I am so sorry this chapter has taken yet another shameful amount of time to be uploaded. Thanks to everyone reviewing and sticking with the story. Trying to get back on track with it and hopefully I can stick to my word this time... anyway here it is chapter 26. Enjoy and please review :)

Howard and Vince arrived home the next day. As expected Leroy demanded to know where they had been and was furious that they had taken his car without asking, but Vince managed to twist Leroy's arm by telling him how much he had benefited from the break. Leroy could see that Vince was slowly getting better. He had already seen a difference after just a few hours of their company. He had been worried. Nearly even called the police and reported them missing but he knew random disappearances were in their nature. Leroy also felt a little useless that he had been left out of their trip. Of course he and Vince had drifted so far apart but he felt he deserved to be told. He wanted to be included in the old gang, but he knew that wasn't going to happen. To top it off Leroy couldn't forget how he was not enough to make Vince better. Only Howard could do that.

"You guys fancy going down the pub for a drink?" Leroy suggested after dinner. He wanted to bond with them. He had missed them while they had been away, the house had been so quiet.

"We've had quite an eventful week, maybe another time?" Howard turned down his offer. He just wanted to sleep after the long drive home.

"Vince, you'll come won't you? It's been such a long time."

"Erm… sorry mate. There will be people there…" Vince looked down at the floor nervously.

"Yes it is a pub. Come on Vince!" Leroy pleaded.

"I don't think I'm ready to see the… 'locals'."

"Everyone's been asking. Word got around that Howard had come back. Anyway you'll love seeing everyone again."

"Look Leroy, I just don't want to see people, think of all the questions." Howard felt sure he saw Vince shudder.

"Why do I even bother? You guys are living in my house and you won't even come out with me for a drink. You took my car and this is how you repay me?" Leroy rolled his eyes, "You know what, forget it." Leroy got up from the table and made his way upstairs. Vince looked over at Howard, his face full of guilt.

"He's done so much for me. It shouldn't be like this." He sighed.

"You'll sort it out." Howard put a reassuring hand on Vince's shoulder. "Anyway we only got back today. He'll come round."

No matter how much Vince tried to bury his guilt after everything that had happened and how distant he and Leroy had become, he still had a nagging feeling to make everything right. How hard would it be to just go down to the pub? They might not even see anybody they know.

"Leroy?" Vince called out.

"What?"

"Still up for going to the pub?"

Howard looked over at Vince with surprise. Now he had to go too.

"Are you sure you want to?" Howard asked still shocked.

"Come on Howard it's just the pub, we only have to stay for one drink." Howard thought for a moment how normal Vince had sounded.

"Alright then." Howard sighed as he left the room to get ready.

"The drinks are on me." said Leroy as they entered 'The White Lion', one of their many local pubs. Vince looked around nervously while Howard scanned the room for a table.

"Over there." Vince pointed to a table hidden away in the furthest corner.

Howard and Vince made their way over to the table, dodging through the maze of chairs in their way.

"Nice and cozy." Howard said as he took a seat.

"Yeah, well I don't want to see anybody I know." Vince sat and bowed his head slightly so his fringe hung over his face as if to shield himself from everybody in the pub.

Leroy returned a few minutes later with the round of drinks.

Leroy raised his pint of beer "To a fresh new beginning…"

"A fresh new beginning." The three clinked their glasses together.

"Actually…" Howard began, "We were thinking about starting a completely fresh new life."

"I'm all for that mate." Leroy patted Howard's shoulder grinning, he felt he would be part of this new start. He'd finally be able to patch up their friendships.

"Oh well we were thinking of moving out."

"Moving out? Where should we move to?" Leroy asked.

Vince shuffled uncomfortably, even he knew how awkward everything was about to become.

"We, Vince and I were hoping to start again in a place of our own. Our new life together."

"I see. How embarrassing! Yeah… that's great. Good idea. I should have realized that you two are… more than you used to be. You don't want me hanging around and interrupting things." Leroy quickly took a sip from his beer to cover his shame. "Is it me or it's suddenly got really hot in here?" He blushed.

"Leroy, it's not that we don't want you with us." Vince broke his silence. "We just feel like…"

"A burden. An annoyance." Howard finished.

"So?" Leroy paused. "Just kidding, I love having you guys staying with me… you have no idea how lonely it was with you two gone. Not the same. I missed you."

"And we missed you!" Howard lied he couldn't say that he hadn't thought about him more than once. His thoughts were interrupted as Vince tugged on his shirt. "Vince what do you want?" He didn't mean for it to sound harsh, it just did. He'd been trying to figure out how he could sort the situation he had landed them into this time. Vince didn't say anything but his eyes were wide with fear. Howard and Leroy followed Vince's gaze to see a group of overdressed, perfectly styled guys and girls. When Howard turned his head to look back at Vince he noticed the younger man ducking under the table.

