A/N: i know i have my other story to update, but after last nights episode i wanted to write this! Joey broke my heart! What the hell is he playing at?! :'( :'( silly boy! This is kind of following that story line, from Lauren's release :-)

Pleaaaaase, review and favourite and make me smile ;D Let me know if you want me to carry on, if this is any good!

Love yaaaaaaaa xxxxx

"So that's it?" I asked, my eyes lighting up, "I… I can go?" I lifted my eyes up to look at my doctor, standing in hope.

"That's it Lauren, you're out of here. I'm so proud of you," He told me, hugging me gently as I squealed, not actually believing that I was free to go. I'd spent 3 months in rehab and I'd done it, I'd spent that long sober and that long conscious. It was safe to say I was proud of myself, proud that I'd actually achieved something in my life and I so wanted my Mum and Dad to be proud themselves. My doctor, Jamie had had a big impact on my life since being admitted to the unit and it was true to say I wouldn't of done it without him, I couldn't. But today I was being discharged, exactly 3 months, a week and 6 days since I'd left Walford, I was heading back.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I beamed up at Jamie, clapping my hands excitedly. "I can't actually believe it,"

"Well you need to, home time I guess?" He told me, walking with me towards the reception where my parents would be waiting, Dad having come up to visit Mum and Oscar with Abi, knowing I was being released. They all knew this would be the true test, whether I could cope without alcohol beyond the hospital walls but I was determined to stay clean, I was focused. Whilst I'd been in hospital I couldn't deny that I hadn't thought of him. Him being Joey, I mean it was virtually impossible not to. To begin with, Lucy and him rang me most days but due to me being in the acute ward, I was rarely allowed phone calls so didn't speak to them. I wasn't even sure whether I'd of answered anyway. I knew I needed to speak to him, to clear the air and sort all of our unfinished shit out, but I was terrified. I knew everything Lucy told me about them being together was a lie, Abi had told me Joey insisted that I knew that when she visited, which filled me with some hope or calm. But going back and seeing him, I didn't know what to expect; I didn't even know if he was still there.

I sighed deeply as Jamie and I went down in the lift, closer to my freedom. "Is it weird that I think I'm going to miss it here?"

"No, completely natural, you won't miss it as such, you'll just take a while to adapt," He reassured me as the lift came to a standstill. "You ready for this?"

"More than anything," I told him with a smile, reaching and squeezing his hand softly. Jamie had become more of a friend than a doctor, counsellor prison guard; whatever you wanted to call him. The doors opened and I glanced up to see my immediate family gathered in reception. I locked eyes with my Mum and tears sprung as I practically ran towards her and wrapped my arms around her tightly. I felt her beginning to cry on my shoulder and pulled away, laughing at the state we were both getting into. "Hey Mommy,"

"Hello darling," she greeted, a smile reaching both of her ears. I smiled back at her before glancing down to Abi and hugging her tightly.

"It's so good to see you Lauren," she whispered, gripping me tighter.

"Can't…breathe Abs!" I chuckled as she let go of me quickly, flashing an apologetic smile.

"Lozzy!" I heard a little voice say from behind Mum and Oscar appeared.

"Hey baby!" I picked him up and cuddled him tightly. Out of everyone, even my Mum, I'd honestly missed Oscar the most. We used to be so close, I'd look after him most of the time when Mum was ill, giving her the much needed rest. "Wow haven't you gotten big!" He also hadn't been allowed to visit, hospital policy or something, him only being 7.

"Missed you" he whispered, as his fingers tangled in my hair whilst he balanced on my hip.

"Missed you too munchkin," I told him, kissing his forehead gently.

"Ew," he whined, causing my Mum and me to chuckle at him.

"Oscar, let your big sister give you a kiss," I heard a deep voice from behind me, causing me to spin around and my face to light up even more.

"Daddy," I whispered, seeing tears in his eyes. I placed Oscar down on the floor and ruffled his hair before Dad reached me and picked me up and spun me around, his arms locking around my waist. I buried my head in his shoulder and hid my sobs, as I felt a few tears of his drift and land on my shoulder.

"Hey baby-girl," he whispered, kissing my forehead much like I'd done with Oscar. "Fancy seeing you here," I chuckled as we pulled away and he wiped his eyes quickly.

"Haven't seen you cry for a very long time," I told him, giggling to myself.

"Cried a lot these past few months, don't know what's been happening to me, need to keep my reputation up," he teased, poking my side. His words reminded me of something Joey once said to me, about keeping his 'bad boy' reputation up after admitting he loved me for the first time. My face must have dropped slightly as I reminisced, causing my Dad to furrow his brow. "You okay?"

I nodded and smiled, shaking my head of any Joey related thoughts at the moment. "Just feels weird to be able to go home," I smiled as he pulled me in for another hug, "Good weird," I mumbled against his chest.

"Well looks like you are all ready to go Lauren," I turned around to see Jamie returning with some paperwork for me to sign, discharging myself. I was never held against my own will, I was there because the moment I saw my Dad break down, the night Mum planned to leave, I knew how badly I was effecting my family and that I needed to sort it all out, not anyone else, me. By the time I was admitted, I was more determined to stay and complete my treatment than ever.

"Thank you so much," I told Jamie as I handed him back the signed documents, pulling him in for a quick hug to say goodbye. "Couldn't of done it without you,"

"Don't mention it, proud of you Lo," he whispered as we pulled apart. I tensed as he called me Lo, another of Joey's traits not to be missed. Jamie had only begun calling it me over the past couple of weeks, as I got better we got closer friends. It didn't bother me as such, it just forced me to remember Joe. "Now go on, get out of my sight Branning,"

"Pfft, anyone would think you were kicking me out," I joked back as my parents began to pick up my bags and transport them to the car.

"Damn right I am," he laughed back, causing me to chuckle. "Bye Lauren,"

"Cya, Jay" I smiled at him and turned to leave following my sister.

"Laur?" He called at me, causing me to turn back around.

"Mhm?"

"Don't be a stranger," he waved his mobile at me knowingly, smiling as I rolled my eyes and waved slightly before turning and leaving the place for good. As I stepped out of the clinic, I relaxed a great deal, noticing Abi slip her hand into mine as we walked to the car. I turned to glance at her and squeezed her hand gently.

"We'll be fine Abs," I whispered, smiling at her.

"I know Lo," She smiled back at me as we climbed into the car and made our way back to Walford. Apparently, Mum and Oscar had moved back around 3 weeks ago, preparing everything for me. As we neared the square I could hear my heart beating, saying I was terrified was an understatement. It wasn't just the thought of seeing people again, excusing Joey because that I was dreading, it was the whole atmosphere and the memories it held. I wasn't sure if I was strong enough to be thrown straight back into the deep end, not remembering how to swim. We pulled up outside number 5, the house I'd spent the majority of my life in looked no different, just looking at it made me feel apprehensive.

"You ready baby girl?" I heard my Dad whisper from the front of the car, snapping me from my thoughts. I looked up to meet his eyes in the mirror and realised Abi, Oscar and Mum had already gotten out of the car. I nodded and forced a brave smile before climbing out of the car myself and making my way up the stairs to our porch, not wanting to look around, unsure of what or rather who I'd see. My family made their way into the house first, as I took a glance behind me overlooking the square. I exhaled deeply as it looked no different, nothing but familiarity. I began to turn away when I locked eyes with an acquainted face. I did nothing but smile, only small, but I managed it… before turning and shutting the door behind me, safe in the confines of my home.

First thoughts? Try and write more tonight, update tomorrow maybe? Although i'm due to update Holiday tomorrow!xxxx