A/N: I apologize in advance if this chapter gets many of you heavily in your feelings.  

AUTHOR'S POV   

Receptionist: "Welcome to Melbourne Rehabilitation. How can I help you"?

"I need to check in".   

Receptionist: "Your name"?

*brief pause*

"Laurent Bourgeois".

Receptionist: "Ok Mr. Bourgeois. *hands clipboard* "I need you to fill these forms out completely and bring them back with a photo ID and medical insurance information. Once they are reviewed we will have the program coordinator come out and bring you back to explain the process to you".

Laurent gulps as he looks at the forms because all of this is so surreal to him. He never thought he would be in a place like this. It almost frightens him to the point where he wants to tell Chris he's changed his mind...but all it takes is the thought of one person. Larry. He takes the clipboard and walks over to take his seat beside Chris then begins filling out the paperwork while having a conversation with him in between... 

Laurent: "Thank you for bringing me here Chris but you don't have to stay". *pause* "I need to get used to being alone now".

Chris: '"Laurent, you're never alone man. You have your family". *pause* "Does Larry know you're here"?

Laurent feels a lump forming in his throat as tears threaten to pour...

Laurent: "No. He doesn't know I'm here".

Chris: "Well are you going to call and tell him"?

Laurent: "Yeah I will. I just want to see what this place is like before I do". *pause* "And if you don't mind, if you talk with him, please don't tell him oki"?

Chris: "No problem bro".

Laurent: "Thank you".

Chris: "You're welcome".

Laurent smiles lightly then puts his attention back on the forms to complete them. He then stands up to take them as well as the requested information to the receptionist. She takes a few minutes to scan the forms over making sure he didn't leave anything blank...

Receptionist: "Ok. Everything looks good. Just have a seat and he'll be right with you".

Laurent solemnly nods and goes back over to sit down...

~ten minutes later~

Coordinator: "Laurent Bourgeois"?

Laurent turns to Chris and is clearly extremely nervous....

Chris: "It will be alright man. You're doing the right thing. Call me if you need anything".

Laurent is too nervous to say anything so he nods again then follows the worker to the back room while Chris makes his exit...

*****

"Hi. I'm Robert McAdams but you can call me Robert or Rob if you like. I have some questions to ask but before I get started you need to know that taking care of the medical aspect is standard procedure so you will see medical personnel coming in any minute to check your vitals and obtain a blood sample, ok"?

Laurent: "Yeah no problem".

As Rob is getting the paperwork together Laurent can't help but look around the office...still in disbelief that he's even there. He's aware that Rob does this on a daily basis but it's still something about the way everything rolls off his tongue. How it appears completely normal for him. It makes Laurent wonder just how many people come into a facility like this. He begins to wonder just how many people are out there in the world who suffer from an addiction. Of course cocaine is the last thing that Laurent expected to come into his world, turn it upside down and cause him to lose the love of his life. Just the thought of Larry brings a small smile to his face...but it also brings a heaviness to his heart because of all the pain he put him through causing tears to brim his eyes. Rob's next series of questions will quickly snap him out of it and they will quickly make him realize just how real this is...

Rob: "Ok let's begin. Your drug of choice"?

Laurent: "Uh. Co..." *clears throat* "co..."

He just can't seem to get the word out... 

Rob: "Cocaine"?

Laurent pauses then nods his head in shame but continues speaking...

Laurent: "I drink too".

Rob: "Ok. When did both addictions start"?

Laurent: "I don't know exactly but not long ago. A few weeks".  

Rob: "Hm. That's a substantially short time compared to most patients. Don't get me wrong, the sooner you receive help the better but it's very rare that someone is ready to kick an addiction after such a short period of time".

He thinks about Larry again...

Laurent: "Well I have a very good reason to quit...."

His voice then turns into a whisper...

Laurent: "......the best reason in the world".

Rob: "Well that's great". *pause* "So when did you see that your substance use was becoming an addiction"?

