Over the next two weeks, Lauren very slowly started to get better. She opened up slightly more in the family therapy lessons, what had started a week after Lauren had been admitted. Joey remembered the first all too well.

Flashback

Tanya, Abi. Max and Joey all entered a room, where Lauren and her doctor were already seated. Joey watched as Lauren tensed up and out her walls up around her. He went over to sit next to her and she grabbed his tightly. He squeezed it in reassurance; to her know he was there for her.

'Right, as I'm aware we all know why we're here. We here to-'

'I don't' said Lauren, cutting across her doctor speech. Everyone looked at her

'Lauren, please, just listen to what-'

'Shut up, mum! I honestly don't know why I'm here! There's nothing wrong with me!' said Lauren

'We are here, Lauren... To help you and your family through this tough time' said Doctor Smith. Lauren rolled her eyes.

'Tough time? It's not a tough time for them! They've got lives to be getting on with! They don't have a first clue what goes in here!' said Lauren

'Maybe, if you quieten down a little, Lauren. We might be able to find out!' Said Tanya firmly. This riled Lauren up and she snapped.

'MAYBE IF YOU DIDNT HAVE ME ADMITTED HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE FOR NO REASON... YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE RIGHT NOW!' Lauren screamed, letting go of Joeys hand and getting to her feet.

'LAUREN, PLEASE! YOU KNOW DEEP DOWN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. IF WE HADN'T HAVE ADMITTED YOU, WE ALL COULD HAVE BEEN BURYING YOU BY NOW!' screamed Tanya

'BURYING ME? LIKE WHAT I HAD TO DO WITH HAYLEY? MY CLOSEST FRIEND? YOU KNOW WHAT? I WISH YOU HADNT FOUND ME THAT NIGHT, BECAUSE THEN YOU WOULDN'T BE COMING HERE, TRYING TO CONCINVE ME IM ILL AND NEED HELP! YOU'D ALL BE LIVNG YOUR PERFECT LITTLE LIVES IN PEACE AND QUIET!' Lauren screamed, breathing heavily. Everyone looked at her in shock. Joey opened his mouth to say something, but Lauren ran from the room.

End of flashback

Joey and Carli had got their friendship back on track after three days of arguing. Jay had convinced Carli that Joey had started a fight with him, which had led to Joey been slapped and screamed at by Carli and ended with Jay been kicked where it hurts and dumped after Carli found the truth out. He knocked on her door ad waited. Lately, he'd been spending more time with her, partly to fill the void Lauren had left, but mainly for someone to talk to, as she understood exactly what he was going through. She opened the door and welcomed him in, leading him through to the kitchen.

'Argument with your girl again?' asked Carli, sensing Joeys mood as she made them both cups of tea. Joey sighed.

'Yeah. One minute, she hardly talks to you at all and when she does it, its one word answers... And then other times, she's bright as day. And I know that sounds harsh but... I just can't believe this is happening. She's such a strong girl and to see her like that, so fragile and vulnerable... its not right and it breaks my heart, knowing I was partly the reason she's ended up there!' sobbed Joey. Carli was nearly in tears herself. Joey obviously loved this girl very much if he was in tears. She reached over and hugged him, trying to block out some of her experiences when it happened to someone close to her.

'Joey, trust me. In time, she'll understand why her mum admitted her. But don't give up on her, Joey. She needs her family and you around her right now. Just don't let her end up like my sister and father... Six feet under' said Carli

'I never said I was giving up on her, Carls...' Joey sighed, turning his attention to his cup of tea...

Meanwhile, Lauren, Kate and Martin were befriending a new girl, Maddie.

'It'll be okay, Maddie. We'll be here for you. If you need anything at all, just come to one of us and we'll help you' said Lauren, smiling

'Thanks' said Maddie, smiling back. Just then, Julia came walking towards Lauren.

'Lauren, come here' she said. Lauren rolled her eyes and walked over to Julia.

'What?' she said. Julia handed Lauren a sheet.

'What's this?' Lauren asked, scanning it.

'You've made some good progress over these last two weeks. Maybe it'll do you some good to be around familiar surroundings' said Julia. Lauren looked at her blankly.

