PIPER'S POV:

"Hey, guys." Mark greeted Tyler, Zoe and I as he made his way into the house later that evening

"Hey," Tyler mirrored "we saved you some food. It's in the oven."

"Thanks." he replied "Piper, would it be okay if we had a quick word in private please?"

I glanced at Tyler and nodded my head, rising to my feet, allowing Mark to escort me into the backyard…

"Everything okay?" I inquired

"My Mum has asked to see you." he informed me "You don't have to go, I just wanted you to know."

"Okay, thanks." I replied "When do I have to make a decision by?"

"Tomorrow afternoon at the latest; she then goes to court for her plea hearing." he explained

I nodded my head… "I'll think about it."

TYLER'S POV:

"You okay?" I asked Piper as I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind as she tidied up after dinner "You've been quiet ever since you spoke to Mark…"

"He told me your Mum wants to see me," she informed me "and I'm seriously considering going."

"Right." I replied

"That's all you have to say?" she questioned as she turned to me "No lecture?"

"It's your choice." I informed her "If you want to go and hear her out then you go."

"Really?" she inquired

I nodded my head… "It's your choice, and I'll stand by you whatever you decide."

She smiled at me warmly and pressed her lips to mine softly… "I'm gonna go, but will you come with me?"

"Are you sure?" I asked

"I don't think I can do it on my own." she admitted

PIPER'S POV:

After informing Mark that I would see his Mum, he'd arranged a meeting for just before her plea hearing. Arriving at the station, Tyler and I were escorted into the interview room, his hand squeezing mine as the door opened once again and his Mum was brought into the room…

"Thanks for agreeing to see me, Piper." she greeted me as she took a seat opposite

"What do you want?" I questioned

"I wanted to apologise to you." she informed me "If I'd have known it was you at the time I wouldn't have gone through with it."

"And that makes it okay, does it?" I asked "I'm glad it was me rather than Paige or Lauren."

"I don't know what else to say other than that I'm sorry." she admitted

"Why don't you tell me why you did it?" I inquired "Because I'd love to hear it."

"I snapped, and needed to drink, and I knew the only way I was going to get some money was by doing something bad," she informed me "which is why I mugged you, but if I had of known it was you, it wouldn't have been you, I can promise you that."

"Your promises mean nothing." I replied "Take a look at your son; don't you think he deserves better? Don't you think Mark deserves better? Aaron? Zoe? They all deserve better and they'll get it now you're out of their lives! What sort of a mother can't find the strength to fight an addiction for the sake of her children?"

"You have no idea what battling this sort of addiction is like, Piper." she sighed

"Actually, I do," I informed her "because my Mum's going through the same thing, but at least when she breaks, she actually shows some remorse towards the people she's hurt. I'm done. Can we go?"

Tyler nodded his head and we both rose to our feet and made our way out of the interview room and into the reception area where I hurried out of the station, leaning against the wall as I tried to regain my breath…

"It's okay." Tyler assured me "Just try to breathe. It's okay."

TYLER'S POV:

Once Piper was okay, we made our way over to Harold's and I made my way over to the counter to order…

"Is Piper okay?" Lauren asked worriedly "She looks white as a sheet…"

I glanced back at her and sighed heavily… "She's had a couple of panic attacks in the last week-and-a-half. She's been doing so well lately and now this has set her back, and I don't know what to do."

"What about suggesting she goes to see her counsellor?" she questioned

"I don't think she'll want to do that," I admitted "it'll seem like a step back."

"If she's having panic attacks, she needs to talk to someone about what's bringing them on." she replied "And you can't handle the burden, especially as it was your Mum who has caused this, so suggest it to her. I think she'll be a lot more on board with it than I think."

PIPER'S POV:

Tyler made his way back to the table and sat down next to me, entwining his hand with mine…

"What?" I questioned

"What?" he asked

"You've got something to say to me, what is it?" I inquired

He pursed his lips together nervously… "I think you should go and see Jane."

"I've been thinking that too…" I admitted

"Yeah?" he questioned

I nodded my head… "It's not fair that I'm dumping all my stuff on you, so I'm gonna book an appointment with her tomorrow."

He smiled at me warmly and brought our entwined hands up to his lips, pressing them against the skin of my hand…

Mama Brennan has said her say, and Piper's not having any of it, and she's decided to go and see Jane again!