The weeks after, Lauren and Joey's relationship grew from strength to strength, they hadn't officially labelled anything but there was an unspoken rule that just came with game that both of them had in their heads. Lauren had "escaped" to Joeys on occasion and had even spent a few nights over the last three weeks. It was lucky she had Joey really, whilst that aspect of her life was going good, other aspects weren't so good. Her friends were more or less distant memories right now, they hadn't taken well to the fact that Lauren, the shy, none confident ugly duckling had made a transformation into a happy, beautiful swan with a man in her life. Her Dad seemed to be on the same page as her friends and was not at all impress his baby girl was now a woman who rarely spent any time at home and was actually growing up.

It was Monday morning, and Lauren couldn't help the whopping big smile that was plastered on her face as she walked through the office building. She had a feeling it was a going to be a good day- a very good day.

The birds were singing, the sun was shining, everybody was smiling; it was pretty much perfect. But of course that wasn't her reason for being so god damn happy, no. The motive of that was her memory of Saturday night. Lauren gave a small wave to Dave (who she's do e well to avoid the last few weeks) and couldn't help but chuckle when she saw him smirk; he obviously heard all of the screaming that Friday night in the office when she and joey had scared each other, almost to death.

She was just about to turn into the stairwell when a strong arm on her waist was pulling her into the lift, the doors immediately closed and panic set in. It wasn't until she felt someone chuckled and kiss her neck from behind that she realised it was Joey.

"Good Morning" he whispered puling her into him.

"Well it definitely is now" she giggled kissing him briefly before the doors opened and another worker walked in. They both stepped apart allowing the other person between them. Lauren dipped her head back slightly to glance at Joey and saw him biting back a laugh. His smile was contagious, and Lauren burst into a fit of giggles. The other worker turned to look at her with a highly offended look on his face.

"Sorry" she looked away and had to work really hard to stop a second round of giggles. The lift travelled up a few floors before their intruder left. They both stood Laughing as the lift arrived at their floor and they both had to compose themselves before the receptionist realised something was different, let's say. The two of them walked in silence to their shared office something told her that not much work wold get done today.

"Lauren, you got the files for Folly's ?" Lauren nodded and pointed to the cabinet in the corner s she spoke on the phone. She watched Joey as he flicked though them and finally found what he was looking for. Joey waited for her to finish the call before he perched on the edge of her desk.

"Sorry, I know I shouldn't take personal calls but Mum was having a crisis" Joey's eye brow raised in concern.

"Everything ok ?"

"I need to ask you a huge favour?"

"go on…" He knew he was going to say yes no matter what really.

"Can I leave early today ?" she looked so worried by what she was asking. "It's just Mum has a hospital appointment. Dad's gone AWOL and there's no one to pick my brother up from school."

"Of course you can… family comes first. I'll see you later ye, at mine ?" Lauren nodded and took a quick look around before kissing him quickly and whispering her thanks. She knew he had a meeting to get to about a prospective deal, so she let him go, not like she really wanted to though.

*JL*JL*JL*

Joey had been in his meeting for about 20 minutes when Lauren began to feel a little strange. She sat back in the chair and let the wave of unease wash over her. She thought for a few seconds and realised she knew what it was… she was missing Joey. It sounded silly yes but they were very rarely alone in the office, they were always together there, and now it was so quiet. Joey would always ensure to talk to her whilst they were working, he'd joke with her and she realised he always went out of his way to make sure she had everything she needed and was ok. Immediately she thought of Saturday night.

Flashback

Lauren stood there completely shell shocked as she took notice of who was standing at the door. She'd not long got off the phone to him, after she needed to vent out over her Dad's attitude and her friends telling her she was being too rash with things towards him, they couldn't understand how happy she was because of Joey and she was really beginning to question why she let them talk to her the way she did.

Joey was standing there with a DVD in one hand and a tub of Ben and Jerry's in the other, a small sympathetic smile on his face.

