Disclaimer: I do not own JA or any of the characters, this story is not profit making.

Chapter 1: Don't Leave-Part 1

Swirling images wrapped around her as she moved through the darkness. She tried in vain to recognise what they were but failed, suddenly she felt as though she was falling and twisting and turning before landing face down. She felt a sharp pain, which jolted her awake into a sitting position. She felt a tightness in her chest andthe queasy feeling that she had been having forthelastcouple of weeks.Her breathing slowed as sheremembered what had happened. Yesterday she had left Stu, left him at the last moment, when the feelings that had been bothering her surfaced and she saw Stu for who he really was.... a bully.

Lauren wondered into her room, but Amy who was lost in deep thought didn't notice her, or that she had been askeda question.... "FINE, DON'T LISTEN TO ME!" Lauren stormed out and slammed her door. Amy looked up from her lap, and made a feeble attempt to call after her, but fell back onto the bed in defeat. She lay cursing at the ceiling, taking out all the anger and frustration that she felt.

Maxine walked into her room, and smiled at Amy, "What has the ceiling ever done to you?" Amy glanced at her mother and swore.

"It's not fair ma, why is it I can't find somebody who knows what I want, and knows how to compromise, where it actually is a compromise, not us doing what he wants or what I want?" She sighed as a silent tear rolled down her cheek. Maxine's heart went out to her, and she wanted to rush over and make things better, but she knew Amy wouldn't accept it and would push her away just like on always. Maxine looked around Amy's room, and then remembered why she had entered her room in the first place.

"Amy dear, you can't stay in here forever wallowing in...."

"Ma, leave it out will you!" Amy said with clenched teeth.

"Amy, listen to me...."

"No ma, you listen to me, I don't need a lecture right now! I know.... I don't know what I know.... just get out will you?!"

"Amy Madison Gray, do not speak to me like that, now I will leave out a lecture, but you have a daughter who still needs you.... you can't ignore her...." Maxine sighed not sure how to carry on, "Amy, I...."

"Leave it ma, Lauren understands!"

"So much so, that she is now in her room crying?" Amy looked up at this and started to get up from her bed. "Now go talk to your daughter before she thinks that you have abandoned her too!" Maxine regretted saying it even before the words were out of her mouth.

"That was uncalled for ma!" Amy muttered as she passed her mother and walked down the hall to Laurens room. "Noodle...can I come in?"

"Do what you want, you will anyway!" Amy opened Laurens door, and stepped in. Lauren was face down in her pillow, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. Amy wondered over to the bed and sat down with a hand on Laurens shoulder.

"Noodle.... I'm sorry.... I...." Lauren looked up at her mother. "I'm sorry noodle, really I am."

"Why did you leave Stu? Did he do something wrong? I mean.... I was just getting used to him...." Amy glanced out the window, before returning her gaze to Lauren.

"Stu did.... nothing.... wrong.... I just realised that he was not the man for me, that he was not going to make me happy. Do you understand?" Lauren nodded.

"Why did you wait until the church? Why didn't youleave him earlier?" Amy sighed and looked away.

"I don't know, I.... I just.... I really.... I didn't know what the feelings I had meant, until the last minute. I regret that it got as far as it did but.... it's over now." She played with Laurens hair.

"Mom, you'll always love me and stay with me.... you won't ever leave me will you?" Amy pulled Lauren into her lap

"Of course not noodle, I will always be here for you!"

Amy closed her eyes as she remembered how Lauren had first reacted to her dating Stu, she had hated him and hated her for dating him, even when she got used to the idea she still had reservations about them getting married. Laurens first instinct had been right. Dating him was ok, but marrying him was not. She let out a sigh as she remembered how much in love she had been or thought she had been with him. How he had made her laugh even when she was angry with him. She shook her head violently in an attempt to rid herself of those memories, and a face popped into her head. She didn't notice it, but a small smile crept to life on her lips.

David smiled as he got in his car, hearing about Amy leaving Stu at the alter had left him with a lot of energy. He had found it hard to sleep and had been waiting all morning for a call that would require him to drive to where she lived, letting him set eyes on her again. He found it hard to drive; he was so tensed with anticipation of seeing her face again. When he finally did reach her house, he had to sit in the car to centre himself, he felt like a school kid with a crush. He almost ran up the path to the door, where he held his breath hoping that it would be she who answered.