Chapter Twenty Six.

"Hi mum..." Joey said quietly.

"Is everything okay?" Maggie asked, clearly concerned. He said nothing, resting his head on his hand, elbows on knees as he leant forward. "Joey, you're worrying me now... I can't help you if you don't talk to me..." she said.

"Am I making a mistake?" he eventually whispered.

"About what?"

"Being here... being with Lauren again...?"

"Why do you think it's a mistake?"

"She keeps pushing me away, mum... and every time she does it's hurt a little bit more than the time before..."

"She's been through a lot, Joey... and it's not just her physical injuries she needs to deal with, is it?"

"I know, mum..." Joey said, sighing. "I just worry that my being here isn't helping her... that she doesn't really want me here..." his voice cracked with emotion. Maggie paused before she answered him.

"If you really feel that way then you should come home." Maggie said, surprising him slightly. Joey said nothing. "Do you love her, Joey?" she asked, already knowing his answer.

"More than anything..." he whispered, "So much it hurts." He added.

"Do you think you'll worry about her any less if you were here?" she asked.

"No."

"So if you came back here, all you're going to do is worry about her, aren't you?" she reasoned.

"Yes..."

"Then it's not a mistake for you to be there... I know it's difficult at the moment, darling but she'll get there... Look what happened this morning, you got through to her, didn't you, eh?"

"I thought so... every time we have a breakthrough, she backtracks a couple of hours later..."

"You need to give her time, darling..."

"I know... but I'm just wondering how much time it's going to take... I guess that sounds selfish... like I'm making light of what she's going through... but we don't seem to be making any progression... I feel like in many ways we're in exactly the same position we were when she first woke up..."

"It will get better, Joey... Maybe she should go and see her counsellor, speak to them about how she's feeling... if she won't talk to anyone else..."

"Maybe..." Joey said, already knowing what Lauren would say to that idea.

"I'm always here for you, Joey... if you need me... You can call me if you ever need to, okay?"

"I will, mum... thanks..." he said, "I love you..." he added softly.

"I love you too, darling..." she replied and Joey could hear the smile in her voice.

A/N: Joey is really struggling at the moment… second guessing everything he's done and doing for Lauren… Let's hope he's strong enough to get through this… and to help Lauren get through it as well. Send me a review and let me know what you think. Back tomorrow…