For the next two weeks Joey and I lived like we were both walking on eggshells. He seemed pretty down by what I had said to him, and he'd certainly taken a step back from how he had been. He still cooked for me, and made sure I had everything I needed, but he left me alone a lot more.

I felt bad. I could tell I had hurt him by what I'd said, and I really didn't mean to. But I stood by it. If I wasn't going to remember there being an 'us' what use was it trying to force it when he could start over and be happy with someone else? I thought I was doing him a favour.

"Ready for the hospital" he asked me quietly as we both sat in the kitchen and had our breakfast.

"Yeah I really hope they take this stupid thing off."

"They should do"

"I just don't want them to say I need it on for another few weeks," I sighed.

"You'll be fine" Joey said, forcing a smile.

I watched him get up and go and rinse his cereal bowl, and then he shuffled out of the room, I felt awful. He clearly wasn't happy, and even though he went back to work at about 75% he never smiled.

All because of me.

I ran up the stairs and changed into something to go out in, and then I met Joey in the hall where we went out to his car.

We drove to the hospital in silence, and then we went in and took a seat in the waiting area.

Joey had his head leant against the wall behind him, his eyes on the ceiling. He looked miserable.

"You ok?" I asked him.

"No"

"Oh" I said "What's wrong?"

"Everything. Life. I'm sick of this"

"Joe…" I sighed.

"I know there is nothing you can do about it, but it's a cruel joke. I just want my wife back! You don't remember me, or our house or anything about us! It fucking sucks!"

"I'm sorry" I whispered, "I'm doing my best"

"I know…" he replied. "I'm not blaming you. I'm just hitting my boiling point" he said turning to look at me. His eyes were red and I could tell he was trying to blink tears away.

"Lauren Branning?" a voice called out. I looked up to see the doctor stood there with a clipboard.

"You want me to come?" Joey muttered.

"Why don't you take some time to cool down?" I asked. "They've got to take the pin out so they will probably kick you out anyways. I'll have someone bring you in when it's over? Maybe you can have a coffee or something?"

"Sure ok" he sighed.

I smiled at him faintly and followed the doctor.

The cast came off first, and then I was taken for an x-ray to make sure everything had healed.

"Looks good to me" said the doctor. "Let's get the pin out.

"Hey" I sighed. Sitting up in the recovery bed. Joey was sat in the chair next to me.

"You ok?" he questioned.

"Yep!" I grinned, "No more cast"

"Doctor wants you in a soft cast for a few days" Joey frowned. "He told me."

"Damn"

"You can take it off to have a shower and stuff"

"I guess" I sighed.

"I'll go grab someone to check on you"

A nurse came in and checked me over, sating I could leave in half an hour. They had put me under, but not with anything strong, so I was able to go home that afternoon.

Once at home Joey helped me to the sofa where I laid and watched TV. The anesthesia was making me a bit ill so I dint want to push things.

"Joe!" I called, only for him to come rushing into the room.

"Yeah?"

"You should go out tonight, it's Friday."

"Nah I want to make sure you're ok"

"I'll be fine" I said. "You've pretty much not had a night out since my accident. Why don't you go nd enjoy yourself instead of slouching around here?"

"I don't really want to" he shrugged.

"I think it might help."

"Lauren, please…"

"Just a few drinks with the boys or something?" I asked. "I really don't want you pent up here while I'm sleeping on the sofa"

He stared at me for a moment then nodded his head, leaving the room with his phone. Ten minutes later he had plans sorted to meet Fatboy for a drink or two.

"You sure about this?" he worried as he pulled on his coat.

"Positive. You need to get out."

"You'll call if you need anything? And I mean anything! Even if it's just help going to the toilet or something"

"Joe…" I said with a stern look" "I'll be fine"

"Ok, ok" he said. "See you in the morning"

"Night…" I yawned, lying back on the sofa, I looked back at the TV but within minutes I was asleep.

I snuffled awake a few hours later, soft voices catching my attention immediately.

"Joey!" I called.

Not ten seconds later he was standing in front of me.

"What are you doing?" I asked. "I told you to go out"

"I know" He sighed. "But I couldn't even get the car out f the garage"

"Excuse me?!"

"I was too worried about you" he shrugged. "You just had your cast off and had that little operation. I didn't want to leave you alone."

"I said I'd be fine."

"I know." He said. Looking like a scolded child. "But I couldn't do it. So I called Fatboy and told him to pick up some drinks and come here instead. I half did what you told me to.."

"Do you always do things like this?" I demanded.

"Like what?"

"Undermine me or something"

"I'm not!" he defended.

"You're doing something…"

"I'm just worried" he sighed. "And I love you so much. I can't bring myself to just leave you here alone. I promised I'd never leave you"

"This isn't leaving me!" I laughed. "This is you going and acting like a sane person for a few hours!"

"You think I'm crazy?" Joey said.

"I don't know what you are, but it scares me how much you seem to care about me"

"Well your right" he said. "I'm crazy. Crazy in love with you. So excuse me if I do stuff like this. I can't help myself!"

I caught his eyes as he stood there, his chest heaving slightly. He had a fierce look I his eyes as he stared at me, and I knew what he was saying was one hundred percent the truth.

"Joe…" I sighed.

"Why don't you go to bed" he asked, changing the subject. "I'll help you up"

I let him help me off the sofa, carefully he left me up the stairs and to my room. Helping me crawl under the duvet.

"I don't think this is healthy" I told him. "You being like this"

"Probably not"

"Don't you want to be in a normal relationship? Have a normal life?"

"Nothing about us has ever been normal" Joey sighed. "Listen I really don't want to talk about this"

"Fine sorry"

"I promised I'd never leave you and I don't intend on breaking that promise, memory or not" Joey said giving me a faint smile, and shuffling out of the room.

"What if I leave you?" I muttered. Only he didn't hear me. And I wasn't sure if I meant it.

Because now I knew if I left… it would kill him.

I know I said I would post regularly but we are so short staffed at work I'm working crazy overtime hours again. I'm doing 10 hours a day all this week, so I'm gonna start my next part tonight but it might not be up till next Saturday at the latest.