One Chapter tonight still ill so need rest but hopefully will post two tomorrow as i'm off uni all day! Enjoy ...

Let the games begin

Lauren stirred a few hours later, her head to say the least was pounding, rubbing her eyes she clutched her forehead, the weight of the world resting down heavy. Forcing herself to sit up she looked around the room, it was completely trashed, bottles everywhere, broken items mostly her own. Looking to her left her eyes met with Joey who was watching her engage what she had done. His face wasn't angry like she had expected, usually when she messed up she was faced with anger and disappointment until she messed up again it was a vicious circle. Instead his face was sad, his eyes swollen as if he had cried; Lauren had never seen him cry before. Looking down at her hands embarrassingly she sensed him move closer to her, until he was sat on the bed, his hands now resting with hers.

"Lauren" he practically whispered. His finger reaching out towards her face, titling her chin up so she was forced to meet his eyes.

"I'm sorry" she mumbled, ashamed of her antics, she never wanted Joey to see this side of her, she had done pretty well up until now, but once again she fell at the hurdle dragging herself down.

"Why are you sorry?" he gasped, brushing her sleepy hair from her face, tucking it softly behind her ear. "I ruined everything" her voice breaking at the last word, feeling those tears reaching her eyes again.

"You did nothing wrong baby, I'm sorry I shouldn't of left you alone" he pleaded trying to wash away the embarrassment she was feeling.

"I trashed the room and got drunk, I do have to be sorry" she exclaimed fiercely wiping the tears that trickled down her stained cheeks.

"Did it deliberately, you know I hate mess" he chuckled, trying to make her laugh, it seemed ages since she had done. "Shut up" she muttered slapping his chest, a small smile creeping onto her face.

Joey shifted closer to her, scooping her up into his strong arms bringing her into his lap, Lauren instantly feeling better as she snuggled into his chest. "I have some bad news" he mumbled into her hair, hearing her sigh, these days there was always bad news. "What now?" she muttered, looking up at him as he shifted a little reaching into his back pocket pulling out a letter. "Whats's this?" pointing to the paper in his hands, its appearance was worse for wear, screwed up and a few tears.

"Its from Derek" he sighed, his jaw clenching at the sound of his name, Lauren sat up immediately, snatching the letter and reading it, gasping she covered her hand with her mouth. "He's playing games with us?" sure it seemed Derek style but she never thought he would admit he was behind everything, he liked to stay in the shadows and play games like people were puppets.

"And his first game has something to do with Alice" Joey hissed, his sisters disappearance had everything to do with Derek, why he would kidnap his own daughter no one could answer all he knew was that he had to get Alice back sooner rather than later.

"What should we do?" she quizzed, she knew it was a huge question because even she didn't know how to answer it and Joey probably didn't either, neither had been involved in anything like this before.

"Well I rang Jack and he said sit tight" he sighed, rubbing her back comfortingly. Jacks answer didn't give much away, was he sorting it or at least trying. One thing Lauren knew was that if Derek wanted to play games he would and he would only communicate with those involved.

"I think we should find Alice" she stated, sitting upright in his lap taking Joey by surprise. "Babe we can't we don't even know where to start" reasoning with her before she went too far.

"Once Derek knows we'll play it will be easier to find her" she made it sound so simple, but with Derek there was always twists and turns and it wouldn't be easy it would be the hardest thing either would do.

On cue Joey's mobile rang, an unknown number appearing on the screen. Answering it he put it on loud speaker so Lauren could hear everything. "Hello?" Joey asked, knowing who would be the other end.

"Ah Joseph, I knew this day would come" Derek chuckled, Lauren false gagged the sound of his voice sending shivers down her spine, she could picture his smug face.

"Where is Alice?" Joey hissed, wanting to get straight to the point, he wanted his sister back and he wanted her back now.

"That would be telling" He chuckled, Joey fisting his hands "If you hurt her I will kill you" he replied, hearing Derek stop chuckling.

"Like I would hurt my own daughter she just needs a lesson in respect" he stated clearly.

"What do you want from me, money?" Joey pressed getting as much from the phone call as he could.

"Might be a start, kind of like a ransom" Derek replied smugly his plan going exactly how he wanted it to go.

"How do I get it to you?" Joey quizzed, his eyes flicking to Lauren who looked disgusted.

"Well you don't, instead I want you to do a job for me, pay me with favours" he chuckled, running his fingers through his overly greased hair.

"No chance" Joey shouted, like hell was he getting involved with Derek's dangerous deals. "Well Joseph, its either that or your pretty little girlfriend might go missing too" Derek hissed back, Joey's eyes darting to Lauren who had paled considerably.

"Fine I'm in" Joey hissed, hearing Derek slap his hands together, "Good boy, let the games begin" he stated before ending the call.

"Babe" Joey whispered getting up from the bed, walking over to Lauren who was staring out the window, her back to him. Placing his hands on her shoulders she shrugged free from his touch. "Don't" she bit back, not standing to face him. "What was I meant to do Lauren, he threatened you" he pleaded, sitting back on the bed, watching as she continued to stare from the window.

"He was bluffing Joey because he knew you would cave" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air finally turning to face him.

"How do we know that? He could of done it then I would be without you, I can't face that" he replied rubbing his head with his hands, this was all too much to take in.

"Well now he will get you in some dangerous deal and I risk losing you" she whispered her eyes welling up once more. All she seemed to do was cry and cry because was all she could do.

"It's the risk I'm willing to take if it keeps you safe"