For the second day running, I've decided to post a second chapter. So, surprise... again. Enjoy!

Chapter 15.

The days ticked by. Day seven turned into eight, turned into nine. On day ten Lauren's world came crashing down again. And it all started with an innocent knock on the door. Lauren answered it as Joey had popped out to go to the Minute Mart. It was the police. The fact they'd come in person this time, rather than another phone call made her instantly anxious. "Come in." This time there was a policewoman and what she could only assume was a detective. She led them into the lounge and offered them coffee. It was an offer they accepted and she dashed to the kitchen. She leant on the kitchen counter, taking deep breaths. She knew what she needed to do. She pulled her mobile from her pocket. It took seconds to call him. He answered quickly. "Joe..." She said his name but she couldn't say anything else, her breaths coming in short gasps as she fell into full blown panic.

"I'll be right there, babe." He said softly in her ear and she wished his words had made her feel better.

Lauren dropped to the floor, pulling her knees up to her chest. Her tears were coming thick and fast now. Her arms cradled her head, shutting herself away from the world. A hand brushed her back but she knew in an instant that it wasn't Joey. She screamed, her mind taking her back to a time she wished she could forget. Their faces were all she could see and she remembered every second of what they'd done to her. She couldn't breathe. Her head ached from the hideous noise she could hear. It took her several seconds to realise that noise was coming from her.

*JL*JL*

Joey was walking up to the till when his mobile rang. He would've ignored it but he saw the caller ID and would never reject a call from her. "Hey babe." He said. She just said his name and his heart stopped. He could hear the anxiety in her voice, "I'll be right there, babe," he whispered to her. He ended the call and turned to Zainab who stood behind the counter. "I'm sorry, I've got to go." He said, leaving the basket in front of her and making his way quickly to the entrance of the shop.

"Er, hello?" she called after him.

Joey set off at a jog. He wanted to go faster but he couldn't draw attention to himself. He opened the door to the flat and he could hear her screaming. It sent chills through him. He glanced in the lounge and saw a man in a suit. He frowned but continued towards the kitchen where he could tell she was. He walked in the room and saw a policewoman trying to comfort Lauren, who was curled up in a tiny ball, sitting on the floor. "Babe..." he said, moving towards her. He looked at the policewoman, "Can you give us a few minutes? We'll meet you in the lounge soon." The police officer nodded, another concerned glance at Lauren before she moved away. Joey sat down beside Lauren and brushed some hair back from her face. Her screams had died down to loud sobs since he'd started speaking and when he pulled her hair back from her face she fell silent. He heard the door of the kitchen shut and he knew they were now alone. "Sweetheart..." he whispered to his girlfriend.

"They turned up and I panicked. Last time they phoned me... if they've come to see me, then it must be even worse. I didn't know what to do. I wanted a drink but I remembered what you said yesterday so I called you instead. Then someone was touching me and it wasn't you. I couldn't breathe. I kept seeing their faces. It was like I was there all over again." Her words rolled out in one breath, the panic still clear in her voice even though she'd clearly calmed down since he'd arrived.

"Take a breath, Lauren," he told her gently. Her words had been rushed and he could still hear the remnants of the fear in her voice. He lifted her easily and pulled her onto his lap, his hand stroking her back as she leant against him. He could feel the tension seeping from her body and he was glad he was able to do something for her.

"Was it me screaming?" she whispered.

"It was, babe."

"Wow." She bit her lip and her face began to flush again as she thought about that.

"One day, Lauren. When you're ready, I'm going to make you scream like that again... but this time it will be a much more pleasurable experience. I promise." He chuckled when he saw her face redden even more before she buried her face in his neck. His comment had relaxed her a little though, like he'd intended it to. They sat there for another five minutes before Joey broached the subject of them moving, "Do you think we should go into the lounge and see what they want?" he asked her gently.

"I don't know if I can, Joe."

"I'm going to be right by your side, babe. You don't have to do this alone." She nodded her head and they both got to their feet. Joey bent down slightly and kissed her forehead, then ducked lower and kissed her quickly on the lips too. He stood in front of her and brushed away the remaining tears on her cheeks, his eyes softly staring into her eyes and he was relieved to see she was now completely calm. He took her hand and opened the kitchen door, holding it open for her. He opened the lounge door and both the police officers turned to look at them. Lauren shrank behind him slightly, her grip on his hand tightening. Joey walked them both slowly to the couch and they sat down. Joey swapped hands so he could also put his arm around her waist and Lauren leant against him, both her hands clutching the one she was now holding.