"What are you doing?" Howard looked down at his friend huddled under the table.

"I can't let them see me!"

"Leroy!" called one of the men with a girl hanging off his arm. He had red hair styled similar to Vince's and was wearing a leather jacket with black skinny jeans. Howard felt Vince suddenly grip his leg.

"Hey James." Leroy replied as he tried to figure out a quick escape for Vince.

"What do you think of the new hair?" James ruffled his hair up with his hand.

"Yeah, great. Reminds me of Vince's, is that what you were after?"

"Vince's hairs black… mine shows a more daring and striking character, being red and all."

"Mmm I see. I thought you wanted something more unique and original?" Leroy made another dig at James, hoping it would make him leave.

"Look Leroy, it is original. My idea. Anyway nobody even remembers Vince anymore… not after he went all weird." The girl a little behind James rolled her eyes in disbelief. Everybody remembered Vince, he wasn't easy to forget. Howard looked under the table as he felt Vince let go of his leg. Slowly Vince stood up from under the table. "I rest my case." Finished James a little surprised.

"Alright James? Nice hair. Always did have that wannabe twin thing going on didn't you." Vince smiled. Leroy and Howard looked at their friend with shock as he stood up for himself. The look on James' face was priceless. Vince looked round to see most of the eyes in the room on him, he was glad he had decided to style his hair before he left. Mumbles sounded throughout the room before a strange silence settled on the room. Vince was amazed at what he had just done, without a seconds thought he had drawn the attention of most of the people in the pub. People he didn't even know. He was proud of his courage to come out of hiding and speak to the people he was most afraid of talking to. James was nearly the colour of his hair when he decided to speak again.

"Vince? You're back?" the confusion clouded any questions he had for Vince.

"Yes." Vince replied simply.

"Hahah James that was well embarrassing!" called out one of the other fashion obsessed men from the group.

"Shut your face Gaz!" James yelled back. "I'm out of here, any of you lot coming?" He made his way to the door of the pub.

"Nah… s'alright mate. Want to have a word with Vince." Replied Gaz. James had exited before he could hear Vince's reply,

"Sorry mate another time? Must get back really." Vince stayed standing and picked up his pint quickly downing it.

"Yeah, sure… must catch up though Vince." Gaz continued hoping to get more of a conversation from Vince.

"Yeah. See ya'." Vince quickly strode out of the pub.

Leroy and Howard weren't far behind him.

"Vince… you just… that was brilliant!" Howard stuttered. He felt proud when Vince stood up for himself. Although part of him hated the reunion between Vince and his old friends. What if Vince turned back to what he was and abandoned him while he returned to his throne as Prince of Camden?

"Yeah. No thanks to you." Something had clicked in Vince seeing the people that used to worship him. As if his life had rewound a little and something was returning. He'd found another piece of the puzzle but there were still plenty more missing.

"W-what?"

"Just let him say those things and you didn't say anything." Vince quickened the pace of his walk.

"Oh come on, what was I meant to say?"

"Anything. Leroy managed ok." Vince stabbed. "Oh and thanks Leroy, sorry to end the evening so quickly." He turned back to Leroy while walking backwards.

"No problem mate. Proud of you, you know that?" Leroy smiled. He knew this time Vince was genuinely grateful yet he knew an argument between him and Howard was on the horizon.

"It was like I had no control." Vince gazed into the darkness beyond Leroy and Howard before turning round to face forward while he walked.

"What? Are they like expecting you to want to chat to them?" Howard tried to side with Vince, but Vince was having none of it.

"Why wouldn't I want to speak to them? Nice enough to me minus one. They even sounded pleased to see me." Vince carried on sounding slightly dazed.

"You don't want to get involved with them again Vince." Howard warned lowering his tone.

"Why shouldn't I? You jealous? Upset you didn't get such a welcome once you actually could be bothered to come to see me after that time… pity you left it so late to come back really… or maybe if you'd waited another few hours then we wouldn't be in this situation!" Vince turned around on his heels and the instant halt of his power walk caused Howard's face to be just inches from his own. Howard felt his eyes welling up and his insides falling.

"You know how bad I feel about that… you even said… not to feel bad." He finished quickly rubbing his eyes to prevent tears from falling.

Vince didn't reply. He looked down at his silver boots. Howard hoped Vince didn't mean what he had said. Vince for a split second caught Howard's eye before turning to run as fast as his little legs would carry him.

Thought it was about time Howard got a taste of his own medicine...

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