(A/N: thank you for all your lovely reviews! Please tell me what you hope to see and I'll see what I can do for you! I promise I will update sooner. God Bless!)

Chapter Three

"Did you like your birthday present?" Wonka asked cautiously the next day while he and Charlie were eating breakfast.
"Yeah!" Charlie beamed happily, his eyes twinkling, cause Wonka's heart to lift. He felt so stupid, up all night worrying. It was still the same Charlie as before, with his lovable, happy nature.

Wonka smiled in return, sipping at his juice. "Good."
"And the best thing about it is that I'm meeting Dawson this evening."

Willy began to choke and splutter on his juice, making Charlie jump.

"Dawson?" The chocolateir squeaked, trying to subdue a twitch. "Whose Dawson?"

Charlie handed Wonka a napkin, then laughed. "The lead singer in the band last night. He invited me out for a drink."

"Out? You mean as in outside the factory?" Wonka blinked. "Like…out? Out?"

"What other kind of out, silly?" grinned Charlie, standing up from the table. "I've got to search my wardrobe for some decent clothes." And with that Charlie left the dining room.

Willy sat alone for a long time. Oompa Loompas came and cleared away the plates, but Willy stayed, staring at the table. "I like your clothes…" he finally whispered. With a sigh, he departed for the taffy making room. Maybe a bit of sweet making will cure his mood. After finishing off a few sticks of taffy, Wonka's disposition had not changed. "This is silly," he laughed nervously, talking to no one in particular. "He's still my Charlie, no one's going to take him away." He caught the image of his reflection in a shiny machine and looked sternly at himself. "You just wait Willy. Tomorrow you'll be back to making liquorice laces and exploding bubblegum with Charlie."

That evening Wonka paced nervously at the factory door, wanting to say good bye to Charlie before he left to meet this other boy. Maybe one last twinkle of Wonka's violet eyes would remind Charlie who really cared for him. Wonka stopped. Cared? Did Wonka care that deeply for Charlie Bucket? "Madness," Wonka muttered to himself, getting back into his stride. Just then Charlie appeared in the hall, dressed in jeans and a black shirt. Wonka turned with a smile, which quickly faded. "You're really going out in that?"

Charlie, who had also been smiling, pouted. "I thought I looked alright. It was nearly impossible to find anything normal in my cupboard, I'll tell you that. Plus, weren't you the one who said that I "don't get out enough.""
"Oh yes," Wonka gave a little laugh. "I did say that…didn't I."

Wonka grabbed the emerald coat from the hanger and offered it to Charlie. "It's mighty cold out there tonight."

Charlie dismissed him with a wave. "It's all good, I've got a jumper." He said, pulling on a black hoodie that was tied about his waist. "So, I'll see you later then."

Wonka quickly chased after Charlie, as he walked out the door. "What time will you be back?" He called, trying to force a non-caring smile.

Charlie shrugged. "Dunno, but don't worry about staying up for me."

"Have you got some money to buy snacks and beverages?"
Charlie simply nodded in return and began walking across the factory grounds again, towards the large gates.

Wonka bit his bottom lip, hating to see Charlie go. Then he mindlessly hollered; "Want me to come with you?"

"No!" Charlie called in return and then slipped out through the gates and into the town.

Willy stared after him. "Bye then," he said in a hollow voice and dejectedly turned back into the empty factory.

Charlie knew Wonka was only trying to look out for him, but he wanted to do this on his own. It was he first time out on his own since he came to the factory. For the past few years he'd been inside the factory with Willy, only going out on rare occasions, and for all those occasions, Willy had been with him. Not tonight. Tonight Charlie Bucket was going to show so independence. After a few minutes of walking he came to the place he had arranged to meet Dawson. Before entering, he swallowed a few times and calmed himself down. Then, as casually as he could, he entered.

It was a normal looking bar that was being pumped with loud music and even louder conversation. As he squeezed his way through the crowds he could hear them talking about him, asking between themselves if it was really "Wonka's heir."

Dawson was no where in sight, so Charlie sat at the bar and waited, feeling very out of place.

"Can I get you a drink, sweetie?" the bar maid asked.
Charlie blinked and stuttered, "Yeah, an apple juice?"

This caused the bar maid to giggle. "Well, aren't you adorable?" She chimed, making Charlie blush as she bustled off to get his drink. An hour passed, the crowds died down and Dawson still hadn't shown.

After his fourth apple juice, Charlie was ready to go back to the factory, feeling let down when the bright, blue eyed band member appeared at the door, looking around eagerly. Charlie bit his bottom lip, suddenly nervous and lost as to what they could talk about. Then Dawson spotted the young Chocolateir and made his way over.

"Hey, Charlie." He smiled. "I'm so sorry man. The band got caught up in a traffic jam on the way back into town. So I got out an ran here."

"You didn't have to do that," Charlie shrugged, trying to act casual.

"Here, let me buy you another drink." Dawson said, "Mary, can I get another one of these?" He asked, indicating to the empty juice glass. "And I'll get a vodka and lemon."
Mary quickly got the order served up. "One vodka and lemon and one apple juice. £3.40, love."

Paying, Dawson then picked up his drink. "Apple Juice?" Charlie bowed his head, blushing. "Very cute. Come on, lets go over here. It's far more private."

Picking up his drink, Charlie obediently followed Dawson over to a table in the corner with a padded seat all the way around one side. When he sat down, Dawson moved quite close next to him, making Charlie nervously cling to his glass.

"You look a bit uptight…" The taller boy commented, sipping his drink.

"Sorry," Charlie muttered, "I'm no used to being outside without Willy."

The lead singer smiled warmly. "Don't worry about it. Do you really not get out that much, then?"

Charlie shook his head. "Don't get me wrong, I love living with Mr Wonka, but I suppose I just need a bit of freedom."

"Totally understandable."

They sat in silence for moment, each drinking then Dawson spoke. "Must be great though,"

"Hmm?"

"You know, all that free chocolate?" He grinned cheekily, making Charlie chuckle.

"That is true, but with how big the factory is, I burn it all off very quickly."

"I was going to comment," Dawson began. "On how you're in damn good shape for a chocolateir, but hey, I didn't want to sound gay or anything."

Charlie quickly went back to drinking his juice, to ignore the subject of conversation. The boys went on chatting through the evening, and although Charlie was afraid they would have nothing in common, he actually found they had loads. They even seemed to share the same opinions on music, politics, life, everything!

"I've never really seen a movie," Charlie said honestly, when the subject of movies was brought up.

"What?" Dawson looked horrified. "Charlie, that's it, you're coming round my house and I'll give you a whole showcase of the latest and classic films."

Charlie's heart skipped a beat, Dawson wanted to meet him again. And here Charlie was thinking this was a once off thing, but it seemed he had made a new friend. He couldn't wait to tell Willy!

Dawson walked Charlie home around one am, both of them laughing the whole way. "Well," Charlie sighed happily, looking up at the vast golden gates. "This is my stop."

"I really had a great time," Dawson said coolly.

"Yeah," Charlie smile din return. "Me too."

Then the taller boy put a hand on Charlie's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll give you a call and we can arrange to meet up again."

Charlie could feel the blush creeping over his pale cheeks and he swallowed giving a nod.

"Cool," Dawson winked at him with his tropical blue eyes. "See you around, Charlie." Then he was gone. Grinning like an idiot, Charlie retreated back into the factory and silently went into his room.

Next door, Wonka turned and turned off his bedside lamp, content that Charlie was home, and went to sleep himself.