A/N: So here you go... here is today's chapter. We start to see the impact of what Joey has told them on both Max and Lauren.

Chapter 15.

Lauren stood in front of Joey in Oscar's room. It had been an emotional morning and she knew they were both overwrought and really tired. After the night before where neither of them really got any sleep, they could both do with getting some rest. She held both of his hands in hers and rested her head against his chest. They stayed that way for some time, offering comfort just by holding each other. Suddenly Lauren moved, dropping his hands and pulling his face down to hers, her hands now cupping his cheeks. She kissed him softly, over and over. He swept her into his arms, pulling her against his body as he threaded his fingers through her hair.

"You don't think any less of me then, after everything I told you?" he asked her softly. She could tell he was scared of what she was going to say.

"Of course not." She kissed him again. This one was more passionate and his tongue soon entered her mouth, at her beckoning. "Joey..." she breathed when his mouth moved down her jaw. Soon he was sucking softly at the skin at the base of her neck and she moaned. Her hands were not idle either as they gripped the front of his T-shirt. As one they worked in tandem, removing layers of clothing from each other, taking their time to investigate what was revealed. Lauren stood before him in her underwear and she looked at him through her lashes, worried what he'd think about her.

"You have nothing to worry about, Lauren. You're stunning." She blushed at his words and looked down to the floor. He pulled her against him and she could feel the hard contours of his body pressing against hers.

"I don't want to rush into this, Joey." She told him gently, although her actions would've told him otherwise.

"I don't want to either. I need you though. I need to show you how much I love you."

"What did you just say?" she asked, pulling away from him slightly.

"I love you..." he whispered.

"I think I love you too." She whispered back to him, smiling shyly.

"Despite everything I said this morning?" He asked.

"Yes." He hugged her tightly. "I also love you because of what you said this morning."

He kissed her passionately and she let him. She wanted this as much as he did. When they broke apart Lauren took his hand in hers and led him to the bed.

*JL*JL*

Max walked around the square a couple of times. He felt sick as he remembered all the truly awful things Joey had told them. He had no doubt it was all true. He just couldn't understand how someone could treat their child like that. He'd done some pretty horrendous things to his children but he'd never physically abused them. Something occurred to Max as he continued walking and the very thought of it made Max's stomach churn. He could feel he was losing control, his well placed mask slipping and he knew he needed something... or more accurately he needed someone.

He changed direction, heading towards the salon and his wife. The one place he knew he could go. He pushed open the door and strode into his wife's workplace. "Max, you're early." Tanya said. She paused when she saw his face, "Are you okay?" she asked him softly.

"No." He answered quietly. He pulled her into his arms and clutched her tightly.

"Max?" She was concerned about him. She wasn't sure what it was that was wrong but she knew whatever it was it was serious. This was not the way her husband usually behaved.

"Sorry." He whispered, knowing she wouldn't understand.

"What's going on Max? Is it Lauren?"

"No." He pulled away from her. He looked around the room, seeing Poppy and a couple of customers around them. "Can we go and talk upstairs?" She nodded and he led them both up the stairs. Once they were in the room he shut the door. He could feel her presence behind him in the room but he couldn't face her. "Joey told us everything." He said softly. "It was his fourth birthday when it began, Tan. He was younger than Oscar..." He heard her gasp. "I can't tell you the details. I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone. I feel like... I don't understand how someone could do that to their child. How did I not see the kind of person Derek was? How could I believe he was such an amazing person when he could do that to his own son? What does it say about me that I didn't realise the kind of person he was. I mean, sure he'd been in prison but not for anything like this..." Max sagged as his words faded and Tanya stepped forward, gently putting her hand on his shoulder and squeezing.

"Max, he's your brother... you're not supposed to think they can be that cruel." She said, her voice soft and loving.

"Joey is his son. Derek never gave him that consideration."

"We'll be there for him, Max. We'll help him through this." Tanya paused briefly. "How was Lauren when he told you both?"

"Distraught. She supported him through it though, Tan. She was there for him when he needed her. I don't think he could've got through telling us if she hadn't been there for him." He finally turned to face his wife, "This is going to change their relationship and I should imagine it will be quite soon. I can tell she loves him. I can see it on her face whenever she looks at him. I don't know if she realises what it is she feels for him but I know she does. And Joey adores her. You should see the way he behaves with her, babe, she's the centre of his world. I really think he'll be good for her as well. I'm hoping they'll both come out of this stronger than they were beforehand."

"So what happens now?"

"Joey's going to tell the police everything this afternoon. I guess we take it from there." Max had called the police when he'd first left the house and had arranged for them to arrive in about an hour's time. Max was already dreading it. He had no idea how Joey and Lauren would feel when he told them. Probably the same as him... but more than likely it would be worse for them and Max knew he needed to be there for Joey and Lauren. He was worried about how this would affect Lauren. He knew how she normally handled situations like this and he was already mentally preparing himself for that to happen.

*JL*JL*

Lauren lay in the bed, Joey's arms wrapped around her body. She could feel her heart gradually slowing down and from where her head lay she knew it was the same for him. Joey's hands were caressing her bare flesh and she shivered at the sensations coursing through her from each caress. "That was amazing..." she said, her lips pressing against his skin in a soft kiss.

"Yes, it was." He confirmed.

"So much for taking our time," she said.

"Do you regret it?"

"No... I just promised my dad I wouldn't rush this and I don't want to let him down again. I've done that enough already."

He laughed softly, "I'm actually jealous of the relationship you have with your father. How sad is that?"

"It's not sad. I may not always get on with my dad but I can see he's a thousand times better than yours." She giggled softly, "Isn't this what we argued about the other day?" she asked him.

"We're not arguing." He pointed out. He yawned, "I'm so tired." He whispered.

"Then go to sleep. I'll stay here with you." He smiled at her and pulled her closer to him if that was possible. He closed his eyes and Lauren reached up and brushed the hair from his face. It felt good to be able to do that she realised. It was just minutes later that Joey was sleeping, breathing softly as he relaxed. Lauren lay there for quite a while before she finally drifted off into a disturbed sleep.

TBC

A/N2: So there you go. What did you think? Let me know in a review.