I can't thank you enough for the reviews on the last chapter, they're really helping me through lately. I was in a slightly happier mood since Bruno tweeted for the first time since Mama Mars' death; I had such a stupid smile on my face reading it. Stay strong Bruno! 3.

Sorry for not updating ANY of my stories, but believe it or not but I've been reading this 112 paged fan fiction for Bruno on tumblr at the moment and I've been kinda absorbed in it for the last few days... hehe;).

Anyway, worries and sad times aside, here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

The Depths Of Nothing

Joey & Lauren

The next morning, I woke up a little earlier than usual and propped myself up in alarm, before taking in my surroundings and realizing where I was. I sighed as the events of last night hit me hard, although I was pretty chuffed I didn't have the usual hangover. It was then I realized Joey's arms were swept lazily around my waist, keeping me tight in his possessive grip. I lay back down, snuggling into Joey's chest, smiling as I watched his chest rise and fall in a perfect rhythm; he looked so perfect, like absolutely nothing was wrong.

A few peaceful minutes later, he turned slightly underneath me, his arms curling me tighter into him before he stuffed his face in my hair, giving me a better chance to take in his scent. I took a few moments to appreciate the position we were in, us lapsing into a long, comfortable silence, before I finally got up properly, poking Joey's chest playfully. "Time to get up, sunshine!" I giggled, hearing him groan quietly before opening his eyes to look at me, his lips turning to a lopsided smirk. "Hey," I whispered, pressing a kiss to his dry lips, his hazel eyes melting into mine.

"Hey, yourself," he murmured gently, his fingers tapping gently up and down my waist, sending shivers all the way up my spine. "Is this okay?" he questioned out of the blue, me furrowing my eyebrows slightly before raising them, not having a clue what he meant. He obviously figured this as he replied. "You being here..."

I smiled at his concern, cupping his head with my hand and running my thumb over his slightly stubble-covered cheek. "Shouldn't it be me asking that?" I asked slowly, him shrugging and looking back up at me. "I love it. I love you. Thank you." I answered, his grin making my heartbeat dance; fucking adorable dimples, WHY?

"It's fine. I love you being here," he replied, me tracing my fingers over his defined chest. "Guess we better get ready then, eh?" he sighed, getting up and leaving me to shower. I groaned, getting up myself as I remembered I didn't have any of my own clothes. I threw on one of his shirts and my jeans, brushing my hair and curiously making my way downstairs, a little caught off guard as I saw Alice cradling a cup of warm coffee as she looked at me, sat at the kitchen table.

"Lauren?" she questioned, clearly surprised at my sudden appearance as much as I was at hers. She nodded at the chair next to her, as I sat down and studied her, trying to work out her general expression. "I didn't expect to see you." she acknowledged, giving me one of her small, warm smiles that seemed to comfort me.

I folded my arms over my chest, leaning them on the table. "Yeah," I sighed; what else was there to say?

She raised her eyebrows at me, before smiling again. "You're looking a little better, I must say," she told me carefully, me nodding slowly, managing to crack a smile back. "Are you and Joey okay?" she asked me, clearly wondering what the hell was going on at the moment. And to be honest, I didn't even know myself at this stage.

"Yeah," I replied quietly again, my mouth struggling to form any other word. I sighed, figuring I needed to tell her anything. Knowing her, she'd find out eventually, with her 'innocent-or-not-so-innocent-as-you-may-think' ways. I smirked at the thought, Alice getting all hyped up and feisty, before recomposing myself and saying, "He's going to help me." I reassured her; it was nice to see she cared for me and her brother.

Walking arm in arm with Joey, who I wasn't sure I was yet to call my 'boyfriend' again, it felt like the best feeling in the world; just like old times. Nobody stopping us, nobody getting in our way, but we both knew it wasn't our relationship we needed to continuously fight for - it was stopping my drinking.

Of course, we both knew I wasn't just going to stop. I'd probably have been able to manage it for a couple weeks, but then another Branning springs another Branning lie on me, and I tumble back down the hill of drowning my worries in vodka. I just wished I could make it all go away; change everything. The only thing I'd keep the same was me and Joey.

To be honest, as horrid to myself as it sounds, I think it was great in a way that he'd broken up at me. I needed to realize I actually needed professional help, not just let my emotions out on the boy I loved - that wasn't his job. His job was to love and care for me, and really, that's what he did. I was actually freakishly thankful to him; it was weird.

Although my Mum did now understand that I need help, at least I think she did, she still didn't understand why I had moved back in with Joey, when he'd broken my heart enough times. Why didn't she see that I needed to be around someone who will never judge me? She'd continuously tried to call or text me, or at least get in some form of contact from me; she'd been banging on the door and shouting at the top of her voice last night until it got dark, in a desperate attempt to change my mind. I wasn't going to though. I needed his help. Not hers. His.

