Due to requests, I've decided to finish off my Jauren stories. I'm so happy you guys like them enough to still want to read them even though Joey's left. Hope you enjoy :) Please review and let me know what you think!

Lauren's POV.

As I step out of the taxi and walk up the steps to my house, a wave of panic runs through me. I've been away a month; maybe Dad and Abi have got used to me not being around and don't want me back. Maybe Joey's over me. His voicemails told a different story but you never know. Taking a deep breath, I turn my key in the lock and push the door open. I walk into the living room and everyone turns to stare at me, shocked expressions on their face.

"Surprise." I wave my hands, less than enthusiastically.

"What are you doing back?" Abi frowns.

"Oh, good to see you too sis." I roll my eyes at her.

"Your mum didn't say you were coming home." Dad says, nervously.

"Don't look too excited, will ya." I scoff, deciding not to mention the slanging match I had with Mum yesterday because she didn't think I should come back to Walford.

"It's great to see ya, babe. You alright?" Dad jumps up, pulling me into a hug.

"I'm good. How are you?" I enquire.

"Fine, great." He nods, still with a worried look etched across his face.

"It's good to have you home, darling." Nan envelopes me in her arms, kissing the top of my head.

"You too, Nan." I grin, hugging her back warmly.

"Yeah. It is." Abi agrees, finally smiling at me. She wraps her arms around me, tightly.

"That's more like it! Yous lot need a drink, liven up a bit." I chuckle, and the room falls deadly silent.

"That's not funny." Dad states, sharply.

"What, I can't even make a joke to lighten the mood?" I ask, lightly.

"You could have been dead a month ago so excuse me for not laughing." Dad almost yells.

"Alright Max, alright." Nan gives him a warning look.

"I'm sorry, darling. I'm so happy you're home." Dad hugs me again, kissing my forehead.

"So." Abi raises an eyebrow at me.

"So?" I ask, confused.

"You've been back 10 minutes and you haven't asked about him." Abi smirks.

"Him being?" I ask, casually.

"Err, Ian Beale!" Abi exclaims.

"Aww, how is he? I've missed him!" I laugh.

"Have you missed anyone else? Someone like, maybe, Joey?" Abi teases.

"As is." I scoff, my tummy fluttering at the mention of his name.

"That idiot!" Dad groans.

"Hmm?" I try not to sound too interested.

"A few weeks ago he was shouting the odds at me in the street, demanding to know where you were. He was in a right state, drunk as hell." Dad explains, shaking his head.

"Rest assured, Dad told him where to go. Told him he'd never see you again." Abi laughs.

"Oh." I simply say.

"Now you're gonna run out to go find him aren't you?" Abi winks.

"Nope. I'm going down the shops. I wanna do up my room. How does bright blue sound?" I grin, holding out my hand at Dad expectantly.

"Guess what?" Abi exclaims breathlessly, running into my room a few hours later. I've been painting my room for an hour or so and so far it's not looking remotely anything like I'd envisaged. I put the brush down, exasperated.

"What's up?" I ask, shoving tendrils of hair off of my face.

"I've got a surprise for you. Well, two, actually. Someone wanted to see you." She smiles, before moving aside to reveal Peter standing behind her.

"Peter!" I exclaim, grinning widely.

"Lauren." He returns my smile, and hugs me.

"It's good to see you."

"It's good to see you. You alright?" He asks, carefully.

"I'm just fine. You?"

"Can't complain. You painting the walls or have you become an avatar?" He cracks up, nodding at me.

"Haha. Hilarious. Come on, we'll go downstairs and have a cuppa." I roll my eyes, following Abi out of the room and down the stairs. Once in the kitchen, Peter and Abi take a seat and I stick the kettle on.

"So. What's the other surprise?" I ask Abi.

"Am I not enough?" Peter mocks, looking hurt.

"More than enough." I assure him dramatically, hand on heart.

"Before I bumped into Peter, I saw Joey." Abi grins, triumphantly.

Peter pulls a face, but doesn't say anything.

"I told him you were back. He wants to see you but he doesn't wanna wind Dad up by coming round so he asked if you'll meet him later." Abi looks absolutely delighted and I find my heartbeat quickening and the familiar sensation of butterflies rising in my tummy. I mean, it's Joey.

"I guess I could." I shrug, trying not to let it show.

"He's just a loser no-mark, him. He don't deserve ya." Peter shakes his head, looking annoyed.

"But he's alright for your sister?" Abi enquires, puzzled.

"You what?" Peter frowns.

"Joey and Lucy had a little thing, when you were still in Devon." I explain.

"He was living in your house." Abi adds.

"She didn't mention that. Lucy's, well, you know, she's Lucy." Peter shakes his head. He's right, an all. Lucy is Lucy. There's no talking to her. We spend the rest of the afternoon catching up, laughing and joking. It's been good to see Peter again.

Later on that day as I'm on my way to meet Joey in the caff, I see him walking inside with a blonde piece. She has her arm through his and they're laughing and smiling. Once again just like in my drinking days, that gut-wrenching sick sensation washes over me and I feel like I'm repeatedly being punched in the stomach. That's when I realise I can't do this. It's just self-destructive and if I stick around to find out who his new girlfriend is then I'm just a glutton for punishment and I need my head testing. Stopping in my tracks, I pull out my phone and call Mum:

"Can you pick me up please?"