Max managed to calm himself down, a few minutes later. He looked over at Joey, who was completely heartbroken and pulled him in for a hug. Max broke it and got to his feet, helping Joey to his, and putting one of his arms round his neck to support as they made their way back into the Branning house. Other residents, who had watched the scene unfolded, turned away and walked back into their houses. Alice rushed across the Square to her brother in her pyjamas, but Joey shook his head as she tried to hug him, brushing her off. Alice nodded slightly and watched as the two Brannings made their way into the household...

Max slammed the door shut, so hard it nearly came off its hinges. Joey stood in the hallway for a moment, picking up Laurens red zip up top. He pressed it to his nose, smelling her scene on it. It had only been a few minutes, but he was already missing her so much.

'A great end to Boxing Day' he muttered darkly to himself

'TANYA!' he heard Max yell. He walked into the living room, seeing Max standing over Tanya, looking quite scary.

'WHY DID YOU DO THAT, TAN!' Max screamed

'BECAUSE SHE'S ILL, MAX! SHE NEEDS HELP! I KNEW THAT YOU WOULDN'T AGREE, SO I HAD TO DO IT BEHIND YOUR BACKS!'Tanya screamed back. This struck something in Joey and he stood next to Max.

'I swear to God, if Lauren turns against me and Max for something we didn't do... I'll never forgive you!' said Joey darkly. He stormed off, up to Lauren and Abi's room, the door slamming shut. Tanya scoffed.

'Who does he think is? Thinking he can waltz in here and stay the night! I don't think so!' said Tanya, getting up. However, Max grabbed her arm and sat her back down.

'Actually, Joey can stay here for as long as he wants! If he wants a relationship with Lauren, he can. I saw how much he loves her tonight. I just hope to God, Lauren doesn't blame him for what you've done!'

'Why would she blame him?'

'For letting her go, when you revealed you phoned the ambulance, Tan! After your little stunt tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if Joeys the only person she'll ever trust!' spat Max. He noticed Tanya had tears trickling down her cheeks

'Don't go regretting it, Tan!' shouted Max, storming from the room, leaving Abi to comfort her mum...

Early next morning, the police came knocking, wanting to question Max and Joey. Between them, they decided to say they were both with Lauren around the time of the death, but Joey and Lauren had gone out at the time Derek had been killed. And with Tanya at the salon, the house was empty.

'Listen, Joey. We've got to get our heads straight! We were with Lauren around the time of Derek's murder, then you two went off round town... okay?' said Max

'Carol and Alice were there when I told you, Tanya and Jack about me and Lauren finding him!' hissed Joey.

'Leave them two to me, alright! With any look it'll be us they'll question first' said Max, just as knock came to the door. Max sent Joey a look, saying ''stick with the story'', before opening the door.

'Max Branning. Mind if we come in?' asked DCI Banks. Max stepped sideways and Banks entered the house. Max motioned through to the living room, where Joey was sat on the sofa, silently panicking.

'Mr Branning, mind giving us a few minutes?' asked Banks. Joey swallowed nodded getting to his feet and heading for the kitchen...

It turned out the police didn't want to speak to Joey at the moment, as Max had filled them in, in quite a lot of detail. After the door slammed shut as the police headed out, Joey rushed out of the kitchen.

'Well? What did they say?' he asked Max, slightly panicked

'They just asked me a few basic questions that are all. They're going to interview Alice and Carol in a bit. I need to go over there and convince them to stick to our story. I'll be back in a bit, alright?' said Max, grabbing his coat and heading outside into the cold, heading across the Square, to Carols...

Over the next few days, Joey found himself more on edge as the police still hadn't talked to him yet. He knew it was only a matter of time, but not knowing when was horrible. He was sat in Caf, when they showed up, sitting down in front of him.

'Joey Branning?' asked DI Banks, while his colleague, DI Spencer, sat down next to him quietly

'Yeah?'

'I want to ask you a few questions about where you were on the night of Derek Brannings murder...' asked Banks. Joey nodded, indicating for him to continue

'Can you confirm your whereabouts at the time of Derek Brannings death?'

'I was out round town, with my friends and my cousin' lied Joey

'Got anyone who can confirm that?' asked DI Spencer

'Yeah, my uncle Max' said Joey

'Max tells us it was just you and Miss Branning that went out round town' asked Banks

'Yeah, at first. Then we met some of my friends and hung round with them' said Joey. DI Banks and Spencer were silent for a few minutes, jotting notes down, giving Joey a chance to breathe.

'Mr Branning, do you have any idea of anyone who would want to kill Mr Branning?' asked DI Spencer

'No, I don't' lied Joey, looking them in the eye. Di Banks and Spencer looked at each other and nodded.