As we made our way forwards, nearing further towards the cafe, he stopped me, positioning a hand on my waist and pulling me so I was facing him. "Babe? Are you sure this is what you want?" he questioned me hesitantly, me shaking my head at his undeniable concern for me and linking my arm through his again.

I looked up at him whilst I spoke, hoping to put as much honesty and belief into my words as possible. It was extremely adorable hat he worried and I was certain that he still thought it was his fault I was in the state I was in yesterday. Although, it was far from it. "Of course it is, Joey. We need to face her someday, don't we, eh?" I told him, my lips curling into a small smile, his doing the same, clearly satisfied with my answer as we made our way inside.

We walked over to a small booth in the corner by the window, a wash of relief coming over both of us as we saw it was Marie who was serving. Being honest, I was a little disappointed with this, since it was about time I actually gave that Lucy Beale a piece of a Branning's mind...

A little later on, Joey had gone to work, leaving me alone in No.23 with Alice babysitting Scarlett for the rest of the afternoon.I hadn't seen Kat or Michael for a while, so I didn't really know where they were. I'd left a lot of my drawing equipment at home, so I didn't have much to do. It wasn't that I didn't like being on my own, it gave me some space and time to think, it's just that with everybody gone and nobody looking over my back, with Lucy Beale still lurking around, who knows when I would suddenly flip out for no reason?

Without warning, I suddenly sprang out of my seat to the kitchen, finding myself tearing open doors of the fridge and cupboards, finding a vodka bottle I'd managed to sneak in when I'd lived here before. I unscrewed the cap, hesitating slightly before I brought the liquid to my lips, the sensation burning as if it was poison in my throat. I took a few gulps, before placing it back down and wincing slightly at the taste. Why was I doing this?

Why would Joey even want to help me? All I'd done is give him even more dramas than he already had and made his life a living hell. Why would Alice or Joey even want me in their home? I'd end up being thrown out anyway by the looks of it. Then again, why am I even in their home? How would this help?

I shook my head, taking another sip of my drink, my eyes widening as I saw I'd nearly already drunk the whole bottle; it didn't really surprise me though. My head started to pound, I put it in my hands and closed my eyes, slowly falling asleep...

"Lauren? Lauren... LAUREN!"

A voice broke me from my sleeping trance, my shoulder being shook furiously as I opened my eyes, immediately regretting everything I'd done in the last few hours as I stared at the empty bottles infront of me. My eyes pricked with tears, afraid to look up at the person stood before me. "Lauren,"

The voice said again delicately, me relaxing a little but not too much as I realized who it was. "Alice..." I managed to whisper, her smiling sympathetically at me, before taking me into her arms and hugging me gently, releasing me minute later.

"I know you didn't mean it..." she started, me nodding immediately as soon as those words left her mouth. "But I can't let you hurt my brother again..." she murmured, me furrowing my eyebrows, my gaze turning into a glare as she realized what she was saying. Hurt him again? He hurt me. "I know you know you need help, you do... and this isn't going to help." she continued, taking the bottles from my hands and making quick disposal of them.

I rolled my orbs at her, ignoring the tears blurring my vision. "You don't understand what it's like." I muttered simply, watching her shrug her shoulders and sit down next to me. "No, Alice, listen to me. You don't. You don't know at all. How long have you known this family? Like, a year? You don't know of everything that's happened. I'm sorry this family can't be as perfect as your old little life back in who knows where with your mother."

"You're right, I don't understand what it's like. I didn't say I did," she said quietly, her ways of being so innocent only sparking more anger up inside me. "But I certainly understand that when you're trying to stop drinking, you don't suddenly drink more. Where did you find this? Did you buy some? I thought you were broke?" she questioned curiously, me rolling my eyes again at her. Why did she have to be like this? "Why do you want to drink so much, Lauren? Is Joey really making you that unhappy?"

Now that question really snapped my heart in two. Of course it wasn't because of Joey, he was the only one helping me through this. I didn't even understand why I drank myself...

"No," I sighed, fiddling with the bracelet from Joey which hung loosely around my wrist. "I just... I just found it." I told her, taking a hard swallow; by the look in her eyes I'd say she didn't believe me? What a surprise.

"Where? We don't have secret stashes of vodka in this house, Lauren. Where did you find this? Is this what you're going to do? Take advantage of us letting you stay here?" she questioned again. Why did she have to ask so many questions? I just didn't get it.

I shook my head, closing my eyes, trying to shut myself out from the world for a few moment to collect myself together. "I fou-"

"Whatever, Lauren. If Joey still wants you here after what I've told him, that's fine by me. Just don't ask me to pick up the pieces." she snapped suddenly, sliding out from her chair and bolting back upstairs.

I put my head in my hands again, tears tumbling down my cheeks as an unintelligible sound escaped my lips.

I needed Joey.

Now.

A/N: R&R. I hope you enjoyed it, sorry it ended on sadness;(.

1/2 for more chapters to come, not sure how long I'll carry this on for.

-Charlotte x