(A/N: Hey guys, i know its been a while. And im really sorry about that but i had a lot of writers block. But im back now, and i have a few more ideas to explore so keep reading and share your thoughts with me :)

Disclaimer: If i owned the rights to the CHERUB books, don't you think there'd be a movie by now?)

The committee had called a meeting and Zara had to bring Erin into London to give a 'statement', per say. She wasn't looking forward to dragging the poor girl through more stress at the moment, so she was allowing her to bring Lauren along. After all, Lauren was the one she'd confessed too. That had to mean something, didn't it? And they'd stop by the hospital on the way back so that James knew that he hadn't been forgotten or abandoned. She just hoped it didn't take all day, that would be all she needed. But before they left, she'd have to go home and get changed, she couldn't very well turn up in London in her pyjamas and uggboots. That'd be a sight, as if she wasn't in enough trouble already.

So she'd called both of the girls' rooms and left messages on their phones, she'd be back on campus in an hour and they were to meet her in the mission prep building. She arrived home to find Ewart sitting on the bed, obviously he had been waiting for her to come home. "Zara. What's going on? Why the sudden phone call in the middle of the night? What happened?" She sighed, and sank down onto the bed.
"Ewart, you remember Erin Reilly? Her little sister is a red shirt."
His face looked blank, "She's the one who had to get the surgery on her back, a few years ago? You know, Kyle Blueman's-"
"Oh Her. Yeah, sort of. Why? Did something happen to her?"
"More like someone. She was raped on her last mission by the son of the guy she was trying to bust. She admitted all this to Lauren last night and now I have to drive her into London for a committee meeting." Ewart just stared at her, stunned.

"She was… I mean, WHAT? How could this have happened? Who was the mission controller?"
"That's the thing, there wasn't one. She was working with two agents from ISIS. She was already a black shirt and I was confident of her success, besides the mission was classified low risk. There was another agent on the mission with her, a Navy Shirt by the name of Dale Williams. He's sixteen, and they had quite a tight bond. I thought it would all be okay, but when is it ever? I mean do these missions ever end happily? I'm starting to really question my ability to handle this job."
"Hey now, Z. No need to do that, look. No. Listen to me Zara. None of this is your fault. You did what has been done a thousand times before, what will continue to be done for years to come. You put your confidence in an agent, who deserved your trust. The board classified that mission as low risk, there was no reason for that mission to go wrong. How were you to know that this guy's son was a sick, twisted bastard? You couldn't have. You had no reason to not let her go on this mission. There was no cause for concern, and the committee will see that. They will see that you did what anyone would have done in your situation."

"And what's that Ewart? What did I do? Other than send off some poor, innocent, little girl right into the hands of a rapist?"
"No. Zara. No. Are you not listening to anything I'm saying? You did your job. And now you will get ready, go pick up that poor girl and get through today because you know yourself that this can never be 'fixed' but, in time, the pain will soften and hopefully dull until she can go through life normally. You will keep your job and continue to second guess your every move but Z, remember, you are great at your job and everyone makes mistakes. And if you do, I will always be here to back you up, okay?"
"I have to get ready now Ewart. But thanks, for trying to make me feel better. It helped a bit I guess. I'll think about what you said and we'll see what happens today." She shrugged off his hand, the one he'd placed on her shoulder to try and offer some comfort.

Meanwhile, back on campus Erin and Lauren found themselves getting into an elevator to head down to the cafeteria. Lauren had taken control last night after they'd, well she'd told, Zara. She'd taken Erin back to her room and put her to bed. That morning, she'd gotten her up and, after listening to Zara's voicemail, she'd set out some nice clothes for her to wear for the meeting. Then she'd left to get herself ready with the instructions for Erin to get in the shower and wash herself and her hair. Thank God for Lauren, because let's face it, Erin had been a bit like a caterpillar in a cocoon. You know, the light's are on but no one's home? She'd been on auto pilot for a while now, and it felt good to have someone look after her. So Lauren had been back by the time she was dressed and here they found themselves waiting for the elevator. And who else had to be in the elevator but Bruce. Yes that's right, lying, cheating, unfortunate, unsuspecting Bruce. Sighting Lauren, his face lit up like all his Christmases had come at once. Erin found herself pretty awake after that shower so she remembered enough to feel like an intruder, and she also remembered enough to shoot Bruce a dirty look.

Lauren followed that with a quick look of disgust at him, before returning her attention back to Erin. Dressed in a caramel blouse, black pencil skirt and wearing ballet shoes Lauren felt sure of her friend making a good impression at the meeting today. She also felt strangely proud of her. How she could have been through what she had and come out fighting was truly Erin's style. And, although she was looking a little bit worse for wear, she was sure no one would pick up on anything in the cafeteria. That would be all they needed, to be campus' latest piece of gossip. "Lauren. We need to talk."
"No Bruce. We don't."
"Just let me explain and then give me a chance. I promise it won't ever happen again."
"Bruce, you're being silly. And why should I give you another chance? You've already broken my heart once, why would I let you have another go at it? Maybe you think you left one piece not shattered enough." Bruce must have been desperate because he leaped forward and pressed the stop button and the elevator shuddered to a halt. "Look Lauren just listen okay? I made a mistake, a huge one and I've been regretting it ever since. Would you please just hear me out?"

Obviously something Bruce had done had triggered something in Erin's memory, because she started feeling claustrophobic and was finding it hard to breathe. Lauren, unaware as yet of her friends panic, laughed. "Why should I hear you out Bruce? So that you can have closure? Or whatever you want to call it. You know why I don't want to listen to what you have to say? Because I DON'T CARE." Erin spoke up, although her voice was feeble, "Lauren? I'm feeling sort of claustrophobic." Lauren turned around, and started to speak in a soothing voice "Shhh Honey it's okay. Everything will be fine, just take deep breaths. This will be over before you know it." Turning back around, her voice was still lowered but had lost the soft, soothing edge "Do you see what you are doing Bruce? Now stop this nonsense and let us out." Bruce's eyes flickered between Erin, who was starting to hyperventilate and Lauren, who looked like she would be ready to shove him down the elevator shaft if given the opportunity.

"No."
"Oh Lord-give-me-strength. Bruce please? Look, I've had a really long, tough night and I need to eat. So either you move, or I'll make you move."
"Lauren! I can't br-eathe." And Erin was serious, she couldn't. Her lungs were struggling to get oxygen into her body and she felt herself get dizzy. Lauren glared at Bruce, "It's okay Erin, he's going to let us out now. If he ever wants me to acknowledge him ever again, he will move. NOW." Bruce's face showed his defeat, as he re-pressed the stop button and the lift doors opened up to show that they had been suspended just above the ground floor. He stormed off as Erin ran out of the elevator, attracting a few stares. But hey, at least she could breathe now, eh?

(A/N: Hello again. Yes, i know it's quite short but i promise there will be another update sooner than the last. Reviews please, but no flames. Because nobody likes an arsonist do they? )