Laurent: "I guess I knew since the day I started. The cocaine I took one night at a club and the next day I called the guy I got it from and asked for more. I was drinking before I started drugs but I drink more as I take the cocaine more".

Rob takes a few minutes to write down Laurent's response and at that moment a nurse comes in to do exactly what Rob said. Laurent watches as she takes his blood pressure then follows her command when she stated that she needs to check his weight. Once he sits back down she pulls out the materials needed to draw blood. She ties his arm up and he can feel her fingers searching for a vein. Rob casually picks up where he left off...

Rob: "Ok. Next few questions. Methodology of ingestion, frequency of use and amount of usage"?

The nurse sticks the needle in his arm just as he's about to answer causing him to hiss slightly...but then he relaxes and answers the questions. She finally finishes and Rob begins explaining what he should expect at the facility...

Rob: "A crucial part of your recovery is the detox process which is what you'll begin with. For a minimum of 48 hours you will go through withdrawal to rid your body of all traces of the substances. Now this process will cause some strong physiological reactions and as such you will be under medical supervision the entire time. Since there was alcohol use you will have the option to take some medication to help with the withdrawal symptoms but that will be between you and your doctor. Now keep in mind I said a minimum of 48 hours so it's possible that you could go through these reactions a day or two longer and based off your answer to the frequency of usage it's a high probability that you will. You won't be allowed to have any contact with family or friends during this process so I will need to confiscate your cell phone but don't worry. It will be secured and you will get it back at a later time. Once you move from the detox stage you will start to work on the psychological component".

Laurent: "What does that mean"?

Rob: "Well no matter how much drugs are romanticized these days addiction isn't a hobby. No one wakes up and says "I think I'll do drugs today" or at least no one I've come across in all my years doing this. There's always a root to the addiction and the psychological component means you begin psychotherapy to find the root and pluck it. Therefore, you have to be willing to talk about your childhood, your teen years and even your present. Basically anything that could have happened that could be a possible reason for being here".

Laurent: *sigh* "I understand. So when does this detox start"?

Rob: "As soon as we get you set up in your room. Consider your time with me your orientation".

Laurent: "Oh". *pause* "So how long will I be here"?

Rob: "That all depends on you. This is definitely going to be an arduous process but the length of time spent is going to depend on your commitment. It's going to require giving 100% if you're going to kick your addiction and remain clean and sober. So many people come here thinking they're ready to get help only to leave a short time after. So with that being said, I have a very important question for you. Are you ready for this"?

There's a brief moment of silence before Laurent replies in a soft voice with his head down...

Laurent: "I'm just ready to get my bebe back. I mean, I'm doing it for me too but...I have to get my bebe back".

Rob: "Alright. Well I need your phone and uh, just follow me".

Laurent turns his phone off and hands it over. He then follows Rob to his room and it feels like the longest walk of his life. Once there Rob goes into further explanation about how things work and reiterates the part that medical personnel will play. Laurent then changes his clothes, climbs in bed and prepare himself for what's about to happen...with Larry being the only person on his mind...

~meanwhile~

Larry is still stretched across the bed after unpacking, still in disbelief that he left Laurent but finally realizing it was necessary. Stephanie is back from the store and Larry can hear her in the kitchen. He's still in deep physical pain based off what his body has been through in the past few days but admittedly, leaving Laurent has formed a huge hole in his heart and as a result the emotional pain from that surpasses the physical. The irony of it all is what makes it worse. Here he is battered and broken yet a part of him, the part that is madly and deeply in love with him, wants to go back and rescue him but he knows he can't. Laurent has to rescue himself. Larry has finally come to realize that as long as he was there Laurent could continue to take that for granted and possibly never receive help. That still doesn't make it easier to deal with. Just as he feels his tears coming back his phone rings...

Larry: "Hey Eleni".

