tomorrow and Thursday).



Same goes for me, ciaddict. I'm here for you, too anytime.

As for that book - can you at least put in one really steamy love scene between me and Bobby? Pretty please?

I can connect with VDO, too and never realized it until someone else did it for me:

I met Tom Wopat (Dukes of Hazzard) - Tom Wopat worked with
John Schneider, who starred in Smallville with
John Glover (? do I have the name right?), who played Declan Gage on LOCI with VDO

Sorry for the duplicate post but my dialup is sooo slow - I've got half of chapter 2 done and sent it along to spook for betaing. It's a bit involved as I'm reading medical info that JRyan sent me to work into the chapter and I keep rereading to make sure I've got the details right. If I get time tomorrow, I'll try to get as much done as I can. I'll let spook warn you all if she thinks you'll need the tissues.



Hi Rabeka - thanks for taking the time to read. If you're interested in reading all of Haven, I can give you the pages of the thread that the chapters are posted on - of course, that's at work and I'm home right now.

I know Charli's a bit younger than Bobby in years but what she's gone through in her life makes her an 'old soul' (my grandmother used to use that phrase and it always stayed with me).

Once you start reading the fics in you'll get hooked. I've got about 4 I'm trying to keep up with right now and several more I need to catch up on.

Sure! The more the merrier!



Tissues??? Why would we need tissues? Cause we know you aren't going to hurt Charli, Bobby or the babies---right??

I'm not making any promises right now. ::calls to buy stock in Kleenex::

Suddenly, I very scared. Very scared.

Of course, to give Bobby children at his age, he almost has to hook up with someone quite a bit younger. I know women are waiting longer to start families, but I just can't imagine having a baby (especially a first baby) in my 40's. My grandmother was 40 when she had her 5th child (my dad). I had my last one at 35 and I can tell you there is a BIG difference between having one at 35 and having one at 24 (or 19). So, 16 years may be a big age difference, but we have to be aware of Charli's biological timeclock.



Three steps! That's closer than mine--and you actually met a star! Many years ago (around '89-'90) I worked for a nursing home in the Napa Valley and one of the big mucky-mucks for the corporation that owned the chain was Tom Hanks' mother. I met her several times when she came through to check up on us. We told her that we thought the patients would really enjoy meeting her son (yeah, the patients, that's who wanted to meet him!). I can't remember her name (you can see how close we were), and I believe I read that she left his father (and him and his brother) when he was a child, so they weren't close. But I'll take it any way I can get it.
1. Me to Tom Hanks' mother
2. Tom Hanks' mother to him
3. Tom Hanks was in Forrest Gump with Gary Sinise
4. Gary Sinise was in Imposter (and That Championship Season) with VDO

I believe that Flashymom has a connection too.

When my daughter thought that Orlando Bloom was hot (seems he's not anymore) I really impressed her by connecting her to Orlando.

Oh, and that love scene? I'm working on it Judy. But for some reason I keep seeing me with Bobby instead of you. I'll keep trying though!

That's awesome. I'd like to hear how ciaddict is connected to him, but I see that she already has when posted this. I saw Laura Ingram once, is there a way to connect from there ?



When I see how much Charli and Bobby have in common (parents that left, etc.), it doesn't seem like age plays a factor in their relationship. I'm currently trying to keep up with this one and cifan's Safe From Evil, and I have most of the chapters of Haven on notepad already. I don't have much time to read between school times, but when I do, I can't seem to let go of the computer what makes this so fun to read is that it feels like everyone is reading it with you, like a closeness. All of you are so kind and helpful to eachother ::sniff:: ::takes one of Judy's tissues:: My gosh, I hope the babies are okay. ::takes another tissue::







Ahh, very, very true. Thanks for the info!

I LOVE to do stuff like this.
1. Rabeka to Laura Ingram
2. Laura Ingram was a Set Production Assistant on Wild Things 2, which co-starred Isaiah Washington
3. Isaiah Washington was on the L&O episode Out of Control with Chris Noth
4. Chris Noth was in Stress Position, Grow, and ITWSH with VDO
Voila!