Chapter Nine.

Joey sat beside Lauren's bed once more. He'd left the room shortly after they'd agreed what they were going to do, needing to get away from the tension in the room for a short time. His eyes were locked on Lauren's face, wishing she would open her eyes and look at him… It was a wish she didn't answer. He reached forward, trying not to notice how his hand was shaking. He pushed some hair behind her ear and the memory of the conversation they'd had in the pub, after he'd ended their relationship came back to him. He remembered how she'd mentioned about him tucking her hair behind her ear. It wasn't something he'd ever really realised he did before but now he knew it was a habit for him… He apparently got as much out of it as she did… and as far as he could remember she was the only girl he'd done it to. There might have been one girl when he was much younger… but with Lauren, it was definitely different… it meant something.

"Hey babe…" he said softly, "It seems we've got another fight ahead of us." He whispered. "The doctors want to take your leg… but I refuse to let them… I can't let them do it. I know you can get through this… you're strong enough… You're a Branning… We're as strong as they come…" he said. He smiled slightly, "You're Lauren fucking Branning… and you can do anything… I know you can. And don't for a second think I won't be there for you… every second, babe… You're not getting rid of me again…"

A/N: So pretty short and sweet… but I thought we should hear just what Joey was thinking. Send me a review and let me know what you think. Back tomorrow…