Thank you for the reviews, finally got one finished. Try not to leave it so long before the next one.

EPISODE FIVE: Two Sisters

"So what did you do?"Justin asked. Jordan had turned up on his and Char's doorstep not long previous and poured out the story of his encounter with Laurel. Justin wasn't exactly sure why he'd chosen them but presumably he just needed someone to talk to.

"Not much really,"Jordan admitted. "I just kind of held her and mouthed platitudes about how it would be all right."

"Failing college isn't that bad,"Char suggested.

"Well, none of us have been particularly good at it,"Jordan admitted. "I just thought that Laurel would be different. Special."

"Do you want me to talk to her?"Justin asked.

Jordan sighed. "No offence but I think we're past the point where you were important to her."

Char looked confused for a moment then her face cleared. "Oh, of course, you dated Laurel for a bit, didn't you?" She looked confused again. "Is that important?"

"Probably not,"Justin admitted. "Just trying to help."

"I know,"Jordan conceded. "But I'm not sure there's anything anyone can do."

"Well,"Char interjected cautiously. "There is one person that might be able to talk to her…"

Emma put on a smile when Laurel opened the door and held up two bags. "I brought cookies!"

Laurel gave a reluctant smile and allowed her into the flat. "Did Jordan send you?"

Emma hesitated. "He said you might need someone to talk to, yeah."

"I'm fine, Emma, really. Things just got a bit on top of me…"

Emma guided her over to the sofa. "I'm your big sister, you can't lie to me."

Laurel sighed. "I just…I'm not enjoying it. And I'm not good at it. It's like it's Music but it's not, well, music. It's dry theory and facts and…music is something I feel."

"Have you thought about giving it up?"

"Oh, come on, there's got to be one member of this family who makes it through college. No offence."

Emma smiled sympathetically. "I know I'm not exactly a perfect advertisement for a college drop-out. But I dropped out because I had to, I didn't know what I wanted to do. You do. Music."

Laurel looked cautious but interested. "Yeah..?"

"I mean, you don't want to learn about it, you want to make it."

"That's true,"Laurel confirmed.

"Well, when was the last time you played with your band?"

"Not for a while,"Laurel admitted. "I've been too busy with uni."

"Well, ring them up! I'm sure they'd love to have you back."

Laurel gave the first completely genuine smile she'd had since Emma got there. "Okay, yeah! I'll do that!"

Sutton paced the room irritably, phone pressed to her ear but not hearing anything but the ringing tone. "Come on, Emma,"she muttered.

A moment later, her twin's voice came over the speaker. "Hello?"

"Hey, Emma, it's me,"Sutton greeted her in a sunny tone far from her earlier irritability.

"Sutton!"Emma responded in an equally cheery manner. "Look, I'm sorry I can't talk now, Ethan and I are just going out."

"Oh, anywhere nice?"

"We're taking Laurel out. She's a bit down, things aren't going too well for her at uni, she needs cheering up."

"Okay, well give her my love. See you." Sutton ended the call then looked at Dan, her demeanour suddenly serious. "She's going to be out with Ethan and Laurel tonight."

Dan nodded. "Seems as good a time as any."

Emma glanced across the table at Laurel. They were sat with Ethan, Jordan and Lexi in a club. The band were playing and Laurel seemed to be happily tapping her foot to the music, seeming relaxed. "You look in a better mood,"Emma commented.

Laurel nodded. "I think I am going to drop out of uni."

Jordan looked at her in concern. "You're not just doing this because of what we've said?"

"No. Well, kind of but no. Emma's right, going to uni and doing theory isn't what I want to do. I want to be playing. I spoke to Baz and I have got a gig next weekend."

"You go, girl,"Lexi congratulated her.

Laurel took Jordan's hand. "Come on, let's dance." She dragged him out onto the floor.

Lexi gestured after them. "I think it's time for me to bust some moves." She went out onto the floor as well.

Ethan looked at Emma appreciatively. "You did good."

"Yeah,"Emma replied awkwardly. "Not sure if Mum'll be so pleased at Laurel taking the same education route as the rest of us."

"She's happy. Kristen'll see that." Ethan looked at her uncertainly. "What about you? Are you happy?"

"Well, I can't say that being bossed about by Nisha and spinning wheels is my dream job but that's not really the important thing. I'm happy with you and with Eddie...and with Mum and Laurel at that. I just wish Sutton was here to join in with all this, then the family would be perfect."

Sutton and Dan were stood outside the casino. Dan was looking around worriedly as Sutton tried to use the ID pass. "Hurry up,"he hissed.

"I thought you said the ID and your police badge would keep us out of trouble,"Sutton reminded him.

"Yeah, but I'd rather not have to use them."

At that moment, Sutton managed to get the card right and the door swung open. "Voila!"Sutton announced proudly.

Dan led the way inside. "Where's the office?"

"I don't know, it's Emma that works here not me."

Dan pushed open a door marked "Office" and went in.

Sutton followed after him. She quickly noticed the safe in the corner and gestured to it. "You think you can handle that?"

"I got full details from the police. I know how to open it." Dan twisted the combination dials and the door swung open to reveal a large amount of money. He turned to Sutton. "Get the bags."