'There'll be no further question for the time being. We'll be touch if we need more information' said DI Spencer, packing up his stuff and following DI Banks out of the Caf. Joey let out a huge breath he didn't know he was holding...

When Joey arrived back at the Brannings that afternoon, Max was their on the phone.

'... Right okay, we'll be there in a bit... yeah... bye' said Max, hangin up the phone, and turning to Joey.

'Who was that?'

'A nurse at the Priory. She says Lauren is okay to have visitors now...' said Max. Joey straightened up a little.

'Does that mean we can see her? Now?' said Joey

'If you want' said Max, picking up his car keys. Joey nodded, but rushed upstairs to get changed in a pair of jeans and tight top, picking up his jacket on the way back downstairs, where Max was waiting for him. Max handed Joey a piece of folded up paper.

'Just remember Oscar wants Lauren to have this' said Max, as Joey frowned. Joey nodded and tucked it in his back pocket, opening the door and heading the steps to Max's car, both of them ignoring Tanya's shouts of their names...

After a two hour drive, Max and Joey arrived at the Priory. And, seeing as he had never been to a treatment centre before, he was nervous.

'Max? Is she with other people going through the same thing as her? Or is she on her own ward?' he asked

'She's with other people, going through the same thing. Don't worry' said Max, as they got out of the car. They headed for the entrance and heading through the double glass doors, Joey noticing a staircase.

'Eating Disorder Unit' Max answered Joey's unspoken question. Joey looked at him and swallowed.

'You sure you're okay?' asked Max. Joey nodded and Max pressed the buzzer on the door for someone to let them in. A few minutes later, a nurse let them.

'We're here to see Lauren Branning. I'm her father and this is her... boyfriend, Joey' said Max, just managing to stop him self from saying cousin.

'Nice to meet you both. I'm Julia. If you need anything just come and find me. Is your first time visiting here?' she asked

'No'

'Yes' said Max and Joey at the same time. Julia nodded in understanding

'I'll go and get her for you' she said, before heading of down the corridor to find Lauren's room. Max and Joey were been stared at by the other patients, who had slight smiles on their faces. A picture caught Joey's eye. It was one Lauren had done. It showed an image of two people in tears, a broken heart underneath, with the caption he did this to us. Joey frowned and wondered what she meant, when Max slapped his shoulder. Joey looked at him, then followed his gaze and saw Lauren standing at the end of the corridor. He swallowed and blinked, unable to believe that the girl staring at him and Max was the same Lauren Branning they knew and loved. Her hair was limp and lifeless. Her eyes and face... they showed no emotion at all.

'Lauren?' Joey whispered, not knowing what to do

'Go on. Go to her, slowly' said Max. Joey cautiously stepped forward slowly, his eyes locked with Laurens. Lauren however was battling with herself whether or not to run back to her room. She didn't want Joey seeing her like this, but her feet were rooted to the floor. She felt Joey's hand tuck a piece of her hair away behind her ears.

'Lauren' he whispered again. Hearing his voice made Lauren's eyes sting with tears and that was all it took for Joey to pull her in for a tight hug, never wanting to let her go...

An hour later, Max had gone to get a drink, leaving Lauren and Joey alone in Lauren's room. They were laid on her bed, in each others arms. Joey suddenly remembered Oscar's picture.

'Oh yeah, Oscar sent this for you' he said, handing Lauren the folded up piece of paper. Lauren unfolded it and stared at it. Suddenly, she got off her bed and grabbed a pen, slamming the picture down on her vanity table.

'Lauren! What are you doing?' Joey asked, looking over her shoulder. Lauren was scribbling out two people with a black pen.

'LAUREN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!' shouted Joey, trying to stop her ruining the picture.

'She's not mother of mine, Joey! She's no mother of mine' she repeated, looking at him, her eyes dark and manic. Then she went back to scribbling someone else on the picture out. However, Lauren started to sob and the pen fell from her hand.

'Babe, what's wrong?' Joey asked panicked, gathering her up in his arms. He winced as Lauren started scratches at his arms, hard.

'Ow! Lauren!'

'Him! It was him! That night... it was him!' said Lauren, pulling out of Joey's hug. Joey looked confused.

'Lauren?'

'Uncle Derek... Dead... It wasn't me, it was him!' said Lauren, starting to scratch her wrist so hard, the scabs that were healing started to bleed. Joey shot forward and grabbed her hand.

'STOP IT! WHO WAS IT' shouted Joey

'HIM!'

'Who, Lauren!' Joey shouted, pinnning her against the wall gently.

'Jack! It was Uncle Jack who killed Derek...' cried Lauren, pushing Joey away and sliding to the floor sobbing, while Joey slowly went into shock...

:D R&R