Eleni: "Hey Larry. I'm not sure if you're aware but Laurent called me and asked me to cancel everything that you guys had booked but he didn't tell me why. He just told me to follow up with you to confirm because he won't be available. So, that's why I'm calling".

Larry lays there completely surprised because it just makes everything even more real for him. He's also curious as to what Laurent told her is the reason and why he said he won't be available...

Larry: "Oki but what does that mean? Not available"?

Eleni: "He didn't say. All he said was that you're taking a break because it's something you have to do. He didn't tell me why or for how long". *pause* "What's going on"?

Larry: "Eleni it's hard to say oki? Just trust that it's the best thing for now".

Larry can tell she's growing frustrated but is trying to keep her cool. She just wants answers and understandably so...

Eleni: "Well how long is this break? And who's going to tell the fans"?

Larry: "I don't know how long but we'll figure it out. And let me tell the fans, oki"?

Elenis: "No problem".

Larry: "Thank you and...I'm sorry Eleni but I promise you will know when the time is right".

Eleni: "Ok, just please keep me updated. There were two months worth of jobs booked and it's all been cancelled. When the end approaches we'll re-evaluate where you two are. Hopefully everything is resolved by then".

Larry: "Yeah. Hopefully".

Eleni: "Alright. Well call me if you need anything".

They say their goodbyes and Larry takes a deep breath before going to his Instagram to make what will be the most difficult post of his life. With a photo of them and a caption that reads...

lestwinson: "To us amazing fans. I'm sorry to say that Les Twins will be on a break. I don't know when we'll come back together...if we come back together but we always support each other no matter where the road takes us. Please know that we love you all".

Within minutes followers are leaving heartbreaking comments with an influx of sad and crying emojis and questions ranging from why to what happened? Obviously Larry can't read everything but what he can read makes his heart shatter into pieces because if it's one thing that makes this nightmare worse is disappointing the fans. He tosses his phone on the nightstand, turns on his side and cries. Even the beatings he was subjected to at Laurent's hands couldn't hurt him as much as he's hurting in this moment. He's so distressed that he doesn't realize there's a knock on the door and when he doesn't answer Stephanie pokes her head inside... 

Stephanie: "Larry? I just saw your Instagram post. Do you need...."

She stops talking when she realizes he's crying. She looks at him curled up and her heart drops into her stomach. She walks in, softly shuts the door behind her and walks over. She sits on the edge of the bed, rubs his arm and speaks to him in a soft voice... 

Stephanie: "You need to talk about it sweetie"? *pause* "You might feel better if you talk about it".

She will realize his crying is uncontrollable because the moment he opens his mouth to speak his breath hitches like crazy as he stutters his words...

Larry: "I...I'll be oki St...Stephanie. Th...thank you".

Her heart breaks hearing the pain in his voice so she climbs in the bed, positions herself around his body and wraps her arm around him to comfort him trying desperately to hold back her own tears. With each sniff she holds him tighter and the more he cries the harder it is for her to keep it together...

Stephanie: "I'm so sorry sweetheart", she whispers.

Seconds later she's silently crying... 

~Laurent~

(A/N: Much of this part of the chapter was inspired by the movie 'Ray').  

It's been a few hours since Laurent began the detox process. When Rob said he would experience intense physiological reactions that was an understatement. Other than watching Larry walk out just hours earlier Laurent has never known such misery. He's been sweating, shaking, crying while curled up in a ball and rocking his body in an attempt to calm himself. In the past hour alone he's bolted from the bed three times to run to the bathroom and throw up as the withdrawal process is more intense than he ever could have imagined it. Now he's back in bed shaking again when his doctor comes in, quietly sits on his bed and touches his arm causing Laurent to flinch at the sensation... 

Doctor: "It's ok sir. I'm Dr. Crane". *pause* "Mr. Bourgeois, as Rob explained, we can give you some medication that will help. You don't have to go through this".

Laurent is shaking so badly he can barely reply...

Laurent: "No. It...it's oki. Really. I...I'm going to do it".

