Thank you for all the reviews this is the final chapter I hope you enjoy it! :):) I may sometime do a one shot following this but not too sure as I want to finish I'll Protect You From The Shadows first!

Someone Like You

Don't forget me, I beg

I remember you said,

"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."

Stirring later that evening, I glanced to my left seeing Joey fast asleep. His body was as close as it could be, his arms wound around my waist, his lips pressed up against my neck, where they had once been kissing. He looked so peaceful as he slept, as if a weight had been lifted, and I guess I felt the same, this was a long time coming now we knew it would happen it was just a matter of when. Now all I had to decide was whether I wanted Joey to come back to America with me, because there was no way in hell I would be coming back here to live, for some reason this place was cursed for me. To be honest it wasn't a matter whether or not I wanted him to, because I knew in my heart I did, but I'm scared, what if it doesn't work out when we get there? Then that place where happiness has found me will once more be tainted with failure. Plus would he even 100% want to leave here behind, leave Alice and our family behind just for me? I guess that was the question I had to ask.

I was just about to snuggle back in closer to him, trying desperately to enjoy this moment unsure there would be another like it, when the bedroom door handle dipped down, Abi walking in seconds later. She suddenly blushed noticing my lack of attire, then noticing Joey laid next to me.

"Oh my god" she whispered excitedly, jumping up and down on the spot. I desperately tried to shh her as she continued to squeal. "I knew this would happen" she chuckled, "You two could never keep your hands off each other" hold her tummy as she laughed a little harder.

"Will you bugger off" I whispered back to her, feeling Joey stirring next to me, he was always a light sleeper. He would notice if I left the bed, even if it was to go to the toilet, like our bodies were naturally in sync with one and other.

"Oh hi Abs" Joey smirked sitting up beside me, luckily the sheet was covering is naked lower half, although that didn't stop Abi laughing once more. "You two are unbelievable, get to The Vic in 20 minutes" she laughed, finally leaving the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

"Well that was. Interesting" he chuckled pulling back down to lay with her, curling into his arms once more, I couldn't get over the feeling of his fingers touching me, his hands on my body. His body brushing up against mine.

"You do realise she is going to tell your sister and probably my mum and then Uncle Jack, soon the whole clan will know" she giggled, she didn't care if they knew to be honest everyone knew of our feelings for one and other, they accepted it once so why wouldn't they accept it again.

"Alice will have a fit, she has been bugging me and bugging me to try and find you although you made it impossible" he replied, his thumb brushing against my cheek. It was true I didn't exactly leave any clues to get to me, for all he knew when I left I went anywhere not specifically America. Abi and mum kept tight lipped about my whereabouts knowing I needed space and time to get myself together.

"Sorry about that, but I needed time" I smiled weakly, it but not of been the right way or the best way but it worked I'm better than I have ever been. "No saying sorry Lauren, it's all about looking forward" he replied sweetly. I forgot how much of a charmer he could be, his way with words would melt you within seconds.

"We better get to the pub before another search party is sent out in the form of my dad, I don't think he would appreciated seeing his daughter and nephew naked" I laughed rolling from his grip, reaching to get my underwear, noticing my bra was hanging comically on the lamp shade, my knickers were on the door handle our clothes were everywhere, I guess we got a little carried away ripping each other from them.

"But I like seeing you naked" he smirked, placing on his boxers, seeing me blush profusely at his comment, no matter what Joey could make you feel good about yourself instantly, his cheeky comments put you on a high. We got dressed relatively slowly, Joey taking the time to put my clothes on as sensitively as he did taking them off. Finally we made our way over to the pub, we weren't holding hands just walking peacefully side by side our arms brushing against each other just to keep the closeness. I wasn't sure what we were at this point, so walking into the pub hand in hand would give off the wrong signals, although most the pub probably knew we had now slept together so I guess there isn't any wrong signals. But he hadn't said what we were so I wasn't going to chirp up saying we were something when I didn't even know.

"Oi oi" Uncle Jack called as I entered The Vic followed by Joey, I couldn't help but blush, typical Uncle Jack behaviour to embarrass me, looking around I spotted Abi and Alice sniggering in the corner, mum and Nick were rather quietly though I could see mum trying not to laugh. Dad was rather quiet no doubt he was trying not to think about it.

"Well this is awkward" I muttered under my breath, Joey catching the comment, chuckling beside me. I felt his hand on my lower back pushing me a little further into the pub over to the bar, his hand position not going unnoticed by our family and friends.

Finally all the looks in our direction settled down, the shock and humour of it dying down thankfully. I spent most the time talking to Joey, simply catching up and what we had been doing for the years we spent apart; learning new thing about each other, things I thought I knew but didn't. I guess being more mature now the serious conversations were easier to discuss as he shared things to me about Derek that I never knew and would of shy away from when I was younger, now it was easy to talk about, my hand naturally rubbing his back comfortingly although he found it okay to talk about. After dragging myself away from Joey I sat talking to Abi for a while, Dot being the main topic of discussion; I already missed her, I was used to having phone calls with her once a week just to let her know how I was doing, she would repeatedly tell me how proud of me she was for growing up and living my life, it was sad to think I'd never have that again. Breaking away from Abi I went to the loo, returning I paused by the door hearing Joey's voice having an in depth conversation with Alice; I know it seemed sneaky but I couldn't resist listening.

