Ugly Side
The room was silent, Lauren occasionally looking between Joey and Derek, then to Jane and Alice who were also watching Joey and Derek. Tightening her hand with his, his face softened, he knew she was there on his side no matter what. Looking over to Alice, Lauren watched as she paled, like she knew Derek's ugly side was about to rear its head, he never really liked Joey and now she knew why. Derek was the first to break the silence in the room, the tension almost unbearable, it made Lauren feel a little sick.
"What are you doing here Jane?" he hissed, his teeth firmly gritted together, his hands balling into fists, his burning eyes darting to Jane who looked rather scared. Joey moved from Laurens side, throwing her a small smile as their hands fell apart, he walked over to Jane, his hand resting on her shoulder for support.
"To see my daughter" she hissed back, finding her voice when Joey came to her side. She would never ask Joey to fight her battles, she protected him from Derek most his life, but right now she needed Joey; he was bigger and stronger than her but most importantly Derek, this not going unnoticed by Derek. "Don't you mean our daughter?" a smirk crossing his face. "Only when it suits you" Jane snapped back. She had raised Alice most her life, Derek only stuck around for a few years after being caught battering Jane, he was vile, everyone knew it.
Derek moved from the doorway, sitting down on the couch next to Alice, Lauren shifting over until she sat on the chair arm, this was the most uncomfortable situation she had ever been in. "Why are you here Lauren? Usually in the Vic by now" he smirked, Lauren giving him daggers, right then and there she could of lunged for his throat, but instead she sat calmly and replied Lauren style, "And your usually half way through your 10th pork pie and it aint even lunch" her tone poisonous, her reply receiving sniggers from Joey and Jane, a hint of pride washed through Joeys eyes.
Derek turned his attention to Joey, he knew who he was instantly, he and Alice looked so similar, and they could be passed for twins, except Joey looked a little older. Joey flashed him his signature smirk, the one he saved for people he clearly hated. "And what can I do for you son?" Derek hissing the word son, "I'm not your son" Joey replied his teeth clenched, now it was out in the open he wanted never to be called his son again, the man repulsed him thoroughly. Derek's eyes burned, glancing to Alice, she nodded her head to signal she knew the truth. "You told her?" his voice raised, standing up he glared at Jane, Joey flinched next to her seeing the anger in his eyes.
"She had to know" Jane replied her voice a whisper, she had seen this side to Derek many times. "WHY?" he screamed, Alice tugging on his arm. "Because these two are together" Alice spat back, pointing to Lauren and Joey, watching the disgust in his eyes, before he sniggered. "You never fail to disappoint me Joseph, can't find a girl so settle for your slut of a cousin" the laughter in his voice evident. "Don't you ever say that again" Joey was now stood facing Derek, his hands had fisted, he glanced at Lauren who smiled, she had been called worse before. "And we aren't cousins, because luckily I'M NOT YOUR SON" Derek let out a little laugh, before lunging forward. His hand grasping onto Joey's neck, little did he realise how strong Joey was, pushing his back into the wall, Joey threw a punch into his face, knocking Derek to the fall. Whilst the fight broke out, Lauren had held onto Alice, who had tried to step in between the men, Jane had tried pulling Joey from Derek, knowing years of neglect and anger would force Joey to beat Derek to a pulp. Lauren pulled out her mobile, ringing the one person who knew would help. Phoning Uncle Jack, Lauren didn't need to hesitate, she was close with her Uncle, she knew for sure her dad would have filled him in on everything.
"Uncle Jack, its Lauren, Joey and Derek are fighting I need your help" her voice whimpering a little, the fear that Joey would get hurt taking over.
"Where are you Lo?" Jack replied, rushing from his apartment, Lauren seeing him threw the curtains.
"Number 23, quick" Lauren closed her phone, reaching again for Alice who once more went to intervene.
Seconds later, Jack burst through the door with Max in toe. Jack grabbed hold of Joey yanking him from his eldest brother, who threw one final punch at Joey hitting his face, Lauren and Jane both released a scream, as Jack threw Joey into Laurens arms, as he needed to help Max restrain Derek. Lauren brushed her fingers over Joeys face, his eyes were still alight with anger, but it soon faded as they locked with Laurens, her own fear replacing his anger. "I'm sorry" he whispered a little ashamed it got so heated. "It was kind of hot" she giggled into his ear, seeing him smirk.
"Now you know what your dads really like Alice" Jane spat, grabbing her bag and fleeing the house, she had seen enough of Derek for one day, her daughter still saw him as some sort of saint. Joey quickly kissed Laurens cheek, rushing after his mum, she needed him more than Lauren did right now.
"This is your entire fault Lauren" Alice screeched into her cousin's face, Lauren flinching at Alice's anger, she for sure had Derek's temper. "No it's yours Alice, your so naive, wrapped in cotton wool that everyone is trying to protect you, when Joey finally finds happiness and for him to have it has to share a little news, poor little Alice no longer has the perfect world" Lauren took a deep breath, steadying her emotions, for once someone was speaking up for Joey. "I would think long and hard about everything Alice, because you might just lose your brother" Lauren spat, pushing past Alice and out the door.
Standing outside number 23, she noticed Joey's car gone, he had obviously taken Jane home, seeing Derek would cause her more pain than anyone would ever know. Taking a second to think over what just happened, her Uncle insulting her, Alice screaming at her, Joey and Derek beating the life from one and other. So much had happened because she loved Joey and he loved her? Was it all really worth it? So much anger and pain so the two could be together, taking a deep breath she headed home needing some peace and space.