It was the man in the suit who spoke first, "Lauren, my name is Detective Inspector Tom Trent. I've been leading the team of officers on your case." He sat on the armchair, the female officer standing behind him. "We've had a major breakthrough in the last couple of days, Lauren and I wanted to come and tell you about it in person. I wanted you to hear it from me and have the opportunity to ask me any questions. Is that okay?" Lauren nodded, unable to speak. "I understand one of my officers called you a few days ago and told you we'd arrested three of your attackers?" Lauren flinched at his last word but again nodded. "Early yesterday morning the other two were arrested. I've been questioning all five of them ever since and this afternoon two of them confessed to the attacks. They also verified that the other three were also present and were part of your ordeal." He paused to give Lauren time to absorb all this information, "We've taken DNA samples from all five and the results should come back tomorrow but it will only confirm what we already know. They are going to be charged tomorrow lunch time and I've spoken to the CPS. They've liaised with their lawyers and it seems likely that all of them are going to plead guilty. That will mean you won't have to give evidence in court. And the process should be much quicker."

"Did they say why?" Lauren asked quietly.

"Why what?"

"Why they did it?"

DI Trent looked at the carpet and took a deep breath, "They did, Lauren. Are you sure you want to know?" She nodded and Joey brushed his hand up her back to comfort her. "They thought you were... 'up for it' was the phrase they used. They thought that when you left the bar you knew what was going to happen, that you were playing the game." Lauren had paled at his words and Joey watched her carefully.

"You okay, babe?" he whispered in her ear. Tears ran down her face but she said nothing.

"Do you want me to continue?" DI Trent asked with a sympathetic look on his face.

"Yes." Lauren croaked out.

"They could see that you were drunk so they knew you would be an easy target. The first two that confessed seemed very repentant of what they'd done. They were egged on by their friends and have struggled with their guilt since."

"What a shame..." Joey hissed. His anger at what he'd heard was stewing beneath the surface. He didn't care how those bastards felt, all he was worried about was Lauren. "Will Lauren have to be at the trial? And will she be named in the case?"

"As long as they all plead guilty there will be no requirement for Lauren to be there, although she can be if she chooses. She wouldn't have to give evidence though. The CPS are going to approach the judge once assigned to the case and are going to submit a request to protect your identity, Lauren. They'd assumed you would want that to happen. It's unlikely the judge will decline their request."

"How long will they get?" Joey asked.

"It would depend on the judge but it could be as much as life imprisonment. Given the circumstances of what Lauren went through, the sentence is likely to be towards the higher end of the spectrum and it's likely to be the same sentence for all of them as they're all equally culpable." Tom Trent turned his attention to Lauren again, "Do you have any other questions, Lauren?" She looked at him and shook her head. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two cards, "This card is mine. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me." He handed her the first card, "This card is for the victim support team who are there for you if you need any assistance as well. They can help if you feel you need to speak to a professional about what you've been through and they will be with you as the go between for you and the CPS. I recommend that once the case is over you consider speaking to someone, Lauren. There is no shame in asking someone for help."

"Thank you," Lauren said, "I'll definitely think about it."

They all got to their feet and Joey shook DI Trent's hand. Lauren took a couple of steps back, still wary about anyone coming close to her, especially after her reaction in the kitchen earlier. Soon it was just Lauren and Joey alone again.

Joey hugged her as they stood in the middle of the room and despite all her earlier tears, more quickly began to flow. He whispered words of comfort in her ear and they seemed to get through to her. Joey himself was both angered and relieved by what they'd just been told. Really this had been the best result for Lauren. The fact she probably wouldn't have to give evidence at the trial was something Joey at least was pleased about. The last thing he wanted to do was hear her give evidence and relive that night again. She was already struggling so much to deal with it all without having to go through that too.

TBC

A/N: So okay, enjoy might not have been the right word to use for this chapter given the subject matter. Did you like it? I have no idea if any of the above is realistic... if not, just call it artistic license. Well that is definitely it for today. And it will only be one chapter tomorrow but it's a long one (and a good one - although I may be biased slightly). Coming to the end of this soon.