Yay chapter 5! Things are moving along now. Thanks to everyone that reviewed/favourited/followed x x

Reviewers:

Starkid5ever32: I did warn you ;) hehe and thank you x x x

TearsOfaClown: You'll have to wait and see ;) x x x thank you

starkidllamas-llama: Maybe they'll be ok, maybe they won't be :0 Thanks for reviewing, I hope your enjoying it x x x

Fan of the Just King: Aw thank you so much, that review was so sweet, seriously you're way too kind. Ya I know poor Lauren's having it tough at the moment but you'll have to wait to see what happen

AllThatIWant: I understand I'm probably inflicting severe emotional distress with this story! I'm so glad you like it and I know poor Lauren and Joe.x x x

P0tterFanatic: Haha thank you. This chapter will answer some of your questions but with other things you're going to have to wait and see ;) x x x

starkid amy: You'll have to wait and see. Thank you x x x

Fudge-The-Tie: I can't stop! And there's more feels crushing to come so at least you're now immune! Thanks so much, I hope you'll be able to handle what's to come! x x x

Lauren felt her heart rate quicken as a cloth bag was shoved over head the moment they stepped out of the train. A large hand grabbed her upper arm and pushed her forward roughly, causing her to stumble, however the man's tight grip on her prevented her from falling.

After a few minutes she felt a tug on her arm, pulling her to a stop., shivering slightly as the air got cooler. She gasped as she was lifted and then almost immediately dropped again, wincing as her shoulder collided forcefully with the floor. She heard the sound of doors closing behind her as she sat up slowly, desperately fighting the urge to tear off the cloth bag.

However she didn't have to wait long as a moment later it was removed. She looked around, eyes wide and fearful. The roar of the engine made her start and she realised she was in the back of a van. Shane, one of Kate's main accomplices, was kneeling opposite her,

"Hold out your hands."

Lauren jumped at the sound of the deep coarse voice and obediently held her hands out in front of her. Looking up she watched him locate a roll of duct tape from within a black bag pack. He started to wrap it tightly around her wrists, binding them together. Lauren tried to hold in the tears, not wanting to appear weak however as Shane moved to her ankles she felt a tear escape. She raised her hand automatically to wipe it away only to remember that her movements were restricted. She sniffed and Shane looked up. He looked around cautiously before his face softened,

"Look, Lauren is it?" he whispered to which she nodded.

"If you behave and just stay quiet they might let you live. I think Kate already likes you but there are other people to consider. You're small and ballsy – they might find a use for you."

Lauren clamped her lips together and bowed her head.

"They told me to gag you but I don't think we need it," Shane said softly, finished with binding her feet. It was weird to see him acting kindly towards her,

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Shane chuckled bitterly, "I can't possibly see how you can thank me. I'm sorry this happened to you and... for the record I think what you did for your boyfriend was incredibly brave."

The van hit a pothole, sending Lauren crashing onto her side. Without the use of her hands to break the fall, her shoulder once again bore the full force of the impact. She cried out in pain and felt a hand clamp over her mouth,

"I'm sorry; I just can't let them hear you in the front," Shane apologised, pulling her up. Up close Lauren noticed he looked a lot younger than she'd originally thought, possibly only a year of two older than she was. He had piercing blue eyes that reminded her so much of Joes. Shane didn't speak to her again after that but anytime she lost balance he caught her before she hit the ground.

After hours of driving she felt tired and stiff. The skin between her wrists was raw from rubbing against one another and her feet had gone numb. Finally she felt the van begin to slow down.

Shane picked up the duct tape and tore off a piece, giving her an apologetic look before taping over her mouth as the vehicle rolled to a stop. He opened the van doors and climbed out then turned to lift Lauren into his arms with ease. Curiosity got the better of her and she found herself looking around. It looked as if they were in an old underground car park except it was completely empty apart from the white van they'd arrived in and four large black Volvos with tinted windows from which people were emerging,

"Where's Marcus?" Shane asked, turning to a tall burly guy, who had climbed out from the driver's seat.

"Left behind," he answered emotionless. His eyes landed on Lauren, appraising her. He smirked and Lauren felt her blood run cold as she stared back,

"Prettier than what we normally get," he observed, grabbing her chin, "I'll put in a good word sweetheart."