'It's a day release form, Lauren. If you want... This Saturday we'll allowed you out for the day to go home... but you have to be back by eight, latest' said Julia. Lauren stared at her as she walked away. Kate walked up to Lauren.

'What's wrong?' she asked, putting an arm round her

'I've got a day reform...' said Lauren. Kate smiled and hugged her

'That's good isn't it? You get to spend a few hours with your friends and family away from this dump...' said Kate

'Yeah, true' said Lauren, but there was a tone to her voice which made her seem uncertain about the idea...

Saturday came round and after a debate in her head, Lauren decided to give the day release a go. Max pulled up outside and collected her.

'Back by eight the latest' Julia said to Max. Max nodded and put his arm round Lauren, leading her out to the car.

'So, do you want to go straight home or what...' asked Max

'Home would be nice' said Lauren, smiling slightly. Max nodded and started up the car, pulling away from the Priory. As they neared Walford, Lauren began to wonder if going home was such a good idea. She told herself to breathe properly as she neared her house. Max stopped outside their house and looked at Lauren.

'It's okay. It'll be okay, I promise' he said, Lauren nodded and took a deep breath, before climbing out of the car and heading up the steps to her house. She entered the house and looked round. It seemed strange to back there, at home after more than a month away. She entered the living room and saw Oscar watching TV.

'Hey Oscar' she said. Oscar looked up at the sound of his name and a smile spread across her face.

'Lozza!' he shouted happily, jumping off the sofa and hugging his older sister. Lauren smiled slightly.

'I miss you, Lozza' Oscar said, looking up at her

'I miss you too' she said, kissing the top of her little brother's head. Oscar pulled away from the hug and wondered into the kitchen for a drink. Lauren looked round the living room, the whole room feeling strange to her. She sat down on the sofa, feeling a little overwhelmed...

Later that day, Lauren was in her room. She was curled up on her side, in her own world. She didn't hear the front door open or footsteps on the stairs. Her bedroom door opened and Joey walked din. He stopped when he saw Lauren curled up.

'Lauren! What are you doing here?' he asked

'I got day release' she said, sitting up so he could hug her tightly.

'Where have you been?' she asked, curling into him as they lay down on her bed, together

'Just... erm... just been out, visiting my friends. Why didn't you tell me you were coming home for the day?' asked Joey, playing with her hair

'I wanted it to be a surprise... but your here now' said Lauren, looking up at him. He smiled down at her, before Lauren reached up and kissed him. Joey responded, his hands tangling in her hair, pulling her closer as she straddled his lap. He felt her hands play with his belt and he pulled away.

'Lauren... are you sure?' he asked. Lauren looked back at him.

'Joey, I need you, please just give me some normality back in my life' she whispered to him, not waiting for his reply and kissing him. Joey flipped them over, so he was on top, Lauren's fingers raking through his hair, as he kissed her roughly...

A few hours later, Joey, Max and Lauren exited the house, getting ready to take Lauren back. Just then, Jack came walking over to them and Joey found it hard to keep his anger under control. He watched as Jack hugged Lauren, who tensed up badly. Lauren broke hug almost immediately and turned back to Joey with tears in her. He hugged her close to him, kissing her head. He steered them away from Jack and into the car.

'You okay, Lauren?' asked Max, seeing Lauren had gone pale

'Yeah. I'm fine. Just take me back' she said, her voice clipped. Max nodded and started up the car, pulling away from the Square...

They arrived back at the Priory and Lauren was so glad to be back. She opened the car door and slammed it shut, not waiting for Max or Joey. They caught up to her as she was keying the code in to get into the unit. She pulled the door open and stepped inside, waving and smiling at Kate, who squealed and rushed to hug her.

'Missed you girl'

'Missed you too' said Lauren, quickly falling into a conversation with Kate. Joey and Max smiled, but wondered when Lauren was going to say goodbye to them. Eventually, it was up to them.

'Lauren, we're going now' said Max, motioning to himself and Joey, Lauren looked at them and nodded.

'Yeah, okay. Bye' she said, before hooking her arm through Kate's and walking down the corridor, leaving Max and Joey at the door...

R&R X