Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned... {Libby}

[Charlie Pace]

He knew he didn't deserve her. He wondered why she cared. She was his friend, he knew...but why? Why did she care about him as much as she did? He felt his eyes close as Libby wrapped her arms around him, and when she pulled back, he opened his eyes to see her smirk. His own lips twisted up into a slight smile. "Yeah. My aunts and uncles used to come and take pictures of me in my Alter Boy uniform. Pinched my cheeks and everything." However, he knew that it had made his mother so proud, so happy...and for a while, it had made him happy, too.

"You know, I wanted to be a priest at one point in my life." Charlie told her as they entered the cafeteria. There was only one or two people sitting in there. "Yeah, I did. Don't laugh. But then, um...when I was sixteen I sorta realised that I couldn't do it." he moved, scratching an itch on his cheek. "I lost my virginity in a confessional to a 20 year old nun-in-training who was two days away from getting her habit. I think that was one of the best days of my life. She actually became a nun, too, surprisingly." Charlie smirked slightly at the memory. "If anything, I'm going to hell for THAT. Sod all the drugs and sex and the lot, I'll stand before God and the angels above and he'll say 'Charles Pace, you'll spend the rest of eternity in the pits of Hell because you got shagged in a Confessional Booth.' "

[Libby]

Libby laughed at the image of a little Charlie in his little uniform, all wide eyes and getting his pink little cheeks pinched by cooing aunts and uncles. The image warmed her heart. Even if his life was screwed up now, it was good to know that he had happy memories of a sweet childhood and loving family. Sometimes, no matter how painful it can be, it’s those memories that can help turn things around.

Taking Charlie’s hand again, they made their way into the cafeteria and approached the counter. A priest? Him? She couldn’t quite see it. It wasn’t just the rock scene or the drug habit, but his very personality... as evidenced by the story he proceeded to tell. By the time they reached the cash register to pay out, Libby was laughing so hard tears were streaming down her face.

“Oh God, Charlie,” she practically choked. “Does every milestone in your life have such an entertaining story to accompany it?”