"Oh hi" Lauren smiled a little relief going through her that he was there. "what are you doing here?" she stammered hiding herself behind the door so she was just popping her head around it, unfortunately he'd just caught her getting out of bath. A bath that was meant to be relaxing, but turned the complete opposite when there was no hot water and her brother woke up.

Joey had to remind himself to breathe as he caught a glimpse of her. He hesitantly smiled "You sounded like you needed cheering up, can I come in?"

"Erm.." She rose up her finger and bit her lip "Can you wait two seconds?" she opened the door too him but ran up the stairs. she ran to her bedroom as fast as her little legs could take her. She quickly threw on the first piece of clothing she saw, which happened to be PJ's, she quickly ran a brush through her wet tangled hair and stuffed it into a plait at the side. Taking a deep breath she walked back down the stairs, seeing Joey standing perplexed in the living room.

Lauren raised her eye brows and waited for Joey to say something, but he didn't he simply smiled and pulled her into a hug. Straight away her mood lifted, his warm arms encasing her.

"I got ice-cream and DVD's and I guessed you could do with some company"

"Well you guessed right then" she smiled leaning up to kiss him. "Living room?" Joey nodded and went through to the room she was pointing to.

It wasn't long before they were settled on the sofa, much like they had been earlier in the day. This time Laure was actually watching the film and was snuggled tightly into his arms.

"Loz?" Joey's head turned to the doorway to see a young boy standing there his thumb in his mouth eyes a little watery. Joey nudged Lauren gently and nodded his head towards the door.

"Hey Monster… what's the matter?" Oscar stood still his bottom lip quivering.

"Had a nasty dream" Lauren held her hand out to him as she shifted slightly on the sofa. Oscar quickly ran to her and climbed onto her lap, his little arms wrapping tightly around her.

"It's alright baby, it's just a dream, I'm here and so is my friend Joey, he's really brave so he can scare all the monsters away" Oscar nodded and snuggled more into her. Joey's face lit as he saw her with Oscar and the way she spoke about him to Oscar made his heart soar. "Hey Osc, can you tell Joey how old you were last week?" Oscar held three fingers up to Joey.

"Wow, three! Your nearly as big as me then right?" Joey smiled and looked at Lauren. "Do you want to stay and watch the film with me and Lauren?" Joey had brought Marely and Me for them to watch so it wasn't too bad.

"Can I Loz?" he asked hope in his eyes.

Lauren nodded and moved back into Joey's arms, Oscar in hers. "Just don't tell Mummy and Daddy tomorrow".

End of flashback

Lauren quietly shrieked; turning her body so she could swat him on the arm. "Why did you do that?" she accused as Joey had walked back into the office. However Joey just smirked, walking forward he held her hands and pulled her up from the chair, he backed her up against the wall and huskily whispered in her ear.

" did I mention you look very…very hot today" He then took her earlobe in his mouth and nipped it gently "But, you would look even hotter without it on" Lauren felt herself get lost in the sensations Joey was creating.

On Saturday night, the two decided that if they wanted to pursue any kind of relationship…they should probably try and keep it as reserved as possible…basically meaning they weren't going to tell anyone at work.

Lauren couldn't help but suppress a small laugh as Joey continued to kiss her neck. As soon as he heard the sound he couldn't help but step back and look at her questionably. When Lauren noticed him looking confused she couldn't help the smile. She then quickly kissed him full on the lips. "You know…" She whispered; tickling his lips with her soft breath. "You look pretty good in a suit too know"

There was a knock at the door that stopped them both, they groaned in unison as Helen, the receptionist walked in. "Erm Mr Branning you have a visitor" Joey nodded and followed Helen out of the room.

Lauren leant back against the wall a thousand and one thoughts running through her head. He was a Branning ? how had she failed to notice, how had he failed to notice ? did he know and didn't care ? oh god. This couldn't be happening.

Ok running and hiding now ...