Disclaimer: I do not own JA or any of the characters.

Chapter 22: Vincent?

Amy pulled upto the house and she took a deep breath as Vincent got out. "I don't know if I can do this."

"Come on Amy. You used to sneak in the house all the time."

"Yeah but this is different."

"No it's not."

"It is because the reason I don't want to get caught is because I will kill the person, whereas before it would have been me who would be killed."

"That's a technicality."

"You should have gone into law!"

"Nah, I don't like the way it makes you into a two fac...." Amy slapped his arm, "hey, I only tell the truth!"

"Well sometimes the truth is something that should never be told."

"So your new moto is not honesty is the best policy."

"Shut up will you and get out of my car."

They walked upto the house and stood just outside the front door.

"How about I go in and see if anybody is downstairs, and then if the coast is clear I call you in and the do the same for upstairs."

"Or we could stop being stupid and I just walk straight upto my room grab my stuff and walk straight back out."

"Oh come on."

"I'm not playing games with you, I thought that you understood what mood I was in."

"I was trying to cheer you up a bit. You really do need to get away, you're taking everything way to seriously!"

"Whatever." Amy walked quietly into the house and up the stairs, she threw a few things into a bag and came back down the stairs. She opened the door but closed it when she heard a voice. "Vincent. You scared me then."

"Chill girl."

"See you later then."

"Relax ok. Remember why you are going."

"I will." She gave him a big hug and left the house.

She stayed in the car when she reached the inn she had decided to stay at. What was she doing? Lauren needed her. She couldn't just leave her, not without at least saying goodbye. She turned the key in the ignition and then shut it off again.

"Damn brain stop working overtime!" She muttered to herself. She got out of the car and locked it walking into the lovely warm and cosy inn.

"Evening dear, do you have a reservation?"

"No sorry. This was a spur of the moment thing. I hope that is ok."

"Yes dear. Now just let me check the list of bookings." She looked intently at the computer screen, "how long are you wishing to stay for?"

"I don't know yet, whatever you have I'll take it."

"Well we have the Sunny room free for 3 days.... is that long enough?"

"Yes, that will be fine. Thank you."

"Ok, well here is your key, do you need help with your bags at all?"

"No thank you, I only have one." The innkeeper smiled as Amy walked towards the stairs.

The name Sunny suited the room. It was a bright yellow colour and it looked very cheerful and happy. Amy set her bag on the bed and walked into the bathroom to run a bath. There was a bottle of complementary bubble bath and Amy opened it and poured it in. While the bath was running she went and sat on her bed and looked around her. No distractions, no tv, no kids, nobody. She was all by herself. Although with that thought she wasn't sure whether she wanted to be there, that way. When she had been sitting on her car outside Hartford, she had been alone and although she was over thinking the way she had been then. She wasn't sure her younger brother's idea was the best one he had ever come up with. She had been ready to end her life, end all the confusion. Yet here she was alone again, it felt like she was still running away from her problems. But at least there would be no confusion around her that would complicate her decision.

Bruce woke up the next morning with a massive hangover. Not having Amy there had meant that he uncharacteristically finished the bottle of wine by himself. He had gone to bed after the girls had stopped giggling. Or at least seemed to, while he was drifting off there was the odd outburst but he had ignored them. He rushed to get showered and dressed and then hurried into the kitchen. He started to make coffee and then headed to the living room. He knocked on the door and then opened it. All three of the girls were asleep and the room was a mess, he shook his head before heading back to the kitchen. He was looking forward to seeing Amy again and was in no rush to wake the girls, knowing that it would prolong the time Amy was there if they had to wait for Lauren to get ready. Soon after he finished breakfast there was a knock on the front door. He smoothed down his clothes before opening it.

"Vincent?"

"Hi, yeah sorry. Am I too early?"

"Um, no, uh. I was expecting Amy." He stammered trying to recover from the fact it wasn't Amy standing in front of him.

"Well, she had to leave."

"Leave? She was meant to be picking Lauren up."

"Is there a problem with me picking her up?"

"Well I wanted to speak to her about something."

"Sorry. Is Lauren ready to go?"

"No not yet. I'll just get her. Hang on." Vincent followed Bruce inside, but stayed by the door as Bruce went to get Lauren.

"Do you think that you could ask us to stay for lunch?" Lauren whispered to Rebecca.

"Yeah, cool idea." Megan looked a bit put out. "And you too, we need you to stay to stop it being suspicious."

"Stop what being suspicious?"

"Nothing!" The three girls flashed innocent smiles at him.

"Ok, don't want to know. Ok Lauren you uncle is here."

"My uncle?"

"Vincent."

"Where's mom?"

"I don't know, but get your stuff together." Bruce left the girls muttering between themselves. "She'll be ready in a minute, do you mind if I just go finish my breakfast?"

"No, sure go ahead. I'll just wait here." Bruce smiled a fake smile, and left Vincent by the front door.

He sat at the table in the kitchen. What had he done wrong? What had David said? What was happening? She said she was coming back. It wasn't like her to change her mind like this. Not when Lauren was concerned anyway.