Joey rushed up the stairs and into Lauren and Abi's room, expecting to see Lauren in the room. He heard the back door slam open downstairs, and Tanya and Abi shouting and going after Max. He rushed out of the bedroom and towards the bathroom, finding it locked.

'LAUREN?' shouted Joey, pressing his ear against the door. He could hear her crying, and his guilt surged.

'Lauren, open the door please' said Joey. He knew Lauren probably wouldn't listen to him, so he tried another way.

'Lauren, if you don't open the door, I'm going to break it down... Last chance...' he said. He got no reply, so he stepped back, gripped the railing behind him and kicked the door. It swung open on the second kick and saw Lauren sat on the toilet lid. He didn't even need to ask why she was cradling her wrist to her chest. He rushed over to her and took her wrist in his hand, grabbing the first aid kit and clean her wrist up. He held out his other hand and she slowly handed him the blade, he saw the struggle in her eyes though. He threw it in the bin and packed the first aid kit away, before kneeling down in front of her, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

'Lauren, babe... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry' he said. Lauren sniffed and headed for the door, but Joey grabbed her arm and pulled her to his chest. She struggled against him, but she soon gave up.

'Are you happy now? You got you wanted' she spat at him

'No... Because I realise now I been selfish to get what I want... Which for you to tell the truth, just because I want you back here, where you belong, with me and allow me to take care of you...' said Joey, regretting his decision to be selfish to get what he wanted. Lauren was silent for a few minutes, before she got out of his grip and headed for her bedroom. Joey followed her, as she sat on her bed. He watched as she traced a finger along her bandage round her wrist. She did this a few times, before her shoulders started shake and she burst into tears. Joey hugged her to him and tucked her head under his chin. He comforted her until she had calmed down and she gently pulled away, resting her head on his shoulder.

'What have I done to myself?' she said. Joey froze.

'What?' he asked gently, not believing what he had just heard. Lauren looked at him

'I understand why you were selfish and I understand why you did it... I know this is hard for you, Joey... But I've been through this before and it's not an easy ride. Joey, you've got to understand that it's going to take time... for me to get better... again' said Lauren, her voice shaking near the end. Joey opened his mouth to say something, when he realised what she had just said.

'What did you just say?' he asked, locking their eyes together. Lauren swallowed nervously.

'It's... Its going... it's going to take time... for me to get... Better again' Lauren repeated, sounding a little confident. Joey smiled at her, proud.

'Lauren, do you realise what you've just done there? You've admitted your ill... And admitting something is a step forward... and in your case, a step forward to home' he said, smiling and stroking her cheek.

'Yeah, yeah I did, didn't I?' she said, feeling proud of herself. Joey nodded, leaning to kiss her. She smiled into the kiss and pulled away.

'I love you, Joey'

'I love you too, babe' he said, smiling...

'C'mon then, Jack! You threaten my daughter, your niece! Killed out brother! And you can't tell me why?' shouted Max angrily

'When did she tell you?' asked Jack

'About twenty minutes ago! Now tell me what happened!' shouted Max, trying to get out of Tanya's grip.

'Fine! After Derek left your house, I was waiting for him on the doorstep to his house, wanting to talk to him. But he was in a bad mood about something and took his anger out me, dissing Sharon, then starting on about my kids and no one chats bad stuff about my kids! He was really riling me up. I stormed off, angry and headed back here. A few minutes later, me and Sharon and Denny decided to go have a small drink in the Vic. We walked out and I decided to give Derek a piece of my mind, so I told Sharon to meet her there. I walked towards the house and heard Lauren screaming. Then, I saw him trying to strangle and I saw red that he would do that to a member of his family...' said Jack

'Then, why did you threaten Lauren?' asked Max

'I panicked! I didn't mean to!' shouted Jack. Just then, Sharon chose that moment to enter the flat with Denny.

'Oh, I didn't realise we had company. You two okay? Howse Lauren?' she asked

'Does Sharon know what you did?' asked Max. Jack shook his head.

'Don't, Max. I'll tell her' he said, honestly. Max looked at him disgustedly and turned to leave the house with Tanya, but turned back to Sharon.

'Sharon, try to get too scared of him... you know... when he tells you how he killed Derek..' he said, before leaving the flat with Tanya...

Max and Tanya entered the house, unaware someone was watching them. They entered the house and checked the clock. They had two hours before Lauren was due back to the Priory and they were going to make the most of it.

'LAUREN? JOEY?' shouted Tanya. They heard a thud and Joey groaning, then a door banging open and them both rushing down the stairs, Joey rubbing his head.

'What happened?' asked Max

'Fell off Laurens bed and hit the floor' Joey answered, sitting in the chair. Lauren giggled and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms round his neck.

'Where Abi gone?' asked Lauren, looking round

'To Lola's' answered Tanya. Max clapped his hands, making Lauren jump.

'Right. We've got two hours. What do you want to do?' he asked. Lauren opened her mouth to answer, when the doorbell rang. Lauren jumped up and swung the door open, freezing in shock.

'Lauren? Who is it?' asked Max, walking into the hallway, with Tanya and Joey behind him. Joey frowned at who was at the door and joined by Lauren her side.

'Carli?' asked Lauren. Joey's eyebrows rose at her in shock, wondering how Lauren knew Carli.

'Hi, Lauren. Long time no see...' said Carli, smiling at Lauren...

R&R :D X