Doctor: *sighs* "Ok".

The doctor stands up and leaves the room ultimately joining the rest of his staff in a room where they're able to monitor him through a large mirror which allows them to see him but Laurent is unable to see them. Having being used to seeing patients in this process they merely take notes including the number of times he vomits and the intensity of his reactions while discussing them with one another. Although they can see him they're unaware that he's dreaming and softly whispering things in reaction...

~his dream~

Larry: "Laurent. I have to tell you something. I was too afraid to tell you before...but I can't hold it in anymore".

Laurent: "What is it"?

Larry: "I...I'm in love with you".

Laurent whispering while asleep and dreaming: "I'm in love with you too Larry".

He then starts to have flashbacks of their happier moments in the relationship while seeing Larry's beautiful smile and hearing him laugh...but those moments are overshadowed by the abuse he put him through. Some older moments and some very recent...  

~flashback to the night of the gala~

Larry: "Oww! Baby please"!

Laurent: "Please what?! What the hell did you expect"?!

*later at home the same night*

Laurent: "Oh so you're not leaving on your own? Fine! I'll make you"!

He sees himself dragging Larry to the door while also hearing Larry's plea...

Larry: "Baby please stop! I don't wanna leave"!

Laurent: "You don't have a choice"!

He also hears Larry banging on the door and his pleas to let him back in the house....

Larry: *crying hysterically* "Baby? Baby please. I'm so sorry just please let me in. Laurent? I don't want to leave baby please open the door". *pause* "Laurent"?

Laurent whispering while asleep and dreaming: "I'm sorry bebe".

~second flashback to Larry finding out about the cocaine~

Laurent: "You so perfect you can judge me?! Oh that's right I forget. You are perfect! The perfect Larry that everyone loves! The perfect Larry with the bigger and better talent that win everything! The perfect Larry that everybody wants! The perfect Larry that everyone make a fuss over ever since we babies! The winner! The champion and no just of dance...of life"!

Larry: "Wh...what's mine is yours baby". *sniff* "You know that".

Laurent: "Don't lie"!!

Laurent sees himself standing over Larry delivering blow after blow. Then he hears Larry's blood curdling scream that made him stop and look at his balled up fist...eventually looking down at Larry...

Larry: "Laurent pleeeeeeeeease"!!

~end of flashbacks~ 

Laurent shoots up in bed and yells with his eyes still closed, "I'm sorry bebe! I'm sorry"!! 

He then feels his stomach turning as this is increasingly becoming too much for him. He bolts from the bed again and runs to the bathroom vomiting relentlessly immediately catching the attention of the staff... 

Dr. Crane: "We have to get an IV in him".  

When Laurent comes stumbling out of the bathroom the staff immediately follows the doctors orders... 

Dr. Crane: "Mr. Bourgeois. We're afraid you're going to dehydrate so we need to hook you up to an IV ok"?

Still distressed Laurent doesn't want anyone touching him and the moment he feels the alcohol swab touch his arm he lets loose. He starts kicking and flailing trying to get out of their grasp... 

Dr. Crane: "Mr. Bourgeois, please let us do this". 

Laurent: "Don't touch me"!

It takes a few more people coming in to restrain him before he finally gives up the fight. He goes back to thinking about Larry and the more he thinks about all he put him through he begins to cry and soon after he's crying hysterically... 

Laurent: "I'm so sorry bebe. Please forgive me", he whispers. 

The IV is successfully in him so the staff retreats to the room to finish their observation. Laurent remains calm but he's still completely heartbroken. For the next several minutes he continues to cry...still whispering he's sorry to his love... 

---------------------------  

A/N: Hey my loves. I hope I didn't confuse anyone with what was a flashback and what was Laurent's present time. If I did please let me know. Now if phase one for him seemed intense keep in mind he still has therapy to go through. As always, sound off in the comments and I'll update soon. Love you guys. :)