Gah, wow guys thank you so much. The reviews were overwhelming! I actually can't believe it because I honestly never could have predicted this fic getting so much support. I'm glad you guys like it. Unfortunately I won't be able to update as often from now on because I'm going into my final year of school so I won't have as much time, but I'll try my best to update as frequently as I can. Lots of hugs and kisses being sent your way from Ireland x x x

"Darren stop!" Lauren squealed between giggles, doubling over on the sofa, her laughter muffled by the cushions.

"But I love hearing you laugh," Darren argued playfully, continuing to tickle his petite girlfriend.

"…Can't…breathe…"

He pulled his hands away and looked at her, bent over, struggling to regain breath control. A light panic crossed his mind as she became completely still however it was gone a second later when she lifted her head, grinning manically,

"You're so annoying," she teased, swinging one of the cushions at his head and laughing when she saw his dishevelled hair as a result of her well-aimed hit.

"You don't mean that," Darren pouted, encircling her in both his arms and kissing her cheek, "You love me really."

"Shut up," she huffed, struggling to duck out from under his arms. Darren only held tighter, smiling as she turned and glared, a small smile playing in her lips,

"Darren, I'm going to be late!"

"You won't," he assured her, earning him a sceptical look from Lauren,

"Dar, seriously I can't risk losing this job."

Darren knew she had plenty of time, but he could hear the urgency in her voice and realised that now wasn't the time to be stressing her out over tiny things,

"Okay okay, but at least let me walk you there," he caved, releasing her.

They walked hand in hand to the little café where Lauren had managed to acquire a job as a waitress. She liked the job but found the late hours on weekdays a killer, especially with early classes the following morning. She often thought back to the day her father had dropped her off before the start of term and questioned had she made the right choice. It was a lot to deal with but she refused to give her mother the satisfaction of seeing her fall dependant on their money.

"Sit down a second Lolo," her father requested softly, patting the space next to himas she emerged from her room having dropped her suitcase. She walked over slowly and sat down, leaning into her Dad's shoulder,

"Sometimes it scares me how grown up and independent you are now," he chuckled looking around at the apartment, "You're still my baby girl though."

Lauren smiled at this, "I love you Dad."

"Love you too bud," he replied sincerely, "Look Lolo... you don't need to worry about college fees. I'll talk to your Mother and sort things out."

Lauren shook her head, "I don't want your money."

"Lauren, she'll come around."

"Maybe she will, maybe she won't," Lauren replied defiantly , "either way, I want to do this alone."

Her father stayed silent for a few minutes, allowing her words to settle, "you never liked it when your pride got knocked. You get that from your Abuela."

"I just want to prove to her that I take this stuff seriously. It's not a joke to me"

"I know," he agreed, "and I have no doubt that in a few years you'll be a big star, but you shouldn't feel ashamed of allowing your parents help get you there."

Lauren stood and faced her father, her tone serious, "I won't take the money. I don't want to and I certainly don't need to."

Her father stood, towering over her, looking down at his tiny daughter. It was funny how Mark had brought his own height and then Lauren had come along, this petite little thing. She'd been the smallest in her class her whole life and he often wondered, in some way, if she'd found the need to push herself more to prove to people that she was stronger than she looked,

"I can't force you to take something you don't want," he said sadly.

She knew he'd been a little hurt at her refusal but she couldn't let his feelings alter her decision.

Darren hadn't been too pleased either to find out about this and as the weeks went by he'd begun to notice the strain it was having on her; trying to balance college classes and an almost full time job. She looked exhausted and Darren noticed with concern that she'd lost weight which, Lauren being so tiny to begin with, couldn't really afford to lose,

"What time are you finished tonight," he asked

"Eleven," she sighed, "and then I promised the girls I'd go out."

"I'll pick you up from work. Don't walk home alone at that hour…"

"Darren I'll be fine," she hushed, but he was having none of it,

"Lauren I'm serious," he begged, "please just wait for me."

"Fine," she complied, touched that he cared so much for her safety despite her inner pride insisting that she didn't need a 'bodyguard' to keep out of harm's way.

She gave Darren a kiss goodbye as she reached the café, "See you later," she winked before disappearing inside.