"So what happens now with you and Lauren?" she asked I could hear the worry in her voice, and she had the right to worry about her brother just like I would about Abi if the situation was reversed.

"Not too sure, I don't know where we go from here" he replied bluntly, slightly scaring me.

"Would you go to America with her?" Alice asked, the sadness in her tone clear and suddenly I felt guilty, how could I take away her only brother from her to the other side of the world.

"If she wanted me too yeah? How would you feel about it?" he asked sensitively.

"It's good for you, I'll miss you though" I could hear her throat catch, the thought of her brother leaving clearly upsetting her. The longest they had been apart was a month, then Joey showed up in Walford and they were reunited again.

"Hey hey Al don't cry, I'll visit all the time, I'm sure Lauren wouldn't mind you coming out at all" he whispered, the guilt churning deeper and deeper within me, I knew this would happen, I sensed it coming yet I went heart first into the situation leaving the consequences till later. I couldn't listen to anymore as I quickly pushed open the door, rushing past Joey who was cuddling Alice, I couldn't look at his face, I needed air.

"Lo?" he called my name but I just couldn't.

I gasped, the cold air reaching my lungs. Sitting down on the bench outside I rested my head in my hands, what was going to happen now?

"Lauren babe, what's wrong?" he appeared in front of me, his hands resting on my knees as he perched before me. His eyes laced with worry.

"What's wrong is that, I can't let you come to America with me" I sighed, the truth of the matter really hitting home, he couldn't come, I wouldn't let him leave Alice behind not matter how much he protested.

"What why?" he asked, his voice going rather high I guess from the shock. "Don't you want there to be an us?" his voice pained with hurt that I was rejecting him.

"No I do you know I do, god I love you a ridiculous amount, but I can't have you come with me" I sighed it sounded like I didn't make sense, but I wouldn't put all this on Alice because she did need him.

"If you love me why can't I come, Lauren I love you please" pleading with me, making it hurt even more than I could of imagined.

"I can't let you leave Alice she needs you, I won't take you away from her, I'm sorry" I whispered brushing past him, ignoring the calls of my name as I crossed the square to number 5. The tears streaming down my cheeks fiercely. Why did I have to come back and fall harder in love with him?

To say I had the worst night's sleep was an understatement, in all honesty I spent most the night in the living room watching the square all the residents slept peacefully, my eyes firmly on number 23, not that I could see much as all the lights were out. I occasionally glanced to my packed suitcase at the bottom of the hall, as soon as I got in I booked a flight back to New York for the following day, I couldn't stay here knowing Joey wasn't coming back with me, sure it was my decision but it was the right one, I wasn't going to hurt Alice for my own selfish reasons.

Soon enough the day arrived, I was exhausted rather glad that I would be on a plane for hours so I could catch up on the missed sleep. Abi had insisted on driving me to the airport, mum and Nick saying their goodbyes at home as they both had work.

"So why isn't Joey coming with you?" she asked a little hesitantly, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Because I said he couldn't, Alice needs him here, I won't take her brother away from her" repeating that through my head as if it was justifying the reason, when in all honesty I wanted him to come with me more than I would ever thought. Abi just nodded in reply, I guess she didn't know what to say. Arriving at the airport Abi insisted on walking me to departures, she had a smirk written on her face I wasn't even sure why, she kept checking her phone no doubt Jay had sent her a dirty text; my little sister what a minx. As we arrived at the check in, I handed over my passport and booking details, smiling weakly at Abi as I tried to hold myself together.

"There we go madam enjoy your flight" the attendant smiled at me passing my ticket to me.

"Thank you" smiling as I put my things away before turning to face Abi, I hated saying goodbye to my little sister, sure we had been through a lot together but I loved her unconditionally and saying goodbye never got any easier.

"God I'm going to miss you, send me your work dates and I will send you a ticket to visit" my voice now a little shaky. "Will do Lauren" I pulled her into a tight squeeze, not sure I wanted to let go. Pulling away I heard another voice "My turn" spinning around I spotted Alice siling widely at me.

"Alice you didn't need to come to the airport to see me off" just seeing Alice made me think of Joey.

"Needed a proper goodbye, plus had to drop someone off here" she replied, taking my hands in hers. "Take care of him" she stated, I couldn't help but scrunch my face up confused what on earth was she even talking about.

"She will" my heart fluttered in that instance as I heard his voice, I could feel his warmth behind me.

"What is going on?" I spluttered looking from Joey to Alice then to my very guilty faced sister.

"No time to explain babe, our flight leaves in a bit" he chuckled nudging me lightly as I fell back into his arms, as they wound around my waist, his front to my back as I engaged what was happening.

"But…but" I couldn't find what I was trying to say, my head was spinning.

"Joey told me what a complete idiot you were being, Lauren I'm going to miss Joey but he wants to be with you, I would never stop him living his life" she sighed, holding my hands within hers. "Now you two are going to make this work or so god I will fly to America and beat you both" her voice stern but laced with humour.

"I love you Al" I smiled pulling my cousin into a hug.

"Love you too, now you better go me and Abi will be coming for a holiday soon" she chuckled, kissing Joey's cheek lightly as we turned to head through departures, hand in hand.

"Looks like its just me and you babe" he smirked, his fingers brushing with mine.

"How it was always meant to be" I replied.

Finally fate had dealt a card I was happy with as I headed back to America with more than duty free. Joey my soul mate, best friend and now partner who I was about to go on a crazy adventure with.