'So We Back To This Again?'
A small Jouren one shot based on January 3rd spoilers :) enjoy. xx
Lauren looked out of her living room window as she watched Joey cross the square. She grabbed her phone and rang him. She saw him look at his phone, see the caller ID and rejected the call. Lauren sighed as she left a message.
"So we are back to this again? Just call me please, Joey. We need to talk"
Lauren closed her phone and walked away from the window to see her Dad who looked like he hadn't slept for a week.
"Everything okay between you two?" Max asked, looking at Lauren who was surprised on how well he had took to the idea of her and Joey.
"I don't know to be honest, Dad. He isn't talking to me. I don't think he is handling Derek's death right well" Lauren admitted, sighing and sitting down.
Lauren noticed her Dad go tense at this as he sat down on the chair opposite her. She looked at him in great detail.
"You would tell me if you knew anything wouldn't you?" Lauren asked, still looking at her Dad, trying to work this reaction.
"Of course, I would, Lauren, just give him time that's all" Max said, his head in his hands. Lauren knew he was hiding something and she also knew he wasn't going to tell her any time soon. She groaned, grabbed her purse and headed to the Vic.
Lauren was on her 3rd drink when Joey walked into the pub. He sighed loudly as he stood next to her.
"Some things never change do they?" He questioned, taking the glass from her hand. Lauren stared at him, narrowing her eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Lauren asked, crossing her arms and staring at him.
"I was looking for Alice" Joey replied, looking around. Lauren scoffed.
"And there was me hoping you were looking for me" Lauren said, under her breath, looking away. Joey groaned and grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the pub.
"Not here" Joey told her, taking her to the alleyway near the vic where Derek had nearly caught them about 6 weeks prior.
"I'm sorry I've been ignoring you. I've just been trying to deal with everything and be strong for Alice but I'm going to admit it, Lauren, I'm finding it hard" Joey said to her, once he had let her go.
"Why? You can tell me. I'm here" Lauren replied, trying to create some distance between them and leaned against the other wall but leaned across and lightly touched his arm in comfort before dropping her arm.
"I'm grieving. I actually feel upset that he has gone and I don't know why. I hated him so why do I feel like this?" Joey asked, placing his head in his hands, sighing.
Lauren was shocked at this, trying to make sense of it all when it dawned on her.
"You just wanted a Dad that's all" Lauren said, looking at him. Joey took his head at his hands and looked at her intensely.
"Yeah I did. I do. But I got Derek instead" Joey replied, sliding down the wall and couched down. Lauren met his level and took his hands, looking at him.
"But he was still your Dad, Joey. No matter what he did" Lauren told him. Joey nodded and he stood up again, his eyes not leaving hers as he raised an hand and tucked her hair behind her ear. Lauren leaned into it, taking her own hand and held his hand there. She then looked at Joey and like magnets they were drawn to each other and they were kissing. Lauren knew it was the wrong time. They were burying Derek tomorrow but she made no attempt to pull away as she felt the wall against her back and Joey's hands in her hair. They finally pulled away, catching their breath and Joey leaned his forehead against hers.
"I should get back" Lauren whispered.
"Yeah, you should" Joey replied. Lauren turned to leave where she saw Lucy at the end of the alleyway with her mouth slightly open. Lauren looked at Joey who didn't know where to place himself. Lucy ran off and Lauren ran after but found she couldn't find her.