Lauren's P.O.V

It was the beginning of my final week in the rehabilitation centre, I'd made friends and got on with everyone, and I was so pleased with my progress so far. I personally don't think I'll even give into temptation any more at home. This small break away from the square has done me the world of good. I just wish Joey could have been here, he hasn't visited me since the first day I came in here. I've got visits from my friends and family but my worst fear is that I scared him off. I pushed him away and it's only my fault.

My room was now decorated, head to toe, with my paintings and drawings. Walking into my room was like witnessing my mixed emotions through the pieces of work on the wall. I'm never going to be that confident about them but when people comment it makes me feel so much better. I can still only find real comfort in Joey, though, and I can't even tell him.

Alice's P.O.V

"Joey, I'm going to see Lauren in a bit, you know our cousin. She seems to think you've forgotten about her, Joseph." I proclaimed, raising my eye brow whilst I folded my arms, giving him a very disapproving look. Uncle Max had let me into the house to see him.

"Been busy, ain't I, Al" He replied, looking down, swirling the orange liquid around in his glass.

"No excuse is it, you should come, it might push her that little bit she still needs to go" I admitted, smiling, rubbing his back trying to coax him to come out.

"How is she?" He asked bringing his head up and rubbing the nape of his neck. I realised he was trying to act like he didn't care, but he had a very close relationship with our cousin, it was obvious he did.

"She's doing great, Joe. She's progressed so much you know. She's so much more confident, Abi says, it's like she was before Auntie Tanya passed away." I said, adding on "Please come, Joey, you have a connection with her that none of us lot have. You can talk her down. Give her the little boost of confidence she's still missing. At least try, Joey, please for me?" I smiled at him as he sighed loudly and nodded.

"Give me fifteen minutes" He said as I did a little happy dance to myself. I couldn't wait to see the improvement of my cousin increase, she seemed so nice, I wanted to get to know her better and maybe we could be friends.

Joey's P.O.V

After hearing about Lauren's progress from Alice my feelings for my cousin came rushing back to me. I had agreed to go and see her and after pulling on my work clothes for R&R. Being as it's already half past three, I realised by the time we get back, I'll have to go straight to work anyway.

"Come on, then, you can drive" Alice winked to me, smiling her usual cute smile, she really was near enough the little girl she's always been in my eyes.

I shook my head and smiled as I headed out the front door and towards the car. As we approached the car Derek came.

"Hello, Angel." Derek said to Alice, "Joey" He just nodded his head.

"Dad we're busy, come on Al" I said, ushering her towards the car, the whole calling him dad for Alice's benefit thing was seriously getting to me. Uncle Max was more of a dad to me as wrong as that would be.

"I'll see you later, dad" Alice stated. I then drove off without looking back at my lousy excuse for a dad. I was excited to see Lauren, yet so scared, she was obviously going to push me away again.

Lauren's P.O.V

I was sitting in my bedroom next to the open window, using charcoal, drawing my mum and dad on their wedding day.

"Hey, Lauren" Alice said, startling me, causing me to drop my charcoal.

"All right, Al" I said, smiling at my cousin, tidying my drawing and equipment away.

"Joey's came with me. Said he wanted to see how you're getting on" Alice proclaimed and the smile left my face which was evidently obvious as she frowned. "Do you not want him here?

"No it's fine. Where is he?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"He's just coming. He's signing us in and he bumped into an old friend on the way in too. I presume he's been held up by him." Alice admitted, I sighed and nodded. "Your room is looking great, Lauren!"

"Yeah ha, I know, how big headed. It's a shame I'll have to take them all down in a little while. Such effort. I can't say how relieved I am to be going home." I said, giggling with Alice, as she let out a laugh.

Our small talk was interrupted by a tall dark haired handsome figure in the doorway.

"Jonathan, could you help me take my pictures down in a bit, please?" He nodded reassuringly.

"Yeah, sure, why not. I've came to see if you or Alice would like a drink" He asked. I found his Irish accent so sweet.

"No thank you" Alice and I said in unison. Jonathan left and Joey replaced him. As I sat on the bed and Alice sat in the chair on the opposite side of the room, Joey had no choice, he had to sit next to me unless he wanted achy legs.

I swallowed a lump that had formed in my throat as I moved further down the bed. I wasn't going to be the one to break the silence and the look of lust in Joey's eyes proved he wasn't either.

"You planning on saying hello, Joey, or?" Alice said aloud, wondering what had gotten into her brother.

"Ye, sorry, all right" He said, avoiding eye contact, one small half smile appearing on his face for a second before it disappeared again. I gave a small smile then looked out of the window.

"Has something happened? You're both so distant to what you used to be" Alice asked with pure confusion.

"Nope." I said, the lump in my throat subsiding somewhat. Then I looked at him and our eyes locked. I watched him swallow a lump in his own throat and then all of my feelings came rushing back.

"How are you?" He asked me, looking me in the eyes, some interest shining through the walls he built so high.

"A lot better. Thank you for this Joey." I said, smiling slightly, then returning to an awkward state.

"Good." He said. He was being so blunt. "Alice could you give us a minute please?"

"Sure, I think I'm going to go anyway now, I'll see you tomorrow Lauren, I'll see you at home Joe." Alice said, bending down and hugging me, moving around to the other side of the bed to kiss Joey's cheek.

"I'm sorry." Joey stated with sincerity in his eyes. I was dreading the conversation ahead of me.

A/N

So Joey's apologized. I think, if I remember rightly, the next chapter or the one just after is the one where you find out the new story line. I hope it doesn't upset any one! Leave a review and I'll see you soon X