Willy woke bright and early the next morning. He lingered for about an hour just watching Lauren sleep. Then he made his way out and got to work. The night was over. It was time to get busy.

Charlie, smiling to himself, made his way down the long hallway that reached Lauren's room. He thought he'd surprise her and then they could go off to work together.

So when he reached the door, he knocked.

He waited a while. No answer.

He knocked again.

Still no answer.

And this is when Lauren began to stir. She could hear knocking, but it wasn't on the door to the room she was in.

"Shiiiiiiiit!" she whisper-yelled as she leapt out of the bed. She was in Willy's room, and someone was trying to reach her!

Well now, she couldn't very well get herself dressed, but how long would this entail waiting?

"Lauren?" she heard Charlie call.

And then she heard him try to open the door. She had locked it. This actually made Charlie think Lauren was inside, because she was more prone to lock the door when inside.

Damn.

Lauren shook her head, she knew he wouldn't leave anytime soon now. And she certainly couldn't break the news to him like this.

But then an idea struck her.

He's about my height and our hair color is close…

So she then snuck into the closet.

Twenty-some odd minutes later Lauren reemerged. Confidently, she made her way out of the room.

"Oh!" Charlie looked up, upon seeing Willy Wonka leave his room.

"Willy, have you seen Lauren?"

Lauren, her eyes covered by the hat's angle, now wearing a velvet coat and an entire ensemble of Willy's: shoes, pants, and shirt, coughed a bit. It was a good thing the shirt was just a bit baggy. She thought she had enough to get away with this.

Putting on her best imitation of Willy, she replied, "I heard that she went out for a walk at the park. Why don't you go on ahead and get to work and we'll worry about her later, kay?"

"Umm, alright. Willy, are you feeling well? Your voice sounds… different."

"Everything's just dandy, Charlie!"

"Ok, well, will you go down to the Serum Room with me? There are some ideas I'd like to discuss with you."

Shit, shit, shit! Lauren thought, panicked.

"Oh of course my dear boy!" she replied.

Now why would I say that?

So Charlie led the way, on down and "Willy" followed.

"Willy, you really need to get a haircut. I've never seen you let your hair get so long."

"Oh, right, well been busy with the factory! I'll get right on that."

It was quiet then for a while until Charlie spoke up again.

"What do you think of Lauren?"

"Oh, um, well, she's just dandy!"

"She's more than dandy. I love her Charlie. I can't live without her."

Lauren froze, but quickly returned to her pace so Charlie wouldn't notice.

"Charlie, no, don't say that. She's fantastic, but not worth saying anything about your life."

"But it's true!"

"Charlie," Lauren stopped and grabbed Charlie by the shoulders, "Listen to me. You cannot do anything, anything that will harm yourself or others for any reason at all. Kay?"

Charlie nodded slowly, startled by the intensity Willy had just had. He hadn't been able to see his eyes, but if he had, he was sure fire would have been in them. This was something he clearly felt passionate about. Wha-hey.

"Willy?"

"Yes?" Lauren replied, continuing their walking again.

"Do you love her?"

Lauren closed her eyes briefly to think and then- "I love her for helping this factory. I love her the way I love you."

Charlie smiled. "Thanks Willy."

"No, thank you Charlie. Now listen, I think it'd be for the best if work and all this relationship business with Lauren were kept separate, kay?"

"Alright Willy."

At this point, Lauren was slightly ahead of Charlie. And she could see the Serum Room. She could see Willy in the Serum Room!

Dammit! Dammit, dammit, dammit! What am I gonna do?!

"What's that?!" Lauren then exclaimed, pointing behind them. Charlie turned to look, and she shoved him, sending him sprawling forward to the floor.

"Oh no! Charlie, it got you! Stay still while I get help!"

And then Lauren sprinted into the Serum Room. She needed to fill him in so she could get outta there.

Willy, working with putting the final touches on his latest concoction, heard the peculiar sound of three steps. People went two, and he himself had three because of his cane. He turned slowly to see- himself?!

"What're you-"

Lauren cut him off by placing her hand over his mouth.

"Willy, it's me," she said quickly in a hushed tone, "Charlie came looking for me but I was in your room so I had to do this. I told him I was at the park and he wanted to come talk about some ideas with you, so I said ok. While we walked we talked about me. So yeah, basically no one can love me. I'll fill you in tonight. First, you need to hide me, and then go help Charlie on the floor. I pushed him and told him it got him."

Willy's eyes widened, worried about "it."

"It's nothing," Lauren quickly shook her head, "I made it up to distract him. Now help!"

With the end of her distressed whispers, Lauren removed her hand. Willy quickly took it and led her over to the other side of the room where there was a door. He opened it up and let Lauren in. The door then slammed behind her.

All was dark, but the sounds proved that Lauren was in fact not alone.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I've been super swamped lately. Work and drama in my life have been time consuming. But I'll have you know, there's no way I could ever ditch this story! But of course, I have to keep you thinking during my unfortunately long waits. I'll update as soon as I get the chance!