A/N: It's been requested that I post another chapter tonight... so here goes. Hold on to your seats though folks... it's about to get bumpy. And this really is it for tonight.

Chapter 12.

"Dad..." Her voice was shaky.

"Lauren?" He was instantly alert. "Is everything okay?"

"He's here, dad."

"Who?"

"Uncle Derek." She whispered. "Dad, I'm scared he's going to hurt Joey."

"I'm on my way."

"What should I do?"

"Is he in the room with Joey?"

"Yes."

"Where are you?"

"I went to the bathroom while he slept but Derek was in there when I got back."

"Tell the nurses and get them to call the police. They were supposed to be picking him up this morning." Max walked out of the car lot office and over to their house. "I'll be there as soon as I can, sweetheart. Don't go in that room."

"What if he hurts Joey? I can't watch him hurt him, dad."

"Joey wouldn't want you to be hurt either, Lauren. I'll be there soon, okay. I love you." He had to hang up the phone as he started the engine. Just as he was about to pull away he saw his other brother. He wound down the window, "Jack... get in."

"Max, I haven't got time."

"Jack, now!"

Jack studied his face and saw the seriousness on it. He climbed into the car and was still putting on his seat belt when Max roared away. "What's going on?"

"We're going to the hospital." Max said, his voice almost a growl.

"Is it Joey?"

"Yeah."

Jack was silent for a minute or so, "Talk to me Max."

"Lauren just called me. Derek's in the room with Joey."

"Joey's his son."

"It was Derek that put him in hospital, Jack. Joey told me this morning."

"There's no love lost between the two of them. Are you sure he's telling the truth?"

"Jack, I saw the look on his face when he told me. He wasn't lying." Max sighed. "I told the police. They were supposed to be arresting him this morning. They were going to question Joey after they had him in custody." They'd arrived at the hospital and Max pulled his car into a space and leapt from the car, closely followed by his younger brother. They both sprinted down the corridors towards the intensive care ward. Max found Lauren standing outside the ward and he swept her into his arms, feeling her body shaking against his.

"Security went in there but he won't come out." She whispered.

"What do you mean?"

"He's threatening to hurt Joey so they won't force him to leave." She sobbed.

Max pulled away from her, "Uncle Jack and I are going to go and sort this out. Joey will be fine, Lauren, I promise." He kissed her then strode away towards the room with Jack in tow. They opened the door and found two security guards standing in front of them.

"You need to leave, sirs." One of them said.

"He's our brother," Jack said, "We may be able to talk him down."

The security guards shared a look before taking a step back and revealing their brother and nephew. Derek was pushing Joey down onto the bed, his forearm across his son's throat. In his right hand was a lighter with his thumb poised to light it. His left hand held a cigar. "Del, what are you doing?" Max asked him angrily.

"Max, Jack, how nice of you both to join Joey and I for some family bonding time."

"No, Derek, we've come to stop this madness." Jack said. Joey tried to move on the bed but his father pressed down on his windpipe which led to one of the machines starting to blare.

"Derek, let Joey go." Max urged him.

"Oh, you'd like that wouldn't you. Are you trying to steal my son from me, Maxy? You've lost a son of your own so now you want to have mine instead?"

"Derek, that's out of order," Jack reproached him.

"You think you're going to be able to trust him in your house?" Derek spat in his brother's direction. "You should've seen him with your daughter when I first got here. It's disgusting behaviour the way he was pawing your Lauren."

"Leave it, Derek." Max snapped.

"You knew!?" He roared.

"Yes, I knew. I gave them my blessing."

"It's repulsive."

Max looked at Joey and could see he was close to passing out from lack of oxygen. "Del, you're going to kill him."

The doors opened behind them and police officers swarmed into the room. After that point it was over very quickly with Derek being arrested and dragged from the room kicking and screaming.

"I'll get Lauren, check she's okay," Jack said to his brother.

"You okay, son?" Max asked Joey as he stepped up to the bed. Joey nodded, his hand rubbing his throat as he struggled for breath. "Lauren will be here in a second."

"Is she okay?" he croaked.

"Scared for you but I think she'll be better once she sees you." As if hearing him the doors opened again and Lauren ran into the room.

"Joey?" She hugged him tightly, crying once more.

"I'm fine." Joey whispered to her.

"He could've killed you." She whimpered.

"Don't remind me."

Max and Jack moved away from them to give them some privacy, "You really okay with that?" Jack asked Max softly.

"Yeah, I really am." Max said.

TBC

A/N2: So do you think that will be the last we see of Derek? By the way tonight's episode was AMAZING. Kind of missed seeing Joey though.

Not sure how many chapters I'm going to be able to post tomorrow. I'm going away for Christmas tomorrow so my PC access will be more limited (due to family time). I will try to post at least one a day but I need to manage the number because at the moment if I post one on Christmas day, it's going to be tough one and will ruin the festive spirit for everyone. Anyway let me know what you think will happen next.