Lauren smiled warmly at Corey, another student who worked there at the weekends. He was an arts student so Lauren didn't see much of him outside work hours,

"I hope it doesn't get too busy tonight," he groaned.

Lauren glanced around at the half empty cafe, "You might just get your wish," she observed, "but the night is young."

Corey laughed and rolled his eyes. They were a good team and Lauren was glad of his company during the quiter evenings. The little bell on the door tinkled, indicating the arrival of a new customer. Lauren turned as she tied her work apron around her waist and beamed when she saw Joey leaning on the counter,

"Hey," she greeted, "I haven't seen you in ages."

"Lo, you saw me two days ago," Joey laughed.

"The usual?" she smirked

"The usual," he affirmed, watching as Lauren grabbed a cup from beneath the counter and poured him a cup of tea, adding in the exact amount of milk she knew he liked.

"Are you heading out tonight?" Lauren asked, handing him his change which he refused and insisted she keep as a tip.

"Maybe…"

"Jaime's going out tonight," Lauren said coyly, handing him a packet of sugar.

Joey's head shot up surprised and Lauren eyed him, an amused expression on her face,

"Go for it Joey, she likes you," Lauren said sincerely.

"Don't tell her I told you that," she added as an afterthought, "she'd kill me."

"My mouth is shut," Joey promised, miming locking his lips with a key,

"I better get going Lo," he sighed, noticing the small queue forming behind him,

"See ya," she grinned, giving him a small wave as he left.

The café continued to get progressively busy as the night wore on and Lauren was practically worn off her feet by the time 11 o' clock came around. As she shrugged on her coat she scanned the tables, searching for Darren's curly mop of hair. After waiting another ten minutes, he'd still failed to show and Lauren decided she needed to leave if she was to catch up with Meredith, Jaime and Julia before they left.

As she stepped outside she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She grabbed the wall to steady herself and closed her eyes for a second, listening to the sound of the autumn leaves being blown across the street. when she opened them again she felt perfect again and put it down to the sudden drop in temperature after leaving the warm cafe.

She glanced around nervously, noticing how empty the street was and stalled momentarily, contemplating stepping back inside the café. She shook off the drizzles of doubt that knitted in her mind and set off at a brisk pace, however the lack of traffic and people set her on edge. She sensed a figure walking not far behind her, the sound of his steps causing her heart beat to quicken. She didn't have the nerve to turn around and check who it was and cursed herself for not waiting at the café. She picked up her pace, now almost running.

As she rounded the corner she slammed into someone and stumbled back, letting out a small yelp. Whoever it was, stepped in front of her, blocking her path. She tried to push past, keeping her head down but was stopped when the pair of male hands gently grabbed her own. She lifted her head slowly, her lip quivering in fear. Darren's face peered back at her, worry creased in his brow,

"Lauren! Lo! Can you hear me," Darren was saying clearly, his gaze pouring into her brown eyes as she stared up at him dazed.

She released the breath she hadn't even realised she'd been holding and collapsed into his arms, shaking, Darren held her to him and massaged her back soothingly. Warmth emanated from his body as she inhaled the familiar scent of his colon.

"Lo, what happened?" he demanded

"Nothing, I'm okay," she stuttered, "I just over-reacted…. Tiredness got to me I guess."

"You're white as a sheet. I told you to wait for me," Darren murmured, rubbing her hands in his, trying to warm them up.

Lauren looked close to tears. Darren pushed a strand of her hair out of her face and added with a sympathetic look, "It doesn't matter. You're okay and that's all that matters."

She nodded numbly and allowed him the wrap his arm around her as they strolled back to her apartment. She rang Julia, telling her to go on ahead without her, explaining that she was too tired to join them."

"Just go to bed, get some sleep Lo," Darren warned, after she'd hung up, "you need to slow things down a notch and look after yourself."

"I can look after myself," she replied stubbornly

"I know you can, but you can't keep turning your back on everyone."

"But I don't need help and I don't need everyone telling me what to do," she stressed, pulling her and Darren to a stop. Darren faced her,

"Everyone needs help sometimes," he spoke calmly, "even if they realise it."

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