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This is in Lauren's POV and goes back in time to when she was out looking for Darren.

"Ok Darren, stop being so stubborn and answer your damn phone! I'm going to be late for rehearsal because I'm out looking for your sorry ass. I'm subjecting myself to Julia's 'scary eyes' Darren. You do realise how scary they are, don't you? Please …. Just come to rehearsal. Or call me at least…."

*beep beep*

Lauren groaned, as she pulled the phone away from her ear and saw the screen flash white, before going blank - her battery had died. He hadn't responded to any of her voice mails. She shoved her phone into her pocket in frustration; it was no use to her now. After having spent the last hour and half traipsing around Chicago, she eventually sighed in resignation and decided it was time she headed back to the studio.

She chose to take the long route, passing by their apartment on the way, so she could call in and grab her phone charger and some snacks to bring with her; hoping they'd soften Julia up. As she climbed the stairs to their floor she searched around in her bag for her keys, finally pulling them out as she reached the door. Lauren paused in confusion as she went to unlock it, seeing that it was already open.

She put her hand to the door and pushed it in gently, wondering if Julia or Jaime had come back for something.

"Juls? Jaime?"

Nothing but silence answered her. She shrugged and presumed they must have left in a rush and forgotten to close it fully. She dumped her bag on the kitchen counter and flung open the fridge, her eyes scanning its contents. Chocolate, cheese, milk… She jumped suddenly, as she heard a loud crash and banged her head.

"What the…? She swore, "If that is the neighbour's cat after sneaking in again, I swear to…" she muttered as she walked into the living room to investigate.

She came to an abrupt halt at the sight of a broad-shouldered, darkly clad figure squatting down in front of the TV shoving things into a black bag. She took a sharp intake of breath and the man spun around, his shocked eyes widening beneath his black hood at the sight of her. She gulped as she noticed the small knife he held in his right hand and she felt her heart rate quicken as the enormity of the situation suddenly hit her. He appeared young, possibly only a few years younger than her and she swore she could see her fear reflected in his hazel eyes.

Lauren began to back away, edging slowly towards the door. Her heart was racing inside her chest. Without warning her hooded intruder lunged towards her, realising her plan. She screamed and turned to run. She was quick and had a good head-start. She could hear him stumbling along behind her and Lauren felt a tiny spark of hope. However as she reached the front door, she was forced to stop and she swore as her fingers fumbled with the latch. She sobbed as she banged at the door in desperation, willing it to open. It was too late. She felt his large hands drag her back by the waist. Tears poured down her cheeks as she screamed and struggled to free herself from his hold.

He seemed unprepared for her strength and she kicked out at him aggressively, loosening his grip on her ever so slightly. instinctively he swung his other arm around to grab a tighter hold of her, just as she detached herself from his clutch, and she felt a searing pain as the blade of the knife drove into her stomach. He let go suddenly and Lauren staggered back until she hit the wall. She slid down, feeling her strength declining. She looked down at the protruding handle of the weapon and felt her eyes begin to well up at the sight of all the blood.

"Hello 911? Yes… am… ugh… I've an emergency. Yes she needs help, fast…. Please? Lower Henry Street, the apartment block next to Granger's Park, number 6."

Lauren looked up in shock on hearing the shaking voice of her attacker. What was he doing? Since when did people stab you and then call for help? He flipped his phone shut and crouched down beside her, pulling back his hood and running his hands through his dishevelled dark brown hair. Lauren felt the pain in her side beginning to numb slightly as her eyes began to droop and her breathing became shallower.

"I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to hurt you… I didn't think anyone would be home," the guy blurted out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Oh God please, just stay awake. Help is coming, just… just hang in there." Lauren could hear the tremor in his voice as he spoke and she tried to force her eyes open, but it was becoming increasingly difficult as she lost more and more blood.

He leaped up and dashed off in the direction of the kitchen returning seconds later with a towel clutched in his hand. He pressed it gently against the wound to try staunch the bleeding and Lauren winced as the pressure caused a sharp pain.

"Sssssorry," he stuttered. For some unexplainable reason she felt thankful for his presence there. It was better than being alone.

"What's your name?"

"Lauren," she whimpered.

"Lauren. I always liked that name. There was a girl in my class called Lauren... "

He froze as the distant sound of wailing sirens reached their ears. He looked at her pityingly and placed her hand over the towel to hold it in place before jumping up. Lauren tilted her head back at him, "please… don't leave me alone," she whispered. His face was etched with guilt and a small tear slid down his cheek.

"I can't," he choked. He took two steps towards the door and turned back to see her small figure slumped on the floor. Blood stained the carpet around her and her face was deathly white. Her eyes were closed. The sound of the sirens was now within an extremely close proximity and he knew he had to leave. He turned away and flung the door open, glancing back guiltily over his shoulder at his unintentional victim on the floor. "I'll make it up to you Lauren. I promise," he whispered to himself, before legging it down the hall towards the fire escape.

Lauren no longer had the strength to keep her eyes heard voices getting closer and closer. She longed for Joe to be beside her, comforting and holding her, but he wasn't there and the last thing she heard before succumbing to the looming darkness wasn't his familiar husky voice but a gentle female voice,

"It's ok sweetie, we're here now. Stay with me."

Hey hope you liked it. Thank you and please review x x x

Also if you like Crisspez I have another fic called Beauty and the BEast if you want to check it out!

Note: all representations of characters are purely for the purpose of the story.