Lauren didn't know what he meant by this but it certainly did nothing to quench her fear,

"Where'll I take her Morgan?" Shane asked and Lauren was sure she could detect a slight uneasiness in his voice.

"Upstairs," he replied, giving Lauren a cold sneer before stalking away.

Joe opened his eyes slowly, groaning as the bright artificial lights hit him,

"Joe? Hey man, you're ok, you're in hospital," Joey said leaning forward and lowering the volume on the tv. He hadn't left Joe's side since arriving at the hospital the day before. He felt he owed it to Lauren to look out for him.

"Water," Joe rasped, trying to sit up, only to give up due to exhaustion. Joey pressed the ASSISTANCE button to alert the nurses before pouring his friend a drink and holding it out to him,

"The others are down in the cafeteria," Joey informed him, "you gave us a bit of a scare. Darren even flew in last night."

Joe gave him a weak smile as the hospital door was opened and a friendly looking nurse walked in,

"Ah good to see you awake," she smiled warmly.

She busied herself checking his bandages and monitors while Joe tried to blink the sleep from his eyes. She seemed satisfied enough and offered to help him sit up,

"Those stitches are still fresh and the skin is tender, so be careful," she warned gently, "a doctor should be in shortly."

The anaesthetic was gradually wearing off and memories of being trapped in the train were starting to come back to Joe,

"That bitch shot me," he cursed, turning to face Joey as the nurse left.

Joey didn't have time to respond as the door opened again and the rest of the Starkids piled into the room,

"Thank God you're ok," Meredith gushed, rushing to Joe's bedside, "I thought we'd lost you."

Tears were streaming down her face. It was becoming a regular occurrence for this to happen and her words were muffled by the sobs that convulsed her body,

"Hey Mere, I'm fine. I just have a new battle scar," Joe joked weakly. Suddenly his eyes widened as more flashes of the train came back to him,

"Lauren," he murmured, twisting around to find her face. He frowned and looked to Joey, getting a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach when no one offered any explanation for her absence,

"Where's Lo?"

Everyone lowered their gaze as Joe's eye's looked on, begging for a logical reason as to why the girl he loved wasn't there. Joey swallowed and faced Joe,

"I'm sorry Joe, I tried… but…"

The sound of the TV news anchor's voice drowned out Joey's voice causing Joe to look up,

"…while police managed to prevent the second train from a bomb attack, over 50 people were held hostage by a terrorist group who demanded a ransom fee of $500,000 in return for the release of the passengers on board. Police are further investigating the disappearance of a young woman, who was taken by the group."

A picture of Lauren appeared to the right of the news anchor's head and Joe felt a tear slide down his cheek.

"…the 25 year old, identified as Lauren Lopez, was reported to be wearing blue denim shorts and a white t-shirt. Police are asking citizens to alert them to any information that might help in returning her home safely."

Darren turned the TV off as the weather reporter took over. Everyone was waiting for Joe to say something but he seemed to be slowly digesting the news,

"The police said they'll try…" Julia started

"What?" Joe asked bitterly, "they'll try to find her and bring her back to us and that's that, everything will be back to normal... What happened? Why didn't they let her go like everyone else?"

"She was their security to get away," Jaime choked, omitting the fact that Lauren had volunteered, "they picked her… and I know it's not fair and I wish it was me instead, but it's not and now… now she's gone,"

Everyone looked at Jaime, who was usually so composed and collected and Joey moved to comfort her. She hadn't said much since she'd arrived at the hospital and the effect of having to leave one of her best friends behind was clearly starting to show.

Joe swallowed before speaking,

"It just hurts to know that somewhere out there she is alone and scared and I can't do a Goddamn thing about it. What if she's..."

Joe fell silent, deciding to keep is fears to himself, while knowing it was a thought that had crossed everyone's mind. She could be dead. The thought was too much for him to deal with.

Joey rubbed Jaimes back as she cried into his shirt. "It'll be ok" - the phrase became a mantra as he rocked her gently back and forth, even though he knew things would never again be 'fine'.

Hope you guys are enjoying this x x Review and let me know what you think. There'll be some Breredith coming soon!

Thank you, ye're all so sweet.